Above the Law

Kindness Begets Kindness — And It’s Free!

Just a few sincere words can have a profound and lasting impact on someone else.

National Guard Deployments To US Cities Cost Almost Half A Billion Dollars, Says CBO

The Trump administration has already spent nearly $500 million on domestic National Guard deployments, with monthly costs being further broken down by the CBO.

Morning Docket: 01.29.26

* Trump accuses Minneapolis mayor of “very serious violation of the law” because the mayor is obeying a Supreme Court precedent written by well-known leftist… Antonin Scalia. [Time]

* Meanwhile, a Minnesota federal judge blocked Homeland Security’s current indiscriminate sweep and ordered the release of those recently detained. [Courthouse News Service]

* Seventh Circuit digs into AI privacy settlement that gave plaintiffs a cut of the defendant. [National Law Journal]

* Judges will come together to better understand AI and its implications for the justice system. [Legaltech News]

* Spider-Man testifies in Goldstein trial. [Law360]

* Lawsuit hopes to block FEMA staffing cuts. [Reuters]

* Inter American back in ABA compliance. Congrats. [ABA Journal]

Grown Adults Fighting Over Twitter — See Also

Harmeet Dhillon and Ed Whelan Go At It: I’m not saying they had nothing better to do with their lives, but I’m also not not saying it.

Judges Are Fed Up With The DOJ: If you’re going to make a goofy argument, at least do the work of supporting it.

Regional Law Schools Weighs Merits Of Merging: Is making more money worth leaving the community?

Open Racism As Networking Tool: The “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE” lady works for America First Legal Foundation now.

Never Too Late To Gamble: Tom Goldstein called the government’s bluff.

Pocket Watching Is Okay When We Do It!: Answer our survey, please and thanks.

What, Exactly, Is ‘Disruption,’ And How Does This Affect Lawyers?

Rita Gunther McGrath, Columbia Business School professor and Wall Street Journal columnist, discusses how AI is forcing professional services to price outcomes instead of hours.

Attorney Infamous For Texting ‘I HATE BLACK PEOPLE’ Lands At Stephen Miller–Linked Law Shop, Because Of Course She Did

Crystal Clanton didn’t derail her career. She followed it exactly where it was always heading.

Tom Goldstein Called Government’s Bluff And Now Jeffrey Toobin Has To Litigate It

A primer on why it's ill-advised to give news interviews while facing trial.

Regional Law School Explores Long-Distance Merger

That's one hell of a drive!

I Legally Carried A Concealed Handgun At A Minnesota Anti-ICE Protest

I do not believe Good and Pretti died in vain.

Senior DOJ Official And Right-Wing Lawyer Get In Hilariously Bitchy Twitter Slapfight

For our entertainment, Harmeet Dhillon and Ed Whelan spent last night trading high-minded arguments like 'Are you drunk?'

How Cleary Gottlieb Created A Virtuous Cycle With Tech

Litera recently celebrated a group of innovative customers that are utilizing their Foundation platform in transformative and unique ways. Here, we’re profiling how an elite firm is staying on the cutting edge.

The End Of An Era: Stroock Dissolves After Nearly 150 Years

RIP, Stroock. The firm's winddown is now complete.

FIFA 2026, Politics, And The Law: What Sepp Blatter’s Warning Really Means For The World Cup In America

The 2026 tournament is testing whether a sport that markets itself as borderless can function inside a world of tightening borders and polarized politics.

New Year, New Shingle: Why 2026 Is The Year To Bet On Yourself

It is time to start your own firm? See the tips you'll need to make that a reality.

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