Above the Law

Morning Docket: 04.08.26

* In first press conference since learning that he would soon be the Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche explains that the DOJ’s official stance is that Trump has a “right” to direct criminal investigations of his enemies. [Reuters]

* Pam Bondi isn’t technically gone yet, but Todd Blanche already updated his title. [Daily Beast]

* DOJ Civil Rights Division launches investigation of Cassidy Hutchinson for testifying to the January 6 Committee. It’s not a potential charge the Civil Rights Division would normally handle, but it’s not like they’re doing anything else these days. [NY Times]

* ICE currently arresting domestic violence survivors when they go to court to testify against their abusers. [The Atlantic]

* Sotomayor calls out Kavanaugh stops. [Bloomberg Law News]

* Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threaten legal action against CNN for… verbatim reporting Iran’s statement about the ceasefire. [Independent]

* GC survey shows last year’s executive branch extortion efforts against Biglaw transformed outside counsel selection. [Corporate Counsel]

Yale Law Has Fallen — See Also

Not Very Far, But It Still Counts!: Read the newest law school rankings here.

How Much Do Rankings Actually Matter Though?: Legal academia shares their thoughts.

Losing And Winning Go Hand In Hand: Pam Bondi wins ATL’s disbar bracket!

Jones Day Should Have Bumped Up Cybersecurity: The Biglaw firm acknowledges a cyber attack.

Temple Law Students Can Do Without ICE: They’re demanding their administration keep ICE off campus.

Thinking About Hiring A Coach? Read This Before You Waste Your Money

Even the best coach cannot help someone who is unwilling to change, unwilling to act, or unwilling to look inward.

This 10-Minute Test Shows Where You’re Losing Cases

Most firms are leaving money on the table. Don’t be one of them.

Jones Day Gets Hacked While FBI Busy Planning Kash Patel’s Next Vacation

Hacking group throws in Epstein files crack for good measure.

Cyberattacks On Law Firms Are Rising. Here’s What’s Driving It.

The real question isn't whether firms will be targeted, but whether they are prepared.

Morning Docket: 04.07.26

* As we already covered, the new US News law school rankings are out and… they’re wild. [US News]

* Biglaw firms lend support to those fighting the Trump administration. [Reuters]

* DLA Piper pregnancy bias trial kicked off yesterday, with the firm telling jury that it fired associate over her work. [NY Law Journal]

* Supreme Court looks to help Bannon escape conviction. [CNN]

* More scammers impersonating law firms. [Law.com International]

* Drake appeal described as dangerous. [Billboard]

* Third Circuit bets on Kalshi. [Law360]

* Judge loses job after investigation finds lying and efforts to help landlords. [ABA Journal]

Sucks You Got Fired, It’s Saturday Night! — See Also

Pam Bondi’s Firing Gets The SNL Treatment: The Dow won’t stop the humor!

Who Will Replace Bondi?: Expect to see more of Jeanine, Alina, and Harmeet.

Georgetown Law Students Aren’t Looking Forward To Graduation: Hundreds are petitioning the school’s proposed changes.

More Bar Exam Takers Are Getting Extended Time: Is it because of increased access to diagnoses or are people paying for more time?

Have Your Sights Set On Government Work?: These are the schools you need to go to!

This Judge Is Cartoonishly Evil

Not exactly a paragon of judicial ethics.

Deepfakes And The Future Of Litigation: Are We Ready?

Seeing will no longer be believing; seeing will require verification.

Suppose Portugal Did It

America has gotten away with having a clownish buffoon at the helm because America is the most powerful country on earth.

Georgetown Law Set To Reward Graduating Law Students By Replacing Graduation Gala With A School Happy Hour & Other Unpopular Changes

Is it really too much to listen to your students?

Trump Team Calls Iran Power Plants ‘Legitimate Military Targets,’ Law Prof Calls That Theory ‘Idiocy’

A top national security law expert says the Trump administration's reasoning wouldn't survive a bar exam.

Why ‘Helpful’ Legal AI Is Often The Least Trustworthy

Lawyers trust systems that feel attentive, situationally aware, and willing to challenge them.

Pam Bondi Gets The SNL Treatment On Her Way Out The Door

There's a lot to ridicule.