Above the Law

The CLE Encore: Turning Success Into Long-Term Growth

Your CLE may have been a hit, but the impact can continue long after the applause fades.

Morning Docket: 03.06.26

* Almost 200 former federal judges sign amicus brief arguing that unexplained shadow docket orders aren’t binding in effort to stop the Supreme Court’s vibelawyering. [National Law Journal]

* “Google’s AI Sent an Armed Man to Steal a Robot Body for It to Inhabit, Then Encouraged Him to Kill Himself, Lawsuit Alleges” This case is basically the Florida Man Turing Test. [Futurism]

* Trump administration officially declares Anthropic a supply chain risk, arguing that the company they gave access to all their classified information is now a spy because it wouldn’t agree to build murder bots. Anthropic is going to sue. [Law360]

* “A number of senior associates, partners and paralegals” laid off at UK firm. [Roll on Friday]

* ICE arrested a journalist without a warrant in least surprising headline of the day. [Reuters]

* Indicted judge loses reelection. [ABA Journal]

* NY lawmakers consider banning AI from dispensing legal advice. Which is all well and good until you remember that much of the “legal advice” it would dispense would be drafts for lawyers. [StateScoop]

The Bar Has Never Been Lower — See Also

Pam Bondi Wants To Call The Ethical Shots: Can’t be held in contempt if she’s the final arbiter!

Noem? I Hardly Know Her!: Trump fires Kristi Noem mid speech. Hate Trump all you want, but the man is funny.

Arnold & Porter Ushers In Two-Tier Partner System:The firm sees it as an opportunity to compete in the lateral market.

Brown Rudnick Faces Gender-Based Discrimination Suit: Is it really that hard to refer to your clients by their names?

Trump Judges Help Him Secure Legal Victories: Gotta pad those victory numbers somehow!

You’ve Had Enough. Now What? How To Make A Law Firm Move Actually Work

If you are going to make a change, do it for the right reasons and make it count.

The Hands-Free Law Practice: How Nursing Moms And Carpooling Crusaders Can Get Real Work Done With AI

Meaningful work doesn’t always happen at a desk. Let AI improve your work-life balance.

Your Destiny Is Not Assigned To You

If you want to build a meaningful, sustainable career, you must determine and define your destiny early.

Trump’s Courtroom Strategy When Suing The Press: File First, Worry About The Constitution Later

Trump's war on the press may not survive judicial scrutiny -- but that might not be the point.

Brown Rudnick Faces Gender-Based Discrimination Suit Over Unwanted Nicknames

Not all titles of nobility are compliments.

AI Adoption Among Legal Professionals Has More Than Doubled In A Year, New 8am Report Finds, But Firms Lag Far Behind Individual Practitioners

The report covers three major topic areas: gen AI adoption and perspectives, access to justice, and the rule of law.

Trump Dumps Kristi Noem In The Middle Of Her Speech, Which Is Objectively Very Funny

Kristi Noem gets the Old Yeller treatment.

How Trump’s True Believer Judges Are Warping The Federal Courts

MAGA judges are a different breed entirely.

Litera Celebrates Creative Use Of Foundation With Innovation Awards, Crowning Troutman Pepper Locke As Winner

A group of Litera Foundation customers recently gathered to share the transformative applications they’re discovering. Here, we’re profiling how a group of elite firms are staying on the cutting edge.

Bondi Says She’s The Bar Now

We don't need no stinkin' ethics.

The Billable Hour’s Existential Crisis Has An Access To Justice Silver Lining

If AI allows firms to replace timekeeping with flat fees, it could give lawyers the time and money to pursue the public interest work they're putting off.