ATL will be on a reduced publication schedule today, in observance of Independence Day. Most of you are out of the office, and we are too.

But not everyone has the day off. From one tipster:

While the rest of downtown Chicago is dead, away on vacation or taking the day off, Katten employees are hard at work today. The office demeanor is less than pleasant. Just another way for Katten to thank their hard working employees. Maybe we shouldn't complain since those of us that work there still have jobs. Happy 4th of July!

Are you in the office today? Feel free to complain, in the comments.

If not, enjoy the three-day weekend. We'll see you on Monday.

I had no idea (and evidently neither did Perkins Coie) that today was supposed to be a special day for lawyers. But apparently April 14 is the one day out of the year that people are supposed to be nice to lawyers.

There's even an entire website dedicated to the day. The site even has some "starter ideas" on what you can do to participate in this glorious event:

*Take your favorite lawyer out to breakfast or lunch (make sure it's not billable!).
*Send your lawyer a "just because" greeting card or a bouquet of flowers.
*Switch your ring tone to the "dah-dah" sound from NBC's "Law & Order."
*Do some simple repairs around the house with a gavel instead of your trusty hammer.

Or how about paying your legal bills, so lawyers can stop being laid off?

After the jump, we reach to Steve Hughes, creator of the site (and the day), for details about how National Be Kind to Lawyers Day came to be.

From your Peeps at Above the Law. :-)

The Peeps diorama above, entitled The Supeep Court, is an entry in the ABA Journal's Peeps in Law contest. Writes the creator, Frank Salamone:

I love looking at photos of the Supreme Court over time to watch it evolve. However, the photos are often very serious and intense. It was fun to do this lighthearted take on the Court's annual photo.

Our favorite touch: the bow tie on JPS (John Peeps Stevens). A quibble: Shouldn't Justice Ginsburg, in pink, and Justice Thomas, in slumber, be switched in position? Compare The Supeep Court to the Supreme Court's official photo (which reflects the justices' seniority-based arrangement).

Update (5 PM): As some of you have noted in the comments, it appears we have misinterpreted this Peeps "portrait" of the Court. The pink one is CT, to reflect his being "a different color" than his colleagues, and the "chick" is RBG, to reflect her being, well, a chick. (And yes, commenters, we know about the new Winston & Strawn start date; we'll include it in the next round-up of start dates.)

To see all the contest submissions, click here and scroll through the slideshow. Enjoy!

Peeps in Law [ABA Journal]

Happy Presidents' Day! Or Washington and Lincoln Day. Or George Washington Day for Virginians. Or Washington and Jefferson Day if you're in Alabama. Whatever you call it, we hope you have it off; we do. In honor of the executive branch, ATL will be on a reduced publication schedule today.

* Adam Cohen asks, "Is the Supreme Court About to Kill Off the Exclusionary Rule?" [New York Times]

* A Facebook status update for Quinn Emmanuel might say "Whoops." A firm PR newsletter bragged about the $65 million that its client ConnectU got out of Facebook... in a confidential settlement. [Los Angeles Times]

* Good news for those looking for work: U.S. Attorneys' offices in New York have vacancies. Bad news: they may not have the money to fill the empty spots. [Newsday]

* Open-government advocates want PACER to be as easy to use as Google, and free. [New York Times]

* Lawsuit of the Day: iFart Mobile vs. Pull My Finger. [VentureBeat]

[Ed Note: Do you have a question for next week? Send it in to advice@abovethelaw.com]

ATL -

My girlfriend and I have been dating for about two months now, and we're both lawyers at big firms. We're both pretty busy these days, so I haven't cooked up anything for Valentine's Day yet and I'm sure she hasn't given much thought to it either. Thoughts on what I should do?

Love to Love You Baby

Dear Love to Love You Baby,

Valentine's Day is a special time for you and your girlfriend to celebrate your love for each other. Valentine's is also a day of shameless bragging, a day when bitter co-workers must be awed and silenced. On this day of reckoning, women objectively compare their own relationships to that of their friends and colleagues and determine whose is superior based on outlays of cash. Even if your girlfriend says that she hasn't been thinking about it, I can assure you that this is an outrageous lie. The absolute minimum you need to do if you want to continue dating is to send flowers to her office this Friday so that her beauty and worthiness above all others may be extolled throughout the land. Flowers given in private on Saturday are about as brag-worthy as working for Jacoby & Meyers.

Beyond this critical public gesture, you need to determine what level of expenditure is required in order to avoid a fight. Personally, any Valentine's Day that does not consist of being woken up by someone fanning me gently a with palm frond, having my steps dogged with crushed rose petals and being whisked to dinner in a gilded chariot where I am presented with lingerie made from the finest silks in Cathay and $500 in cold hard cash, I consider to be an unmitigated disaster. Doubtless your girlfriend feels the same.

Of course, naysayers will contend that Valentine's is a Hallmark holiday, invented by florists and chocolatiers to gouge people out of hundreds of dollars. You may have heard absurdities along the lines of, "We don't celebrate Valentine's because it's stupid" or "We don't need a holiday to show our love for each other." Let us not dwell further on these obvious defense mechanisms and transparent falsehoods; we all know that the amount of money spent is directly related to the amount of love in one's heart.

Your friend,

Marin

The Love Guru tells us what women want after the jump.

Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the pioneering civil rights leader. If you're not at work, we hope that you are enjoying the day off. (We are around, but will be posting less than usual.)

If you are at work, be proud. We're pretty sure that equal opportunities to be productive cogs in the capitalist machine, regardless of race color or creed, were part of Dr. King's dream.

If you are looking for something to do, we suggest that you treat today as an opportunity for public service. You can look up a service project in your area at MLKDay.gov or you can join the incoming president.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service [MLKDay.gov]

If you think about it, it kind of makes sense. You've just been through the holidays, which is nothing more than an annoying reminder of all the love and happiness other people pretend to have. Meanwhile you're sitting there trying to choke down a forkful of stuffing while your spouse drunkenly tells the exact same story you've heard on the order of 1400 times before, not counting the time you actually witnessed the described events.

So you try to zone out in front of the tube, but the Television God has determined that if you purchase a new Lexus you'll feel like a kid again. As if some girl who is so rich her family could afford a real live pony is going to go all weak in the knees over a freaking SUV. But whatever, the economy is so bad you can't even afford a canister of "new car smell."

Holidays and poverty, they're murder on marriages. In the U.K. the lawyers are prepared:

And with 17 per cent of divorced men blaming financial problems for the end of their marriage, the credit crunch is putting extra pressure on relationships in trouble.

The report doesn't discuss how American divorce lawyers deal with the first full work week after Christmas, but in Britain they apparently call it "D-Day."

The traditional New Year rush to end marriages after the stress of Christmas means divorce lawyers brand today D-Day, or Divorce Day, kick-starting their busiest week of the year.

After the jump, we're reminded that divorce rarely if ever helps anything.

Dear readers, welcome to 2009. The year just ended was a difficult one, for the legal profession and for the country as a whole. Let's hope the new year brings better news.

But will it? Take our reader poll below, and offer your specific predictions about 2009 in the comments.

If you'd like to help Above the Law get the year started on the right foot, please do us the honor of voting for us in the ABA Journal's Blawg 100 contest. Voting ends tomorrow, so this will be the last time we'll bother you with a plug. To vote, click here.

Happy New Year!

To those of you who celebrate it, Merry Christmas! We hope you've been spending the holiday in the company of family and friends, rather than at the office -- or in front of a computer screen.

But if you are stuck at work right now, here's a little post to let you know that we're thinking of you. Think of it as our Christmas gift to you.

See you tomorrow!

This is a depressing time for the economy and for the legal profession. But there are pockets of happy holiday news out there. From a tipster:

I'm a 2L who just received a holiday gift from the Texas-based firm with which I will summer. The gift is nothing particularly fancy -- a decent quality firm-themed blanket and sweatshirt -- but the gesture was nice in what have been particularly dark times for the legal market.

Two things came to mind when I received it: (1) are other firms still doing small gestures like this for their incoming summer associates, and (2) how are Texas firms faring overall in the downturn.

If you have tips about Texas, feel free to send them to us, and we might do a post if we get a critical mass of them. We tend to go where our tipsters take us. If we write less about a given topic, it's generally because we're not getting any tips about it.

On the issue of holiday gifts from law firms, what is your firm doing? Are incoming summer or full-time associates getting Christmas care packages from their future overlords? Or has the recession turned law firms into Scrooges?

There is some anecdotal evidence that the recession has trickled down to law firm holiday swag. Last year, we reported that Sullivan & Cromwell was showering recruits with mugs, hot chocolate, cookies, and blankets. What is S&C doing this Christmas season? A Sullivan-bound 3L reports:

A box of cookies and hot chocolate. No blanket, mug, or candy this year.

Times are tough, kid. Just be happy you have a job waiting for you after law school.

Happy holidays!

Earlier: Law Firm Holiday Swag: What Did You Get?

Back when Cravath announced its bonus structure, you'll remember that there were two surprising aspects to the memo. The cash money was less than people expected to be sure. But at the time we also noted this surprising language:

Given the uncertainty of the economy and the business climate going forward, we will not be able to address the issue of whether there will be any year-end bonuses in 2009 until this time next year. However, associates should be prepared for the likelihood that the economy and the Firm's financial performance next year will not show a significant improvement over this year and they may receive significantly reduced or no year-end bonuses next year.

Now, there is more -- albeit anecdotal -- evidence that Cravath is looking into their 2009 crystal ball, and planning further cutbacks. This year, the firm proceeded with their usual holiday party plans. But next year, things could be different:

Normally, they have a HUGE holiday party in the Rainbow Room. Word on the street is that next year, the party will either be in the "Cravatheteria" (the firm cafeteria) or not at all.

And that might not be the only Cravath cutback. More after the jump.

California firm Grodsky & Olecki likes to have fun with its annual end-of-the-year holiday card. The firm likes them so much that it keeps cards dating back to 2003 archived on its site. In recent years, the firm has humorously touched on the Writers Guild strike, red state-blue state divide, and malfunctioning voting machines. Suffice to say, the firm has a quirky sense of humor.

This year's card is edgy, and certainly less cloying than Cadwalader's. Here's the gloomy front of the card:

Shouldn't J.P. Morgan's name really be on that certificate, c/o the American taxpayer? And do we actually want to be reminded of bail-outs in holiday cards this season? To lift your spirits again, check out name partner Allen Grodsky doing a yoga headstand pose on his bio page.

And check out the festive (at least in coloration) backside of the card, after the jump.

We've covered gift-giving by lawyers, to their secretaries and administrative support staff. Now, it's time to move on to gift-giving to lawyers.

This is an open thread to discuss best gifts for lawyers. Perhaps you can e-mail the post out to friends and relatives instead of compiling the hated gift wish list.

To get your creative juices flowing, here's a few ideas we came up with:

For the lawyers who like bling: Profession Gifts offers this pin up as "a beautiful clothing accessory that makes both a professional and fashion statement." Indeed.

For the lawyer doing doc review around the country: We hate stripping down to go through airport security and unloading the contents of our carry-ons. While the shoes, the belt, and the metal bustier still have to be shed, laptops can stay in their bags according to a TSA policy change made this summer. The catch is that you have to have a special "checkpoint-friendly" bag (via USAToday). Here are some bags fitting the bill from The Week.

For those who work so hard that they never see their kids: It's nice to remind the little ones of their absent parents. For Counsel has a whole section of "Gifts for Lawyers' Babies and Toddlers." We like the idea of branding the little one with this bib.

For the lawyer with lots of weird stuff on his or her desk: We might recommend Supreme Court Bobbleheads (if you can get one) from the Green Bag. Scalia's up for grabs on eBay at the moment. Current bid: $102.50.

For the kinky lawyer: A "justice is blind" blindfold.

So here's an open thread to discuss what you want this year (besides a Skadden-sized bonus). What do you recommend giving to legal folk this holiday season?

I'm not sure how you make a "Happy Holidays" e-card mildly insulting, but then again I've never been schooled in the dark arts practiced by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.

Over the weekend, CWT sent around an inspirational holiday greeting card. Check out the screenshot:

Great! Lots of firms send out holiday greetings. But does every firm send out cards to the people they laid off a few months ago? Because that's what CWT did.

Let's explore how CWT messed up what should have been a great idea, after the jump.

Last week, we posted an open thread to discuss end-of-the-year gift giving to your secretary and/or paralegal. We've waded through the many comments to fish out some points of consensus.

In case comments are not indicative of general trends, here are some polls to see what your peers are doing. New York is its own world, and gets its own poll:

And what about the trend across the rest of the country?

One commenter says that even if you have a bad secretary, "one of those 'can't make a copy' people," associates should still give a small gift, but should not feel obligated to give a hefty cash bonus.

More polls -- about who you are giving to, and how to handle gift-giving if you've changed secretaries -- after the jump.

If you thought the Kirkland & Ellis holiday party reminder was out of step with these sober times, here's an invitation you might find more appropriate:

Quips our tipster: "Nothing says 'holiday cheer' like preemptive admonitions against bringing anyone to the party you might actually WANT to talk to, driving home Toonces the Cat-style, or groping your peers."

P.S. In fairness, the "no spouses / guests" policy is par for the course at firm holiday parties. Most firms aren't as nice as Kaye Scholer on this score.

Earlier: Kirkland & Ellis Sends Holiday Party Reminder

Kirkland & Ellis sent out one over-the-top holiday party reminder, yesterday. They made the planned festivities sound so great that I briefly missed the feeling bourgeois accomplishment that comes from working in Biglaw in Manhattan. Take a look at some of the highlights:

The Holiday Party is this Thursday, and we are expecting about 530 people to attend!

The Plaza

For the first time the party will be held at The Plaza, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. The Plaza has just gone through an historic restoration and the event spaces are more beautiful than ever. Our party occupies three of the most famous
rooms: The Palm Court, The Terrace Room, and the Terrace Room Foyer.

Unlike previous years, the entire party space will be open from start to finish. Drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:00 p.m., the buffets will open at 7:00 p.m., with the skit, raffle and Employee Recognition Award being presented around 7:30 p.m.

Even a law student knows that a lawyer's life is not glamorous. But occasionally, when you get your ticket punched by Biglaw, you get to act like you're respected and important. Every now and again the yuppie dream becomes a physical reality.

More party details and a reality check after the jump.

With the holidays two weeks away, many are starting to think about the frantic search for gifts for loved ones... and loved support staff. A Consumer Reports survey indicates that 76% of Americans will cut back on gift giving this year. Surprise, surprise. But what does it mean for planning your gift for your secretary and/or paralegal?

Writes one ATL reader:

I'm a NYC 4th year and for three years have given my secretary $100 per year I've been at my firm (plus a small -- $25 -- physical gift as well). If I follow that pattern, I'd give her $400 cash in a few weeks.

My secretary is great and I would like to show my appreciation. But this year, with my job hardly safe and my bonus likely to be at Half-Skadden levels (if I even survive long enough to get a bonus), does the $100 per year rule still apply in NYC?

I think we need a full post on this. It's not 2007 anymore.

$400 seems high, even for New York. We thought $150-200 was the going rate.

For the uninitiated, it's customary for associates at large law firms to give a cash gift to their administrative assistants, often along with a card or small gift. Not everyone opts for cold, hard cash-- some do AmEx or Visa gift cards. (If you do choose to go with bills, please make sure they are not of the soiled, dog-eared variety.)

One secretary wrote to us this year to voice opposition to the inter-office gift giving (and she's not the only one):

How should a legal secretary ask her lawyers to not give her gifts? I don't think Christmas has any place at work, and, though I respect and appreciate my lawyers, I don't want them giving me gifts. I find it awkward and embarrassing on many different levels. I've been at my current job 5 years and tried at first simply not reciprocating. But they never got the message. I'm dreading this year's ordeal like the plague. They make a little ceremony of calling me into an office as if I were in trouble. Please ask your readers what I might say that would stop the gifts without offending my guys. Thanks!

So, here's an open thread to discuss your gift-giving plans in the current economic environment. Are you scaling back this year due to a diminished bonus? What's the scale in your town? Does your paralegal get to sit on Santa's lap as well? And if your secretary wants no part in the 12 days of Christmas, how should she let you know?

In last week's ATL / Lateral Link survey, we asked you whether you billed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

We received just under 1,900 responses, and were a little surprised to learn that only about half of you got to fully recognize the long holiday weekend.

In all, 46% of practicing attorneys who responded to the survey said that they worked on at least one day over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend:

  * Almost one in eight, 12%, worked on Thanksgiving itself.

  * Almost a third, 31%, spent the Friday after Thanksgiving eating leftovers and billing hours.

  * About a quarter, 26%, worked on Saturday.

  * 34% put in time on Sunday.

  * 14% billed hours on two days, 11% worked on three days, and 5.4% worked on all four days of the long Thanksgiving weekend, perhaps making it feel just a little bit longer for them.

Associates in Boston were the most likely to enjoy the full holiday weekend, with only 38% doing any work. In San Diego, however, a surprising 71% of respondents reported working on at least one day.

More after the jump.

In today's ATL / Lateral Link survey, we explore whether you actually had a happy Thanksgiving.

Last year, ATL posted an open thread on Thanksgiving Horror Stories, and reported tales of busy litigators:

I heard of opposing counsel on the East Coast that scheduled a deposition on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, knowing that the counsel from California will likely have Thanksgiving plans torpedoed.

I also heard of a partner who told an associate that a party was moving for a TRO on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The associate worked on the case on Thanksgiving and the weekend. The associate later found out that the partner learned on Wednesday that the TRO was off-calendar, but the partner neglected to tell the associate -- because the partner was preoccupied with getting out of the office for his own Thanksgiving plans.

Of course, even a year ago, there was a much more depressing prospect than working on Thanksgiving. As Loyola 2L put it:

What's more horrifying than working during Thanksgiving is the thought of being unemployed next Thanksgiving with six-figures of student loan debt.

This year, with work slowing at many firms, what was your experience? Did you have to work over the holiday?

Update: This survey is closed. Click here to see the results.

--
Justin Bernold is a Director at Lateral Link, the sponsor of this Associate Life Survey.