Above the Law

* What will happen if SCOTUS were to overturn Roe v. Wade? For one, abortion wouldn't automatically become illegal across America -- that would be up to each individual state. In fact, some states have "trigger laws" ready to go to ban abortion if Roe is ever overturned. Hopefully this won't happen any time soon, or ever. [BuzzFeed]

* The University of Illinois at Chicago is moving forward with its planned merger with John Marshall Law School to to establish the UI Chicago John Marshall College of Law. Dean Vikram Amar of Illinois Law wants to make very sure that everyone knows this is "not a joint enterprise in any way." [News-Gazette; Chicago Tribune]

* Bless their hearts, but it looks like Winstead won't be taking Troutman Sanders to the rodeo after all. According to inside sources, this Texas-sized merger was simply not meant to be due to billing rates and preferred clientele. [Texas Lawyer]

* All rise for new royalty at Dechert, for Sheila L. Birnbaum, the "Queen of Torts" is here! Her Majesty left Quinn Emanuel and brought 28 other lawyers and staff with her to form a product liability and mass torts team at the firm. [Big Law Business]

* The White House has named Steven Dillingham as its nominee to direct the U.S. Census Bureau. In case you weren't aware, Dillingham has a law degree from the University of South Carolina. No word yet on whether he's still practicing. [NPR]

Biglaw Firm Raises Salaries: But not before they take their pound of flesh.

Biglaw Firm Gets Called Out: Over their handling of the Baylor scandal. 

Wherein Elie Mystal Gets Really Mad: In fairness, it's because there's some white nationalist sh*t in WaPo, so totally deserved.

Ryan Bounds Is Out: His Ninth Circuit nomination has been pulled.

See, Harvard Law Grads Aren't Perfect: Sometimes they (allegedly) kill their mothers.