Above the Law

* Judge George B. Daniels (S.D.N.Y.) dismissed a suit alleging that President Trump violated the Constitution's emoluments clause when his hotels and restaurants did business with foreign governments during his time in office. The reason for dismissal? A lack of standing. [Washington Post]

* Speaking of the president, past vetting (or lack thereof) concerns be damned, because he recently announced his latest round of judicial nominations. Thus far, Trump has had a record number of circuit judges confirmed in his first year. [CNN]

* Simpson Thacher and Kasowitz Benson are being sued for malpractice by the former CEO of Patriot National, who claims the firms are the reason why his company went under and is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. [Daily Business Review]

* Co-conspirator or victim? That's what jurors will have to decide when it comes to former Katten Muchin partner Evan Greebel, who once represented pharma bro Martin Shkreli. [New York Law Journal]

* UCLA Law School is creating the Chris Cornell Scholarship, named for the late Soundgarden/Audioslave singer, endowed with a $1 million gift from a coalition led by his widow, Vicky Cornell. This is a wonderful way to remember an amazing artist who was an amazing human being. [Los Angeles Times]

* It's finally here, a listing of the Top 10 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2017. Topping the list is the woman who sued because she claimed she was "deceived" by amount of sugar in jelly beans. [U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform]

HERE'S AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND JUDGE MICHAEL PONSOR: Not to be confused with Judge Richard Posner. As I did, repeatedly, as I struggled to give even a passing concern to work-related issues today. Lat has an interview the the best-selling novelist.

AHH, HERE'S THE RICHARD POSNER STORY: See... It's CONFUSING right? You have to be fully paying attention two realize we wrote about two different white male judges today, instead of just one omnibus story about both of them. And who the hell is paying attention the Thursday before Christmas? Joe has this thing on POSNER.

I NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS FIRM'S BONUSES: I feel like if people are being screwed in Texas they're less likely to tell us about it because they think we'll just make fun of Texas. Which, like, is not wrong. But we still want to know more about Haynes and Boone's bonuses.

SPEAKING OF BONUSES, HAS YOUR FIRM EVEN ANNOUNCED THEM YET? If they have and they're not in this chart, tell Staci. If they have and you are just generally pissed about them, also tell Staci.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO SOMETHING INSTEAD OF READING SOMETHING? It might be easier over the holidays to check out some of these legal podcasts. Cause, honestly, who wants to sit at their desk and read anything the next two weeks? I certainly won't be... [whispering], I mean Above the Law will be publishing all throughout the holidays, so please don't forget to read us [bang head onto desk repeatedly]. Here are the podcasts.