Above the Law

* Are conservative partners giving smaller bonuses to female associates? Per the results of a recent study, political ideology impacts how partners allocate discretionary income to associates based on gender. If you thought this couldn't happen in Biglaw since bonuses are largely lockstep by class year, think again. The firm studied has 1,000+ lawyers. We'll have more on this later. [Am Law Daily]

* "We’ve got one of the country’s finest jurists, who I happened to have nominated to the Supreme Court and who’s going to continue to serve our country with distinction as the chief judge on the D.C. circuit, Merrick Garland is here." President Obama hasn't withdrawn his SCOTUS nomination, but his White House Hanukkah party introduction of the jurist indicates he's all but given up on Garland's confirmation. [Washington Post]

* "Just because you didn’t go to law school doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have more time to bond with a new child." Lowenstein Sandler has adopted a gender-neutral family leave policy that's being offered to all of the firm's employees -- not just its lawyers. Congrats to the firm on taking an important leap towards parental equality. [Big Law Business]

* According to the latest ABA data, first-year law school enrollment has increased for the first time since 2010. Don't get too excited over this news, because only 36 more 1Ls were enrolled in law school in 2016 compared to 2015, and one of the schools with the largest enrollment increase (Indiana Tech) is closing for good. [National Law Journal]

* "Once again, public schools have decided that their commitment to diversity does not extend to Christians." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is going to war over a religious Charlie Brown Christmas poster that was banned from a local middle school. AG Paxton has filed suit, but some say he did so as a distraction from his own indictment. [Reuters]

* The jury deliberated for just two hours before convicting Dylann Roof of the Charleston church murders. [The Daily Beast]

* Tables turned: how Judge Jed Rakoff (S.D.N.Y.) got the Second Circuit, which normally reviews his judgments, overturned. [Bloomberg BNA]

* Keith Lee takes a deep dive into newly released law school data (the ABA 509 disclosures). [Associate's Mind]

* Eugene Volokh breaks down a new Fourth Circuit ruling that protects the right of police officers to criticize department policies on Facebook. [Volokh Conspiracy]

* David Lander evaluates the pluses and minuses of law schools relying upon adjunct professors to fill curricular gaps. [PrawfsBlawg]

* What variables best explain the decisions of the Roberts Court? [Tennessee Law Review via Hangley Aronchick]

* Check out Womble Carlyle's new podcast, Bulldog Bites. Says host Mark Henriques, "I promise it won’t feel like work. If you don’t learn something, hopefully you’ll laugh with us about something." [Womble Carlyle]