Public Interest

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 08.02.17

* "We have a very crappy judicial system." Judge Richard Posner of the Seventh Circuit says the Supreme Court has far too few justices, and is calling for 10 more to be added to the high court's ranks, as he thinks the current arrangement on the bench is "[m]ediocre and highly politicized." Tell 'em how you really feel, Your Honor. [Chicago Tribune] * "This is deeply disturbing." The Justice Department's civil rights division is planning to sue colleges and universities that engage in "intentional race-based discrimination" in their affirmative action policies -- that is, discrimination against white applicants. Hmm, wasn't this recently before SCOTUS... twice? [New York Times] * RIP, billables: Microsoft wants to completely eliminate the billable hour by entering into alternative fee arrangements with all of the firms it works with in the future. Twelve Biglaw firms and one intellectual property firm will spearhead this movement as the company's strategic partners. [Big Law Business] * The Department of Education has filed a motion for summary judgment in a suit brought by the ABA over public service loan forgiveness, claiming that its forgiveness eligibility determinations won't be final until 10 years have passed and that any eligibility letters sent thus far are nonbinding and merely advisory. How comforting for law grads drowning in debt? [Law.com; ABA Journal] * The Senate has confirmed King & Spalding partner Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI. During his hearings, Wray said he'd resign if he were ever asked to do something immoral or illegal, as his "commitment is to the rule of law, to the Constitution, to follow the facts wherever they may lead." [CNN]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 06.29.17

* Phone sex operators are suing over labor law violations. Because, fittingly, you're not supposed to be able to f**k phone sex operators. [Law.com] * The National Law Journal continues to milk its ability to count because that's value add journalism! Today they count lawyers by city. [National Law Journal] * A list of high profile pro bono matters that Biglaw firms have taken on. Does your firm make the list? [American Lawyer] * Newly revealed FIFA report finds "appearance of improprieties." Yes, awarding an athletic tournament to a country with 120 degree weather and a slave labor bid does appear improper. Glad we got to the bottom of that. [Corporate Counsel] * Lawyers explain their travel hacks. [ABA Journal] * Divorce lawyer is also a matador. This isn't some kind of metaphor -- he fights bulls. [Chicago Tribune] * Nikki Haley becomes the latest official to run into Hatch Act trouble. [NPR] * Justice Breyer is the most talkative justice on the Supreme Court. I wonder who's the least talkative... [Law360]

By Joe Patrice