Moonlighting: The Many Paradoxes of Managing Others
The in-house attorneys who invest the energy to train group members don’t end up reaping the full benefits of their investment. Why is that?
Married to the Firm: Partners Act Like My Kids
What is it like being married to a man who's married to his firm? A Biglaw spouse tells all....
AI Is Reshaping Legal Practice—But Tools Aren’t The Real Differentiator.
Explore the mindset, cultural shifts, and training strategies that define the AI‑savvy lawyer, revealing why human judgment, standardized competence, and integrated learning—not technology alone—will shape the future of the profession.
Size Matters: Bachelor Ben Teaches Small Firms How to Pick a New Hire
Like many other Bachelor fans, Valerie Katz devoted approximately 14 hours last night to finding out who Bachelor Ben chose as his future wife. After much soul-searching and a pensive walk through Switzerland, Ben picked Courtney, the model who everyone hated. Ben’s path to “true love” is a lesson not just for pathetic women but also for small-firm hiring partners. Here are the top five takeaways….
Moonlighting: Try This One Out — ‘My Bad’
Why can’t people admit it when they’ve made mistakes? I think it’s because they focus on the potential negative consequences and not enough on the benefits that admitting mistakes can have on their careers. It’s irritating when people can’t admit that they’re wrong in any situation, but it seems most annoying when it happens in the work environment.
Moonlighting: What’s the Big Deal? (Part II)
In the last installment of Moonlighting, we examined the importance of understanding the big picture at work. This week, we’ll consider one method of finding out more about the big picture: asking questions. Not the dumb ones. The good ones. So what are some good questions that can help us to see the bigger picture? […]
Moonlighting: What’s the Big Deal?
Lawyers are great at thinking small — small picture, that is. We’re awesome at details, however painstakingly minor. We sport the “grammar police” badge proudly, even though we know that it’s the dorkiest one out there (wait, except for the “I memorized all of the two-letter words in Scrabble” badge — that one’s slightly dorkier). […]
Opus 2 Steps Up Its AI Game With Acquisition Of A Legal Tech Startup
With the addition of Uncover’s technology, the litigation software is delivering rapid innovation.
Non-Sequiturs: 12.19.11
* Someone figured out exactly what’s on every nerdy lawyer’s holiday wish list: an iPhone app for PACER. Get it while it’s hot — it’s free! [iTunes App Store] * The First Amendment will always reign supreme, even if people are harassing religious old ladies on the Twitter. [Underdog] * Legalizing same-sex marriage is like […]
From Biglaw to Boutique: Looks Like Rain
The traditional method of building a book of business no longer works for most associates. Firms now sometimes go so far as to actively discourage associates from forming too-strong relationships with clients, lest the associate leave and take the client with them. With these challenges, how can an associate ever hope to make the rain they will need if they want to open their own firm?
Size Matters: Divorce Lawyer Gives Marriage Advice
Valerie Katz profiles a San Francisco family lawyer whose firm has become a highly regarded boutique that specializes in “Family Building,” “Divorce and Dissolution,” and “Asset Protection.” What's so special about him? This guy is a marriage counselor, too. Would you take marriage advice from someone who specializes in divorce?
Size Matters: Divorce Lawyer Gives Marriage Advice
Valerie Katz profiles a San Francisco family lawyer whose firm has become a highly regarded boutique that specializes in “Family Building,” “Divorce and Dissolution,” and “Asset Protection.” What's so special about him? This guy is a marriage counselor, too. Would you take marriage advice from someone who specializes in divorce?
Filevine’s New Legal AI Platform LOIS Turns AI Into A True Legal Coworker
Legal work isn’t slowing down, and the firms that win won’t be the ones working harder — they’ll be the ones working smarter.
Elie’s Vacation Memo: On Marriage
Our editor, Elie Mystal, is on vacation this week to celebrate his wedding anniversary. Could he have been a better husband if he stuck it out in Biglaw for however long it took until he and his wife were debt-free? Read on for Elie's thoughts on the matter....
Size Matters: Breaking Up Need Not Be Hard To Do
Ed. note: This is the latest installment of Size Matters, one of Above the Law’s new columns for small-firm lawyers. We all know that sometimes relationships end. Take Renee Zellweger and Bradley Cooper. As my friend (who is a divorce attorney) always says, if things are not working out, end it and do not buy […]
Quote of the Day: Relationship Advice from Judge Richard Posner
Plus, you always surrender in an argument with your wife, right? Isn’t that the formula for marital happiness? — Judge Richard Posner, quoted recently in the New York Times in an article about “sell by” or “use by” dates for food.
Date Harvard Men Without Streetwalking Down Mass Ave.
You know the old joke: How many Harvard men does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one; he holds the bulb in place while the world revolves around him. Many a Harvard man takes that approach to household maintenance, professional endeavors, and even dating. You’re not going to believe this, but some […]