U.S. News Law School Rankings

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 02.19.15

* "Let’s face it: There are some people here that will not vote for her unless she says what they want her to say, that the president committed an illegal act by these [immigration] executive orders." Loretta Lynch is having a tough time making Republican friends. [The Hill] * Some new details have been released on the investigation into DLA Piper associate David Messerschmitt's death. Per police records, he was stabbed in the back, and was found in his hotel room with "lubricant and condom" and an "enema." We'll have more on this development later today. [Legal Times] * The rankings are coming! THE RANKINGS ARE COMING! Rankings guru Bob Morse, the man who holds law school deans' jobs in his hands, says the 2016 U.S. News Law School Rankings will be out on March 10. [Morse Code / U.S. News & World Report] * A patent lawyer with Asperger's syndrome is suing Patterson & Sheridan for discrimination. In his suit, he claims that a prominent partner was allowed to continually harass him in a purported quest to drive him out. Ah, law firm life. [The Recorder] * The case against the ex-leaders of Dewey & LeBoeuf hinges on the testimony of the failed firm's former employees. Defense attorneys, of course, are trying to get things barred from admission -- including one defendant's link to a mob member. [New York Law Journal] * “We’re still in the same position we’ve been in. There’s progress, but things are moving at a snail’s pace.” As we mentioned earlier this week, according to NALP, the percentage of women associates in law firms is up... but not by much. [DealBook / New York Times] * One of the best law schools in the country will have a brand new dean come this summer. Congratulations to Theodore Ruger, a longtime law professor who will assume the deanship at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in July. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

By Staci Zaretsky
Banking Law

Morning Docket: 11.03.14

* Two women will be making their oral argument debuts before the Supreme Court this week. One of them will be arguing two cases in the span of a month, which is absolutely insane. [National Law Journal] * Big banks are putting aside big money for legal costs: Citi squirreled away an extra $600 million, RBS is ready to hand over $600 million, and Barclays has $800 million on tap. [DealBook / New York Times] * In preparation for the prestige frenzy come March 2015, law schools will have about three weeks to complete their survey information for the annual U.S. News law school rankings. [Morse Code / U.S. News] * The controversial, anti-gay Trinity Western University Law School may not be able to open after all. The B.C. Law Society just voted to overturn its prior approval of the school’s accreditation. [CBC News] * It seems the United States isn’t the only place where recent law school graduates are struggling to find jobs. In Japan, newly licensed lawyers can’t find work either. Saitei, my friends, saitei. :( [Japan Times]

By Staci Zaretsky
Law Schools

Non-Sequiturs: 05.12.14

* Human Rights Watch wants to “stop killer robots” from being used as cops. In case that was really weighing on your mind. [PC World] * A profile and Q&A with Twitter’s foremost jurist, Justice Don Willett of Texas. He indulges us with answers longer than 140 characters. [Coverage Opinions] * The Berkeley bird beheader gets four years probation and service to an animal shelter. And you just know some bird is going to try and start something with him on the first day. [Associated Press via San Diego Union-Times] * Instead of announcing a new dean, Louisville has given a three-year extension to its interim dean to keep holding the “interim” title. What’s going on? Could one of the commenters be right: that the school doesn’t want to take on a new salary because they expect the school to fold? [The Faculty Lounge] * The Drake Law service dog lawsuit is over. [Des Moines Register] * Today is the last day to enter the New York’s Funniest Professional Competition! [Manhattan Comedy School / Gotham Comedy Club] * Internet collegiality alert: Internet Tax Lawyers blog blatantly rips off another blogger. For shame. [Law and More] * Comparing the U.S. News peer ranking with which faculty’s academic writing really gets read. [Tax Prof Blog]

By Joe Patrice