Above the Law

Morning Docket: 03.06.26

* Almost 200 former federal judges sign amicus brief arguing that unexplained shadow docket orders aren’t binding in effort to stop the Supreme Court’s vibelawyering. [National Law Journal]

* “Google’s AI Sent an Armed Man to Steal a Robot Body for It to Inhabit, Then Encouraged Him to Kill Himself, Lawsuit Alleges” This case is basically the Florida Man Turing Test. [Futurism]

* Trump administration officially declares Anthropic a supply chain risk, arguing that the company they gave access to all their classified information is now a spy because it wouldn’t agree to build murder bots. Anthropic is going to sue. [Law360]

* “A number of senior associates, partners and paralegals” laid off at UK firm. [Roll on Friday]

* ICE arrested a journalist without a warrant in least surprising headline of the day. [Reuters]

* Indicted judge loses reelection. [ABA Journal]

* NY lawmakers consider banning AI from dispensing legal advice. Which is all well and good until you remember that much of the “legal advice” it would dispense would be drafts for lawyers. [StateScoop]

The Bar Has Never Been Lower — See Also

Pam Bondi Wants To Call The Ethical Shots: Can’t be held in contempt if she’s the final arbiter!

Noem? I Hardly Know Her!: Trump fires Kristi Noem mid speech. Hate Trump all you want, but the man is funny.

Arnold & Porter Ushers In Two-Tier Partner System:The firm sees it as an opportunity to compete in the lateral market.

Brown Rudnick Faces Gender-Based Discrimination Suit: Is it really that hard to refer to your clients by their names?

Trump Judges Help Him Secure Legal Victories: Gotta pad those victory numbers somehow!

You’ve Had Enough. Now What? How To Make A Law Firm Move Actually Work

If you are going to make a change, do it for the right reasons and make it count.

The Hands-Free Law Practice: How Nursing Moms And Carpooling Crusaders Can Get Real Work Done With AI

Meaningful work doesn’t always happen at a desk. Let AI improve your work-life balance.

Your Destiny Is Not Assigned To You

If you want to build a meaningful, sustainable career, you must determine and define your destiny early.

AI Adoption Among Legal Professionals Has More Than Doubled In A Year, New 8am Report Finds, But Firms Lag Far Behind Individual Practitioners

The report covers three major topic areas: gen AI adoption and perspectives, access to justice, and the rule of law.

Litera Celebrates Creative Use Of Foundation With Innovation Awards, Crowning Troutman Pepper Locke As Winner

A group of Litera Foundation customers recently gathered to share the transformative applications they’re discovering. Here, we’re profiling how a group of elite firms are staying on the cutting edge.

Bondi Says She’s The Bar Now

We don't need no stinkin' ethics.

The Billable Hour’s Existential Crisis Has An Access To Justice Silver Lining

If AI allows firms to replace timekeeping with flat fees, it could give lawyers the time and money to pursue the public interest work they're putting off.

Product Spotlight: Lexis® Verdict & Settlement Analyzer

Put away the guesswork—Lexis® Verdict & Settlement Analyzer helps legal professionals assess case potential with confidence by using data-driven insights from the industry’s largest collection of verdicts and settlements.

Welcome To Partnership, Sort Of: Another Top Biglaw Firm Creates An ‘Income Partner’ Tier

This Top 100 Am Law firm is staying on trend and adopting a nonequity partnership role for attorneys.

Moderna To Pay Up To $2.25B To Settle Patent Suit Over COVID-19 Vaccine Technology

If Moderna's full financial payout to the companies is reached, it would rank among the largest disclosed patent settlements in biopharmaceutical industry history.

Morning Docket: 03.05.26

* Senate votes to NOT have a vote on approving Iran strikes. When the Framers conceived of the separation of powers, they never planned for, “what if one branch doesn’t want any powers?” [CNN]

* DOJ removed 47,635 files from the public Epstein database — including allegations involving President Trump — assuring reporters the files are merely being “redacted” and would return shortly. If you believe that, we have an island to sell you. [Salon]

* OpenAI prepares for IPO with Wachtell and Cooley. [The Information]

* The search for lateral talent in Saudi Arabia. Exciting new opportunity, must be comfortable with Iranian rocket attacks. [Law.com International]

* Charting the revolving door: A dive into the financial ties between Trump officials and the industries they’re supposed to regulate. [Pro Publica]

* Jury told Chance the Rapper stiffed his manager. Well, of course… it’s not like he’s Community Chest the Rapper. [Law360]

* Democratic governor set to pardon convicted MAGA election interference figure. [Guardian]

* From DOJ lawyer to polyamory author. A standard career path. [ARL Now]

Does Good Behavior Mean Being Agreeable? — See Also

Dissents Are Down Since Pauline Newman’s Shadow Impeachment: Do judges agree more or are they afraid to dissent?

Kathryn Ruemmler Set To Give Testimony On ‘Uncle Jeffrey’: Expect questions about the expensive gifts and buddy-buddy attitude.

Pam Bondi Wants To Be The Law: Should she be the only one who determines if DOJ lawyers act ethically? Hell no on 3.

In New York But Not Of New York: UK firm opens up shop in the Big Apple with no intention of doing American law!

Radiohead Tells ICE To Turn The Volume Down: They join the musicians preventing their tunes from sound tracking administration propaganda.

On This Week Of Thinking Like A Lawyer: Behold the tarnished legacy of Chief Justice John Roberts.

The Gender Breakdown Of Biglaw Partner Moves

The lateral market is thriving.