2014

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 12.30.14

* An African-American Cleary Gottlieb project attorney is suing, claiming that the firm discriminated against him when he was fired. He alleges that white lawyers kept their jobs, but he lost his because he was black. [Legal Times] * For law deans, hindsight is 180: This D.C.-area school "aggressively" raised tuition when everyone decided to go to law school to ride out the recession, and now its dean is admitting that doing so was a "mistake." [Washington Post] * "I want to bring blind justice to the Michigan Supreme Court." Come New Year's Day, Richard Bernstein -- who has been legally blind since birth -- will do just that when he's sworn in to serve on the state's highest court. Congratulations! [WSJ Law Blog] * It's important to learn the skill of entrepreneurship as part of today's legal education since you never know when you'll be forced to open your own practice because you can't get someone else to give you a job. [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News] * Associate bonuses aren't the only charitable causes Biglaw firms are willing to throw money at in a given year. In fact, some firms dole out millions upon millions of dollars for the purpose of doing good and supporting their communities. [Am Law Daily]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 12.29.14

* The Hardcore Pawn guys talk about what they look for in lawyers. If we're good enough they'll give us $20 for our services, but honestly that's the best they can do. [Forbes] * 10 Things People Don't Understand About 'Serial' Unless You're a Criminal Attorney. What I don't understand is why we're still talking about this show a week later. [Huffington Post] * Have you been waiting for a Dynamite Hack’s Boyz N the Hood to be reimagined as a song about law professors? Then I present Profs in the School. [Lawprofblawg] * Are law students worse students than they used to be? At least worse than they were when professors used to walk uphill both ways in the snow. [PrawfsBlawg] * 2013 job results. For all the schools. [Associate's Mind]

By Joe Patrice
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 12.29.14

* As the year winds down to a close, we take a look back at the amazing time Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had. From her Hobby Lobby dissent to her subtle New Republic shade, the Notorious RBG's 2014 was better than yours. [Bustle] * When you've allegedly been driving drunk after a holiday party and have gotten into an accident, one of the things you say to the police upon your arrest should not be, “Come on, I’m a judge” -- especially if you are one. [New York Post] * After advising on 221 deals worth about $511 billion, Skadden Arps was the top dog in the M&A game in 2014. While taking a break from rolling around in money, the firm's managing partner was heard thanking inversions. [MoneyBeat / Wall Street Journal] * Although we haven't heard what's going on with associate bonuses at this firm, Wiley Rein bought itself a bonus subsidiary. Last week, the firm finalized its purchase of lobbying and communications group McBee Strategic. [Blog of Legal Times] * While many law schools found their student enrollments getting smaller due to forces of nature in 2014, the University of Mississippi School of Law claims it decreased its class sizes intentionally. Oh, the places you'll go! [Clarion Ledger]

By Staci Zaretsky