Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 08.16.16

* Many Biglaw firms have raised their salary scales, but that's not all they've done in recent months to attract talent. Considering "the war for talent is intensifying," firms are offering perks like generous parental leave and adoption assistance, student loan assistance, and lifestyle benefits. We may have more on this later today. [Big Law Business] * A former deputy prosecutor in Vermont alleges she was paid less than a man working in the same position. She claims that a male attorney who was hired after she was earned a salary that was 26 percent higher than her own, despite the fact that they "performed equal work that required equal skill, effort, and responsibility." [Burlington Free Press] * The bulk of insider trading cases used to be handled by the SEC through civil suits, but now the DOJ has muscled in on the action with criminal prosecutions. What's the difference between a case that merits a civil suit and a case that results in criminal charges? That's what attorneys are trying to figure out. [DealBook / New York Times] * "I think there's a deep skepticism about the value of these programs." Looking for a law degree as a professional that won't set you back too far in terms of cost? Try a master's of jurisprudence on for size. It's considered law school for non-lawyers, and it might make actual lawyers question the validity of the degree in the first place. Hmm... [Marketplace] * If you're a prospective law student working on an application, it may be wise to try to incorporate a summer internship into your personal statement if it helped shape your desire to pursue a career in law, but remember, "there's no magic internship that's going to get someone admitted into law school." [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News]

By Staci Zaretsky on August 16, 2016 8:57 am

happy young lawyers thumbs up* Many Biglaw firms have raised their salary scales, but that’s not all they’ve done in recent months to attract talent. Considering “the war for talent is intensifying,” firms are offering perks like generous parental leave and adoption assistance, student loan assistance, and lifestyle benefits. We may have more on this later today. [Big Law Business]

* A former deputy prosecutor in Vermont alleges she was paid less than a man working in the same position. She claims that a male attorney who was hired after she was earned a salary that was 26 percent higher than her own, despite the fact that they “performed equal work that required equal skill, effort, and responsibility.” [Burlington Free Press]

* The bulk of insider trading cases used to be handled by the SEC through civil suits, but now the DOJ has muscled in on the action with criminal prosecutions. What’s the difference between a case that merits a civil suit and a case that results in criminal charges? That’s what attorneys are trying to figure out. [DealBook / New York Times]

* “I think there’s a deep skepticism about the value of these programs.” Looking for a law degree as a professional that won’t set you back too far in terms of cost? Try a master’s of jurisprudence on for size. It’s considered law school for non-lawyers, and it might make actual lawyers question the validity of the degree in the first place. Hmm… [Marketplace]

* If you’re a prospective law student working on an application, it may be wise to try to incorporate a summer internship into your personal statement if it helped shape your desire to pursue a career in law, but remember, “there’s no magic internship that’s going to get someone admitted into law school.” [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News]

Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.