Morning Docket: 12.05.17

* It's Masterpiece Cakeshop day! Let's all watch Justice Kennedy decide whether or not he wants to have a legacy! [SCOTUSBlog] * Hard-core Trump supporters are donating to Flynn's legal defense -- after his guilty plea -- because they have no idea what this plea deal means. [Newsweek] * Dr. Phil's son is developing a TV comedy about his experiences as a law student tasking with arguing real court cases. It sounds like How To Get Away With Murder... except not as funny. [Texas Lawyer] * Solicitor General Francisco and Texas AG Ken "Facing Felony Charges This Month" Paxton are hoping to cover up their own docket management incompetence by asking for sanctions against the ACLU. Sidley Austin's Carter Phillips, working with the ACLU is having none of it. [Dallas Morning News] * More law school grads are going in-house with start-ups. This is a sign of their entrepreneurial nature and not at all evidence that America is pumping out more grads than there are firm opportunities. [Corporate Counsel] * Mark Cohen takes a stab at attorney valuation. [Forbes] * The "middle class" may be rapidly eroding among American families, but it's alive and well among American companies, and some savvy law firms see catering to middle class companies as their key to success. [American Lawyer] * The Supreme Court closed the courtroom doors to a citizen harmed by a corporation even amidst evidence that the company withheld evidence? What a shocker. [Law360]