Above the Law

Deepfakes: A Problem In Search Of A Problem?

Lawyers and judges have not yet realized that virtually any piece of evidence, the realism of which we have taken for granted, could now be fake.

Morning Docket: 04.01.26

* Trump claims he’s attending today’s birthright citizenship arguments. At his New York criminal conviction, he took over closing arguments from his lawyers, believing he could do a better job. Let’s see if we get the sequel! [Politico]

* Taylor Swift sued by showgirl over Life of a Showgirl. [ABA Journal]

* The Supreme Court agreed with a gay conversion therapy outfit that laws banning merely talking about conversion violate the First Amendment right to give quack medical advice. [Slate]

* Boies Schiller looks to get paid for massive Google victory. [Reuters]

* Republican federal judge blocks construction on White House ballroom, noting that the president does not, in fact, own the White House. [Law360]

* Law firm leaders seeking out lawyer hires with AI experience. Finally there’s a market for, “spending the last two years telling your grandparents that Donald Trump didn’t really ride a lion in that TikTok.” [Legaltech News]

Now That’s A Signing Bonus! — See Also

Top Biglaw Firm Ups Ante On Hiring Law Clerks: How’s $180K-$200K sound?

The Internet Remembers: Kara Westercamp’s Senate Judiciary Committee appearance is marred by her Twitter history.

Federal Judges Are Dabbling In AI: While there is some familiarity, they haven’t tipped into frequent use overall.

University Of Cincinnati College Of Law Gets A Name Change: And a huge financial gift!

Strategic Planning For Marketers: Your Critical Role In Strategy Development And Implementation

Five key areas where you can contribute the most value.

The Iron Man Model Of Legal AI

Shift your mindset and begin to embrace the full potential of AI.

Integrating Technology With Customer Service: Preserving The Human Element 

How do you, in your firm, preserve empathy and genuine service as the firm adopts automation?

The Furlong And Patel TECHSHOW Keynote Bookends: Saying The Same Thing, Differently

The real value lawyers bring to clients is something AI can’t bring: the ability to advise, listen, and guide them through ambiguity.

The University of Cincinnati College Of Law Is Due For A Name Change

What is The University of Cincinnati College of Law by another name? Millions of dollars sweeter!

Survey Finds Majority Of Federal Judges Have Used AI In Their Work, But Daily Use Remains Rare

The study provides an empirical snapshot of how AI is being integrated — and not integrated — into federal court chambers.

HIPAA Security Rule 2026: The Law Firm Compliance Checklist

What plaintiff attorneys and personal injury firms need to know — and do — before new enforcement priorities take effect.

Prestigious Biglaw Firm Ups The Ante On Six-Figure Bonuses For Federal Law Clerks

This is among the highest signing bonus being offered for former federal clerks. Will other firms match these big bonuses?

Judicial Nominee’s Twitter Fingers Come Back To Haunt Her

Kara Westercamp says sorry for past posts — but can’t quite bring herself to fully reject conspiracy theories.

Judge Grants Anthropic Preliminary Injunction But Pentagon CTO Says Ban Still Stands

'The record strongly suggests that the reasons given for designating Anthropic a supply chain risk were pretextual and that [the government’s] real motive was unlawful retaliation,' said Judge Rita Lin.

Morning Docket: 03.31.26

* Over half of all federal judges report using AI as part of their workflow. [Reuters]

* Kirkland snags several Latham lawyers in Houston. [American Lawyer]

* New wrinkle in Charlie Kirk case as defense argues ATF couldn’t match bullet to alleged shooter’s gun. [Politico]

* Judge invokes Kafka in Defense Department press credential dust up. [Law360]

* Meta counsel says AI has changed the outsourcing game. Notice how she didn’t say “the Metaverse” has changed anything. [Legalech News]

* Baldoni lawyers handed a little benchslap in Lively case. [Bloomberg Law News]

Thank You For Your Service. Now Get Out! — See Also

Judge Gets Mad At IT Guy For Doing His Job: Gotta love a judicial temper tantrum and a hot mic!

Can The President Put Lawyers On A Leash?: Fighting the executive orders is a big deal for the profession.

Democrats Mad Trump Didn’t Steal More Earlier: Feckless party.

Trump Lawyers Cite Confederate Legal Theorists To Attack Birthright Citizenship: Citing Alexander Porter Morse was a definite choice.