Above the Law

Due North: Navigating Legal Licensing In Canada For US Lawyers

License conversion is far from impossible.

White House Wants Pentagon To Demo Nuclear Space Power By 2031

The Trump administration’s National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power says the Pentagon and NASA will run ‘design competitions’ that are ‘parallel and mutually reinforcing’ to achieve space-based nuclear power.

Morning Docket: 04.16.26

* “Law school ranking shakeup sparks calls to retire T-14.” We’ve been doing that here since at least 2017. [Reuters]

* John Eastman formally disbarred. [NY Times]

* And so, right on cue, Cornell’s Federalist Society is having him speak. [Cornell Daily Sun]

* Justice Sotomayor apologizes for “hurtful comments” suggesting that Brett Kavanaugh might not know any hourly workers. Her comments were always unfair… many bartenders are paid hourly. [Law360]

* Jury finds Live Nation operated illegal monopoly. Too bad the DOJ’s antitrust division bailed on this case already. [NY Law Journal]

* Latest Eighth Circuit nominee testifies that he will decide cases fairly and impartially. His online footprint explains that he’s a warrior against “woke ideology.” [Balls and Strikes]

* WNBA labor deal came together because of a lawyer with Philadelphia basketball roots. [Inquirer]

Talk About Failing Upward — See Also

Ted Cruz, Supreme Court Justice?: One hell of a promotion for being annoying to work with!

How Much Is Your Loyalty To Your Firm Worth?: Probably less than $80M!

The Rich Really Do Get Richer: The #1 firm raked in $10.556 billion in gross revenue!

Where Would You Like To Work?: This quality of life ranking should help you narrow down your options.

That’s A Lot Of Judicial Firings: The Trump administration has fired over 100 immigration judges so far.

It Isn’t What You Know, It’s How You Think: Conservative judges are hiring clerks before 1L grades are in if their politics align.

Another Day, Another Mega-Merger: Partners Say Yes To Historic $3 Billion Biglaw Behemoth

The Hogan Lovells Cadwalader merger signals the continuing consolidation of elite firms.

The Trump Administration Has Fired Over 100 Immigration Judges Without Explanation

Probably has something to do with them doing their jobs.

Conservative Judges Hiring Clerks Before 1L Exams Because Ideology Is The Only Grade That Matters

A two-tiered clerkship process has developed with one favoring academic rigor and the other favoring FedSoc connections.

The 2026 Am Law 100 Is Out, And Surprise: The Rich Law Firms Got Richer

From Kirkland's $10.5 billion haul to Wachtell's obscene per-partner profits, here's everything you need to know about who won Biglaw in 2025.

Kirkland Lures Wachtell’s Top Restructuring Lawyer With An $80M Incentive To Jump Ship

That's a lot of reasons to leave your Biglaw home.

Vault ‘Quality Of Life’ Rankings: The Best Law Firms To Work For In America (2027)

Associates rank their firms based on their own happiness -- and there's been a major shakeup. Did your law firm make the cut?

Rankings Drama Hits Law Schools, Law Firms

And a crazy billing story.

The Bottleneck Legal Built

When you own the process, you own every question, every delay, and every handoff that doesn't go smoothly.

John Fugelsang’s Separation Of Church And Hate Is Antidote To Blasphemous Trump Posts

What’s yet another display of distasteful Trumpian idolatry on the internet?

‘A Significant Assault On Our Health’: Healthcare Policy Leaders Condemn Trump’s Budget Proposal

President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget proposes deep healthcare cuts, raising concerns about harm to patients and research.

Morning Docket: 04.15.26

* The Am Law 100 is out. Kirkland made a lot of money. [American Lawyer]

* And with it, Kirkland snags Wachtell’s top distressed-debt lawyer for a guaranteed $80 million over three years. [Financial Times]

* Conservative D.C. Circuit judges block Judge Boasberg from exercising his power to hold a party in contempt just because they repeatedly ignored court orders to take illegal actions. [Reuters]

* State efforts to rein in Kalshi are a 50-50 proposition. [National Law Journal]

* Justice Department looks to void seditious conspiracy convictions for Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. [CNN]

* Grok sued for data center pollution. [Law360]

* Pro tem judge loses job after creating fake parking document. [ABA Journal]