Above the Law

Some Law Firms Got Paid, Others Still Waiting By The Mailbox– See Generally

We Ran The Numbers So You Can Feel Worse: The annual taxonomy of which law firms successfully converted billable hours into generational wealth confirms that yes, some firms are very, very rich.

That Trump Check Is NOT In The Mail: Trump owes over a million in unpaid legal bills. Who could have predicted this except for everybody?

Ethics CLE Bingo: Attorney tells opposing counsel that they’ll “burn in hell” for, checks notes, representing the family of a missing child.

A Different Kind Of Briefs: In a career pivot, a former adult film star has joined the legal profession.

The Passion Of The Coup Planner: John Eastman, disbarred coup-memo author, has upgraded his grievance narrative from “political persecution” to full messianic complex.

The 80 Million Dollar Man: Kirkland opens the checkbook to nab Wachtell rainmaker.

Man Who Helped Pave Highway Worried About Lack Of Guardrails: Former Trump lawyer fears that no one in the current administration appears to understand constitutional norms. Thanks for showing up late to the party.

Sir, This Is An Advice Column: Jordan Rothman has thoughts about attorney text message etiquette, and those thoughts are essentially “don’t.”

Can A Supreme Court Justice Just Leave Oral Arguments For Cancun?: Senate Republicans announced their readiness to confirm a new Supreme Court Justice if needed, and Ted Cruz appears to be a frontrunner.

Law School Faculties Discover Institutional Credibility, Slightly Late: A coalition of law professors has written to warn the ABA that gutting its diversity accreditation standard will damage its reputation, which is a newsflash the institution needed several months ago.

Is This A Legal Argument Or A Sermon? — See Also

Lawyer Tells Attorneys They Will Burn In Hell: Don’t remember covering that in law school.

A Lesson In Transferable Skills: Former adult movie actress passes the bar.

Trump Allegiance And Owing Money Go Hand In Hand: Time for this Trump PAC to pay up!

Do You Know The Super Rich Firms?: Here they are!

Ty Cobb Says The Guardrails Are Gone: Who is taking advantage of the President’s weaknesses?

Online Troll Johnny Somali Sentenced To 6 Months And 20 Days In South Korean Jail For Being A Sex Offender Nuisance

A longer sentence is still possible.

Stat(s) Of The Week: 1040 Blues

The opportunity costs of filing income tax returns.

Attorneys Should Often Avoid Texting Clients And Counsel

Modern-day convenience ... or thin edge of the wedge?

Former Biglaw Partner Warns There Are No ‘Guardrails’ Left Around Trump — And Someone Is Taking Advantage

Ty Cobb is back on cable news, and he did not come to play.

How Appealing Weekly Roundup

The week in appellate news.

Former Adult Film Star Passes The Bar Exam

Her success story comes with some uncomfortably accurate industry comparisons.

Trump PAC Deep In Debt… And Owes Lawyers Over A Million

Susan Necheles finding out the hard way that Trump never pays his lawyers.

Ranking The Wealth Of Biglaw’s Best: Is Your Law Firm ‘Super Rich’? (2026)

These firms have SO MUCH money!

Has Legal Industry Upheaval Changed Your Career Goals? 

Please share your thoughts in this (always) brief and anonymous survey.

Lawyer Tells Attorneys For Missing Child That They’re ‘Gonna Burn In Hell’

Maybe not the most professional courtroom banter.

438 Experts Said Age Verification Is Dangerous. Legislators Are Moving Forward With It Anyway.

From the seems-like-someone-should-pay-attention? dept

Morning Docket: 04.17.26

* Private equity looking to put its money into law firms. [Law.com International]

* Judges embrace paralegal’s suggestion for modernizing briefs. [Law360]

* Legal academics plead with ABA to maintain law school diversity standard. [Law.com]

* Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer expects Trump to issue pardon. [Politico]

* Amicus reform proposal rejected. [Reuters]

* Lawyer and former Virginia Lt. Governor kills wife and self. [Guardian]

For Some Reason Sotomayor Is The Only One Apologizing — See Also

Justice Says Sorry For Accurately Describing Kavanaugh’s Pro-Racial-Profiling Opinion: He’s yet to apologize for penning the damned thing.

You Can’t Just Call Renovations A “National Security Necessity”: The administration’s ballroom plan has two left feet.

Looking For The Best Summer Associate Programs?: Look no further!

The T14 Is Dead. Long Live The T14: People will still use the term even if the data tells them otherwise.

Dicking Around Is Not A Crime: The only peace disturbance was arresting a protesting grandma!

What A Horrible Time To Show Support: DLA Piper contributed to Eric Swalwell’s campaign after the rape allegations went public.