Legal Asylum

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 12.10.18

* It's official: 2018 has been the best year for law firms since the Great Recession. Per Wells Fargo’s Legal Specialty Group, the legal industry will soon see its "strongest annual performance in a decade." Biglaw is back, baby! [American Lawyer] * Now that federal prosecutors have linked President Trump to crimes committed during his 2016 campaign, the focus has shifted to the family business -- but thus far, special counsel Robert Mueller hasn't tipped his hand as to whether or how Trump's family members will be involved in the case. [New York Times] * The Ninth Circuit recently upheld a district court judge's decision to put a stop to President Trump's limitations on asylum, citing the fact that his new port-of-entry rule was "likely arbitrary and capricious" since it was based "on a criterion that has nothing to do with asylum itself." Sounds about right. [Los Angeles Times] * Jeffrey Hammes, the longtime chairman of Kirkland & Ellis, will retire in early 2020, and his replacement has already been named. Congratulations to Jon Ballis, who will soon rule the roost at the world's highest-grossing firm. [Big Law Business] * It looks like the legal profession is starting early on its New Year's resolution to cut some weight. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal sector shed 2,400 jobs over the course of November. Yikes... [American Lawyer]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 11.26.18

* In an effort to bypass the decisions -- and injunctions -- of lower appellate courts, the Trump administration has taken the "highly unusual step" of asking the Supreme Court to issue a ruling on its transgender military ban. [USA Today] * In other news, the Trump administration has reportedly struck a deal with Mexico that will completely overhaul our asylum system so that seekers will have to Remain in Mexico (the plan's eloquent name) while their cases move through our courts. [Washington Post] * Sorry, but you're not "immune" to this one: A New York judge has asserted jurisdiction over Donald Trump in a lawsuit brought by AG Barbara Underwood against the Trump Foundation, the president, and three of his children. [NPR] * "We shouldn’t be in this position where the future of certain policies turn on whether this old woman is healthy or not." The Supreme Court's future is resting on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's health, and people are starting to get nervous. [The Hill] * "Let's have a hearing and invite everyone to see." Former FBI director James Comey says he'll fight a subpoena to testify privately before the House Judiciary Committee if for no other reason than because he wants the world to know what happened. [CNN] * In case you missed it amid this year's bonus frenzy, senior associates at top-tier Biglaw firms taking in $465K are now making more in total compensation than partners from at least a dozen Am Law 200 firms. Ouch. [American Lawyer]

By Staci Zaretsky