Stephen Glass Isn’t A Lawyer Just Because Of The Whole ‘Serial Lying’ Thing
California refused to admit Stephen Glass. Were they right?
Biglaw’s Unwritten Purpose
What is the purpose of the grand Biglaw experiment? Some thoughts from Anonymous Partner.
AI + legal workflows: 5 plays that actually move the needle
Unsure where to start with AI? Learn 5 law firm workflows that can improve intake, conflicts, drafting, docketing, and time tracking—plus prompts, ethics tips, and steps for real ROI.
Morning Docket: 07.29.13
* When it comes to the U.S. Congress — especially the current one, said to be the least productive and least popular in history — and federal lawmaking, “action isn’t the same as accomplishment.” [Boston Globe] * The Department of Justice won’t seek the death penalty against Edward Snowden, but only because the crime he’s charged with doesn’t carry that kind of punishment as an option. But oh, Eric Holder can wish. [CNN] * Sorry to burst your bubble, but Biglaw as we know it is on a respirator, so be prepared to recite its last rites. The New Republic’s Noam Scheiber responds to the critics of last week’s hard-hitting piece. [New Republic] * The grass isn’t greener on the other side right now. Revenue per lawyer rose at Biglaw firms in 2012 (up 8.5 percent), but small firms struggled (with RPL down 8.1 percent). Ouch. [National Law Journal] * Let me Google that for you: Hot new technology startups have been looking to lawyers who hail from the innovative internet company’s ranks when staffing their own legal departments. [The Recorder] * If you’re wondering why more financial crimes haven’t been prosecuted since the Wall Street meltdown of 2008, it’s probably because they’re too just difficult for most juries to understand. Comforting. [NPR] * In a recent interview having to do with all of the problems that law schools are currently facing, from shrinkage to joblessness, Professor Paul Campos sat down to politely say, “Told ya so.” [Denver Post]
Of Biglaw, Nazis, and Princes
Some of the week's big events in review.
Being A Partner Isn’t The ‘Worst Job In Biglaw’ — Being A Pregnant Associate Is
Being a woman in Biglaw isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
How Can We Fix Law School? Six Experts Opine
Which of these legal education reform proposals do you agree with? And what is your favorite idea for fixing law school?
Pursuing The Pro Bono Story: A Conversation With Alicia Aiken
This Pro Bono Week, get inspired to give back with PLI’s Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, a one-of-a-kind podcast hosted by Alicia Aiken.
Which Way Will You Run? Some Thoughts On The New Republic Article About Mayer Brown
Anonymous Partner shares his thoughts on the buzz-generating New Republic piece and discusses some differences between being an associate and being a partner.
Is Being A Partner The Worst Job In Biglaw?
It's hard out here for a partner. A fascinating New Republic article goes behind the scenes at one major law firm.
Quote of the Day: Keep Waiting
(And: Justice Kagan Disses A Top Law School)
In a wide-ranging and humorous interview the other night, Justice Kagan joked that going to one top law school was "slumming it." Which school?
Quote of the Day: A Time-Out in Posner v. Scalia?
Here is Judge Richard Posner's (delicately worded) response to Justice Scalia calling him a liar.
3 Ways Lawyers Are Finding New Efficiencies With AI
Those who’ve adopted legal-specific systems are seeing big benefits.
Quote of the Day: The New Republic Isn’t That Glossy….
Justice Scalia recently spoke before a packed house in New York -- and Above the Law was there to cover it. What did he have to say -- about Judge Richard Posner, among other things?
The Benchslap Dispatches: Justice Scalia on Judge Posner’s ‘Hatchet Job’
Justice Scalia tells us what he REALLY thinks of Judge Posner's controversial review of Reading Law, the new book by Justice Scalia and Professor Bryan Garner.
Posner v. Scalia: Bryan Garner Tags In
Bryan Garner, the legal writing guru, comes to the aid of his co-author, Justice Antonin Scalia. Professor Garner is NOT happy with Judge Posner's review of Scalia and Garner's new book.
The Benchslap Dispatches: Posner v. Scalia — Is It Personal?
Is the sniping back and forth between Justice Scalia and Judge Posner personal? We reached out to both jurists for comment.
Law Schools Lie Like A Dog… Or A Rug. A Dog On A Rug.
I graduated from Northwestern Law in 2009. It is now 2011, my loans are coming due (real due — not the fake, put ‘em in forebearance, due of yesteryear), and I am currently “employed” doing two things: reviewing documents at an embarrassing hourly wage on projects that start and stop without any sort of consistency, […]