Associate Life

From the editors of Texas Lawyer

A Backwards-Looking Profession

The National Law Journal

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

For its own self-interest, the legal profession should welcome the input of nonlawyers and even cede some measure of power to them.

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Law Schools: Get Back to Basics

The National Law Journal

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A simple solution is giving students more opportunities to engage in practical legal writing.

When Judges 'Friend' Lawyers: Must Recusal Necessarily Follow?

New York Law Journal

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

In her Internet Issues/Social Media column, Shari Claire Lewis, a partner at Rivkin Radler, writes that the bottom line would appear to be that as people become more and more comfortable with social media and the use of social media by judges, there is likely to be less and less concern about any appearance of impropriety.

Setting Rules and Reining in Emotional Clients

New Jersey Law Journal

Monday, June 17, 2013

Most situations that the clients of family-law attorneys face are not emergencies. But the client cannot always see that reality, because the situation feels urgent to him or her. It is important for the attorney to acknowledge the client's anxiety and respond respectfully, but also to set healthy boundaries, so that the professional relationship will be a happy one.

Sometimes Jurors Do the Darndest Things

The National Law Journal

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Controlling jurors can be like herding cats. In recent months, judges in both state and federal courts have faced an amazing array of alleged juror misconduct issues.

Catching Air

The National Law Journal

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Profile of The Burton Corp. general counsel Jaimesen Heins.

Let's Talk: Cooperation With Opposing Counsel Can Contain Discovery Costs

New York Law Journal

Friday, June 14, 2013

Bruce R. Kaliner, a partner at Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass, and Erica J. Dominitz, a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, write: Now that we and, more importantly, our clients, have had ample time to experience the ever-increasing frustrations and costs associated with e-discovery, we should all (finally) be able to agree on at least one thing: E-discovery can be incredibly burdensome, expensive, and a huge drain on resources regardless of which side of the proverbial "v." you are on. Parties thus have a real incentive to cooperate during discovery, and doing so can reduce all parties' workloads and costs.

Largest State Poised to Require Practical Skills Training

The National Law Journal

Friday, June 14, 2013

A task force of the State Bar of California has recommended that new attorneys be required to complete at least 15 hours of practical skills training and 50 hours of pro bono service before they are admitted to practice.

Four Essential Steps to Take Before Changing Law Firms

The Legal Intelligencer

Friday, June 14, 2013

As the economy starts to improve, attorneys will increasingly explore the possibilities of moving to new law firms.

Study Details Obstacles Confronting Minority Law Students

The National Law Journal

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Diversity may be a priority for some law schools, but minority law students still face a harder road to a juris doctor than their white counterparts, according to an article in the latest edition of the Berkeley Journal of African-American Law & Policy.

Percentage of Women in NLJ 350 Law Firms Remains Low

The National Law Journal

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The number of women working in the nation's largest law firms went basically unchanged in 2012. Women equaled about one-third of the attorneys working at NLJ 350 firms and accounted for about 16 percent of equity partners.
• Read the full 2013 NLJ 350 report.

Belmont University College of Law Wins ABA Accreditation

The National Law Journal

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Nashville law school's smooth path to ABA approval stands in contrast to Tennessee's other newcomer, the Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law in Knoxville.

Lawyer Vanishes, Leaving Firm With Detritus of Suit vs. Ford

New Jersey Law Journal

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

A plaintiff lawyer's lapses in a wrongful death product-liability suit against Ford Motor Co., culminating in his complete disappearance, has lawyers at his former firm struggling to pick up the pieces.

Your Business: Tools to Grow Your Practice and Increase the Bottom Line

The Recorder

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Starting, running and managing a law practice is no easy task, and often requires engagement with professionals.

Stand Out From the Crowd to Be Heard

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

It is no secret that the world is seeing a decline in opportunities for media exposure through the traditional outlets of television, radio and newspapers.

Take the Time to Learn and Utilize New Technology

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Lawyers are competitive. By the very nature of their profession, lawyers want to win and their clients hire them to win or, at a minimum, to get the best possible results.

Your Business: Finding a Perfect Match

The Recorder

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Growing your practice means attracting the right attorneys for the job; oftentimes making the correct recruiting decision is key, say Seth Davis and Claire Currie of Lighthouse Legal Search.

Your Business: Tools to Grow Your Practice and Increase the Bottom Line

The Recorder

Monday, June 10, 2013

Starting, running and managing a law practice is no easy task, and often requires engagement with professionals.

Real Money at Stake in 'Second Life' Virtual Property Dispute

The Recorder

Monday, June 10, 2013

The case centers on the meaning of "ownership" and how value would ultimately be assigned to property that exists only in a virtual reality.

ABA Punts Decision to Delay Law School Jobs Reporting

The National Law Journal

Monday, June 10, 2013

The American Bar Association's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar on Friday delayed any decision on moving back the collection of law school grads' jobs data by one month.

Student Loan Discharge Upheld Under Clear-Error Standard

The Legal Intelligencer

Friday, June 7, 2013

For many graduates, the weight of student loan debt can be overwhelming, particularly in a weak job market. However, for at least one, that burden has been reduced just a bit by virtue of a bankruptcy discharge.

Can E-Discovery Violate Due Process? Part 1

Law Technology News

Friday, June 7, 2013

There are proposed changes to the federal rules applicable to e-discovery, which currently allow plaintiffs to propound broad and costly discovery requests on defendants before there is any finding of liability. Skadden Arps attorneys ask if the proposed changes account for plaintiffs' due process rights and what steps need to be taken to curb discovery abuse.

Taking Advantage of a Summer Associate Position

The Legal Intelligencer

Thursday, June 6, 2013

As traditional summer associate programs are cut back year after year, it is harder than ever to score a coveted summer position. But you've done it. You have a legal job for the summer. Finals are over for the year, the weather has warmed up and it's time to get to work. For law students, summer jobs are not just a matter of putting nose to grindstone. A summer position comes with unique potential and risk, and must be treated as more than just a paycheck for the summer. You should go into the office with an understanding of what the job is and what it is not, and tailor your performance accordingly.

Judges: Law Clinic's Work Worth More Than Peanuts

The National Law Journal

Thursday, June 6, 2013

A report by two federal magistrate judges in New York says that law students who participate in clinics may not yet be lawyers, but their time and effort still has monetary value.