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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

BIG REVEAL – Which law school was the favorite among Big Law for filling first-year associate ranks in 2019? Check out Law.com's annual Go-To Law Schools report, which identifies the top 50 schools that major law firms rely on the most for their first-year associate positions. You'll also find data about the law schools that produced the most grads making partner in Big Law last year, and the schools—or "Firm Favorites"—that individual firms recruit from most heavily. In addition, you can see the law schools that offer the best tuition value for getting a job in Big Law—and lots more from legal education editor Karen Sloan.  

OBJECTION – Opioid companies negotiating over a potential $22 billion cash settlement of thousands of lawsuits are objecting once again to U.S. District Judge Dan Polster, raising new concerns about the procedures being used in the talks. Amanda Bronstad reports that the companies filed a notice that they would withdraw consent of any "ex parte communications" but gave no specific information about those communications. Plaintiffs' lawyers insist the move, which comes after a key special master involved in the settlement discussions died, could threaten negotiations.

ON LOAN – Secondments—arrangements in which firms loan some of their stand-out associates to in-house departments for a few months or even a couple of years—are gaining popularity as a way to fill in-house workload gaps and give younger lawyers valuable experience. But, as Patrick Smith and Phillip Bantz report, as more legal departments come to expect them, there's a downside to farming out top talent, who for law firms go from the revenue side to cost centers. 

EDITOR'S PICKS

Forced Coronavirus Quarantines? Texas Appoints Judges for Emergency Hearings

Federal Judge Questions William Barr's 'Credibility' in Rollout of Mueller Report

Wells Fargo Names Acting General Counsel, Continues Search for Permanent One

How I Made Partner: Ropes & Gray's Adam Harris

Juul-Led Campaign Against San Fran Vaping Ban Sparks Worker Misclassification Suit

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

TIE-UP – U.K. law firms Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins have agreed to merge, Meganne Tillay reports. Beginning on May 1, the firms will operate as Moore Barlow, with a combined revenue of about $52 million. The new entity will have 70 partners, 272 lawyers and a total staff of nearly 500 across six U.K. offices. The merger places the firm within the U.K.'s Top 100, at between 75th and 80th. 

WHAT YOU SAID

"We had to stay competitive. That is No. 1."