Commentary

Reed Smith Is Ballsy. Plus: Ex-Big Law Associate Is Candidate for ‘Her Wickedness’

Vivia Chen | June 20, 2018

You have to hand it to the firm for openly admitting that it won't be joining the Big Law flock in upping associate salary. Also, UVA law grad makes Trump proud.

Commentary

Why This GC of a $25B Company Has Migrated Work Away From the Largest, Most Elite Firms

Bill Deckelman | June 19, 2018

DXC Technology general counsel Bill Deckelman reacts to the GC Thought Leaders Experiment findings on performance of the largest, most pedigreed firms and what he has found from moving work away from those firms.

Commentary

Prospering in the 'New Normal'

J. Mark Santiago | June 15, 2018

Raising Costs and Declining Demand are Sapping Profits

The “New Normal” of today is one in which raising operating costs, associate salary increases, and reduced realization rates coupled with AFAs and demands from corporate counsel for reduced rates are sapping firm profits and there is no relief on the horizon. Law firm leaders, seeing current conditions, should be asking if there is a better way.

Commentary

The Keys to Putting Together a Decent Proposal

Kevin L. Sullivan and Maxine Wilson | June 14, 2018

When responding to a request for proposal, ask yourself some tough questions before taking action.

Commentary

Yes, White Men Can Apply Too

Vivia Chen | June 13, 2018

Boston-based Brown Rudnick just debuted a diversity fellowship open to all 1Ls who are the first in their family to go to college.

Commentary

Law and Lemmings: Associate Salary Increases Are a Mass Act of Self-Harm

Hugh A. Simons | June 12, 2018

By matching Milbank’s pay raise, firms in the middle of the Am Law 200 are paving a path to ruin.

Commentary

This Firm Has Gender, Diversity Problems. But It Isn't Hiding Them.

Vivia Chen | June 08, 2018

Dickinson Wright says it's determined to make progress following a report by the University of Michigan that shed light on its numbers.

Commentary

This is an Awesome Time to be a Big Law Associate—Not!

Vivia Chen | June 05, 2018

Too much upbeat news makes The Careerist skittish. And there's plenty out there right now for young lawyers.

Commentary

We Need an Open Dialogue on Mental Health in the Law

The Young Lawyer Editorial Board | June 01, 2018

The numbers are striking, and the concern is real. The legal industry needs to address lawyers' mental well-being.

Commentary

If We Want Gender Equity, It's Time for Quotas

Vivia Chen | May 31, 2018

Clients don't seem eager to help break the chain. More forceful measures are needed.

Commentary

What Clients Really Want From Outside Counsel

Lean Adviser Legal | May 31, 2018

It doesn't take a magic formula or a lengthy pitch to impress clients, just master these five fundamentals.

Commentary

The Tiger Cubs Today; White Man Repents + More!

Vivia Chen | May 23, 2018

Remember poor Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld, daughter of Yale Law School professors Amy Chua (aka Tiger Mom, as if you needed reminding) and Jed Rubenfeld (a person in his own right)? Here's the official postscript: She just graduated from Yale Law School!

Commentary

What Women Can Learn From Michael Cohen

Vivia Chen | May 17, 2018

Unlike the president's lawyer, most of you have actual expertise, so stop underestimating yourself!

Commentary

Trending Now: Crappy Law Schools and Crappy Lawyers

Vivia Chen | May 15, 2018

Not to be alarmist, but some recent developments portend that the profession is going to hell.

Commentary

Shock. Shock. The Mommy Track Is a Dead End!

Vivia Chen | May 08, 2018

Why do we perpetuate the myth that it's viable to avail yourself of every family-friendly offering and never lose your place in the race?

Commentary

A Feather in the Cap for Women Professionals

Vivia Chen | May 08, 2018

The Central Park Conservancy's Hat Luncheon had no shortage of high-powered women in attendance bedecked with bodacious bonnets.

Commentary

For Firms Welcoming Summer Associates, It’s Time to Think Outside the Bottle

Patrick Krill | May 04, 2018

The lawyers of tomorrow are increasingly aware of—and not OK with—the mental health and substance abuse risks that can come with life in the law.

Commentary

Young Lawyers Call For Revamping of Law Firm Offices to Meet New Industry Needs

The Young Lawyer Editorial Board | May 03, 2018

The American Lawyer's Young Lawyer Editorial Board says reorganizing your office to fit the modern world can optimize work product while reflecting the values of the newest generation of lawyers.

Commentary

The Women Warriors Behind Gilead’s Huge Federal Circuit Win

Jenna Greene | May 02, 2018

Fish & Richardson partner Juanita Brooks, a titan of the IP bar, has been practicing for 40 years. This is the first time she's had a case where both her courtroom team and the in-house lawyers have all been women.

Commentary

Are Women in Law Finally Empowered to Speak Out Against Inequality?

Vivia Chen | May 01, 2018

The #MeToo movement may give women in the legal profession the strength to speak up over more than just harassment, but inequity of all kinds.

Commentary

Michael Cohen Is Such an Awesome Lawyer

Vivia Chen | April 10, 2018

Loyalty, chutzpah and authenticity: Cohen is the whole package.

Letter to the Editor Commentary

ABA President Sees Call to Action in Quinn Emanuel Partner's Story of Depression

Hilarie Bass | March 30, 2018

Sadly, our profession is falling short when it comes to well-being. Law firms need to emphasize that mental health is an indispensable part of a lawyer’s competence and work to educate lawyers on mental health and addiction issues.

Commentary

Young Lawyer Editorial Board: It's Time to Change the Way We Educate Lawyers

The Young Lawyer Editorial Board | March 29, 2018

The expectations placed upon young lawyers have evolved over time. To keep pace, legal education must do the same. And there is a role for law firms to play, too.

Commentary

Quinn Emanuel Partner Suffers From Depression and He Wants Everyone to Know

Joseph Milowic III | March 28, 2018

Struggling to find meaning in your work? Lacking motivation? Thinking about quitting? Please read this first.

Commentary

Trump’s Lawyers in Waiting, Low-Brow Lohan + More!

Vivia Chen | March 27, 2018

It turns out there are some very well-credentialed young legal talents who are all progeny of Trump loyalists.

Commentary

Where the Girls Are

Vivia Chen | March 16, 2018

The good news: Women constitute the majority of law students. The bad news: Women dominate some of the worst-ranked law schools in the nation.

Commentary

Ladies, Get Out Your Whip

Vivia Chen | March 14, 2018

The latest must-have in a woman's career arsenal is a New York-based professional dominatrix with an almost cult-like following.

Commentary

John Quinn's Unrequited ‘Love,’ Sizzlin' Texas + More

Vivia Chen | March 09, 2018

Would John Quinn have used more moderate tones about Faith Gay leaving his firm if she were a man?

Commentary

Jeff Had Issues: An Akin Gump Lawyer Breaks Bad—and There’s No Satisfying Explanation

Jenna Greene | March 08, 2018

Jeffrey Wertkin was sentenced on Wednesday to 30 months in prison, but the question remains: Why did someone so smart do something that even his lawyer called “stupid, stupid"?

Commentary

Can Stay-at-Home Moms Ever Get Back on Track?

Vivia Chen | March 06, 2018

Let's be blunt: You are better off getting axed from your job than leaving it by choice—if that choice is quitting for the sake of the children.

Commentary

Can We Bring Back the Hotties of Law?

Vivia Chen | March 02, 2018

We're entering a puritanical era. Mention someone's looks, attractiveness or sex appeal, and people accuse you of sexism, lookism or some other "ism."

Commentary

YL Board: This Is What Sexual Harassment in the Legal Industry Looks Like

The Young Lawyer Editorial Board of The American Lawyer | February 28, 2018

We call for the industry to avoid silence when witnessing harassment and hold perpetrators—no matter how big a book of business—accountable.

Analysis Commentary

Women Take a Pass on the Big Law Brass Ring

Vivia Chen | February 27, 2018

High-performing women lawyers are finding partnership isn't always for them.

Commentary

LSAT Takers Hit 16-Year High, But Most Grads Regret Going to Law School

Vivia Chen | February 22, 2018

Why is law school popular again? One theory is the Trump effect, which is that people are so morally and politically outraged by the direction of the country that they want to go to law school to set things right.

Commentary

The Lawyer As Pimp

Vivia Chen | February 19, 2018

Although there's no indication that Michael Cohen procured Stormy Daniels and other women for President Trump's pleasure, the word captures the spirit of his job.

Commentary

Women Still Don't Get Credit for Speaking Up

Vivia Chen | February 14, 2018

It turns out you can lean in until you topple over, but you still won't get recognition.

Commentary

Baker McKenzie Partner Is Accused of Sexual Assault, But Where's the #Metoo?

Vivia Chen | February 08, 2018

While women in the U.S. and many parts of the world are spilling their guts about harassment and assault, and airing the names of their alleged perpetrators along the way, the Brits are keeping their lips tightly sealed.

Commentary

Take It From Hillary, Female Bosses Aren't Always on Your Side

Vivia Chen | February 07, 2018

Despite her advocacy for women and her status as a feminist, the former presidential candidate followed the standard corporate playbook in her role as manager: The offending man gets to keep his job while the woman is packed away and hushed up.

Commentary

In Hindsight, 20/20 Diversity Is Too Low for Asian-American GCs

Vivia Chen | February 02, 2018

Asian-American lawyers make gains in general counsel ranks. It's not by accident.

Commentary

Single, Pregnant and 40-ish. Got a Problem With That?

Vivia Chen | January 23, 2018

If you've been too busy with work to find Mr. Right and start a family, don't fret that the baby train has passed you by.

Commentary

Male Clients Disfavor Women Partners

Vivia Chen | January 17, 2018

Are women just lousy at business development? Or are their firms not giving them the opportunity to shine? Well, here's another factor to consider: Male clients still favor male partners, according to a recent survey.

Commentary

Unfinished Business: The Continuing Impact of 'Jewel v Boxer'

Shari L. Klevens and Alanna Clair | January 02, 2018

Like any other business, law firms sometimes fail. While the failures of large law firms are well-publicized, smaller law firms can be just as or even more susceptible to failure, as the unexpected departure of the firm’s most profitable partner can be devastating to a small firm.

Commentary

Sex Czars, Lies and Law Firms' Fate: The Careerist's Predictions for Life in Law in 2018

Vivia Chen | January 02, 2018

Diversity, gender equality, innovation, millennials, sexual harassment? Nah. They won't take up any of your time in 2018.

Commentary

Why Haven’t Women in Law Firms Called Out Kozinski?

Vivia Chen | December 20, 2017

Those who've gone public with recollections of the now-retired judge's lascivious acts are predominantly from academia. Others who've spoken on the record include a journalist, a law student and a former federal judge.

Commentary

Let's Talk About Kozinski's Victim: Heidi Bond

Vivia Chen | December 13, 2017

While many of us can practically recite what the victims of sexual harassment say they endured from Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K. and Matt Lauer, do we look beyond those moments and consider how it altered the trajectory of these women's lives?

Commentary

Can We Get Rid of Alex Kozinski?

Vivia Chen | December 12, 2017

So far, the judge for the Ninth Circuit has shown no inclination of leaving in response to allegations brought by six women.

Commentary

Why Is Law Firm Innovation Failing? How to Push for Success

Marcie Borgal Shunk | December 08, 2017

Recent news and awards indicate law firms are increasing their investments in innovation. Stories of recently launched innovation committees, R&D teams and idea labs routinely grace the pages of industry publications. Yet despite these investments, the trajectory of the industry as a whole seems to have remained largely unchanged. Why are innovation efforts by larger law firms failing to make a meaningful impact?

Commentary

Has David Boies Become Our Whipping Boy?

Vivia Chen | December 04, 2017

While it's clear that his firm has deployed some unseemly tactics in a case against a popular novelist, is it fair to put the spotlight and blame on Boies?

Commentary

Black Female Lawyers Face the Double Jeopardy of Racial and Gender Stereotyping

Vivia Chen | November 30, 2017

A study of Harvard Law School alums finds black men have a better chance of making partner than black women.

Commentary

Look Who's Not on That Gay-Friendly List + More

Vivia Chen | November 17, 2017

This year, the intriguing question isn't which firms are on the list but which ones aren't.