The American Lawyer | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | Commentary

Ouch! ’Tis the Season for ‘Golf Ball Law’

Randy Maniloff | June 13, 2018

Will a spectator injured at the U.S. Open suffer the same fate as an unlucky baseball fan? At least one case says "no."

Law.com | Commentary

First Mile-Last Mile Problems Create Bumpy Road in Legal Tech Innovation

Daniel B. Rodriguez | June 12, 2018

The economic evidence indicates that the first and last mile add disproportionately to the costs of the service, and the challenge is to reduce the unique costs borne by companies of beginning and ending the journey on these otherwise efficient networks.

The American Lawyer | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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.

New York Law Journal | Commentary

How a NY Lawyer Lost His Job Because of Depression and Anxiety

Peter Lobl | June 08, 2018

The partners at this firm probably saw Steve as a lateral associate who just didn’t work out: He overlooked too many details, took too many breaks during deals and wasn’t proactive enough.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | Commentary

A Call for an Open Dialogue on Mental Health in the Law

The American Lawyer 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.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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!

The American Lawyer | 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!

The American Lawyer | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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?

The American Lawyer | 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.

Litigation Daily | Commentary

For Kennedy Cousin Skakel, a Gold-Plated Standard for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Jenna Greene | May 07, 2018

As the saying goes, if your lawyer has a pulse, it’s not ineffective assistance of counsel. Unless you’re Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, who just had his conviction for murdering Martha Moxley in 1975 overturned.

Law.com | 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.

Litigation Daily | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Litigation Daily | Commentary

Brave New World of (Robot) Law

Jenna Greene | April 19, 2018

If your robot hurts someone, are you liable? Legally speaking, is a robot like a pet? An employee? Should robots have rights? In a new report, the U.S. Chamber Commerce contemplates not-so-distant questions about robot law.

The American Lawyer | Commentary

Michael Cohen Is Such an Awesome Lawyer

Vivia Chen | April 10, 2018

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

Law.com | Commentary

After the Driverless Fatality, Insurance and Litigation Will Be Forever Changed

Randy Maniloff | April 10, 2018

Unlike an inconsequential glitch with your office computer, in the case of driverless cars it's control, alt and someone’s life is deleted.

Law.com | Commentary

You Exercise and Eat Right. Now, About Those Sleep Habits, Counselor

Jonathan Jordan | April 09, 2018

Catching enough shut-eye can be challenging for busy lawyers, but it is vital to well-being.

The Legal Intelligencer | Commentary

Millennial Attorneys: How to Make Your First Year Work for You

Fara A. Cohen | April 04, 2018

The legal profession is notoriously slow when it comes to adapting to change. Even though many law firms are doing a better job of adjusting to millennial lawyers’ needs and expectations, and law schools are requiring more practical curricula, the transition from law school to practice still proves tough for many new attorneys.

National Law Journal | Commentary

Seven Changes in the Legal Job Market Impacting New Lawyers

Mark Weber | March 30, 2018

Harvard Law School Assistant Dean of Career Services Mark Weber reflects on more than two decades of law school and legal practice developments.

Litigation Daily | Commentary

Eric Holder, Unleashed

Jenna Greene | March 28, 2018

It’s as if Eric Holder Jr. is everywhere these days, from fighting gerrymandering to executive producing a TV show to hinting at a presidential run. But does he have time to do any actual work at Covington & Burling, where he’s a partner?

New York Law Journal | 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.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | Commentary

Critical Mass: Remington Bankruptcy Could Delay Sandy Hook Suit. Plus, Ex-Students Take Shuttered Law School to Court

Amanda Bronstad | March 27, 2018

Remington Outdoor's Chapter 11 bankruptcy could hold up a case brought by 10 families of victims of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, even if the Connecticut Supreme Court rules in their favor.

Law.com | Commentary

Lawyer Testimonials Aim to Stamp Out Mental Health Stigma

Patrick R. Krill | March 27, 2018

In his latest Well Counseled column, Patrick Krill brings news of a plan by the ABA to share online testimonials of lawyers who have faced addiction and mental health difficulties.

Law.com | Commentary

Skilled in the Art: Blurred Lines | Iancu Revealed | Tinder v. Bumble

Scott Graham | March 23, 2018

Greetings and welcome to Skilled in the Art. I'm Law.com IP reporter Scott Graham, and I am ready for the Supreme Court to get Oil States over with. In…

Litigation Daily | Commentary

Ted Olson to Donald Trump: Thanks, But No Thanks

Jenna Greene | March 21, 2018

No, Gibson Dunn's Ted Olson won't be representing POTUS. But what's really shocking is how hard it's become for Trump to attract any prominent, establishment attorney.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | Commentary

The Law Firm Disrupted: What Does Litigation Finance Do for Big Law’s Capital Cravings?

Roy Strom | March 15, 2018

Burford Capital's big income and profit figures could give managing partners room to maneuver.

Law.com | Commentary

Inside Track: NDA Lessons From Stormy Daniels | A Cold One With AB InBev's GC

Stephanie Forshee | March 14, 2018

How in-house lawyers can dazzle their future bosses with their tech skills, and what legal departments can learn about NDAs from the Stormy Daniels affair. Plus, Anheuser Busch InBev’s general counsel chatted with us about his favorite beer, complicated alcohol laws and data compliance.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Law.com | Commentary

Skilled in the Art: Extreme PTO Makeover | Berkheimer En Banc? | New Life for Zombies

Scott Graham | March 13, 2018

Patent officials unveiled the new patent cover Sunday at SXSW in Austin. It's only the third cover in the agency's history.

Law.com | Commentary

What's Next: Section 230 | Bitcoin's Origin Story | GitHub Goes Legaltech?

Ben Hancock | March 13, 2018

How will the sex trafficking bill poised to pass the Senate impact internet platforms? Plus, the lawsuit that might reveal Bitcoin's true creator, and a new tool for managing open source software licensing.

Law.com | Commentary

Critical Mass: Yahoo May Face Punitive Damages in Data Breach. Plus: Litigation Funding and State Usury Laws

Amanda Bronstad | March 13, 2018

Yahoo now faces the possibility of punitive damages over recent data breaches, which have impacted a total more than 3 billion user accounts, after Judge Lucy Koh refused to dismiss the case.

The American Lawyer | 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?

Litigation Daily | 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"?

National Law Journal | Commentary

Want to Improve Law Firm Diversity? Hint: Start Upstream

Jennifer Jaskolka and CiCi Cheng | March 07, 2018

A novel initiative in Colorado focuses on the pipeline of entry-level diverse candidates to address the perennial complaint from employers that only a limited pool of diverse candidates exists.

The American Lawyer | 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.

Litigation Daily | Commentary

Civil War on the Plaintiffs Side as Robbins Geller Attacks Firms Seeking Dubious Fees

Jenna Greene | March 05, 2018

Lawyers from plaintiffs powerhouse Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd called out “a cadre of firms responsible for a dramatic explosion of federal deal litigation,” and urged a federal judge in San Francisco to reject a fee request by fellow plaintiffs’ counsel.

The American Lawyer | 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."

Law.com | Commentary

The Law Firm Disrupted: What Lawyers Will Go From Grunt to Great

Roy Strom | March 01, 2018

Conventional wisdom says AI will take the grunt work off lawyers’ plates, freeing their time for higher level thinking and legal analysis. But is there enough higher-level work for to go around?

The American Lawyer | 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.