Law.com

Litigation Trends to Watch: Algorithmic Pricing Bans, Cyclospora Outbreak and 'Familiar Face Detection' Spark Lawsuits

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:25:10 EST

New city bans on algorithmic pricing are spurring class actions.

Uncertainty Looms After Supreme Court Carves Out Fed Independence

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:10:06 EST

“We are stumbling down a dark hallway to try to feel out whether there is a door to this room or that room that's unlocked," said Jed Shugerman, a Boston University School of Law professor.

Anthropic Appoints Legal Tech Founder Robert Mahari as Head of Claude for Legal

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:15:21 EST

Mahari's appointment comes at a time when Anthropic has been rolling out new slates of AI solutions for legal work, and other AI developers are also making their way into legal tech.

How I Made Partner: 'Don't Simply Agree, Contribute Your Own Perspective,' Says Lauren Bernstein of Moritt Hock

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:59:59 EST

Develop strong communication and time management skills. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Most importantly, don't simply agree; add value by contributing your own perspective.

DOJ Accuses Duke Law School of Racial Discrimination in Admissions

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:34:32 EST

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division alleges that Duke Law School deliberately used tools to slant admissions in favor of Blacks and Hispanics for the past three incoming classes.

Columbia Law's New AI Policy Balances AI Fluency With Critical Thinking Skills

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:39:08 EST

Columbia Law Dean Daniel Abebe told students that they need to learn how to engage with AI in ways that advance educational purpose while also teaching how to think critically including developing "technological fluency."

Rise of the ‘Grantal'? How Some Judges Are Airing En Banc Objections

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:44:59 EST

A different type of dissent seems to be cropping up more often in two of the largest federal appeals courts: “dissents to grants of en banc rehearing.

Law Firm Disrupted: The Many Tools of the Lateral Trade

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:50:36 EST

The group lateral might be a comparatively blunt instrument, but it offers advantages—and can spell disruption for firms on either end of a talent transfer

Bellwether Infant Formula Trial to Proceed After Besting Mead Johnson's Preemption Challenge

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:22:55 EST

Jury selection is expected to begin in the case Aug. 13 in the Northern District of Illinois with opening arguments to follow Aug. 17. Currently, 825 cases over the claims are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Washington State Supreme Court Rules to Offer Diploma Privilege After NextGen Bar Exam Cancellation

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:16:14 EST

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled late Thursday that applicants who were unable to take the NextGen Bar Exam in Yakima may apply for a waiver of the requirement to pass the bar in order to be licensed in the state.

‘HA!': Trade Judge ‘Stunned' With Feds' Proposal on IEEPA Duty Refunds

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:18:22 EST

The U.S. Department of Justice's Claudia Burke suggested the trade court waive its filing fees in an attempt to steer the judge away from certifying a class of the thousands of importers that are owed approximately $14 billion in duty refunds—and which, in the government's view, must sue for reimbursement.

Simpson Raids Kirkland to Launch in Chicago

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:34:10 EST

Hiring a group of five long-time Kirkland private investment and family office partners, Simpson said it will open in Chicago.

Beyond Generative AI: The Rise of Agentic AI in Corporate Legal

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:57:42 EST

Join this webcast to explore how contract lifecycle management has progressed—from traditional CLM platforms to AI-powered solutions and now to agentic AI.

Am Law 200 Law Firms Hit with Hefty Malpractice Claims in July, Law.com Radar Shows

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:51:21 EST

Ex-partner and associate employment suits also hit several Am Law 200 firms last month.

Inside the Strategy 2 Mintz Attorneys Used to Strike a Mass. Rent Control Initiative From the November Ballot

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:05:11 EST

Most attorneys who become involved in ballot initiative campaigns join at the outset, often in August of the prior year or earlier, as the measures gain momentum. Few attorneys enter the fray midway through the process. But Mintz attorneys Elissa Flynn-Poppey and Edmund P. Daley did just that.

11th Circuit Judge Targeted: Florida AG Adds Jurist to His Growing Impeachment List

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:30:26 EST

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier requested Congress launch an impeachment inquiry into Judge Nancy Abudu, claiming her past role at the Southern Poverty Law Center warrants removal from the bench. Abudu is the fourth jurist Uthmeier has called for the impeachment of this year; the first on a federal bench.

Judge With Miami Ties Targeted: Florida AG Adds Jurist to His Growing Impeachment List

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:45:02 EST

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier requested Congress launch an impeachment inquiry into U.S. Circuit Judge Nancy Abudu of the Eleventh Circuit, claiming her past role at the Southern Poverty Law Center warrants removal from the bench. Abudu is the fourth jurist Uthmeier has called for the impeachment of this year; the first on a federal bench.

Milbank, Citing Client Demand, Offers Early Start Date For New Associates

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:55:20 EST

The firm told its incoming first-year associates that they can start three weeks early on August 24 if they want, citing high demand at the firm.

Trump Crackdown on Transnational Crime Makes Business Thornier in Latin America

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:56:46 EST

From Mexico to Brazil, multinational companies are exercising greater caution as they evaluate investments and business relationships in the region.

5th Circuit Sees Possible Record En Banc Activity in 2026

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:24:56 EST

While various factors may help explain the high level of en banc activity, court watchers cautioned that this year's potential record may be a function of the Fifth Circuit's docket, not necessarily a sign that its judges have become more receptive to rehearing cases en banc.

OpenAI to Pay $3.2 Million Over Alleged Preference for Foreign Workers

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:59:56 EST

The case was based on five allegations of citizenship status discrimination against OpenAI and one against Statsig between 2023 and 2025, according to the settlement agreement.

UPDATE: Bar Exam Test-Taker Sues Over Medical Response, as 'Stop the Clock' Effort Continues

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:46:37 EST

A Fordham Law School graduate is suing Hofstra University, alleging delayed medical services after she suffered cardiac arrest during the July 2025 New York bar exam caused permanent injuries.

'Just a Lawyer Again': Judge Brian Rickman's Return to Client Advocacy

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:10:14 EST

Former Georgia Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Brian M. Rickman is now handling wrongful death, medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury, and appellate litigation at Cathey & Strain in Cornelia.

How We Made Partner: 'Never Stop Asking Questions,' Say Alex and Zach Nemtzow of Wilmer

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Never stop asking questions. Even the best lawyers don't know all the answers. Whether you're asking a senior attorney why they made a strategic decision, asking a mentor for career advice, or asking a client what's important to them or their business—those questions are often what separate technically strong lawyers from future partners who go the extra mile."

Critical Mass With Law.com's Ellen Bardash: Gilead Wins Liability Ruling Over Past HIV Drug Alternative, Algorithmic Pricing Suit Against Hotel Casinos Revived by Third Circuit

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:58:59 EST

This week: The California Supreme Court weighed in on whether pharmaceutical companies can be liable for negligence if they delay bringing a drug to market. The Third Circuit is allowing guests at Atlantic City hotels to move forward with claims related to anti-competitive algorithmic price fixing. Labaton Keller Sucharow's Carol C. Villegas says last year's verdict against Meta signaled to companies how juries feel about privacy actions in California.

What In-House Counsel Actually Need From Outside Employment Advisers

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:13:59 EST

Outside employment advisers who invest in understanding business context, communicate in the client's language, balance risk management with creative problem-solving, think about operational consequences, and build trust through demonstrated empathy will differentiate themselves in a market where legal talent is abundant but true partnership is rare.

'Positions of Power' Complicate Sometimes-Ungoverned Lawyer Dating Scenarios

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:26:48 EST

After a video of two Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz partners being amorous in Central Park went viral, larger questions have emerged about office dating policies in Big Law — and the risks when firms do not set guardrails in policies to avoid issues.

The Firms Leading on Female Equity Partners as UK Representation Inches Up

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 04:32:45 EST

Law.com's latest research tracking the number of women at the largest law firms in the U.K. has found a gradual rise at senior levels despite the industry-wide DEI pullback.

Anthropic Hires Former CA Supreme Court Justice Tino Cuéllar in Global Policy Role

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:33:02 EST

Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar will become a global executive with the AI company as it navigates national and international scrutiny and heads toward a possible IPO this year.

Illinois District Court Swats Down Novel Email Service Argument After 7th Circuit's Ban

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:16:50 EST

"For years, the majority approach to Schedule A cases among courts in this District has been to allow service of process by email on Chinese defendant," the judge said. "Kangol, of course, held otherwise, which has required district courts to change course."

ABA Law School Diversity Standard Survives—For Now

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:34:18 EST

The American Bar Association House of Delegates voted Tuesday to send the proposed repeal of Standard 206 back to council.

Free Mediation Services Offered in Mass. to Address Backlogs in State's Busiest Trial Court

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:57:33 EST

The Massachusetts organizations will provide free mediation services to specific civil cases to address case backlogs in the Suffolk County Superior Court.

Florida Lawyers, Judges Listed as Witnesses in Judge's Ethics Case

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:56:58 EST

Third District Court of Appeal Judge Bronwyn Miller's final disciplinary hearing is scheduled for January 2027.

Texas Legal Awards Shortlist Announced

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:16:31 EST

Texas Lawyer and Law.com are proud to announce the finalists and winners of the 2026 Texas Legal Awards. Congratulations, and good luck to the finalists at the September 30 awards dinner in Dallas

Bidding War in Big Law Accelerates as Law Firms Lean on More Comp Incentives

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:48:27 EST

The scale and scope of incentives offered to lateral candidates have ballooned, while other incentives are becoming more common amid the talent war, sources say.

Illinois Bill Targeting Private Equity in Law Could Have Much Broader Impacts, Critics Warn

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:24:05 EST

Supporters say the bill places needed safeguards on private equity. Critics question its effectiveness and constitutionality.

How I Made Partner: 'Initiative, Independence and the Ability to Bring in Business,' Says James D'Elicio of Chemtob Moss

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:59:59 EST

"I am of the belief that there is no one-size-fits-all advice for an associate who wants to make partner—it depends entirely on the firm. At a smaller matrimonial firm like mine, what moves the needle is initiative, independence, and the ability to bring in business."

Boston Defeats Restaurants' Retaliation, Due Process Claims Over Outdoor Dining Rollback

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:59:59 EST

The lawsuit challenged Boston's phased rollback of pandemic-era outdoor dining in the North End, where officials cited congestion, traffic and neighborhood rules to justify stricter rules than those imposed elsewhere.

Big Law May Be Training AI Better Than Its Associates

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 18:35:49 EST

From Australia to the U.S., firms are pouring money into AI while hiring fewer entry-level lawyers. The bigger risk isn't automation—it's failing to develop the judgment, strategy and client skills future partners will need.

Supreme Court Has Reined in Agencies. Could Congress Be Next?

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:34:49 EST

Having vastly curtailed the power and autonomy of federal agencies, reining in Congress could emerge as a key area of focus for the U.S. Supreme Court, experts say.

Bill Would Give Judiciary Management Control of Federal Courthouses

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:04:08 EST

“The introduction of this bipartisan bill takes a big step toward addressing the chronic problems that have afflicted federal courthouses and other mission critical facilities of the Judicial Branch, said former U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad Jr., who directs the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Litigation Trends to Watch: Lawsuits Center on Silenced No More Act, Sports Betting Apps and Ernst & Young Cyberattack

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:45:07 EST

Employers are accused of imposing overbroad non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements.

Law Deans Demand Diploma Privilege, Balk at ‘Remedies,' After Washington Bar Exam Failure

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:31:41 EST

The push for diploma privilege is widening as law school deans challenge Washington's proposed remedies, seek a public accounting of the breakdown, and question whether the digital NextGenUBE was prepared for a large-scale technology failure.

How I Made Practice Group Chair: 'You Need an Enormous Work Ethic,' Says Jon Mechanic of Fried Frank

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:59:59 EST

"you need an enormous work ethic. That's non-negotiable. You can't ask people to go the extra mile if you're not willing to go further yourself. But even more important than that is genuinely caring about the people around you. Not as a management strategy. Actually caring. If you want to build something that lasts, it can't be about you. A leader's job is to make the people around them successful. That means having their backs, not just professionally, but personally. People go through difficult things. Life happens. And when it does, they need to know their leader is there for them."

Skechers Cannot Outrun State Tax Ruling, Appeals Court Says

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:48:39 EST

The footwear company must be taxed as a manufacturing corporation, the Massachusetts Appeals Court held Thursday morning, because it played an essential role in every stage of its shoes' production—despite assembly actually occurring overseas.

Law Firm Disrupted: Partner Mobility Complicates Private Equity's Ambitions for Big Law

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:47:52 EST

The degree of mobility enjoyed by elite lawyers is a surprise, even to those in adjacent spheres. It also complicates the picture for private equity investors eyeing the law firm world.

Cox CLO Jennifer Hightower Details AI Strategy, Political Neutrality and What's Next

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:59:59 EST

In this week's episode, Cox Enterprises Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Hightower discusses how Cox Enterprises' legal department is navigating technological disruptions and regulatory changes.

DOJ Backs Trump in Appeal of $83M Carroll Verdict

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:50:47 EST

“Absent this Court's intervention, the sitting President is facing nearly a hundred million dollars of personal liability for conduct that was well within the scope of his federal office, the U.S. Justice Department told the U.S. Supreme Court this week.

A Win in Every Forum: Judge Terminates Zync's Case Against BMW

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:11:58 EST

In what appears to be the first time a U.S. International Trade Commission judge has ended a contested Section 337 investigation based on a forum-selection clause, the ITC terminated the case, ruling the parties' contract required them to litigate in Munich.

Trump's New Global Tariffs Have Better Legal Grounding. Does That Matter?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:21:56 EST

President Donald Trump has turned to a tried and tested trade law that offers him better legal support for his ambitious second-term goal, a new baseline tariff covering nearly all imports.

Judge Watch: Abbott Keeps Texas Business Court Bench Intact With New 2-Year Terms

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:44:31 EST

Gov. Greg Abbott reappointed all 10 Texas Business Court judges to new two-year terms as the still-new court continues handling complex commercial disputes across five active divisions.

King & Spalding Billed $42M In Fees Advising Saudi Arabia on US Nuclear Deal

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:45:33 EST

King & Spalding and Hunton Andrews Kurth are among the law firms who have advised Saudi Arabia on its civil nuclear deal with the U.S.

Condominium Associations Confront Rising Costs, Insurance Pressures and New Lending Standards

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:06:59 EST

To keep federally backed financing available for their unit owners, condominium associations are attempting to adjust to the recent changes in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting standards. These are forcing associations to closely review the maintenance of their common elements, the funding of their reserve account, and decide what adjustments need to be made to their insurance premiums and deductibles.

Savitt's Move Punctuates Pure Lockstep's Fall—and Gibson Dunn's Talent Share Rise

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:03:29 EST

Wachtell is adapting to the cutthroat lateral partner market with modified lockstep compensation as larger firms continue to apply pressure.

Inside Scott+Scott and Litigation Startup Advocacy AI's Design Partnership

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:18:37 EST

The partnership is intended to produce customized uses of Advocacy's platform for the firm, including a potential case identification use case.

Smooth Launch for NextGen Bar Exam in Most Jurisdictions

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:13:43 EST

The launch of the NextGen bar exam led to Washington state having to cancel the July administration of the bar exam, Missouri having to adjust Wednesday's testing schedule to counter a delayed start on Tuesday and Maryland experiencing a brief delay on the first day of testing.

Inside Quinn Emanuel's Court-Required Ethics Training

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:54:56 EST

The law firm was sanctioned this past May and ordered to create ethics education courses after a judge found it committed ethical violations during a pharmaceutical advertising trial.

ACLU Claims DOD Is Using Active-Duty Military as Temporary Immigration Judges

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:33:53 EST

The ACLU said it believes at least three military service members have begun hearing and deciding cases in Massachusetts immigration courts, according to its complaint.

Ill. Appeals Court Says It Hopes Higher Fine Will Deter AI Hallucinations

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:06:06 EST

The attorney admitted to using a "premier corporate subscription of ChatGPT" in a response brief filed July 2, but the court wrote that this brief also included misstatements of law.

SGX-Nasdaq Dual Listing Framework Signals New Phase in Singapore's Global Ambitions

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:54:17 EST

Singapore's new dual-listing agreement with Nasdaq is a landmark in how the city%E2%80%91state courts companies and looks to spruce up its IPO market, but lawyers say a limited issuer pool means a big-bang spike in deal flow could take a while yet.

Critical Mass With Law.com's Amanda Bronstad: Johnson & Johnson to Pay at Least $5.5B in Talc Settlement, Meta Begins Trial in Tennessee AG's Consumer Case

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:15:13 EST

This week: Johnson & Johnson on Monday agreed to settle 76,000 talcum powder lawsuits, potentially ending 15 years of litigation. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skremetti opened trial this week, alleging Meta made false statements about child safety on Instagram. Wisner Baum's W. Crawford Appleby says firms should take a “slow and steady approach to using artificial intelligence tools.

How I Made Office Managing Partner: 'Be Open to Opportunities You Didn't Envision,' Says Justine Fitzgerald of Hirschler

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Be flexible and open to opportunities you didn't envision initially. When I came out of law school, I don't know if I could imagine myself where I am today, but things evolve and you have to evolve with them. It's important to stay flexible and not assume your career has to fit a certain trajectory."

Illinois Supreme Court's Latest Judicial Screening Committee Includes Big Law, Midsize Attorneys

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:37:34 EST

The committee—formed under Justice Sanjay Tailor, who was sworn in as the first Asian-American justice for the state Supreme Court earlier this year—may interview applicants, ask for public input and gather other information.

Being First on Associate Pay: Behind Milbank's Strategy

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:32:41 EST

In an interview, firm chair Scott Edelman said Milbank has become a leader in associate compensation, allowing it to compete for the best talent. And it's become a market differentiator.

July NextGen Bar Exam Canceled in Washington State

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:28:18 EST

The first administration of the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam could not be completed in Washington state Tuesday, and the July administration has been canceled.

Clifford Chance's US Challenges: A Hiccup or Upheaval?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:01:42 EST

Facing a lawsuit brought by two of its former New York partners, the firm's partnership agreement going public, and a slew of New York exits, Clifford Chance's U.S. growth efforts are looking more complicated than ever.

Ashley Keller Appeals Sanctions in Acetaminophen Cases, Asks to Reassign MDL to Another Judge

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:29:27 EST

Ashley Keller, of Keller Postman, asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to reverse U.S. Senior District Judge Denise Cote's May 8 sanctions against him, then assign the multidistrict litigation alleging prenatal use of acetaminophen causes autism or ADHD to another judge.

EBay, Former Execs Settle Mass. Couple's Harassment, Cyberstalking Suit for $55.7M

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:14:47 EST

David and Ina Steiner founded the news site ECommerceBytes, a newsletter and website that serves as an independent trade publication for online merchants. Executives at eBay, however, considered their content to be negative coverage of the company and began a retaliation campaign against them in the fall of 2019.

Pro Bono Asylum Wins are Harder to Come by Amid Regulatory Whiplash, Uncertain Timelines and Strained Bandwidth

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:59:59 EST

Big Law pro bono departments don't have a complicated relationship with asylum work, leaders say; instead, it's the work that's becoming more complicated, with asylum cases unfolding over years as the Trump administration overhauls the nation's immigration system.

How Gibson Dunn Landed Wachtell's Savitt in Six-Partner Move

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:51:47 EST

The lateral move started with coffee. “Bill has always been on the top of my list, said Gibson Dunn chair and managing partner Barbara Becker in an interview.

'Prioritize Profits and Hide the Truth': Tennessee AG Opens Addiction Trial Against Instagram

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:54:24 EST

The trial, which accuses Meta of violating the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, is similar to a case New Mexico Attorney General Rau l Torrez brought against Meta, in which a jury this year awarded $375 million in civil penalties to the state.

The Week in Data July 28: A Look at Legal Industry Trends by the Numbers

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:39:31 EST

Catch up on the latest data from across the Law.com newsroom, including the 2026 Elite Trial Lawyers.

Understanding Statistical Analyses of College Admissions Policies

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:46:59 EST

The controversy surrounding ACTS highlights a practical question that is likely to shape the next era of affirmative-action litigation: how can litigants use data to prove or disprove the existence of racial preferences under officially race-neutral admissions policies?

DeKalb DA Wants Judge Removed From 260 Cases Amid Ethics Investigation

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:17:42 EST

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has requested that Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Judge Yolanda Parker-Smith voluntarily recuse from more than 260 pending criminal cases amid an ongoing judicial misconduct probe.

When Hiring Rainmakers Demands 'Surgical' Precision

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:10:41 EST

Firms have several considerations for lateral hiring in mature practices, including the impact on other partners' business.

Linklaters, Webber Wentzel End Exclusive 13-Year Alliance in Latest South Africa Reset

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 05:00:53 EST

The restructuring follows a series of Africa strategy changes by global law firms, although Linklaters said it remains committed to serving clients across the continent.

Supreme Court's Public Approval Hits Record Low, Gallup Says

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 03:59:59 EST

New Gallup polling shows record low approval of the U.S. Supreme Court after its most recent term, largely driven by a decline in Republican support for the institution.