Law.com

New England Unsung Hero: C. Scott Schwefel, Shipman Shaiken Schwefel

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:59:59 EST

The New England Legal Awards is set to honor attorneys and legal professionals at a Boston awards ceremony Oct. 8.

Florida Judge Deals Blow to BBC in Donald Trump's $10B Defamation Suit

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:42:54 EST

President Donald Trump appointed the Fort Lauderdale-based judge to the federal bench in April.

New England Unsung Hero: Dean Felicetti, S2DATA

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:21:01 EST

The New England Legal Awards is set to honor attorneys and legal professionals at a Boston awards ceremony Oct. 8.

Justice Alito Recuses From Major Climate Case Week Before Arguments

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:27:12 EST

Justice Samuel Alito Jr., who has long held stock in the oil and gas sector, will not hear a major case next week over whether municipalities may sue energy companies in state court for alleged damages associated with climate change.

Inaugural NextGen UBE Scores Reveal Comparable Results to Legacy Exam

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:22:55 EST

The National Conference of Bar Examiners report that the inaugural July 2026 NextGen Uniform Bar Examination produced a pass rate broadly comparable to recent July results under the legacy exam.

5th Circuit Judge Southwick Plans to Take Senior Status

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:30:42 EST

Judge Leslie Southwick's semi-retirement gives President Donald Trump a second opportunity to fill a seat on the New Orleans-based appeals court in his second term.

6th Circuit Says States Can Regulate Kalshi Sports Contracts as Gambling

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:11:23 EST

The ruling deepens a split among the U.S. circuit courts regarding federal preemption of the prediction markets, increasing the likelihood the Supreme Court will grant review and resolve the issue.

Trust but Verify: Use of AI in Expert Testimony

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:25:59 EST

Courts are finding that AI use in expert reports often constitutes discoverable methodology rather than protected draft material, making it critical for counsel to establish clear guidelines and verification protocols before experts deploy AI tools.

Beyond the Virtual Proceeding Link: How AI Agents Are Amplifying Human Expertise Across the Modern Deposition Lifecycle

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:12:59 EST

AI agents will not eliminate the need for court reporters, videographers, interpreters, production specialists or litigation support teams. They will, however, enhance how those professionals spend their time and how effectively information moves around them.

How I Made Practice Group Chair: 'Do Not Confuse Leadership With Control,' Says Chase Brockstedt of Brockstedt Mandalas Federico

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Do not confuse leadership with control. A good practice leader is not the person who insists on making every decision. A good leader builds judgment in others, creates clear standards, and helps people grow into roles they may not have imagined for themselves. Seek out mentors and pay attention to how they handle pressure."

Cravath's Rainmaker Hire: Can Aiello Transform a Firm That Guards Its Culture?

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 07:11:15 EST

The firm's hiring of Aiello and five others doesn't represent so much of a shift in lateral strategy, said sources, speaking anonymously to speak freely, but a larger scale of what the firm has been seeking — selective partner hires who fit in the firm's mold.

'A Seminal Moment': New Mexico Jury Finds Facebook Execs Misstated User Data Facts

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:06:06 EST

Meta could face up to $219 billion in damages after a verdict finding 43 million violations of New Mexico's unfair business practices law, said state Attorney General Rau l Torrez, based on the maximum statutory penalty of $5,000 per violation.

Cravath PE Head Returns to Weil to Co-Lead Practice

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:30:50 EST

His return to Weil comes amid the firm's campaign for “boomerang laterals—those who started at Weil, left for another firm but returned to Weil.

Law Firm Disrupted: Could a Moratorium Burst the Data Center Bubble?

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:03:47 EST

While data centers have been a treasure trove for many Big Law firms, an uncertain future has some firms pausing their investment to support data center demand.

Litigation Trends to Watch: Suits Center on 'No Sugar' Labeling, Restrictive Work Policies and Sephora Product Recommendations

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:04:58 EST

A recent Seventh Circuit ruling opened the floodgates for litigation over "no sugar" claims.

How I Made Law Firm Leadership: 'Continuous Learning Is Essential,' Says Linda Watson of Clark Hill

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Continuous learning is essential. Leadership skills are developed over time through deliberate effort—whether through formal education, mentorship, or practical experience."

Live from WIPL with Tania Wilson

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:32:54 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Live from WIPL with Lauren Tetenbaum

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:32:31 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Beyond “We Use AI : Trust Is the New Competitive Advantage

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:13:02 EST

AI may be transforming the way legal work gets done, but it hasn't changed the fundamentals of business development and legal marketing. Clients still choose firms they trust.

At Gibson Dunn, Young Litigators Teach Courtroom Skills

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:07:35 EST

Gibson Dunn's Dallas office has built an associate-led training program that helps young litigators turn real case experience into practical courtroom skills, peer mentorship and earlier stand-up opportunities.

Using AI to Polish Judicial Opinions? Experts Talk Benefits and Risks

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 07:44:59 EST

The suggestion that some judges may be using AI to aid in opinion writing isn't surprising. A Northwestern survey of 112 federal judges published this year showed that 17% said they use it weekly for work tasks, followed by around 5% who leveraged it daily.

Justice Jackson Denounces Supreme Court's Frequent Emergency Orders

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:30:53 EST

"Why is it that one party should get a fast pass to the Supreme Court of the United States when so many other parties are queued up, waiting patiently for the court's attention?" Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said Thursday, criticizing her colleagues' willingness to grant emergency stay requests from the Trump administration.

Robins Kaplan's Tara Sutton Has Died at 59: 'One of the Plaintiffs' Bar's Shining Lights'

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:51:10 EST

Sutton, who worked in Minneapolis, served for a decade on Robins Kaplan's executive board and was its “diversity champion, working with younger lawyers, particularly women, according to the firm, which announced her Sept. 20 death from “a brief illness.

‘Culture of Availability': Can Litigators Ever Truly Unplug?

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:23:13 EST

If you ask litigators if they ever get the chance to unplug, most will say they do. But their version of unplugging often seems to come with the caveat that they must be on call to plug back in as soon as they're needed.

'There's a New Sheriff in Town': NYC's $130M+ DoorDash Settlement Gives a Glimpse Into City's Plan for Wage Theft Enforcement

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:38:04 EST

The largest portion of the settlement, totaling $83 million, will resolve a disagreement between DoorDash and city officials over payment for delivery worker's "on-call time," or time Dashers spend online between deliveries looking for and accepting future orders.

RICO Lawsuits Are Taking Aim at Lawyers

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:37:24 EST

A series of cases are testing whether racketeering claims can serve as a counteroffensive against opposing counsel.

Uber Dispute: Widow's User Agreement Doesn't Force Wrongful Death Claims to Arbitration, State High Court Says

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:52:27 EST

"Arbitration is a matter of consent, and Uber has failed to establish that the estate or the statutory beneficiary consented to arbitrate this pending wrongful death dispute," the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously agreed.

Argentine Investment Incentives Create Boom In Legal Work

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:36:44 EST

In less than two years, investors have proposed more than $150 billion in projects under the RIGI regime, which was designed to restore confidence in the South American country. More projects are rushing to the gate before a July filing deadline.

New Mass. Bar President, Former 'Subsidized Lunch Kid,' Plans to Expand Free Legal Services, Clear Court Congestion

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:27:04 EST

"My passion is making sure that the the ladder doesn't get pulled up behind us so people have a route to pursue their goals and dreams in a fair and meaningful way," personal injury attorney Samuel A. Segal told Law.com.

Stability in Uncertainty: Leveraging D&O Insurance to Protect Higher-Ed Decision-Makers

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 23:59:59 EST

Directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance can provide an important source of protection, not only against potential liability, but also to defray the significant costs of investigating and defending these claims. The practical question is whether the institution's existing policies will respond when the claim arrives.

Live from WIPL with Yeliz Atak

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:11:01 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Live from WIPL with Nancy Allred

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:09:50 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Legal Departments Are Evolving. How Does Yours Compare?

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:20:23 EST

Participate in our 2026 Global Corporate Counsel Benchmarking Survey, which examines how in-house teams set priorities, structure their departments, deploy technology and decide who does the work.

Why Training the Next Generation of Lawyers Requires Play, Failure, and AI

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:56:59 EST

As AI transforms legal practice, law schools must shift from teaching perfection and certainty to fostering exploration, trial and error, and human-centered skills. The University of Michigan's AI Law and Policy Clinic demonstrates this approach by having students build AI tools for real justice issues, proving that combining technology with empathy and iteration prepares lawyers to lead a more accessible legal system.

Roblox and Discord Move to Arbitrate Child-Exploitation Cases, Arguing There Was No 'Sexual Act' or 'Contact'

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:41:28 EST

Both companies pushed back on plaintiffs' allegations that the federal End Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, or EFAA, applied to the cases, which they insisted didn't involve physical contact between the perpetrator, a third party, and the child user.

More Democratic? The Use of Designation of PE Deals is Evolving

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:59:39 EST

The practice of sponsor-side lawyers designating their counterparts on the lender side in private equity deals has evolved from a top-down power play into a more collaborative process, though critics say the underlying ethical issues and conflicts of interest remain unchanged.

As British Columbia Sues in US Courts Over Mass Shooting, OpenAI Wants Victims' Cases Heard in Canada

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:56:32 EST

British Columbia's lawsuit over a deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School comes as OpenAI has moved to dismiss dozens of lawsuits in California filed by the families of the victims on grounds that the litigation belongs in Canada.

Arbitration Rules Dispute on Hold After NLJ 500 Firm Files Brief With False Citations

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:13:55 EST

Attorneys at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, representing McDonald's and Nornat Management Service, have until Oct. 19 to file a response also addressing why the Illinois court shouldn't issue sanctions, or what sanctions, if any, should be imposed.

DOE Committee Punts Decision About ABA's Accrediting Authority Following 7-Hour Hearing

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:47:27 EST

After a seven-hour hearing, the Department of Education could not come to a decision about whether to continue recognition of the American Bar Association's Accreditation Council as the accrediting authority for law schools.

How I Made Partner: 'Do Your Best Every Day,' Says Matthew Winne of Lightfoot Franklin & White

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Do your best every day. This is a stressful job and one of the hardest things is that there is always more you can do. There will be nights you file a brief knowing you could have done one more pass, or you'll leave a deposition knowing there were more questions to ask. I have not had a single day in my career where I felt I was done and there was nothing else I could do. It takes time to get used to that."

Critical Mass With Law.com's Amanda Bronstad: MDL Panel Takes Up More Spinal Cord Stimulator Cases This Week, Edison International Could Face Trial Over Los Angeles Wildfire

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:54:59 EST

Abbott Laboratories and Nevro are back before the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation this week to argue why lawsuits over their spinal cord stimulators shouldn't be coordinated.

The Race for AEO Visibility: What Is Schema, and Why Is It Essential for Law Firms?

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:51:38 EST

Law firms are racing for position in the new world of answer engine optimization (AEO) and AI-generated search. One of the most important tools in that race is something many law firm marketers may not have heard of: schema. Schema is standardized code added to a website to help search engines and AI systems understand what the information on a page means and how it relates to information elsewhere on the site.

Live from WIPL with Zahreen Ghaznavi

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:26:48 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Live from WIPL with Tania Bryant

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:25:51 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Kingmakers 2026: The Partners Who Control Designation in Private Equity

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:10:52 EST

Designation in private equity deals, which has become one of the most lucrative, and often divisive, revenue-drivers in Big Law, is led by just a handful of leading partners; Law.com has the latest on who these individuals are.

McDonald's to Face Smaller Portion of Franchisees' Benefit Claims, Judge Rules

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:32:41 EST

U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger allowed a narrow portion of claims to proceed that allege McDonald's denied Black franchisees benefits given to other stores.

Atlanta's U.S. Attorney Is Hiring at a Rapid Pace Despite Pay Difference, National Politics

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:16:30 EST

“There is no greater honor than being able to represent the United States of America in federal court, and that hasn't changed, said Theodore Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

UCLA Chancellor Faces Law School Faculty Backlash Following Comments About 9/11 Symposium

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:57:36 EST

UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk is facing mounting criticism from law professors and academic groups who say his response to a controversial 9/11 symposium undermined academic freedom and amplified false claims that the event promoted terrorism or antisemitism.

5 Lessons From Legal Teams On Where AI Adoption Is Headed Next

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:07:05 EST

How can legal teams move fast, reduce costs, and handle greater volumes of information? AI has rapidly become the de facto answer. But beneath the enthusiasm for AI, how are practitioners actually using AI-driven tools — and what are they learning as adoption shifts from experimentation to daily operations?

From Dictation to Draft: How AI Is Reshaping Legal Document Creation

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:13:38 EST

Join us to explore how AI-assisted drafting, voice-enabled workflows, and firm templates can streamline legal document creation and boost efficiency.

Beyond Meat's $23.5M Trademark Verdict Cut to $37.5K, but Boston Fed Judge Upholds $15.4M Profit Award

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:52:55 EST

The court found that Sonate Corp. had adequately established a limited amount of lost profits from its existing business but that its larger damages claim—which was tied to a proposed product expansion called Vegadelphia 2.0—was too speculative and lacked a sufficient casual connection to Beyond Meat's infringement.

Live from WIPL with Jennifer Barnett

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:23:14 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Live from WIPL with Sara Garvey

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:22:19 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Law Firms and Clients Battle Over Who Reaps AI Savings

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:59:59 EST

Big Law and corporate legal departments may ultimately agree on one avenue forward: billing by the outcome and value—not by the hour, corporate counsel sources and consultants say.

Ill. Appellate Court Upholds $41M Med-Mal Verdict Against OSF HealthCare, Clarifies Statute of Limitations Question

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:00:03 EST

"A representative may sue on behalf of a disabled person, but the representative's ability to sue neither removes the disability nor starts the statutory periods," Judge Michael Hyman wrote. "Otherwise, the protection afforded a disabled person would depend on someone else's diligence."

Gordon Rees, Maynard Nexsen Grow Business Litigation Expertise in the Southeast

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:52:22 EST

Baker Donelson also grew its Birmingham, Alabama, office with a two-attorney equipment finance team.

Quinn Emanuel Brings London Head To Blockbuster Mariana Dam Case

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:20:39 EST

Mining giant BHP, represented by HSF Kramer, faces up to $36 billion in damages for the toxic mining spill in Brazil.

With Merger Rumors Swirling, Weil Says It's Staying the Course

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:10:50 EST

The sources of the rumor mergers are unclear. Still, sources close to Weil said firm partners had floated with others internally the idea of a merger with specific firms.

An Inside Look at Cooley's New AI Tool for IPOs, Developed With OpenAI

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:09:23 EST

Cooley GO Public, the first software released by the firm's AI development company, is designed to generate first drafts of SEC S-1 forms, a key form used in the IPO process, saving time for both the firm's attorneys and client executives.

Discrimination Against Whites? Admitting No Wrong, Starbucks Agrees to $1M Payment

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:08:01 EST

A $1 million settlement between Starbucks and Florida's attorney general settles what could have been a costly legal battle, with the company accepting significant restrictions on the use of race and sex in employment decisions.

Workplace and School Investigations in a Hybrid World: Weighing In-Person and Remote Interview Options

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:52:59 EST

Workplace and school investigators must now choose between in-person, remote, and hybrid interview formats based on the specific needs of each investigation, considering factors like cost, logistics, witness comfort, and case sensitivity. The best approach depends on the facts, witnesses, and investigative purpose, with the goal of promoting fairness, thoroughness, confidentiality, and efficiency.

What Makes a Good Personal Injury Billboard?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:46:04 EST

"What I'm trying to do is hold their attention and be remembered," John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan told Law.com.

Congressional Investigations After 'De La Torre,' 'Navarro,' and OLC's 'Private Advisers' Opinion: Practical Takeaways

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:44:59 EST

This article analyzes the key holdings of the 'De La Torre' and 'Navarro' cases, examines the new OLC opinion, and provides practical takeaways for companies and individuals facing investigations by Congress.

How I Made Partner: 'Always Tell the Truth,' Says Robert McFarlane of Moses & Singer

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Aside from the basics (work hard, develop business, foster relationships, etc.), one more: always tell the truth."

Thyssenkrupp Falls Short of Local Rules in Damaged Cargo Suit, Judge Says

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:20:17 EST

"It is not the court's responsibility to sift through the record to determine whether there is sufficient undisputed evidence to entitle a party to summary judgment," Judge Sharon Coleman wrote.

Live from WIPL with Centellic's Lazette Jackson

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:59:59 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

Live from WIPL with Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:59:59 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.

The Hidden Cost of Big Law Partner Moves

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:59:59 EST

The exits are public. The golden handcuffs buried in the partnership deeds are not.

Law Firm Disrupted: Enter the Chat(GPT)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:45:13 EST

Is Astra for Law a market disruptor that resets the competitive landscape? Or a noninvasive species in legal's expanding AI ecosystem?The answer might be both.

Record-Breaking $37M Pain and Suffering Verdict Confirmed by First Department

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:26:35 EST

Aurora Beauchamp was awarded a total of $37 million for pain and suffering damages, divided as $20 million for past pain and suffering and $17 million for future pain and suffering.

Husch Blackwell Launches AI-Based CXT for Complex Torts Defense: A 'Concierge Support Model'

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:59:05 EST

Husch Blackwell this week launched a new artificial intelligence-focused platform, called CXT (Complex Torts), which will focus on the management and defense of complex litigation such as mass torts.

$17M Verdict Against Campbell's Withstands Federal Challenge

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:06:49 EST

Last year, the judge excluded testimony of Gamon's damages expert, citing his unreliable damages calculations and methods.

Are Workers' Walk Time Worth Money in Court? It Depends

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:52:12 EST

The cases—involving Target Corp. and Amazon—show laws concerning payment for pre- and post-shift activities are highly variable from state to state, where tribunals disagree on the issue.

Litigation Trends to Watch: Sports Litigation Heats Up. Plus, Amgen's Data Security Troubles.

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:24:59 EST

Suits accuse Fanatics and TikTok of conspiring to monopolize the livestream NFL memorabilia market.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Defends the Power of Dissent in Phila. Bar Remarks

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:49 EST

Accepting a Philadelphia Bar Association award Thursday, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson praised Justice William J. Brennan Jr.'s commitment to democratic values and said judicial dissents reflect "faith in the future."

How I Made Partner: 'Find the Firm That Is the Best Fit for You,' Says Sean Farrell of Smith Currie

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:59:59 EST

"Find the firm that is the best fit for you. The 'best fit' may not be the firm that offers the highest salary or the area of law that seems the most attractive at the time. Seek out the firm where you like the people, the work, and the clients. Every job is going to have its challenges, but the goal is to find the firm where the challenges are tolerable and outweighed by the positive aspects."

The ROI of Investing In Women's Leadership: Why Legal Needs More Programs Like EWIL

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:33:09 EST

The legal industry doesn't have a shortage of talented women. It has a shortage of rooms built for them to become leaders in. The firms that start filling that gap now, while there are still only a handful of these programs to choose from, will be the ones with the deepest bench when the leadership transition everyone can see coming actually arrives.

Law Firms Close 'Convenience Offices' in Post-COVID Shift

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:28:09 EST

Several Am Law 200 law firms closed smaller offices last year, even in larger markets as D.C. and Chicago, as firms in general have grown more strategic about their footprints, decreased “convenience offices" with just a few lawyers, and redirected resources since the pandemic.

Live from WIPL with Nana Boyer

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:59:59 EST

Legal Speak, recorded live, from the 2026 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in Nashville.