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The 2008 ABA Journal Blawg 100

The 2008 ABA Journal Blawg 100

These are the 100 best Web sites by lawyers, for lawyers, as chosen by the editors of the ABA Journal.

The voting period has ended.

Thank you to all who participated. The final results are listed below.

For a printable list of all 100 blogs, click here. Check out the mini profiles of Ann Althouse, Ernie Svenson and Jurist-Paper Chase. For our list of One-Hit Wonders, click here.

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1378
votes

Above the Law

Routinely credited by the mainstream media for breaking news of law firm layoffs and salary freezes, this self-proclaimed legal tabloid is a must-read for those who want to know the latest industry gossip. Editor Elie Ying Mystal is now ATL’s mainstay contributor, aided by anonymous tipsters and forwarded e-mails. In response to industry woes, the blog added a “Notes from the Breadline” column this year.

586
votes

TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime

The A-team at TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime—Jeralyn Merritt of Denver, T. Christopher Kelly of Madison, Wis., and Armando Llorens of San Juan, Puerto Rico—take a shamelessly liberal view of crime and justice news and issues.

483
votes

The Volokh Conspiracy

The Volokh Conspiracy is named for its founder, UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh, but it’s authored by nearly 20 contributors, mostly law profs with a passion for con law, government policy and each other’s observations. One fan, Vanderbilt law student Alexander Denton, praises Volokh contributors for “engaging posts on a variety of topics, thoughtful interaction ... and writing styles that are [both] scholarly and accessible.”

235
votes

FP Legal Post

The financial section of Canada’s National Post points readers north and south of the border to legal news they might otherwise have overlooked. Although the blog’s mission statement also includes “gossip,” many posts focus on deals, litigation, ethics, lawyer pay, firm management issues and legislation.

189
votes

The Am Law Daily

Here American Lawyer reporters write about the big law firms, their deals, their lawyers and their foibles in this daily news roundup. If you are interested in American Lawyer’s big annual features on the nation’s highest-grossing law firms, associate satisfaction and pro bono, look for the summaries here.

176
votes

Daily Kos

Instead of starting a practice after law school, Markos Moulitsas Zúniga started a liberal political blog. Six years later, more than a half-million visits per day keep his “vast left-wing conspiracy” alive. Fellow Kos bloggers come from all walks of life, from a Chicago associate to a physician from Connecticut. Even former President Jimmy Carter has posted on Kos.

170
votes

Althouse

Even though it was her whirlwind engagement to a commenter on her blog that earned her a headline in the New York Times in April, Ann Althouse hasn’t lost her edge. The University of Wisconsin law professor, whose posts often veer into the political realm, is already looking ahead to 2012.

168
votes

How Appealing

Willow Grove, Pa., appeals lawyer Howard Bashman chronicles the nation’s appellate litigation, linking to news stories and digging up court opinions before journalists can write about them.

153
votes

Law Blog

Law firm refugee Ashby Jones has taken over primary duties for this Wall Street Journal blog. Jones takes an informal tack as he summarizes the WSJ’s most interesting legal stories, but he doesn’t stop there. He includes interviews from law firm leaders and legal observers, as well as coverage of big cases and trends.

148
votes

InstaPundit

From his seat on the far right, University of Tennessee law professor Glenn Reynolds seems to spend every waking moment linking to and quipping on news stories about politics, economics, the media, and science and technology law. Also look here for The Glenn and Helen Show podcast, which Reynolds co-hosts with his wife, forensic psychologist Dr. Helen Smith.

106
votes

The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times

The Blog of Legal Times carries legal news with a Washington, D.C., focus from the journalists at the merged publications Legal Times and the National Law Journal.

96
votes

Jurist—Paper Chase

Stories here never lack for sources, always linking to original reports, legal documents and information on the people making news. Check out this site for frequent updates on the courts’ treatment of Guantanamo detainees.

88
votes

Legal Blog Watch

Legal Blog Watch is often first on the legal news scene, alerting readers to the posts that are particularly noteworthy. On the lookout are lawyer/legal affairs journalist Robert Ambrogi and Bruce Carton, who edits Securities Docket.

38
votes

LawBeat

Former American Lawyer magazine executive editor Mark Obbie uses LawBeat to review and critique mainstream media coverage of law. He’ll praise quality legal affairs coverage, but he’s just as quick to point out foibles and gaffes. In September, grad student Rohan Mascarenhas started what we hope will be a recurring feature, “The Docket,” a quick roundup of legal reporting worth noting.

36
votes

Law and More

“Independent journalist” Jane Genova was originally drawn to the law blogging game by lead paint litigation in Rhode Island, and consumer law is still a main topical focus. But some posts are career pep talks, and whatever’s hot—be it law firm turmoil or Wall Street drama—also gets coverage.

The 2008 ABA Journal Blawg 100

These are the 100 best Web sites by lawyers, for lawyers, as chosen by the editors of the ABA Journal.

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