Formidable Foe

Oct 1, 2024 3:30 AM CDT

These law firms topped rankings for minority, female and LGBTQ lawyers

Larger law firms are making slight gains in employment of minority and female lawyers, according to rankings released last week by the American Lawyer.

Jul 3, 2024 12:41 PM CDT

This BigLaw firm is tops for culture, most important factor to surveyed law students, new report says

Culture is the most important factor for Yale Law School students when deciding which law firm offer to accept, according to a new report by Yale Law Women+.

Jun 11, 2024 1:42 PM CDT

Stand-up Student: One attorney’s journey from the classroom to the comedy club

Liz Glazer loves to joke that she took the traditional route to becoming a comedian. After nine years, teaching more than 25 classes and publishing about a dozen scholarly publications, Glazer finally hit the road to perform at comedy clubs, open mic nights and at law schools.

Apr 24, 2024 10:49 AM CDT

ABA considers expanding law school diversity standards

Updated: Law schools have come a long way since the “good ol’ boys” days, but they aren’t inclusive enough yet, according to the ABA’s Standards Committee.

Feb 28, 2024 9:59 AM CST

Florida Supreme Court tells state bar to stop funding diversity initiatives

The Florida Supreme Court has directed the state bar to stop funding diversity and inclusion initiatives in its new budget.

Feb 6, 2024 8:21 AM CST

Listen to our 10 favorite podcast episodes of 2023

Looking for a new listen? We've picked our favorite 2023 episodes from each of the ABA Journal's three podcasts, one of which is bidding adieu after a 13-year run. If this whets your appetite, find all our past episodes on our podcast page. You can also check out more legal podcasts from our partners at Legal Talk Network.

Dec 22, 2023 8:59 AM CST

Check out our 9 favorite Instagram posts from 2023

It's been another fascinating year in the legal industry and for our coverage at the ABA Journal. And like clockwork, 2024 will be here before we know it.

Dec 18, 2023 8:59 AM CST

2023 ‘Profile of the Legal Profession’ report spotlights the scarcity of legal aid lawyers

The ABA released its annual Profile of the Legal Profession report Thursday, and it offers a sobering look at the dearth of civil legal aid lawyers in the U.S.

Nov 30, 2023 3:22 PM CST

ABA’s Equity Summit shines light on DEI issues in legal profession

The ABA is once again hosting a fully virtual conference to educate lawyers, judges, law students and other legal professionals on crucial diversity, equity and inclusion issues and facilitate robust dialogue about how to address these issues.

Oct 17, 2023 8:34 AM CDT

For some parties in LGBTQ landmark cases, June 26 is a special day

Before Roberta Kaplan read the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that struck down a law banning federal benefits to same-sex married couples, she knew that her client Edie Windsor had won because the majority was written by then-Justice Anthony Kennedy, who had authored earlier opinions supporting same-sex rights. And there was a dissent from then-Justice Antonin Scalia, who had a history of voting against same-sex rights.

Jun 26, 2023 8:44 AM CDT

Attorney for Lawrence v. Texas reflects on LGBTQ rights on 20th anniversary

Winning a 2003 landmark U.S. Supreme Court case expanded a gay lawyer’s Supreme Court practice, he says, and looking back, it’s his favorite case.

Jun 26, 2023 8:42 AM CDT

LGBTQ rights should be protected with ‘proactive policymaking,’ ABA entity leaders urge

Nearly a decade ago, one of Bobbi Bittker’s three kids came out as transgender. While she and her family were supportive, she quickly understood other LGBTQ kids were rejected by their families or denied access to vital medical and legal resources. That deeply bothered Bittker, an attorney who has long been passionate about civil rights.

Jun 20, 2023 8:48 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Bar group that ditched drag trivia event criticized; Black law schools guide drops overall rankings

Social justice group criticizes bar drag event cancellation The nonprofit Southern Coalition for Social Justice is forwarding a letter with more than 100 signatures to a bar group that canceled a drag show trivia night, citing “political” reasons. The letter says the decision by the North Carolina Bar Association “flies…

Jun 9, 2023 3:04 PM CDT

Leaders of Lewis Brisbois rebellion sent emails with ‘unacceptable, prejudiced language,’ law firm says

Updated: Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith appears to be fighting back after two lawyers left last month to form a law firm. Lewis Brisbois has released emails with “wildly offensive and demeaning language” exchanged by the former partners.

Jun 5, 2023 11:43 AM CDT