For this lawyer, a blip at law school didn’t translate to a failed career

“What I love about being a lawyer is that at the core, we’re helping people every single day,” says Katie McConnell of Moore & Van Allen. “You have to understand the substance of the law practice, but beyond that, what makes a good lawyer is putting on the extra touches in terms of client services.”

Jun 2, 2025 9:02 AM CDT

Letters: Phone bans

Jun 1, 2025 2:50 AM CDT

Why video is the secret weapon for lawyers’ marketing

Video content has emerged as a significant tool for law firms seeking to establish authority and attract clients. While traditional marketing methods remain valuable, video has become increasingly important for legal professionals in building trust, demonstrating expertise and connecting with potential clients.

Jun 1, 2025 2:20 AM CDT

Relationship building is not just a side hustle

We like to think of relationships as optional—a side hustle to the real work of getting deals done, climbing ladders or checking boxes. But here’s the thing: Your skills get you in the room, your experience keeps you at the table, but relationships are what actually move things forward.

Jun 1, 2025 2:10 AM CDT

In legal writing, consistency matters

You want your readers focusing on the content of what you say, not on curiosities of spelling or inconsistencies in your own style.

Jun 1, 2025 2:00 AM CDT

How to conduct an oral argument effectively

Oral argument is the most visible part of appellate practice. So it’s natural to get anxious. Here is a beginning-to-end guide on how to conduct an oral argument effectively.

Jun 1, 2025 1:40 AM CDT

How Atlanta defense lawyer Brian Steel got name-checked by rapper Drake

Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel made headlines during the YSL Records trial. In February, rapper Drake released a song that name-checks YSL and the trial judge and celebrates freedom in general. Its title? “Brian Steel.”

Jun 1, 2025 1:30 AM CDT

Idaho lawyer worked on potato farms before prosecuting Daybell murders

If you have any interest in true-crime stories, you are probably familiar with Lindsey Blake. The Idaho lawyer prosecuted and won convictions against Chad Daybell and his new wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, in a widely publicized case involving doomsday religious beliefs and the murders of family members, including Vallow Daybell’s two minor children.

Jun 1, 2025 1:10 AM CDT

Bryanna Jenkins advocates for the Black transgender community

“I saw law school as the natural next step after my organizing and activism work,” says ABA member Bryanna Jenkins, who graduated from the DePaul University College of Law in 2019. “I wanted to figure out how I could use the law as a tool to push forward my agendas for helping the trans community and helping Black folks.”

Jun 1, 2025 12:40 AM CDT

ABA Journal wins magazine of the year from business press group for third time in a row

Updated: The ABA Journal took home the top honor Tuesday, when it was named national Magazine of the Year by the American Society of Business Publication Editors.

May 29, 2025 2:05 PM CDT

Why lie? Max docuseries exams murderer who reportedly fibbed about killing a few more people

Serial Killer, Serial Liar Levi Bellfield: A Faking It Special, tells the story of a British man serving two life-without-parole sentences for multiple murders who later confessed to also murdering Lin and Megan Russell, a mother and daughter.

May 29, 2025 12:01 PM CDT

Lawyer at a Party: How to handle unwanted legal inquiries

“My lease says no pets allowed, but that’s only for like really big dogs—right?” You take a deep breath, look at your inquisitor and wonder anew why you left the comfort of your home for this cocktail party. At home, no one asks you legal questions.

May 29, 2025 9:51 AM CDT

Open-source intelligence and why it has become vital to modern legal operations

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Rick Campbell, the executive chairman and CEO of @Group, and Matt Winlaw, the CEO and managing director of @ID, which is one of three divisions within @Group that also includes @Docs and @Soft.

May 29, 2025 9:07 AM CDT

How to implement AI at your law firm

First and foremost, you need to personally experiment with generative AI. Assume it also has both a pathological lying problem and an inability to keep a secret.

May 27, 2025 12:53 PM CDT

What today’s rainmakers do differently

The Rainmaker Genome Project surveyed 3,000 partner-level professionals in 41 firms. And it turns out that what makes a lawyer an effective rainmaker is not necessarily what makes a salesperson an effective seller.

May 21, 2025 3:22 PM CDT