ABA Journal

A ‘Spirit of Amity’ and the Original Meaning of Civility: Derek Webb’s thoughts at ABA Annual

A few months before Derek Webb came to Chicago to the ABA Annual Conference, King Charles cited Webb's work on Magna Carta in the king’s April speech to a joint session of Congress. The ABA could not have asked for a more eminent endorsement.

Oct 13, 2026 2:50 PM CDT

The case of Julius Caesar v. the Roman Republic

This is an action by the plaintiff, Julius Caesar, for damages for wrongful dismissal. The defendant contends that the plaintiff was dismissed for cause for interrupting his conquests of Egypt by spending several days with Queen Cleopatra.

Oct 7, 2026 9:08 AM CDT

Best Judgment: Judges blast lawyers for citing hallucinated cases, but ethics pros say rule changes not needed

It seems hardly a day goes by without a story about an attorney citing hallucinated cases. Public humiliation—including court orders with scoldings and fines—is often part of the details, as well as getting fired. But perhaps the worst part is being known as the lawyer who submitted fake cases and didn’t bother to check their work.

Oct 1, 2026 1:55 AM CDT

The Right to Vote: Who cares about it?

Today, many Americans take the right to vote for granted. They look at these constitutional milestones and conclude “mission accomplished.” But democracy is not set in stone. It has evolved over the last 250 years, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. As lawyers, we have a special responsibility to recognize when that evolution threatens fundamental rights and to help correct course.

Oct 1, 2026 1:50 AM CDT

Letters From Our Readers - Fall 2026

Letters from Our Readers Fall 2026

Oct 1, 2026 1:45 AM CDT

Legal tech companies are turning to pro sports sponsorships to stand out in a crowded AI market

Some things just go together. Fans and foam fingers. Beer and hot dogs. Sports and … legal technology? While that once seemed like an unlikely pairing, several leading legal tech companies have inked multiyear sponsorship deals with professional sports teams in the last couple of years.

Oct 1, 2026 1:40 AM CDT

Lawyers say board certification validates expertise and builds trust

Lawyers who are board-certified say it carries several professional benefits, including enhancing their reputation and making them a more attractive option for clients.

Oct 1, 2026 1:35 AM CDT

Can law schools learn from computer science programs in the debate on generative AI?

Lawyers use AI to conduct research, draft documents, review contracts and handle large volumes of information. As students graduate and become lawyers, they will encounter these tools immediately. Without training, they will not be prepared to use them with sound judgment, creating a readiness gap among the next generation of legal professionals.

Oct 1, 2026 1:30 AM CDT

Judges are increasingly faulting lawyers who fail to point out AI-generated fake citations in their opponents’ filings

Amid the proliferation of cases involving artificial intelligence-generated hallucinations, more judges are expressing frustration not only at the attorneys who make the mistakes but at opposing counsel for not pointing them out.

Oct 1, 2026 1:25 AM CDT

Understanding the basic framework of the profession can help lawyers at every level

As in any business, many frustrations in law firms arise because people misunderstand what the firm actually needs (or wants) from them. Associates wonder why legal excellence alone does not guarantee advancement.

Oct 1, 2026 1:20 AM CDT

Blasted by My Own Canon: Syntactic ambiguity in everyday speech and legislative drafting

Have you wondered why you’re getting so many unsolicited texts and robocalls these days? I may be partly to blame.

Oct 1, 2026 1:15 AM CDT

Judge doesn’t like your objections? Here are some tips to keep them coming in a meaningful way

Litigators are aware that they generally can’t raise an objection for the first time on appeal. But still, even the most experienced lawyers hesitate on how much to object and how far to go when advocating for their clients, particularly when judges appear to lose their patience.

Oct 1, 2026 1:10 AM CDT

From Canvas to Courthouse: Appeals court mural reflects visitors and staff alike

When Atlanta artist Ralph Gilbert was commissioned to paint a mural in the Florida Second District Court of Appeal in St. Petersburg, Florida, he knew he had a lot of listening to do. He wanted to paint a mural that portrayed the role of the courthouse to the people who visited it and the staff who worked there every day.

Oct 1, 2026 1:00 AM CDT

‘B-A-D’ But Good: Professional athletes gave this lawyer a nickname fitting her skills

Deborah R. Willig, the straight-talking lawyer who led high-profile negotiations on behalf of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs playing hoops and talking union at the dinner table.

Oct 1, 2026 12:55 AM CDT

The JD of Reality TV: This Texas litigator co-hosts a podcast devoted to reality TV legal issues

By training television cameras on real people with ready access to Birkins, Botox, yachts and Champagne, the Bravo network has created a reality TV niche like no other. Enter The Bravo Docket, a popular podcast co-founded and co-hosted by Texas litigator Angela L. Angotti, a partner in the Austin office of Bowman and Brooke.

Oct 1, 2026 12:50 AM CDT