ABA Journal

Firms of the future: COVID-19 prompts more law firms to pursue real estate downsizing

In recent years, a growing number of law firms reduced their brick-and-mortar office space as a way to cut costs and also better meet the changing workplace needs of their attorneys.

Oct 14, 2020 9:30 AM CDT

Should juries be feared or revered? Retired lawyer examines their roles

The jury system first scared me at the age of 9. How, you ask? I grew up in Montreal, the son of parents who immigrated from Belgium. My late father was a humble tailor who worked in a factory. One day, we received a letter in the mail. It had an impressive-looking logo of a crown and the scales of justice.

Oct 13, 2020 3:30 PM CDT

Thanks for nothing: When should lawyers end an email with ‘thank you’?

Writing a professional email is difficult enough. And choosing an appropriate signoff can be daunting, with so many options to choose from: “Thank you” (or just “Thanks”), “Sincerely,” “Best,” “Regards,” “Yours” or nothing at all (as in, “—Jon”). The list goes on.

Oct 12, 2020 9:00 AM CDT

Voting rights attorney writes a tale of dark money chicanery in ‘The Coyotes of Carthage’

Steven Wright spent several years at the Department of Justice's Voting Section witnessing all manners of election chicanery, voter suppression and dark money campaigns. So when he turned his efforts toward fiction, he decided to write what he knew.

Oct 7, 2020 4:38 PM CDT

‘On the Basis of Sex’ and remembering Justice Ginsburg

R.I.P., RBG. Here we are again, almost four years from the last time a U.S. Supreme Court Justice died in office. Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in February of 2016, and President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland for the vacant position. We all know how that turned out.

Oct 7, 2020 10:03 AM CDT

‘CSI effect’ remains a myth, retired judge says on 20th anniversary of popular forensic science show

However, Donald Shelton is quick to make clear that the perception of a “CSI effect,” plus ever-evolving technology and social media, are altering the manner in which juries hear and decide cases.

Oct 6, 2020 9:02 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: These BigLaw firms get ‘A’ ratings on climate change; lawyer settles athlete fraud claims

Only 4 BigLaw firms get ‘A’ ratings in climate change fight A group called Law Students for Climate Accountability is giving an ‘A’ grade to only four large law firms for work on behalf of clients mitigating climate change. A-rated firms are Cozen O’Connor; Schulte Roth & Zabel; Sheppard, Mullin,…

Oct 2, 2020 4:25 PM CDT

The psychological obstacles to achieving diversity in the legal profession

Last year, I wrote that the legal profession’s failure to retain women and minorities was not a “hard problem,” but rather a character flaw. My intent was not to imply malice; many partners at law firms genuinely want their diversity numbers to improve. Still, facts are facts.

Oct 1, 2020 9:14 AM CDT

Chemerinsky: The Supreme Court returns to a term like no other

No other first Monday in October, the traditional start of a new U.S. Supreme Court term, ever has been like this one. With the country still in the midst of a pandemic, oral arguments will be held by telephone as they were in May. The justices and the country are still reeling from the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18. Looming large is the coming confirmation battle over the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who would add another staunch conservative to the court.

Oct 1, 2020 9:09 AM CDT

Letters From Our Readers: Race and character

Race and character Thank you, Liane Jackson, for your well-written article, “America’s Tipping Point,” August-September, page 9. Indeed, it is a special time now for change. No race is “better” than another. None of us had anything to do with what body we were born into. As Martin Luther King…

Oct 1, 2020 3:00 AM CDT

Female lawyers face unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic

Female lawyers face unique work-from-home issues, compounding well-documented attrition and promotion challenges. Virtual work makes it harder to establish relationships with mentors and sponsors, and fractionalization can happen.

Oct 1, 2020 2:50 AM CDT

3 strategies to reframe your negative mindset

While the negativity bias may be useful in helping lawyers spot potential pitfalls in their clients’ cases, it can also impact lawyer well-being. The good news is that there are many practices for combating the negativity bias and increasing happiness and resilience.

Oct 1, 2020 2:40 AM CDT

The power of my hearing loss

To many, it may seem ironic that a deaf judge presides over hearings. Although I navigate the world as a South Asian Muslim woman with hearing loss, seeing my disability as my power is what shaped my path to law.

Oct 1, 2020 2:30 AM CDT

After nearly a decade in the MMA industry, this general counsel now keeps NASCAR on track

Not many lawyers can say they’ve worked with the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, with cage fighters nicknamed The American Psycho, Cyborg and Rampage, and with the first family of stock car racing. But not many lawyers have a career like Tracey Lesetar-Smith’s.

Oct 1, 2020 2:20 AM CDT

Lessons for lawyers from Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs understood the power of great storytelling. And lawyers’ cases, like Jobs’ beloved products, are the embodiments of stories we tell others and ourselves as well. How can we tell those stories better?

Oct 1, 2020 1:20 AM CDT