Beyond Traditional Tools: Leveraging AI for efficient law practice management

For many law firms, law practice management software is the backbone of their business. It streamlines workflows, reduces administrative burdens and facilitates efficient billing processes—increasing productivity and profitability. From lead intake and case tracking to managing deadlines and handling payments, law practice management tools ensure effective collaboration and efficient firm operations.

Jul 26, 2024 10:12 AM CDT

Chicago lawyer writes about being GOAT at New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest

Jul 25, 2024 12:19 PM CDT

97-year-old federal appeals judge should be suspended another year for exam refusal, panel says

A 97-year-old judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit should be suspended from case assignments for another year for failing to participate in a probe of her mental fitness, according to a three-judge special circuit committee.

Jul 25, 2024 12:07 PM CDT

Class of 2020 moves jobs, has less debt and is concerned about mental health, study says

The study from the National Association for Law Placement and the NALP Foundation, released Wednesday, showed 70% of all graduates have held two or more jobs in the three years since graduation, up from 69% of the class of 2019 surveyed a year earlier.

Jul 25, 2024 10:29 AM CDT

How ShareFile helps firms keep pace with changes in law practice

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Adrienne Lester, senior director of business services at ShareFile, a secure content collaboration, file sharing and sync software.

Jul 25, 2024 10:14 AM CDT

Hidden Talent Pool in Plain Sight: Corporate America wants you—for nonlegal roles

Management consulting firms and Big Four accounting firms have a secret weapon. It’s not particularly well-camouflaged. It’s there for anyone who bothers to look. Both of these thought leaders hire lawyers for a wide variety of nonlegal jobs. And they’ve been doing so for decades—everything from business development to crisis management to marketing.

Jul 25, 2024 9:14 AM CDT

Victim advocate fired for misdirected ‘panties’ email sues district attorney’s office for its comments

A victim witness advocate has sued for privacy invasion and defamation following his firing for mistakenly sending a “wacky email” to the entire San Francisco district attorney’s office that read, “What color panties you have on.”

Jul 24, 2024 2:47 PM CDT

Defunct law firm Schnader Harrison loses bid to dismiss ERISA suit over handling of retirement money

A federal judge in Philadelphia has refused to toss a lawsuit accusing the now-defunct law firm Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis of using 401(k) contributions to fund operations and make distributions to equity partners.

Jul 24, 2024 10:29 AM CDT

ABA Medal recipient puts democratic principles and indigent defense at center of long career

During next week’s ABA Annual Meeting, Emmet Bondurant will receive the ABA Medal—the highest honor bestowed by the association—for his own longtime dedication to righting wrongs in the legal system.

Jul 24, 2024 10:10 AM CDT

Lawyer gets stayed suspension after response to one-star review; is ‘offensive personality’ a violation?

An Indiana lawyer has received a 30-day stayed suspension in an ethics case that raised this issue: Can a lawyer be sanctioned for an “offensive personality”?

Jul 24, 2024 9:21 AM CDT

Who is Doug Emhoff? Harris’s husband could be the first first gentleman

Lawyer Doug Emhoff made history as America’s first male vice-presidential spouse, and who could do so again in November if Harris were to win the presidency.

Jul 24, 2024 9:01 AM CDT

Polsinelli touts ‘meteoric rise’ in revenue ranking as it adds 20-plus partners from competitor

Polsinelli is opening a Philadelphia office with more than 20 partners from Holland & Knight.

Jul 24, 2024 8:50 AM CDT

Can partners afford to leave their BigLaw firms? Some discourage departures by withholding cash

Some law firms trying to hold on to their partners are using money to discourage departures.

Jul 24, 2024 8:49 AM CDT

‘Shaping the Bar’ author says bar exam protects legal profession, not public

Lawyer and author discusses with the ABA Journal’s Julianne Hill how the bar’s history of creating a method to test minimum competency is outdated and discriminatory.

Jul 24, 2024 8:48 AM CDT

4 surprising signs of attorney stress and some ways to address it

The long hours and the pressure to succeed are like a pressure cooker just waiting to explode. And often, your body will start giving you signs that you have to help your mind. While you may recognize common signs of stress—tension headaches, fatigue and mood changes—there are other surprising signs of stress that your body may provide. Here are some to watch.

Jul 24, 2024 8:46 AM CDT