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Insurer miscalculated benefits for lawyer who had heart attack 1 day before $65K raise, judge rules

A tax lawyer who had a heart attack over Labor Day weekend—a day before he received a $65,000 raise—was entitled to disability benefits based on the higher paycheck, an Illinois federal judge has ruled.

Dec 12, 2019 11:06 AM CST

Law firms are ‘poised to grow’ as they report more success in lateral hiring

Law firms have an eye on expansion as revenues continue to grow.

Dec 12, 2019 7:00 AM CST

A biotech attorney’s experience with the ‘guerrilla lawyers’ at the border

“I have struggled with how to make the tragedy of Matamoros come alive in a way that will do justice to the raw experience I witnessed. Of course, there is no justice in their raw experiences—that is the point,” writes Seattle lawyer Jill B. Scott.

Dec 12, 2019 6:30 AM CST

Former FBI lawyer sues over disclosure of her texts criticizing Trump and discussing personal matters

Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page has sued the bureau and the U.S. Department of Justice for releasing her text messages with former FBI agent Peter Strzok, with whom she was having an affair.

Dec 11, 2019 12:04 PM CST

Lawyer who told BigLaw attorneys to ‘eat a bowl of dicks’ faces possible sanctions

Updated: A California lawyer who told opposing counsel in an email to “eat a bowl of dicks” says his insulting and expletive-laden missives were a negotiating tactic and weren’t intended as actual insults.

Dec 11, 2019 11:05 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law student wins Dr Pepper’s $100K tuition contest; lawyer makes Miss Universe top 10

A quick strong arm earns law student six figures Tyler Gordon, a 3L at West Virginia University College of Law, on Saturday won $100,000 from the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway, after throwing 20 footballs—in 30 seconds—through a structure replicating a giant soda can. Gordon spent a lot of time practicing…

Dec 10, 2019 5:00 PM CST

Startup aims to give promising law grads another way into BigLaw

A startup called Legal Innovators is hiring and training law grads who show promise and is offering them to law firms and corporations at reduced rates.

Dec 10, 2019 1:12 PM CST

Legal jobs take another leap and hit 10-year high; what’s driving the increase?

The legal industry gained 2,900 jobs in November, according to new seasonally adjusted figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dec 9, 2019 9:48 AM CST

Judge reprimanded over ‘snobby ass’ email to Washington Post reporter

A Montana judge has agreed to a public reprimand for expressing political opinions on QAnon to a Washington Post reporter using his official email.

Dec 5, 2019 3:41 PM CST

Latest figures show why many law grads struggle with debt; which schools had highest and lowest debt-to-income ratios?

Most law students earn less money per year after graduation than the amount they borrowed for law school, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Education.

Dec 5, 2019 1:32 PM CST

How ‘Legally Blonde’ influenced a generation of women lawyers

What was once seen as another rom-com about a sorority girl tackling Harvard Law to get the love of her life back became something much more to female law students and women lawyers. Years later, Elle Woods remains influential for women in the legal field.

Dec 5, 2019 10:24 AM CST

Judge admits telling suspect to treat women as if ‘holding a feather’ to show ‘you’re the man’ and in control

A New Jersey judge says he has “undertaken an education and enlightenment path” after giving controversial advice to a domestic violence suspect facing multiple charges.

Dec 4, 2019 12:04 PM CST

What are the ethical duties when a lawyer leaves a firm? Formal ethics opinion offers guidance

A newly released ethics opinion from the ABA explores ethical obligations for lawyers when they change law firms. It says the attorneys who leave their firms and the departing firms have ethical obligations toward the clients of the departing lawyers, and firms can’t restrict departing lawyers’ access to files or support staff when it’s necessary to provide diligent representation to clients.

Dec 4, 2019 11:05 AM CST

What do you think about adopting a four-day workweek?

Walter Benenati, managing partner of the Benenati Law Firm in Orlando, Florida, said recently the firm’s four-day workweek increased morale and productivity. Benenati adopted the shorter workweek at the beginning of the year to give employees an extra day to run errands, attend to personal matters and spend time with…

Dec 4, 2019 9:51 AM CST

Man who claimed to have Epstein sex tapes duped David Boies; what are the ethical implications?

Famous lawyer David Boies was duped by a man who claimed to be a hacker with sex tapes implicating several powerful and rich men in the sexual abuse scandal involving multimillionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Dec 3, 2019 10:34 AM CST