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First openly gay federal appeals judge confirmed; Obama names 3 nominees for district, circuit bench

September has been a noteworthy month as far as the federal judiciary is concerned. The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Tuesday, in a 98-0 vote, former Department of Justice lawyer Todd Hughes for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He is the highest-ranking openly gay…

Sep 24, 2013 9:55 PM CDT

How patent lawyer Raj Abhyanker developed a $8.5M book of business with Trademarkia

Engineering Change

Sep 24, 2013 2:30 PM CDT

More legal layoffs ahead? Experts expect more staff cuts

No one should be surprised by recent reports of staff layoffs and voluntary buyouts at law firms, according to a law firm consultant. Law firms often review nonlawyer staffing first when considering cuts, Altman Weil principal Thomas Clay tells the Legal Intelligencer. “I’m surprised that anybody’s surprised,” he told the…

Sep 24, 2013 11:53 AM CDT

Expert: Law grad can repay entire $215K student loan debt by 2020 if he lives with his parents

Despite $215,000 in student loan debt, law graduate Andrew Carmichael Post is luckier than many. After struggling for a couple of years following his graduation from law school at an unusually young age, he has been able to find full-time work, with benefits, as a computer programmer. Aided by a…

Sep 23, 2013 9:30 PM CDT

Is the kiss-and-hug greeting overdone in the workplace?

America has become “a hugging culture,” but its place at work can be problematic, according to a psychology professor. Writing at the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), Weill Cornell Medical College professor Peggy Drexler confesses she’s not a hugger, which puts her at odds with U.S. culture where hugs seem…

Sep 23, 2013 2:19 PM CDT

What would the Obama-backed 2-year law school look like? Dean describes NYLS program (video)

Anthony Crowell, dean and president of New York Law School, talks with Bloomberg Law’s Lee Pacchia (a New York Law School alumnus) about the school’s new two-year law degree program and the prospects for a federal ranking system of higher education providers. See the video interview here. Other ABA Journal…

Sep 19, 2013 6:38 PM CDT

Skirt suits making ‘triumphant return’?

New York University law professor Amy Adler hasn’t worn a skirt suit in years. Adler typically favors printed shift dresses by Trina Turk, but she finds “intriguing” fall’s new fashion trend: the matching skirt suit. The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) spoke with Adler for its story on “the triumphant…

Sep 19, 2013 10:44 AM CDT

Median BigLaw pay for new associates rebounds to $160,000

Median pay for new associates at large law firms has rebounded to $160,000 after dipping to $145,000 last year. The National Association for Law Placement reported on the figure for first-year associates at firms of more than 700 lawyers in a press release. In these BigLaw firms, salaries of $160,000…

Sep 18, 2013 2:02 PM CDT

Law firm incubators help both grads and needy clients, Fred Rooney says

Incubating Law

Sep 18, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

Illinois lawyer and congressional candidate paid for law school with Miss America scholarship money

An Illinois lawyer who is running for Congress had no debt when she graduated from Harvard Law School in 2007, thanks to scholarship money she got by winning the 2003 Miss America pageant. Erika Harold, 33, tells the Press of Atlantic City she gained political skills by participating in the…

Sep 18, 2013 10:40 AM CDT

Quarles & Brady plans continued growth in Midwest and Florida, new chair says

Quarles & Brady is planning continued expansion in its Chicago and Tampa, Fla., offices, and will open a new office in an undisclosed Midwest location, the new chair of the Milwaukee-based law firm tells the Business Journal. When efforts to find a merger partner in Chicago didn’t work out, Quarles…

Sep 17, 2013 10:40 PM CDT

Law students may work as unpaid interns on pro bono matters for law firms, Labor Department says

Law students may work as unpaid interns on pro bono matters at law firms, provided certain conditions are met, according to a letter sent to the ABA by the Labor Department. The letter (PDF) by the Labor Department’s solicitor, M. Patricia Smith, is a response to then-ABA President Laurel Bellows,…

Sep 17, 2013 4:44 PM CDT

Is the ‘art of passing’ necessary for a Chinese American to survive in corporate law?

Chinese-American lawyer Helen Wan says she learned early on that “it was incredibly important to perfect the art of passing” while practicing corporate law. Passing, Wan explains in the Daily Beast, means downplaying or ridding oneself of “minority group” traits to fit in with mainstream corporate culture. Wan says a…

Sep 17, 2013 12:55 PM CDT

California lawmakers pass bill allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain law licenses

The California Legislature has acted quickly to pass a bill that allows people who are in the country illegally to obtain law licenses. Lawmakers approved the bill on Thursday evening, though it was introduced just last week, the Los Angeles Times reports. The measure now goes to the governor. Assemblywoman…

Sep 13, 2013 2:53 PM CDT

Arent Fox lays off about 20 support staffers, while Schulte Roth offers buyouts

Two more BigLaw firms are trimming support staffers. Arent Fox says has laid off about 20 support staffers, Above the Law reports. In a statement, the law firm says the layoffs are across various offices and departments. “Like many firms across the country, we are making hard choices to ensure…

Sep 13, 2013 2:23 PM CDT