Large Firm

BigLaw’s manufactured ‘arms race’ for talent recruitment harms us all

BigLaw has manufactured an “arms race” for talent that is hurting employers, students, recruiters, career counselors and legal educators alike. Like most arms races, the action of one law firm has triggered the reactions of others, all seeking to cultivate the impression of superior strength while instead imposing enormous (and often-absurd) costs on everyone.

Jun 18, 2025 8:36 AM CDT

7 partners leave this BigLaw firm for new boutique after pro bono deal

More lawyers from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison are joining a litigation boutique formed by four partners of the BigLaw firm.

Jun 12, 2025 9:34 AM CDT

Former US attorney Damian Williams leaves Paul Weiss for Jenner & Block

Damian Williams, the former top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, is leaving the law firm Paul Weiss to join Jenner & Block, defecting from a firm that struck a deal with the Trump administration to sign on with one that fought it in court.

Jun 6, 2025 1:21 PM CDT

Executive director of Skadden’s fellowship foundation resigns following firm’s pro bono deal with Trump

The executive director of the Skadden Foundation, a nonprofit entity that manages Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s public interest fellowship program, has resigned after the law firm reached a pro bono deal with President Donald Trump that affects its work.

Jun 5, 2025 11:41 AM CDT

Goodwin Procter ends agreement with recruiter who called its diversity decisions ‘shameful’

Updated: The founder of a legal recruiting company has said Goodwin Procter has ended its placement compensation agreement with the company, and the reason appears to be his criticism of the law firm on social media.

Jun 3, 2025 1:05 PM CDT

BigLaw firms defend pro bono deals with Trump as they handle influx of requests for legal help

Nine BigLaw firms defended their multimillion-dollar pro bono deals with President Donald Trump as legal and ethical in letters to lawmakers obtained by Law360 and Law.com.

May 28, 2025 2:25 PM CDT

In opinion with 26 exclamation points, judge finds order against WilmerHale is ‘staggering punishment’

An executive order with a “kitchen sink of severe sanctions” against Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr is unconstitutional, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Tuesday.

May 28, 2025 10:32 AM CDT

Executive order against Jenner & Block is ‘doubly violative of the Constitution,’ judge says in ruling for firm

President Donald Trump’s executive order against Jenner & Block violates the First Amendment by punishing the law firm for its causes and clients and by chilling legal representation, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Friday.

May 27, 2025 11:50 AM CDT

Cadwalader plans to do this to satisfy pro bono deal with Trump

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft plans to ask Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in New York if he needs free legal help defending convictions on appeal or handling other matters.

May 22, 2025 3:07 PM CDT

‘Pugnacious legal industry website’ is ‘rage read’ for lawyers opposing BigLaw deals with Trump

If you want to know how BigLaw is responding to President Donald Trump’s punitive executive orders against disfavored law firms, the Above the Law website has it covered.

May 22, 2025 9:37 AM CDT

More lawyers report billable-hour pressures affect their mental health, survey finds

Billable-hour pressures are negatively affecting mental well-being, according to 65.5% of lawyers and staff members surveyed by ALM and Law.com Compass.

May 15, 2025 9:16 AM CDT

US suspends security clearances for lawyers at WilmerHale, Jenner as they challenge Trump orders

Updated: The Trump administration has suspended security clearances for two lawyers at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and one lawyer at Jenner & Block, law firms that sued after they were targeted in punitive executive orders.

May 14, 2025 2:42 PM CDT

Sanctions imposed for ‘collective debacle’ involving AI hallucinations and 2 firms, including K&L Gates

A special master has imposed a $31,100 sanction against K&L Gates and a second law firm for submitting a brief with “bogus AI research.”

May 14, 2025 12:50 PM CDT

Pipeline internship program used by prestigious law firms discriminates based on race, group contends

A law firm fellowship program for incoming law students is “the largest racially discriminatory hiring pipeline program in the legal field," according to a charge of discrimination filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by a legal advocacy group.

May 14, 2025 9:17 AM CDT

6 firms resolved EEOC probes with pro bono deals, they told state attorneys general

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Milbank are among six law firms that resolved probes of their diversity practices by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, they told state attorneys general.

May 13, 2025 9:16 AM CDT