ABA Journal Logo

ABA Journal

  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. Opening Statements

Opening Statements

732 ABA Journal Opening Statements articles.

A Helping Hand

Lauren Wachtler has been a commercial litigator for 31 years, but it wasn’t until recently that her job included tasks like marketing jewelry. Wachtler, a partner with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in New York City, is the legal mind behind Same Sky, a 3-year-old organization that is dedicated to helping…

Oct 1, 2010 8:30 AM CDT

Fear Factor

How far would you go to learn about the tough situations your clients face? Steven Borkan of Chicago’s Borkan & Scahill volunteered for a shock—literally—to experience what happens in the moments after a police officer pulls the trigger on a Taser. Borkan defends police against civil rights complaints, and he…

Oct 1, 2010 8:20 AM CDT

He Said What?

Judge Richard Posner, the renowned jurist of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago, has many admirers. But law professor Robert Blomquist is surely one of Posner’s biggest fans. Blomquist, who teaches at Valparaiso University School of Law, has read all of the judge’s more than 2,200 opinions…

Oct 1, 2010 8:10 AM CDT

A Long Time Coming

One hundred-sixty-three years is a long time to wait for a court decision. But for the family of George B. Vashon, a century and a half beats never at all.

Sep 1, 2010 8:50 AM CDT

Iron Man

By the time you read this, Iowa lawyer Charlie Wittmack plans to have swum the English Channel, biked thousands of miles through Europe and traveled most of the way to Asia.

Sep 1, 2010 8:40 AM CDT

We Know What You Did Last Summer

September is here and, for many of us, the kids are back at school. So you know what that means, right? Time to gossip about those summer associates.

Sep 1, 2010 8:30 AM CDT

Tree Hugger

When Felix Laughlin was a young lawyer in new york City in the early '70s, his wife decided he needed a hobby. So she bought him a bonsai.

Sep 1, 2010 8:20 AM CDT

Court of Color

Sept. 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. To help teach youngsters about the accomplishments of some noted Hispanics, we suggest the all-new U.S. Supreme Court Coloring and Activity Book, which has been revised to include none other than the first Latina Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor. There’s no…

Sep 1, 2010 8:10 AM CDT

Legal Road Trip: St. Louis

The legal sites of the Gateway to the West

Sep 1, 2010 8:00 AM CDT

The Umpire

For the love of the game or the pursuit of some prize money, about 30 million people actively play in fantasy sports leagues across the United States and Canada. Competitors build rosters of professional sports athletes and set lineups in pursuit of statistical achievement. Nothing rankles fantasy enthusiasts more than perceived unfairness, such as a lopsided player trade between two competitors that tips a league’s balance.

Aug 1, 2010 5:16 AM CDT

Up in the Air

Caryn Carson admits that she tended to hoard airline frequent-flier miles. But a few months ago the Dallas lawyer won a million of them from American Airlines, and now she is happy to share.

Aug 1, 2010 5:14 AM CDT

A Monumental Journey

When you think of Iowa, things like corn, Big Ten sports or the political caucuses may come to mind. But this heartland state also has been influential in helping to promote diversity in the legal profession.

Aug 1, 2010 5:14 AM CDT

Six Little Words

A recent call in the blogosphere for readers to provide six-word descriptions of tax practice made us wonder how law practice, in general, can be described in six words.

Aug 1, 2010 5:13 AM CDT

Be Seated

Thanks to an innovative cross-jurisdictional partnership between Northwestern University School of Law and London College of Law, U.K. law students can earn for the first time both an American-style JD and a seat at the New York bar exam.

Aug 1, 2010 5:12 AM CDT

Conjunction Junction

Indian legal process outsourcing companies have taken a lot of heat from U.S. lawyers for siphoning work, but they now may need to steel themselves against editors if New York City lawyer Russell Smith’s experience is any indication.

Aug 1, 2010 5:11 AM CDT

Read more ...

Topics: Career & Practice

Weil Gotshal partners vote to dissolve firm

Complete list of topics ...

Your Voice

Is it worth reconsidering retirement?

Articles and commentary ...

Podcasts

What happened at Weil Gotshal? Could tech help other firms avoid that fate?

More podcasts ...
Copyright 2026 American Bar Association. All rights reserved.