Personal Lives

How Justice Sandra Day O’Connor became this lawyer’s matchmaker

When lawyer Mary Noel Pepys met U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 1994, she never imagined that one day she would become her matchmaker.

Feb 3, 2026 9:02 AM CST

Tobey Maguire testifies in SCOTUSblog founder Tom Goldstein’s tax fraud trial

With great power comes great responsibilities. And with great debts come great litigation. Actor Tobey Maguire testified Wednesday in the ongoing federal tax evasion trial of lawyer and SCOTUSblog co-founder Tom Goldstein.

Jan 30, 2026 1:16 PM CST

A 'Bitter Pill' for litigator in West Virginia opioid case

Paul Farrell Jr. suffered a bruising loss in the case he cared about most: a federal bench trial on behalf of his West Virginia hometown accusing drug distributors, a largely unseen part of the pharmaceutical supply chain, of causing the opioid epidemic. The Bitter Pill chronicles Farrell’s single-minded focus on the case for almost nine years and counting.

Jan 27, 2026 8:31 AM CST

Judge wounded but not deterred by shooting incident inside his home

An Indiana judge who was shot while at home with his wife this past weekend is speaking out about maintaining his faith in the judicial system and the need for peaceful conflict resolution.

Jan 22, 2026 10:23 AM CST

Sex crimes prosecutor finds accountability for sexual harm outside of the criminal system

As prosecutors, we are trained to seek justice. While working for a district attorney, I specialized in sexual offenses and crimes against children. I understood why victims of sexual harm rely on the criminal legal system. But as a victim, I grappled with the contradiction of my professional life and what I wanted personally—an alternative.

Jan 14, 2026 2:15 PM CST

Ex-Duane Morris partner charged with murdering wife

A Chicago lawyer and a former tax partner at Duane Morris is being held in jail after being formally charged with killing his wife in 2024.

Jan 14, 2026 9:41 AM CST

Whistleblower lawyer says his security clearance has been restored

A whistleblower lawyer said in a LinkedIn post Tuesday his access to classified information has been restored months after President Donald Trump announced in a memo that he was revoking the Washington, D.C., lawyer's security clearance.

Jan 13, 2026 2:33 PM CST

The Day I Took the Bar Exam: Lawyers share their trying times

The ABA Journal is collecting bar exam stories recounting the day our readers took the bar exam—and something else extraordinary happened. We’ll be updating this regularly. What’s your story?

Jan 13, 2026 9:48 AM CST

Lawyer receives suspension for contempt of court more than a year after his death

Last month, a Florida attorney was suspended for not properly responding to the Florida Bar—508 days after his death.

Jan 12, 2026 10:23 AM CST

Old MacDonald’s divorce is a case of ‘E-I-E-I-Oh no’

We all know Old MacDonald had a farm. And we all know that on his farm, he had an assortment of animals, including chickens, horses and ducks. But little is known about his wife, Edna.

Jan 8, 2026 10:14 AM CST

Law license portability granted to military members and attorney spouses by DOJ

Members of the military and their spouses who are licensed attorneys in one state can now practice anywhere in the country, according to a December update issued by the U.S. Department of Justice to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Jan 8, 2026 8:25 AM CST

Where are they now? Legal Opportunity Scholarship recipients share impact on their careers

It’s been more than 25 years since past ABA President William “Bill” Paul created the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, which has provided $15,000 scholarships to more than 400 diverse law students from around the country.

Jan 6, 2026 11:17 AM CST

With World Cup around corner, FIFA program gives lawyers access to ‘football legal ecosystem’ around globe

The legal framework that governs football, FIFA’s transfer regulations and disciplinary and doping matters are among the topics covered in the Diploma in Football Law program from FIFA, the international body that governs the sport.

Jan 6, 2026 9:08 AM CST

Lawyer for Elon Musk likes to clown around outside the courtroom

While Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s legal battles with OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman are no laughing matter, one of Musk’s lawyers does a lot of clowning around outside the courtroom.

Jan 5, 2026 11:22 AM CST

FBI investigating missing lawyers who disappeared from fishing boat

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is launching a probe into the disappearance of two lawyers who didn't return from a weekend fishing trip about 70 miles offshore of Southwest Florida's coast, according a report by the U.S. Sun.

Dec 23, 2025 10:38 AM CST