Professional Development

5 tips from a law school librarian for assigning research projects to interns

As a law school reference librarian, I field a lot of questions from law students working at internships, externships and summer jobs. Over the years, I’ve seen some recurring issues with the research assignments given to law students, and I thought it might be helpful to discuss some of them here.

Mar 28, 2022 8:39 AM CDT

Want to be a successful litigator? Come to the office, say 2 BigLaw trial lawyers

For young litigators who want to be considered “a lawyer’s lawyer,” careers spent mostly working from home may not get you to where you want to be, according to two BigLaw partners who have been trying cases for more than 30 years.

Mar 28, 2022 8:38 AM CDT

ABA Young Lawyers Division accepting applications for Leadership Academy

The ABA Young Lawyers Division has launched the Leadership Academy to continue to promote and advance lawyers who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented in the legal profession.

Mar 25, 2022 11:31 AM CDT

Hawaii joins states that mandate lawyers’ competence in technology

Hawaii has become the latest state to adopt the duty of technology competence for lawyers.

Mar 25, 2022 10:33 AM CDT

Mentorship is not all about the mentee

Mentorship. This one word can cause many a tough, battle-worn attorney to cringe. For many seasoned attorneys, the idea of being a mentor just sounds like you are being asked to add more hours of work to an already overloaded schedule. But before you reject the idea, consider the benefits that come with such a role.

Mar 8, 2022 11:12 AM CST

4 Black bar association leaders reflect on historic moment

For the first time, African Americans are leading four major national bar associations at once. “It’s important when there is a spotlight on Black history to show that the four of us have achieved this unique thing,” says Douglas K. Burrell, who heads the Defense Research Institute. “It is incredible for each of us to be president of our organizations. It is even more incredible for four of us to be presidents at the same time.”

Feb 23, 2022 10:41 AM CST

Tough decision to make? Here’s how to break it down like a lawyer

Law professor Kim Wehle is used to helping her students begin to think like lawyers. But the methodology behind making tough decisions as a legal professional can also benefit the general public. It's why How To Think Like a Lawyer—and Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas was a natural follow-up to her two previous books, How To Read the Constitution—and Why and What You Need To Know About Voting—and Why.

Feb 23, 2022 8:55 AM CST

Lactation stations and breastfeeding accommodations are needed for bar exam attendees

Bar admissions authorities, bar associations, law schools and legal employers need to establish clear and consistent policies that provide accommodations to individuals who are lactating, the ABA House of Delegates resolved Monday.

Feb 14, 2022 11:39 AM CST

5 tips for new lawyers who want to go solo

“Ten years of practicing law is an appropriate time to contemplate the past and reflect on what worked and what didn’t. If you’re a young lawyer or law student ... , I hope my experiences as a solo practitioner and the following lessons can help you.”

Feb 1, 2022 10:58 AM CST

2 BigLaw firms try new tacks in battle to acquire more lawyers

The battle for legal talent has led two BigLaw firms to try new tacks to bolster recruitment.

Jan 26, 2022 10:25 AM CST

Would-be lawyers shouldn’t have to disclose arrests without conviction, NYSBA says

The application for admission to the New York bar violates state law by asking for information about arrests in cases that are no longer pending and didn’t result in a conviction, according to the New York State Bar Association.

Jan 25, 2022 11:12 AM CST

‘You don’t look like a lawyer!’: 6 ways to navigate professional and corporate spaces

Recently, I watched the very popular Netflix movie Red Notice, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. If you’re unfamiliar with The Rock, his name is well-earned. He is a former professional wrestler, and he has huge muscles to show for it. In the movie, he plays an FBI profiler who specializes in fine-art theft. An Interpol agent introduces him to a museum curator who is about to be a victim of a major theft.

Jan 25, 2022 10:20 AM CST

Darryl Wilson shares love of cooking with others during COVID-19 pandemic

Darryl Wilson, an in-house attorney at Tyson Foods in Springdale, Arkansas, has used cooking as a form of therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. He launched his own Instagram account, where he regularly posts photos of his dishes, and taught two virtual cooking classes to members of the ABA Young Lawyers Division. “We always have to find things that make us happy and that are fulfilling or rewarding to us,” he says. “Mine just happens to be cooking.”

Jan 20, 2022 9:22 AM CST

In US News’ 100 Best Jobs of 2022 list, how does being a lawyer stack up?

Being a lawyer is a better job than being a speech-language pathologist but not quite as good as being a statistician.

Jan 12, 2022 1:08 PM CST

Law firms came ‘dangerously close’ to losing almost a quarter of their associates in 2021, new report says

Law firms “are spending huge amounts of money and putting their profits at increasing risk” as they battle to hold on to their associates, according to a report released Tuesday.

Jan 11, 2022 11:49 AM CST