How to Pivot Your Career: Transitioning from a federal prosecutor to private practice

For nearly 15 years, my identity was intertwined with my professional role as a public servant. I worked as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Labor’s regional solicitor's office in Chicago, representing the government in OSHA, MSHA, wage and hour, whistleblower and ERISA matters.

Feb 9, 2026 2:21 PM CST

Are more clients turning to artificial intelligence for legal advice?

Lawyers who worry about artificial intelligence and its potential pitfalls are pointing to another problem—its increasing use by their clients.

Feb 9, 2026 9:48 AM CST

Personal injury lawyers find ‘massive opportunity’ with AI

Recent months have brought an explosion of massive investments in artificial intelligence tools for personal injury lawyers. A report released this summer by professional business platform 8am supports this sentiment, showing 37% of personal injury lawyers use generative AI at work, compared to 31% of lawyers overall.

Dec 4, 2025 9:48 AM CST

Lessons learned after transitioning from associate to solo practitioner

Nov 4, 2025 11:15 AM CST

No Tricks, All Treats: This legal team provides kids with Halloween costumes

Tanner Hesterberg, a solo practitioner in Pikeville, Kentucky, wants to make sure that local children in need can dress up for Halloween. He came up with the idea of helping connect children with costumes last year, when he noticed that some of the children in his community couldn’t afford to dress up.

Oct 22, 2025 12:16 PM CDT

Some law firms reap fees for opponents’ AI errors, but one lawyer who failed to detect them got zilch

Judges are imposing hefty fines on attorneys who use faulty case citations in legal briefs that are likely generated by artificial intelligence. The sanctions usually are paid to law firms that expended time as a result of the errors—but not in one recent case in California.

Sep 25, 2025 2:40 PM CDT

‘Small and mighty in numbers,’ solo and small firm lawyers help challenge Trump administration agenda

Updated: Some BigLaw firms are reluctant to oppose administration policies after President Donald Trump pursued disfavored law firms with punitive executive orders. But others outside BigLaw are willing to litigate, the New York Times reports.

Jul 23, 2025 11:50 AM CDT

These 4 conservative law firms are thriving under Trump

Jones Day played a prominent role in the first presidency of President Donald Trump. The law firm represented Trump in his first presidential campaign and sent several lawyers to work in the administration, including Don McGahn, who was the White House counsel. But Jones Day “hasn’t had the same prominence in Trump circles this time around,” the Wall Street Journal reports. Now, several smaller, conservative firms are seeing “boom times.”

Jun 26, 2025 1:31 PM CDT

Attacks on rule of law will fail because lawyers ‘are fierce’ and ‘very resourceful,’ says DC Bar president-elect

“Lawyers are fighters, and judges will follow the law,” says Diane Seltzer, the president-elect of the D.C. Bar for the 2025-2026 term. “We are fierce; we care deeply about justice; and we are very, very resourceful in finding ways to make sure we prevail.”

Jun 20, 2025 11:17 AM CDT

How Atlanta defense lawyer Brian Steel got name-checked by rapper Drake

Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel made headlines during the YSL Records trial. In February, rapper Drake released a song that name-checks YSL and the trial judge and celebrates freedom in general. Its title? “Brian Steel.”

Jun 1, 2025 1:30 AM CDT

What to know when hiring the next generation of lawyers

It's not your grandfather's law firm anymore. Technology, shifting societal norms and generational differences are reshaping today's legal practices. To attract the new generation of legal professionals, lawyers must throw out "the way things have always been done" and reinvent their firm's culture.

May 19, 2025 11:11 AM 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

Litigation boutique firm will pay special bonuses as high as $60K

Litigation boutique law firm Wilkinson Stekloff will pay special bonuses to associates ranging from $25,000 to $60,000, the firm recently told employees in a memo.

Apr 17, 2025 12:51 PM CDT

Top 10 Your Voice columns of 2024

One of the ABA Journal’s most precious assets is our access to engaged legal professionals with a knack for writing and a point of view to share. Since 2018, we have featured their words in our Your Voice section. Here are the top 10 of 2024.

Dec 24, 2024 9:00 AM CST

2 BigLaw firms reject routine special bonuses as several boutiques match or surpass market rate

Above the Law’s bonus tracker continues to expand, as an increasing number of boutique law firms announce associate bonuses that match or surpass market rates set by Milbank. But some BigLaw firms are not falling in line with the standard special bonuses.

Dec 19, 2024 11:00 AM CST