California Pulse


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    Law360 Pulse Spotlight On Mid-Law Work

    Best Best & Krieger's work on a $466 million water infrastructure project leads this edition of Law360 Pulse's Spotlight On Mid-Law Work, recapping the top matters for Mid-Law firms from April 24 to May 8.

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    Legal Industry Bounces Back, Gaining 2,400 Jobs In April

    The legal sector is once again on a positive trajectory, gaining 2,400 jobs last month, according to seasonally adjusted data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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    How Today's Law Firm Leaders Define Success

    There are numerous rankings in today’s legal industry, and the ways law firms are measured against one another are countless, with diverse metrics ranging from profits to revenue to headcount. Here, 11 firm leaders share what success looks like to them.

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    Brownstein Hyatt Lands 3 Real Estate Pros From Ervin Cohen

    Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP announced that it is adding a real estate trio from Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, including the co-leader of the firm's real estate department.

  • Voir Dire: Law360 Pulse's Weekly Quiz

    The first full week of May saw news of BigLaw firm group launches, lateral moves and partner promotions. Test your legal news savvy here with Law360 Pulse's weekly quiz.

  • Dispensary Owners Want Blank Rome DQed From Loan Suit

    The owners of a New Jersey dispensary are asking a California federal court to disqualify Blank Rome LLP and its attorneys from representing a lender in a $1.6 million loan dispute, because the firm represented them as well and used confidential information in the lender's suit.

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    AI Native Firms Gain Foothold In Changing Legal Industry

    "AI native" law firms are a growing phenomenon sitting at the intersection of artificial intelligence and rising tide of outside investment in the legal industry, aiming to use legal technology to automate work and overhaul the law firm business model — while doing away with the billable hour in the process.

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    Barnes & Thornburg Lands Nixon Peabody Entertainment Trio

    Three entertainment attorneys from Nixon Peabody LLP have moved their practice to Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee, the firm announced Thursday.

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    Williams-Sonoma GC Earned $4.2M In 2025 Compensation

    The executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Williams-Sonoma Inc., earned nearly $4.2 million in total compensation last year, according to a securities filing.

  • 'Wasn't A Hard Call': Jeffer Mangels Can't Arbitrate Atty's Suit

    A Los Angeles judge ruled at a Wednesday hearing that Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP can't arbitrate an ex-associate's lawsuit alleging she was harassed and fired due to her pregnancy, saying it "wasn't a hard call" because her sexual harassment claims are statutorily prohibited from being arbitrated.

  • Google Users Say DOJ Win 'Leaves Only Damages For Trial'

    Consumers want a California federal judge to go straight to trial over the amount of damages Google owes them for illegally monopolizing online search, arguing the company's violation of antitrust law "is now an undisputed fact as a matter of law."

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    DLA Piper Names 62 New Partners, Including 24 In US

    DLA Piper announced Wednesday that 62 attorneys have joined its global partnership ranks, as of May 1, with the U.S. logging more promotions to partner than other regions, with 24 total.

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    Which GCs Sold Stock In April? Venture Global And More

    April showered some legal chiefs with stock sale profits, and Keith Larson at Venture Global soaked up $13.9 million last month. Meanwhile, Paul Mahon at United Therapeutics wiped up $9.5 million, and Chevron's R. Hewitt Pate reported earning $8.57 on his sales.

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    Jeffer Mangels Brings On Raines Feldman Atty As IP Chair

    California firm Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP has announced an experienced Los Angeles-based attorney has joined the firm from Raines Feldman Littrell LLP as a partner and chair of its intellectual property and media practice.

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    Agilent Taps Danaher Deal Lawyer As Chief Legal Officer

    Life sciences company Agilent Technologies Inc. has found a new top in-house attorney to lead its legal department after the recent resignation of its former chief legal officer.

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    Workday Legal Chief Sees Pay Drop For 2nd Year In Row

    The compensation of Workday Inc.'s legal chief declined for the second consecutive year to $7.8 million, according to a securities filing late Tuesday.

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    Feds Say Stolen BigLaw Deal Info Aided Huge Trading Scheme

    Federal prosecutors on Wednesday unveiled indictments outlining a massive insider trading scheme that allegedly netted tens of millions of dollars using nonpublic information about mergers and acquisitions worked on by some of the nation's biggest law firms.

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    The Law School Legal Industry Job Tracker: Class Of 2025

    Want to know which schools are sending the highest percentage of graduates to BigLaw? How big a slice are landing those prized clerkships in federal or state courts? Explore the ins and outs of law school graduate placement in our interactive graphic.

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    The Top Law Schools For Legal Industry Jobs: A Data Review

    A law degree can lead to careers across law firms, government, business and public interest, according to the latest ABA data. See which schools stand out for placing graduates in BigLaw, federal and state clerkships, public interest roles and more.

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    Aiming For BigLaw? These Schools Deliver

    Law school students continue to set their sights on law firm jobs post-graduation, with interest in BigLaw roles holding strong. Here's a look at how those preferences are playing out and which schools are sending the highest percentage of graduates directly to BigLaw.

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    Firm Leaders Report Rising Rates Fueling Client Churn

    While rate increases are the primary driver of law firm revenue, legal leaders also fear those price hikes are leading to client churn, according to a report released Wednesday by marketing technology platform Passle.

  • Womble Bond Picks Veteran Real Estate Atty As Partner In SF

    Womble Bond Dickinson has hired a real estate and land use attorney with more than 50 years of experience as a partner for its real estate team in San Francisco, the firm announced Tuesday.

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    Court Rule Changes Uncertain After Few Deepfake Challenges

    Very few federal judges have handled challenges to audiovisual evidence that litigants claim has been faked by artificial intelligence, raising questions about whether changes to the rules of evidence are actually necessary.

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    Norton Rose Grows In Calif., Ill. With 6-Atty DLA Piper Hire

    Norton Rose Fulbright announced Tuesday that the firm has grown its California and Illinois offices with a team of six litigation attorneys, including three partners, who were most recently with DLA Piper.

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    Ex-Sunrun Legal VP Joins Wilson Sonsini In San Francisco

    Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC announced Tuesday that the former vice president of legal at solar energy company Sunrun has joined the firm's San Francisco office as an energy and climate solutions partner.

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Expert Analysis

  • 6 Strategies To Set Up New CCOs For Success Author Photo

    As demand for chief compliance officers rises among a growing range of complex issues, organizations looking to hire and retain top-notch CCOs can adopt a series of strategies including defining success metrics and allowing the CCO to build a team, says Cara Bain at Major Lindsey.

  • Making Legal Cents: How Firms Can Navigate 2026 Trends Author Photo

    From the adoption of artificial intelligence infrastructure to increasing client attrition, a number of trends will likely define the legal industry in 2026, and law firms will need to strategically lean into these shifts to gain a competitive advantage, says Shireen Hilal at Maior Strategic Consulting.

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    Notes From A Partner-In-Charge On Integrating Lateral Talent Author Photo

    When done thoughtfully through three strategies, bringing laterals into the fold can propel growth and create significant business opportunities that enhance the law firm's cultural fabric, says James Sullivan, leader of Alston & Bird's New York office.

  • The Augmented Lawyer: Drafting As AI Alters Admin Of Law Author Photo

    As generative artificial intelligence tools become embedded in mainstream legal practice, they are reshaping the administration of law itself, from how experts document and validate their work to how joint defense teams operate, demanding a new level of contractual clarity and operational discipline, says Karineh Khachatourian at KXT Law.

  • How Attorneys Can Plan Now For Biz Dev Success In 2026 Author Photo

    As the year winds down and the pace of work slows, attorneys should reflect on what did and didn’t work to generate business in 2025, and start mapping out their 2026 business development plan now to set themselves up for success, says Ezra Crawford at Crowell.

  • How Firms Can Retain Rainmakers, Now And All Year Long Author Photo

    Though firm leaders feel the most urgency about retaining rainmakers now, during compensation season, effective retention strategies are preemptive and year-round efforts anchored in meaningful support, tactical execution and credible follow-through, says Tom Orewyler at TO Comms.

  • What GCs Value Most: 7 Ways To Earn Clients' Trust Author Photo

    Trust is the foundation of any great client relationship, but it isn’t built overnight or maintained passively — rather, counsel must consistently show up in small but important ways to become the trusted partner clients rely on when judgment matters most, says Andrew Dick at The L Suite.

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    Biz Development Tip Of The Month: Make An Onboarding Plan Author Photo

    The investment required for a personalized client onboarding plan is minimal, but the return on investment — measured in client satisfaction, relationship strength and longevity, client referrals, and other business development opportunities — can be extraordinary, says John Reed at Rain BDM.

  • Law Firm Content Strategies To Stay Competitive In 2026 Author Photo

    A number of trends will continue to reshape how people search, consume and trust information next year, and law firms will need to adopt forward-thinking content strategies — from generative engine optimization to interactive legal tools — to stand out, says Elizabeth Lampert at Elizabeth Lampert PR and Nancy Myrland at Myrland Marketing and Social Media.

  • What Law Firm Liability Risks In 2025 Signal For Year To Come Author Photo

    Trends and statistics reveal that law firms of all sizes and practice areas remained attractive litigation targets this year, so firms must take concrete steps to avoid professional liability risks in the year to come, say Douglas Richmond and Andrew Ricke at Lockton Companies.

  • 5 New Archetypes Of Legal Talent For The Age Of AI Author Photo

    New job archetypes are rapidly replacing the traditional model of the lawyer as artificial intelligence proliferates, and to remain competitive, firms will need to embrace the diverse portfolio of talent required to navigate, design and critique algorithmic systems, says Dmitri Mehlhorn at Atoll Society.

  • A Closer Look At 5 Types Of Legal Management Services Orgs Author Photo

    Legal management services organizations, which outsource the administrative aspects of law firms to separate entities, are poised to disrupt the industry in the year to come, so firms and attorneys should consider the advantages and disadvantages of several MSO models, say Frederick Shelton and Ayven Dodd at Shelton & Steele.

  • Law And Disorder: How To Tackle A Key Burnout Syndrome Author Photo

    Impostor syndrome prevails as a main root cause of attorney burnout, but sufferers can equip themselves with a series of practice tips that build confidence through evidence, not emotion, to address the mindset behind this damaging condition, says Jonathan Cohen at PNY.

  • What GCs Value Most: 7 Ways To Build Client Relationships Author Photo

    Today's general counsel expect outside lawyers to show interest, relevance and value long before there is a live matter to address, including by engaging with attorneys at every level of the company and dispensing free advice thoughtfully, says Andrew Dick at The L Suite.

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    Biz Development Tip Of The Month: Start Early In Your Career Author Photo

    Having the courage to embark on your legal business development strategy early in your career allows you to sooner reap the rewards of a strong network, which in turn can increase the momentum of referrals over the course of your career, says Kristin Housh at Sheppard Mullin.

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