Small Law


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    Del. Attys Tapped For Public Advocate, Marijuana Office Head

    Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer has nominated a former attorney for the state Department of Justice to serve in a utility watchdog role as the state's public advocate, as well as a former Greenberg Traurig LLP attorney to serve as the state's next marijuana commissioner.

  • Firm Can't Fight Conn. Scam Suit Fee Rulings, Ex-Client Says

    A Connecticut judge should not reconsider an award of attorney fees and interest against the law firm Mancini Provenzano & Futtner LLC because it already waived its arguments or brought them up in a pending appeal of a negligence judgment, a former client said this week.

  • Fed. Circ. Won't Immediately Pause Sanctions On IP Attys

    A Federal Circuit judge on Wednesday declined to provide immediate relief to attorneys from Texas patent firm Ramey LLP fighting sanctions they've deemed "career ending," letting stand penalties coming due for practicing without licenses in California, among other conduct.

  • Iraq's Counsel Can Stay In $120M Award Fight, DC Circ. Says

    The D.C. Circuit has declined to nix Pierson Ferdinand LLP's appearance as counsel for Iraq in an appeal challenging the enforcement of a $120 million arbitral award issued to a Cypriot construction and engineering firm, rejecting the company's allegations that Iraq engaged in "gamesmanship."

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    SCOTUSblog Sold Amid Goldstein's Criminal Case

    SCOTUSblog has been sold to digital media company The Dispatch, according to announcements from both publications Wednesday, marking a new chapter for the U.S. Supreme Court-focused legal publication while its co-founder Tom Goldstein faces criminal charges.

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    Small Firms Look To Gain Talent Amid Gov't Workforce Tumult

    If small law firms and boutiques aren't already, they should be taking advantage of an attorney job market flooded with federal workers, experts say.

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    The Office Is Back, But Are Lawyers On Board?

    The tug-of-war over remote work is far from over, but the latest data from Law360 Pulse's March survey indicates law firms are more comfortable laying down rules requiring at least some office attendance — and lawyers, for the most part, are learning to live with them.

  • Judge Slams TCPA Atty Over Filing With 'No Legitimate Basis'

    A North Carolina magistrate judge on Wednesday chastised a Telephone Consumer Protection Act litigant and his attorney for filing a reply to a discovery motion after the court had already ruled on it, striking the reply from the docket and warning that further filings without "a legitimate basis" could lead to sanctions.

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    More New Law School Grads Found Jobs Last Year

    The portion of 2024 graduates from U.S. law schools who had secured jobs making use of their degrees 10 months after graduation rose 1.7% compared to a similar analysis performed for 2023 graduates, according to data released Wednesday by the American Bar Association.

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    Associates Feel Partners' Absence In Return To Office

    While law firms continue to push return-to-office policies, recruiters say they have yet to see mass departures in response. The real friction point for associates, they noted, is with senior partners.

  • Houston Atty, Woman End Sex Tape Suit After FBI Inquiry

    A Houston attorney and a woman who accused him of filming a sexual encounter with her and sharing it without her consent have agreed to drop the dispute.

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    Atty Says Sig Sauer Defamed Him In Pistol Safety Statement

    A Connecticut lawyer on Tuesday added to an ongoing legal battle with weapons manufacturer Sig Sauer Inc., filing a new lawsuit claiming the gunmaker referenced him in a March 7 press release suggesting trial attorneys made misrepresentations about gun safety.

  • ​​​​​​​Litigation Firm Says Ex-Client's Subpoena Warrants Sanction

    The New York-based employment litigation boutique that represented a former Kirkland & Ellis LLP attorney in her now-settled sex discrimination suit against the BigLaw firm has asked a California federal court to quash a subpoena she filed seeking confidential firm information and sanction her.

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    Pittsburgh Firm Accused Of Botching $3M Office Rent Row

    The owner of a Pittsburgh office building claims mistakes made by attorneys from Meyer Unkovic & Scott LLP cost the company more than $3.3 million in rental income and interest payments, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court Monday.

  • Ramey Firm Turns To Supreme Court In Sanctions Fight

    Texas-based patent firm Ramey LLP told the Federal Circuit that it is fighting California sanctions before the U.S. Supreme Court, after a magistrate judge in the Golden State determined three attorneys must make monetary payments and face other penalties for filing litigation in bad faith.

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    CORRECTED: Texas Atty Says Bogus Rulings Came From Internet Searches

    A Lone Star State lawyer has admitted that, following internet searches, she listed phony cases in an appellate brief in a dispute over $1 million in jewelry her parents argued was gifted to their daughter and out of a creditor's reach.

  • Marketer Blasts Inventor's 'Cycle' Of Atty Fee Bids

    An invention marketing firm on Tuesday asked a Pennsylvania federal judge to reject Kearney McWilliams & Davis PLLC's push for more attorney fees stemming from an inventor's case over how the company handled preparations for a product launch, arguing the court already declined to increase the number.

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    Some Associates Bill $2,000 Per Hour As BigLaw Fees Rise

    Billing rates for law firms that serve corporate clients continue to increase at a historically fast clip, with the largest firms increasing their fees the fastest in 2024, according to a report out Tuesday that found some associates' billing rates are nearing $2,000 per hour.

  • Pa. Judge Facing Fraud Charges Gets Filing Delay

    A Pennsylvania county judge indicted on charges that he misused unemployment relief funds to pay his law firm's employees during the pandemic succeeded Monday in having filing deadlines in his prosecution pushed back for more time to review discovery. 

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    Dropped Suit Doesn't Support 'Vexatious' Claims, Court Told

    The Connecticut employment law firm Hayber McKenna & Dinsmore LLC "cannot ever, under any circumstances" prove that a series of unfair trade practices cases brought by five restaurant chains ended in its favor, so it cannot pursue vexatious litigation claims against two attorneys who filed them, defense counsel said Monday during oral argument in Hartford.

  • Breakaway Firm Tells Ga. High Court To Nix Drew Eckl Dispute

    Burke Moore Law Group LLP asked the Georgia Supreme Court on Monday to reject Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP's bid to review an appellate ruling that allowed Burke Moore to avoid arbitration over fees between Drew Eckl and its partners who previously practiced at the firm.

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    How Lone Star Appellate Pro Strives To 'See Around Corners'

    Texas appellate attorney D. Todd Smith recently launched a solo practice in Austin, Texas, giving himself more control over client matters while decreasing the chance of a conflict. His work often involves using his experience and knowledge of the Lone Star State appellate system to "see around corners" and tackle potential appellate issues early in the life of a case.

  • Justices Won't Review Philly Atty's 5-Year Suspension

    A Philadelphia attorney's appeal of a five-year suspension deeming him a "danger to the public" will not move forward after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case, according to orders released Monday.

  • PI Firm Sues Its Own Expert For Being 'Out Of Touch' At Depo

    A New Jersey personal injury law firm filed suit in state court against an expert witness it alleges had threatened to withdraw if he didn't receive an advance payment for preparing and attending his deposition, and then turned up to the deposition "confused, disoriented and out of touch."

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    PTAB Judge Heads To Boutique, Citing Return-To-Office Order

    An outgoing Patent Trial and Appeal Board judge based in Austin, Texas, tells Law360 that President Donald Trump's return-to-office order was a "significant factor" in her decision to return to private practice, joining boutique patent firm Smith Baluch LLP as a partner.

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Expert Analysis

  • Talking Mental Health: The View From Life After BigLaw Author Photo

    Life coach and author Wendy Tamis Robbins discusses why she left a career in BigLaw to work in the professional well-being space after finding freedom from anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance use disorders, and highlights two changes the legal industry should implement to address attorneys' mental health.

  • 6 Essential Skills For Summer Associates To Land An Offer
    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
    Author Photo

    With full-time offer rates at the lowest point since 2012, summer associates must do all they can to distinguish themselves, starting with a few fundamentals — from the importance of asking clarifying questions to being honest about mistakes, says James Argionis at Cozen O'Connor.

  • Making Legal Cents: How Law Firms Can Innovate Faster Author Photo

    To meet the demands of an evolving legal market and changing client expectations, law firms must not only embrace innovation, but also find ways to accelerate adoption and mitigate risks in an industry historically resistant to change, says Shireen Hilal at Maior Strategic Consulting.

  • Ask A Mentor: How Should Departing Partners Approach Pay? Author Photo

    Sabina Lippman at CenterPeak discusses steps BigLaw partners can take when considering a move or announcing their departure to help navigate tricky compensation issues and remain on good terms with their current partners.

  • How 2 Litigators Decided Dad Would Stay Home With The Kids Author Photo

    Jennifer Hoekstra at Aylstock Witkin shares the tough conversations about timing, goals, logistics and values involved in her family's decision that she would build her career as a litigator and law firm partner while her husband stepped back from his own litigation role to stay home with their children.

  • Series

    My Nonpracticing Law Job: Legal Commentary Ghostwriter Author Photo

    Wayne Pollock at Copo Strategies shares how he went from overworked Am Law 50 associate to owner of a legal thought leadership ghostwriting service, and provides four lessons for anyone who might be considering launching a business within the legal industry.

  • Ask A Mentor: As Trials Grow Rarer, How Do I Hone My Skills? Author Photo

    Gary Parsons at Brooks Pierce offers advice for young lawyers seeking trial experience in an environment where fewer cases make it to trial, including how to build their reputations, set their expectations and pick the right firm.

  • Talking Mental Health: Managing Depression As A Co. Founder Author Photo

    New Era ADR co-founder Collin Williams discusses his journey navigating a clinical depression diagnosis, how this experience affected his leadership style, and what the legal industry can do to better support attorneys with mental health conditions.

  • Series

    My Nonpracticing Law Job: Career And Wellness Coach Author Photo

    Tara Rhoades at The Sanity Plea shares how she went from BigLaw partner to legal industry career and wellness coach, and explains how attorneys can use their capabilities, knowledge and professional networks to pursue coaching themselves, or bring refreshed meaning and purpose to their current roles.

  • Series

    Talking Mental Health: Tackling Stress As A Practice Leader Author Photo

    Constance Rhebergen at Bracewell discusses how she handles the stress of being a practice chair, how sources of stress have changed in the legal industry over the past decade and what law firms can do to protect attorney mental health.

  • Making Legal Cents: Engaging A Remote, Evolving Workforce Author Photo

    In the face of a dispersed and changing workforce with Generation Z entering the scene, law firms should consider some practical strategies to revitalize their cultures, provide meaningful mentorship and safeguard their knowledge bases, says Shireen Hilal at Maior Strategic Consulting.

  • How Firms Can Effectively Evaluate Their Summer Associates Author Photo

    One of the most effective ways firms can ensure their summer associate programs are a success is by engaging in a timely and meaningful evaluation process and being intentional about when, how and by whom feedback should be provided, say Caroline Cimei and Erica Fine at Shutts & Bowen.

  • Series

    Talking Mental Health: Life As A Lawyer With OCD Author Photo

    Kelly Hughes at Ogletree discusses what she’s learned in the 14 years since she was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, recounting how the experience shaped her law practice, what the legal industry and general public get wrong about the disorder, and how law firms can better support employees who have OCD.

  • 3 Innovative Ways AI May Be Used In Legal Practice
    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
    Author Photo

    Artificial intelligence tools will increasingly be used by outside counsel to better predict the outcomes of litigation — thus informing legal strategy with greater precision — and by clients to scrutinize invoices and evaluate counsel’s performance, says Ronald Levine at Herrick Feinstein.

  • Series

    My Nonpracticing Law Job: Librarian Author Photo

    Lisa A. Goodman at Texas A&M University shares how she went from a BigLaw associate who liked to hang out in the firm's law library to director of a law library herself in just over a decade, and provides considerations for anyone interested in pursuing a law librarian career.

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