The End-to-End Medical Record Retrieval Playbook
Personal injury firms often struggle with fragmented medical‑record workflows, using separate vendors for authorizations, retrieval, OCR, chronologies, and intake. Each handoff introduces delays, duplicate data entry, and opaque cost tracking. LlamaLab’s new playbook outlines a five‑stage, end‑to‑end retrieval pipeline designed to eliminate those inefficiencies. The free download also includes a 12‑question vendor scorecard, sample fee‑agreement language, and an ROI worksheet to help firms assess and implement the solution.
Morning Docket: 05.26.26
The Morning Docket highlights a wave of legal developments: a federal judge dismissed the indictment against Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, calling the prosecution vindictive; Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are clearing the last integration hurdles before their merger closes; a former...
Payday For General Counsel Is Impressive
BarkerGilmore’s 2026 In‑House Counsel Compensation Report shows that the median total compensation for General Counsel at large public companies is roughly $2.5 million, including salary, bonus, equity and benefits. The report highlights a steep compensation curve, with the top quartile earning...
Goodbye Broadview 6, Hello Broadview Sanctions
In Chicago, Judge April Perry ordered a review of the unredacted grand‑jury transcript in the Broadview 6 case, where six protesters were initially charged with felonies after blocking an ICE agent. The judge uncovered evidence that prosecutors vouch‑safed their case to...
Biglaw’s Lockstep Era Continues To Crack As Top Firm Announces Partner Bonus Pool
Debevoise & Plimpton, a longtime champion of lockstep pay, announced a new discretionary bonus pool for partners. The pool, described as “meaningful,” adds flexibility to the firm’s traditional compensation framework without abandoning lockstep entirely. Partner Peter Furci said the change aims...
Quinn Emanuel Just Got a $3 Million Ethics Lesson. A Judge Made Them Write It Themselves.
Quinn Emanuel was ordered to pay nearly $3 million in sanctions after a federal judge found the firm’s representation of Natera in a pharma advertising case involved systematic ethical violations. The court imposed compensatory damages, a $100,000 punitive fine, and required...
Susman Godfrey Continues DEI Scholarship Program As Other Biglaw Firms Flinch Amid Intensifying Political Attacks
Susman Godfrey announced the 2026 Susman Godfrey Prize, granting $5,000 scholarships to 25 first- and second-year law students of color. The initiative, now in its sixth year, continues despite a wave of political attacks on diversity programs in higher education...
Capitol Police Officers Sue To Block Trump Slush Fund For Rioters
The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion “Anti‑Weaponization Fund” to reimburse individuals claiming losses from the Jan 6 attack, including convicted rioters. Critics say the fund lacks statutory authority, sidestepping Congress by placing control in a commission appointed by President Trump’s personal...
How 3 Elite Firms Drove Biglaw Innovation With Litera
Litera’s Foundation knowledge‑management platform has cultivated a passionate user base that meets annually at the Trailblazers Summit. To spotlight advanced usage, Litera launched the first Foundation Innovation Awards, highlighting three elite Biglaw firms that turned the platform into a strategic...
Biglaw’s Growth Game Comes With Cuts, Too
Sidley Austin’s management chair Yvette Ostolaza told Bloomberg Law the firm is pursuing aggressive growth while simultaneously pruning practices and markets that no longer fit its long‑term vision. The strategy reflects a broader trend in biglaw: firms add headcount and...
Turns Out The ABA’s Gatekeeping Role Actually Does Something
A new empirical study spanning 35 years (1984‑2019) finds that alternative pathways to law licensure—apprenticeships, non‑ABA schools, and correspondence programs—produce dramatically lower bar‑pass rates and poorer career outcomes than ABA‑accredited routes. Non‑ABA graduates pass the bar at roughly 20‑30% versus...
What Biglaw Can Learn From Corporate Legal Ops
At the recent CLOC Global Institute in Chicago, in‑house legal operations professionals highlighted gaps in how Biglaw firms engage with corporate clients. Attendees urged outside counsel to recognize legal ops teams, involve them early, and align on budgeting, timelines, and...
Real AI Use Cases For In-House Legal
The article outlines how artificial intelligence, especially large language models, is reshaping in‑house legal departments. It highlights measurable gains in contract management, risk assessment, and compliance monitoring. Practical examples demonstrate AI‑driven contract drafting, automated clause extraction, and predictive risk scoring....
Selective Viewing — See Also
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced plans to sue Netflix, claiming the streaming service endangers children—a move critics view as politically motivated against Trump allies. Meanwhile, elite law firm Davis Polk is launching a full‑service office in Southern California, intensifying...
This Firm’s Bonuses Are The Stuff Of Biglaw Mythology
Above the Law’s daily "Trivia Question of the Day" asks readers to identify the law firm that tops the 2027 Vault compensation rankings. The hint notes the firm is rumored to hand out bonuses equal to or exceeding 100% of...
Biglaw’s Los Angeles Talent Wars Just Got More Intense Thanks To Davis Polk
Big law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell has moved quickly to establish a full‑service office in Los Angeles, weeks after announcing its launch. The firm recruited former Skadden Los Angeles leader Jason Russell to head the operation and signaled ambitions...
Exterro’s Subpoena Manager: Start With A Pain Point, Find A Solution, Rinse And Repeat
Exterro unveiled Subpoena Manager at CLOC’s Global Institute, a tool that uses agentic AI to automate the end‑to‑end subpoena workflow. The solution digitizes intake, triage, routing and response coordination, eliminating repetitive data‑entry tasks. Built on Exterro’s ARMOUR framework, it promises...
Another Firm, Another Nonequity Partner Tier — See Also
Above the Law’s weekly roundup highlights several pivotal legal industry developments. A&O Shearman is reportedly preparing to introduce a nonequity partner tier, echoing a broader shift in law‑firm compensation structures. The piece also notes George Conway’s impeachment‑focused political campaign, a...
Not Sure In-House Counsel Are Really Up On That Whole ‘Compliance’ Thing
A recent Corporate Service Co. survey of general counsel and senior legal leaders reveals that only roughly one‑third of companies consider themselves fully compliant across all global units. Respondents cite the speed of regulatory change—especially in AI, cryptocurrency and data...
CLOC Opening Keynote: What If You Could Automate Everything?
At the CLOC conference opening on May 12, former OpenAI executive Zach Cass warned that agentic AI is poised to automate many legal‑operations tasks. He argued that lawyers and legal ops professionals must decide which functions to keep human and which...
Morning Docket: 05.12.26
On May 11, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted its injunction against Alabama’s congressional redistricting plan, allowing a map that preserves Black voting strength to proceed. The ABA’s accreditation committee recommended dropping law‑school diversity rules to avoid jeopardizing ABA approval amid...
Justice Matt Damon Orders Drinks — See Also
Above the Law’s latest roundup highlights several legal developments: John Quinn, co‑founder of Quinn Emanuel, announced his departure after a year at the firm’s helm; a former Wachtell Lipscomb partner was identified as the insider‑trading co‑conspirator in a high‑profile securities case; pop...
The Biglaw Firm That Lost 8 Percent Of Its Partners Last Year
Above the Law reports that an elite Biglaw firm saw its partnership ranks shrink by 8% last year, the steepest drop among top firms. The firm is now emphasizing the recognition and promotion of younger lawyers to stem lateral departures...
Jonathan Turley Defends Virginia Redistricting Opinion By Refusing To Explain It
Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down a voter‑approved constitutional amendment that would have let the legislature redraw congressional districts, arguing that early‑voting practices broke the amendment’s timing requirements. The 30‑page opinion relied on a novel reading of Article XII, Section 1, labeling the...
SCOTUS Rejects AI Assistance, Embraces Human Error Instead
The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will not employ artificial intelligence to draft opinions, citing cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Justice Amy Coney Barrett emphasized that AI-generated content could be compromised, reinforcing the Court's reliance on human authorship. The stance underscores a broader...
Dua Lipa Launches Multimillion-Dollar Suit Against Samsung
British pop star Dua Lipa has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics seeking at least $15 million in damages, alleging the company used her image on television packaging without permission. The complaint says Samsung placed a copyrighted photo of Lipa on...
The CLOC Global Institute: Some Changes And Challenges
The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) Global Institute will convene May 11‑14 in Chicago, shifting from its long‑standing Las Vegas venue. Over 2,100 legal‑ops professionals from more than 25 countries are expected, with 90 sessions and 200 speakers tackling AI’s...
Sometimes Lawyers Should Wait To Send Invoices To Clients
Law firms often rush to bill clients, assuming faster invoices accelerate payment, but strategic delays can strengthen relationships and improve cash flow. Small balances may appear impersonal, so aggregating them into larger invoices can reduce friction. Sending bills around holidays...
The Top 150 Under 150: Vault Ranks The Best Small, Boutique, And Midsize Firms (2027)
Vault’s 2027 “Top 150 Under 150” list spotlights small, boutique and midsize law firms that now pay salaries and bonuses on par with, or above, traditional Biglaw. The ranking, derived from surveys, industry data and lawyer interviews, shows that compensation...
Former Biglaw Attorney Allegedly Turned His Résumé Into A Decade-Long Insider Trading Operation
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted 30 attorneys and financial professionals in a massive insider‑trading conspiracy that allegedly ran for a decade and harvested tens of millions of dollars from confidential M&A information. At the core was former Biglaw lawyer...
Morning Docket: 05.07.26
The latest legal docket includes the unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged suicide note, an FBI raid on Virginia Senator Louise Lucas’s office over a redistricting initiative, and the DOJ’s decision to destroy evidence collected from Rep. Andy Ogles’s corruption probe....
In-House Counsel Report Companies Are Doing AI All Wrong
The Paragon Legal survey shows many in‑house counsel are only asked to assess AI tools after they’re live, and 35 % say AI adoption is outpacing internal controls. This reveals a gap between rapid AI deployment and the legal function’s ability...
Google’s AI Summary Invents State Ethics Rules… And It’s Not A Hallucination Problem
Google’s AI overview mistakenly reported that Pennsylvania requires mandatory disclosure of generative‑AI use in all court filings, citing a vendor blog post as its source. In reality, the state has no statewide rule; only an advisory ethics opinion flags AI...
Newly Merged Top 20 Biglaw Firm’s Growing Pains Include Layoffs
McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel merged in July 2025 to form McDermott Will & Schulte, a top‑20 firm in the Am Law 100. After a surge of new partners and rapid growth, the combined firm announced...
Private Equity Has Its Eyes On Biglaw’s Second Hundred Firms
Bob Maiden, an M&A adviser at Focus Investment Banking, predicts that private equity will make its first investment in a Biglaw "Second Hundred" firm—those ranked 101‑200—by calendar year 2026. He notes that these firms have smaller cap tables and active...
Ketanji Brown Jackson Sends Sam Alito Raging
The Supreme Court abruptly waived its own 32‑day rule in the Louisiana redistricting case, allowing the state to redraw congressional maps even after voting had begun. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, insisting the procedural safeguard should be followed to avoid...
The Am Law 200: Biglaw’s Second Hundred Firms Bask In Financial Success, With Strong Metrics Across The Board
The American Lawyer’s 2026 Am Law 200 report shows the Second Hundred firms posted a 6% rise in gross revenue to $29.44 billion, with average profits per equity partner climbing 9.5% to $1.21 million and revenue per lawyer up 5.2% to $895,000....
Your Clients Have Estate Plans. Their Digital Lives Probably Don’t.
Most clients have traditional estate documents, but they often overlook their digital footprints. The article highlights that digital assets—ranging from email and online banking to cryptocurrency and smart‑home devices—are real property that can cause financial disruption, fraud, or loss of...
Todd Blanche Goes On TV To Defend Voter ID And Accidentally Reveals He Has Never Been To A Restaurant
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on Meet the Press to defend voter‑ID laws and mistakenly argued that patrons must show identification to enter a restaurant. The claim, which is factually incorrect, ignited a wave of online ridicule and highlighted...
FTC Taps On Tennessee Supreme Court To Join Florida And Texas
The Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to the Tennessee Supreme Court urging it to stop relying on American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation for law schools, echoing similar moves by Florida and Texas. The FTC claims the ABA’s monopoly drives...
Brad Karp Takes His Epstein-Stained Résumé To Harvard Law
Former Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp, whose tenure ended amid a controversial Trump‑era settlement and newly surfaced Epstein connections, appeared as a guest lecturer in Harvard Law’s Legal Professions course. Karp framed the 2025 deal to eliminate DEI programs and...
Job Of The Month: Partner At Elite Litigation Boutique
A Texas‑based commercial litigation boutique in Houston is hiring a litigation Partner with 8‑10 years of sophisticated experience. The role is fully hands‑on, requiring depositions, motion practice, court appearances, and brief writing. The opportunity was highlighted as the "Job of...
Dealing With AI Pressures: Thriving With An Abundance Of Knowledge
Law firms are feeling unprecedented pressure from clients to deploy generative AI within weeks, or risk losing business. Many firms respond with panic purchases of off‑the‑shelf tools, often without a clear use case or integration plan, leading to costly failures....
Morning Docket: 05.04.26
The Department of Justice granted a selective‑prosecution waiver to former DOJ official Todd Blanche, sparking criticism that other "86" speakers will escape indictment. A prosecutor obsessed with winning Trump’s favor has begun dressing like the former president, raising concerns about...
On The Growing Mid-Sized Law Firm
The 2025 Leopard Law Firm Index shows that mid‑sized firms (50‑150 attorneys) experienced a robust growth year, outpacing many larger competitors. The report highlights a 93% lateral‑partner retention rate, indicating strong internal stability. Industry observers attribute the surge to firms...
Stat(s) Of The Week: Eyeing AI
A KPMG Global General Counsel Outlook report reveals that 82% of general counsel expect law firms to track and share their use of artificial intelligence in client matters. The study surveyed 468 GCs and senior legal leaders worldwide in late...
The Leadership Shifts That Drive Law Firm Growth
Omega Law Group partners with host Steve Fretzin to outline three leadership shifts that enable law firms to scale: delegating early, measuring performance, and cultivating a supportive culture. The discussion highlights how founders who cling to control hit a growth...
Lawyers Shouldn’t Condition Adjournments On Substantive Concessions
Lawyers frequently request adjournments to balance court duties with other obligations, yet some opponents tie consent to substantive case concessions. The author recounts a landlord‑tenant hearing where the opposing counsel demanded concessions for a one‑week postponement, forcing the author to...
Plaintiffs’ Firms Are Calling Biglaw’s Bluff When It Comes To Hiring Talented Law School Grads
Plaintiffs’ firms are increasingly competing with Biglaw for top law school graduates by offering starting salaries in the $200,000 range. The trend reflects a growing willingness among new attorneys to join plaintiffs practices that promise immediate responsibility and higher pay,...
What Even *Is* A Biglaw Partner These Days?
ALM’s latest Am Law 100 data reveal that one major law firm has 92.4% of its partners classified as nonequity, far exceeding the 52.1% average across the top 100 firms. The article uses this outlier to question what the title “partner” actually...