Columns

5 steps law school deans can take to improve diversity and inclusion

The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor have highlighted to the world that systemic racism exists. It has caused many law schools, law firms and other legal employers to grapple with how to foster more diversity and inclusion as well as what it means to be antiracist.

Nov 12, 2020 3:57 PM CST

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but: Lawyers and concepts of truth and honesty

“You can’t handle the truth!” This is the iconic line from the 1992 military courtroom film, A Few Good Men. Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson) bellowed these words to Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) during Kafee’s intense cross examination. Given the current pandemic, I find myself—like many of, us no…

Nov 10, 2020 2:42 PM CST

Conference brings together panelists to discuss ensuring a better tomorrow for all

In the wake of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Rights of Immigrants Committee, in strategic partnership with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, is hosting a policy summit designed to advance racial equity and social justice principles.

Nov 9, 2020 2:26 PM CST

8 tips for lawyers on how to build resilience

A popular keyword for psychologists and transformational leaders these days is “resilience.” The dictionary definition of resilience is the ability to recover. Synonyms are “perseverance,” “elasticity,” “toughness,” “flexibility” and “durability.”

Nov 4, 2020 2:44 PM CST

Social justice meets Pro Bono Week: What is your plan?

Thirty-five years ago, I was a know-nothing 25-year-old associate at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, where I still practice, when a senior partner asked me to take a case on behalf of a single parent.

Oct 29, 2020 11:02 AM CDT

Chemerinsky: SCOTUS considers whether religious freedom also means freedom to discriminate

On Nov. 4, the U.S. Supreme Court again will face one of the country’s most divisive constitutional issues: Does the First Amendment’s protection of speech and religion provide a basis for violating laws that prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians?

Oct 29, 2020 10:27 AM CDT

How to make better decisions with litigation analytics software

If you’re a litigator, you know that knowledge is power. The more you know about the court, opposing counsel, expert witnesses, the parties and the judge, the better. This is because more information allows you to make sound, informed decisions to help you achieve a successful end result for your client.

Oct 27, 2020 2:53 PM CDT

Law firms must do more effective damage control to survive

When I sat down to write this column, my thoughts were interrupted by a mechanical noise coming from my backyard. It was the comforting sound of the weekly “test run” of the generator that keeps our house powered during electrical outages.

Oct 26, 2020 3:10 PM CDT

Investment bank managing director discusses legal tech market and lasting impacts of COVID-19

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Scott Mozarsky, a managing director with the Jordan, Edmiston Group Inc., a middle-market investment bank, where he leads its legal and compliance practice.

Oct 23, 2020 11:00 AM CDT

Is the law making you fat? A lawyer and life coach shares her story

Law school taught me many things, but one that stands out for me is this: Chocolate cake reduces stress.

Oct 22, 2020 11:37 AM CDT

For minority law students, learning the law can be intellectually violent

It pales in comparison to the structural and physical violence that people experience outside the ivory tower, but it is also unforgiving, can feel unrelenting and often goes unnamed.

Oct 15, 2020 11:23 AM CDT

Should juries be feared or revered? Retired lawyer examines their roles

The jury system first scared me at the age of 9. How, you ask? I grew up in Montreal, the son of parents who immigrated from Belgium. My late father was a humble tailor who worked in a factory. One day, we received a letter in the mail. It had an impressive-looking logo of a crown and the scales of justice.

Oct 13, 2020 3:30 PM CDT

Thanks for nothing: When should lawyers end an email with ‘thank you’?

Writing a professional email is difficult enough. And choosing an appropriate signoff can be daunting, with so many options to choose from: “Thank you” (or just “Thanks”), “Sincerely,” “Best,” “Regards,” “Yours” or nothing at all (as in, “—Jon”). The list goes on.

Oct 12, 2020 9:00 AM CDT

‘On the Basis of Sex’ and remembering Justice Ginsburg

R.I.P., RBG. Here we are again, almost four years from the last time a U.S. Supreme Court Justice died in office. Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in February of 2016, and President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland for the vacant position. We all know how that turned out.

Oct 7, 2020 10:03 AM CDT

‘CSI effect’ remains a myth, retired judge says on 20th anniversary of popular forensic science show

However, Donald Shelton is quick to make clear that the perception of a “CSI effect,” plus ever-evolving technology and social media, are altering the manner in which juries hear and decide cases.

Oct 6, 2020 9:02 AM CDT