Law Firms

Corporate legal departments spend more in-house than on outside law firms, survey finds

Corporate legal departments are spending 54% of their budgets in-house, outpacing their spending on outside counsel, according to a survey released last week by the Association of Corporate Counsel and legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa.

Jun 22, 2022 12:13 PM CDT

How much do new public interest lawyers earn? Despite raises, pay is well below that of law firms, NALP says

Median salaries are growing for lawyers working in civil legal services and public interest organizations, but there are still “sobering distinctions” when compared to law firm pay, according to the National Association for Law Placement.

Jun 22, 2022 10:55 AM CDT

Reed Smith’s pro bono report expresses ‘grave’ concerns about death row inmate’s conviction

A lawyer for an Oklahoma inmate plans to seek a stay of execution after Reed Smith released a report on its independent investigation of the case, undertaken pro bono at the request of a bipartisan group of more than 30 state lawmakers.

Jun 17, 2022 10:57 AM CDT

2 law firms add dozens of lawyers through mergers with smaller firms

Two larger law firms have announced mergers with smaller firms that add dozens of lawyers and expand their footprints.

Jun 14, 2022 3:24 PM CDT

Meet Greg Jacob, Pence lawyer who opposed ‘made up’ election theory, sent ‘furious message’ Jan. 6, 2021

Greg Jacob is back at O'Melveny & Myers as a partner handling Employee Retirement Income Security Act and labor and employment issues after his star turn as the top lawyer for former Vice President Mike Pence.

Jun 14, 2022 10:42 AM CDT

The gap between the highest- and lowest-paid BigLaw partners is expanding

Law firms seeking to hold on to top lawyers appear willing to pay higher amounts that increase the gap between their highest- and lowest-paid equity partners.

Jun 10, 2022 8:57 AM CDT

Stroock is in a ‘precarious position’ after loss of bankruptcy group; is a merger needed?

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan is in a “precarious position” following the loss of one of its two crown jewels—its bankruptcy and restructuring group—to Paul Hastings this spring, according to an analysis by Law.com.

Jun 8, 2022 3:25 PM CDT

Lawyer David Boies bills $1,950 per hour, court filing says

A court filing seeking legal fees in privacy litigation against Google indicates that one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers—David Boies—is making $1,950 per hour.

Jun 8, 2022 8:34 AM CDT

Law firm partners accused of ethics violations for ‘anti-competitive’ employment contracts

The name partners of the law firm Tully Rinckey have been accused of ethics violations for allegedly adding anti-competitive terms to attorney employment agreements and impeding clients’ ability to follow departing lawyers.

Jun 7, 2022 3:40 PM CDT

Former BigLaw partner is suspended for seeking double reimbursement for wine expense

A former BigLaw partner has been suspended for asking his law firm and a continuing legal education sponsor to reimburse him more than $1,900 for the cost of wine at a reception.

Jun 7, 2022 12:32 PM CDT

Backlash follows lawyer’s recorded celebratory comments about how he won his case

A medical malpractice lawyer who bragged about obtaining a defense verdict, even though a man “was probably negligently killed,” didn’t know that his remarks to colleagues would be recorded.

Jun 7, 2022 11:25 AM CDT

Business fundamentals attorneys need to run a firm

Law school may prepare you to practice law, but it doesn’t teach you how to run a business. Here are some business fundamentals that one business owner and lawyer thinks every attorney should know something about if they hope to one day lead a firm.

Jun 7, 2022 10:30 AM CDT

Law firms hire experts from other disciplines to advise clients on risk and compliance

Law firms are hiring professionals, such as behavioral scientists, data experts, journalists and police officers, to help advise clients on risk and compliance.

Jun 2, 2022 3:00 PM CDT

Judge allows counterclaim alleging Brown Rudnick ‘radically’ exceeded its fee estimates

A federal judge in Boston has refused to dismiss a counterclaim alleging that Brown Rudnick overstaffed an arbitration case, causing it to “radically” outpace fee estimates.

Jun 2, 2022 1:34 PM CDT

BigLaw makes diversity gains; which firms did best?

Diversity gains among larger law firms this year were the largest since 2001, according to the American Lawyer’s 2022 Diversity Scorecard.

Jun 1, 2022 4:01 PM CDT