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Personal Lives

2316 ABA Journal Personal Lives articles.

Should law firms focus more on work-life balance? Survey finds ‘wide gaps’ in opinions of associates, partners

Lawyers would like to see a greater emphasis on training and mentoring at their law firms, according to a survey released this week by recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa and Law360 Pulse.

Jan 24, 2024 2:26 PM CST

UK law firm’s ‘Switch On/Switch Off’ program allows ‘chunk of time off’ for reduced pay

U.K. law firm Slaughter and May's "Switch On/Switch Off” program for associates is different than reduced-hours programs offered by U.S. firms.

Jan 23, 2024 3:49 PM CST

District attorney drops charges against litigant charged with murder of prominent Dallas lawyer

A Texas district attorney has dropped charges against a litigant who was set to go on trial this month for the murder of a prominent Dallas lawyer.

Jan 23, 2024 2:43 PM CST

To be a lawyer or a doctor? That is the question

Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” So you want to become a doctor or a lawyer? For some reason or other, these two words are often muttered together, like St. Paul and Minneapolis. Or like Dallas and Fort Worth. Or like Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Do these professions generate similar value to society?

Jan 17, 2024 10:43 AM CST

Checkmate: BigLaw associate seeks chess master status

Opposing counsel may want to watch out for Rochelle Ballantyne, a first-year litigation associate at Sidley Austin and a longtime chess champ with a fierce competitive spirit.

Jan 17, 2024 8:19 AM CST

Retiring Reluctantly: As lawyers age, many struggle with exit strategies

For years, law firms across the country have been grappling with what to do with the baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, as they reach and surpass the typical retirement age of 65. The problem, law firm consultants say, is that lawyers often don’t want to leave.

Jan 11, 2024 9:24 AM CST

The Lawyer’s Identity: How to recognize that we are more than the job

I remember being on cloud nine as I drove home from work not too long ago—two hours late but excited to sneak up on my 1-year-old as she played in the bath. I was working as a federal prosecutor, and some agents and I had finally cracked (through equal part persistence and luck) a cross-border money laundering case that had seemed to be hopeless until that morning.

Jan 9, 2024 1:15 PM CST

Federal judge in Trump case is apparent victim of ‘swatting’ incident at her home

A federal judge overseeing the federal election-subversion case against former President Donald Trump was apparently a "swatting" victim Sunday night.

Jan 9, 2024 9:20 AM CST

The First-Year Switch: Succeeding after an early lateral move

Ten years ago, I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young attorney, fresh from a federal clerkship and eager to start my litigation career. One year later, I was a sleepless, burned-out basket case on my way out the door asking myself, “Did I make an awful mistake when I went to law school?” Fast forward almost a decade, and I can answer that question with a resounding no.

Jan 3, 2024 1:45 PM CST

Ex-bankruptcy judge claims immunity in suit alleging he retaliated against litigant who revealed romance

Former U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David R. Jones of Houston has said he is immune from an Oct. 4 lawsuit contending that he retaliated against a litigant who revealed the judge’s relationship with a lawyer whose law firm had cases before the court.

Jan 3, 2024 12:22 PM CST

Relax with our favorite long reads of 2023

Hopefully you're going to have some time over the winter holidays to cozy up with a good story. We've curated a list of some of our favorite web and print long reads from 2023. There's a mix of popular features and some under-the-radar stories that you may have missed.

Dec 22, 2023 1:50 PM CST

Listen to our 10 favorite podcast episodes of 2023

Looking for a new listen? We've picked our favorite 2023 episodes from each of the ABA Journal's three podcasts, one of which is bidding adieu after a 13-year run. If this whets your appetite, find all our past episodes on our podcast page. You can also check out more legal podcasts from our partners at Legal Talk Network.

Dec 22, 2023 8:59 AM CST

At least 30 large law firms have announced leadership changes in the past year; is burnout to blame?

At least 30 large law firms announced leadership changes in the past year or so, corresponding to a period in which firms are focused on growth.

Dec 20, 2023 8:18 AM CST

How to plan your post-law life

There are lawyers who love the practice of law so much that they'll only leave it feet first—and in a box. But for those who'd prefer to exit the bar before closing time, Kevin McGoff has advice on planning that next chapter.

Dec 20, 2023 8:15 AM CST

What are Giuliani’s next steps after $148M defamation verdict? Can he afford appeal bond?

Updated: Rudy Giuliani, once a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, can’t immediately appeal a recent $148 million verdict against him for defaming two Georgia election workers.

Dec 18, 2023 10:00 AM CST

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Topics: Career & Practice

'Words fail to capture the severity and extent' of lawyer's bigotry, appeals court says

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Your Voice

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