Personal Lives

Identifying and eliminating implicit bias toward psychiatric disabilities in the legal profession

“Don’t let it happen again.” When I heard the statement, my body melted into my chair as I sat staring toward the screen in our Zoom meeting. Shock spread through my body for several moments—no words came. I was petrified and let waves of shame and disbelief flow through my body.

Jun 12, 2023 11:30 AM CDT

2 SCOTUS justices delay financial disclosure; which justice listed $1,200 in flowers from Oprah?

The U.S. Supreme Court’s newest justice, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, had “the most glamorous disclosures” on forms released Wednesday for seven of the high court’s justices, according to SCOTUSblog.

Jun 9, 2023 8:59 AM CDT

Lawyer for federal appeals judge barred from new cases finds orders ‘incredible’ and ‘stunning’

A lawyer representing a 95-year-old federal appeals judge is criticizing a judicial council’s refusal to assign her new cases and an investigating committee’s new focus on her failure to cooperate.

Jun 8, 2023 8:58 AM CDT

Another BigLaw firm mandates 4 days per week in office but adopts remote ‘bank’

Davis Polk & Wardwell will require its lawyers and most business professionals to be in the office four days per week—one day more than its current policy.

Jun 7, 2023 2:38 PM CDT

As culture wars continue, City University of New York School of Law is latest target

The City University of New York School of Law is one of many in the past year to have bad press days, or perhaps bad press weeks, following student activities involving sensitive topics.

Jun 7, 2023 11:25 AM CDT

Lawyer censured for using TeamViewer to snoop on former firm’s business activity

A lawyer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has been censured after acknowledging that he “fell into stupid” and accessed his former law firm’s computer system to monitor his former partner’s business activity.

Jun 6, 2023 3:24 PM CDT

Bar admission denied for applicant who rose to law firm partnership without law license

A New York appeals court has denied bar admission to a 2000 law graduate who practiced law for nearly 10 years without a license, rising to law firm partnership.

Jun 6, 2023 9:36 AM CDT

Judge delays 3M ‘forever chemicals’ trial after 3 other companies announce settlement

A federal judge has delayed the trial of a claim that “forever chemicals” made by 3M, a multinational conglomerate corporation, contaminated the municipal water system in Stuart, Florida.

Jun 5, 2023 3:01 PM CDT

Leaders of Lewis Brisbois rebellion sent emails with ‘unacceptable, prejudiced language,’ law firm says

Updated: Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith appears to be fighting back after two lawyers left last month to form a law firm. Lewis Brisbois has released emails with “wildly offensive and demeaning language” exchanged by the former partners.

Jun 5, 2023 11:43 AM CDT

3M faces trial over ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foam in ‘bet-the-company’ litigation

3M faces its first trial out of about 4,000 lawsuits claiming that its cancer-linked “forever chemicals” known as PFAs have leached into groundwater.

Jun 2, 2023 10:47 AM CDT

Fill the ‘Justice Gap’: Victims of domestic violence need your pro bono legal help

I’ll never forget sitting in professor Sarah Buel’s Domestic Violence and the Law class at the University of Texas School of Law, as she shared her iconic article: Fifty Obstacles to Leaving, a.k.a., Why Abuse Victims Stay.

Jun 1, 2023 11:52 AM CDT

Former Biden Chief of Staff Ron Klain reflects on life in law and politics

“The president’s time is the most precious resource we have at the White House,” Ron Klain tells me. As President Joe Biden’s chief of staff, it fell to Klain to make certain that it was used wisely.

May 30, 2023 2:55 PM CDT

Law school clinics tackle challenging issue of heirs’ property rights

Heirs’ property is a name given to a home or land left to family members without an effective deed or will. With no clear title proving ownership, it can be difficult for descendants to sell or lease their property, build equity, or take advantage of homeowner assistance funds or disaster relief.

May 30, 2023 8:14 AM CDT

Ex-lawyer Murdaugh, in prison for murder, is charged with stealing from clients

A disbarred lawyer who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife and one of his sons has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly stealing money from clients and his housekeeper’s family.

May 26, 2023 12:08 PM CDT

Trump’s post-trial sexual assault denials are relevant in separate defamation suit, lawyer for accuser says

A lawyer for the woman who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault told a federal judge Monday that Trump’s post-trial comments denying the incident are relevant in a separate pending lawsuit against Trump.

May 23, 2023 10:48 AM CDT