Professional Development

7 tips to strengthen the mind through identifying and overcoming implicit bias

Science explains that our minds are like icebergs: Our conscious awareness represents 10% of the iceberg above the surface of the water, and our unconscious awareness represents 90% of the iceberg unseen below the surface of the water. We are not aware of 90% of our thoughts/brain functions, which are unconscious—by definition.

Jun 3, 2021 11:57 AM CDT

Sotomayor sees challenging world for today’s law graduates

Justice Sonia Sotomayor told Yale Law School grads this week that they are graduating in a world where the legal profession is viewed more cynically than when she graduated from the same school in 1979.

May 28, 2021 9:45 AM CDT

Years after challenging drug dealer to change, judge swears him in as a lawyer

Edward Martell faced a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison when he stood before a Michigan judge nearly 16 years ago on charges of selling and manufacturing crack cocaine.

May 27, 2021 11:38 AM CDT

Lawyers in Florida can’t get credit for ABA’s new CLE programs because of state ban on diversity quotas

The ABA’s diversity policy for panelists on continuing legal education programs has gotten the cold shoulder in Florida, which is refusing to give its state lawyers CLE credit for new association programs.

May 25, 2021 10:52 AM CDT

Making connections is top concern for summer associates, and many want in-person work

The three most desirable law firms to land a summer associate position with are Latham & Watkins; Kirkland & Ellis; and Skadden, Arps Slate, Meagher & Flom, according to a white paper published Monday by Law360 Pulse.

May 24, 2021 9:12 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer job openings skyrocket; judge resigns after ethics charges

Lawyer job openings increase 150%, report says Lawyer job openings have increased by 150% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by legal market data provider Leopard Solutions. As of May 14, there were 8,268 open jobs for lawyers at more than a thousand global law…

May 20, 2021 4:40 PM CDT

What associates have to know about making a lateral move to a new market out of state

The days when attorneys remained loyal to one firm for decades are, for the most part, long gone.

May 17, 2021 10:08 AM CDT

How should the legal profession navigate a post-COVID-19 world? ABA group has recommendations

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the ABA initiated one of the largest national surveys of its members, seeking to understand both how they had been affected and how they expected their practice to evolve in the future.

Apr 26, 2021 8:00 AM CDT

ABA calls on volunteers to help with ProBAR video project

Do you want to assist the ABA with its efforts on the border without leaving your home or traveling across the country? The ABA Section of Litigation’s Pro Bono Task Force is offering members a new opportunity to record short videos to help attorneys at the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project improve their litigation skills.

Apr 23, 2021 12:33 PM CDT

NALP executive director talks empowering careers, recruiting and professional development

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Jim Leipold, the executive director of the National Association for Law Placement—an organization focused on career counseling and planning; recruitment and retention; and the professional development of law students, lawyers and its members.

Apr 23, 2021 9:06 AM CDT

2020 law school grads having harder time finding jobs, data shows

For 2020 graduates of ABA-accredited law schools, 77.4% had long-term, full-time jobs that required or preferred bar passage, compared to 80.6% for the class of 2019.

Apr 20, 2021 3:57 PM CDT

Florida Supreme Court’s order blocking diversity quotas for CLE instructors could impact ABA programs

The Florida Supreme Court’s recent decision to prohibit diversity quotas for continuing legal education programs may reverberate beyond the borders of the Sunshine State.

Apr 19, 2021 12:21 PM CDT

How to make a professional transition during the COVID-19 pandemic

Do you find yourself living with the stark reality of having to make a transition during COVID-19? Are you looking at changing practice areas or making a move to a new firm? Change in the best of times can be daunting. Add to that the various challenges we are currently facing with restrictions and lockdowns, and it may seem insurmountable. But it doesn’t have to be.

Apr 13, 2021 9:07 AM CDT

11 tips to survive your freshman year as an associate

Concerns about starting your first job after law school are justified. It is terrifying. For many, the first year as an associate will be your first professional job. Little has prepared you for the difficult, confusing and stressful first year ahead.

Apr 8, 2021 9:04 AM CDT

Law firm leadership and facilitating meaningful conversations about diversity and inclusion

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Esther Cho, a shareholder and the chair of the executive committee at Keesal, Young & Logan, who also serves on the firm's diversity and inclusion committee.

Mar 26, 2021 10:23 AM CDT