LSAC president reflects on challenges facing legal ed as she shifts to lead Association of American Law Schools

As Kellye Testy of the Law School Admission Council prepares to leave her post June 30 and start the very next day as executive director and CEO of the Association of American Law Schools, she talked with the ABA Journal about the changes and the challenges facing legal education.

Jun 17, 2024 9:09 AM CDT

Appeals court upholds negligent homicide conviction for encouraging suicide by electronic means

A defendant living in Indiana who encouraged a Tennessee woman in online conversations to kill herself for his sexual pleasure can be found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, a Tennessee appeals court has ruled.

Jun 12, 2024 11:32 AM CDT

Lawyer accused of seeking Israeli hackers to obtain judge’s personal emails

A California lawyer is accused of planning to hire Israeli hackers to access the personal email and phone accounts of a judge who later ordered him to disgorge $1.65 million in attorney fees.

Jun 12, 2024 9:26 AM CDT

Can generative AI tools make it easier for lawyers to offer pro bono services?

A commonly cited solution to helping bridge the access-to-justice canyon is for lawyers to provide more pro bono work. In that regard, have generative artificial intelligence tools made it easier for lawyers to provide pro bono services?

Jun 12, 2024 8:50 AM CDT

‘Robot lawyer’ DoNotPay reaches settlement in suit alleging it’s neither robot nor lawyer

“Robot lawyer” DoNotPay has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that the website engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and provided substandard legal services.

Jun 11, 2024 3:47 PM CDT

Student editors at Columbia Law Review vote to strike after website shutdown, report says

The website of the Columbia Law Review was temporarily taken down last week, a reaction to a “secretive process” used in editing an article calling Zionism a form of colonialism and racism, according to the law review’s board of directors.

Jun 10, 2024 3:46 PM CDT

Judge tosses lawyer’s defamation suit against ex-mayor for alleged crude and insulting statements

Then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was acting within the scope of her official duties when she allegedly questioned a lawyer’s legal abilities and bragged that she has the "biggest d- - - in Chicago,” according to a Cook County, Illinois, judge.

Jun 7, 2024 9:15 AM CDT

Regulators set the stage for AI antitrust battles

U.S. antitrust enforcers are setting the stage for an offensive against the aggressive maneuvers of tech giants to dominate artificial intelligence, amid mounting concerns that a handful of companies could squash competition in the swiftly evolving technology.

Jun 6, 2024 11:00 AM CDT

Judge’s revelation is new twist in saga of man driving in video during suspended-license hearing

A man accused of driving during a Zoom court hearing for a suspended-license charge, creating a viral moment, is back behind bars again.

Jun 6, 2024 10:46 AM CDT

In concurrence confession, appeals judge says ChatGPT research ‘less nutty’ than feared

Judge Kevin Newsom of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Atlanta tried using ChatGPT to research the ordinary meaning of “landscaping,” and he’s not afraid to admit it.

Jun 6, 2024 9:09 AM CDT

Apparent mix-up snagged man driving in viral video during suspended-license hearing

A video of a court hearing last month went viral after a Michigan judge appeared stunned that a man accused of driving without a license appeared for a Zoom hearing while behind the wheel.

Jun 3, 2024 12:02 PM CDT

Court reporters are fighting back against generative AI

Emerging technologies have threatened court reporters since tape recorders became widely available. Yet they have withstood the challenges of advancing technology despite many courts replacing human court reporters with digital recording equipment. Now, an even more significant challenge presents itself: artificial intelligence.

Jun 1, 2024 2:40 AM CDT

While some firms embrace generative AI tools, others approach with caution

Thanks to generative artificial intelligence, overwhelmed attorneys may be only one click away from saving themselves hours, if not days, of work. But while 73% of lawyers say they plan on using generative AI for their legal work within the next year, according to a 2023 Wolters Kluwer study, there are a smattering of firms that are still hesitant to embrace it.

Jun 1, 2024 2:30 AM CDT

At ABA Techshow, generative AI tools and how they help lawyers work faster took center stage

Jun 1, 2024 2:20 AM CDT

Federal Aviation Administration’s chief counsel has fought challenges with resolve

Marc Nichols describes his career and life’s trajectory not as a straight line leading him to the FAA but more of a wandering path in which he has fought against difficult circumstances and seized opportunities. The key, Nichols says, is to stay determined and embrace change. “Change can sometimes be your friend. It’s about mental attitude and perseverance.”

Jun 1, 2024 1:40 AM CDT