Above the Law
Breaking legal news, commentary, and analysis on the business and culture of law.
Articles from Above the Law
California Bar Proposes First AI Verification Rule for Lawyers
California may soon require lawyers to independently verify all AI-generated outputs, setting a national precedent for legal ethics and accountability in AI usage.
A&O Shearman Cuts More Roles Amid Post-Merger Integration
A&O Shearman continues layoffs, reducing business services roles in London following its $3.5B merger, underlining shifting firm structures and BigLaw consolidation trends.
NATO Official: Governance Tops Tech in Allied AI Intelligence Sharing
NATO's Maj. Gen. Paul Lynch urges governance and policy frameworks over more tech for effective allied AI-enabled geospatial intelligence sharing.
BigLaw Attorney at Center of Alleged Decade-Long Insider Trading Ring
A Yale-educated BigLaw attorney is accused of leading a ten-year insider trading ring exploiting confidential M&A info, sparking ethics and compliance concerns across major law firms.
Report: Most Companies Skimp on AI Risk Checks, GCs Say
A recent Diligent Institute report finds 52% of in-house legal teams use AI but most companies lack robust AI risk checks, raising exposure to legal claims by 2026.
Google AI Misstates Pennsylvania Legal Ethics, Sparking Compliance Warnings
Google's AI tool falsely cited Pennsylvania legal ethics rules, highlighting new compliance risks for lawyers as state bar opinions and AI-generated guidance diverge.
McDermott Will & Schulte Cuts 15 NY Associates After July Merger
McDermott Will & Schulte, formed in July 2025, has laid off 15 New York associates following its top 20 Am Law 100 debut, highlighting post-merger integration challenges.
One-third of lateral partners leave BigLaw within five years
A new analysis shows around one-third of lateral partners exit BigLaw within five years, posing strategic challenges for law firm leaders focused on retention and integration.
LexFusion Labs Launches to Guide Legal AI Adoption Post-Baretz+Brunelle Deal
LexFusion, acquired by Baretz+Brunelle in Feb 2025, launches LexFusion Labs to help legal teams adopt AI, signaling accelerated tech integration in law firms and corporate legal.
Am Law Second Hundred Firms Post 10% Profit Growth in 2025
Profits per equity partner in the Am Law Second Hundred surged nearly 10% in 2025, reflecting strong financial performance and evolving competition within mid-tier BigLaw firms.
Private Equity Zeros In on BigLaw’s Second-Tier Firms
Private equity is intensifying its focus on the Am Law Second Hundred, eyeing mid-tier law firms for investment and acquisitions amid strong financial growth.
Kirkland Breaks $10B Barrier as BigLaw Financial Gap Hits Record Highs
Kirkland & Ellis tops $10B revenue in 2025 as top 10 law firms consolidate nearly 20% of global market share, deepening BigLaw's wealth divide.
DOJ Launches $25K Bonuses to Boost Civil Division Attorney Hiring
The DOJ now offers $25K signing bonuses and retention pay for Civil Division attorneys, dropping its experience requirement to attract more legal talent. Key recruitment changes detailed.
Harvard Law Faces Backlash Over Brad Karp Appointment Amid Epstein Ties
Brad Karp's Harvard Law role sparks student protests, highlighting tensions over leadership ethics after revelations about his Epstein connections.
Tennessee’s FAIR Rx Act Sets Up Legal Battle over PBM Pharmacy Ownership
Tennessee’s newly passed FAIR Rx Act, banning PBM-pharmacy-insurer combos, faces likely legal challenges echoing Arkansas’s recent experience and visa threats from CVS Health.
DOJ Submits Draft-Mark Motion in High-Stakes White House Ballroom Case
The DOJ filed a court motion marked 'DRAFT' in the $400M White House ballroom dispute, raising questions about review standards and government litigation process integrity.
Federal Judge Sanctions Lawyer for Citing AI-Generated Hallucinations
A federal court sanctioned an attorney for filing legal briefs with AI-generated hallucinations, setting a precedent on AI risks and attorney responsibility in legal practice.
Law Firm Leadership Overhauls Drive Revenue and Attorney Growth
Legal podcast and major law firms spotlight how changes in leadership roles fuel attorney and revenue growth, impacting firm culture and competitive advantage.
Trump Urges Jeffries to Retract 'Illegitimate Court' Remark on Voting Rights Ruling
Trump publicly demands House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries apologize for criticizing the Supreme Court's recent decision to weaken a key section of the Voting Rights Act.
Mid-Sized Law Firms Surge With Strong Growth and AI Adoption in 2025
US mid-sized law firms saw robust growth in 2025, leading in litigation, revenue, and AI adoption. Firms shifted to predictable pricing and ranked high in competitiveness.