Above The Law

The CLE Encore: Turning Success Into Long-Term Growth Your CLE may have been a hit, but the impact can continue long after the applause fades.

The CLE Encore: Turning Success Into Long-Term Growth
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/the-cle-encore-turning-success-into-long-term-growth/

Judges To AG Pam Bondi: It’s OK For The Gov’t To Dox People, But Not OK For People To Dox Gov’t Employees? From the people-with-least-power-should-be-exposed-the-most? dept

Judges To AG Pam Bondi: It’s OK For The Gov’t To Dox People, But Not OK For People To Dox Gov’t Employees?
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/judges-to-ag-pam-bondi-its-ok-for-the-govt-to-dox-people-but-not-ok-for-people-to-dox-govt-employees/

Litera Celebrates Creative Use Of Foundation With Innovation Awards, Crowning Troutman Pepper Locke As Winner - Above the Law A group of Litera Foundation customers recently gathered to share the transformative applications they’re discovering. Here, we’re profiling how a group of elite firms are staying on the cutting edge.

A group of Litera Foundation customers recently gathered to share the transformative applications they’re discovering. Here, we’re profiling how a group of elite firms is staying on the cutting edge. See who Litera (sponsor) crowns the winner of the Foundation With Innovation Award.

Verdict & Settlement Analyzer | Lexis® Legal Insights The Lexis® Verdict & Settlement Analyzer uses innovative analytics tools to help attorneys make data-driven decisions. It helps law firms maximize ROI from their legal work.

Put away the guesswork—LexisNexis (sponsor) Verdict & Settlement Analyzer helps legal professionals assess case potential with confidence by using data-driven insights from the industry’s largest collection of verdicts and settlements. Learn more: bit.ly/4aPkZjK

Morning Docket: 03.06.26 * Almost 200 former federal judges sign amicus brief arguing that unexplained shadow docket orders aren't binding in effort to stop the Supreme Court's vibelawyering. [National Law Journal] * "Google’s AI Sent an Armed Man to Steal a Robot Body for It to Inhabit, Then Encouraged Him to Kill Himself, Lawsuit Alleges" This case is basically the Florida Man Turing Test. [Futurism] * Trump administration officially declares Anthropic a supply chain risk, arguing that the company they gave access to all their classified information is now a spy because it wouldn't agree to build murder bots. Anthropic is going to sue. [Law360] * "A number of senior associates, partners and paralegals" laid off at UK firm. [Roll on Friday] * ICE arrested a journalist without a warrant in least surprising headline of the day. [Reuters] * Indicted judge loses reelection. [ABA Journal] * NY lawmakers consider banning AI from dispensing legal advice. Which is all well and good until you remember that much of the "legal advice" it would dispense would be drafts for lawyers. [StateScoop]

Morning Docket: 03.06.26
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/morning-docket-03-06-26/

The Bar Has Never Been Lower — See Also Pam Bondi Wants To Call The Ethical Shots: Can't be held in contempt if she's the final arbiter! Noem? I Hardly Know Her!: Trump fires Kristi Noem mid speech. Hate Trump all you want, but the man is funny. Arnold & Porter Ushers In Two-Tier Partner System:The firm sees it as an opportunity to compete in the lateral market. Brown Rudnick Faces Gender-Based Discrimination Suit: Is it really that hard to refer to your clients by their names? Trump Judges Help Him Secure Legal Victories: Gotta pad those victory numbers somehow!

The Bar Has Never Been Lower — See Also
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/the-bar-has-never-been-lower-see-also/

The Fastest Growing Kirkland & Ellis Office It didn't get to be the richest law firm without some noteworthy growth.

The Fastest Growing Kirkland & Ellis Office
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/the-fastest-growing-kirkland-ellis-office/

On this episode of the UpLevel View podcast, hosts Steph Corey and Ken Callander talk with Grubhub’s Katie Armistead about how legal teams are bringing order to the chaos with phase-based fees, risk-sharing, and value-driven pricing. Find the full conversation here: https://ow.ly/EbCx50Ypb5T

Bondi Says She’s The Bar Now We don't need no stinkin' ethics.

Bondi Says She’s The Bar Now
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/bondi-says-shes-the-bar-now/

The Billable Hour’s Existential Crisis Has An Access To Justice Silver Lining If AI allows firms to replace timekeeping with flat fees, it could give lawyers the time and money to pursue the public interest work they're putting off.

The Billable Hour’s Existential Crisis Has An Access To Justice Silver Lining
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/the-billable-hours-existential-crisis-has-an-access-to-justice-silver-lining/

Welcome To Partnership, Sort Of: Another Top Biglaw Firm Creates An ‘Income Partner’ Tier This Top 100 Am Law firm is staying on trend and adopting a nonequity partnership role for attorneys.

Welcome To Partnership, Sort Of: Another Top Biglaw Firm Creates An ‘Income Partner’ Tier
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/welcome-to-partnership-sort-of-another-top-biglaw-firm-creates-an-income-partner-tier/

Discovery As Truth-Seeking: Win Hard Without Playing Hide-The-Ball - Above the Law A practical, results-focused tutorial on how litigators can balance expansive discovery rights and privacy concerns without slowing cases down.

Discovery As Truth-Seeking: Win Hard Without Playing Hide-The-Ball.

A practical, results-focused tutorial on how litigators can balance expansive discovery rights and privacy concerns without slowing cases down. Presented by InfoTrack.

abovethelaw.com/2026/03/disc...

Moderna To Pay Up To $2.25B To Settle Patent Suit Over COVID-19 Vaccine Technology Under the settlement, Genevant Sciences and Arbutus Biopharma will grant Moderna a non-exclusive license to their lipid nanoparticle technology for mRNA delivery in infectious disease vaccines. If Moderna's full financial payout to the companies is reached, it would rank among the largest disclosed patent settlements in biopharmaceutical industry history.

Moderna To Pay Up To $2.25B To Settle Patent Suit Over COVID-19 Vaccine Technology
https://medcitynews.com/2026/03/moderna-patent-infringement-settlement-arbutus-genevant-roivant-sciences-covid-19-mrna-vaccine-abus-roiv/

Morning Docket: 03.05.26 * Senate votes to NOT have a vote on approving Iran strikes. When the Framers conceived of the separation of powers, they never planned for, "what if one branch doesn't want any powers?" [CNN] * DOJ removed 47,635 files from the public Epstein database -- including allegations involving President Trump -- assuring reporters the files are merely being "redacted" and would return shortly. If you believe that, we have an island to sell you. [Salon] * OpenAI prepares for IPO with Wachtell and Cooley. [The Information] * The search for lateral talent in Saudi Arabia. Exciting new opportunity, must be comfortable with Iranian rocket attacks. [Law.com International] * Charting the revolving door: A dive into the financial ties between Trump officials and the industries they're supposed to regulate. [Pro Publica] * Jury told Chance the Rapper stiffed his manager. Well, of course... it's not like he's Community Chest the Rapper. [Law360] * Democratic governor set to pardon convicted MAGA election interference figure. [Guardian] * From DOJ lawyer to polyamory author. A standard career path. [ARL Now]

Morning Docket: 03.05.26
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/morning-docket-03-05-26/

Does Good Behavior Mean Being Agreeable? — See Also Dissents Are Down Since Pauline Newman's Shadow Impeachment: Do judges agree more or are they afraid to dissent? Kathryn Ruemmler Set To Give Testimony On 'Uncle Jeffrey': Expect questions about the expensive gifts and buddy-buddy attitude. Pam Bondi Wants To Be The Law: Should she be the only one who determines if DOJ lawyers act ethically? Hell no on 3. In New York But Not Of New York: UK firm opens up shop in the Big Apple with no intention of doing American law! Radiohead Tells ICE To Turn The Volume Down: They join the musicians preventing their tunes from sound tracking administration propaganda. On This Week Of Thinking Like A Lawyer: Behold the tarnished legacy of Chief Justice John Roberts.

Does Good Behavior Mean Being Agreeable? — See Also
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/does-good-behavior-mean-being-agreeable-see-also/

The Gender Breakdown Of Biglaw Partner Moves The lateral market is thriving.

The Gender Breakdown Of Biglaw Partner Moves
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/the-gender-breakdown-of-biglaw-partner-moves/

Federal Circuit Dissents Plummet After Pauline Newman’s Ersatz Impeachment Do judges feel less safe about disagreeing with their colleagues?

Federal Circuit Dissents Plummet After Pauline Newman’s Ersatz Impeachment
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/federal-circuit-dissents-plummet-after-pauline-newmans-ersatz-impeachment/

John Roberts Suffers The Slings And Arrows Of Pure Rage Trump And the bar examiners prove once again that they don't care about anyone but themselves.

John Roberts Suffers The Slings And Arrows Of Pure Rage Trump
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/john-roberts-suffers-the-slings-and-arrows-of-pure-rage-trump/

Kathryn Ruemmler To Give House Testimony After ‘Uncle Jeffrey’ Emails Spark Firestorm Kathryn Ruemmler isn't done being dragged for her connection with Jeffrey Epstein.

Kathryn Ruemmler To Give House Testimony After ‘Uncle Jeffrey’ Emails Spark Firestorm
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/kathryn-ruemmler-to-give-house-testimony-after-uncle-jeffrey-emails-spark-firestorm/

Supreme Court Kills IEEPA Tariffs — Importers Cheer, Consumers … Not So Much Let's review how tariffs actually get collected in the United States.

Supreme Court Kills IEEPA Tariffs — Importers Cheer, Consumers … Not So Much
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/supreme-court-kills-ieepa-tariffs-importers-cheer-consumers-not-so-much/

AI Browsers: Are We Giving Up Too Much? Attorney Jess Birkin joins Jared Correia to discuss why she relies on AI to run a lean, efficient practice, yet draws a hard line on AI-enabled browsers and tools that seek access to everything. Full conversation: https://ow.ly/Sj6950Yp8n7

How Congress Is Reacting To The Iran Conflict Breaking Defense's Aaron Mehta is joined by Stacie Pettyjohn of the Center for a New American Security to discuss Sen. Tim Kaine's push for a war powers vote and how it might play out.

How Congress Is Reacting To The Iran Conflict
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/how-congress-is-reacting-to-the-iran-conflict/

Morning Docket: 03.04.26 * Judge Breyer calls out Elon Musk's lawyer for giving "false impression" to the jury in Twitter case, but she was just staying on brand as a Grok representative. [Law360] * More states consider alternative licensure paths. [ABA Journal] * Supreme Court seemed unconvinced that defendants can waive their rights to appeal and then be stuck with an arbitrary sentence. [National Law Journal] * With its sparse decision striking down California law preventing schools from outing students, the Court drapes itself in dangerous power. [Vox] * A refresher on the Court of International Trade, the folks deciding all the tariff refunds. [New York Law Journal] * Homeland Security probes alleged comments Greg Bovino made about Jewish lawyer. [Guardian]

Morning Docket: 03.04.26
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/morning-docket-03-04-26/

The Trump Administration Can’t Even Give Up Properly — See Also The DOJ Necromances Back Their Biglaw Executive Order Case: Good luck unringing the $940M bell. Remember To Bring Booze To Con Law: Gorsuch put the alcoholism back in the Founding Fathers. Skadden Gets Sanctioned In Multimillion-Dollar Case: The court found bad faith in their Virginia Action filing. White House Gets Moral Talking To From Kesha: She doesn't want her music associated with 'mak[ing] light of war.' Pro Bono Is Great, But How Bono?: Paladin and PLI help pro-bono-minded law students find their path.

The Trump Administration Can’t Even Give Up Properly — See Also
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/the-trump-administration-cant-even-give-up-properly-see-also/

Where The State Bench Pays The Best The no. 1 paying state revealed.

Where The State Bench Pays The Best
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/where-the-state-bench-pays-the-best/

Heading To Legalweek? Come Join Above The Law! - Above the Law Meet the team in NYC at our Monday night happy hour — 3/9 at 7pm. RSVP required.

Heading To Legalweek? Come Join Above The Law!

Meet the team in NYC at our Monday night happy hour — 3/9 at 7pm. RSVP required.

Register: https://ow.ly/OQS350YoP4a

How Some Law Departments Are Winning Law Firm Rate Negotiations - Above the Law Join us on March 18th at 1 p.m. ET to explore what actually drives outside counsel pricing outcomes in today’s market. CLE credit is available.

📢 Webinar Alert: How Some Law Departments Are Winning Law Firm Rate Negotiations [sponsored by PERSUIT]

Join us on March 18th at 1 p.m. ET to explore what actually drives outside counsel pricing outcomes in today’s market. CLE credit is available.

Register here: abovethelaw.com/2026/03/how-...

Justice Gorsuch: Originalism Requires We Recall That The Founders Knew How To F-ing Party A literal episode of Drunk History.

Justice Gorsuch: Originalism Requires We Recall That The Founders Knew How To F-ing Party
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/justice-gorsuch-originalism-requires-we-recall-that-the-founders-knew-how-to-f-ing-party/

Why Your Competitor Pays Half What You Do: Decoding Legal Research AI Pricing - Above the Law Your firm and your closest competitor use the same Westlaw or Lexis products. Same size, same market, same platform. One of you pays 40–50% more than the other — and it's probably you.

Why Your Competitor Pays Half What You Do: Decoding Legal Research AI Pricing. Your firm & your closest competitor use the same Westlaw or Lexis products. Same size, market & platform. One of you pays 40–50% more than the other — & it's probably you. Sponsored by Research Contract Consultants.

Trump Admin Calls ‘Backsies’ On Biglaw Executive Order Appeals Less than 24 hours later, the DOJ is attempting to reverse its surrender.

Trump Admin Calls ‘Backsies’ On Biglaw Executive Order Appeals
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/03/trump-admin-calls-backsies-on-biglaw-executive-order-appeals/