Above the Law
Breaking legal news, commentary, and analysis on the business and culture of law.
Articles from Above the Law
Experts Stress Structured Legal Data Before AI Deployment in Law Firms
Legal tech experts highlight the need for structured intelligence as a foundation before AI adoption in legal workflows to optimize results and reduce risks.
AI-Native Law Firms Use Flat Fees and Embedded Lawyers to Cut Costs
AI-native law firms like General Legal and Soxton use flat fees and embedded lawyers to streamline legal services and improve client workflows.
Elite Boutiques Outpace BigLaw with Swift Lateral Partner Moves
Elite boutique law firms lead lateral partner hiring and compensation agility, reshaping BigLaw competition in 2026.
Proprietary 'WL' Citations Raise Unique AI Hallucination Risks in Legal Research
Experts warn that proprietary 'WL' citations increase AI hallucinations, risking costly errors and sanctions in legal filings.
Winston & Strawn, Taylor Wessing Merge to Form $1.75B Transatlantic Firm
Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing merged June 2026, creating 1,400-lawyer firm Winston Taylor with $1.75B revenue, reflecting global BigLaw growth.
SCOTUS Justices Report 2025 Travel, Gifts, Royalties in Disclosures
Supreme Court justices disclosed 2025 travel gifts and over $2 million in royalties and teaching income, revealing ongoing ethics scrutiny.
Legal Ethics Update: Supreme Court Ruling, AI Guidelines, DOJ Lawsuit, Texas Rules
Key legal ethics developments include the Supreme Court's preemption ruling, AI ethics guidance in 24 jurisdictions, DOJ suing D.C. Bar, and Texas court's AI rule proposals.
Federal PACER Fees Rise 20% to Fund $750M Security Upgrade
PACER fees will increase from $0.10 to $0.12 per page in 2027 to support a $750 million cybersecurity overhaul for federal court access systems.
New Bill Caps Out-of-Pocket Costs at $5,000 for Traditional Medicare
The Medicare Cost Cap Act limits annual out-of-pocket expenses for traditional Medicare beneficiaries to $5,000, easing financial burdens for millions.
Supreme Court Expands Trump’s Power to Fire Agency Heads, Except Fed Officials
Supreme Court overturns key precedent letting Trump remove independent agency heads except Federal Reserve governors, reshaping federal governance and compliance.
Davis Polk, Cravath Match Milbank’s $225K Associate Salaries in 2026
Major U.S. law firms, led by Milbank, have increased first-year associate salaries to $225K as of July 2026, intensifying compensation competition.
Most Lawyers Use AI, But Few Firms Leverage It Strategically
While 79% of legal pros use AI tools, only 34% of law firms have formal AI policies, limiting productivity and revenue growth.
Biotech IPOs in 2026 Raise Billions Amid Selective Market Recovery
Biotech IPOs raised $5B in 2026 as firms with late-stage assets attract investors. Legal advisors should note selective market for client IPO prep.
Winston & Strawn Sees Partner Exodus in Texas Amid Merger Plans
More than a dozen partners have left Winston & Strawn's Texas offices amid its 2026 merger with Taylor Wessing, signaling internal disruption.
Boutique Firms Lead BigLaw in Speedy Associate Pay Raises
Boutique law firms in the US are outpacing BigLaw with faster, higher associate salary raises, reshaping talent management.
FBI Arrests Brooklyn Lawyer Tied to Mayor Adams in Bribery Case
Frank Carone, former chief of staff to Mayor Eric Adams, arrested on federal bribery charges involving migrant shelter contracts.
Supreme Court Denies Review of Judge Pauline Newman Suspension
Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal by Judge Pauline Newman on her 2023 suspension, raising questions about judicial oversight and judges' rights.
Perplexity AI Launches Computer for Counsel, Legal AI Platform
On June 24, 2026, Perplexity AI launched Computer for Counsel, an AI platform designed to integrate legal research and workflow tools with enterprise-level security.
Senate Panel Advances Contractor Cyber Ops Pilot in 2027 NDAA
The Senate Armed Services Committee advances provision letting contractors conduct cyber operations under US Cyber Command, reshaping defense strategy.
BigLaw Chairs Say AI Is Redefining Associate Roles and Hiring
Legal AI tools at Fried Frank, Vorys, and others are speeding associate growth and shifting hiring strategies.