Above the Law
Breaking legal news, commentary, and analysis on the business and culture of law.
Articles from Above the Law
Courts Crack Down on AI Hallucinations in Legal Filings
Courts are sanctioning lawyers for AI hallucinations that produce false legal citations, impacting case outcomes and legal practice standards.
BigLaw Firms Shift Partner Pay with Bonuses and Performance Cuts
BigLaw firms like Debevoise & Plimpton are changing partner pay with bonus pools and possible mid-year cuts, affecting retention and morale.
Attorney Relinquishes License After AI-Generated Legal Errors
A U.S. lawyer voluntarily gives up their license following submission of AI-generated court documents with fabricated citations, highlighting risks of careless AI use in law.
AI Misuse Nearly Misapplied Right to Counsel in Heppner Case
AI-generated legal documents in the Heppner case were ruled non-privileged, highlighting risks of AI errors and need for human oversight in legal tech.
Kirkland Tops $10B Revenue as BigLaw Partner Pay Gaps Widen
Kirkland & Ellis tops $10.6B revenue in 2025; BigLaw sees growing partner pay gaps and a 9.4% rise in lateral partner hiring impacting firm economics.
AI Issues Fuel Mid-Career Lawyer Turnover Risks, Thomson Reuters Finds
Thomson Reuters report reveals AI performance problems cause mid-career lawyer dissatisfaction, risking talent retention and client satisfaction in law firms.
Thomson Reuters Updates CoCounsel AI with Workspaces, Brief Builder
Thomson Reuters adds workspaces and Brief Builder AI to CoCounsel, boosting efficiency for law firms and legal departments. General release set for August 2026.
Analysis Questions Export Controls' Impact on Anthropic's Cybersecurity AI
A 30-year review shows export controls often fail to stop cybersecurity software spread, relevant as Anthropic's AI models face US export bans.
BlackBoiler Launches Veris AI Contract Review Add-in for Word
BlackBoiler's Veris integrates AI contract review and negotiation directly in Microsoft Word, streamlining workflows for legal teams.
Milbank Sparks 2026 BigLaw Pay Race with New Associate Salaries
Milbank's June 2026 associate salary hikes have triggered swift matching by firms like McDermott and Susman Godfrey, shaping BigLaw pay trends.
AI’s Legal Shake-Up Mirrors Interstate Highway Revolution
Legal professionals face transformative AI impact akin to interstate highways, reshaping practice culture and operations.
Lewis Brisbois Orders Remote Attorneys Back to Office After Cyberattack
Lewis Brisbois mandates remote attorneys return to office after June 10 cyberattack, reflecting cybersecurity and compliance challenges in BigLaw.
Gibson Dunn Leads Legal on SpaceX’s Record $75B IPO
Gibson Dunn led legal counsel for SpaceX’s historic $75 billion IPO amid complex governance and global regulations.
AI Search Changes Legal Marketing: Firms Must Rethink Client Engagement
AI-powered search is reshaping how legal clients find firms, prompting a shift from SEO to verified data strategies.
June 2026: US Restricts Foreign Access to Anthropic’s AI Models
In June 2026, the US imposed export controls on Anthropic’s Mythos 5 and Fable 5, affecting foreign use and legal compliance in AI.
BigLaw Firms Escalate 2026 Pay War with Higher Associate Salaries
In 2026, major U.S. law firms like Milbank and Susman Godfrey raise associate salaries and bonuses aggressively, intensifying recruitment competition.
Judge Denies Stay Motion, Orders Kennedy Center to Remove Trump’s Name
Judge Christopher Cooper denies stay motion, orders Kennedy Center to remove Donald Trump’s name by June 12, reaffirming legal limits on institutional naming.
Early Law Firm Recruiting Stresses Students, Risks Talent Pipeline
Accelerated law firm recruiting during 1L year harms student well-being and distorts hiring; firms and schools debate best practices for legal talent.
Boutique Firms Match Milbank's $455K Salary, Lead Litigation Rankings
Milbank and elite boutiques align associate salaries at $455K, reshaping litigation firm compensation and recruiting for legal pros.
BigLaw Profits Soar as Firms Tighten Equity Partnership Doors
Leading US law firms report record profits but limit equity partner promotions amid shifting partnership models.