Above the Law
Breaking legal news, commentary, and analysis on the business and culture of law.
Articles from Above the Law
BigLaw Cools Hiring Amid Deal Slump and Leans Into Tech Upskilling
BigLaw firms slow hiring as M&A and private equity deals decline, pivoting to litigation, compliance, and tech-driven associate training.
AI Sanctions, ABA Recusal Rules Mark New Era in Legal Ethics
A roundup of 2026's key legal ethics updates: record-breaking AI sanctions, judges embracing AI, and ABA clarifying lawyer duties on judicial recusal.
K&L Gates Sued for Firing Manager Soon After Disability Leave
A former K&L Gates IT manager alleges wrongful termination and a hostile work environment linked to her disability leave, raising compliance questions for BigLaw HR leaders.
Yale Loses Top Spot in U.S. News Law School Rankings After 36 Years
Yale Law School drops from No. 1 in the 2026 U.S. News rankings for the first time in 36 years, with Stanford taking the lead. Find out what this means for legal education.
UK Judge Orders Review of WilmerHale’s $35M Estate Arbitration Fees
A UK court orders WilmerHale's $35M legal bill to be assessed after rate hikes and limited client updates raise concerns. Details on BigLaw billing risks for GCs.
Justice Sotomayor Lifts Curtain on Supreme Court Divisions
Justice Sotomayor details Supreme Court discord and dissent, shedding light on judicial rifts and personal dynamics that shape legal precedents impacting all legal sectors.
Audit: AI Hallucinations Pose Ongoing Risks in Legal Research Platforms
Independent reviews confirm AI hallucinations are common in legal research tools, raising risks of errors and sanctions as firms add these systems to core workflows.
More Top Litigators Exit BigLaw for Boutique Litigation Firms
Elite litigators are leaving BigLaw for boutique firms, seeking better workload balance and client engagement, reshaping talent strategies for law firm leaders and legal recruiters.
Justice Sotomayor Warns Future Lawyers: Master AI, Heed the Ethics
Justice Sonia Sotomayor urges law students to master artificial intelligence tools but warns of ethical pitfalls and legal consequences as AI transforms the profession.
Legal Teams Face Growing Risk from AI Hallucinations
Court sanctions and state AG warnings highlight the need for legal professionals to actively oversee and manage AI hallucination risks in legal practice.
First-Gen Law Student Enrollment Drops 7% Post-Affirmative Action Ruling
Law schools saw a 7% decline in first-generation enrollment after the Supreme Court ended race-based admissions. Legal employers may face a less diverse talent pool.
Combs Appeals Sentence Citing Use of Acquitted Conduct
Sean Combs challenges his federal sentence, arguing the judge improperly used acquitted conduct, highlighting a major issue in criminal sentencing practices.
Jefferson Health Sues Aetna Over Medicare Advantage Reimbursement Policy
Jefferson Health's lawsuit against Aetna over its Medicare Advantage payment policy highlights rising legal tensions over insurer reimbursement strategies impacting providers.
Supreme Court: ISPs Need Intentional Inducement for Liability
The Supreme Court's ruling requires intentional inducement for ISP copyright liability, reshaping legal strategies and operational costs for ISPs and content providers.
Stanford Claims Top Spot in 2026 U.S. News Law School Rankings
Stanford surpasses Yale as the top U.S. law school, reflecting new ranking criteria focused on employment and bar passage rates.
Jones Explores Trump's Removal Without 25th Amendment
Alex Jones queries Robert Barnes on removing Trump without the 25th Amendment, raising questions for legal professionals on constitutional implications.
Yale and Chicago Tie for Second in 2026 Law School Rankings
Yale Law School shares the No. 2 spot with Chicago, impacting law firm recruitment strategies.
Judge Dugan's Case Fuels Calls for Judicial Ethics Reform
Judge Hannah Dugan's conviction raises concerns about judicial ethics and accountability, prompting discussions on necessary reforms in legal systems.
Judges' AI Use Raises Ethical and Legal Practice Questions
AI adoption among judges is surging, sparking ethical concerns and impacting legal practitioners.
DLA Piper Faces April 2026 Trial for Pregnancy Discrimination
DLA Piper's trial over the firing of a pregnant associate begins April 2026, spotlighting legal risks for firms in employment discrimination management.