Above the Law
Breaking legal news, commentary, and analysis on the business and culture of law.
Articles from Above the Law
Legal Tech-To-English Dictionary 2.0 Adds 50 New AI Terms for Lawyers
The Legal Tech-To-English Dictionary 2.0 released June 1, 2026, with clear AI definitions to support lawyers adopting legal AI technology.
Top Law Firm Awards Summer Bonuses Up to $35K in 2026 Pay Push
In June 2026, a leading law firm gave summer bonuses up to $35,000, highlighting rising pay trends affecting legal recruitment and retention.
Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Merge, Launching New Global Law Firm
Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader merged on June 1, 2026, creating a $3.9B firm amid an industry consolidation wave impacting global legal services.
Davis Polk Junior Lawyer Billed $1,410/Hr in Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy
Davis Polk billed a junior attorney $1,410/hour in Spirit Airlines bankruptcy, highlighting rising BigLaw fees impacting corporate legal budgets.
AI Hallucinations in Legal Review Spur Call for Human Oversight
New reports reveal AI hallucinations in legal reviews risk case outcomes, urging firms to double down on human verification and safeguards.
Federal Judge Privately Reprimanded for Affair, Keeps Seat
A federal judge received a private reprimand for an affair and false statements, raising questions on judicial ethics enforcement.
Legal Industry Sees Surge in Mid-Year Bonuses, Signaling Strong 2026
Data reveals significant increase in 2026 mid-year bonuses for legal professionals, highlighting robust law firm health and talent retention efforts.
Kirkland & Ellis Launches $500M AI Platform Investment
Kirkland & Ellis commits $500M over 3-4 years to build proprietary AI to enhance legal services and client work across practices.
DOJ Probes E. Jean Carroll for Alleged Perjury on Funding Statements
DOJ investigates E. Jean Carroll for alleged perjury regarding third-party funding in deposition, raising legal ethics and accountability concerns.
BigLaw Lateral Hires Surpass Entry-Level for First Time in 2025
In 2025, BigLaw firms hired more lateral associates than entry-level lawyers, reshaping legal careers and talent strategies amid AI adoption.
Plaintiffs Use AI Tools for Evidence and Document Review in Injury Cases
Plaintiffs’ attorneys adopt AI tools like Caseflow and VerdictFlow to boost evidence analysis and streamline personal injury lawsuits.
Kirkland Managing Partner Calls for Mental Health Openness to Combat Burnout
Kirkland's Jon Ballis urges open mental health dialogue to reduce legal burnout and improve retention amid rising stress in law firms.
Three Health Systems Sue CVS Over $250M 340B Drug Pricing Scheme
Mount Sinai, Michigan, and Kansas health systems sue CVS Health alleging $250M diverted from 340B drug savings between 2020-2025.
Supreme Court Rejects Meta’s Appeal in Vermont Instagram Algorithm Case
The Supreme Court declined Meta’s appeal in Vermont’s lawsuit over Instagram algorithms, allowing legal scrutiny of social media’s impact on youth mental health.
Anthropic’s Claude AI Expands Legal Aid Access with New Integrations
Anthropic launches Claude AI legal plugins and partnerships to enhance legal aid and law firm workflows, boosting access to justice with tailored AI tools.
In-house Teams Lead Litigation, Challenging Law Firms' Roles
In-house legal teams increasingly initiate litigation, prompting firms to rethink strategies amid shifting client dynamics.
Two BigLaw Attorneys Shot Outside Raleigh Courthouse
Two Fox Rothschild attorneys were shot outside Old Wake County Courthouse after a civil hearing, raising safety concerns in the legal community.
Debevoise Adds Bonus Pool to Lockstep Partner Pay Model
Debevoise & Plimpton introduces a partner bonus pool, updating its lockstep compensation to reward performance and lateral hires amid evolving BigLaw pay trends.
Law Firm AI Adoption Lags as In-House Legal Accelerates
Just 34% of law firms have formally adopted AI, while 87% of general counsel use AI tools in-house. The gap signals risks for law firms facing client pressure for tech transparency.
Quinn Emanuel Fined $3M, Ordered to Create Ethics Training After Court Sanction
A federal court fined Quinn Emanuel $3M and ordered it to create an ethics class for attorneys after misleading conduct in a pharma lawsuit, spotlighting BigLaw ethics risks.