Expert Analysis

• Advice For 1st-Gen Lawyers Entering The Legal Profession

  

  Nikki Hurtado at The Ferraro Law Firm tells her story of being a first-generation lawyer and how others who begin their professional journeys without the benefit of playbooks handed down by relatives can turn this disadvantage into their greatest strength.

• FTC Focus: When Green Goals And Antitrust Law Collide

  

  A recently concluded Federal Trade Commission investigation has turned an emissions deal involving major U.S. heavy-duty truck manufacturers that was brokered by the California Air Resources Board into a cautionary tale about the potential for environmental agreements to run afoul of competition rules, say attorneys at Proskauer.

• How Bankruptcy Law Caps Landlords' Rejected Lease Claims

  

  With corporate bankruptcy filings for the first half of the year at a 15-year high, landlords should be prepared for commercial tenants to use the bankruptcy process to reject unwanted leases in order to lessen corporate footprints and improve liquidity, say attorneys at Mintz.

• Series

  Coaching Cheerleading Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  At first glance, cheerleading and litigation may seem like worlds apart, but both require precision, adaptability, leadership and the ability to stay composed under pressure — all of which have sharpened how I approach my work in the emotionally complex world of mass torts and personal injury, says Rashanda Bruce at Robins Kaplan.

• How To Address Tariff-Related Risks In Commercial Contracts

  

  Companies' commercial agreements may not clearly prescribe which party bears the risks and consequences of tariff-related fallout, but cases addressing common-law defenses and force majeure have one key takeaway, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

• Series

  Law School's Missed Lessons: How To Make A Deal

  

  Preparing lawyers for the nuances of a transactional practice is not a strong suit for most law schools, but, in practice, there are six principles that can help young M&A lawyers become seasoned, trusted deal advisers, says Chuck Morton at Venable.

• A New IP Game Plan For College Football Players

  

  For college stars navigating their first season under the newly implemented settlement in House v. NCAA and new NFL recruits, securing trademark rights isn't just a savvy business move — it's essential for building and protecting a personal brand that can outlast their playing days, says Ryan Loveless at CM Law.

• 11th Circ. Ruling Shows Federal Question Jurisdiction Limits

  

  The Eleventh Circuit's recent decision in AST Science v. Delclaux shows why it is extremely difficult for litigants to maintain a state law cause of action in federal court under Supreme Court precedent, says Paul Avron at Berger Singerman.

• From Clerkship To Law Firm: 5 Transition Tips For Associates

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  Transitioning from a judicial clerkship to an associate position at a law firm may seem daunting, but by using knowledge gained while clerking, being mindful of key differences and taking advantage of professional development opportunities, these attorneys can flourish in private practice, say attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler.

• Associates Can Earn Credibility By Investing In Relationships

  

  As the class of 2025 prepares to join law firms this fall, new associates must adapt to office dynamics and establish credible reputations — which require quiet, consistent relationship-building skills as much as legal acumen, says Kyle Forges at Bast Amron.

• Opinion

  The Fallout Of Drake's Defamation Suit Against UMG

  

  Hip-hop duo Clipse's recent comeback was caught in the undertow of the ongoing Drake v. Universal Music Group defamation litigation, which points to the troubling possibility that if labels can be held liable for promoting allegedly defamatory lyrics, they may preemptively sanitize content to avoid lawsuits, says Henry Williams IV at Gordon Rees.

• Lessons From 7th Circ.'s Deleted Chat Sanctions Ruling

  

  The Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in Pable v. Chicago Transit Authority, affirming the dismissal of an ex-employee’s retaliation claims, highlights the importance of properly handling the preservation of ephemeral messages and clarifies key sanctions issues, says Philip Favro at Favro Law.

• Series

  Quilting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Turning intricate patterns of fabric and thread into quilts has taught me that craftsmanship, creative problem-solving and dedication to incremental progress are essential to creating something lasting that will help another person — just like in law, says Veronica McMillan at Kramon & Graham.

• 2 Appellate Rulings Offer Clickwrap Enforcement Road Map

  

  Two recent decisions from the Fourth and Eleventh Circuits in cases involving Experian signal that federal appellate courts are recognizing clickwrap agreements' power in spite of their simplicity, and offer practical advice on how companies can sufficiently demonstrate notice and assent when attempting to enforce contractual terms, says Brian Willett at Saul Ewing.

• SDNY Ruling Reinforces Joint Steering Committee Obligations

  

  The recent Southern District of New York decision in ChemImage v. Johnson & Johnson makes joint steering committees a valuable tool in strategic relationships, as provisions for such committees can now be wielded to demand attention to core issues, say Lisa Bernstein at the University of Chicago Law School, and Reginald Goeke and Brad Peterson at Mayer Brown.