Legal Ethics

  • March 27, 2026

    Disco Ball Theatrics Land Flat With Campaign Fraud Jury

    A defense lawyer who donned a metallic lei and held a disco ball during closing arguments did not help an attorney and former Connecticut state senator avoid guilty verdicts Friday on wire fraud and conspiracy charges connected to a BDK Law Group party prosecutors described as a campaign launch.

  • March 27, 2026

    3rd Circ. Scolds Atty For Using Client's AI Hallucinations

    In a precedential opinion Friday, a Third Circuit panel reprimanded an attorney who put his client's AI-assisted legal research into briefs without checking it, prompting one judge to remark that the punishment chosen by her colleagues wasn't harsh enough.

  • March 27, 2026

    Firms Targeted By Trump Urge DC Circ. To Uphold EO Rulings

    Four law firms targeted last year by President Donald Trump urged the D.C. Circuit on Friday to affirm lower court rulings that struck down executive orders restricting their ability to practice law, saying the directives blatantly violate the Constitution.

  • March 27, 2026

    Fla. Judge Admits To Improper 'Chopped Cotton' Remark

    A Florida state judge has agreed to a public reprimand for a series of demeaning remarks, including telling public defenders to "shut up" and questioning whether a Black defendant had "chopped cotton."

  • March 27, 2026

    Apollo, BlackRock Deny Asking Kirkland To Abandon Optimum

    Apollo, Ares, BlackRock and other major financial companies have denied Optimum Communications' claims accusing them of "bullying" Kirkland & Ellis LLP into withdrawing as the telecommunications company's transaction counsel to get revenge for a collusion lawsuit filed in New York federal court.

  • March 27, 2026

    Atty Sanctioned For AI Hallucinations In Workers' Comp Row

    A New Jersey appellate court on Friday ordered an attorney to pay $1,000 in sanctions for failing to rectify AI-hallucinated case citations pointed out to him in an appeal concerning reimbursement sought by a workers' compensation carrier.

  • March 27, 2026

    Ex-CEO Sues Former NJ AG Over Tossed RICO Case

    The former CEO of The Michaels Organization, who was indicted in New Jersey's now-dismissed criminal racketeering case against South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III, has accused former New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and other members of his office of commencing the prosecution knowing there was no probable cause.

  • March 27, 2026

    Insurer Rips Sanctions Bid In Opioid Coverage Dispute

    An insurer asked an Illinois federal court to reject a drug wholesaler's bid for sanctions in a dispute over coverage for underlying opioid litigation, saying the accusations that it intentionally destroyed pertinent evidence are, "at best, based on half-truths and misstatements of fact."

  • March 27, 2026

    NJ Federal Judge DQs Beasley Allen In J&J Talc MDL

    A New Jersey federal judge has disqualified the Beasley Allen Law Firm from representing hundreds of plaintiffs in sprawling multidistrict litigation over Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder, holding that the firm violated ethics rules by collaborating with former outside counsel for J&J, a ruling the law firm has vowed to appeal.

  • March 26, 2026

    Ex-Mich. City Workers Say Judge Erred In Trimming Vax Suit

    Former city employees of Ann Arbor, Michigan, asked a federal judge Thursday to reconsider her decision to remove religious discrimination and state civil rights claims from their suit alleging religious discrimination after they were denied COVID-19 vaccine exemptions.

  • March 26, 2026

    Atty. Conduct Gets Fraud Conviction Thrown Out By 2nd Circ.

    The Second Circuit has vacated a New York man's fraud conviction, pointing to the conduct of his former counsel, who had a private conversation with the judge in which he said he was worried the defendant was engaging in "delay tactics" that could include punching the lawyer in the head.

  • March 26, 2026

    DOJ Takes Issue With Tyson Args In Turkey Price-Fixing Fight

    The U.S. Department of Justice has urged an Illinois federal court not to take up Tyson Foods' application of a Fourth Circuit decision in the turkey processor's bid to defeat consolidated antitrust litigation against poultry producers, saying the out-of-circuit decision conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

  • March 26, 2026

    'I Don't Know': 9th Circ. Presses Verrilli On Boeing Venue Issue

    A Ninth Circuit judge rehearing an appeal involving a $72 million trade secret verdict against Boeing on Thursday pressed the company's counsel Donald B. Verrilli Jr. of Munger Tolles & Olson LLP to explain why the aerospace giant never previously argued the case belongs in the Federal Circuit, and Verrilli conceded he didn't know the reason.

  • March 26, 2026

    White & Case Staffer Sues Firm Over Nude Photo Ridicule

    A White & Case LLP staffer sued the law firm in New York state court Wednesday, alleging the firm's purported "hostile work environment" shielded his colleagues after they allegedly shared nude photos of him, which he claims were taken by his supervisor while he was unconscious at a firm-sponsored party.

  • March 26, 2026

    FBI Agent Doesn't Have To Testify In Ga. Ballot Fight

    The FBI special agent behind the bureau's seizure of 2020 election records from Fulton County, Georgia, will not have to testify in an upcoming evidentiary hearing in the county's suit seeking return of the materials, a federal judge said Thursday.

  • March 26, 2026

    Penny Stock Seller Says SEC Fraud Claim Fails Without Victim

    Western Bankers Capital Inc. and the estate of its operator have urged a New York federal judge to grant them an early win in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission suit alleging they and others reaped nearly $6 million in illicit proceeds by selling unregistered penny stocks, in part because they say they were a victim of the alleged scheme.

  • March 26, 2026

    Atty Group Backs Newman's Suspension Fight At High Court

    The Bar Association of the District of Columbia has thrown its support behind Federal Circuit Judge Pauline Newman's U.S. Supreme Court challenge to the suspension imposed on her by her colleagues, saying it's doing so on behalf of those who are afraid that supporting her publicly will harm their careers.

  • March 26, 2026

    Akin Must Explain Client's 'Self-Indulgent' 9th Circ. Appeal

    Upholding a foreign arbitration award against a wine importer, the Ninth Circuit on Thursday ordered its attorneys at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP to explain why they and their client shouldn't pay their opponent's attorney fees for bringing a "frivolous" and "self-indulgent" appeal.

  • March 26, 2026

    McDonald Hopkins Must Produce Fraud Warning Docs

    Midwestern law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC must produce email communications in connection with litigation accusing Blue Cross units of a smear campaign against a clinical lab owner, an Ohio federal judge ruled, finding the documents were not protected by work product or attorney-client privilege.

  • March 26, 2026

    Pa. High Court Nixes Convictions Over Use Of Silent Witness

    Pennsylvania's highest court vacated a man's drug and gun crime convictions Thursday due to prejudice, finding that a witness who had no intent to testify should never have been questioned before the jury by the prosecutor.

  • March 26, 2026

    NC Suit Says Real Estate Co. Cyberattack Notice Took Months

    A real estate company faces a purported class action in North Carolina's Business Court accusing the firm of waiting months to notify its customers of a data breach in September and failing to disclose what kind of information was stolen.

  • March 26, 2026

    Bill To Give Admin More Control Over US Attys Advances

    A Republican-led bill that would give the executive branch more authority over the installation of U.S. attorneys was advanced out of a House committee Thursday.

  • March 26, 2026

    Troutman, Former Associate Fight Over Scope Of Bias Trial

    Weeks ahead of an anticipated May trial over discrimination and retaliation claims brought by a former Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP associate, the firm and its onetime employee are sparring over the scope of evidence that may be presented at trial.

  • March 26, 2026

    Shutts & Bowen Must Face DQ Bid In Fla. Real Estate Dispute

    A Florida state appeals court on Wednesday revived a bid to disqualify Shutts & Bowen LLP from representing a member of a real estate business in a dispute with his fellow owners, saying a trial court improperly barred certain testimony before rejecting the disqualification motion.

  • March 26, 2026

    Watchdog Suit Seeking NJ AG Ethics Training Docs Revived

    A New Jersey appellate panel on Thursday revived a government watchdog's suit over the state attorney general's office's denial of its public records request for attorney ethics training materials, ruling the trial court should have conducted an in camera review of the requested documents before dismissing the complaint.

Expert Analysis

  • 4 Ways Women Attorneys Can Build A Legal Legacy

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    This Women’s History Month, women attorneys should consider what small, day-to-day actions they can take to help leave a lasting impact for future generations, even if it means mentoring one person or taking 10 minutes to make a plan, says Jackie Prester, a former shareholder at Baker Donelson.

  • Why A Rare SEC Dismissal May Not Reflect A New Approach

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    While the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's pending dismissal of its case against Silver Point is remarkable to the extent that it reflects a novel repudiation of a decision made during the prior commission, a deeper look suggests it may not represent a shift in policy approach, say attorneys at Weil.

  • A Judge's Pointers For Adding Spice To Dry Legal Writing

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    U.S. District Judge Fred Biery shares a few key lessons about how to go against the grain of the legal writing tradition by adding color to bland judicial opinions, such as by telling a human story and injecting literary devices where possible.

  • 9 Considerations For Orgs Using AI Meeting Assistants

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    When deciding to use artificial intelligence meeting assistants, organizations must create and implement a written corporate policy that establishes the do's and don'ts for these assistants, taking into account individualized business operations, industry standards and legal and regulatory requirements, say attorneys at Faegre Drinker.

  • A Reminder On Avoiding Improper Venues In Patent Cases

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    A Texas federal court's recent decision in the Symbology and Quantum cases shows that baseless patent venue allegations may be subject to serious Rule 11 sanctions, providing venue-vetting takeaways for plaintiffs and defendants, say attorneys at Bond Schoeneck.

  • 7 Tips For Associates To Thrive In Hybrid Work Environments

    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
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    As the vast majority of law firms have embraced some type of hybrid work policy, associates should consider a few strategies to get the most out of both their in-person and remote workdays, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

  • Series

    Playing Beach Volleyball Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    My commitment to beach volleyball has become integral to my performance as an attorney, with the sport continually reminding me that teamwork, perseverance, professionalism and stress management are essential to both undertakings, says Amy Drushal at Trenam.

  • How Law Firms Can Counteract The Loneliness Epidemic

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    The legal industry is facing an urgent epidemic of loneliness, affecting lawyer well-being, productivity, retention and profitability, and law firm leaders should take concrete steps to encourage the development of genuine workplace connections, says Michelle Gomez at Littler and Gwen Mellor Romans at Herald Talent.

  • 5 Keys To Building Stronger Attorney-Client Relationships

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    Attorneys are often focused on being seen as the expert, but bonding with clients and prospects by sharing a few key personal details provides the basis for a caring, trusted and profoundly deeper business relationship, says Deb Feder at Feder Development.

  • What SDNY Judge Can And Can't Do In Adams Case

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    The federal judge in the Southern District of New York overseeing the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams deferred making a decision on the government's motion to dismiss the indictment, and while he does have limited authority to deny the motion, that would ultimately be a futile gesture, says Ethan Greenberg at Anderson Kill.

  • Series

    Racing Corvettes Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    The skills I use when racing Corvettes have enhanced my legal practice in several ways, because driving, like practicing law, requires precision, awareness and a good set of brakes — complete with the wisdom to know how and when to use them, says Kat Mateo at Olshan Frome.

  • Opinion

    Attorneys Must Act Now To Protect Judicial Independence

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    Given the Trump administration's recent moves threatening the independence of the judiciary, including efforts to impeach judges who ruled against executive actions, lawyers must protect the rule of law and resist attempts to dilute the judicial branch’s authority, says attorney Bhavleen Sabharwal.

  • Rethinking 'No Comment' For Clients Facing Public Crises

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    “No comment” is no longer a cost-free or even a viable public communications strategy for companies in crisis, and counsel must tailor their guidance based on a variety of competing factors to help clients emerge successfully, says Robert Bowers at Moore & Van Allen.

  • How Design Thinking Can Help Lawyers Find Purpose In Work

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    Lawyers everywhere are feeling overwhelmed amid mass government layoffs, increasing political instability and a justice system stretched to its limits — but a design-thinking framework can help attorneys navigate this uncertainty and find meaning in their work, say law professors at the University of Michigan.

  • Series

    Competitive Weightlifting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    The parallels between the core principles required for competitive weightlifting and practicing law have helped me to excel in both endeavors, with each holding important lessons about discipline, dedication, drive and failure, says Damien Bielli at VF Law.

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