Lawyers

Facebook Banned Me! Worst. Week. Ever.

David Lat — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:44:41 -0500

Last week was my worst week ever. Okay, maybe not ever, but definitely my worst week in 2008.

The trouble started on a Tuesday night. Shortly before I entered a bar to meet a friend for drinks, I updated my Facebook status on my BlackBerry, with an opinion about the upcoming Clinton-Obama debate.

As soon as my friend and I parted ways, I immediately whipped out my BlackBerry to check Facebook again. (Yes, I’m one of those people.) read more »

N.Y. Law Firms Wanna Be Just Like Obama

David Lat — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:44:53 -0500

If the major presidential candidates were top New York law firms, which ones would they be? It’s not an easy question to answer. Unlike their Washington counterparts, which are unsurprisingly more political—e.g., WilmerHale skews leftward, Wiley Rein leans right—New York firms generally lack strong partisan allegiances. This city is driven by transactional work and commercial litigation, which don’t lend themselves to politics as naturally as, say, Supreme Court and appellate litigation. But even law firms have personalities, don’t they?

Hillary Clinton: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

Everyone talks about the former first lady and junior senator from New York, but nobody wants to be her. When asked which firm best embodies Mrs. Clinton, the most common response was, “Not mine.” So whose is she? read more »

Your Complaint Has Been Filed, Counselor

David Lat — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:58:37 -0500

We’re barely a week into the new year, and you know what that means: almost 12 whole months without a raise for New York’s most beleaguered six-figurines, Big Law associates. Yet despite the jump to $160,000 a year for first-year grunts (and don’t forget those bonuses, kids!), a culture of complaint—and, sometimes, litigation—was the Big Law zeitgeist for 2007. Whence the whine wars?

As you plan your first dinner party of 2008, we round up this battle’s commanding officers, and consider whether you should have them over. read more »

Boogie, Counselor! Which Law Firm Gives Best Party?

David Lat — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:38:05 -0500

Law firm holiday parties aren’t what they used to be. In bygone days, the booze-fueled blasts yielded up tales of M&A lawyers making out with each other in darkened corners, partners dancing drunkenly with paralegals young enough to be their daughters and similarly dubious behavior.

In recent years, however, stories of scandal have become less common. Perhaps guests are more afraid of public embarrassment, now that cellphone photos of carousing legal eagles can be uploaded to the Internet in minutes. read more »

May It Please the Court? Massive Law-Firm Bonuses, Not So Much

David Lat — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:34:42 -0500

First things first: Who’s getting what? Well, it seems you don’t have to be a Supreme Court clerk anymore to leave those black robes in the dust. read more »

Cadwalader’s Strange Visitors

David Lat — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:42:57 -0400

White-shoe firm welcomes bedbugs, celebrities, and purple-clad man of mystery. read more »

Hollywood Hugs Beta Males of Law

David Lat — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:50:10 -0400

A big-budget movie about a senior associate, starring George Clooney … who’d have thought? read more »

From Bluebook to Facebook: Social Site Seduces Firmland

David Lat — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:41:54 -0400

Distracted lawyers waste billable hours yakking on Facebook. read more »