The WARN Act: Understanding the Requirements for Advance Notice of Plant Closings and Mass Layoffs The WARN Act is a federal law that requires employers to provide advance notice and planning mechanisms to their workforce and communities in the event of a qualified “plant closing” or “mass layoff.” Employers with 100 or more full-time employees must provide written notice at least 60 calendar days in advance of covered plant closings and mass layoffs. Certain...
Bloomberg Law's Law School Innovation Program: A Look at the Finalists' Innovations As the legal and business worlds evolve, law schools must adapt to provide students with a more comprehensive education that prepares them for their post-graduation careers. To recognize and support these efforts, Bloomberg Law created the Law School Innovation Program, which received nearly 90 applications from more than 60 schools in 27 states. A team of evaluators...
CLOs Expect a Decrease in Hiring and Increased Investment in Legal Operations The annual chief legal officer (CLO) survey by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and Exterro shows that hiring is expected to decrease while investment in legal operations will remain a strategic priority. According to the survey, which is based on input from 892 legal chiefs, mostly in the United States, only 38% of CLOs plan to hire lawyers this year, a decrease...
E-Discovery Provider DISCO to Lay Off 9% of Workforce in Cost-Reduction Initiative Legal tech company DISCO announced plans to lay off 62 employees, or 9% of its global staff, as stated in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 19, 2023. The layoffs are part of cost-reduction initiatives aimed at improving the company's profitability. The company estimates that the layoffs will result in non-recurring charges of approximately $0.9 million to $1.1... (1 views)
Managing and Retaining Top Talent in a Competitive Legal Market In today's competitive legal market, managing and retaining top talent is essential for law firms to stay ahead of the game. Attracting and keeping top lawyers and legal professionals can be a challenge, as the demand for their skills is high and they have many options to choose from.
Lawyer Hiring Outlook for 2023: Opportunities Still Available, But Move Quickly Hiring for lawyers in both in-house and law firm positions is not expected to be as high as in the past two years, but it should still be a good year, according to placement specialists in an Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) chapter webcast. The technology sector, in particular, was over-hired in the past two years and experienced layoffs in the last quarter of 2022.... (2 views)
Goodwin Procter Expands Philadelphia Office with Hires from Troutman Pepper Goodwin Procter, a U.S. law firm, announced on Monday that it has recruited 14 partners from its competitor, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders. The group includes a former senior leader and key partners who lead the health sciences and healthcare transactions practices. These partners will be joining Goodwin Procter in various offices, including a new location in... (4 views)
New Jersey State Bar Association Calls for Quick Action to Fill Judicial Vacancies and Support New Law Graduates The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) is calling for action to quickly fill the state's judicial vacancies, which is causing a shortage of judges. NJSBA President Jeralyn L. Lawrence has been advocating for this since the start of her term. However, an important aspect of the vacancy crisis that has not been properly addressed is the lost opportunities for recent... (1 views)
The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Amended: What it Means for Employee Data Subject Access Requests The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) has been amended to give current and former employees of California-based businesses the right to request details of personal information collected about them and request the permanent deletion of that information. This is similar to the data privacy provisions in Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and was a key...
Defense Attorneys Seek Removal of Plaintiff's Attorneys in California and New Jersey Wage Class Action Law360 (January 20, 2023, 4:22 PM EST) -- The defense attorneys in a wage class action in California and New Jersey want the plaintiffs' attorneys removed from the suit, accusing them of systematically abusing pro hac vice status to build a wage-and-hour practice in California despite being based in Florida. (1 views)
New Pay Transparency Laws in California, Washington, Colorado, and New York In 2023, significant changes to pay transparency laws are being implemented throughout the country. Those in favor of pay transparency argue that including salary information in job descriptions is beneficial for both employers and potential candidates. It can save employers time and provide valuable information to job seekers, while also promoting fairness and equality in...
Navigating Cultural Conflicts: Schools Struggle to Support Transgender Children and Their Families Jessica Bradshaw discovered that her 15-year-old had transitioned at school after she saw a homework assignment with a new name on it. When she asked about it, the teenager revealed that for the past six months, teachers and administrators at his high school in Southern California had been addressing him with male pronouns and allowing him to use the boys' bathroom, all at... (4 views)
Mark Alexander, Incoming AALS President, Discusses the Changing Nature of Law School Applicants and the Future of Legal Education Mark Alexander, the incoming president of the Association of American Law Schools and the first African American dean at the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University, sat down with U.S. News to discuss the changing nature of law school applicants and the future of legal education. He shared that his theme for his 2023 presidency will be “defending... (4 views)
US Supreme Court Examines Dual-Purpose Communications in Attorney-Client Privilege Case On January 9, 2023, the US Supreme Court discussed in oral arguments how federal courts should decide if the attorney-client privilege applies to communications with dual purposes. The main issue being considered is whether or not communications with dual purposes are covered by the attorney-client privilege. The Court's decision could affect the way attorneys give advice...
State of the Legal Industry: Facing Challenges, but Opportunities Ahead The 2023 Report on the State of the Legal Market, released by the Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession at Georgetown Law and the Thomson Reuters Institute on January 10th, is more relevant than ever as we enter a year of uncertainty. The report confirms this and will delve into specific points, but it's important to remember that contractions in the legal industry are...
Arkansas Legislative Subcommittee Approves Salary Increases for State Officials and New Staff Classifications The Joint Budget Committee's legislative personnel subcommittee approved salary increases for heads of state agencies on Thursday and also granted a request for new pay classifications for five members of the governor's staff. The increases will not require funding beyond the authorized appropriations, according to state personnel director Kay Barnhill. The panel approved... (1 views)
University of South Florida's President Rhea Law Outlines Vision for University's Future Growth University of South Florida's eighth president, Rhea Law, outlined her vision for the university during her inauguration speech at the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. In her address to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Tampa Bay community, Law shared plans to take the university to the next level, which include building on three academic areas of...
Bar Exams in South Dakota: An Unequal Playing Field for Attorneys? On Wednesday, the state's top judicial official requested that lawmakers refrain from making any changes to the bar admission process while a committee studies it. However, within hours, a lawmaker announced her intention to file a bill that would alter the bar exam. Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, a Republican from Spearfish, proposed that graduates of the University of South... (4 views)
Navigating Employment Law Compliance in Remote Recruiting: Tips for Managing Pay Transparency, Background Checks, and Data As we begin 2023, companies need to expand their employment law compliance efforts to include recruiting. With more companies allowing employees to work remotely, they may now employ workers throughout the U.S. and beyond, resulting in a patchwork of national, state, and local laws to navigate. Recruiting practices are also facing increased legal scrutiny and potential...
Understanding the Latest Pay Transparency Laws in the US for 2023 With growing interest from lawmakers, regulations on the amount of salary information employers must disclose to job applicants are becoming more common. California, Rhode Island, and Washington have implemented new "pay transparency" laws as of January 1, 2023, and New York State will follow suit in September 2023. Other areas, such as Colorado and New York City, have... (2 views)
Legal Immigration: A Solution to the Widespread Job Vacancy Crisis A widespread issue in plain view. Companies of all sizes and sectors are facing a similar predicament: they have many vacancies but not enough qualified candidates to fill them. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of November 1st, there were approximately 10 million open jobs and 6 million unemployed individuals. While various factors such as the Covid-19... (1 views)
Why Attorneys Leave the Practice of Law: A Comprehensive Look Summary: Burnout is a common factor in attorneys leaving the practice of law, due to long hours, tight deadlines, and high levels of responsibility. Job dissatisfaction, including feeling undervalued or unsupported by colleagues or superiors and feeling that work is not personally fulfilling, can drive attorneys to leave the profession. Financial concerns, including the... (2 views)
Why Attorneys Get Disbarred: Understanding the Risks and Consequences Attorneys may be disbarred for engaging in unethical or illegal conduct. Disbarment may be the result of a criminal conviction or a finding of professional misconduct by a regulatory body. The consequences of disbarment can be severe, including the loss of the right to practice law and potential damage to an attorney's reputation. (104 views)
Notable Attorneys in American History: A Look at Some of the Most Famous Legal Figures in the United States Notable attorneys in American history have made a lasting impact on society, from Thurgood Marshall’s role as the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States to Clarence Darrow's leadership in the labor movement. F. Lee Bailey, Johnnie Cochran, and Gloria Allred are also examples of successful attorneys who have represented high-profile... (1 views)
Building a Recession-Resistant Legal Career: Exploring the Most Stable Practice Areas for Attorneys Summary: Criminal defense tends to be a relatively recession-proof practice area, as there is always a need for attorneys to defend individuals accused of crimes. Bankruptcy law is another practice area that tends to be stable during economic downturns, as the number of individuals and businesses seeking bankruptcy protection often increases. Government and public interest... (11 views)
The Top 10 Reasons Why Being a Lawyer Is Not Worth It Lawyers face unique challenges, including negative stereotypes, billing pressures, and limited opportunities for creativity and mobility. Nonetheless, a successful legal career can be achievable with the right tools and mindset. Volunteering, connecting with other legal professionals, prioritizing work-life balance, and using accurate billing software will help attorneys...
Which is Best for Your Legal Career — Big Law Firm Partner or Associate? This article looks at the differences between being an associate or partner in a law firm. Associates can expect a certain amount of money, are secure as long as they stay busy, the firm is doing well, and have an easier time making lateral moves with excellent credentials. On the other hand, partners face pressure to keep clients happy while meeting the firm’s demands,...
Law Students: Here's How to Stand Out During Your Job Search This article provides an overview of the law student job search process. It offers advice on creating a successful resume, crafting an effective objective, and demonstrating the qualities law firms seek. It also emphasizes the importance of researching legal jobs, updating resumes and cover letters, and perfecting interview skills. With dedication and hard work, this...
Litigation Finance Industry Matures and Expands Across the US and in Law Schools In 2023, Ralph Sutton, CEO, and founder of Validity Finance examines the development of the litigation finance industry, including its recognition as a reputable field and expansion into new regions and law school curriculums. He emphasizes that insurance brokers will play a crucial role in minimizing risk for investors and increasing profits. Despite any potential...