Expert Analysis

• Risk Mitigation In Face Of Rising Legal Malpractice Claims

  

  As the recent rise in frequency and cost of legal malpractice claims is expected to continue amid global high inflation and economic uncertainty, law firms and insurers would be wise to evaluate key risk areas and consider six steps to minimize exposure, say Nicole Shapiro and Cory Stumpf at Atheria Law.

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  Keys To A 9-0 High Court Win: Look For Common Ground

  

  When arguing for the petitioner in Golan v. Saada before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year, a focus was placed on appealing to multiple judicial philosophies with the aim of not only winning each justice’s vote, but also achieving clear guidance from the court’s opinion, says Karen King at Morvillo Abramowitz.

• Limiting The Scope Of Representation Is Critical For Lawyers

  

  A Mississippi federal court's recent decision in Kee v. Howard L. Nations PC highlights the importance of well-written engagement letters, and shows why it is vital for attorneys to specify exactly which services they intend to supply, says Ronald Levine at Herrick Feinstein.

• Attys Shouldn't Assume Judicial Critique Is Protected Speech

  

  As it becomes more commonplace to see criticism of the judiciary in the media, licensed attorneys are well advised to remember that they may have less freedom than nonlawyers to make protected speech critical of the judiciary, says Mark Hinderks at Stinson.

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  Keys To A 9-0 High Court Win: Practicality Over Perfection

  

  When I argued for the petitioner in Wooden v. U.S. last year, I discovered that preparation is key, but so is the right kind of preparation — in giving decisive answers to the U.S. Supreme Court justices' hypothetical questions I was not aiming for perfection, just the best response available, says Allon Kedem at Arnold & Porter.

• What New Bar Exam Means For Law Students And Schools

  

  Stephanie Acosta at UWorld discusses how law students and law schools can start preparing now for the new bar exam launching in 2026, which is expected to emphasize real-world lawyering skills-based tasks over rote memorization.

• Apple's New Messaging Features Will Complicate E-Discovery

  

  Apple's newest mobile operating system allows users to edit and recall messages and recover deleted messages, which could significantly increase the time, burden and expense of processing and analyzing cellphones if messages or their associated metadata become an area of scrutiny in a case, says Jarrett Coco at Nelson Mullins.

• Law Firm Inclusion Efforts Often Overlook Business Staff

  

  Law firms committed to a culture of universal inclusion can take steps to foster a sense of belonging in their business services teams, says Jennifer Johnson at Calibrate Consulting.

• An Associate's Guide To Rebounding After A Layoff

  

  Law firm associates laid off due to economic conditions can recuperate and move forward by practicing self-care, identifying key skills to leverage during the job search, engaging in self-reflection and more, say Kate Sheikh at Major Lindsey and wellness consultant Jarrett Green.

• AML Regulation Of Lawyers Is Imminent And Controversial

  

  The U.S. House of Representatives' recently passed National Defense Authorization Act subjects lawyers engaged in certain financial-related activities to anti-money laundering regulation under the Bank Secrecy Act, which could pit lawyers against clients in ways harmful to the rule of law and administration of justice, says Jeremy Glicksman at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office in New York.

• Key Adaptations For Law Firms Amid Quiet Quitting Movement

  

  While quiet quitting may not be sustainable at law firms with billable hour requirements, there are specific steps law firms should take to maintain engagement and otherwise respond to the trend's underlying message that associates won't spend all their waking hours at work if they don't feel it's worthwhile, says Meredith Kahan at Whiteford Taylor.

• 2nd Circ. Shkreli Atty Ruling Guides On 401(k) Garnishment

  

  The Second Circuit’s recent holding that the government could garnish the 401(k) accounts of Martin Shkreli’s co-conspirator attorney shows that those facing criminal charges should prepare for the possibility that their retirement accounts may be subject to garnishment in order to satisfy restitution orders, say Brea Croteau and Edward Novak at Polsinelli.

• Creating A Hybrid Work Policy? Be Intentional And Inclusive

  

  The pandemic has changed expectations for the future of work forever, and as more employees demand hybrid working options, law firms must develop policies and models that are intentional, inclusive and iterative to lead the industry into the future, says Manar Morales at the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance.

• A Law Firm's Guide To Humane Layoffs As Recession Looms

  

  Amid warnings of a global recession, law firms should prepare for the possibility of associate layoffs, aiming for an empathetic approach and avoiding common mistakes that make the emotional impact on departing attorneys worse, say Jarrett Green, a wellness consultant, and Kate Reder Sheikh at Major Lindsey & Africa.

• What AML Bill Could Mean For Firms, Funds And FinCEN

  

  If passed, an amendment within Congress’ annual defense bill would expand the list of institutions subject to anti-money laundering regulations, from law firms to investment funds, creating potential rulemaking and enforcement challenges for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, say attorneys at Arnold & Porter.