When the federal government first shut down on Oct. 1, many facets of the legal industry chugged along uninterrupted.

       

Crenshaw's exit leaves the commission without a Democratic holdover at a moment of sharp policy change under Chairman Paul S. Atkins, whose leadership has emphasized industry flexibility and reduced enforcement—an approach Crenshaw repeatedly warned could expose investors to heightened risk.

       

Student associations and governments from 18 law schools signed a joint letter that asserts "accelerated timelines have also begun to undermine legal education, student and staff well-being, and the recruitment market."

       

Lichtenstein was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his involvement in a money-laundering conspiracy stemming from the hack and theft of approximately 120,000 Bitcoin from the global cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex.

       

Law Crossing found the overall employment rate was 87.1%, the median starting salary for all graduates was $95,000, the average cost of a three-year program was $217,480, with a national average first-time bar passage rate of 78%.

       

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier had argued that letting lawyers who want to work for the government hold Florida Bar membership for up to three years without having to take the state's Bar exam would address staffing issues and allow the state government to tap top talent.

       

In Cline v. Sunoco, Inc. R&M, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit largely affirmed the federal district court's rulings certifying a class and awarding damages, and in the process, adopted the majority test for determining whether the class members are ascertainable.        

While Linklaters is the fastest grower, it is also hosts the smallest U.S. presence of the trio, the latest LLP accounts show.

       

Despite white-collar defense practice shifts, several firm leaders said 2025 was a busy year for their D.C. offices, with higher education, trade and investigations practices staying active.

       

The merger gives Taft a new presence in Atlanta and a second office in Washington, D.C.

       

"Balancing requires the ability to prioritize, trust in your team and practice effective delegation. I have immense trust and respect for Nadira Clarke, my co-leader for the group; being able to share the burden and lead with a trusted compatriot is a winning formula. (...) In particular, we work closely with our partners and associates to share responsibilities and empower people to lead initiatives. You can't do it all yourself."

       

Here, Law.com takes a look at what securities litigators are paying attention to in 2026.

       

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission invited white men who have experienced workplace discrimination based on race or sex to contact the agency.

       

Brandon Fisher says he's outraged that Boeing is trying to blame the flight crew that heroically kept the plane from crashing for an incident that was entirely the aircraft-maker's fault.

       

The Legal Accountability Project, which advocates for law clerks, stated in a news release Tuesday that its complaint is based on information it received from several former clerks raising concerns about Sarah A.L. Merriam's workplace conduct.        

Sources did not disclose a payment date or hours requirements, though King & Spalding said earlier this year it required associates to reach the industry standard of 1,950 billable hours to be eligible for bonuses.

       

In Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia, the top schools didn't fare as well compared to lower-ranked schools for July 2025 bar passage rates.

       

"My CEO is saying, 'How are you managing your budget? Can't you use AI? Let head count be flat next year,'" said Lisa Roberts, general counsel of Stax Payments.

       

Once unthinkable, private equity reshaped the legal market in 2025. These five PE investment models explain why 2026 may be the year Big Law can no longer hold the line.

       

"Start by leading from where you are. Take ownership, mentor others, and think beyond your own docket. Leadership is about mindset—being proactive, collaborative, and committed to the success of the team as a whole. And there's no better way to position yourself for a leadership position you want than demonstrating those qualities in the positions that you already occupy."