For lawyers, networking is still one of the most dependable and effective ways to generate new business and build a steady pipeline of referrals. The encouraging news is that networking confidence is a skill that improves with preparation, awareness and practice. Below are strategies to help you feel more relaxed, prepared, and authentic at networking functions in 2026.

       

"Ultimately, don't chase the position for status alone. The title won't be enough if you don't genuinely enjoy leading people, managing challenges, and driving collective success. Choose leadership because you value developing others and shaping the firm's future—not just because it's the next step up."

       

“If we reward the staff only for bringing enforcement actions, then we have discouraged the staff from determining not to recommend an enforcement action, said U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins.

       

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl said this week she planned to restrict the names and other identifying information about the jurors in the first social media addiction trial to the lawyers in the case, but not their clients.

       

Old distinctions are fast disappearing, and competition for clients and talent is happening on a larger scale, with many unsure how the market will realign—and who will survive—in the near future.

       

"Who better than a former deputy mayor who litigates to know when the city screws up and how to do something about it? So I fully expect to be back in the courtroom for challenges to government action," Mastro said in an interview.

       

Habba said in her certification that "[i]f the court of appeals en banc or the Supreme Court reverses the decisions of the Giraud panel and Chief Judge Brann, I intend to return to my prior position leading the USAO-NJ."

       

"People are gonna start being being embarrassed by not doing it if they feel that their legal services can be enhanced with the assistance of AI," said Supreme Court lawyer Adam Unikowsky.

       

"No longer would the $250,000 per-person limit be a barrier to recovery. It is, after all, per person, allowing each spouse to recover for their own damages subject to payments by the tortfeasor's insurer and the $500,000 per-occurrence limit. It would not matter that Beverly suffered no 'bodily injury' herself," the court said.

       

Armando Albarrán, who worked at Freshfields for nearly 30 years and is considered a top dealmaker, joins Gibson Dunn as the firm continues to expand in the U.K. and continental Europe.

       

"The repeated and consistent nature of Malloy's sworn falsehoods and misrepresentations during discovery threatened the integrity of this litigation particularly and the judicial process generally," the judge said.

       

Tom Goldstein, the heavyweight appellate attorney who argued more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, denies all charges in his criminal jury trial in Maryland federal court alleging he committed tax crimes and mortgage fraud while amassing large gambling debts.

       

The National Law Journal and Law.com's Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S. based law firms that have performed exemplary and cutting-edge work on behalf of plaintiffs.

       

One of Beveridge & Diamond's cofounders, Albert Beveridge, passed away earlier this month at the age of 90.

       

As crypto rules take shape, uncertainty isn't disappearing—it's transforming, with private lawsuits and new liability theories redefining some of the industry's next legal battles.

       

According to Arkansas State Rep. Nicole Clowney, the decision was driven by political differences that surfaced after Emily Suski was appointed dean, which prompted "multiple state elected officials to threaten to substantially reduce funding in the upcoming fiscal session.”

       

Nearly 150 managing partners from across the country took the time to answer questions about how the past year went, giving us deep insights into a range of hot topics such as merger interest, the likelihood of layoffs in the coming year and whether AI can help boost profitability.

       

The court applied an adverse inference against the company for failing to call two witnesses, and interpreted the parties' collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by inserting an intent requirement that was not explicitly included in the agreement. While the affirmance of an arbitration award is unsurprising, the court's discussion of these nuances warrants attention.

       

The Wall Street firm believes the changes will foster growth and retention.

       

Leaders at Slaughter and May, Macfarlanes, Travers Smith and other firms discuss the surge in Big Law mergers, and what the consolidation trend means for their sleek businesses.