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."

       

The incoming New York City mayor also reiterated his desire to rapidly expand the city's law department, saying "there's a clear need for a few hundred additional lawyers."

       

“Mr. Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks are extremely pleased with this ruling, said Steve Best, partner and chair of Brown Rudnick's white-collar defense, investigations and compliance practice group.

       

       

Eight Big Law firms recruited partners from K&L Gates, Holland & Knight and others to open offices in three cities.

       

Big Law firms ramped up their lateral machinery, making group laterals and lift-outs a key part of their playbooks in 2025.

       

Nekia Hackworth Jones was among the Securities and Exchange Commission's highest-ranking Black lawyers. She led the agency's Atlanta Regional Office before becoming one of the Division of Enforcement's four deputy directors in April.

       

This year, Mayer Brown has increased its lateral partner hires, from 26 to 56, by leaning on practice leaders to recruit and emphasizing six particular areas it says touch high-value sectors.

       

Law schools are partnering with legal tech companies and tapping innovators to guide them in using rapidly developing technology.