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Also, the role of bar associations in 2025. ----- According to a new survey, lawyers think their law firms are really tolerant of jerks. Are they right about that, or just overly sensitive? The DC Bar election ended in a blowout, but why? For all the complaining about some wild theories on social media, the simpler reason is that leading a bar association in 2025 means standing up to the administration and Pam Bondi's brother never convinced the members that he'd be able to do that. In fact, the right-wing fear of strong bar associations has gotten so serious that the Florida supreme court actively kneecapped their state bar. And we talk about attending David Lat's Original Jurisdiction party, which you should also be reading.
According to a new survey, lawyers think their law firms are really tolerant of jerks. Are they right about that, or just overly sensitive? The DC Bar election ended in a blowout, but why? For all the complaining about some wild theories on social media, the simpler reason is that leading a bar association in 2025 means standing up to the administration and Pam Bondi's brother never convinced the members that he'd be able to do that. In fact, the right-wing fear of strong bar associations has gotten so serious that the Florida supreme court actively kneecapped their state bar. And we talk about attending David Lat's Original Jurisdiction party, which you should also be reading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.June is my favorite month—because it marks the start of my favorite season, contains my birthday (now a national holiday), and happens to be LGBTQ Pride Month. In recognition of the occasion, I wanted to interview a leading LGBTQ lawyer, ideally someone working on a matter in the news. A recent guest on my podcast, noted technology litigator Neel Chatterjee, gave me a great idea. In discussing a pro bono matter that he was proud of, representing a gay couple that wanted to work with an adoption agency that refused to work with same-sex couples, he talked about the privilege of working with “one of the best lawyers I've ever worked with in my life”: Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (now the National Center for LGBTQ Rights—on Monday, NCLR announced its name change).Shannon was an excellent guest for another reason: he's working on a headline-making case. He represents the plaintiffs in Talbot v. United States, a challenge to the Trump administration's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. And despite some reasons for concern, including the fact that the Supreme Court granted emergency relief to the Trump administration in a different (but distinguishable) case involving the ban, Shannon believes that when the courts take a closer look at the issue, they will be persuaded by his clients' case.Thanks to Shannon for his insight and candor, as well as his many years of tireless work in support of LGBTQ rights and equality.Show Notes:* Shannon Minter bio, National Center for LGBTQ Rights* Shannon Minter bio, Wikipedia* Shannon Minter interview, by Mason Funk for OUTWORDSPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.Is it just me, or are crises popping up all over the place? Major corporations, top law firms, and leading universities—among many other institutions—seem to be lurching from one crisis to another. And they need help—often from lawyers and law firms.So it was an opportune time for me to welcome to the podcast one of the nation's leading experts on crisis management: Debra Wong Yang, a longtime partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where she chairs the crisis-management practice. Before joining Gibson, Debra served as U.S. attorney for the Central District of California (aka Los Angeles), and before that, she spent five years as a California state-court judge. These experiences equipped her well to help clients navigate some very challenging situations—a number of which we cover in our conversation.If you're involved in leading an organization that could face a crisis in the future—which is pretty much every organization—you'll benefit from hearing about Debra's experiences in the trenches, as well as her advice on how to prepare for a possible crisis. My thanks to Deb for taking the time to share what she's learned over her long and distinguished legal career.Show Notes:* Debra Wong Yang bio, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP* Legends Limelight: Debra Wong Yang, by Katrina Dewey for Lawdragon* The Choice, by Katharine Whittemore for Boston College Law School MagazinePrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
In a special live Advisory Opinions x SCOTUSblog crossover event, Sarah Isgur was joined by David French, David Lat, Zachary Shemtob, and Amy Howe (live from the Supreme Court), to react to the oral argument in Trump v. CASA, Inc. The question: Whether the Supreme Court should stay the district court's nationwide preliminary injunction on the Trump administration's executive order ending birthright citizenship. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.I'm very proud of the guests I've hosted on the Original Jurisdiction podcast, who are some of the most interesting and influential figures in the world of law. But I recently noticed a significant gap in their ranks: I've never hosted the general counsel or chief legal officer of a publicly traded company.To remedy this, I went big: I interviewed Sandra Leung, who recently stepped down as executive vice president and general counsel of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), the biopharmaceutical giant that's both a Fortune 100 and S&P 100 company. Sandy worked for BMS for almost 33 years, 18 of them as GC—so she's an expert on the crucial role of in-house counsel, with lots of wise advice for GCs and CLOs. At the same time, as a former GC, she was willing to address hot-button topics that many sitting GCs might steer clear of—such as the Trump administration's executive orders targeting law firms, including how these orders should affect the thinking of GCs when considering which law firms to hire as outside counsel.This interview is also timely because May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—and Sandy, a past president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), is a longtime leader in the AANHPI community. In our conversation, we discussed why she has devoted so much of her time and energy over the years to advancing diversity—and why she believes it remains essential for organizations, despite the backlash against DEI.Thanks to Sandy for her time, insight, and many years of service to the legal profession. And congratulations to her on a long and successful tenure as GC.Show Notes:* Sandra Leung bio, NAPABA* Bristol Myers Squibb GC to Retire After 33 years With Drugmaker, by Chris O'Malley for Corporate Counsel/Law.com* Bristol-Myers GC Sandra Leung To Retire After 33 Years, by Christine DeRosa for Law360Prefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
The Advisory Opinions extended universe kicks off as SCOTUSblog's Amy Howe and David Lat join Sarah Isgur to discuss the St. Isidore of Seville religious charter school case and the debate over school choice. The Agenda:—A ‘public' public school or a ‘private' public school?—Justice Amy Coney Barrett's recusal—Will Chief Justice John Roberts be the swing vote?—Will birthright citizenship end?—May 15: Mark it on your calendar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.
Sarah Isgur and David French are joined by Amy Howe and David Lat, of The Dispatch's extended legal universe, to debate whether the Supreme Court should be more transparent. Sarah and David then separate fact from the fiction in the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan. (Also: should there be cameras in the Supreme Court?) The Agenda:—Cameras at SCOTUS?—SCOTUS oral argument goes off the rails—Calling other lawyers the “L” word—The arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan—Immunity doctrine is a mess—Louis Vuitton and criminal contempt—Old Whig No. 5—Trump admin and disparate impact—Harvard Law Review's DEI Show Notes:—Apply to work at SCOTUSblog!—Judge helps criminal escape in 2018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David Lat joins Sarah Isgur and David French to analyze what's behind the Department of Justice's motion to dismiss the case agains New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Agenda: —Friends get benefits in the Trump admin —Attorneys operating under a dual sovereignty —How good of a narc can you be? —Listener questions! —How Rome falls —Retribution —Grading the judiciary Show Notes: —Will Chamberlain's tweet —Denise Cheung resigns —AO's emergency-ish episode on Sassoon Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.Because of my obsession with the judiciary, I have read, witnessed, and conducted countless interviews of judges over the years. And I'll be honest: as interview subjects, judges are a mixed bag. Some can't explain complex legal concepts in understandable ways. Others are too guarded, afraid of saying anything that might give rise to controversy—or recusal requests.Fortunately, the judges I've interviewed for the Original Jurisdiction podcast have been great—and if you'll indulge me briefly as I toot my own horn, part of this is because I've picked the right judges. I invite judges whom I know, based on my own interactions with them, to be thoughtful, thought-provoking, honest, and even fun.My latest guest, Judge Vince Chhabria of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, continued this tradition. While not addressing any pending cases or specific legal issues that might come before him, he spoke candidly and insightfully about a number of important subjects that are in the news today—including judicial activism, judge shopping, constitutional crisis, and the state of our democracy.Thanks to Judge Chhabria for a lively and informative conversation. And thanks to him and his fellow federal judges for the important work that they do, day in and day out—which, as the past few weeks have reminded us, is essential to our democracy.Show Notes:* Vince Chhabria faculty bio, Harvard Law School* The Problem With Multidistrict Litigation (featuring Judge Chhabria), Advisory OpinionsPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.We're less than a month into the second Trump administration, and mayors of major cities are already feeling the heat. The barrage of executive orders out of the White House can be hard to keep up with—and mayors of blue cities must decide which ones to fight, which ones to go along with, and which ones to try to change.So it's an interesting—and challenging—time to be Mayor Quinton Lucas, the 55th mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. He's having to navigate what all of Trump's actions mean for the city he governs, one of the 40 largest in the country. And as a Democratic mayor in a Republican-dominated state, he has to deal with his state's government as well—sometimes confrontationally, and sometimes cooperatively.As he goes about his work, “Mayor Q” draws upon his legal training and experience—as an Eighth Circuit clerk, practicing litigator, and law professor at the University of Kansas. And he's ultimately optimistic about the future—including February 9, when his city's powerhouse football team will go up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Go Chiefs!Show Notes:* Meet Mayor Lucas, City of Kansas City* Post-Emption and the Mayoral Toolbox: Levers and Limits of City Resistance to State Preemption, by Quinton D. Lucas and Gavriel Schreiber for The University of Chicago Law ReviewPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.Three years ago this month, in January 2022, the constitutional lawyer and scholar Ilya Shapiro almost lost his job at Georgetown Law—over a tweet. The controversy, which I covered extensively in these pages, was followed by disruptive protests of speakers at other top law schools, including Yale and Stanford.According to Shapiro, these events reflected the “illiberal takeover of legal education”—the subject of his new book, Lawless: The Miseducation of America's Elites. I interviewed Shapiro—about Lawless, whether the intellectual climates at law schools have improved since his near-cancellation at Georgetown, and what can be done to protect and promote free speech and intellectual diversity in higher education—in the latest episode of the Original Jurisdiction podcast.Show Notes:* Ilya Shapiro bio, Manhattan Institute* Lawless: The Miseducation of America's Elites, Amazon* Shapiro's Gavel, Substack* Ilya Shapiro Resignation Letter to Georgetown University Law Center, June 6, 2022, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)Prefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
The importance of judicial selection and confirmation is now a point of emphasis for all presidential administrations. In 2025 and going forward, what principles and considerations will govern judicial selection (and confirmation) in a new administration, with a new Senate majority. These and other important Article III issues will be considered by our panel of experts.Featuring:Mr. Michael Fragoso, Chief Counsel, Office of the Republican Minority LeaderMr. David Lat, Founder, Above the LawProf. Robert Luther III, Distinguished Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason UniversityProf. Carl Tobias, Williams Chair in Law, University of Richmond School of LawModerator: Hon. Michael B. Brennan, Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
President-elect Donald Trump is poised to further shape a federal judiciary he remade during his first term. Building on his historic number of appointments, including Supreme Court justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, Trump will likely choose nominees that are even more reliably conservative this time around. And, because of his success moving the judiciary to the right, Democrats seeking to challenge future Trump policies have fewer options for finding a receptive forum. On this episode of our podcast, On The Merits, Bloomberg Law reporters Tiana Headley and Suzanne Monyak, along with Bloomberg Law columnist and Above the Law founder David Lat, discuss how the Trump team will select judges, who those nominees could be, and what this means for litigators. Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
Sarah and David kick off the podcast with (boring?) questions the Supreme Court will seek to answer this term before turning to two very American cases about education, religious schools, and guns. The Agenda: —Last week's AO episode —David Lat, we do this podcast with joy —Questions before SCOTUS —Loffman v. California Department of Education —Hanson v. District of Columbia Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including Sarah's Collision newsletter, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWhere do I get my story ideas? Most arise organically out of the news, but some come from topic suggestions aka “pitches.” Sometimes pitches come from lawyers in the news, and sometimes they come from a lawyer or law firm's public-relations or communications team—media-savvy professionals who work for attorneys and firms to help them secure favorable press (or avoid negative coverage).Over the years, one of my best sources of pitches has been Dawn Schneider. After graduating from law school, Dawn worked in communications for two major corporations, Johnson & Johnson and Altria. She then combined her legal and media expertise and pivoted to focus on law firms, serving as director of communications at Boies Schiller Flexner. And then, ten years ago this month, she launched her own media-advisory firm, Schneider Group Media—where she continues to work for leading lawyers and law firms, as well as clients beyond the legal realm, helping them navigate a challenging, rapidly evolving media landscape.I have a fair number of readers who are interested in “alternative careers”—roles that don't involve practicing law, but where legal education and experience are valuable. So I thought it would be enlightening and enjoyable to interview Dawn, who has deployed her legal training and talent for communication in a cool and unusual way.Thanks to Dawn for joining me, and congratulations to her on Schneider Group Media's tenth anniversary.Show Notes (Dawn doesn't have much of an online presence—she prefers to keep the focus on her clients—but here's her bio, as well as pieces I've written that resulted from her work):* Dawn Schneider bio, Schneider Group Media* On The Retirement Of Miles Ruthberg And The Rise Of Litigation At Latham & Watkins, by David Lat for Above the Law* A Leading Litigation Boutique Turns 25, by David Lat for Original Jurisdiction* Boies Schiller Star's Ski Accident Tests Strength—and Builds It, by David Lat for Bloomberg LawPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.Defamation law and copyright law: I have a keen interest in both, which shouldn't be surprising given what I do for a living. So two litigations I've been following closely are (1) the various defamation lawsuits brought by Dominion Voting Systems—including its case against Fox News, which settled for a whopping $787.5 million—and (2) the copyright lawsuit brought by The New York Times against OpenAI and Microsoft.Besides being fascinating cases with the potential to reshape the modern American media landscape, what do these matters share in common? The plaintiffs have the same lawyer: Susman Godfrey partner Davida Brook. Although she's only 40, she has already been recognized as one of the nation's top trial attorneys by Forbes, The American Lawyer, Law360, Lawdragon, and many other publications.Davida and I first met years ago, when I spoke at Stanford Law School and she was a student (yes, I'm that old). So I thought it would be fun to catch up by having her on the podcast—and it was.We discussed her impressive career path; the Dominion and Times cases, including their possible societal implications; and what it was like to work with and learn from the late Steve Susman, founder of Susman Godfrey and an all-time great courtroom advocate. You can tune into our conversation, covering these and many other subjects, in this new episode of the Original Jurisdiction podcast.Show Notes:* Davida Brook bio, Susman Godfrey* Meet America's Top 200 Lawyers (2024), by Liane Jackson for Forbes* Lawyer Limelight: Davida Brook, by Katrina Dewey for LawdragonPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
The number of non-equity partners has ballooned in recent years, with some data estimating there will soon be more of them at law firms than full partners. But not all of these attorneys are happy with their job classification. There are several ongoing employment lawsuits against firms from non-equity partners who claim they get the worst of both worlds: none of the profit sharing that full partners enjoy, but also no benefits or tax withholding that's standard for most employees. The guest on today's episode of our podcast, On The Merits, says the non-equity partnership can benefit both lawyers and firms—if it's managed well. David Lat, author of the Original Jurisdiction newsletter and a Bloomberg Law columnist, talks about how firms can do make the non equity title work for everyone, and what types of attorneys can benefit. Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
David Lat joins Sarah and David to break down recent Supreme Court trends and discuss Lat's legal fiction novel, Supreme Ambitions. The Agenda: —Is the shadow docket problem solved? —Supreme Court approval rating —Stabilizing the Supreme Court —Lat's pick for most interesting justice —Who will win the text, history, and tradition fight? —Advice for law students —Lat's book, Supreme Ambitions —Stranger than legal fiction —Male authors writing female protagonists —Lat's favorite legal writing —The return of crime procedurals Show Notes: —Shadow docket on Biden Title IX regulations —Advisory Opinions on Presumed Innocent Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including Sarah's Collision newsletter, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.Here's a trivia question for devotees of Original Jurisdiction: excluding Supreme Court justices and Judge Aileen Cannon, who has been most frequently recognized in these pages as Judge of the Week? It's a tie between a pair of four-time honorees: Judge James Ho (5th Cir.), whom I've previously interviewed, and Judge Kevin Newsom (11th Cir.)—my latest guest on the Original Jurisdiction podcast.This month marks the seventh anniversary of Judge Newsom's appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. And although seven years is not a long time by the standards of judicial service, Judge Newsom has already developed a national reputation as one of the sharpest thinkers and writers on the federal bench.How has he put himself on the map? Many of history's most celebrated jurists have done so through dazzling dissents, such as Justice John Marshall Harlan, often called “The Great Dissenter,” and Justice Antonin Scalia.But Judge Newsom has done so through a more unusual vehicle: the concurrence (including the occasional self-concurrence, i.e., a concurrence to his own majority opinion). In a series of thoughtful and scholarly concurrences, he has tackled some of the messiest doctrinal areas and knottiest problems in American law, including standing, nondelegation, complex First and Second Amendment issues, the burden-shifting analysis of McDonnell Douglas v. Green, and jurisdiction under Bell v. Hood.Judge Newsom and I discuss why he writes these concurrences—plus Justice Elena Kagan's critique of superfluous concurrences, how to hire great law clerks (and feed them to the Supreme Court), and the potential utility of AI for originalism—in the latest episode of the Original Jurisdiction podcast.Show Notes:* Judge Kevin C. Newsom bio, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit* Remarks of Judge Kevin C. Newsom, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy* Interview of Judge Kevin Newsom, by David Oscar Markus for For the DefensePrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!By next Thursday, August 16, creditors must vote on whether to approve the Chapter 11 liquidation plan of FTX, the once high-flying cryptocurrency exchange. FTX's former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried aka SBF—the son of two Stanford law professors, who went on to become one of the world's youngest billionaires—is behind bars. He's in the process of appealing his convictions for fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, as well as his 25-year prison sentence.Ryne Miller served as general counsel of FTX US, one of several corporate entities that was part of the sprawling FTX empire. Working out of New York, he was not part of SBF's high-living, Bahamas-based inner circle. But after a fateful phone call in November 2022 from SBF's father, Joe Bankman, informing Ryne of a multibillion-dollar “liquidity hole”—some $8 billion to $10 billion in FTX customer deposits that had somehow gone missing—he played a crucial role in responding to the situation. By the end of that week, FTX was in bankruptcy.Why did Ryne leave a partnership at Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the world's leading law firms, to become the GC of FTX US? Should he have noticed certain red flags at the company, such as the lack of a board or a weak compliance function? What lessons does he draw from his time at the company? And how is he putting them to work today at his new law firm, Miller Strategic Partners, which marks its one-year anniversary next month? Ryne and I covered all this and more, in the latest edition of the Original Jurisdiction podcast.Show Notes:* Ryne Miller bio, Miller Strategic Partners* Former FTX general counsel starts his own law firm, by MK Manoylov for The BlockPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.
In this epidose of "Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers," David Lat and Zach Sandberg discuss the newly released 2024 Vault Rankings. How are the Vault rankings formulated? Who moved up? Who dropped down? And why? For the Move of the Week, David discusses Norton Rose's hiring of a 12 attorney team from Bryan Cave, while Zach analyzes Mayer Brown's addition of Gabrielle Levin from Gibson Dunn to co-lead their Employment Litigation & Counseling practice.
David Lat takes over the guest chair and joins Sarah to discuss recent SCOTUS decisions. The Agenda: —SCOTUS bumps bump stock case to Congress —Lily Ledbetter and the last time Congress did their job —Mifepristone decision —Trump too small? Maybe, but you can't trademark it —Justice Gorsuch and Justice Jackson's playful relationship —NLRB and defending the administrative state —Justice Alito is secretly recorded —Young Thug's messy court trial —Predicting SCOTUS decisions —Sentencing and appeals in the Hunter Biden saga Show Notes: —Peggy Noonan's response to Alito-gate —David Lat and "underneath their robes" —The Mo News Podcast Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including Sarah's Collision newsletter, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWhat's the most widely cited legal book in the world? If you guessed Black's Law Dictionary, then congratulate yourself. Henry Campbell Black published the first edition in 1891, and today it's a must-have for every lawyer and law student. I even make an appearance in Black's as the coiner of the term “benchslap,” defined as “a judge's sharp rebuke of counsel, a litigant, or perhaps another judge.”Who decides whether a term has gained sufficient traction to make it into Black's? That would be Bryan Garner, the prominent legal lexicographer, lawyer, and legal-writing expert. In the latest episode of the Original Jurisdiction podcast, he explains how he and his colleagues determine whether a neologism has made the cut.This is actually a bonus episode of the podcast, since I posted an episode last week and I'll have another episode next week. What's the occasion? Today marks the publication of the twelfth edition of Black's Law Dictionary. If you're looking for a graduation or back-to-school gift for a law student, or maybe a Father's Day gift for a #LawDad in your life, order your copy today.Thanks to Bryan for joining me, and congratulations to him and his team on the latest edition of Black's Law Dictionary.Show Notes:* Bryan A. Garner bio, LawProse* Black's Law Dictionary (12th ed.), Amazon* Black's Law Dictionary: An Interview with Bryan A. Garner, by David Lat for Above the LawPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!After my fascinating conversation with Rodge Cohen of Sullivan & Cromwell, I wanted to interview another transactional lawyer for the Original Jurisdiction podcast. But to mix things up, I wanted to speak with an up-and-coming dealmaker rather than a senior statesperson. And because May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I was hoping to feature a lawyer of AANHPI descent.Meet Shanu Bajaj, a mergers and acquisitions partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell. Although she hasn't been a partner for long, Shanu has already been recognized as a star of the M&A bar. In February, she took the #3 spot in the MergerLinks ranking of Top Female M&A lawyers in North America. In March, The American Lawyer named Shanu one of its 2024 Dealmakers of the Year, based on her representation of ExxonMobil in 2023's largest transaction, the oil giant's $59.5 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources.What drew Shanu to M&A as a practice area? What are two abilities that she views as especially important for transactional attorneys? How does she describe her personal style as a dealmaker? And what are her tips for making partner in Biglaw, during a time when the rewards are richer—but the odds are longer—than ever?Thanks to Shanu for taking the time to tackle these and many other topics with me, and congratulations to her on the well-deserved recognition of her talents. And with decades of deals ahead of her, she's just getting warmed up.Show Notes:* Shanu Bajaj bio, Davis Polk & Wardwell* The 2024 Dealmakers of The Year, The American Lawyer* Which M&A Attorneys Drove the Most Business as Deal Leads?, by Patrick Smith for The American LawyerPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
This week, on Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers, our hosts David Lat and Zach Sandberg do a deep dive on the most recent set of the American Lawyer's famed law firm rankings—both the Am Law 100 ranking, which came out last month, and the Second Hundred ranking, which was just released. Who is moving up in the world? Are there firms struggling? What factors are driving the success of the firms that are flourishing? Join our hosts as they run through numerous metrics that measure a firm's financial health and performance in this must-listen episode. For his move of the week, David follows another high-profile acquisition by Paul Weiss, which seems to be on a hiring spree, while Zach breaks down Baker McKenzie's onboarding of a major West Coast transactional team from Munger.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!It might seem odd to bestow the title of “titan” upon someone once described in the New York Times as standing five-foot-two and weighing 100 pounds wet. But if you know anything about banking M&A and regulatory work, you know that H. Rodgin Cohen, senior chair of Sullivan & Cromwell, is a true giant of the field.For more than 50 years, Rodge Cohen has practiced at the pinnacle of financial-services law. He's played a role in many historical events over the decades, including New York City's fiscal crisis, where he helped rescue the city from the brink of bankruptcy in 1975; the Iran hostage crisis, where he counseled American banks that released frozen Iranian funds, part of the deal that led to the 1981 release of the hostages; the 2008 financial crisis, where he represented the buyer or the seller in seemingly every major bank deal; and efforts last year to save Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank.In my latest podcast episode, I interview Rodge about his remarkable career, including his involvement in the aforementioned, headline-making events. But we also cover his childhood in West Virginia, his advice for how to succeed as a deal lawyer, and even his theater and reading recommendations—because despite his demanding practice, Rodge somehow finds the time to see numerous shows and read tons of books. (One recent work we both recommend is Paula Vogel's Mother Play, which yesterday snagged four Tony Award nominations, including Best New Play.)For my first-ever interview of a corporate or transactional attorney (as opposed to a litigator), I wanted to get a big name—and Rodge Cohen is one of the biggest and best in the business. I guessed that he would be “too big to fail”—and if you listen to our enjoyable and wide-ranging conversation, you'll see that I was right.Show Notes:* H. Rodgin Cohen bio, Sullivan & Cromwell* H. Rodgin Cohen profile, Chambers and Partners* Trauma Surgeon of Wall Street, by Alan Feuer for the New York Times* The Banking Industry's Go-to Crisis Adviser, by DealBook for the New York TimesPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!How many Supreme Court advocates wind up with three or more arguments in the same Term? Some of my past podcast guests—like Lisa Blatt, Paul Clement, Neal Katyal, and Kannon Shanmugam—can claim this distinction. But it's very, very rare (especially if you don't work—or have never worked—in the Office of the Solicitor General).What's even more rare is having three oral arguments in your very first Term arguing before the Court. But Easha Anand, the 38-year-old co-director of Stanford Law School's renowned Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, just pulled off this feat—which is why I was so eager to have her as a guest on the Original Jurisdiction podcast.How did Easha wind up in law school, after a promising journalism career that included stints at the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the Wall Street Journal? How did she wind up with three Supreme Court arguments in the same Term? And what are her three pieces of advice for first-time SCOTUS advocates?Listen to our podcast interview to find out. Congratulations to Easha on the unanimous win in her first argued case, thanks to her for joining me, and good luck to her in what I predict will be a long and successful career arguing at One First Street.Show Notes:* Easha Anand bio, Stanford Law School* Stanford's Anand Argues Whistleblower Case in High Court Debut, by Lydia Wheeler for Bloomberg Law* Supreme Court Bar's Breakout Lawyer This Term Started Out in Journalism, by Jimmy Hoover for the National Law JournalPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
David Lat is a lawyer turned legal writer who created Above The Law and his current, legal newsletter and podcast Original Jurisdiction, which is now his full-time job. Prior to writing he was a practicing attorney and worked as a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice under Chris Christie. David is a husband and the father of two kids. In today's conversation we discussed: * The transition from an in-house legal career to the world of writing and podcasting and what that has done for his family* Surrogacy* Important legal considerations for parents* Navigating feelings of parental guilt* How to talk to your kids about different family types and configurations* The fallacy of making logical appeals to children* His approach to interviewing for childcareListen now on Apple, Spotify, Overcast and YouTube.—Where to find David Lat- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlat/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidLat- Original Jurisdiction: https://davidlat.substack.com/ Where to find Adam Fishman- FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/—In this episode, we cover[1:47] Welcome[2:04] Professional background[2:53] The decision to go from practicing law to writing about law[5:02] David's family now[5:37] Their decision to start a family[7:21] Surrogacy[9:37] Family/work balance[12:34] Was career choice influenced by becoming a dad?[14:54] Legal considerations for parents[17:32] What is a pre-birth order?[19:11] Earliest memory of becoming a dad[20:57] What emotions came up when you realized it was “real”?[22:57] Most surprising thing about becoming a dad?[25:15] Advice for younger self[28:40] His interview approach for childcare[30:17] Parental guilt[34:56] Parenting Frameworks[36:27] How has your parenting style changed over time?[38:10] Area where David and his partner don't align[40:30] Logical appeals vs. children[41:59] How do you recharge your batteries?[43:38] What is a mistake you made as a dad?[45:02] Talking to son about same-sex parenting[48:27] Follow along[49:23] Rapid fire—Show references:Clueless: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112697/Carly Aroldi, Good Enough Parenting: http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-enough-parenting/id1708282417Creative Family Connections: https://www.creativefamilyconnections.com/Chris Christie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_ChristieChris Christie on David's Podcast: https://davidlat.substack.com/p/chris-christie-podcast-interview-with-david-latAbove The Law: https://abovethelaw.com/BabyConnect: https://en.babyconnect.com/My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten: https://www.amazon.com/My-Two-Dads-Michael-Joosten/dp/0525580107Snoo: https://www.amazon.com/SNOO-Smart-Sleeper-Happiest-Baby/dp/B0716KN18Z—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron athttp://www.armaziproductions.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com
David Lat is a lawyer turned legal writer who created Above The Law and his current, legal newsletter and podcast Original Jurisdiction, which is now his full-time job. Prior to writing he was a practicing attorney and worked as a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice under Chris Christie. David is a husband and the father of two kids. In today's conversation we discussed: The transition from an in-house legal career to the world of writing and podcasting and what that has done for his family Surrogacy Important legal considerations for parents Navigating feelings of parental guilt How to talk to your kids about different family types and configurations The fallacy of making logical appeals to children His approach to interviewing for childcare — Where to find David Lat - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlat/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidLat - Original Jurisdiction: https://davidlat.substack.com/ Where to find Adam Fishman - FishmanAF Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ — In this episode, we cover [1:47] Welcome [2:04] Professional background [2:53] The decision to go from practicing law to writing about law [5:02] David's family now [5:37] Their decision to start a family [7:21] Surrogacy [9:37] Family/work balance [12:34] Was career choice influenced by becoming a dad? [14:54] Legal considerations for parents [17:32] What is a pre-birth order? [19:11] Earliest memory of becoming a dad [20:57] What emotions came up when you realized it was “real”? [22:57] Most surprising thing about becoming a dad? [25:15] Advice for younger self [28:40] His interview approach for childcare [30:17] Parental guilt [34:56] Parenting Frameworks [36:27] How has your parenting style changed over time? [38:10] Area where David and his partner don't align [40:30] Logical appeals vs. children [41:59] How do you recharge your batteries? [43:38] What is a mistake you made as a dad? [45:02] Talking to son about same-sex parenting [48:27] Follow along [49:23] Rapid fire — Show references: Clueless: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112697/ Carly Aroldi, Good Enough Parenting: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-enough-parenting/id1708282417 Creative Family Connections: https://www.creativefamilyconnections.com/ Chris Christie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Christie Chris Christie on David's Podcast: https://davidlat.substack.com/p/chris-christie-podcast-interview-with-david-lat Above The Law: https://abovethelaw.com/ BabyConnect: https://en.babyconnect.com/ My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten: https://www.amazon.com/My-Two-Dads-Michael-Joosten/dp/0525580107 Snoo: https://www.amazon.com/SNOO-Smart-Sleeper-Happiest-Baby/dp/B0716KN18Z — For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
In this double-guest special, David Lat shares his original reporting on the exodus of Judge Aileen Cannon's clerks and its implications for Trump's classified documents case. Judge David Proctor of the Northern District of Alabama then joins to explain the history and function of the federal judiciary and its committees, including the Judicial Conference. The Agenda: —Do younger clerks just not understand hard work? —Judge Cannon's declining reputation —Delays in Trump's documents case —How the federal judiciary came to be —Rule-making process for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure —Multi-district litigation and its criticisms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!Chris Christie has had an interesting and eventful career in public life. He served as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 2002 to 2008, then as Governor of the Garden State from 2010 to 2018. And he was a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, until his January withdrawal from the race.People tend to have strong opinions about Christie. Some respect his outspoken criticism of Donald Trump, which was the centerpiece of his presidential campaign. Others do not—perhaps because they support Trump, or perhaps because they can't forgive Christie for having been for Trump before he was against him. (In some ways Christie is his own harshest critic for this, admitting in his speech withdrawing from the race that he endorsed Trump because he put personal ambition over what he knew was right.)I'm not a neutral observer when it comes to Chris Christie. I worked for him as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2003 to 2006, and I like and respect him a great deal. As we discuss at the start of this podcast episode, I'm especially grateful for how he dealt with me in the wake of the scandal over my very first blog, Underneath Their Robes. But that didn't stop me from asking him difficult questions on the podcast, including his biggest regrets—yes, he talks about Bridgegate—and whom he might vote for in the presidential election. We also review his legal career, including his advice for law students and his three biggest cases as U.S. Attorney.Congratulations to Governor Christie on his latest book—What Would Reagan Do? Life Lessons from the Last Great President, which we discuss on the podcast—and thanks to him for both his past kindness and willingness to join me today.Show Notes:* Chris Christie bio, Christie 55 Solutions* What Would Reagan Do? Life Lessons from the Last Great President, AmazonPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
David Lat is a lawyer-turned-writer, who publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack titled “Original Jurisdiction.” He joins Preet to discuss the federal judiciary, Trump's many trials, and the free speech controversies roiling universities and law schools around the country. Plus, what would a Trump DOJ look like the second time around? How will SCOTUS' decision to consider the presidential immunity issue affect Trump's trial calendar? And can an AI chatbot testify in court? For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/david-lat-federal-judges-trump-trials-supreme-court-free-speech/ Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on Threads, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Join David Lat and Zach Sandberg on Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers as they chat with Emily Logan Stedman, newly appointed partner at Husch Blackwell and advocate for lawyer well-being. Emily shares her journey to partnership, her commitment to mental health in the legal community, and how she balances leadership with personal well-being. She discusses the evolving role of women in law, mentoring, and her strategies for personal branding and business development. Emily also offers advice to junior associates and law students, including the use of the billable hour as a time-management tool. In Moves of the Week, we spotlight Kimberly Branscome's move to Paul, Weiss in Los Angeles, King & Spalding welcoming longtime Hollingsworth litigator Greg Chernack in DC, and Hogan Lovells hiring 23 M&A lawyers from Orrick in Italy. Tune in for insights on legal career growth, mental health advocacy, and the importance of personal branding. Don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share with your network!
At the age of 96, Judge Pauline Newman is the nation's oldest federal judge. In 1984, Judge Newman became the first judge appointed directly to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In April of last year, reports surfaced that Federal Circuit Chief Judge Kimberly Moore had initiated a complaint against Judge Newman under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980. Although the complaint was initially based on alleged “cognitive decline,” it later morphed to focus on her unwillingness to cooperate with Judge Moore's investigation. This program will provide an update on Judge Newman's case and discuss issues related to this most-unusual set of circumstances. This program coincides with panelist David Lat's recent interview with Judge Newman, available here, which allows viewers to hear Judge Newman in her own words. The Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability released an opinion in the case, available here. Check out this recording for a discussion of Judge Newman's case, the state of judicial conduct, and more.Featuring: David Lat, Founder, Original JurisdictionProf. Arthur Hellman, Professor Emeritus of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of LawModerator: Hon. Jennifer Perkins, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!In part one of my two-part interview of David Boies, I asked the famed trial lawyer to do what he does best: analyze cases and controversies. In part two, we turned to a topic that's closer to home: David Boies.My husband Zach tells me that I'm too soft as an interviewer. Trying to prove him wrong, I asked David some tough questions about sensitive subjects. Do you rue the day you met Elizabeth Holmes? What do you regret about your work for Harvey Weinstein? Why doesn't Boies Schiller Flexner have an anti-nepotism policy? What will be in your Times obituary?I've interviewed David on multiple occasions over the years, and we've never had any tense moments—until now. If you usually read my podcast interviews, you might want to listen to this one.David fielded my aggressive questions thoughtfully, eloquently, and graciously—which is exactly what I expected of this legal lion. But listen for yourself and reach your own verdict on David Boies.Show Notes:* David Boies Pleads Not Guilty, by James B. Stewart for the New York Times* The Bad, Good Lawyer, by Andrew Rice for New York MagazinePrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
Join David Lat and Zach Sandberg on Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers as they chat with Matt Schwartz, Practice Group Leader and Chair of the US Finance Group at DLA Piper. Matt shares his journey from starting at DLA Piper to running finance transactions to leading the US practice group. He also talks about the evolution and current state of the finance industry, as well as what he expects in the finance world in 2024. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the value of mentorship, for mentors as well as mentees, plus practical advice from Matt about time management. In Moves of the Week, we spotlight one Cravath partner joining Davis Polk, a second going to Freshfields, and Debevoise welcoming Rick Sofield as partner, enhancing its national security offerings. Tune in for a comprehensive look at legal excellence and leadership. Ad don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share with your network!
Guest: ✨ Colin S. Levy, Author & Director of Legal at Malbek [@HelloMalbek]On Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinslevy/On Twitter | https://twitter.com/Clevy_LawWebsite | https://www.colinslevy.com/____________________________Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society PodcastOn ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli_____________________________This Episode's SponsorsBlackCloak
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!For the past 10 months, the legal world has been transfixed by the Pauline Newman saga. At 96, Judge Pauline Newman is the nation's oldest active federal judge. Last March, her longtime colleague, Chief Judge Kimberly Moore, initiated an effort to remove Judge Newman from the Federal Circuit.The complaint against Judge Newman was initially based on her supposed “cognitive decline” and “paranoid and bizarre behavior,” but it later morphed to focus on her unwillingness to cooperate with Chief Judge Moore's investigation. Judge Newman said she'd be happy to cooperate with an investigation—as long as it's conducted by a neutral party, namely, the judicial council of another circuit.As I have written repeatedly, I agree with Judge Newman on her due-process argument. It's routine for circuit judges to transfer an investigation of a fellow circuit judge—as opposed to, say, a district, magistrate, or bankruptcy judge—to another circuit. And there are some interpersonal issues between Chief Judge Moore and Judge Newman, which I might write about in the future, that make it completely inappropriate for Moore to be leading this investigation.I was agnostic, however, on Judge Newman's mental capacity. I read, along with everyone else, the gossipy details in Chief Judge Moore's various reports that made Newman sound, well, totally out of it. But I also read and heard accounts from other sources—such as journalists who visited Newman in chambers, and lawyers who saw her speak at conferences—stating that she's just fine.On January 4, I met with Judge Newman and her clerks in chambers, for about four hours. Last Friday, I interviewed Judge Newman on my podcast, for another hour. I'm now of the view that she's completely lucid and sane—and I have reason to disbelieve or at least question much of what I've read in the takedowns of her. (I'm hoping to publish a deep dive into the drama at the Federal Circuit, which is actually quite fascinating—and if you have information or insight to share, please email me.)But you don't have to take my word for it when it comes to Judge Newman's condition. Listen to our almost hour-long podcast conversation—or watch video clips of the judge that I'll be posting later this week, at her request—and judge for yourself.Show Notes:* Pauline Newman bio, Wikipedia* Colleagues want a 95-year-old judge to retire. She's suing them instead, by Rachel Weiner for the Washington Post* Fed. Circuit's Newman, 96, Fights Colleagues From Sideline, by Michael Shapiro for Bloomberg LawPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
Join us on Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers, where hosts David Lat and Zach Sandberg sit down with Kannon Shanmugam, one of the nation's preeminent Supreme Court advocates. A partner at Paul, Weiss, Kannon serves as chair of the firm's Supreme Court and appellate practice, chair of the D.C. office, and co-chair of litigation. On the podcast, he discusses how his study of the classics was an ideal background for a lawyer, his distinctive style as a Supreme Court litigator, and his approaches to teaching advocacy and mentorship. Kannon also reflects on his time at Paul, Weiss, which he joined five years ago this month, and shares some of the strategies behind its remarkable success, as well as his career advice for law students and lawyers. In this week's Moves of the Week, David shares the news of Torridon Law, the law firm founded by former attorney general Bill Barr and former Facebook general counsel Ted Ullyot, hiring former White House lawyers Pat Cipollone, Pat Philbin, and Kate Todd, while Zach highlights McDermott's strategic addition of a healthcare team from Wilson Sonsini. Don't miss this episode for an in-depth look at legal excellence and leadership. Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers with your colleagues and friends!
In this episode of Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers, join us as we chat with Summer Eberhard, a Principal in our California and Seattle offices. Summer shares her journey from attorney to legal recruiter and delves into the recruiting scene across California and Seattle, highlighting the changing landscape of the legal industry over the last decade and current market trends. She also discusses her approach providing invaluable advice for legal professionals navigating their career paths and the role of diversity and inclusion in modern recruitment. In our 'Move of the Week' segment, host Zach Sandberg spotlights a significant development: DLA Piper's Antitrust Team expanding with three former Norton Rose Litigators. Tune in for an insightful exploration of the legal recruiting landscape and expert career guidance. Don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share with your network!
Sarah joins David Lat's Original Jurisdiction to review 2023's best (and worst) legal cases and lawyers and make some hopeful (and less hopeful) predictions about the coming year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this Movers, Shakers, and Rainmakers episode, David Lat and Zach Sandberg engage in an insightful discussion with Gene Phillips, founder of Lexangle, a leading legal-consulting firm. Gene describes his interesting journey from mathematics to finance to litigation finance to legal consulting. The conversation then delves into the rise of litigation boutiques, current trends in litigation finance, and expert advice on launching and growing law firms. For our Moves of the Week, we spotlight Jones Day's impressive hire of eight Supreme Court clerks and Paul Weiss's exploration of a possible Houston office, which would strengthen its presence in the energy sector. Join us for this fascinating episode, and don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and tell a friend!
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!If you're looking for a more meaningful New Year's resolution than losing five pounds, I have a suggestion for you: do more pro bono. To make it concrete, maybe even set a numerical goal for yourself, like 50 hours.Over the years, as Biglaw firms have grown in size and profitability, many of them have invested more in pro bono. As a result, there now exists a job that really didn't exist when I graduated law school: “pro bono counsel.” These lawyers oversee the pro bono programs of Biglaw firms, which means they get to work full-time on pro bono, backed by Biglaw resources (and earning Biglaw salaries). Not surprisingly, these roles are some of the most highly coveted jobs not just in Biglaw, but the entire legal profession.As part of my continuing focus during the holiday season on pro bono and public interest work, I decided to interview a Biglaw pro bono counsel. And as is my wont when picking podcast guests, I decided to go straight to the top: my latest guest is Jacqueline Haberfeld, global program director of pro bono at Kirkland & Ellis, the world's #1 law firm in terms of both revenue and profits per partner.In our wide-ranging conversation, Jackie and I discussed her path to becoming pro bono counsel, some of her most meaningful projects, how firms handle political and reputational concerns related to pro bono work, and how to get a job as pro bono counsel today. I hope you enjoy this interview—and I hope that it inspires you to do more pro bono work in the coming year.Show Notes:* Pro Bono | Social Commitment, Kirkland & Ellis* Notable Women in Law 2021: Jacqueline Haberfeld, Crain's New York Business* Innovation: Jacqueline Haberfeld, pro bono counsel, Kirkland & Ellis, New York Law JournalPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit davidlat.substack.comWelcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here. Thanks!With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year not far behind, now is a time to be thankful for our blessings—and to keep in mind those who are less fortunate. Toward that end, last week I highlighted the new class of Skadden Fellows, who will spend the next two years meeting the legal needs of people living in poverty.And this week, I'm welcoming to the podcast someone who has devoted her entire legal career to serving the poor: Twyla Carter, attorney-in-chief and chief executive officer of The Legal Aid Society (LAS). Before taking the helm at LAS, Twyla worked as a public defender and at the ACLU, making a name for herself as a leading advocate of bail reform.In our interview, we explored Twyla's impressive career, which listeners aspiring to enter the public-interest world should appreciate. But I also posed tough questions to Twyla about some of LAS's more controversial projects, including its work on New York City's “right to shelter” mandate, which LAS is defending in court amid claims that it is unworkable, and whether criminal-justice reform, which Twyla has worked on for years, has gone too far. So please do check out this episode—and consider donating or volunteering to support the Society's important work.Show Notes:* Twyla Carter bio, The Legal Aid Society* Leading Bail Reform Advocate to Take Reins as Legal Aid's First Black Woman and Asian American to Serve as CEO, by Andrew Denney for the New York Law Journal* Legal Aid Society Appoints Twyla Carter Attorney-in-Chief, CEO, Bloomberg LawPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.
Exciting news from host-in-absentia Sarah Isgur. Partisan gerrymandering. Cameras in courts. David French and guest-host David Lat have so much to cover in so little time. Here we go: -New arrivals -Purdue Pharma update -Should the Trump trials be televised? (The Davids disagree) -Wisconsin's judicial elections mess -Alabama's ongoing redistricting wars and systemic racism -Elon Musk goes after the ADL Show notes: -2020 DOJ press release on Purdue Pharma and the Sackler Family -Just Security on Judge Jones's supplemental briefing order -Caplan v. Trump (Section 3 ruling) -Charlie Sykes on the Wisconsin Supreme Court drama -Singleton v. Allen (Alabama Voting Rights Act case) -David Firestone on Alabama Voting Rights Act case -Elon Musk blames ADL for lost revenue (NBC) -Musk blames Latham for San Francisco's problems. Huh? (Reuters) -David French's NYT column on Texas age-verification law -AO episode featuring Ari Cohn on age-verification laws -Video version of this episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The DnD show begins as David Lat returns to co-guest host in Sarah's absence. David and David discuss a strange First Amendment case out of the Fifth Circuit involving terrorism and COVID zombies, and: -Jan. 6 fake electors case -Non-delegation at the Sixth Circuit -Some drama with Big Law -Breaking News: Trump court date set Show notes: Georgia amicus brief opposing removal Bailey v. Iles (Fifth Circuit free-speech case) Allstates Refractory Contractors v. Su (Sixth Circuit nondelegation case) Chris Geidner on Allstates Jonathan Adler on stare decisis MoFo complaint Perkins Coie complaint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David Lat stands in for Host Emeritus once more to help Sarah catch up on the latest Supreme Court decisions. Too, they take a detour on penmanship. -Why the justices make us wait -On Puerto Rico's sovereign immunity and Kagan's stylistic quirk -Durham Report -Judge Newman, age, and lifetime tenure -New law school rankings just dropped Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While host emeritus is off for a week on a mysterious mission, David Lat of Original Jurisdiction rejoins Sarah to sift through the latest Supreme Court decisions. On the docket: -Gettysburg update -Attempting to answer when individual members of Congress can go to court -The unsatisfying end to Pork Producers -Buffalo Billion, New York, and federal wire fraud -Setting the table for Title 42 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices