Blog Center

Jun 01
May 20

After-Corona Legal Careers: More Choice And Less Practice

Legal practice—as lawyers have broadly construed it— has long been the touchstone of the profession. That’s why non-practicing attorneys often described themselves as “former” or “recovering” lawyers. The profession controlled the supply of legal talent and used self-regulation to blunt “non-lawyer” competition. The profession carved up practice territories with purposeful... read more →
Apr 21

COVID-19 And The Reformation Of Legal Culture

John F. Kennedy once remarked “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger—but recognize the opportunity.” What is the legal industry’s danger and opportunity? COVID-19 Is A Unique Crisis Whose... read more →
Apr 14
Apr 13
Mar 19

Post-Pandemic Legal Education

Higher education is confronting an existential crisis, and law schools are its poster child. Even before Covid-19, the law school business model, pedagogy, culture, faculty composition, marketplace detachment,  poor student outcomes, and ever-escalating cost/massive student debt have drawn withering criticism. The pandemic has elevated law schools’ challenges and accelerated their... read more →
Mar 10

The Legal Industry Needs A Standardized Vocabulary—Even If Legalese Remains

Linguistic precision is a must-have in the legal toolbox. Words matter—especially to lawyers. Lengthy “definitions” sections are standard fare in lawyer-crafted contracts. Who but lawyers parse definite and indefinite articles or contest the meaning of the word “is?” Semantic gymnastics are exercised regularly by the legal profession. With all the... read more →
Feb 18
Feb 04

Atrium Sheds Lawyers: Why Is This Such A Big Legal Industry Story?

Atrium, the Silicon Valley tech company and law firm, is laying off the bulk of its law firm staff. Justin Kan, the tech company’s CEO and co-Founder, wrote that Atrium “will continue expanding outside of legal services as trusted startup advisors by building a professional services network dedicated to founders.”... read more →
Jan 10

2020 Vision: Focus On Defending The Rule Of Law

The legal industry is principally focused on technology, new models, competition, reregulation, the sustainability of the traditional partnership model--issues that impact stakeholder livelihoods and career trajectories. Defending the rule of law is a less concrete, but seminal challenge the industry must focus on in 2020 and beyond. It is law’s... read more →