Wilmer goof leaks client docs to WSJ | Posner defends his book | Is ranking firms on gender diversity working?

ABA Journal's Top Stories of the Week
Friday, September 29, 2017

Posner says he is open to litigating on behalf of pro se litigants, defends book

September 26, 2017, 8:00 am CDT

Program helps law firms see progress in gender diversity—but is it enough?

From the October issue

Law firm's automatic deletion of spam emails is blamed for failure to file timely appeal

September 28, 2017, 7:00 am CDT

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When a mental health emergency lands you in jail

September 25, 2017, 7:00 am CDT

Ex-partner is suspended for false billable claims; he feared leadership position required more hours

September 27, 2017, 8:00 am CDT

Drowning in debt? Here are potential lifelines (podcast)

September 25, 2017, 8:30 am CDT

What happens when Hollywood gets 'true crime' wrong?

September 27, 2017, 8:00 am CDT

Ginsburg says sexism was a 'major, major factor' in Clinton's loss

September 28, 2017, 9:46 am CDT

Rogue ex-court clerk sentenced for taking bribes to alter computer files in more than 1,000 cases

September 27, 2017, 7:00 am CDT

California lawmakers approve bill requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns

September 25, 2017, 8:45 am CDT

Suit by former income partner claims Winston tethered her career to male lawyers' employment

September 26, 2017, 9:55 am CDT

Revenue rises nearly 3 percent for Global 100 law firms; which firms top the list?

September 26, 2017, 7:00 am CDT

Boy writes letter advising bankruptcy court that closing Toys R Us would be 'bad for kids'

September 28, 2017, 7:45 am CDT

In the Magazine

From the October 2017 Issue

Leading Law Firms for Women

Program helps law firms see progress in gender diversity -- but is it enough?

Mandating Diversity

Law firms borrow a concept from the NFL to address lack of diversity in their leadership ranks

This Week's Featured Blawg

From our Blawg Directory

The Algorithmic Society

Posts discuss how emerging technologies are changing the rules for the delivery of legal services.

Question of the Week

We want to hear from you

How long did it take for you to feel like you were a good lawyer?

At the Law21 Blog this month, legal market analyst Jordan Furlong asked LinkedIn followers who started their careers as law firm associates how many years of practice it took them to feel like "a reasonably competent and confident lawyer." The median answer? Five years.

"What those results also affirmed for me was a strong suspicion I've harbored for years now--that expecting new law firm associates to perform billable work is kind of ludicrous," Furlong wrote.

This week, we'd like to put the same question to you (although you need not have started your career as a law firm associate): How long did it take for you to feel like you were a good lawyer? Please also share the law job you had at the start of your career--whether you were a law firm associate or doing something else. And do you think new law firm associates should be performing billable work?

Answer in the comments.

Read the answers to last week's question: What phrases do you hate hearing when talking to colleagues?

Featured answer:

Posted by Whithertoo: "'So ...' begins the response to a question posed. It has become maddeningly ubiquitous, especially among millennials; almost as universal and maddening as 'where are you at?' Just watch a little television for ample examples of both."

Cartoon Caption Contest

You be the judge

What's your sentence?

Make your case for this hangman scenario, and send us your best caption. The winner of our October challenge will see their caption and credit printed in an upcoming issue of the ABA Journal.

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Drowning in debt? Here are potential lifelines