On The Merits

Elite Law Firms Are Leaving Their Rivals Behind

A new study from Chambers and Partners reveals that the most elite, fastest-growing law firms, such as Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, are seeing a compounding of

When Winston Met Taylor: US-UK Firm's Chief Looks to Bridge Gaps

"Culture" is a popular buzzword for law firm leaders describing in vague terms what sets them apart from their rivals. For Winston Taylor's Steve D'Amore, it's a key part

Baker McKenzie Head: Law Firm Billing Should Be Ready to Move On

AI is changing the way the legal profession operates and everyone — lawyers, law firms, and especially clients — needs to look past the institution that is the billable h

Sidley Leader Yvette Ostolaza Shares Growth Strategy

Sidley Austin LLP crossed $3.74 billion in revenue last year and has its sights set on $4 billion — but according to its top leader, the number is a byproduct, not the go

K&L Gates Goes on the Offensive in the Legal Talent Wars

When it comes to winning the legal industry talent wars, the best defense is a good offense, according to K&L Gates' global managing partner, Stacy Ackermann. Her firm i

Say Goodbye to the Era of Never Changing Law School Rankings

For a long time, the top dozen or so law schools in US News & World Report's annual rankings stayed remarkably consistent, with Yale for example holding the top spot ever

John Quinn Warns of Generational Clash When Firms Get Investors

Law firms bringing in outside investors is one of the hottest topics in the legal industry right now. John Quinn, founder and chairman of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sulliva

Why Polsinelli Lawyers Won't Get Billing Credit for AI Training

The chair of law firm Polsinelli says he doesn't want his attorneys—and especially not his junior attorneys—to use AI legal tools grudgingly. But the firm will not be giv

AI Poses Private Capital Opportunity, Mayer Brown Chief Says

Outside investors circling law firms may help some shoulder the growing costs of artificial intelligence, according to Mayer Brown's Jon Van Gorp. "I could see private c

Trump's U-Turn in Big Law Fight Shows White House Fury for Firms

The Trump administration surprised everyone last week when it first dropped an appeal in its fight against four law firms and then, less than 24 hours later, reversed its

Goldstein Still Has Cards to Play Even After Guilty Verdict

Prominent lawyer and high-stakes poker player Tom Goldstein was convicted on some, but not all, of the 16 criminal charges against him when his federal trial wrapped up t

Law Firms Can't Afford to Miss Out on Data Center Boom

Large law firms are going all in on the nationwide data center build out—nevermind that lurking AI bubble. On today's episode of our podcast, On The Merits, we hear from

DEI at Law Firms Remains Live Issue a Year Into Trump's Term

It's been over a year since Donald Trump returned to the White House and almost immediately made it a priority to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at large l

AI and the Coming Mismatch Between Law Schools and Law Firms

The future lawyers of America were taking the LSAT this weekend. But, by the time they get their JDs in a few years, law firms may have replaced many of their entry-level

New Epstein Revelations Bring Massive Upheaval at Paul Weiss

Legal giant Paul Weiss is getting a new chairman for the first time in nearly two decades, but this transition is definitely not happening in a planned, orderly fashion.

Even Cravath, Wachtell Must Now Fight 'the Talent Wars'

There was a time when elite Wall Street firms such as Cravath or Wachtell seemed to rise above the lateral tug-of-war among other firms. That doesn't appear to be the cas

Litigation Financiers Won't Be Ambushed Again on Capitol Hill

Last year, the litigation finance industry was nearly taxed out of existence by a measure Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) tried to attach to a big tax and spending package. Th

Goldstein to Put His Cards on the Table at His Criminal Trial

The trial of Tom Goldstein, the elite Supreme Court advocate and co-founder of SCOTUSBlog who was charged with criminal tax evasion after years of playing ultra-high-stak

Latham & Watkins M&A Leaders on the 'Year of the Mega Deal'

Latham & Watkins beat out its rival Kirkland & Ellis in our annual League Tables ranking of M&A activity for 2025. And on this episode of our podcast, On The Merits, the

Law Firm Crackup Comes Amid Anti-Plaintiff Mood in Delaware

There's never a good time for a law firm to see one of its most prominent partners leave and take several attorneys with him. But this is especially bad timing for Bernst