Legal Slice

Women lawyers on boards face biases, breaking barriers Women lawyers are joining corporate boards at higher rates but still face stereotypes and biases that hinder faster progress. Male-dominated networks of CEOs and CFOs have traditionally controlled board recruitment, often overlooking female attorneys as strategic assets, says?Paul Hastings?partner Tara Giunta. Despite these challenges, organizations like DirectWomen are pushing boundaries; since 2007, its program has helped over 200 women lawyers secure board seats. Corporate boards are slowly valuing diverse perspectives. Companies like Meta now prioritize diversity mandates, with S&P 500 female board representation rising from 23.5% in 2018 to 33.5% in 2023. Studies reveal women bring unique skills to boardrooms, fostering broader discussions and minimizing groupthink. According to research by UC Irvine and Copenhagen Business School, female directors often come more prepared and ask critical questions, enhancing decision-making. Women lawyers, however, must often counter stereotypes that portray them as overly risk-averse. As Heather Marie Spilsbury of 50/50 Women on Boards suggests, showcasing diverse skills helps dispel limiting assumptions. To make an impact, female board members are selective about when to speak, focusing on adding unique value. “Amplify your voice by speaking less, but show courage when you do,” advises Clinton, capturing the approach women lawyers use to build influence in the boardroom. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #WomenInLaw #Law #Legal #CorporateBoards #Lawyers

AI courts: The future of justice? The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is poised to transform the?legal?landscape. As Oliver Roberts, co-head of?Holtzman Vogel 's?AI practice group, notes: "The convergence of AI and ADR reflects a natural progression driven by clients seeking to reduce litigation time and costs." While current AI applications in ADR are limited to tasks like document analysis and?legalresearch, the vision of an autonomous AI court system could revolutionize dispute resolution. This system would eliminate human judges and lawyers, allowing AI agents to represent litigants and make decisions in minutes. However, challenges such as technological limitations, potential biases in AI training data, and public trust issues must be addressed before such systems can be implemented. Local governments and large corporations may be the first adopters, utilising AI for straightforward disputes. The ethical implications of removing human decision-makers from the?legal?process will also need careful consideration. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Legal #LegalTech #AICourts

From Zoom to room: Law firms push for in-person mentorship As the pandemic’s remote work trend recedes, top law firms are increasingly emphasizing in-office attendance for early-year associates, particularly those in their first three years. Firms like?Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Goodwin Proctor, and?Latham & Watkins now lean towards hybrid models, requiring a minimum of three in-office days per week to ensure critical training and mentorship from senior lawyers. While exceptions exist, such as?Quinn Emanuel’s fully remote policy, the predominant trend reflects a return to on-site involvement, which firms say helps build skills and foster collaboration. For firms, however, the return carries increased operational costs, as real estate expenses rise to accommodate more associates back in physical offices. Balancing partner preferences for remote flexibility with the need to provide in-person guidance has become a new challenge, with some firms even linking bonuses to attendance to encourage in-office engagement. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Law #Legal #LawFirms #BigLaw

Maintaining client communication: Key to avoiding disciplinary actions in litigation Matthew Brunelli, an associate at?Stevens & Lee, emphasizes that lawyers must prioritize client communication to avoid disciplinary issues. While court-mandated deadlines often force lawyers to stay in contact with opposing counsel and the court, the risk of neglecting client updates can trigger complaints to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Lawyers are obligated under Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4 to keep clients reasonably informed and to respond promptly to information requests. Brunelli highlights best practices to prevent communication lapses, such as using e-filing systems to automatically share case updates with clients. This ensures that clients remain informed and reduces the likelihood of frequent update requests. Additionally, he advises lawyers to engage in regular dialogue with clients about case developments and to document these communications, particularly following important filings. This documentation can protect lawyers from potential Rule 1.4 violations. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Law #Legal #Litigation

Legal?tech firms face uphill battle Legal?tech companies specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven efficiency tools are finding it challenging to sell to large law firms, which operate on the billable hour model and thus lack incentives to embrace efficiency-focused technology. While more than half of Fortune 500 in-house?legal?teams now use AI tools like contract review software, a 2024 survey shows AI impacts only a small portion of billable work at law firms, with most of these firms still preferring traditional billing structures. Companies like Robin AI and Luminance report that private practice attorneys often apply AI to low-profit, labor-intensive tasks, such as handling non-billable NDAs. Despite predictions of AI revolutionizing the?legal?industry, some experts believe the billable hour model will endure, especially among prestigious firms. Alternative pricing structures, such as fixed fees, are emerging but are more common among medium-sized or specialized firms seeking a competitive edge. Junior lawyers, meanwhile, benefit from AI’s ability to streamline administrative tasks, which enables them to engage sooner in high-value work—a shift that could eventually influence partner and pay structures. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Law #Legal #LegalTech #LawFirms

Peer pressure and growth drive Big Law merger talks amid fewer options Mergers among large law firms are being driven by a mix of factors, including the need for geographic expansion, deeper practice benches, and an increasing sense of peer pressure, according to industry experts. Jeff Low e of CenterPeak LLC notes: “If we don’t do anything, we’re going to get left out,” as more firms look to secure strategic partners in an environment where potential merger targets are dwindling. While mergers have always been cyclical, Lisa Smith of Fairfax Associates adds that competition and market evolution are prompting firms to think more strategically about their future. "It's a wake-up call... firms are evolving," she said, highlighting how geography and practice depth are key motivations for mergers. Recent combinations, such as?Ballard Spahr LLP?and?Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, reflect these trends, with firms targeting emerging markets like Austin and Seattle. However, Susan Mendelsohn, a Chicago-based recruiter, warns that some boutique firms may resist mergers due to rising billing rates at larger firms, offering opportunities to fill a gap in the market. As the merger landscape tightens, law firms face tough decisions about how to remain competitive without losing their identity or pricing out clients. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Law #Legal #BigLaw #Mergers #LawFirms

Alexi revolutionises?legal?workflow Artificial intelligence (AI) litigation platform Alexi has announced a major product expansion aimed at enhancing the efficiency of?legal?workflows. The new features allow litigators to reduce routine tasks by up to 80%, enabling them to focus on client strategy and high-impact work. Alexi chief executive Mark Doble stated: “This new Alexi product is built on our strong foundation in AI-generated?legal?research work products; now, however, we're revolutionizing the entire litigation workflow.” Key upgrades include context-aware case management, comprehensive document analysis, and an AI conversational assistant for real-time?legal?queries. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Litigation #LegalTech #LegalTechnology #Law #Legal #AI #LegalAI #Alexi

Time to act: A call for accountability amid the crisis of female representation in law firms Mary Beth H. Gray, managing partner at?Kleinbard LLC, calls for urgent action to address a lack of female leadership among law firms. Despite changes in workplace dynamics post-pandemic, women continue to struggle with balancing career and personal life in a male-dominated?legal?industry. Gray argues that without prioritizing female retention and growth, law firms risk losing talent and financial performance. She emphasizes the importance of male leaders stepping up to create equitable policies, such as family leave and better work-life boundaries, to support long-term female success and leadership in law. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #Law #WomenInLaw #LawFirms #legal

???Beyond Compliance: Mastering Risk & Building Culture Imagine going beyond basic compliance to master ongoing risk management and create a stronger workplace culture. You already have the tools to make that leap—join this webinar by NAVEX to learn how! Key takeaways: ?? Use internal reporting to spot risks early ?? Optimize partner screening for better risk allocation ?? Empower your team to foster a culture of risk awareness and accountability Transform your approach to risk management and build a culture that strengthens your organization’s resilience. Register today! ?? https://lnkd.in/d9b5i27x #RiskManagement #Compliance #WorkplaceCulture #OrganizationalResilience #Webinar Dean Wading, Kelly Francis, Michael Volkov, Rebecca Walker, Kyle Martin

Law schools evolve to meet demands Law schools are increasingly under pressure to produce practice-ready lawyers, leading to significant curriculum changes. Kellye Testy, executive director of the Association of American Law Schools, stated: “Schools want to add as much value for their students as they can.” Institutions are now focusing on experiential learning, with many introducing clinics and simulations to prepare students for real-world?legal?practice. For instance, Stanford Law students engage in hands-on cases, while Emory Law has added business-focused classes. The American Bar Association has also pushed for more practical training, requiring six credits of experiential learning. As technology evolves, law schools are adapting their curricula to include?legal?tech, ensuring graduates are equipped for future challenges. This shift aims to prepare students not just for their first job, but for their entire career. Subscribe to Legal Slice if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the legal world: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZp_tvpt #LawSchools #Law #Legal #ABA