#gibson-dunn

#gibson-dunn

For the first time in three years, more law firms are planning to expand their office footprint, rather than contract, according to a new report from commercial real estate brokerage CBRE.

CFTC failing already a solid bet. Government says tariff refund system 40 percent to 80 percent complete which is quite the spread. Almost a they're just making stuff up kind of estimate.

I'm incredibly proud of the firm and what we've accomplished in the last year. We had certainly, the year before, a historic year financially, and this year was also historic in being one of our best financial years in history.

Menlo has elevated Carrillo, its general counsel and only in-house lawyer, to partner after nearly six years with the firm - a rare distinction inside a venture fund. Carrillo's promotion suggests the role of the legal department is shifting in the venture industry. Carrillo said she's at the table for weekly partner meetings where they pitch deals and bat around ideas.

The firm's incoming senior partner, Damien Crossley, emphasised that the new office is not intended as a step towards competing with its relationship firms, such as Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, or any other firm in its "good friends" network. Crossley believes the launch will "help our European clients navigate the U.S.", adding that the office is not intended as a referral office, but rather will serve firm-originated clients.

The single biggest need I see is for firms to focus on nurturing, valuing and hiring meaningful trial talent. There is a growing generational divide in the profession. When I came of age as a litigator, my mentors were seasoned trial lawyers who had come through the ranks trying dozens of cases a year. The industry has changed and those opportunities have dwindled.

A Virtuous Cycle If a legal tech solution has a high degree of adaptability, customers can start small and gradually secure buy-in and expansion. Initial wins create a virtuous cycle, where success leads to growth, and this growth leads to more success. A Cleary Gottlieb team that includes members of its Knowledge Management and Business Development groups has implemented such a cycle at that firm.

The Thomson Reuters Institute and Georgetown Law's Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession released their annual State of the U.S. Legal Market report today, and the good news is that law firms are absolutely crushing it. Profits are up. Rates are up. Demand surged in 2025 at levels the industry hasn't seen in more than a decade. The Am Law 100 is printing money, midsize firms are having a moment, and everyone is congratulating themselves for their "resilience."

At Above the Law, we know that in the legal world, information isn't just power; it's a competitive advantage. But with the sheer volume of news breaking every hour, the most important insights can sometimes get buried under a mountain of generic search results. Google has introduced a way for you to change that. With their Preferred Sources feature, you can take the steering wheel from the algorithm and tell Google exactly which voices you trust.

With so many options out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about where to begin. To help you make sense of it all, "Adventures in Legal Tech" welcomed Jess Birkin, a solo attorney who gets a heck of a lot done in her unique practice niche by leveraging AI and business planning. Goals Versus Themes It's been a decade of upheaval. For lawyers, this reality complicates setting specific goals, because they are likely to be upended by outside events.

From law firms to in-house legal teams, the rules of value are being rewritten. The question is: Who's ready to lead the change? In the first episode of 2026 for the UpLevel View podcast, Stephanie Corey and Ken Callander sit down with Rita Gunther McGrath, Columbia Business School professor and Wall Street Journal columnist, to talk about how AI is forcing professional services to price outcomes instead of hours.

Perkins Coie Implements Data-Driven Forecasting When working together, two Litera solutions - Foundation Scoping (formerly known as Clocktimizer) and Foundation - can offer critical insights into pricing trends so that firms can increase revenue and profitability while also improving client service. Before GenAI was a household term, there was Foundation Scoping, which uses natural language processing to identify, categorize and analyze timecard data, providing useful insights for scoping and matter management.

The conversation was not about shortcuts or hype. It was about how thoughtful use of technology, strong decision making, and having the right support system can dramatically change what is possible for lawyers who want more control over their careers. Matthew's experience moving from Biglaw environments into solo practice offers a grounded perspective on how AI, education, and community now level the playing field for small firms.