ABA Journal Weekly Newsletter August 29, 2008

Careers
How Michelle Obama’s ‘Savvy Sacrifice’ Helped Her Husband Aug 25, 2008, 01:28 pm CDT
“Working as an associate at a powerhouse international law firm based in Chicago, Michelle Obama had what many would have considered a dream job for a lawyer. But she gave up the Sidley Austin job to pursue a public interest career. This “savvy sacrifice” has provided her husband, presumptive Democratic.”

Law Practice Management E-Mail Scam Targeting Law Firms Ensnares a Lawyer in Atlanta Aug 26, 2008, 06:27 am CDT
“The latest victim of an e-mail scam targeting law firms is Atlanta lawyer Gregory Bartko. The lawyer sometimes handles international legal transactions involving Asian clients, and work is often conducted by e-mail because of the time difference, according to the Fulton County Daily Report. So Bartko wasn’t alarmed when he… ”

Legal Technology BigLaw Firm Recruits on Facebook Aug 26, 2008, 02:43 pm CDT
“Looking for a way to better promote itself to the next generation of lawyers, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle has launched a Facebook page as part of its broader law school recruiting efforts. ‘We are pleased to be capitalizing on the popularity of the most widely used social networking site,’… ”

Associates Law Firm Life Satirized in Bitter Lawyer Webisodes Aug 25, 2008, 12:30 pm CDT
“A lawyer-turned-TV writer has posted a satirical look at law firm life in four Webisodes posted on the Bitter Lawyer website. The Webisodes feature new associate Nick Conley, who works at Sullivan & Moore, “the most prestigious law firm in the entire country.” In one episode, Nick is directed to… :.

Law Practice Management Big Law Firms’ Predicament: Committed to Hire More Lawyers than Needed Aug 27, 2008, 05:54 am CDT
“Because big law firms make associate hiring commitments two years in advance, they are finding themselves in a bind. As the economic downturn has cut into legal work, the firms are pledged to hire more lawyers than they need. Some firms are hiring several new associates even though they recently… ”

Contract Law Court Quotes ‘Seinfeld’ Episode in Ruling Involving Author Tom Clancy Aug 26, 2008, 10:04 am CDT
“Maryland’s highest court is relying on a Seinfeld episode to explain why author Tom Clancy cannot harm a partnership with his ex-wife simply because of spite. The Maryland Court of Appeals cites the Seinfeld episode in which Jerry tries to return a jacket he purchased after an unrelated personal quarrel…”

Law Practice Management WolfBlock to New 1st-Years: We’ll See You in November Aug 26, 2008, 02:27 pm CDT
“Faced with a business slowdown, Philadelphia-based WolfBlock has told its incoming first-year class to take a vacation. “The firm said all but one of eight recent law school graduates were told not to report for work until Nov. 10 rather than the normal start date shortly after Labor Day,” reports…”

Law Practice Management
ABA Ethics Group OKs Outsourcing, But Nixes At Least Some Fee Markups Aug 25, 2008, 07:12 pm CDT
“Although the lawyer in charge remains ultimately responsible and can be held accountable if anything goes awry, those working under his or her direction don’t have to be in the same building in order to comply with professional standards. In fact, they don’t even have to be in the same… ”

Law Schools U.S. News Considers Counting Part-Timers in Law School Rankings Aug 26, 2008, 08:21 am CDT
“U.S. News & World Report is considering counting the undergraduate records of part-timers in its law-school rankings system, a change that would reverse recent gains by many schools. Some schools game the system by funneling those with lower undergrad grades and LSAT scores in their part-time programs, the Wall Street… ”

Law Firms Leader of Dissolved IP Boutique Says No One Wanted His Job Aug 27, 2008, 07:11 am CDT
“A Philadelphia intellectual property boutique is being acquired by a larger firm, and the outgoing managing partner attributes his firm’s dissolution to an unusual problem: No one wanted his job. Synnestvedt & Lechner of Philadelphia was having a banner year in terms of revenue per lawyer, managing partner Joseph Posillico…”

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