DC Pulse


  • iStock-1370273547.png

    Legal Departments Pushing Back Against Partner Rate Hikes

    Billing rates from law firms varied widely in the first half of 2025, and corporate legal departments will need to anticipate tiered and regional shifts in fee dynamics to keep costs under control next year, according to a report released Monday by Wolters Kluwer's ELM Solutions.

  • iStock-1550933192.jpg

    DOJ Challenges ABA's Standing In Law Firm Intimidation Suit

    The Trump administration is not waging an intimidation campaign against U.S. law firms, the government said Friday, calling an American Bar Association lawsuit challenging its alleged "law firm intimidation policy" as total speculation that must be dismissed due to lack of standing.

  • iStock-2185355601.jpg

    Lawyers Hit Billable Hour Goals, But At What Cost?

    As lawyers across the U.S. tally their hours and take stock of how the past year unfolded, a recent Law360 Pulse survey suggests many will meet their billable goals, but often at the expense of their mental health and work-life balance.

  • iStock-2184726500.jpg

    Lawyers Don't Expect AI To Lower Billing Targets

    Generative AI is raising questions about how time-based billing adapts when tasks become faster to complete, but most attorneys recently surveyed by Law360 Pulse are skeptical that AI will shift expectations anytime soon.

  • iStock-2212188267.jpg

    Winston Taylor Will Eye Growth Beyond $1.75B Merger

    The architects of the deal to create a major new transatlantic player called Winston Taylor say that "there's no finishing point" to their plans for expansion as they signal an openness to more deals and even external investment.

  • Justice_Department_Comey_44185.jpg

    Feds To Appeal Dismissal Of Comey, James Indictments

    The U.S. Department of Justice indicated Friday that it will appeal the dismissals of headline-grabbing indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, after a federal judge ruled the controversial prosecutor handling both cases was not properly appointed.

  • iStock-884016252.jpg

    DC Firm Hiring From Government Skyrocketed In 2025

    As federal lawyers left in droves this year amid President Donald Trump's return to the White House, the number of attorneys who moved from government jobs to BigLaw firms in Washington, D.C., doubled in 2025 compared to the last post-presidential election year.

  • Logo_of_Hogan_Lovells_79158.jpg

    Hogan Lovells, Cadwalader's Divergent Paths Led To Deal

    The blockbuster combination between Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP announced this past week involves two law firms that have charted very different paths in recent years. Here, a look at what events led up to the firms joining together at the deal table.

  • Law360 Pulse Spotlight On Mid-Law Work

    Foley Hoag's handling of a suit challenging the proposed White House ballroom and Vedder Price's work on a $2 billion transaction with Goldman Sachs lead this edition of Law360 Pulse's Spotlight On Mid-Law Work, recapping the top matters for Mid-Law firms from Dec. 4 to 19.

  • More Pardon Seekers Going 'Straight To The White House'

    A nonprofit's unusual plan to make a mass pardon request directly to the Trump administration highlights burgeoning optimism among white collar defendants about their chances of securing relief, and a recognition that the clearest path to clemency no longer runs through the traditional channels.

  • Federal Courts Not Subject To FOIA, DC Judge Rules

    The conservative litigation group America First Legal Foundation cannot demand documents from the federal Judicial Conference of the U.S. and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts under the Freedom of Information Act because they are not executive agencies, a D.C. federal judge ruled Thursday.

  • Boehm_Paul_62315-8134.jpg

    Sidley Adds Williams & Connolly Mass Torts Trial Atty In DC

    A trial attorney who spent more than two decades at Williams & Connolly LLP has moved to Sidley Austin LLP to help lead its product liability and mass torts practice.

  • Miguel Zaldivar.png

    Hogan Lovells Seeks Repeat Merger Success With Cadwalader

    The chief executive tapped to lead what will be known as Hogan Lovells Cadwalader said Friday that the deal that will create the world's fifth‑largest law firm by revenue is set to succeed, promising to repeat the success of the merger that originally founded Hogan Lovells.

  • Beltway Moves: New Jack Smith Firm, Willkie, Holland & Hart

    News that former special counsel Jack Smith will launch a law firm with two of his former top deputies and a Washington, D.C., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP partner was among the major developments in the D.C. legal world as the year comes to an end.

  • Law360's Legal Lions Of The Week

    Five firms lead this week's edition of Law360 Legal Lions, after the D.C. Circuit reinstated an order that blocked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from freezing grants for climate change projects.

  • Voir Dire: Law360 Pulse's Weekly Quiz

    The legal industry had another action-packed week with a mega law firm merger announcement and eye-popping year-end bonuses at a handful of elite boutiques. Test your legal news savvy here with Law360 Pulse's weekly quiz.

  • Boeing-Strike-Company-Struggles_12081.jpg

    If GCs Can't Do It, How Do We Hold Boeing Accountable?

    Several years ago, Ben Heineman Jr. — often referred to as the father of modern-day general counsel — spoke with me about his view of a general counsel's role in shaping a company's corporate culture and ethics.

  • iStock-1473133691.jpg

    2025 Marked Another Big Year For Mid-Law Mergers

    In 2025, Mid-Law firms were under increasing pressure to grow, with mergers typically being the most attractive option, leading to several high-profile mergers of midsize, midmarket and regional firms being acquired and numerous Mid-Law firms themselves absorbing smaller firms amid ongoing industry consolidation.

  • NFLPA's Longtime Associate GC Files $10M Sex Bias Suit

    A longtime associate general counsel for the NFL Players Association on Thursday filed a $10 million sex discrimination and retaliation suit, claiming the union intimidated and retaliated against her for cooperating with a federal investigation into misconduct by "men in positions of power" at the NFLPA.

  • Senate Package Includes US Attorney, DC Judge Confirmations

    The Senate confirmed 13 U.S. attorneys and three local judges for the District of Columbia as part of a nominations package confirmed 53-43 along party lines on Thursday.

  • Dems Offer Bill To Shine Light On High Court 'Shadow Docket'

    Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require the U.S. Supreme Court to explain its "shadow docket" rulings, criticizing the high court for issuing "harmful, backwards decisions" that "impact millions of Americans' lives" but are often unaccompanied by a formal opinion.

  • iStock-908570654.jpg

    OMB Slammed With Suit Over Federal Watchdog Defunding

    A group of nonprofits sued the federal Office of Management and Budget this week to secure permanent funding for the independent agency for federal watchdogs, saying the office overstepped its authority in choosing to defund the organization.

  • iStock-2225207327.jpg

    $3.6B Hogan Lovells, Cadwalader Deal To Form Top 5 Firm

    Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft are planning to combine, creating what the firms say will be the world's fifth-largest firm by revenue, they announced Thursday.

  • john-martinez.jpg

    Maximus CLO Will Depart In New Year For Parsons Corp.

    Maximus Inc.'s chief legal officer and corporate secretary will leave his position to join Parsons Corp., where he'll take over as its chief legal officer on Feb. 16, according to announcements on Thursday. 

  • jodi-l-bosak.jpg

    Shumaker Adds New Recruitment Director From Hahn Loeser

    Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP is looking to boost its legal talent, announcing Wednesday it has brought in a Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP legal personnel manager as its new director of attorney recruitment.

Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the DC Pulse archive.

Expert Analysis

  • Series

    Achieving Organic Growth For A Legal Nonprofit Author Photo

    We started Law Rocks to promote music education for underprivileged youth and raise funds for local nonprofits, and our 15-year journey has shown that enthusiasm, persistence and a great network can lead to a surprising amount of organic growth, say Nick Child and Ted Scott at Secretariat.

  • Series

    Biz Development Tip Of The Month: Engage With The Media Author Photo

    Business development is all about awareness — and by taking existing skills and adapting them to build media relationships and thereby address today's audiences, lawyers can expand their outreach and use thought leadership to build a more complete, compelling personal brand, says Michael Goodwin at Stanton PR.

  • What GCs Value Most: 7 Habits Of Great Relationship Partners Author Photo

    When seeking outside legal advisers, general counsel want commercially savvy lawyers who cultivate relationships of trust with their in-house counterparts, back up the GC's authority and focus on actionable advice instead of abstract legal analysis, say Andrew Dick at The L Suite and Rob Morvillo at Olo.

  • Roundup

    Nonprofit Launch Tips From Founders In The Legal Industry Author Photo

    In this season of giving, take a look back at this Law360 series featuring legal professionals who have founded industry-related nonprofits. They discussed the biggest challenges to getting started, and how to balance the launch and management of an organization along with the demands of their primary work.

  • Series

    Generating Confidence In A Legal Nonprofit Author Photo

    I started LawWithoutWalls to change the way legal professionals see and think about their world, and it taught me the importance of giving people a reason to believe in your nonprofit mission, as well as how to achieve work-life integration, says Michele DeStefano at the University of Miami.

  • Nonequity Partner Frustrations Reflect Erosion Of Opportunity Author Photo

    Nonequity partners report the lowest satisfaction, highest stress and poorest financial outlook of any group of lawyers, highlighting a growing structural disconnect that leaves attorneys at many firms feeling like the ladder has been pulled up behind those who already ascended, says Jake Carroll at Nelson Mullins.

  • Series

    Building Brand Awareness For A Legal Nonprofit Author Photo

    I co-founded the Bridging the Gap Scholarship as a way to increase minority representation in BigLaw, and my advice for other legal professionals starting a nonprofit is to focus on building brand awareness early on, and to get comfortable delegating work to a dedicated team, says Imani Maatuka at Sidley.

  • Learn Your Colleagues To Cross-Sell Their Services Fearlessly Author Photo

    Understanding where colleagues in other practice areas shine can help attorneys confidently cross-sell each other's services and bring in business to keep the firm afloat in hard times, says Joe Calve at Calve Communications.

  • Series

    Biz Development Tip Of The Month: Advertise Ethically Author Photo

    Business development in the legal industry is about building authentic connections and showcasing expertise in a way that reflects reality, and, when done right, it can elevate a practice, establish credibility and bring in clients without risking an ethics violation, says Melody Jackson at Robinhood.

  • Ask A Mentor: How Do I Help After Mental Health Leave? Author Photo

    Molly Ranns at the State Bar of Michigan suggests five ways to smooth a colleague's return to practice after short-term mental health leave, while creating a firm culture that protects employees’ emotional health.

  • Tips For Attracting Stellar CLOs In A Competitive Landscape Author Photo

    Amid a rapidly changing regulatory environment and a fierce market for talent, companies hoping to attract the best chief legal officers must have a strong grasp of their roles’ biggest selling points, and any roadblocks that may prevent them from recruiting the strongest choice, says Heather Fine at Major Lindsey.

  • 'Golden Handcuffs' May Be A Double-Edge Sword For Firms Author Photo

    As law firms increasingly use certain financial incentives to retain partners in a fierce lateral market, managing partners should consider the pros and cons of various deferred compensation schemes, says Tom Hanlon at Buchanan Law.

  • The 10-Min. Rule For Building A Business Development Habit Author Photo

    Many lawyers assume that becoming a rainmaker requires a significant investment of time and effort, but the truth is that building a consistent habit of business development can start with just 10 minutes of strategic outreach a day, says Paul Manuele at PR Manuele Consulting.

  • 5 Pointers For Firm Leaders Communicating Tough Decisions Author Photo

    Certain law firm decisions — such as whether to challenge an executive order — cannot be crowdsourced, but leadership can collaboratively communicate these choices using strategies that build trust, reinforce values and preserve cohesion, says John Hellerman at Hellerman Communications.

  • Series

    Biz Development Tip Of The Month: Create A Succession Plan Author Photo

    ​​​​​​​Conversations around retirement and succession can be understandably difficult, but when attorneys make a plan for the transition early and effectively, they have the opportunity to not only keep work but also increase it, says Jillian McKenna at Verrill Dana.

×

Law360

Law360 Law360 UK Law360 Tax Authority Law360 Employment Authority Law360 Insurance Authority Law360 Real Estate Authority Law360 Healthcare Authority Law360 Bankruptcy Authority

Rankings

Leaderboard Analytics Social Impact Leaders Prestige Leaders Pulse Leaderboard Women in Law Report Law360 400 Diversity Snapshot Rising Stars Summer Associates

National Sections

Modern Lawyer Courts Daily Litigation In-House Mid-Law Legal Tech & AI Small Law Insights

Regional Sections

California Pulse Connecticut Pulse DC Pulse Delaware Pulse Florida Pulse Georgia Pulse New Jersey Pulse New York Pulse Pennsylvania Pulse Texas Pulse

Site Menu

Subscribe Advanced Search About Contact