The frequency with which lawyers change firms continues to have a dramatic impact on the profession. The increasing mobility also means that more law firms are “downsizing,” dissolving, or splitting into smaller, separate firms, or unfortunately closing. While in the past attorneys’ entire careers often spanned only one or perhaps two firms, the converse is now the norm. Consequently, a lawyer who spends an entire career with one firm is viewed as an anomaly.  

Vanity, self- delusion, and wishful thinking aside, getting to be older is a gift. But, for those who remember when “Little” preceded Stevie Wonder’s name, age pops up with increasing frequency, sometimes impacting how we are regarded and treated. Having passed multiple chronological landmarks should serve to inform, but not to marginalize us.   

"Equal Justice Under Law” is the inscription above the United States Supreme Court. While this is one of the foundational principles of our government, sadly, it is an ideal that is still not realized for underrepresented communities. I grew up in a family where diversity was a core value taught to me at a very young age. As the daughter of a gay father, I learned quickly the ugliness of bigotry and prejudice. The pain I endured as a child from closed-minded neighbors and friends stayed with me to adulthood.

Balancing a legal career with side hustles is a growing trend among lawyers seeking additional income, creative outlets, or a way to diversify their skill set. Many find that side hustles provide a valuable break from the demanding nature of legal work, contributing to better work-life balance and overall job satisfaction. You’ll learn that your colleagues are musicians, dancers, a jiu jitsu practitioner, world class magician, and much more. 

Recognizing that Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has fundamentally transformed the practice of law by revolutionizing various aspects of legal work, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility and the Philadelphia Bar Association Professional Guidance Committee released Joint Formal Opinion 2024-200 (“Ethical Issues Regarding the Use of Artificial Intelligence”). The Opinion is intended to give Pennsylvania lawyers guidance on how to ethically use AI, particularly in light of cases in which lawyers have submitted briefs that cited false or otherwise unreliable information. 

Earlier this summer, at our June 20 Summer Quarterly, I had the honor of moderating a panel featuring an historic lineup of women leaders. On one small stage, there were so many “firsts” – attorneys and judges who had defied tradition to reach their current positions.  

Earlier this summer, at our June 20 Summer Quarterly, I had the honor of moderating a panel featuring an historic lineup of women leaders. On one small stage, there were so many “firsts” – attorneys and judges who had defied tradition to reach their current positions.  

People always ask, “What are the latest and greatest technology toys?” There is always something new, and I love to play with them all. Some are not as cutting-edge as others, but here are a few of my current faves. 

The need for succession planning is well-documented. When attorneys have not had one, the results have often been severe and prejudicial to clients.

“[P]ublic service marks the difference between a business and a profession. While a business can afford to focus solely on profits, a profession cannot. It must devote itself first to the community it is responsible to serve. I can imagine no greater duty than fulfilling this obligation. And I can imagine no greater pleasures.” – Justice Sandra Day O’Connor 78 Or. L. Rev. 385, 391 (1999)