Above the Law

New Bill Seeks To Lower Out-Of-Pocket Drug Costs

Rep. Greg Murphy introduced a bill that would require out-of-pocket prescription drug spending to count toward patients’ deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums regardless of where the drugs are purchased.

Morning Docket: 04.20.26

* Memos reveal the origins of the Supreme Court’s radical and previously unheard of embrace of the shadow docket. Short version: John Roberts cares a lot more about oil stocks than precedent or protocol. [NY Times]

* Legal AI tools cost money, and law firms need capital to pay for it. And private equity waits at the door. [American Lawyer]

* Private practice lawyer Joe DiGenova brought on to run effort to prosecute Trump’s political grudges. I’m old enough to remember when Republicans ranted and raved that this sort of special counsel arrangement was totally illegal. Because I’m older than six months. [ABC News]

* Dunn Isaacson Rhee lures a pair of former White House counsel from Latham. [Law360]

* Witnesses paint a chaotic scene inside Kash Patel’s FBI. [The Atlantic]

* Multiple Biglaw firms accused of conflicts of interest. [Corporate Counsel]

* Penn & Teller amicus brief schools Supreme Court on hypnosis. [ABA Journal]

* Clarence Thomas v. basic American history. [The New Republic]

Some Law Firms Got Paid, Others Still Waiting By The Mailbox– See Generally

We Ran The Numbers So You Can Feel Worse: The annual taxonomy of which law firms successfully converted billable hours into generational wealth confirms that yes, some firms are very, very rich.

That Trump Check Is NOT In The Mail: Trump owes over a million in unpaid legal bills. Who could have predicted this except for everybody?

Ethics CLE Bingo: Attorney tells opposing counsel that they’ll “burn in hell” for, checks notes, representing the family of a missing child.

A Different Kind Of Briefs: In a career pivot, a former adult film star has joined the legal profession.

The Passion Of The Coup Planner: John Eastman, disbarred coup-memo author, has upgraded his grievance narrative from “political persecution” to full messianic complex.

The 80 Million Dollar Man: Kirkland opens the checkbook to nab Wachtell rainmaker.

Man Who Helped Pave Highway Worried About Lack Of Guardrails: Former Trump lawyer fears that no one in the current administration appears to understand constitutional norms. Thanks for showing up late to the party.

Sir, This Is An Advice Column: Jordan Rothman has thoughts about attorney text message etiquette, and those thoughts are essentially “don’t.”

Can A Supreme Court Justice Just Leave Oral Arguments For Cancun?: Senate Republicans announced their readiness to confirm a new Supreme Court Justice if needed, and Ted Cruz appears to be a frontrunner.

Law School Faculties Discover Institutional Credibility, Slightly Late: A coalition of law professors has written to warn the ABA that gutting its diversity accreditation standard will damage its reputation, which is a newsflash the institution needed several months ago.

Is This A Legal Argument Or A Sermon? — See Also

Lawyer Tells Attorneys They Will Burn In Hell: Don’t remember covering that in law school.

A Lesson In Transferable Skills: Former adult movie actress passes the bar.

Trump Allegiance And Owing Money Go Hand In Hand: Time for this Trump PAC to pay up!

Do You Know The Super Rich Firms?: Here they are!

Ty Cobb Says The Guardrails Are Gone: Who is taking advantage of the President’s weaknesses?

Online Troll Johnny Somali Sentenced To 6 Months And 20 Days In South Korean Jail For Being A Sex Offender Nuisance

A longer sentence is still possible.

Stat(s) Of The Week: 1040 Blues

The opportunity costs of filing income tax returns.

Attorneys Should Often Avoid Texting Clients And Counsel

Modern-day convenience ... or thin edge of the wedge?

Law Professors Argue Abandoning The Diversity Rule Will Hurt The ABA’s Reputation

The ABA still has a chance to be on the right side of history.

Former Biglaw Partner Warns There Are No ‘Guardrails’ Left Around Trump — And Someone Is Taking Advantage

Ty Cobb is back on cable news, and he did not come to play.

How Appealing Weekly Roundup

The week in appellate news.

Former Adult Film Star Passes The Bar Exam

Her success story comes with some uncomfortably accurate industry comparisons.

Trump PAC Deep In Debt… And Owes Lawyers Over A Million

Susan Necheles finding out the hard way that Trump never pays his lawyers.

Ranking The Wealth Of Biglaw’s Best: Is Your Law Firm ‘Super Rich’? (2026)

These firms have SO MUCH money!

Has Legal Industry Upheaval Changed Your Career Goals? 

Please share your thoughts in this (always) brief and anonymous survey.

Lawyer Tells Attorneys For Missing Child That They’re ‘Gonna Burn In Hell’

Maybe not the most professional courtroom banter.