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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

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FEEDER SCHOOLS - Which law schools supply Big Law with the most first-year associates? Law.com's 2019 Go-To Law Schools countdown begins this afternoon. We've ranked the top 50 law schools that sent the highest percentage of 2018 grads to the nation's largest law firms. This afternoon you'll get a peek at Nos. 41-50. Friday will be the big reveal. Stay tuned.

BIG DEAL - On Day One, it was balloons, champagne and swag with the new firm logo. But what's happened in the year since U.S.-based Bryan Cave and London-based Berwin Leighton Paisner voted to combine and create a firm with more than 1,400 lawyers? Reporter Roy Strom talks with firm co-chairs Therese Pritchard and Lisa Mayhew about the work of integration and how the deal is delivering on expectations.

RUSHING JUDGMENT - The Senate is expected this afternoon to resume its consideration of Allison Jones Rushing's nomination to the Fourth Circuit. Democrats have questioned whether the Williams & Connolly partner, born in 1982, has enough experience to serve on the federal appeals bench. They've noted that an American Bar Association position says a nominee to the federal bench should have a minimum of 12 years' experience in the practice of law.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

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A Tale of 2 Trials: How These Defense Teams Notched Rare Class Action Verdicts

In Case Where Lawyer Invokes Sexual Demons to Criticize Female Judge, Court Finds Misconduct

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

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MORE DOWN UNDER - Big Four accounting firm KPMG has expanded its legal advisory arm in Australia with hires in its technology and government practices. John Kang reports that Damien Bailey will join KPMG Law as a partner in Sydney from Herbert Smith Freehills. His practice focuses on data, digital, technology and telecommunications. KPMG Law also has launched a national government practice in its Canberra office led by Philip Jones-Hope, who joined KPMG Australia as a director in November and focuses on government projects, commercial advisory, and legislative and regulatory reform.

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WHAT YOU SAID

“I read a story the other day about a public defender that's juggling 400 cases—how can he be well?”

— DR. CHARLES NEMEROFF, RESEARCHER AND PSYCHIATRIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, ON THE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS LAWYERS EXPERIENCE FROM BEING OVERWORKED.

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