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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

OPPOSITION – Up for a vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee today are Steven Menashi for the Second Circuit and Halil "Sul" Ozerden for the Fifth Circuit, amid speculation as to whether either can get out of committee. Menashi, a White House lawyer, faces criticism from Democrats over his past writings, and for not answering a letter asking if he was involved in the alleged cover-up of Trump's now infamous call with the Ukrainian president. Republicans were also openly frustrated during Menashi's confirmation, as he declined to discuss what topics he gave legal advice on in the White House. Ozerden might face even steeper odds, as two GOP Senate Judiciary members say they'll oppose his confirmation. The nominee has been criticized for his judicial approach to religious liberty cases.

PAUL PICKED – The U.S. Supreme Court justices have picked Kirkland & Ellis' Paul Clement to defend the single-director structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at the high court this term, following the DOJ's decision to not defend the agency, Marcia Coyle reports. The justices agreed last week to hear Seila Law v. CFPB, a major test of the president's power to fire the heads of independent agencies. Clement, who has argued more than 95 SCOTUS cases, is likely to face off against Kannon Shanmugam, the appellate leader at Paul Weiss, who was counsel of record on the case's petition at the Supreme Court.

PHONE FOLLY – Is law school more stressful than it used to be? Are students more prone to anxiety and depression than in the past? As part of our Minds Over Matters project, reporter Karen Sloan interviews Judith Gordon, a lecturer at UCLA law school and an attorney coach, who attributes much of the problem to too much screen time with devices, which prevents the brain from decompressing and recharging.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

So Sorry Don McGahn!

 Could Bar Exam Prep Loans Become More Expensive After This 5th Circuit Ruling?

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

EXPANSION – Andersen Global has added five new firms to its network in Europe. Varsha Patel reports that the professional services giant has entered into collaboration agreements with firms in Slovenia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Andersen chairman Mark Vorsatz said that the company's "hope and desire" is to add another five European countries with the next nine to 12 months.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"Many false things have been said about me and my family."

—  Lev Parnas, one of two associates of Rudy Giuliani, talking to reporters after pleading not guilty in Manhattan federal court to charges of conspiracy and falsifying records.

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