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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

SO WHAT'CHA WANT - Particularly during times of decreased client demand, Big Law isn't exactly known for caring all that much about associates' wants and needs. After all, many law firm leaders have spent the bulk of this year looking for ways to reassert their leverage over young talent. But, as Law.com's Dan Roe reports, for those firms that actually want to keep their high-performing associates once the lateral market picks up again, "stay interviews" are helping talent managers understand the evolving needs of their post-pandemic workforce—including second- and third-year associates who began their legal careers during remote work. In the process, those firms, which include Cozen O'Connor and Lathrop GPM, have learned that young lawyers appreciate transparency and individualized training and feedback.

DUAL-COAST DEFERRALS - Speaking of young lawyers, firms on both ends of the country appear to be increasingly putting the brakes on adding new ones for the time being. A couple of months ago, only West Coast law firms had deferred their summer classes. Now, as Law.com's Patrick Smith reports, large law firms rooted in the East Coast and Midwest, such as Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Katten Muchin Rosenman and Dechert have reportedly joined the fray. And the movement may continue spreading east, some legal industry observers say, as overcapacity, particularly in the associate ranks, continues to roil the Am Law 100. "That will bleed into the East Coast," Greg Hamman, director of business insights at legal data and consulting firm Decipher Global, said. "If firms can operate at 80% of capacity and still do the work, they will. It is only a matter of time before East Coast firms follow suit. And their profitability numbers will be through the roof."

ON THE RADAR - Honeywell Inc. and other defendants were hit with a lawsuit Aug. 1 in California Superior Court for Sonoma County alleging negligent recall in connection with fire sprinkler flow switches. The case, brought by Knez Law Group, asserts that the devices activate prematurely, causing major economic losses for plaintiff Thorpe Design, which contends that it was obliged to field complaints and demands from contractors and customers in connection with installation contracts for over 18,000 homes. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendants. The case is SCV-273845, Thorpe Design, Inc. v. Honeywell Inc. Stay up on the latest state and federal litigation, as well as the latest corporate deals, with Law.com Radar.   

EDITOR'S PICKS

States Are Targeting Deepfake Pornography—But Not in a Uniform Way By Cassandre Coyer

With New EEOC Commissioner Sworn In, Lawyers Expect Spike in Enforcement By Brad Kutner

Mary Smith Becomes First Native American Female President of ABA By Christine Charnosky