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America & Its Principles: Which Ones Are Worth "Doing a Pelley?"

Principles, institutional and individual, have ballooned into a big issue. A very sticky one.  Paul, Weiss' decision to cut a deal with the Trump administration to lift an Executive Office in March 2025 rocked the legal sector. It continues to throw shade on the reputation of that law firm. The leader who symbolizes it - Brad Karp - hasn't been able to defend it effectively. That's despite his being a skilled defense lawyer.  And now we have this further development. It's rocking media. And at a time when media itself in being judged harshly. Or simply being blown off as irrelevant.  At CBS, Scott Pelley decided to stand up for what he determined was the editorial integrity of "60 Minutes." No newbie in corporate he had to know he risked being fired for cause. And that he was.  The more than 1,300 comments to The Wall Street Journal coverage of that drama indicate a broad range of opinion about the stance which Pelley took. Of course, out there, to some Pelley...
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Unexpected: Big Law Salaries Raised

Few anticipated this: Milbank kicked off salary raises for associates. The new range is from $235k to $455k. McDermott followed. Giving how Big Law operates, other large law firms and elite boutiques probably will match or exceed. But all associates should hesitate to celebrate by purchasing new luxuries. With AI and other challenges to the business of these law firms associates' long-term employability is iffy. SCOTUS chief justice John Roberts, Paul, Weiss partner Brad Karp and Quinn Emanuel co-founder John Quinn all predict significant reductions in demand for junior lawyers.  Right now the good times are rolling for Big Law. The leadership needs associates. But that situation could change soon enough. In coaching, I guide clients to anticipate the bottom falling out of how they earn a living. Careers? So Over. It’s about Earning a Good Living. No matter what. Complimentary consultation. No Pressure. Street-smart Guidance. Contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com.
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A Sweater Will Never Be Just a Sweater Again: From Bill Gates to Marc Rowan and More

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  The sweater industry might have gotten a major boost in marketability since it's taken on symbolic importance. The media, ranging from The Wall Street Journal to Fox News, has been having a few very good days detailing how the message-management folks employed by Bill Gates focused on his sweaters. The objective is reported to be to soften the negatives in how Gates came across. There was even the lofty expectation that this tycoon, once accused of being a monopolist, could be reset as a techie version of Mr. Rogers.  The buzz on social network "X" has extended the weighty matter of the sweater to Apollo CEO Marc Rowan. It was called to our attention that maybe just maybe Rowan also was attempting to retrofit his persona with a sweater topped off with a cute white collar. Ever since Tom Wolfe's satire on Wall Street "Bonfire of the Vanities," Masters of the Universe like Rowan have come off badly. A little humanizing can go a long way. Well, shame on me. ...
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BoomerVille: So, This Is How June Kicks Off

This isn't what we Boomers had hoped for. Meanwhile, high gas prices in themselves are a Debbie-Downer. But worse is contemplating that they might not go down any time soon, no matter the geopolitical developments.  Dow Jones Industrial Average Index Index: DJI Compare 50,865.27 USD ▼ -167.19 (-0.33%) today  
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BoomerVille: Gen Zers w/o Equities Probably Hate Us

  FUTURES IND Close Future Change 51,032.46 51,120 +43 FAIR VALUE FUTURES (5.46) FV Close Future Impl Open 51,082.46 51,120 +37.54
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Bill Gates, Kathy Ruemmler and More: Our Stomachs Turn + Their Brands Keep Crumbling

Bill Gates has been a long-term user/abuser of reputation rehab. The Wall Street Journal article about that notes: "Employees around Gates have spent years carefully cultivating his portrayal to set him apart from his combative years fighting antitrust charges while leading Microsoft, according to internal documents and Gates employees." More recently there's the detailed campaign to reposition Gates back as the noble presence first in tech, then in philanthropy he once was before divorce and the Epstein files fallout. Read all about it in the WSJ. Stomach turning, isn't it.  But, there's more. Obviously, it hasn't been effective. The Gates brand continues to collapse. Individuals such as Warren Buffett and entities such as institutions in India have distanced themselves. And Gates gets it. He himself had decided to not attend Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting. Previously he had been a regular. The same lack of results from message managing is happening...
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Professional Services: First You Customize Your AI Twin, Then Sell Subscriptions

  It's already operational. A 375-lawyer firm in Ohio has created an AI twin for some of the partners. On Reuters Legal , Sara Randazzo reports. "Working with an AI-focused research lab at Stanford Law School, Vorys has developed  'AI personas' of ​ 19 of its partners, which can be embedded within generative AI tools to offer responses to questions and edit documents in the style of individual partners." As I interpret this, the twin platform for each partner would essentially include: The unique kind of critical thinking, that is the strategic approaches Stylistics in everything from arguments to language Comprehensive examples of work products  Access to legal fundamental such as statutes. So, how could the twin be of use in-house?  In many ways.  For instance, a second-year assigned by a particular partner to a M&A deal can access the twin to carry out the tasks exactly as would the partner. But, without requiring the usual amount of partner time. Ideally...
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