Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer Alienating Our Affections
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Jan 21, 2026 The podcast dives into the declining trend of single-tier partnerships in Biglaw firms, sparking debates about the future of legal careers. It also explores a bizarre lawsuit involving Kyrsten Sinema and an outdated alienation of affection tort, complete with shocking psychedelic allegations. In a twist, the hosts discuss a recent hack of the Supreme Court's filing system, revealing the audacity of the hacker who boasted about it online. From legal drama to unexpected tech breaches, this episode covers a wild mix of topics!
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Single-Tier Partnerships Are Dwindling
- BigLaw single-tier partnerships are rapidly disappearing as firms adopt two-tier models for flexibility and growth.
- The shift reshapes career paths, management, and diversity efforts across major firms.
Two-Tier Tradeoffs: Flexibility vs. Exclusion
- Two-tier partnerships can provide flexibility for large firms but often become a vehicle to sideline lawyers into non-equity roles.
- That structure can worsen diversity outcomes and create golden handcuffs for senior lawyers.
Provide Real Paths For Non-Equity Talent
- Firms should create clear career paths beyond equity partnership to retain skilled non-rainmakers and transactional specialists.
- Offer meaningful roles and compensation instead of opaque 'partner-in-name-only' titles to prevent talent loss.