Law Practice Trending Topics

To help with your writing efforts, here’s what people are looking for in Law Practice and Legal Marketing online. Trending topics culled from JD Supra, search analytics, social media conversations, and other sources:

DHS Shifts Attention to Attorneys in Latest Pushback Against Asylum Claims 

Consider writing about:

A May 26 directive by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding purported asylum fraud; what this May 26 release may mean for immigration attorneys as well as for their clients in terms of enforcement actions and potential penalties; any practices attorneys and their clients should be reviewing or strengthening in light of accelerating pressures from DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Related information:

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/05/26/dhs-takes-additional-steps-crack-down-asylum-fraud

Florida Supreme Court Adopts New Rules Regarding AI Use 

Consider writing about:

New rules adopted last month by the Florida Supreme Court regarding the use of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings; the rules’ effective date and potential penalties for non-compliance; how the Florida rules compare to other states’ rules on AI use within the court system; whether the Florida rules’ inclusion of pro se litigants is a novel development in courts’ approach to AI’s increasing role in legal proceedings.

Related information:

https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/florida-supreme-court-issues-new-ai-rules-for-lawyers

How Lawyers Can Address Pop Culture’s Impact on Jurors [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

The intersection of pop culture and the courtroom. How can litigators adjust their courtroom strategies in the face of popular fictional or real-life TV shows and podcasts, and their potential resulting impact on jurors – or should they? What effects are popular programs having on prospective jurors, in terms of impressions of the legal system, and possible misconceptions about legal processes, science, methodology, evidence, or prosecutions? Do lawyers need to tailor their courtroom tactics, demeanor, and presentations accordingly?

What New AI Tools Could Mean for Law Firms 

Consider writing about:

New legal tech tools being rolled out by Anthropic (and possibly other big tech firms); how significant a development this may be for the legal profession; best practices for vetting new AI tools and using them in real-life situations; what precautions, backup tools, or other safety nets law firms should have in place when expanding AI’s role in their processes.

Related information:

https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-expands-legal-ai-tools-claude-cowork-2026-5

A Meditation on Mental Health Awareness Month 

Consider writing about:

Mental Health Awareness Month and its significance for your law firm or for the legal profession as a whole. Among possible topic ideas: Your piece could focus on this issue within the context of pro bono programs or other firm initiatives that have dealt with mental health challenges on the part of clients or a broader community, or you could write about mental health issues within the overall legal profession, how law firms can be more supportive of colleagues in need of help, and/or what your firm specifically has undertaken in this regard. How is the legal profession’s attitude evolving regarding its members’ mental health and well-being, what noteworthy progress has been made over the years, and what are the major barriers that remain to real change?

Summertime Living for Lawyers 

Consider writing about:

A summertime-themed topic of your choosing, whether practical or lighthearted. Among the possibilities: a look at work-life balance issues for lawyers; tips on disconnecting during a vacation while still managing client expectations (plus: additional challenges for solos or small firms); opportunities for summertime bonding experiences with current or prospective clients; or maybe a look at vacation reads, hobbies, or adventures, or a first-person account of how a vacation can open the door to a personal or professional “aha!” moment and perhaps a significant transition or new venture.

Reflections on the Meaning, and Challenges, of Being of Service 

Consider writing about:

Themes that have added resonance for people around the time of Memorial Day. Whether you or a close relative, friend, or mentor served in the military, consider examining the issues of duty, commitment, sacrifice, or service – whether service to one’s country, community, profession, or others – and how related obligations, achievements, or beliefs can carry through to other facets of one’s life.

Alternatively, consider whether to write a practical piece on how someone may be able to transition from a military role to a role in the legal profession, with attention to any through-lines and transferable skills that connect the two spheres, or, alternatively, consider whether to write a piece on how law firms can be more inclusive regarding hiring veterans or how law firms and individual attorneys can best manage and plan for service in the U.S. National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve while also maintaining a career in the law.

TikTok Tips for Lawyers [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

How using TikTok can benefit law firms or individual lawyers; how to best leverage the platform’s features for maximum impact; potential pitfalls to avoid, involving ethics rules, advertising regulations, or otherwise; pros and cons of using TikTok as compared to other social media; success stories based on your own use of TikTok.

Insights on Summer Associate Programs 

Consider writing about:

Summer associate programs, from the angle of your choice, whether memories of your own experience as a summer associate and some of the most valuable things you learned, or summer associate program trends within your firm or within the profession as a whole; or tips for summer associates on how to put their best foot forward while getting the most out of their position.

How Lawyers Can Gain the Most Benefit From Being on LinkedIn [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

How lawyers can make the best use of LinkedIn as they begin or continue their legal practice; tips on writing compelling profiles, building networks, reaching potential clients, choosing what to post, establishing oneself as a thought leader, publishing new, reused, or adapted content, and more. What do even some experienced LinkedIn users overlook regarding timing, tone, etiquette, or other finer points of being on LinkedIn?

How to Excel at Public Speaking [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

How attorneys can improve their performance as public speakers. Consider touching on any of the following: organization and preparation tips; importance of tailoring a presentation to one’s audience; value of practice or feedback prior to a real-life speaking engagement; do’s and don’ts regarding the use of notes, outlines, or visual aids; the challenges of using humor in a public speech; and more.

Navigating Generation Gaps at Work 

Consider writing about:

Potential generational clashes or misunderstandings in the legal profession and how to address them. Possible points of friction: communication styles, tech expertise, work styles, work-life balance, expectations, or misconceptions. How have generation gap issues been prevented or resolved at your current firm or at other points in your career? What would you like to see the legal profession do better in this regard?

AI on the Bench: Takeaways From Survey of Judges 

Consider writing about:

A new survey on federal judges’ use of artificial intelligence; what stands out to you about the survey results; how the legal profession can facilitate training on, and adoption of, AI tools; what other questions you would like to see answered about judges’ attitude toward, and experience with, artificial intelligence.

Related information:

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/03/northwestern-study-finds-a-significant-number-of-federal-judges-are-already-using-ai-tools

https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/ai-use-by-federal-judges-is-broad-but-infrequent-new-study-shows

Cyberthreats Against Law Firms: What to Know and What to Do 

Consider writing about:

How cyberthreats against law firms are evolving; main sources of cyberthreats these days; types of cyberattacks that law firms most commonly experience; how threat actors’ tactics are changing and, possibly, also intensifying; obligations on the part of law firms and their leaders to protect clients’ data from cyberthreats; a refresher on best practices (or, alternatively or additionally, a rundown of current, hot-button cyberthreats and risk management focused on those specific threats). Also consider whether to write about specific data security challenges for smaller law firms or for law firms operating outside of the United States.

Insights on Mentoring Relationships [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Becoming or finding a mentor within the legal profession; benefits of the mentor relationship, for either or both individuals; how to head off common misunderstandings or misplaced expectations; how to maximize the potential value and ultimate success of the mentor experience; additional challenges, concerns, or priorities for women or minorities. Alternatively or in addition, consider whether to present a selection of do’s and don’ts, or whether to describe your personal experience in a current or past mentor relationship.

OpenAI Sued Over ChatGPT’s Advice 

Consider writing about:

Nippon Life Insurance Company of America’s claims that ChatGPT maker OpenAI is practicing law without a license; basis for the insurer’s allegations against the AI company; what this case may illustrate regarding the ability of pro se plaintiffs to use AI tools to fuel their legal quests; related trends that the courts are seeing; how law firms and their clients can best confront this issue; whether OpenAI or other tech companies are implementing new safeguards to head off potential future claims similar to those being brought by Nippon.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/openai-hit-with-lawsuit-claiming-chatgpt-acted-an-unlicensed-lawyer-2026-03-05

Takeaways From High Court Ruling on Attorney-Client Communications 

Consider writing about:

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding attorney-client communications; key points in the Court’s ruling on criminal defendants’ right to counsel; practical implications for defense attorneys.

Related information:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-557_l5gm.pdf

What to Know About a New DOJ Ethics Proposal 

Consider writing about:

A proposed rule published this month by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding alleged ethics violations by DOJ attorneys; how investigations of such allegations would change under the proposed regulation; what the proposed rule could mean for State Bars’ oversight and authority, accountability on the part of DOJ attorneys, and the handling and outcome of cases; potential grounds for legal challenges to the DOJ’s proposed rule.

Related information:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/05/2026-04390/review-of-state-bar-complaints-and-allegations-against-department-of-justice-attorneys

Controversy Erupts Over Removal of Climate Science Material From Reference Manual for Judges 

Consider writing about:

The Federal Judicial Center’s reported withdrawal of material regarding climate science from the new edition of the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence; what to know about the reference manual’s use, and how material is vetted and chosen for inclusion in the manual (and by whom); why the climate change material was withdrawn; whether the inclusion of other material in the manual has been challenged and, as a result, become a trigger for controversy; the Federal Judicial Center’s history and role; what the withdrawal of material on a specific body of information (in this instance, climate science) could mean for judges’ performance of their duties and potentially for the outcome of cases.

Compare and Contrast: Michigan and N.Y. Rulings on AI and Attorney-Client Privilege 

Consider writing about:

What a Michigan federal magistrate judge’s ruling in Warner v. Gilbarco, Inc. may mean for the discoverability of materials produced through the use of AI tools; how the Gilbarco judge’s findings on this point compare to a New York federal judge’s ruling in United States v. Heppner; differences between the two cases’ details that helped shape the contrasting conclusions regarding discoverability; additional takeaways for legal practitioners and their clients regarding best practices in the current AI era.

Who’s on First? What’s on Second? 

Consider writing about:

The Trump administration’s on-off-on-again pursuit of law firms; what to make of the Justice Department’s flip-flop this week involving executive orders targeting law firms; what this week’s DOJ reversal may indicate regarding overall operational efficiency and communication under the current DOJ; how law firms can best manage risk amid an arguably chaotic atmosphere created by the second Trump administration.

Related information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-department-reverses-course-trump-law-firms-executive-orders

Practical Implications of Ruling on AI and Privilege Protections 

Consider writing about:

A Feb. 10 ruling by a federal judge in the Southern District of New York on privilege protections for AI-generated content; what to know about the material, AI tool, and attorney-client interactions at issue in the underlying case; basis for Judge Jed Rakoff’s ruling that attorney-client privilege did not apply to the AI-generated material; practical takeaways for legal professionals and their clients on the handling of AI-generated content.

FTC Invokes Antitrust Law in Recent Warning to Law Firms Over Hiring Practices 

Consider writing about:

A Jan. 30 letter sent by the Federal Trade Commission to more than three dozen law firms over their DEI-related practices; basis for the FTC’s claim that the practices could potentially constitute antitrust violations; whether companies’ in-house legal departments could be facing (or already are facing) similar pressures from the FTC; what to know about the Mansfield Certification program, its history, goals, workings, and current status; how law firms should be assessing their hiring, retention, and promotions practices in light of pressures from the Trump administration; additional implications for individuals looking to enter the legal profession or advance within the profession.

Related information:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/01/federal-trade-commission-chairman-andrew-n-ferguson-issues-warning-letters-law-firms-anticompetitive

Podcasting Pointers for Lawyers [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

How lawyers can most effectively present and leverage a podcast for the sake of their clients and their own advancement; tips on identifying worthwhile topics, selecting material, choosing between audio-only vs. video formats and scripted vs. conversational formats, deciding on duration and frequency of stand-alone podcasts or a podcast series, whether to have guest speakers (and how to find and vet them), and other fine points of preparing and executing a successful podcast; additionally, common mistakes or missteps to avoid; also: how to effectively promote and maximize the value of a completed podcast.

Judges Form Judicial Artificial Intelligence Consortium 

Consider writing about:

The formation of a Judicial Artificial Intelligence Consortium; the entity’s origins, composition, main concerns, and key goals; any relevant background on the part of the consortium’s founders; how judges can participate in the consortium; what issues judges around the United States have already raised regarding AI’s impact on the legal profession.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/us-judges-form-group-tackle-pitfalls-promise-ai-2026-01-26

Trial Preparation Techniques in a Time of Partisanship, Conspiracy Theories, and ‘Fake News’ 

Consider writing about:

How trial lawyers may need to adapt (or are already doing so) in an era of political divisiveness and at a time when far-out conspiracy theories are widely disseminated on social media, and an increasing number of people seem to deride facts – or beliefs they don’t agree with – as “fake news.” How have the stakes changed for trial attorneys in recent years? Do trial lawyers need to rethink their trial preparation, juror screening, and courtroom tactics – or are tried-and-true techniques still up to the task?

What New Clients Should Know [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

What new clients should know about the early phases of the client-lawyer relationship. Choose among any or all of the following points: first contacts, the initial conference, engagement letters, and subsequent meetings and preparation for them. What are some common pitfalls in terms of expectations, fees, communications, etc., and how can lawyers or their clients best avoid common stumbling blocks on the road to a successful outcome?

How to Wrangle Technical Information for Jurors [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

How lawyers can best present scientific or other highly technical information to jurors; pointers on trial preparation, and choice of written or visual materials, use of expert testimony, and other potentially useful elements; additional guidance on what to do or not do to most effectively convey essential points to a lay audience.

Leadership Lessons and Challenges for Lawyers [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

One or more of your current or past leadership role models, whether in the legal profession or otherwise; lessons learned from that person or persons; how you have embraced those lessons and put them to use in your own career or other pursuits; how someone can be a more effective leader; what prevents individuals from developing effective leadership skills; what law firms can do to help individuals cultivate leadership skills; additional professional or personal resources or tips on leadership.

How Law Firms Can Get the Best Results From Generative AI [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

How lawyers or other legal professionals can achieve more worthwhile results when utilizing generative artificial intelligence; pointers on crafting effective search prompts; additional tips on choice of AI tools, potential missteps to avoid, red flags to watch for, and related resources on how to get the most benefit out of generative AI.