New year, new rules lawyers can’t ignore

New year, new rules. This issue of Raise the Bar is a reminder that some long-standing assumptions may have quietly changed.

We start with the USPS and new postmark rules that could affect deadlines if you’re relying on old practices, along with a podcast conversation with the Postmaster General, an attorney, on the thinking behind recent postal policy shifts. 

But first, inquiring minds want to know, what’s the biggest referral fee you’ve ever given or received? 

It’s that time of year.
Over on Instagram, @WorkRetireDie has a round-up of memes encapsulating the spirit of circle back season. 

Don’t be surprised when the demand letter comes back covered in honey and claw marks.
A California homeowner plans to sue the state because there’s a giant bear living under his house. 

Speaking of squatters…
Comedian Julie Nolke has a warning for anyone who invited an Elf on the Shelf into their home.

Deep dive on the hand he’s been dealt. 
Supreme Court lawyer Thomas Goldstein changed the way the SCOTUS bar works, but now he is facing years in prison due to his high-stakes gambling habit.

Semiquincentennial. Say that five times fast. 
The bonus ball drop on New Year’s Eve and the light show on the Washington Monument were just the beginning. There are lots of events scheduled to celebrate America250, and many of them have a legal tie-in. 

RIP mailbox rule?

Postmarks have long served as evidence of the date an item was dropped in the mailbox, but a new rule adopted by the USPS is complicating things. 

As of December 24, a postmark will no longer indicate the date a piece of mail was deposited with the postal service. This is because machine postmarks are now made at regional processing centers rather than local post offices or drop-off points. 

This article by Elena Patel, a tax policy expert at Brookings, gets into the weeds on the reasoning behind the change and its wide-ranging impact. 

Why this matters: Tax filings and mail-in ballots are the two things most news coverage of this change is focusing on. But as Patel notes, many laws referencing postmarks may now need to be updated. (Federal Register / Brookings)

When devices become witnesses

This article on how the Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping litigation was one of the top pieces published by Today’s Managing Partner in 2025. Author Dan Regard, the CEO & Founder of Intelligent Discovery Solutions, Inc. (iDS), takes a high-level look at the various ways internet-connected devices like sensors in cars, wearables, smart badges and industrial systems are fundamentally changing the evidentiary landscape.

He then provides a practical checklist for attorneys who want to use IoT data, covering everything from identifying relevant sources to ensuring admissibility. 

Why this matters: The IoT is projected to grow from roughly 13 billion devices in 2022 to more than 40 billion by 2034. And the data these devices collect and create can corroborate or contradict human testimony in criminal, personal injury, employment and product-liability cases. (Today’s Managing Partner)

Lessons from a (post)master

David Steiner, the lawyer who became the nation’s 76th Postmaster General in 2025, was a recent guest of the Postal Service’s official podcast, "Mailin’ It!" Steiner reflects on how his legal training shaped his approach to leadership, decision-making and risk.

While he doesn’t talk about the controversial new postmark rule, he doesn’t shy away from the fact that he's making major changes to the USPS. He’s leading the 250-year-old organization through operational restructuring and updating its service standards and financial strategy for the first time in decades. Many of these moves have sparked public, internal and political backlash, and he talks about how much of a challenge it is to align expectations, execution and long-term stability. 

Why this matters: The "Mailin’ It!" podcast, as a whole, is worth a listen because it often explores the legal and regulatory issues that shape the postal system. This episode, in particular, is a reminder that lawyering prepares you for a lot more than offering advice. (Mailin’ It!)

• Is what the U.S. did in Venezuela legal?
• Law enforcement officials eagerly embrace AI
• Read the Chief Justice’s year-end report
• Who is liable for the images of nude children that Grok is producing?
• Finding a human to sue in a sea of AI slop

Less scrambling, better marketing

If one of your firm’s goals for 2026 is upping your marketing game, this article from Builden Partners provides a roadmap for success. It outlines a five-step process for creating a content calendar that will keep you on track and prevent you from running out of things to post online. 

It starts with setting goals for the year, then walks you through the process of planning what you want to publish, when, and where. The final step is evaluating the results, which can help you make adjustments on the fly or improve your plan for next year. 

Why this matters: The most effective marketing is proactive and goal-driven. Taking a few minutes to think about what you want to post this year, and actually blocking out time on your calendar to create and disseminate that content, can help you hit key topic areas and highlight things like charitable giving or speaking engagements. (Builden Partners)

You're all caught up!

 Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at raisethebar@mynewsletter.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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 Raise the Bar is written and curated by Emily Kelchen and edited by Bianca Prieto.