The legal industry is thriving. Lawyers are not.

The numbers don’t lie. New data shows the demand for legal talent is climbing even as those in the profession find it “detrimental” to their mental health. And no matter the number of people in your firm, cybersecurity must be a priority. Then, with midterms approaching and election law in the news, we rounded up the election law podcasts actually worth your commute. And yes—it's that time again. Your holiday cards won't order themselves.

Coming soon, advice on when to outsource your marketing.

But first, FINAL final draft (print this one)-v2 would like a word. 

😴 zzzZZZ
If you need help relaxing, the Calm app now features a “Sleep Story” that’s just legal director Vidal Maurrasse reading the company’s terms of service.

Is this what they mean by “Minnesota nice?”
An alleged drug dealer from the North Star State was busted after passing out loyalty cards to customers. 

Still the boss, applesauce.
Judge Judy may be passing the gavel (her son’s show, “Adam’s Law" premiered this week), but she’s not leaving the spotlight just yet. After seeing the popularity of AI-created “Baby Judge Judy” videos, she’s decided to launch an animated series called “Judyverse.”

Would these looks fly at your office?
Business Insider has put together a list of best-dressed lawyers. Some of their looks have more than a little “zhuzh.”

We the People have mandatory fun.
September 17 is celebrated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day each year. Every educational institution that receives federal funding is required to celebrate in some way, which makes this a natural opportunity for your firm to sponsor or host an event.

This Billable Hours report from Reuters (authored by Karen Sloan, Mike Scarcella and David Thomas) is worth a click for two reasons:

First, it’s got a summary of the latest legal sector data from the Department of Labor. In short, there are 7.8% more jobs than five years ago, and the industry keeps growing. Compare this to the financial sector, which has been shrinking since May 2025. The two are generally more closely tied. 

Regardless of your thoughts on the economy, the second reason to take a look at this piece is its recap of a major new survey on lawyer well-being. The largest-ever survey of its kind found attorney mental health has gotten worse, not better, despite a decade of wellness initiatives. 41% of the 37,000+ surveyed say the profession has damaged their mental health and 42% screened positive for hazardous use of alcohol.

Why this Matters: The industry is doing great (for now), but those in it are suffering. (Reuters)

If your cybersecurity plan is “we’re not big enough to hack,” this piece from the North Carolina Bar Association is your wake-up call. It’s an interview between the director of the Bar’s Center for Practice Management, Catherine Reach and law firm IT professional Eric Helms that covers all the typical ground (phishing, backups, remote work, password managers). The core message is that no single security product or practice will make a firm completely secure, but a thoughtful set of protections can make a small practice much harder to attack.

Why this Matters: Helms says your size and good instincts are no longer enough. AI is making cybersecurity threats faster, cheaper and more convincing, letting attackers produce polished phishing messages, realistic images and cloned voices that can fool anyone. (North Carolina Bar Association)

This election season, horse-race headlines are being pushed aside by breathless accounts of all the litigation shaping the state of play. If you want to get into the weeds on what’s happening, there are a few different podcasts you can tune into.

Why this Matters: Lawyers have always played an important role in our system, but this year is really highlighting that. (ELB Podcast / Law & Democracy / The Voting Booth)

The official start to fall is still a week away, but ‘tis the season to order your firm’s holiday cards. Use this 12-step planner from WilmerHale’s Elizabeth A. Butcher to decide who signs it, what it says and who it excludes before you're doing all three in a post-Thanksgiving rush.

This year's design trends favor tactile, premium finishes (like foil stamping, sculpted embossing and heavier paper stock) over flat printed pieces, but at the same time, simplicity is edging out cluttered, glitter-heavy layouts.

If you need further inspiration, Fishman Marketing has been cataloging examples of particularly unique cards for years.

Why this Matters: A holiday card reinforces trust and credibility without appearing promotional, and keeps you visible with clients between active matters. It’s one of the few outreach moves that doesn't look like outreach. (Attorney at Work / Gallery Collection / Fishman Marketing)

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