👻 Spooky, scary... courthouses?

Plus: AI horror-story roundup | Do ICE officers have federal immunity?

Before you trade your briefcase for a candy bucket, we’ve got some frightfully good legal news and practice tips for you. First up: it’s already time to start planning those office holiday parties, and we’ve got an article full of tricks that will make yours a treat.

Then we’re diving into some real AI horror stories—tales of tech gone wrong that every lawyer should hear before trusting the machine behind the screen—while listening to the annual “Fright Court” episodes of the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s podcast.

Finally, we’re spotlighting firms that are lighting up social media with pumpkin carving contests.

But first, have you ever noticed that a shockingly large number of ghost tours include a stop at the local courthouse? Why do you think that is?

The lawyer-hot dog dichotomy.
Dressing up as a hot dog for a deposition, bad. Selling them during the government shutdown, good.

Call your coven.
The Massachusetts Bar Association is hosting a virtual tour of the Salem Witch Museum, focused on the legal and historical background of the Salem Witch Trials.

A haunted house but it’s just…
What else would you add to @GodLitigation’s list of things that scare attorneys?

Tombstone tastes.

These cooks took their most popular recipes to the grave, literally. (We’d love to do a Q&A with any estate planning attorneys who’ve helped people leave this kind of legacy. If that's you, email us!)

What we’re watching.
A double feature. "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1941) and "The Devil's Advocate" (1997) are the perfect legal thrillers for Halloweekend.

AI horror stories

Artificial intelligence is changing the world and the way we practice. Some growing pains are expected, but this mini roundup of AI news suggests we may be underestimating the upheaval this tech will cause.

OpenAI asks grieving family suing over son’s suicide for a list of people who attended his funeral.

AI models refuse orders to shut down.

Companies building data centers ask landowners and local govt to sign NDAs if they want investment.

Judges admit errors came from AI use.

AI web browsers suck up more information than you may realize.

What could an AI jury look like?

Why this matters: It’s not “Judgment Day” yet, but keeping an eye on what’s going on with AI is important. After all, as the Terminator's John Connor says, “The future is not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves.”

Make your office party a scream

Halloween is here, which means the holiday season is just around the corner. If you’re on the party planning committee, this piece offers timely advice on how to make your work celebration a success. It emphasizes starting with intention, understanding whether your celebration is about rewarding your team, building culture or simply bringing everyone together. With that in mind, you can pick an appropriate location, and the theme, the food and any activities should fall into place.

Why this matters: An intentional, well-planned holiday event can recharge morale, reinforce your firm’s culture and remind everyone that law is a team sport. But if you want your event to be a success, now is the time to start planning it. (Crain’s Chicago Business)

Editor's note: If your office has a great theme or fun costumes, send pictures our way and they may be published in a future edition.

“Fright Court” is now in session

For the past eight years, the North Carolina Judicial Branch has embraced its spooky side and released a special “Fright Court” edition of its official All Things Judicial podcast. The episodes explore eerie corners of the justice system, from courthouse hauntings to recaps of cases involving paranormal activity.

Why this matters: This is a rare chance to see the judiciary loosen its tie and have a little fun while still keeping things grounded in real legal history and procedure. (North Carolina Judicial Branch’s “Haunted Courthouses” playlist on YouTube)

A gourd way to connect

Every October, a few law firms encourage everyone to put down their pens and pick up their pumpkin-carving knives.

Some, like the Indiana-based The Criminal Defense Team, ask the public to vote for their favorite employee-carved pumpkin.

While others, like ARM Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Maryland, are soliciting pumpkin pictures from the public.

Why this matters: Both activities share a common purpose: making the firm feel more approachable, human and connected while bringing in clicks.

You're all caught up!

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