43 Legal Blogs to Stay on Top of the Industry

Most attorneys are competitive.

They want to win. As it turns out, there’s a subtle strategy you can use to beat your competitors. This strategy compounds rapidly, paying huge dividends over time. It’s a strategy you can use to beat internal and external competitors.

I’m talking about continuing education.

Education enables you to find creative and innovative strategies for each of the problems your clients face. Most attorneys do their best to stay up-to-date. Most aren’t sure who to turn to for the data they need.

It’s not their fault.

As a result, many attorneys struggle to achieve the results and outcomes they want.

You deserve better.

Here’s a list of legal blogs and publications you can use to win.

Take a look.

Federal and state legislation and regulations

Congress.gov and GovTrack.us for proposed, pending and recently enacted federal legislation
OpenStates.org for proposed, pending and recently enacted state legislation
FederalRegister.gov for proposed/final regulations
USA.gov for regulatory data from specific federal agencies
NCSL.org a resource for tracking states’ proposed, pending or final rules

General

The ABA Journal Blawg Directory, a comprehensive listing of more than 4,500 legal blogs broken down by practice area. If you’re looking for a specific practice area that’s not covered in this post this is a great place to start.
The In-House Blog focuses on the issues that come with in-house legal jobs. They include helpful posts like “how to get promoted, salary surveys, what it’s like to go in-house” and more.
beSpacific provides a searchable database of more than 44,000 posts on a variety of subjects including: federal documents, privacy, law and technology, intellectual property, energy, the economy, tech related litigation and libraries.
Above the Law takes a behind-the-scenes look at the world of law. The site provides news and insights about the profession’s most colorful personalities and powerful institutions, as well as original commentary on breaking legal developments.
Law 360, a LexisNexis company, covers all things legal. It’s touted as a one-stop source for legal news and analysis. It’s comprehensive, timely and detailed, covering a wide variety of practice areas and industries.

Litigation

LexBlog is a worldwide publishing network that has over 25,000 bloggers within their network. Half of the nearly 1,000 blogs from the United States’ top 200 law firms. They have a variety of channels including civil litigation and class action and mass torts. firms.
The Red Well is an aggregator that covers litigation, persuasion and advocacy.
The Jury Expert, a publication that’s focused on litigation advocacy.
JHA.com is written by Joseph Hage Aaronson, a New York attorney who specializes in commercial litigation and arbitration.
JAMS, is one of the largest private alternative dispute resolution (ADR) providers in the world. Their publication covers mediation, arbitration and ADR. Their panel of experts includes 350 retired judges, attorneys and employee associates.
The MassTort litigation blog covers mass tort and civil litigation issues from the perspective of several law professors.
Innovative Science Solutions covers litigation topics focusing specifically on scientific subjects (e.g. how much caffeine is safe to ingest?)
Settlement Perspectives offers a vast amount of helpful information on structuring and negotiating settlements, with practical advice on negotiating.
Minc Law describes itself as the nation’s #1 internet defamation law firm. They provide helpful information on defamation oriented litigation topics. Their blog and legal resource center is a consumer-facing resource for topics like extortion, blackmail, reputation management and more.

Intellectual property

Patently O is the nation’s leading patent law blog. It’s published by two authors: Dennis Crouch, associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Law and Jason Rantanen Professor, University of Iowa College of Law.
IP Newsflash offers current and trending news related to patents, trademarks and other intellectual property issues.
Law 360, a LexisNexis company, has a vibrant section on intellectual property law. This content is hidden behind a subscription/pay wall but it’s worth it. Payment creates obligation and that means readers are far more likely to get value out of it.
IP Watch is a non-profit news source that’s focused exclusively on intellectual property law from an international perspective.
Patent Docs is a publication that focuses on patents primarily as well as other forms of intellectual property. Patent Docs is written by patent attorneys and agents, many of whom hold doctorates in a diverse array of disciplines.
JD Supra provides intellectual property law updates, alerts, news, and legal analysis from leading lawyers and law firms.
Trademark and copyright law blog is published by Foley and Hoag LLP. This site offers fresh perspectives on legal developments including trademarks, copyrights, domain disputes, unfair competition and more.
Foss patents covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers).
Trading Secrets covers trade secrets and non-competes. If protecting trade secrets is part of your responsibility Trade Secrets is for you.
Trade Secrets Watch offers the latest in trade secret news and analysis from the US and across the globe.

Criminal law

Crime and consequences is sponsored by the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, covering all aspects of criminal law across the country.
The ABA’s Criminal Justice Magazine is intended for a national audience of defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges, academics, and other criminal justice professionals with a focus on the practice and policy issues of the criminal justice system.
Bankruptcy Beat, a subscription only service/publication offered exclusively by the Wall Street Journal
Finance & Bankruptcy Law Blog offers trending news, advice, tips and strategies presented specifically for financial institutions. This site is published by Sheppard Mullin, a 480-attorney law firm with offices in California, New York, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.
Bankruptcy-RealEstate-Insights.com is published by Vicki R. Harding. She handles commercial transactions with an emphasis on real estate and bankruptcy issues.

Employment law

BT Currents is managed by the attorneys in Barnes & Thornburg’s Labor & Employment Law Department. It’s designed to be your resource on employment law developments across the country.
Orrick employment law and litigation and the equal pay pulse covers various aspects of employment law developments across the country and internationally.
Employment law worldview is published by Squire, Patton Boggs. They aim to provide attorneys with a unique global insight into the practical and legal HR issues relevant to employers.
Employment and Labor Insider, published by Robin Shea, covers employment litigation, including Title VII and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (including the Amendments Act).
Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home covers employment law from an employee perspective. It’s irreverent and brash outlining “What You Need To Know Before You Scream ‘I Quit,’ Get Fired, Or Decide to Sue the Bastards.“

Legal tech

Giga Tech is a publication from the GigaLaw Firm. This publication covers technology law with an emphasis on cybersquatting, counterfeiters and intellectual property law.
Future Lawyer is published by attorney Richard “Rick” M. Georges. He discusses the technology of today and tomorrow—with a legal spin.

Contracts

Adams on Contract Drafting. This blog is written by Ken Adams, a leading authority on the building blocks of contract language and contract automation.
The contracts guy focuses on contract law with an emphasis on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
Bryan Garner on Words is an ABA columnist who focuses on helping attorneys improve their legal writing skills. He also runs the blog LawProse.

Here’s the thing about this list.

It’s not comprehensive. There’s also no reason for you to read every single blog on this list. It’s meant to be used as a reference. Identify the blogs that work for you, in your practice areas.

Save what’s useful.

Don’t see your practice areas on the list? Head to the sites listed in the general category. Feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start?

Just click one link.

Don’t enjoy reading these? You can listen to these blogs using helpful plugins and apps like Voice Aloud or Read Aloud.

You’re a professional. You’re incredibly busy.

Staying up-to-date is a superpower. It’s a helpful way to open doors. Feel you have a significant amount to say? Guest post on other noteworthy publications to build powerful relationships and raise your profile.

Need advice on a particular problem?

Search through blogs in your practice area for specific strategies, tactics and advice you can use. If you want to surpass the attorneys inside and outside your firm you need more knowledge. Blogs are an informal way for you to get ahead. To win, to stand on the shoulders of giants.

Make education a consistent part of your routine and you may become an industry giant yourself.