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On The Merits

On The Merits

By: Bloomberg Law
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 On The Merits takes you behind the scenes of the legal world and the inner workings of law firms. This podcast offers in-depth analysis on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the business of law and the legal industry overall. You'll gain insights into how the latest government actions, policies, and business developments are impacting the industry and hear from leading attorneys, legal scholars, industry experts, and our own team of journalists as they share their perspectives on the forces driving change.© 2026 Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Law Firms Can't Afford to Miss Out on Data Center Boom

    Law Firms Can't Afford to Miss Out on Data Center Boom
    Feb 24 2026
    Large law firms are going all in on the nationwide data center build out—nevermind that lurking AI bubble. On today's episode of our podcast, On The Merits, we hear from Bloomberg Law reporter Roy Strom about several examples of law firms deploying multidisciplinary practice groups to solve complex problems for data center builders. Roy also talks about why it may not pay for firms to approach the data center boom cautiously. "If this work goes away, the law firms will struggle, there'll be some partners who have a lot of time on their hands," he said, "but the bigger risk to the law firms right now is probably missing out on a sort of once-in-a-generation extravaganza." Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
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    15 mins
  • DEI at Law Firms Remains Live Issue a Year Into Trump's Term

    DEI at Law Firms Remains Live Issue a Year Into Trump's Term
    Feb 17 2026
    It's been over a year since Donald Trump returned to the White House and almost immediately made it a priority to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at large law firms. There's evidence that this effort is bearing fruit for the president, even after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission walked away from investigations into several firms. The EEOC recently told a court it dropped the probes without getting most of the information it sought on firms' recruiting programs and promotion decisions. Still, the move came after some of those firms struck deals with the White House and several others—including some not involved in the inquiries—scaled back diversity initiatives. Citing the cost of defending itself against Trump's attacks, a DEI nonprofit said it's shutting down its Mansfield Rule program that sought to have firms consider underrepresented candidates in hiring and promotions. To talk about all of this, Bloomberg Law reporter Tatyana Monnay joins our podcast, On The Merits. She explains all the recent developments on this front and also talks about the risks that firms may face if they shut down all of their DEI programs entirely. Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
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    14 mins
  • AI and the Coming Mismatch Between Law Schools and Law Firms

    AI and the Coming Mismatch Between Law Schools and Law Firms
    Feb 10 2026
    The future lawyers of America were taking the LSAT this weekend. But, by the time they get their JDs in a few years, law firms may have replaced many of their entry-level associate jobs with AI. That's a fear Mike Spivey hears a lot about these days. Spivey is a former law school administrator who is now an admissions consultant working with schools and prospective students. He says law school applications for the class of 2029 are spiking right now—even though AI may totally transform the legal industry by the time they graduate. Law schools are asking themselves "'Are we admitting people and bringing in large class sizes who, in three to four years, we're setting up to be in great debt? Are we going to have these debt-ridden people without jobs?'" Spivey said on our podcast, On The Merits. "That's the tension." Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
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    9 mins
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