Judicial Notice (10.19.25): Going Rogue

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I did some traveling last week. On Monday, Zach and I took Harlan (off from school) and Chase to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. A good time was had by all—except for Chase on the carousel.

On Friday, I participated in Syracuse Law’s annual U.S. Supreme Court Preview. After delivering the keynote address, “The Supreme Court Clerkship: Evolution of an Institution,” I joined a panel discussion that covered some of the most notable cases of October Term 2025. Thanks to Syracuse Law for an excellent visit. Go Orange!

I’m working on a column offering advice to incoming associates starting up at law firms this fall (similar to my post from August, 4 Tips For Incoming Judicial Law Clerks). My own stint in Biglaw was relatively short, so I’m going to need some help. If you have a tip or two you can share, please email me at davidlat@substack.com, subject line “Associate Advice,” or post in the comments. My default approach is to keep sources anonymous—I’ll just pass off your insights and wisdom as my own, if that’s okay—so there’s no need to request anonymity.

Now, on to the news.

Lawyer of the Week: John Bolton.

The Trump administration continues to prosecute Donald Trump’s foes. The three latest targets are all lawyers: James Comey, a former FBI director, deputy attorney general, and U.S. attorney (S.D.N.Y.); Letitia James, the current attorney general of New York State; and now John Bolton, who served in the first Trump administration as national security advisor (NSA)—before he fell out of Trump’s favor, as a number of other administration alumni have, and became a prominent Trump critic.

Although the NSA doesn’t have to be a lawyer, Bolton is an attorney with impressive legal credentials. A graduate of Yale Law School (where