* Law firm leaders less optimistic going into 2024, in case you were still wondering if the average law firm leader has any clue how business works. They entered 2023 in the midst of flagging growth and 8 percent inflation combining to bring deal activity to a near halt and they felt BETTER than they do going into 2024 with red-hot 5.2 percent growth and inflation that’s going to settle just under 3 percent (and bring down interest rates with it)? [American Lawyer]
* Court struggles to determine if Second Amendment covers switchblades. Time to scour the work of 18th century greasers to see what they thought. [Courthouse News Service]
* Supreme Court looks into legality of shield protecting Sackler family from opioid settlement. [Bloomberg Law News]
* Meanwhile, The Onion has coverage of how Clarence Thomas is approaching this case. [The Onion]
* DeSantis cronies on new board governing Disney property accuse the company of controlling the old board. Which it acknowledges wasn’t illegal. These people really can’t get any dumber. [Reuters]
* Golden Gate is done, but the challenges for students are just getting started after ABA nixes school’s teachout plan. [ABA Journal]
* Former Biglaw attorney begins second murder trial. [Law360]