Wake Up Call: Applications for Law School on ‘Unnatural’ Rise

Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.

• The number of law school applicants jumped 25% from last year, with the total number of applications to law schools up 35%, according to the Law School Admission Council. One admissions consultant called the spike “unnatural,” noting that the number of college students graduating has stayed relatively the same. (ABA Journal)
• The Washington Supreme Court gave the green light to a pilot initiative that would relax rules on who can deliver legal services in the state. Under the plan, approved companies and organizations other than law firms would be able to practice law using non-traditional business models and technology. (Reuters)
• Zukhraf Baig was disbarred by the Law Society of Alberta after he admitted to using $10,000 from client credit cards to pay for pornography. The law society also ordered Baig to pay $20,000 in legal fees should he ever seek reinstatement and notified the provincial justice ministry that it has grounds to believe he committed criminal offenses including credit card theft, forgery, and fraud. (Edmonton Journal)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Sonya Van de Graaff joined K&L Gates as a partner in its finance practice in London. She joins from Katten Muchin Rosenman.
• Matthew Rebus joined Pierson Ferdinand as a junior partner in its corporate department in London. He joins from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
• Lauren Langham joined Pierson Ferdinand as a partner in its real estate practice in Florida. She joins from Taylor English Duma.