December 31, 2025

In a stunning revelation that has rocked the corridors of power, the Pentagon's newly unveiled AI platform, ChatJAG, made headlines when it immediately began flagging Pete Hegseth's alleged war crimes. The sophisticated AI, designed to streamline defense operations, turned the spotlight back on its creators in what can only be described as an embarrassing twist of irony for Hegseth. For more on this, see the full story [here](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/12/pentagon-unveils-new-genai-platform-it-immediately-starts-flagging-pete-hegseths-war-crimes/).
Meanwhile, the legal world is abuzz with the latest Vault rankings, which rate America's most prestigious law firms. Critics, however, point out a significant oversight: the rankings fail to consider the impact of pro bono efforts by these high-powered firms. This omission has sparked a debate about the true measure of a law firm's prestige and ethical footprint. Dive deeper into this controversy [here](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/06/vault-100-rankings-the-most-prestigious-law-firms-in-america-2026/).
In an assertive response to criticism, Georgetown Law stood its ground against Ed Martin's contentious comments. The law school's bold stance is a testament to its commitment to upholding its values against external pressures. Read more about Georgetown's fiery retort [here](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/03/georgetown-law-to-ed-martin-f-all-the-way-off/).
On a lighter note, consider the extraordinary dedication of a law student who travels thousands of miles just to attend classes. This remarkable journey not only highlights the student's commitment but also poses questions about the future of legal education and the lengths to which students will go to receive it. Learn more about this incredible commute [here](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/04/law-student-regularly-commutes-thousands-of-miles-to-attend-classes/).
In the latest episode of "Thinking Like A Lawyer," the hosts reflect on a tumultuous year, dubbing it a "2025 dumpster fire." This candid look back explores the significant legal battles and societal changes that have shaped the past year. Tune into the discussion [here](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/12/a-look-back-at-the-2025-dumpster-fire/).
Looking ahead, what can we expect in 2026? A recent article offers a mix of hopeful predictions coupled with a healthy dose of snark, suggesting that while some dreams may remain out of reach, the legal landscape continues to evolve in unpredictable ways. Check out these intriguing forecasts [here](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/12/7-predictions-for-2026-that-should-come-true-but-wont/).
As AI technologies like ChatJAG begin to play more significant roles in various sectors, including defense and legal, their potential to both expose truths and provoke controversy becomes increasingly apparent. This week's roundup from the legal sphere shows just how intertwined technology, law, and ethics have become.