VICTOR LI – REPORTING · EDITING · PODCASTING
Selected Work
Stories that explain the law. Editorial projects that connect the dots. Conversations with the people changing the profession.
Editing · Writing · Podcasting · Archive
Editorial Leadership
ABA JOURNAL · EDITOR
Business of Law
Directing the ABA Journal’s award-winning Business of Law department, overseeing in-depth reporting and analysis of the economic, technological, demographic and structural forces transforming legal practice. Setting editorial priorities, developing ambitious feature projects and guiding authoritative, data-driven journalism that examines the challenges, opportunities and emerging trends defining the future of the legal profession.
EDITOR · ANNUAL FRANCHISE
Legal Rebels
Spearheading the ABA Journal’s Legal Rebels franchise, an annual initiative recognizing innovators, entrepreneurs and legal professionals challenging conventional approaches to the practice of law. Directing profiles and feature coverage exploring how new ideas, technologies and business models are transforming legal services, expanding access to justice and redefining the future of the profession.
EDITOR · DATA JOURNALISM
State of the Legal Profession
Overseeing the ABA Journal’s State of the Legal Profession initiative, an ambitious editorial project combining original reporting, data analysis and visual storytelling to examine the trends shaping American legal practice. Directing coverage of the profession’s changing demographics, economic conditions, employment patterns and structural challenges, translating complex research and statistics into accessible journalism that reveals where the legal industry stands and where it is headed.
EDITOR · TECHNOLOGY COVERAGE
Generative AI: Special Coverage
Directing comprehensive, award-winning coverage of generative artificial intelligence and its impact on the legal profession. Developing in-depth reporting and analysis examining how emerging AI technologies are transforming legal practice, law firm operations, legal education and the delivery of legal services, while exploring the ethical, regulatory and professional challenges accompanying their adoption.
- How ChatGPT and other AI platforms could dramatically reshape the legal industry (June 1, 2023)
- Should lawyers embrace or fear ChatGPT? (Jan. 18, 2023)
- Game Changing AI (Feb. 1, 2024)
- Al-fueled boom in data centers has been big business for lawyers (July 1, 2026)
EDITOR · FEATURE SERIES
Digital Dangers
Guiding an award-winning investigative feature series examining the cybersecurity threats confronting law firms, legal professionals and their clients. Exploring data breaches, digital vulnerabilities and the evolving responsibilities of attorneys in safeguarding confidential information, the project combined in-depth reporting and expert analysis to illuminate one of the legal industry’s most consequential technological challenges.
EDITOR · CONFERENCE COVERAGE
ABA Techshow
Leading multimedia coverage of ABA Techshow, one of the legal profession’s leading technology conferences, since 2018. Directing reporting, interviews and analysis highlighting emerging technologies, innovative products and the entrepreneurs and industry leaders shaping the future of legal practice. Translating conference developments into accessible journalism that helps legal professionals understand the opportunities and challenges of technological change.
2021 Azbee · Regional Silver, Trade Show/Conference Coverage.
ADDITIONAL EDITORIAL PROJECTS
Other Editorial Projects
- Mind Your Business: Launching contributed columns section on ABAJournal.com and soliciting freelance pieces providing practical advice for attorneys on how to run their practices, insight into the latest in legal technology and thoughtful strategies for building a successful legal business.
- Practical Tips for Lawyers: Developing practical, service-oriented editorial packages that bring together crowdsourced advice, expert insights and actionable strategies to help attorneys navigate the professional and personal challenges of legal practice.
- Defending Justice. Managing an editorial series examining the importance of judicial independence, the rule of law and the institutions that safeguard American democracy.
Feature Writing
Reporting and analyzing the legal disputes, cultural developments and technological innovations shaping contemporary society. Combining rigorous research, compelling narratives and accessible legal analysis, these features explore the people, institutions and controversies behind the headlines.
LAW & POP CULTURE
Lawyers, Songs and Money
Exploring the landmark copyright disputes, courtroom battles and legal controversies that shaped popular music, revealing how lawyers and litigation influenced the careers of artists, the fortunes of record labels and the evolution of the recording industry.
2019 Peter Lisagor Awards · Finalist, Best Feature: Non-Daily Newspaper, Magazine or Newspaper Magazine.
PROFILES
Resistance Redux
Revisiting the civil rights attorneys who challenged discrimination during the 1960s and examining the lessons their experiences offer contemporary social justice movements. Through interviews and historical perspective, the feature explores the enduring role of lawyers in advancing social change.
2018 Azbee – Regional Gold · Group Profile
TECHNOLOGY
Lights, Camera, AI!
Examining how artificial intelligence is transforming Hollywood’s ability to recreate performers and challenging established protections for identity and likeness. From traditional filmmaking techniques to generative AI, the feature explores the evolving relationship between technology, artistic expression and publicity rights.
HOST · LEGAL TALK NETWORK
Legal Rebels Podcast
Hosting and producing the ABA Journal’s Legal Rebels Podcast on Legal Talk Network, featuring in-depth conversations with innovators, entrepreneurs, attorneys and technology leaders shaping the future of legal practice. Exploring artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, legal entrepreneurship and new approaches to delivering legal services, the podcast translates complex developments into engaging, accessible discussions about the profession’s changing landscape.
2025 Azbee · Regional Bronze, Podcast
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Could artificial intelligence destroy us all?
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Quantum Leap? Development of new tech gives lawyers plenty to think about
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
How generative AI can help you market your legal practice
More from the portfolio
A selection of reporting, commentary and multimedia work spanning more than 15 years of journalism. Published across leading legal industry outlets and general-interest publications, these stories reflect a career covering the intersection of law, politics, business, technology and culture—from breaking news and investigative reporting to historical analysis and long-form features.
- Dewey’s Judgment Day. As the legal giant disintegrated, its leaders continued to sell how great things were. (ABA Journal, February 1, 2015).
- Sci Fact. Futuristic films have gotten some things right about tech law challenges. (ABA Journal, August 1, 2023).
- Legal Sleaze. Are pop culture’s unethical, incompetent, crooked lawyers examples of art imitating life? (ABA Journal, August 1, 2022).
- Law & Order: Legacy. The franchise’s prime-time formula shaped a generation’s understanding of the legal system. (ABA Journal, August 1, 2021).
- The Dangers of Digital Things. Self-driving cars steer proposed laws on robotics and automation. (ABA Journal, March 1, 2018).
- Ad It Up. Legal advertising blows past $1 Billion and goes viral. (ABA Journal, April 1, 2017). 2018 Azbee – Regional Silver, General Interest Feature. 2018 Peter Lisagor Awards – Finalist, Best Business or Consumer Reporting, Specialty/Trade.
- Metrics Can Tell the Tale of a Firm’s Fate (co-authored with Edwin Reeser). Are there stats that can predict when a law firm will succeed … or fail? (ABA Journal, January 1, 2016). 2017 Peter Lisagor Awards, Best Business or Consumer Reporting – Finalist, Specialty/Trade.
- Swift Justice: Students learn about the law through Taylor Swift cases. Do you have a “Blank Space” on your class schedule? Learn all about “The 1” and only Taylor Swift! (ABA Journal, February 2024).
- Pardon Me? A Look at the Broad, Yet Somewhat-Murky Clemency Powers of a President (ABA Journal, Dec. 17. 2020)
- Generative AI is now capable of grading law school exams; what’s next? Generative AI can apparently grade law school exams with close to the same accuracy as a human. So what does that mean for law school professors?
- How agentic artificial intelligence could shake up the legal industry. What is agentic artificial intelligence? Find out what we can expect from it now and in the not-so-distant future.
- What does the future hold for licensed paraprofessionals? Much has been made of the gigantic access-to-justice gap in this country. One possible way to help bridge the gap is to expand the pool of people eligible to practice law. Of course, that raises age-old concerns about unauthorized practice of law.
- It’s a Long Road Ahead for Driverless Cars, says Fastcase Executive. Four years ago, Damien Riehl, like many others, was quite bullish about the future of autonomous vehicles. Today? Not as much…
- How Technology Can Improve Immigration Policy and Practice. Attorney and app developer Greg Siskind talks about the tech he’d use if he were starting a practice now, and if he were to suddenly become in charge of our nation’s complex and inefficient immigration system.
- TurnSignl App Seeks to Provide Real-Time Legal Assistance and De-escalation of Tension During Traffic Stops. Jazz Hampton, CEO of TurnSignl, talks about how it works; the benefits of using the app for users, lawyers and police officers; and his plans for the future.
- How 2 Texas Lawyers are Marketing Their Practice Through Song. Texas lawyers Will Hutson and Chris Harris combined their love of music and knowledge of the law to create songs educating people about the law. This program contains a live musical performance.
- Smartphone Kill Switch Campaign Gathers Momentum. New York Attorney General argues that disabling phones will cut crimes. Will it help lawyers as well? (Law Technology News, October 21, 2013).
- ObamaCare Technology Security is Months Behind Schedule. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is behind in testing the security of the data hub that links state health care exchanges to the federal government. (Law Technology News, August 7, 2013).
- Oakland Approves Funds for High Tech Surveillance. High-tech surveillance center will use video cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detection microphones and Twitter to address crime and terrorist activity. (Law Technology News, August 6, 2013).
- Washington State Turns Up the Privacy for Social Media. The new law bans employers from asking workers for user names and passwords for their personal social media accounts. (Law Technology News, July 30, 2013).
- Judge Refuses to Disqualify EDD Vendor for Playing Both Sides. Kaleida Health isn’t taking a decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Foschio lying down. Foscho refused to disqualify e-discovery vendor D4 Discovery and now the matter goes before the district judge. (Law Technology News, July 16, 2013) (subscription required).
- Romney’s Lawyer. Ropes & Gray chairman R. Bradford Malt and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have a two-decades-long friendship that has benefited both men. (American Lawyer Magazine, June 2012)
- Open For Business. Some smaller specialty shops have closed their doors in recent years, but others are very much alive. (American Lawyer Magazine IP Supplement, September 2010).
- “Judge Narrows Challenge on Ban on Ultimate Fighting.” A federal judge trimmed a lawsuit brought by mixed martial artists in New York arguing that the state ban on MMA events is unconstitutional. (New York Law Journal, August 2012).
- “Suit Challenges Ban on Mixed Martial Arts.”The Ultimate Fighting Championship turns to litigation in hopes of lifting ban on MMA events in New York. (New York Law Journal, November 2011).
- “For IP Litigator, Move to DLA is Ninth Stop in Peripatetic Career.” Paul Gupta is always on the move. (Am Law Daily, April 2013)
- “As Gun Debate Grows Second Amendment Champion Gura Girds for Battles Ahead.” Alan Gura’s victories before the Supreme Court in Heller and McDonald have made him the go-to guy as gun-rights advocates look to expand the Second Amendment rights in the shadow of the Newtown massacre. (Am Law Daily, February 2013).
- “Kirkland Records Clerk by Day Hero by Night.” Ramiro Ocasio risks his life to save a stranger from getting hit by a New York city subway train. (Am Law Daily, January 2013).
- “Embattled Weiner Turns to Baker & Hostetler Partner.” In the wake of his Twitter-scandal, Anthony Weiner turned to an old friend for legal representation. (Am Law Daily, June 2011).
- “A Friendly Breakup.” Hughes Hubbard and Luskin, Stern & Eisler push the reset button on their merger. (American Lawyer Magazine, July 2012).
- “Challenging a Student Lender Head On.” New York lawyer Josh Fensterstock takes on student lenders. (American Lawyer Magazine Student Edition, October 2010).
- “Hit the Boss Button,” The Berkshire Eagle. Ever wanted to watch the Final Four or the World Cup at your office computer without getting in trouble with your boss? Never fear because the “boss button” is here! (April 28, 2010)
- “Some Fighting to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in NY,” The Utica Observer-Dispatch. Inside the UFC’s efforts to legalize professional MMA events in the state of New York. (May 1, 2010).
- “Leaning Left? The AMA at a Crossroads,” The Huffington Post. The American Medical Association has helped kill several health care reform efforts over the past 80 years. That changed with ObamaCare. Has this bastion of conservatism moved to the left? (January 13, 2010)
- “Nine-Year-Old Girl Wins Spelling Bee,” The Columbia Journalist. For 9-year-old Shivani Angappan, “poinsettia” spelled v-i-c-t-o-r-y. Luckily for her, she didn’t actually spell it that way. (Oct. 4, 2009)