What a wild news day: Big stories via Bloomberg Big Law Business. 1) Judge Shira Scheindlin has announced her retirement from the bench; 2) Stephen Poor will step down as chair of Seyfarth Shaw; 3) Vermont Law School has launched a remote J.D. option. In addition to the breaking news, Mark Cohen asks the provocative question, “Are Law Firms Just Like Other Vendors?”

1. On Wednesday, Scheindlin announced via a letter that she will retire on April 29 from the U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York, reports John Herzfeld. He quotes Scheindlin: “While I will no doubt miss both the work and my colleagues, I am looking forward to taking on new challenges in the private sector. I plan to spend the bulk of my time … as an arbitrator and mediator and in other neutral capacities— with the hope of doing a fair amount of public interest work as well as working on commercial matters. I will also become of counsel to a large New York City law firm where I anticipate assisting in client and pro bono matters, teaching and mentoring associates, and engaging in public speaking and writing.”

Scheindlin was appointed in 1994, and took senior status in 2011, when she turned 65, Herzfeld noted.  See also: New York Times, Above The Law.

2. Seyfarth Shaw’s chair, J. Stephen Poor, will step down on April 1, and become chair emeritus, reports Casey Sullivan. Managing partner Peter Miller will lead the firm, keeping his existing title. ““I’ve served my sentence,” said Poor, jokingly, describing the leadership change as amicable.”

3. Vermont Law School has announced a new “Remote J.D. Option” that will allow students to earn up to 15 credits online and off-campus,” reports Lenore Adkins. Students will be on campus for four semesters (18 months, including summer) and then can earn the remaining credits off campus (coursework and a semester in a practice externship).

4. Mark Cohen, CEO of Legal Mosaic, asks the question, “Are Law Firms Just Like Other Vendors?” in the “Perspective” essay.

Monica Bay is a Fellow at CodeX, a lawyer, a freelance journalist (including Bloomberg Big Law Business) and a columnist at Above The Law. Email: mbay@codex.stanford.edu. Twitter: @MonicaBay.

Scheindlin photo: Monica Bay
Cover image: Clipart.com