Features

Update on Business Bankruptcy Legal Fees and Professionalism
A review of recent cases shows that poor billing judgment and unreasonable billing have been with us for decades.
Features

How to Create a Law Firm Culture That Supports 'The Hustle'
Whether they practice at global firms consisting of thousands of lawyers or decide to hang a shingle and put their name on the door, lawyers chose a path requiring continuous, never-ending hustle. Not only do they need to master the practice of law, they need to master the art of driving revenue.
Features

How to Create a Culture In a Law Firm That Supports 'The Hustle'
Whether they practice at global firms consisting of thousands of lawyers or decide to hang a shingle and put their name on the door, lawyers chose a path requiring continuous, never-ending hustle. Not only do they need to master the practice of law, they need to master the art of driving revenue.
Features

COUNSEL CONCERNS: Legal Fees Fallout From WWE Litigation
K&L Gates is being accused by a Massachusetts-based plaintiffs' attorney — who sued longtime K&L Gates client World Wrestling Entertainment in Connecticut federal court and is now saddled with sanctions — of making exorbitant demands for more than half a million dollars in legal fees.
Features

Shielding Retainer Fees Prior to Client's Bankruptcy
Which type of retainer agreement gives attorneys the best chance to preemptively shield their retainer fees before a client ends up in bankruptcy or the Department of Justice seizes and forfeits the client's assets?
Features

Undercutting the Cost of Underperforming Attorneys
As a firm leader it is your fiscal responsibility to address underperforming attorneys. With COVID-19 are your underperformers flying under the radar? The cost to a firm is not only to the bottom line, but to your reputation as a leader.
Features

Estate Professionals Can Be Compensated for Services Performed Before Entry of a Retention Order, Even Without Nunc Pro Tunc Orders
Bankruptcy professionals should be relieved by a recent decision holding that although nunc pro tunc orders approving a professional's retention are now considered "inappropriate" in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Juan, there is nothing in the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules, or applicable case law preventing an award of compensation before a retention order is entered.
Features

Introducing Pricing Transparency to Legal Services
The COVID-19 crisis has caused a money crunch across industries, and CLD budgets are tightening. This downturn demands that CLDs stop writing blank checks for services of indeterminate scope and duration. Here are some ideas for law departments looking to do better.
Features

Lateral Partner Survey Casts Doubt on Compensation as King
In a survey conducted by Major, Lindsey & Africa, lateral partners put firm culture and practice support ahead of anticipated compensation when considering a new firm.
Features

Appellate Division Complicates the Rules for Municipalities Charging Consultants' Fees
In a case addressing what consulting fees (in particular attorneys' fees) can be charged to an applicant before a Zoning Board of Appeals, the Second Department in Landstein v. Town of LaGrange found that the Town had overreached its statutory authority.
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