Features
The Rise in Family Responsibility Discrimination Cases
Part One of this article began a discussion of the dramatic increase in cases alleging caregiver discrimination. Part Two herein discusses the most recent cases and guidelines involving this area of the law, and how employers can best protect themselves, given the explosion of family responsibility discrimination (FRD) cases and the open issues that could further impact the number of FRD filings.
Features
The Latest on 'No-Match' Letters
In the wake of a failed attempt to negotiate legislation for comprehensive U.S. immigration reform with Congress, the Bush Administration recently announced a series of 'regulatory' reforms to tighten immigration enforcement. Perhaps the most significant and controversial of those reforms is the Department of Homeland Security's new regulation addressing 'no-match' letters. Although the new regulation has been temporarily enjoined pending a hearing in federal court, employers should begin considering how they will comply with it if an injunction is not granted.
Features
Ownership of e-Mail Is Not Clear
In the current litigious environment, what happens when an employee sends personal, allegedly confidential communications from work to his or her attorney or spouse? Can the employer lawfully access those e-mails, or do the attorney-client and marital privileges prohibit the employer from doing so? In answering this question, the key inquiry is always whether the employee had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the e-mails at issue.
WHAT DOES WORK IN THE RED ZONE III.
WHAT WORKS IN THE RED ZONE III. I have often heard corporate counsel say that they hate surprises from their outside counsel. And surveys of corporate counsel always rank communication from their law firms as an important factor in maintaining strong, working relationships. A simple technique, often overlooked by outside lawyers heavily engaged in a project, is to set periodic meetings with their clients. Don't wait for them to ask questions or confront problems in…
WHAT DOES WORK IN THE RED ZONE II.
WHAT DOES WORK IN THE RED ZONE II. This second in a series will focus on tactics to enhance client relationships leading to future business development for your law firm. One of the highest compliments you can pay to your client is to refer business to them. From a law firm marketing point of view, this may be the second best technique to generate expanded engagements, the first being to perform the highest quality of…
WHAT WORKS IN THE RED ZONE?
WHAT WORKS IN THE RED ZONE? This article begins a new series on what in-house counsel say helps their outside counsel begin, improve and maintain relationships. 1. Make major efforts to communicate at the beginning of an engagement. All too often, once an engagement is awarded, GC's find the lawyer who shows up appears to be a very different person from the one in the presentation. And periodically double check what you promised in the…
WHAT DID NOT WORK IN THE RED ZONE IV.
WHAT DID NOT WORK IN THE RED ZONE IV? Attorneys who market and sell services must consider a wider range of sales considerations than typically brought to the table. Following are more examples of what I have heard counsel discuss in this fourth and last in a series about law firm business development presentations. 1. Do not surprise your client with late breaking information. 2. In your own meetings, how often have you observed people using…
Features
It's No Coincidence: The Successful Firms Have Strong Management and Leadership
Nothing is as important to the success of a law firm as strong leadership at the top. Yet, in far too many firms, the partners are still reluctant to give anyone the CEO authority needed for effective management and leadership.
Features
Advancing Women in Law Firms
This article lays the groundwork for those in power to learn how they can help women lawyers succeed.
Features
Forfeiture-for-Competition Agreements
Law firms are constrained by professional ethics in how they address the issues of lawyer mobility. Rule 5.6 of the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility expressly prohibits lawyers from entering into agreements that restrict their right to practice, including covenants not to compete. The overwhelming majority of jurisdictions interpret the rule to preclude less direct restrictions on competition, including financial penalties known as 'forfeiture-for-competition' agreements.
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- Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric CodeIn an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.Read More ›
- The New York Uniform Commercial Code Comes of AgeParties in large non-consumer transactions with no connection whatsoever to New York often choose its law to govern their transactions, and New York statutes permit them to do so. What most people do not know is that the New York Uniform Commercial Code is outdated.Read More ›