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Trendspotting @ LegalTech Image

Trendspotting @ LegalTech

Ari Kaplan

Like the rest of the community, I make my annual pilgrimage to LegalTech New York to see old friends, gauge where technology has taken us and to gain insight on the direction in which we are headed. (I also go to replenish my swag. My favorite item is still the crisp two-dollar bill from Lex on Demand, but a few companies were making luggage tags from business cards, which I liked, and others were giving away flash drives, which I needed. And Kroll Ontrack Inc.'s 10-minute massage was a nice addition to the mix.)

VoIP: Hype or Reality? Image

VoIP: Hype or Reality?

Paul Chisholm

Many people use free or consumer-class Voice over Internet Protocol ('VoIP') solutions and make long-distance calls for 'free.' But is this VoIP technology suitable for a law firm? Will it provide the business-class security and reliability expected in a phone system?

Features

Movers and Shakers Image

Movers and Shakers

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Information about the advancement of lawyers in the patent profession.

Selecting Experts in Patent Cases: A Few Simple Considerations Image

Selecting Experts in Patent Cases: A Few Simple Considerations

Benjamin Hershkowitz & Bradley W. Micsky

Last month's installment discussed the necessity of analyzing whether experts are required, allowed, and qualified; Daubert considerations; and issues pertaining to 'skeletons in the closet.' The conclusion of this series addresses knowing why you hire an expert, whether an expert will be persuasive with the finder of fact, and agreements on scope of discovery.

USPTO Accelerated Examination: A Pre-Litigation Strategy Image

USPTO Accelerated Examination: A Pre-Litigation Strategy

Devan V. Padmanabhan & Alicia Griffin Mills

This article explores the advantages achieved by using the USPTO's Accelerated Exam procedure as a pre-litigation strategy.

The Securities Act of 1933: Assessing and Managing IP Liability Image

The Securities Act of 1933: Assessing and Managing IP Liability

Kevin Arst & Michael Milani

Given the potential liability exposure established under the Securities Act of 1933, it is becoming increasingly important that a company's internal management and outside advisers thoroughly understand the IP-related risks associated with the realization of corporate value.

Federal Circuit Clarifies Standard for Direct Patent Infringement Involving Multiple Parties Image

Federal Circuit Clarifies Standard for Direct Patent Infringement Involving Multiple Parties

Malvern (Griff) U. Griffin, III, Blair M. Jacobs, Jason V. Chang & Brian J. Decker

This article discusses the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's recent decision in <i>BMC Resources, Inc. v. Paymentech,</i> which clarified the standard for direct infringement where multiple parties are involved in performing steps of a method claim.

Settling the Tab for Entertainment Expenses Image

Settling the Tab for Entertainment Expenses

Phillip A. Bottari

The conventional wisdom is that only 50% of the cost of routine meal and entertainment expenses is deductible. However, law and other professional service firms that spend a significant sum on these items should be aware of instances where they are fully deductible. Financial advisers can help find them.

Dealing with Merger Financial Data Image

Dealing with Merger Financial Data

Jonathan S. Kuo

When two law firms undertake merger discussions, they eventually exchange financial information. Typically, this exchange is anticipated from both a curiosity standpoint as well as a practical standpoint. Ultimately no merger will occur if it does not make good economic sense; therefore, critical financial review is essential.

Helping Associates Transition to Partnership Image

Helping Associates Transition to Partnership

Michael E. Mooney

Unfortunately, many firms fail to prepare their associates for the change in financial status that will occur upon their election to partnership. As a result, they can be distracted by financial concerns, and much of the goodwill generated by their elevation to partnership is lost. At the same time, those firms that prepare their associates for the change and lend a helping hand in the transition develop strong loyalties and better long-term partners.

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