Movers & Shakers
News about lawyers and law firms in the franchising industry.
News Briefs
Highlights of the latest franchising news from around the country.
Professional Development: Making Rain by Being You
Lackluster business development efforts are seldom tied to that part of your practice you enjoy, the part that is ' well ' fun. After all, doesn't generating new business mean you can work on matters you really enjoy? Stop dreading networking and start focusing on those parts of your practice you adore. If you picture your ideal practice five years hence and start there, business development will become less of a chore and more of an extension of your passion.
Features
Changes to State Civil Rights Statutes: The Continued Increase of Employment Liability Risks
This article reviews recent changes to Maryland's Fair Employment Act and addresses the interaction between various discrimination laws and the issues that most employers need to consider.
Features
Technology in Marketing: Using the Web
The legal industry hasn't been known to be the most innovative industry when it comes to cutting-edge interactive marketing. But a handful of firms are challenging that assumption.
The Place to Network: Jumpstart Client Development with Social Networking
Teens, college kids and recent graduates have grown up with the Internet and social networking sites in their bloodstreams ' they are constantly communicating with each other through Web sites. If you not convinced that you're slightly out of the loop on this trend, ask yourself when was the last time you got 'poked' or 'threw a sheep' at someone on Facebook? The truth is the social networking is rapidly becoming a highly viable way for attorneys to expand their books of business.
Franchisee Chapter 11: A Primer for Franchisors
This article addresses the challenges faced by franchisors when their franchisees file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Features
Career Journal: Downsizing
Whether or not to adjust the number of employees or partners downward can be a critical decision for 2008. In the event it does happen, marketing executives will, undoubtedly, be asked to help craft appropriate messages to both the market and within their own firms in advance of rumor mills, blogs, and especially, the competitors offering their own take on the changes. However daunting the task, working through such scenarios can go a long way toward preserving your firm's reputation and bolstering your own career opportunities within your current firm or with a prospective employer.
Features
The Best of MLF 2007
In last month's issue, we highlighted articles from the first half of 2007. Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Anne "Betiayn" Tursi presents in this issue excerpts from one article from each of the August to December issues.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- The 'Sophisticated Insured' DefenseA majority of courts consider the <i>contra proferentem</i> doctrine to be a pillar of insurance law. The doctrine requires ambiguous terms in an insurance policy to be construed against the insurer and in favor of coverage for the insured. A prominent rationale behind the doctrine is that insurance policies are usually standard-form contracts drafted entirely by insurers.Read More ›
- The Brave New World of Cybersecurity Due Diligence in Mergers and Acquisitions: Pitfalls and OpportunitiesLike poorly-behaved school children, new technologies and intellectual property (IP) are increasingly disrupting the M&A establishment. Cybersecurity has become the latest disruptive newcomer to the M&A party.Read More ›
- A Lawyer's System for Active ReadingActive reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.Read More ›
- 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 ›