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Litigation

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.

Features

Insanity, Drugs and the Family Code

Michael A. Fisher

Go to your favorite Internet search engine and run a search for 'stupid laws.' You will come up with thousands of hits for sites that report it is illegal to spit on the ground within 5 feet of another person and the like. Most of these 'laws' are probably just urban myths. However, the California Family Code (and in all probability the codes of most other states) does contain laws that should be looked at more carefully. Some of our statutes are in need of modernization. Others are poorly worded, and others just make no sense. We can and should expect more of our legislature.

Features

Professional Development University: Ahead of the Curve

Robert Clayman

Why are law firm partners, associates and staff retreating? Has the battle become so intense that the commanders believe the troops need to pull back, refresh and reorganize? Or cut their losses and move on? Is it a time away from the daily grind of billable hours and client demands that provides everyone with a minute to breathe on the firm's dime? Is it reward or retribution? Is there a moment or two of professional development that will be recognized as CLE? Is it the new leadership's moment to deliver the 'new message' to a captive audience? Is it a time for partners and executives to take a few steps back so they can make greater progress on key business objectives in the coming months? This article answers those questions.

Features

The Birth of the Inclusionary Firm

Bruce W. Marcus

The recent death of Peter Drucker, one of America's greatest business philosophers ' a man who substantially changed the practice of American management ' brought forth an abundant burst of adoration and glorification from all corners of the business and journalistic world. Articles and memorials quoted extensively from his works.

Sprinting Toward a Brick Wall

Alan R. Olson

The Baby-Boomer generation entered the practice of law in unprecedented numbers, carrying lofty expectations and the collective willpower to engender unprecedented billable hours. Now this tsunami of active lawyers is moving toward senior status, phase-down and retirement. Despite the complex emotions engendered by retirement, the Baby-Boomer generation of lawyers ' and the law firms in which they have participated or help build ' <i>must</i> plan their future.

Features

Associate Compensation Increases

William C. Cobb

Among professional service firms, there is a definite increase in competition for talent. But competition for talent could indicate a commensurate increase in salaries and billing rates that will probably put tremendous pressure on law firms to be more efficient and effective in the delivery of legal services. This pressure will change a law firm's business model and culture. How will the staffing and business models change, and how will law firms use these trends to improve their competitive position? These issues are the focus of this article.

Features

The Place to Network: Sincerely Yours

Olivia Fox Cabane

These days, a good measure of cynicism seems to be <i>de rigueur</i> for any intelligent citizen.

Listening Your Way to New Business

Larry Bodine

According to a German proverb: 'A man has two ears and one mouth so that he hears much and speaks little.' Mark Twain followed up the thought by saying: 'If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.' And I'll add: We were given two ears and one mouth, and they should be used in that proportion in a sales call.

Media & Communications Corner: Meet Hank Shafran ' Director of Communications at Bingham McCutchen LLP

Cari Brunelle

With more than 30 years in PR, Hank Shafran has experience in all aspects of agency, governmental and corporate communications. But he has seen law firm PR, in particular, from a unique perspective with more than 10 years at Bingham McCutchen LLP, where he has worked on the PR end of six different mergers and seen the firm grow from a 175-lawyer Boston firm to a 950-attorney global firm.

Brand Identity for Law Firms: Why Is It Necessary?

Bill Cahan

Today's law firms, like many other businesses, are struggling to stand out in an increasingly crowd-ed and competitive marketplace. When it comes down to brand differentiation &mdash; or creating a brand image in the first place &mdash; most law firms struggle with how to creatively market what boils down to mostly an intellectual property service business.

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