Let's say you're the firm's chief marketing officer. You're about to sit down with the managing partner to discuss the firm's marketing efforts and how they fit into its overall business strategy. Here are 10 questions you should be prepared to answer clearly and concisely.
A recent asset finance industry conference I attended showcased the new generation of technology platforms being introduced to the market. Most of the presentations to the inquisitive audience focused on the pure functionality of the various software programs ' their capabilities and limitations.
In the legal industry, it's very clear that paper is here to stay. Whether it's pleadings, filings, evidence, exhibits, or other documents, paper formats are still a dominant factor in many law firms today. As much as we want to reduce its presence for numerous reasons, that tide of paper isn't going away. In fact, for some firms, it continues to rise. That's why law firms of all sizes need non-disruptive strategies that support efficient 'coexistence' of paper and electronic documents and records.
Fulfilling a discovery request is a huge challenge for any company ' the stress of litigation, the expense of dredging through gigabytes and even terabytes of documents and files, and the disruption to every businessperson who may have sent an e-mail about the matter in contention can make for a difficult situation in the best of circumstances. But there are also security concerns. As a corporation's information is moved around, restored and sent to and from outside counsel, highly sensitive trade secrets and private data may be at risk every time discovery materials leave corporate offices.
E-mail is a convenient and powerful method of communication with billions of e-mail messages transmitted everyday. As common as e-mail is however, there is still some mystery concerning the use of e-mail programs and the types of corresponding message formats. Why is this worth discussing? Because message formats have a direct effect on how text and text formatting are displayed, the size of the messages, and if the message text is received at all.
The increasingly complex security environment is fueling an innovative approach to network security called Unified Threat Management (UTM) that consolidates and integrates all of the major threat protection services into a single device. UTM can save time and money and redirect IT resources back to the business of improving the practice of law.
Even as companies are spending billions on sophisticated new security hardware and software, current research indicates that corporate networks are being successfully attacked. Data compromises are common. This article outlines the root causes for computer network vulnerabilities and how law firms can ensure better security and more efficient use of their security-related investments.
Over the last several years, governments around the world have been passing regulations to ensure the integrity of the global financial system. One such regulation is Basel II.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on June 22 to give broad protection under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to employees who suffer retaliation for complaining about workplace discrimination.
The decision in Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White ends disarray among lower courts on the standard required to assess retaliation claims, but employment lawyers say it will trigger a wave of new litigation to determine what kind of employer actions constitute illegal retaliation.
Legal Aid lawyers claiming the government violated their rights by secretly recording attorney-client communications with 9/11 detainees won a major battle in June when a federal judge permitted the bulk of the action to proceed.
The case is unusual in that it centers on the rights and privileges of lawyers operating behind the attorney-client shield, rather than on the rights of the clients.
A major challenge law firms face today is the continued aging of their partnerships. One of the principal reasons for this is that 'baby boomers' are approaching retirement. While this is a problem for all businesses and professions in the United States, it is particularly serious for law firms because it poses a threat to their future survival. While many senior partners are both physically and mentally able to continue practicing, firms are beginning to recognize that succession planning, for both client and management responsibilities, has become essential if the firms are to continue in existence.
