Although most medical malpractice actions are brought in state courts, some must be litigated in federal courts, usually because of diversity of citizenship. When it comes to discovery in these cases, it's important to understand the federal rules that come into play.

Features

Complex statistical evidence -- based on huge samples, reams of academic and government studies and hours of testimony -- has been the weapon of choice in many epic battles. The list of major cases in which both sides have deployed legions of statistical experts is impressive: Bendectin, silicone breast-implants, Agent Orange and tobacco are just several of the many substances over which massive statistical battles have been waged. Currently, both sides of the debate over whether caps on non-economic damages help reduce medical malpractice insurance premiums are trading ground-shaking volleys of weapons-grade statistical analysis.

In last month's issue we looked at a pending complaint made against a forensic psychologist to the ethics committee of his professional organization by an examinee unhappy with the psychologist's recommendation. We also explored case law in the Seventh Circuit that holds the decisions of professional organizations are not reviewable by the courts as long as the person being disciplined was given procedural due process. In this month's installment, we see how this state of affairs not only negatively impacts the professional prospects of the medical expert but also the free expression of valid medical opinions in the courtroom and other comparable settings.

Features

Recent rulings you should know.

Well we're off to another exciting year here at Marketing The Law Firm. I thought that I would give everyone a heads up on this year's "Best Of" competitions.

Features

Your law firm's Web site design has remained static for years. While it may be functional, it's not generating the traffic you originally envisioned, it's not interactive and the overall design is looking a tad dated. You may also not have anyone in-house who can devote the requisite time and effort needed to make the firm's site a productive new business and practice development 24/7/365 marketing tool. <br>Many law firms still don't understand that a poorly designed Web site can damage the firm's credibility and impair its image. So what's the solution? Seek the services of a Web-crafting firm that will not just be a vendor, but a Web partner and architectural strategist.

All marketing directors have experienced it. They receive an e-mail that describes a terrific deal closed or case "just" won by an attorney at the firm. The attorney requests a press release and a full-blown public relations push to all media outlets. But curiously, nowhere in the e-mail does the attorney mention when the big case or deal happened. As it turns out, it is because it happened more than a month ago and, since the client did its own press release immediately after the fact, every media outlet known to man covered it then. So how can a marketing director say no, without actually saying it? The dilemma is that you cannot send the release to the media again, weeks after the fact, but you don't want to tell the attorney that he or she has no options either. So here are some suggestions of how to make the most of old news.

Features

Last month we started our Year in Review, and made it up through June. In Part Two, we finish off the highlights of 2004.