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Getting the Most from Survey Participation Image

Getting the Most from Survey Participation

Don Williams, Pete Peterson, Bill Bachman & Mike Short

In an insightful Dilbert" cartoon, the boss is reviewing the results from a recent survey with two employees. The survey results being less than desirable, the boss states, "Managers' bonuses are linked to these results. You can be sure we'll make big changes ... to the survey. " Surveys can be a strategic asset and viable financial tool when assessing certain aspects of your firm. Surveys can also be useful in evaluating merger opportunities. Perhaps the best use for survey information is to identify needed improvements and illustrate the benefits of change. Improperly utilized, however, survey data can cause more harm than good. Survey results taken out of context can create unrealistic expectations among partners, foster unhealthy and divisive comparisons between practices or offices, promote unachievable strategic objectives, and generate broad-based anxiety and apprehension.

Moving to LEDES 2000 Image

Moving to LEDES 2000

Jeff Hodge & John Gilman

Introduced in 1998, the Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard (LEDES') format rapidly became the de facto US standard format for moving legal invoices from law firms to corporations. LEDES has been embraced by law firms and corporate legal departments, time-and-billing system vendors, corporate matter management vendors, and electronic invoicing and cost management vendors. It's been estimated that more than 90% of legal invoices moving electronically today are formatted according to LEDES 1998B, the first released version of the standard.

Features

Med Mal News Image

Med Mal News

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

The latest news of interest to your practice.

Features

GAO Reports Look at Med-Mal Insurance Crisis Image

GAO Reports Look at Med-Mal Insurance Crisis

Janice G. Inman

In the last 2 months, the General Accounting Office (GAO) issued two reports detailing the findings of its studies into the medical malpractice insurance crisis and its effects on medical care. The studies were conducted at the request of Congress, which wanted to learn what the root causes of the rising medical malpractice insurance premiums were and what effects these rising costs were having on the public's access to health care. With this information, it intends to consider legislation similar to some states' tort reform laws.

Verdicts Image

Verdicts

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

The latest cases of interest to your practice.

Jumping Through Hoops: Discovery of Records under HIPAA Image

Jumping Through Hoops: Discovery of Records under HIPAA

Lori G. Cohen, Esq. & Christiana P. Callahan, Esq.

When medical malpractice defense counsel first heard of the new privacy regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (the HIPAA privacy regulations), most probably thought that these detailed and complicated laws would affect only their regulatory health care colleagues. How great an impact the HIPAA privacy regulations will have on medical malpractice litigation, in general, is yet to be seen, but it is clear that these regulations have immediately affected discovery of medical records in med-mal cases.

John Gaal's Ethics Corner Image

John Gaal's Ethics Corner

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Your ethics questions answered by the expert.

Features

Protection under Participation Clause Extended to Alleged Harrassers Image

Protection under Participation Clause Extended to Alleged Harrassers

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Alleged harassers may not be retaliated against for participating in the investigation of harassment against them, according to the Second Circuit in a ruling of first impression. <i>Deravin v. Kerik</i>, 335 F.3d 195 (2d Cir. 2003). In doing so, the court held that "defending oneself against charges of discrimination - to the extent that such defense involves actual participation in a Title VII proceeding or investigation - is 'protected activity' within the scope" of the participation clause of Title VII.

Features

A Word to the Wise Image

A Word to the Wise

Alfred G. Feliu

Plaintiff seeks to admit testimony relating to a similar claim of sex discrimination raised by a co-worker. She also notes that in a department of 20, there are only five women. Is the co-worker's testimony admissible? Is testimony relating to the office's demographics probative?

Features

Be Wary of Rule 54(d)'s Costs Provision Image

Be Wary of Rule 54(d)'s Costs Provision

Geoffrey A. Mort

<b><i>Costs Are Awardable, and Are Being Awarded, Against Plaintiffs</i></b> Plaintiffs' employment lawyers contemplating bringing Title VII or other discrimination suits have long felt secure in the knowledge that, even if they lose at trial or at the summary judgment stage, their client will not be assessed attorney's fees. This may not be the case.

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