When You're All Alone In the Forest
In an economic environment in which the larger firms are competing with the smaller firms for the smaller clients, and in which law firms are retrenching and the client pool is diminishing, can the sole practitioner or the smaller firm compete in this arena?
Partnership in Troubled Economic Times
It is vitally important that partners examine the culture of their firm before making "blanket" modifications to the partnership structure/admission practices simply to satisfy the current, and perhaps short-term, economic issues.
Pension Funding: A Program to Maximize Pension Growth and Limit Volatility
When a Pension is addressing its liabilities and assets, it is important that it present a simple, straightforward way to fund for the future for its participants in a meaningful and effective manner. The volatility of the markets since 2007 has increased demands on the Pensions, as an uneasy balance of influences and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 have required increasing funding levels to meet mandated levels.
The Sorcerer's Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships for new lawyers sound promising and the firms that are implementing them should be commended. However, under the current system of legal education and private practice, this model may not be realistic for most law firms.
Insurance Issues to Consider Before Retaining Contract Attorneys
Given the widespread use of contract attorneys, law firm managers should evaluate whether their firms' professional liability insurance policies, and those of their contract attorneys, provide adequate coverage. Some may be surprised to find that their policies have not kept pace with the times.
A New Leadership Model Is Needed
Before firms can address the changes they need to make in their management and leadership, they must identify and understand the trends and issues that have developed, and the challenges they are creating. The list is extensive.
Lessons Learned: The DOJ's Crackdown on Hiring Practices
Over the past several months, the DOJ has begun investigating several leading technology companies for possible violations of the antitrust laws. One focus of the multi-faceted investigation is whether certain companies have violated antitrust laws by agreeing among themselves not to recruit one another's employees.
