Pro Bono Networking
In spite of the everlasting drive to bill more hours or service more paying clients, many law firms and bar associations enthusiastically support pro bono activities, with some firms even granting credit for the hours spent on such cases.
The Urge to Merge
In the midst of the current recession-induced pummeling of law firms and in-house legal departments, some positive changes are occurring that are setting the stage for a stronger industry. One is the quantity and quality of law firm mergers that are being consummated.
Creating Better Mentors
The success of any law firm is dependent on the quality of its lawyers. So, developing the next generation is always of monumental importance. But not all partners are skilled in effective mentoring. This article describes the basics of what makes a good mentor, and in turn, a good program.
Firms Should Examine Their 401(k) Plans for Savings
Most law firms, like other companies, offer 401(k) plans to their workers. And many firms, like other companies, are looking to reduce their costs. One way of saving cash is to make changes to the 401(k) plan ' but making changes requires advance planning and advance time is running short for firms with 2010 calendar year plans.
The Arcane Art of Managing Marketers
The Difference Between Doing And Managing Marketing In the early, primitive days of marketing professional services, there weren't enough people doing marketing for law, accounting, and consulting firms to think much about departmental management. The exceptions, of course, were the larger firms, particularly those for whom, in the beginning, having more people on staff was often equated to better marketing. Marketing, at the beginning, was invariably assigned to a partner, who had only a vague'
The Arcane Art of Managing Marketers
The Difference Between Doing And Managing Marketing In the early, primitive days of marketing professional services, there weren't enough people doing marketing for law, accounting, and consulting firms to think much about departmental management. The exceptions, of course, were the larger firms, particularly those for whom, in the beginning, having more people on staff was often equated to better marketing. Marketing, at the beginning, was invariably assigned to a partner, who had only a vague…
The Arcane Art of Managing Marketers
The Difference Between Doing And Managing Marketing In the early, primitive days of marketing professional services, there weren't enough people doing marketing for law, accounting, and consulting firms to think much about departmental management. The exceptions, of course, were the larger firms, particularly those for whom, in the beginning, having more people on staff was often equated to better marketing. Marketing, at the beginning, was invariably assigned to a partner, who had only a vague…
A New Beginning
Thinking of law school as an assured meal ticket or as simply a safe harbor in which to weather the economic storm is probably not appropriate in today's world, particularly given the substantial debt that law students typically incur in order to pay for their education," notes a prominent law school dean.
Shopping Spree!
In last month's issue, we began a discussion of a vexatious practice of some matrimonial litigants: They consult with attorneys whose services they have no intention of engaging simply to disqualify them from being able to represent their spouses. Attorneys affected by such "serial consulters" need to know what their options and obligations are.
Gaining Confidence in Alternative Billing
Firms that model matter planning scenarios provide their partners and business development staff with the crucial ability to gauge up front how different approaches to pricing and staffing will affect profitability. Modeling allows firms to make adjustments before making their bid ' and therefore price alternative billing arrangements with confidence.
