For Women in Law, 'Business Development Is Key'
June 26, 2009
A recent survey of women in law firms found that ' unsurprisingly ' women are concentrated at the lower levels of law firms. That wasn't news to Elizabeth Anne "Betiayn" Tursi, who three years ago helped to found the Women In Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF), a lecture series that focuses on helping women become firm leaders.
Ex-Heller Employees Sue Former Partners
June 24, 2009
Former employees of Heller Ehrman sued at least 179 former partners in April, demanding they fork over $32 million for the largest group of creditors in the defunct firm's bankruptcy.
Partial Plan Terminations
June 24, 2009
Management teams should be aware that reductions in workforce ("RIFs"), while seemingly cost-cutting in nature, can actually yield the opposite result, and can cause unintended and costly consequences with respect to a firm's tax-qualified employee benefit plan.
Advance Conflict Waivers
June 24, 2009
An advance conflict waiver is an agreement, given by your client, to a potential future representation by your law firm that would otherwise be precluded because of a conflict of interest. Law firms increasingly include such waivers in their standard form engagement letters. Here's what you need to know.
Best Practices in Client Relationship Skills
June 24, 2009
There are key activities that lawyers can engage in to promote the health of existing client interactions. All of these activities can be categorized into one of three stages: 1) establishing the relationship; 2) building the relationship; and 3) proliferating the relationship.
Let the Hirer Beware
June 24, 2009
With so many lawyers up for grabs these days, firms have enticing opportunities to bring aboard top talent, sometimes at bargain prices. But let the hirer beware. Lateral hiring isn't without risk, and more lateral hiring means more exposure to claims alleging malpractice and other failings.
Ex-Heller Employees Sue Former Partners
June 23, 2009
Former employees of Heller Ehrman sued at least 179 former partners in April, demanding they fork over $32 million for the largest group of creditors in the defunct firm's bankruptcy. This article discusses the suit.
Law Firm Layoffs Trigger Need for Preventive Steps
June 23, 2009
Over the past several months, law firms have discharged both lawyers and staff in unprecedented numbers. Although it may be too early to assess whether these layoffs will result in significant legal fallout, law firms may make particularly attractive targets for lawsuits.
Seventh Circuit Vindicates Secured Lenders' Right to Full Payment
June 23, 2009
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held on May 5, 2009, that two secured lenders were fully secured, "entitled to a full recovery" from the debtor ("UAL") despite the bankruptcy court's improper valuation of the collateral (improved airport terminal space) securing the lenders' underlying $60 million loan.
