The Constitutionality of Tort Reform Damage Caps
February 26, 2009
Recently, there have been indications that plaintiffs in California medical malpractice actions may renew a constitutional attack on the provisions of the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), the tort reform legislation that has governed medical malpractice litigation in California for nearly 25 years. The focus of these recent attacks is MICRA's $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages.
The Tweet 16
February 25, 2009
Twitter is the latest thing. Before you post to Twitter, consider the consequences. A casual tool such as this makes it easy to unwittingly create an attorney-client relationship or overstep an ethical rule. Even with only 140 characters, you can easily get yourself in hot water.
Law Firms and Social Networking
February 25, 2009
Along with the viral popularity of social networking Web sites (one of these sites is the fourth most-trafficked Web site in the world), legal blogs, collaboration sites, and informal online education options comes the vulnerability of some risk.
Giving 'Til It Hurts
February 25, 2009
There is no firm in business today that isn't inundated regularly by requests for contributions, whether for charitable, community, or political causes. For the community- minded firm, the requests can be overwhelming, as is the feeling that you do indeed want to help the organization requesting your help. But how can you serve your community ' and frequently, your firm ' without hurting your own firm's budget and community relations?
Client Speak: The Do-or-Die Business Development Moment
February 25, 2009
For that one little question, "Would you like to hire us?" there is no approved wording to use or tone with which to ask it. Are we supposed to deferentially lower our voices when we pop the fateful question? How much confidence should we exude?
Practice Building Skills: Eight Recession-Busting Tactics
February 25, 2009
According to the 2008 ACC/Serengeti Managing Outside Counsel Survey, median spending on outside counsel last year fell 9.1% ' to the lowest level in 8 years. A growing amount of work is being kept in-house, and 40%-plus of corporations have fired some of their outside counsel during the prior year. Here's how to thrive.
Media & Communications Corner: Upgrade Your Communications Tools for Free
February 25, 2009
A host of free Web applications are surprisingly effective in helping law firms from solo practitioners to large firm in-house PR and marketing staff, stay on top of the game. The trick is knowing which tools out there are worth your time. Here are the applications that made our top 24 list.
Op Ed
February 25, 2009
Ms. Tursi: "It's time for you to seat your CMOs at the management table ' if they are not there already. It's time for partners to understand that these individuals are not just employees."
News Briefs
February 24, 2009
Highlights of the latest franchising news from around the country.