Keeping Passion in the Law
October 30, 2007
This article explores what keeps lawyers committed to the practice of law, what law firms can do to keep attorneys passionate about the law, and what lawyers can do to retain the passion.
Available Upon Request? Qualified Immunity for Employer References
October 30, 2007
Given the protections from liability available in many jurisdictions, most legal employers have a good deal more flexibility than they currently exercise in handling requests for references. Yet, many cautious employers have been slow to liberalize their reference practices.
Charney v. Sullivan & Cromwell: What Lessons Lie Here for Your Firm?
October 30, 2007
This article reviews the <i>Charney</i> case and applicable federal cases that might apply in workplace discrimination and relatiation situations, and points out the hidden dangers of local ordinances that attempt to regulate human behavior, and (arguably) even thought, in the workplace.
Supplemental Bonuses
October 29, 2007
New York's Sullivan & Cromwell LLP plans to pay counsels and senior associates (fifth-year level and up) bonuses tied to the firm's financial performance.
An Upbeat View: Nonlawyer Ownership of Law Firms
October 29, 2007
This article examines the two main objections to outside ownership of law firms. The first is that it would permit nonlawyers to interfere with lawyers' exercise of professional judgment. The second is that the firm's duty to its shareholders would lead it to focus blindly on maximizing profits.
The Uncertain Tax Status of Series LLCs
October 29, 2007
The Internal Revenue Service has not weighed in on the proper tax classification of series LLCs. Accordingly, lawyers recommending this new form of entity to clients or considering a series LLC for an ancillary business of the law firm or other purpose should proceed with caution.
Selling Your e-Commerce Company For Private Equity Money
October 29, 2007
Entrepreneurs have traditionally dreamed of creating family businesses that would last for generations. Certainly, everyone has seen the stickers and other marketing testifying to a firm's and its founding family's decades of service, and their stability and track record. But in today's constantly changing e-commerce world, a business often must reinvent itself several times in one generation, much less plan to last for several.
Harnessing Creativity or Creating Liability?
October 29, 2007
The growth of online social networking has not been lost on marketers, who hope to enlist Internet users in campaigns to promote their products and services. This article will appear in three installments. This first part examines the use of user-generated content ('UGC') and user participation as part of a promotion.
Detailed Billing
September 28, 2007
Today's bills are as thick as case files, and at least as detailed. Concerned over what lawyers are doing with their time and who's working on a matter ' whether to track diversity or to keep expensive but inexperienced first-year associates off the case ' clients demand exhaustive accounting from their outside counsel.
