A Case Study
March 27, 2007
This article reports the experience of one law firm's Director of Finance when she and her firm decided to switch software vendors rather than upgrade.
Transforming Practice Areas into Profit Centers
March 27, 2007
Many larger firms have had long experience in systematically managing practice areas, and are now focused on optimizing profitability from each area with the aid of enhanced benchmarking tools and business intelligence software. But for many midsize firms, practice area management has not expanded beyond its original quality-assurance role, leaving largely untapped its potential for improving firm profitability.
Gaining Firm Acceptance of a Profitability Model
March 27, 2007
As law firms grow in size, and expand geographically and across practice areas, the use of firm-wide profitability tools has become a business necessity. But understanding the urgency to adopt or update a profitability model doesn't guarantee its successful implementation.
Must-Sue TV
March 27, 2007
Not to be left behind, the legal community is actively engaged in the ever-expanding blogoshpere. With more than 1000 active legal blogs on the Web, firms and attorneys recognize the value of blogs as unique marketing and business development tools. However, for a blog to be beneficial, it must distinguish itself from the diluted market through creativity, consistency, and a strategic media plan.
When Death Is More Than a Blue Screen
March 26, 2007
Consider all the critical information that would vanish if a key employee of your business died suddenly, and others had to locate that information.
Exchange-Traded Solvency Derivatives
March 26, 2007
In the last ten years, the credit derivatives market has grown from its infancy to approximately $26 trillion of notional value according to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ('ISDA'). The most highly utilized type of credit derivative, the credit default swap, is used by investors to bet on a company's creditworthiness or hedge a position in a fashion that protects against the company's failure to make a payment or satisfy other terms.
Pros and Cons of Sequenced Retirement
February 28, 2007
Coming to terms with retirement is difficult and, like most things, is even harder if you are a law firm partner. As soon as you begin to think about throttling things back a tad, your clients demand a quicker response time and your partners want you to bring in more business. At the same time, what seemed just a short time ago to be a distant respite is now looming over you and you may not even know what to do or if you can even afford to do it. Moreover, even if you do not want to retire, your partnership agreement may have a mandatory retirement provision that takes away your choice.
Nondiscrimination Rights: EEOC Limits on Waivers
February 28, 2007
When involuntary employment terminations become necessary, employers often seek protection from possible post-employment claims by conditioning severance pay on the signing of a general release and agreement not to sue. As a general rule, such waivers are enforceable if they are 'knowing and voluntary.' Less clear, however, is under what circumstances an employer may condition severance payments on a promise by the departing employee that he/she will not pursue a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ('EEOC') in connection with an allegation of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
TRHCA Tax Savings
February 28, 2007
Along with a multitude of other changes, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 ('TRHCA') extends the time for several tax cuts that had expired at the end of 2005, makes certain tax breaks more beneficial, and provides greater flexibility regarding health savings accounts. This article highlights noteworthy new TRHCA provisions that can benefit law firms and their clients, as well as individual attorneys and staff members and their families.
