Communication Is Key to e-Discovery Success
March 25, 2008
The recent lawsuits filed by Sullivan & Cromwell and Electronic Evidence Discovery, Inc. against one another brought to the forefront some of the frustrations that law firms and the vendors to which they outsource are currently experiencing. So how do you get legal professionals at law firms, e-discovery and staffing vendors to function harmoniously in order to minimize problems?
Judges Take Notice of Subprime Mortgage Crisis
March 25, 2008
Just in case you missed it, here is the most recent addition to the list of famous last words: "Your honor, you just don't understand how things work." According to press reports, that is how Judge Christopher A. Boyko of the Federal District Court in Cleveland, OH, characterized the foreclosing lender's counsel response to the judge's request for proof that the lender, Deutsche Bank, actually owned the 14 unpaid mortgages that the lender was asking the court to foreclose.
Hot Tips for Effective e-Discovery Review
March 25, 2008
Effective electronic discovery review requires careful planning and project team training in order to ensure timelines are met, critical evidence is not missed (or inadvertently produced), and that resulting production sets meet both requesting party and court requirements. Following are three scenarios and approaches that can be applied to ensure success on future e-discovery engagements.
Declaring Digital Documents As Records
March 25, 2008
Many law firms have joined the quest to go 'paperless.' This holy grail of efficiency and order in the digital age has been touted for years as being just over the horizon. The answer to the question 'how do we get there?' has been just as elusive. In a world where so many attorneys and support staff still rely on hard copy versions of documents, the only way to quickly go paperless has involved massive amounts of document imaging, even when many of the documents being scanned originated in an electronic format.
FROM TALKING TO SELLING
March 25, 2008
FROM TALKING TO SELLING - Here are the type of questions to ask a client or client prospect which not only demonstrate your skill and understanding of their business, but draw out answers that will help you sell. * Does in-house counsel have an organized, functioning early case assessment system? * Are their business and operational units covered in this system? * How is enterprise risk management and intellectual property protection handled? * Are they prepared for the…
DISCUSSION OF DISCOVERY
March 18, 2008
DISCUSSION OF DISCOVERY continues our series on winning communications with client prospects and clients. With research and media analysis completed, you are ready for the transition from talking to selling. For starters, ask how the CEO and Board of Directors expect to be apprised of pending risks and prevention steps. Such questions can directly generate deliverables on your end if, for example, that CEO or Board has asked in-house counsel to provide a larger dose of…
Rest in Peace, Margie Weiner
March 13, 2008
Margie Weiner was an exceptional woman, loved by all who knew her, from her fellow members at SIPA and other professional organizations to her staff here at Law Journal Newsletters to those in ALM's Philadelphia and New York offices to her many, many friends, neighbors, and of course family. I first met Margie in December 2002 when, laid off from my job as a medical editor, I applied at ALM with my heart in my throat'
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY AND ENJOYABLY WITH CORPORATE CLIENTS
March 12, 2008
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY AND ENJOYABLY WITH CORPORATE CLIENTS - Continuing with our series on really getting to know your clients and your prospects, and assuming you do want to discover what makes them and their companies work, what's next? You and your marketing support team must make time to organize pursue and hopefully close opportunities if you do find out. Lawyers are excellent at talking, good at asking questions and only so-so at listening. Yet it…
KEY QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING NEW BUSINESS
February 29, 2008
KEY QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING NEW BUSINESS - Polls and surveys of in-house counsel reveal that, during the selection process, greater or lesser emphasis may be placed on: * Diversity * Pro Bono Activity * Community Service. Some companies heavily weigh these factors as they apply to competing law firms. Others may believe the activities of individual team members are more important. Some buyers place equal weight on firm reputation and individual practice in selecting outside counsel. Some…