China's Great Leap In-House
July 31, 2006
These days China is full of Silicon Valley wannabes, but Alibaba.com, headquartered in Hangzhou, is way ahead of the pack. In a headline-grabbing deal last August, the company acquired Yahoo Inc.'s China business (it now operates the Yahoo brand in China), plus a $1 billion investment from the venerable Internet company. Now a $4 billion privately held concern, Alibaba.com is best known for its business auction site (www.alibaba.com, which the company claims is the leading Web site for business-to-business trade in the world) and Taobao.com (www.taobao.com), a consumer auction site that's giving eBay.com a run for its money in China. (Alibaba.com is in English, Taobao.com is in Chinese.)
<b>Op-Ed:</b> 'I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar' ' or Not!
July 31, 2006
With the exception of about 15 firms nationwide, there are no solid programs that truly benefit women in law firms. Yes, many firms list their women in law programs on their Web sites, and several tout their programs as being at the forefront of the movement, but this is not the reality. While there are lots of women in law firm programs, most of them merely exist to 'paint a picture' that will demonstrate to clients that they are diverse. For all intensive purposes, this is a joke ' and the joke is on the women in these firms. Is it any wonder that many women leave law firms to either go in-house or leave the profession entirely?
Additional 2006 Tax Tips and Insights
July 27, 2006
following excerpts provide useful additional information on the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, signed into law on May 17, 2006.
Federal Tax Planning and Compliance Update
July 27, 2006
Compared with the significant tax legislation of the prior several years, both 2005 and 2006 (to date) have been relatively quiet in terms of legislative changes impacting taxpayers generally ' and law firms and attorneys in particular.
Alliance Marketing Can Extend Your Firm's Reach
June 29, 2006
Alliance marketing offers law firms a great way to increase their exposure to potential clients while showing off their expertise in the law to other professionals who can be a wellspring of referrals. An alliance-marketing relationship brings together lawyers with accountants, bankers, investment planners, publishers or other professionals who may want to market their services to the same potential clients. These alliances could be formed to run seminars for current and potential clients, to work together to publish articles or for creation of advertising materials.
The 'Big Picture'
June 29, 2006
Let's say you're the firm's chief marketing officer. You're about to sit down with the managing partner to discuss the firm's marketing efforts and how they fit into its overall business strategy. Here are 10 questions you should be prepared to answer clearly and concisely.
Technology Conversions: More Than Just Software
June 29, 2006
A recent asset finance industry conference I attended showcased the new generation of technology platforms being introduced to the market. Most of the presentations to the inquisitive audience focused on the pure functionality of the various software programs ' their capabilities and limitations.
Bringing Paper Legal Documents Into Electronic Systems
June 29, 2006
In the legal industry, it's very clear that paper is here to stay. Whether it's pleadings, filings, evidence, exhibits, or other documents, paper formats are still a dominant factor in many law firms today. As much as we want to reduce its presence for numerous reasons, that tide of paper isn't going away. In fact, for some firms, it continues to rise. That's why law firms of all sizes need non-disruptive strategies that support efficient 'coexistence' of paper and electronic documents and records.
Supreme Court Sides with Employees in Discrimination Case
June 29, 2006
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on June 22 to give broad protection under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to employees who suffer retaliation for complaining about workplace discrimination. <br>The decision in <i>Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White</i> ends disarray among lower courts on the standard required to assess retaliation claims, but employment lawyers say it will trigger a wave of new litigation to determine what kind of employer actions constitute illegal retaliation.
Lawyers' Suit over Taping Client Conversations Proceeds
June 29, 2006
Legal Aid lawyers claiming the government violated their rights by secretly recording attorney-client communications with 9/11 detainees won a major battle in June when a federal judge permitted the bulk of the action to proceed. <br>The case is unusual in that it centers on the rights and privileges of lawyers operating behind the attorney-client shield, rather than on the rights of the clients.
