Corner Office: Uses and Abuses of the Two-Tier Partnership
June 29, 2007
By the late 1990s, many law firms adopted a practice that significantly changed the original partnership paradigm. They created a new position, called nonequity, income, or contract partner, into which associates who were not admitted as equity partners could be placed. In effect, they created a two-tier partnership. This permitted them to retain associates longer, with the prospect that equity partnership might still be in their futures. But it was seldom made clear just how far into their futures.
Three Skills a Lawyer Needs to Succeed
June 29, 2007
The top three competencies or strategies a lawyer needs to succeed today are the abilities to generate new business, to learn the business of his or her clients, and to do top-notch networking. This article offers helpful hints on how to achieve them.
Movers & Shakers
June 28, 2007
Information about the advancement of lawyers in the patent profession.
USPTO's Accelerated Examination Program: Speed at a Price
June 28, 2007
Part One of this series discussed the history of the USPTO's Accelerated Examination procedure and the procedural requirements for applicants. This month's installment continues the discussion of requirements for accelerated examination.
Best Practices, Productivity Tools Are Key to Higher Patent Returns
June 28, 2007
Today's innovation and brand-driven companies are well aware of the importance of intellectual assets ('IAs'). Few CEOs would deny the fact that a significant portion of their company's value is derived from intellectual property, especially patents. However, IAs represent a challenge for many corporate managers seeking to realize value in a world historically tied to 'hard asset' financial measures. Not only do most operating managers lack experience in systematic management of intellectual assets, but also they lack the necessary tools — such as agreed-upon accounting methods and standardized financial reporting for such assets. Not to mention the fact that most companies also lack even the most basic information systems needed to manage how intellectual assets are created, managed, and exploited.
Who Cares About Japan?
June 28, 2007
Since 2002, when then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated he intended to transform Japan into a 'nation that is built on the platform of intellectual properties,' the Japanese government has shifted its focus on Intellectual Property ('IP'), bringing about numerous policy changes empowering Japanese firms to actively pursue both defensive and offensive corporate strategies to further discover the inherent value of their intellectual capital. These changes included not only new laws and agencies, but also the establishment of an Intellectual Property High Court ('IPHC') that handles only IP-related cases. For the United States, this signals that Japan is determined to become more competitive in both domestic and international markets using IP.
