Programs Keep Alumni Close to Old Firms
May 31, 2006
As firms strive to differentiate themselves through marketing techniques and stave off mergers through network affiliations, they are gearing up alumni programs to net referrals and maintain positive relationships with former employees.
Law Firm Leadership and Communications
May 31, 2006
Confronted by increased competition and changes in the way expense conscious corporate clients procure legal services, law firms are responding by building capacity ' increasing their size through aggressive lateral hiring and acquisition. It is an appropriate response; driven by the market perception that in order to compete today for global corporate business, it is imperative that the modern law firm be large enough to handle both commoditized work as well as provide high end counsel, deep enough to handle any and all matters that a company may face, and streamlined enough to take advantage of technological and other economies of scale. But the myriad of market-based arguments that enable the creation of these large partnerships with hundreds of partners beg the question: 'Now that we've built the infrastructure, how do we truly distinguish ourselves in a manner that actually confirms these assumptions and secures the business?'
Implementing Practice Management in a Mid-sized Firm
May 31, 2006
Practice management is gaining strength as a discipline in many mid-sized firms. Long adhered to in large firms as a way to interact most effectively with clients, produce the client's work in the most timely and cost-effective manner, and generate collegiality among lawyers, in mid-sized firms many managing partners have relegated the practice of law to individual partners, reluctant to impose their judgments on how individual client matters were being performed. This results from their belief that lawyer management should not have to follow up on partners responsible for performing client work or for managing substantive practice areas.
Retaliation: What is an Adverse Action?
May 31, 2006
It has become an increasingly common fact pattern: An employer discriminates against an employee, for example, because of her gender. She files a claim of discrimination against the employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In a matter of days, the employer finds out about her charges and decides to make her work life miserable. This might create a straightforward claim for unlawful retaliation, that is if the employer's actions made her life 'miserable enough.' The question of what is 'miserable enough' has divided the courts, and thus there may not be a clear answer to questions on adverse employment actions for employers or employees.
Safeguarding Confidential Employee Records
May 30, 2006
Because information has become increasingly easy to obtain and transfer, employers must take precautionary measures to ensure that confidential data is adequately protected. This applies not just to proprietary business information, but also to confidential employee data. <br>This article provides an overview of statutory, constitutional and common law concerns with res-pect to obtaining and maintaining confidential employee information, and penalties that employers may face for failing to protect the security of confidential employee records.
Dismantling the 'Great Wall' of Risk
May 30, 2006
A growing number of lessors exhibiting cautious optimism are slowly, but successfully, knocking down the 'great wall' that separates them from turning lease financing into a mainstream financial product in China. Investing in the Chinese leasing market can be a sound decision for lessors whose customers are asking for leases there; who can effectively manage the risks; and who are equipped to deal with major differences between the United States and China, which include language, culture, and the number and nature of business regulations.
The Importance Of Project Management In e-Discovery
May 30, 2006
Trial lawyers, especially in civil litigation, have found that challenging the manner in which electronic discovery was handled can lead to favorable rulings and influence the outcome of litigation regardless of the merits of the action.<br>Fortunately, sound project management can identify and minimize such risks before they result in adverse effects.
What Do You Want To Read?
May 26, 2006
We want to know how we can make this newsletter an even better resource for your professional needs. Are we covering all you want to see? Are there sections you would like to see enhanced or replaced?<br>Your views and opinions are essential in our effort to continue to provide you with the top notch News, Strategy and Analysis you have come to expect from Law Journal Newsletters.<br>Help us help you! Please click <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=604771980045">here</a> to complete a short survey or type the following URL into your browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=604771980045.<br>Your answers will assist us in making this an even better newsletter for you! Thank you.<br>Regards,<br>Colin Graf<br>LJN Marketing Director
COMMENTARY: What Makes a Global Firm?
May 16, 2006
Recently, Vault.com eliminated its rankings for international firms because, its editors said, the staff couldn't agree on what an 'international law firm' really was. The American Lawyer has similarly struggled with the definition in its rankings. Frankly, we can understand the confusion ' these days, nearly every major firm says it's 'international.' But establishing an overseas office or two, or having a few multinational clients, is far from being truly global. This is especially true in China, where firms want to say they have a presence.
<b>Professional Development University: </b>Invest in Your Future: You Are Worth It
April 28, 2006
If professional development has not found its way into a lawyer's practice and values, compliance with state CLE requirements is forcing a change. A growing number of states call upon lawyers to report their professional development activities and some states require stress management, substance abuse, or ethics education, as well as learning in a substantive area of law. There are also lessons from the larger firms: professional development is good for business and commonly used to market the firm's expertise.
