Kaye Scholer Faces Malpractice Claim From Ex-Computer Associates Worker
April 28, 2006
A former employee of scandal-plagued software giant Computer Associates, who claims she was fired for cooperating with an internal investigation, may sue the law firm hired by the company to represent her for legal malpractice based on alleged conflicts of interest, a Long Island judge has ruled.
Employee-Benefits Bankruptcy Issues That Law Firms Need to Know
April 28, 2006
This article provides an update on the protection of an individual retirement account (IRA) from creditors after the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (the Act). In general, the Act, which took effect on Oct. 17, 2005, expands the bankruptcy protections previously available for a debtor's 'ERISA-qualified' retirement funds.
The New Business Case For Diversity
April 28, 2006
As a signatory to the Statement of Principal, Wal-Mart actively promotes diversity within its approximately 500 law firms. Following the Statement's approach, we have informed our law firms of the importance of diversity to our business and our desire that the attorneys representing the Company more closely reflect the customers and communities we serve. We have communicated to our firms that we expect them to promote a diverse workplace and have encouraged them to staff our files with more women and minority attorneys. Finally, we have told our firms that we would give significant consideration to a firm's demonstrated diversity commitment when selecting new counsel. <br>Unfortunately, a review of the diversity statistics of our law firms produced disappointing results.
Safeguarding Confidential Employee Records
April 28, 2006
The electronic age has increased numerous workplace efficiencies, the most significant of which are obtaining, storing, using and transferring data. Yet these benefits to data management have not come without burdens. 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. This article provides an overview of statutory, constitutional and common law concerns with respect to obtaining and maintaining confidential employee information, and penalties that employers may face for failing to protect the security of confidential employee records.
PM Forum North America, New York Chapter: The New and Improved Version!
April 27, 2006
Back in 2004, I wrote an article announcing that the PM Forum was arriving here in the U.S. and that the New York Chapter was being launched. That was then and this is now. The new and improved version is having its inaugural soiree in New York City on May 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Club Metropolitan.
Is the White-Collar Defense Attorney Headed for Extinction?
April 27, 2006
In the 3 years since Former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson's expansion of the Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations (the 'Thompson Memorandum' or 'Memorandum'), the number of front-page corporate prosecutions and record fines have continued to grow. Prior <i>Business Crimes Bulletin</i> articles have discussed the impact of the Memorandum on the role of defense counsel, including the effects of waiver of corporate attorney-client privilege. However, the privilege is not all that is disappearing.
The Value of Partnership
April 26, 2006
When someone becomes an equity partner in a law firm, he or she becomes an owner of an institution that has a substantial value ' certainly greater value than is demonstrated on a cash basis balance sheet. Yet the majority of U.S. law firms admit partners with little or no requirement that they make a purchase of the firm's capital assets.
Transition Planning and Flexibitlity for Senior Partners
April 26, 2006
Many of the stories about senior partners pressured to retire so the next generation can take over are not pretty. They contradict long-held notions of what a partnership should be and neglect the long-time partners' non-financial needs.For younger generations in the workplace to get what they want from a transitioning agreement, there must be something in it for the more senior people too.
<b>Technology Uses & Costs</b>: Improved Cost Recovery for Imaging
April 26, 2006
Chapman and Cutler LLP is a Chicago-based law firm focused on innovative and practical legal solutions for complex financial transactions. In addition to traditional financing, the firm, with its pool of 180 attorneys located in three offices, is widely recognized for its experience in specialized areas of finance. Keeping up with the pace of change in the financial arena, as well as the rapidly evolving needs of Chapman and Cutler's clients, has consistently challenged our IT group to provide the Chapman user community with the most up-to-date and efficient technology solutions. This was our objective last summer when we set out to replace and upgrade our firm's cost recovery systems.
Morgan Hops Over China's Hurdles
April 05, 2006
When Morgan, Lewis & Bockius announced that it had landed the right team of lawyers to open an office in Beijing and the permission of Chinese authorities to do it, it was a double coup. <br>While obtaining a license to practice in China isn't the mystery it used to be for U.S. firms, it's still an arduous process. Firms can wait as long as a year to get an answer from local officials and the Chinese Ministry of Justice, as Morgan, Lewis did. And that's after completing the lengthy application that must be notarized, approved by U.S. agencies and then translated into Mandarin.
