Cantey Hanger Selects nQueue Embedded Cost Recovery
October 31, 2006
As Cantey Hanger's Executive Director, it is my responsibility to enable the firm to compete on all levels. In the ever-changing world of technology, it is particularly important the firm remain competitive to ensure our clients are receiving the highest level of service. With this in mind, last year we implemented a replacement strategy of our copier fleet, including cost recovery products.
How to Securely Exchange Large Files
October 31, 2006
Foley & Lardner LLP is a full service national law firm that provides legal services to clients from growing companies to large multinational concerns. Much of this work involves the time-critical exchange of large documents and data with attorneys and clients both inside and outside the firm. Given the sensitive nature of these files, the challenge is how to give attorneys the ability to exchange the information in a secure way. Strategically, security is the easier part of the problem; the bigger issue is how to facilitate the exchange so that users are in control of the process instead of having to call for IT support every time the need arises.
<b>Practice Tip: </b> Navigating Through Styles in Word Documents
October 31, 2006
There are some basic styles and techniques built into Microsoft Word that will speed up document creation and formatting. <br>A style is a name applied to a set of formatting instructions that allow users to abbreviate formatting steps. While the importance of Word style formatting is known to many firms, their actual use and application still eludes most documents. 'If styles are so important to my documents, why are they so hard to use?'
Combating e-Discovery Project Risk with Effective Communication
October 31, 2006
Litigants and their law firms continue to be frustrated with the escalating costs of discovery during litigation, investigations and regulatory response. Fueling these costs is risk, and the fears associated with discovery risk range from common concerns such as budget and schedule, to more severe outcomes including sanctions, adverse inference or even stress-induced hair loss. <br>One simple way litigants can lessen risk and gain control of these costs is through effective project planning and communication. In fact, without good communication, you are paving the way for risk.
How a Firm Can Be Killed By Its Culture
October 31, 2006
When firms first recognize they need to change in order to be more competitive, it appears that they have a seemingly infinite array of options. Cost-cutting, increasing billable hours, starting a marketing program and hiring a rainmaker are usually at the top of the list, but it often seems as though everyone in the firm has their own solution to the problem. In reality, there are only a few key steps that are appropriate and necessary for most firms. The real problem is that execution of these tactics is a long-term effort, not a 1-year program. Mounting a sustained effort requires a change in the behavior of the members of the firm and therefore a change in the culture of the entire firm. However, there are forces at play in every firm that act to prevent these changes. This article discusses how the culture of a firm locks it into place and prevents it from changing. Solutions for moving past these issues are also identified.
At the Tipping Point
October 31, 2006
The debate over the issue of whether or not a law firm can have a mandatory retirement age has focused on the threshold question of whether the 'partner' is an 'employer' or an 'employee' under the ADEA. If the partner is a 'bona fide' partner then he or she is an 'employer' and not protected by the ADEA. However, if the partner is not a 'bona fide' partner under the relevant legal principles (which will be discussed later in this article), he or she may be protected by the ADEA and, therefore, able to challenge the mandatory retirement age policy.
Partner Compensation Systems: Five Design Challenges
October 31, 2006
Something is beginning to quietly brew with respect to large law firm partner compensation systems.<br>The last major revolution in partner compensation began in the 1980s, aimed at increasing partners' focus on marketing and new business development. But, in the attempts to energize their partners to go out and market, many law firms may have overdone it ' and today are struggling with some of the resultant dysfunctional behaviors their reward systems have motivated.
<b>The Place to Network:</b> Creative Networking
October 31, 2006
In order to effectively network, you don't necessarily need to carve time out of your already-packed schedule for 'official networking.' Instead, just focus on meeting people and making connections in your day-to-day activities. For starters, networking need not be confined to 'business activities' or 'business days.'
Money Changes Everything
October 31, 2006
Very few attorneys really understand what their hourly rates mean to a client. It is not a number, according to Peter Darling, a former litigator and current CA-based business-development consultant. Few clients select their lawyers based on fees. Rather, the decision is usually driven by emotion.
<b>Technology In Marketing: </b> Spam and Filters
October 31, 2006
The increasing use of filters by companies to block spam has a downside for law firms engaged in legitimate e-mail marketing ' an increased risk that their e-mails will be improperly labeled as spam and either blocked entirely or routed to users' junk (bulk mail) folders and never read.
