Internal Media Communications Planning: Getting the Entire Firm Involved
October 03, 2005
While a law firm's internal media communications plan should be developed at the highest levels of the organization, the finalized program should not be limited to the activities of a select few partners and executives. It is important to remember that media inquiries can come to any staff member at any time. For this reason, it is critical that the entire firm ' from the managing partner to administrative assistants and other support staff ' be on board with the internal media communication program.
The MLF 50: More From the Top Firms
October 03, 2005
In my continuing effort to present as many of the firms that were listed in the MLF 50, I am pleased to profile Baker & McKenzie (No. 6) and Carlton Fields (No. 22) in this issue of <i>Marketing The Law Firm</i>.
Utilizing a Unique Communications Platform: Video Conferencing
October 03, 2005
With so many efficiency-boosting technologies available today to help you manage and grow your law firm, it is sometimes difficult to identify the right ones to implement. Given recent trends, it is abundantly clear that law firms are focusing their investments on technologies that can have the greatest impact on growing their bottom line. Due to its numerous benefits, including significant productivity gains, cost savings and employee safety, video conferencing is at the top of the list.
Your Guide to Getting on the Web: Starting from Scratch
October 03, 2005
Although the vast majority of large law firms and indeed perhaps every single large law firm may already have a Web site, and although most medium-sized firms have them as well, there still are many solo practitioners and smaller firms that do not. The failure to have a Web site already is, at the least, unusual; lawyers and firms that do not remedy that situation in the very near future will certainly be making a serious and perhaps fatal business and tactical mistake. So get cracking!
Business Development: The Ethical Boundaries
October 03, 2005
In recent years, business development has meant different things in different segments of the American legal community. To some attorneys, extensive media campaigns and billboards are the preferred method. To others, in the mass tort context for example, the aggressive pursuit of victims and their families has been all too commonplace. Elsewhere, Web sites and computer chat rooms have supplemented or supplanted the traditional firm brochures and client seminars. <br>In reaction to these trends, a number of jurisdictions have revamped their business development ethics rules in recent years. Unfortunately, the necessarily "one size fits all" approach to explicit rules has led to some curious and counterintuitive results. In states that forbid direct in person contacts with non-clients who aren't lawyers, for example, it may make sense to prevent attorneys from badgering widows and orphans. But these same rules likewise prevent lawyers in such states from telephoning a sophisticated, educated company president.
Health Savings Accounts: Recent Improvements
October 03, 2005
In his preliminary analysis of this emerging subject in the August 2004 edition our sibling newsletter, <i>Accounting & Financial Planning for Law Firms</i>, Rick Stieglitz noted several key advantages of HSAs for employees: the account accumulates tax-free growth; funds are immediately available for qualified medical expenses; any unused remainder at year's end carries over, rather than being lost; and an employee's account is portable to another employer. HSAs offer tax advantages to employers as well ' if implemented properly. This updated report suggests that HSAs have gotten even more attractive.
Staying Competitive in the Lateral Partner Market
October 03, 2005
Part One, last month, discussed how firms can stay competitive through lateral partner recruiting. This month, the article continues with more advice, and stresses the importance of telling a candidate why he or she should join your firm.
Net News
October 03, 2005
Court Rules Against KaZaA <br>Internet Oversight Board OKs New Domains
Justice Department Conducts International Internet Piracy Sweep
October 03, 2005
The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, recently announced a far-reaching and aggressive international enforcement action against criminal organizations involved in the illegal online distribution of copyrighted material.
