Quarterly State Compliance Review
August 30, 2005
This edition of the Quarterly State Compliance Review looks at some legislation of interest to corporate lawyers that went into effect during a very active summer of 2005. This edition also examines three recent Delaware Chancery Court decisions dealing with the increasingly important statutory right to inspect books and records.
Corporate Minutes: What SOX Has Wrought
August 30, 2005
Until recently, the subject of corporate minutes seemed about as interesting -- and received about as much attention -- as watching paint dry (or, for those who prefer another metaphor, watching grass grow). However, for a number of reasons, the subject now receives considerable attention from the legal and corporate governance communities, and from boards of directors themselves.
Unlawful SOX Helplines
August 30, 2005
The international corporate governance community has been greatly troubled in the last several weeks by the reporting of decisions from France and Germany that have been said to make the running of SOX helplines unlawful in Europe. Much of the furor has been caused by mistranslations of the decisions in both of these countries, and a misunderstanding of the ability of the authorities in one country in Europe to make cross-border rulings. As we will see, the decisions taken in France and Germany affect only those two countries and are not in themselves of pan-European effect. Problems do however remain in particular for U.S. corporations that run whistleblower hotlines in Europe.
The Power of Image
August 30, 2005
Like paying for an estate plan and many other legal services, investing in image marketing is elective. You don't have to do it. And when confronted with all the other things you might need or want, like a new employee, or a new computer system, it's easy to see why an investment in image goes to the bottom of the pile, never to be seen again.
Skills Necessary to Be Successful in Legal Marketing
August 30, 2005
Like the legal marketing industry itself, the skills needed to be successful in public relations are constantly evolving. The profession is becoming more specialized and much more comprehensive. Many of the important standards will never change, such as the need for ethics, integrity, strategic thinking, a passion for building relationships and facilitating communication, commitment to clients, and strong oral and written communications skills. However, remaining open to constant evolution and lifelong learning adds great depth to a legal public relations professionals success.
O Client, Why Art Thou?
August 30, 2005
Thriving law firms achieve success by meeting or exceeding their clients' service-quality expectations. These expectations are shaped by clients' past experiences, word-of-mouth, and advertising, and create a baseline against which performance is measured when services are delivered. When a firm's performance exceeds the expected level of service, clients remain loyal. Conversely, when performance fails to meet expectations, clients go shopping. It thus behooves law firms to continually explore and experiment with strategies for exceeding their clients' highest hopes.
Speed Traps and Potholes: Avoiding Communications Hazards
August 30, 2005
Whether a firm keeps the pedal to the metal or travels at a more steady pace, effective communications can build profits, promote growth and create demand. But it is important to remember that marketing and public relations materials must comply with the rules of the road, lest firms find themselves in trouble with the law.
10 Money-Making Elements in a Business Development Strategy
August 30, 2005
A business development strategy will generate new clients, increase billings and boost originations. In corporate America, every successful company has a strategic marketing plan guiding its future. Yet, according to a recent survey, fewer than 5% of the law firms in the United States have such a plan in place. Drafting a strategic marketing plan isn't rocket science, but it does take some thought.
