Long-Awaited Guidance on L-1B Visa Category Released
June 02, 2015
The highly anticipated draft Policy Memorandum (L-1B Memo) addressing the qualifying criteria for the L-1B visa category was released by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on March 24, giving immigration practitioners and employers clear guidance on the definition of "specialized knowledge" and the standard of review USCIS adjudicators should apply when evaluating L-1B petitions.
How to Successfully Integrate Lateral Partners
June 02, 2015
There are two ways lateral partner recruiting can grow the revenues of a law firm. The first is through the acquisition of additional client relationships brought to the firm by the lateral partner. The second is the added work generated by the lateral partner serving more of the legal needs of the firm's existing clientele.
<b><i>Media & Communications:</i></b> Communicating Value in a Buyer's Market
June 02, 2015
It's easy to lose sight of purpose in a law firm ' especially as marketers. All the amazing opportunities "The Information Age" brings quickly deflate against the unresponsiveness or death-by-consensus model of law firm leadership. In these moments of defeat, the temptation to settle is strong. But we can help.
Tips for How Women Lawyers Can Chart a Different Course
May 19, 2015
For all the chatter, studies, and disheartening stats we read on where Women in the Law rank in the legal services sector, I say 'phooey'. Yes, the numbers stink; yes, there are real barriers, discrimination, disappointing treatment from law firm leadership, but hey, we are women 'with a capitol W' as the phrase goes.
Beware: Not All Communications Between Court-Appointed Bankruptcy Professionals Are Privileged
May 02, 2015
A successful Chapter 11 representation requires a close working relationship between the client's attorneys and non-attorney professionals, and the latter are generally kept fully abreast of the attorney's strategies on behalf of their common client. But where a communication otherwise protected by the attorney-client privilege is disclosed to, or made in the presence of a third party, the communication may no longer be, or deemed never to have been considered privileged.
Bit Parts
May 02, 2015
Film Production Company Loses Legal Malpractice Suit<br>"Iron Man Theme" Copyright "Owner" Settlement Doesn't Preclude Work-for-Hire Finding<br>No Federal Trademark Registration for "Slants" Band
New Anti-Kickback Law 'Safe Harbors' Proposed
May 02, 2015
Certain types of incentive payments and business arrangements that would improve the quality of care and provide needed assistance to indigent patients could actually run afoul of the federal fraud and abuse laws, including the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) (42 U.S.C. ' 1320a-7b(b)), and potentially trigger their drastic penalties.
The Airbnb Problem in Residential Housing
May 02, 2015
This article details the City's efforts in one case to enjoin a business that facilitated the creation of illegal hotels, and a landlord's efforts in another case to eject a rent-controlled tenant who was using Airbnb to rent rooms within her four bedroom apartment.
Is Your TIC Client a Candidate for Conversion to DST?
May 02, 2015
Tenancy in Common (TIC) arrangements are reaching maturity. This article explains the reasons converting to a DST may facilitate a refinancing, and discusses factors to keep in mind when considering the conversion of a TIC to a DST, most notably certain leasing limitations.
Deritivative Cyber Litigation
May 02, 2015
Potential liability for data breaches has emerged as a major concern for businesses in the past few years as massive cyber-attacks are increasing, with companies that use or store private customer data electronically or use social media as part of their marketing strategy being the prime targets.