Issues in Valuing Celebrity Estate Publicity Rights
June 02, 2014
The IRS has recognized the right to publicity and the need to appraise this asset for estate tax purposes. But valuing the right of publicity of a deceased celebrity can be difficult, and wrought with assumptions and speculation.
Ten Reasons to Just Say No to New Work
June 02, 2014
The battles to land new clients and matters are fierce and the consequences of losing are far more damaging than ever. Nevertheless, there are times when the smart play is to decline, no matter how alluring the likely fees are.
How Women Lawyers Can Chart a Different Course
June 02, 2014
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.
Ninth Circuit Eyes Middle Ground in Oracle-SAP Feud
June 02, 2014
Oracle Corp. may have won half of its battle with SAP AG at the Ninth Circuit on May 13 as a three-judge panel seemed to agree the company can pursue hypothetical license damages for copyright infringement, even though Oracle has no track record of actually licensing its software to competitors.
Analytical Glue
June 02, 2014
At Bradford & Barthel, LLP, we're leveraging Big Hand, Net Documents, and Tableau in concert with our existing systems toward a 5:1 cost savings ratio for the firm over the next three years. Our strategy is to position ourselves to compete in the most stringent pricing comparisons available within our practice area. How?
In the Spotlight: The Co-Tenancy Clause
June 02, 2014
When a mall or shopping center landlord is marketing space and offers a potential retail tenant a co-tenancy provision, the most applicable legal maxim is <I>caveat venditor,</I> let the seller beware
Using 'Sharing Origination' Credit to Motivate Partners to Develop Business
June 02, 2014
In today's competitive practice environment, client origination looms large in its significance to the success of a firm's future. Hence, strong incentives should be provided to partners for "bringing new business from potential and existing clients through the door." Below, several kinds of Origination Credit are examined.
QDRO or Buyout: Preparing Today for A Secure Tomorrow
June 02, 2014
Some 84 million Americans work for companies that maintain ERISA-covered retirement plans that are divisible by Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), which guarantee the non-worker spouse (the non-owner) a share of the pension. Or the couple can opt for a buyout (sometimes called an immediate offset), by which one spouse trades away pension rights for another asset.