The Law Firm Cybersecurity Audit Grows Up
July 01, 2018
In the face of new threats, law firm cybersecurity assessments have become more engaging and demanding affairs. But many hope this new change is just the beginning of a more fundamental shift.
Loan-Out Corporations after Tax Reform and CA Supreme Court Decision in 'Dynamex'
July 01, 2018
The tax reform bill signed by President Trump at the end of 2017 has caused us to take a fresh look at many long-held assumptions about how to take into account income taxes in planning for the entertainment industry. At the same time, the California Supreme Court recently decided a case that has the potential to eviscerate loan-out corporations entirely. This article discusses loan-out corporations in light of these two important developments.
Prospering in the 'New Normal'
June 01, 2018
<b><i>Raising Costs and Declining Demand are Sapping Profits</b></i><p>The “New Normal” of today is one in which raising operating costs, associate salary increases, and reduced realization rates coupled with AFAs and demands from corporate counsel for reduced rates are sapping firm profits and there is no relief on the horizon. Law firm leaders, seeing current conditions, should be asking if there is a better way.
The Topography of a Strong Attorney Biography
April 01, 2018
<b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</b></i><p>Attorneys are generally not great salespeople (caveat: some are <i>great</i> salespeople, aka rainmakers) and they are often introverts. While lawyers may like to speak about themselves, many are not effective in <i>how</i> to speak about themselves and their work in a way that is appealing to clients.
Hiring Practices and the FCPA
April 01, 2018
While laws such as the FCPA do not necessarily prohibit hiring individuals with criminal records or bad credit records or who are former government officials, they do require employers to identify these individuals and assess whether their hire would pose a threat, violate the laws outright or impose an administratively difficult burden due to the need to monitor their activities.
The Death of the Law Firm Partnership Vote?
April 01, 2018
<b><i>With an Eye on Efficiency, Firms Are Ditching Old Methods for a More Corporate Form of Governance</b></i><p>A growing number of firms in the United States and the United Kingdom are eschewing historical partnership norms in favor of more centralized management, and with that comes fewer and fewer partnership votes.