Open Source Routers
January 29, 2010
While open source operating systems may not be prevalent in the consumer computer market, the concept has successfully spread to other nooks and crannies of technology. Open source software powers servers all over the Internet, including routers.
ConnectU Sued for Slice of $65M Facebook Deal
January 29, 2010
A Boston software developer is suing the now-defunct social media site ConnectU, its founders, its law firm, Washington-based Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, and Scott Mosko, a Palo Alto, CA, partner at the firm, for allegedly cutting him out of Facebook's $65 million settlement with ConnectU's founders.
Google Your Case
January 29, 2010
With Google in command of my e-mail platform, my blogging platform, my search platform, my RSS reader, my photo-storage platform, and even my document collaboration platform, I certainly should be worried that Google could become the Big Brother I never wanted. Even so, I am lulled into complacency by the simple fact that Google does what it does so well. So it is with Google's entry into case law research, with its recent announcement that Google Scholar now allows users to search full-text legal opinions from U.S. federal and state appellate and trial courts.
Guidelines for Starting an IP Practice in China
January 29, 2010
As more multinational companies turn their attention to, sell products to and open offices in China, intellectual property work will continue to skyrocket. How are international law firms responding? What are the barriers, if any, to entry? What are the best ways to set up an IP practice in China? This article answers those questions and provides a basic roadmap if you are contemplating entering this market.
The Drive Toward Performance Measurement in Law Firm Administrative Functions
January 29, 2010
In response to increased pressure, administrative leaders are seeking out ways to measure the performance of administrative functions ' to justify the function's staffing and costs and to demonstrate the group's value to firm leadership. The drive for performance measurement programs in law firms entails a shift toward careful assessment and analysis of the overall performance of various law firm administrative functions and their respective value to the firm.
Valuation of a Law Practice
January 29, 2010
My firm has emphasized valuation services for over two decades, with a particular recognition for our work with professional service firm valuation, and more particularly in valuing law firms and ownership interests in law firms for a broad array of purposes ranging from dissolution of marriage, estate tax, shareholder disputes, and more recently in engagements to assist law firm ownership to protect and enhance value.
Strategic Sourcing
January 29, 2010
Law firms face an ongoing challenge to reduce costs. Proactive firms can reduce their recurring costs for goods, equipment and services while maintaining quality and service levels by developing and implementing strategic sourcing programs. Strategic sourcing involves systematically examining spending as a whole and developing a holistic strategy to achieve greater savings than could be gained by "one off" cost-cutting measures. While strategic sourcing does not include payroll costs, enhancing the quality of non-payroll services will indirectly help payroll cost management.
An Economic and Demographic Case for Alternative Fee Arrangements
January 29, 2010
We have known for some time that the law profession is aging. Until now, the effect that such aging could have on law firm revenues has been entirely masked by law firms raising hourly billing rates well in excess of general inflationary pressures, rising costs of operations and the increased experience of its practitioners. Now we are in an environment where competitive and market forces will almost certainly alter the ability to raise hourly billing rates consistent with historic patterns. The time has come to embrace alternatives to hourly pricing.
Representing Clients with Gambling Debts to Casinos
January 29, 2010
As a young associate at McManis Faulkner & Morgan, Eric Sidebotham was put in charge of a $4-$6 million gaming dispute between a Silicon Valley executive and a New Jersey casino. Little did he know then that the negotiation skills and casino-related expert witness contacts he picked up at McManis Faulkner would help keep his own two-lawyer firm afloat through one of the deepest recessions in recent memory.
