Trade-in Value and Automobile Loans After Bankruptcy Reform
November 23, 2009
Last month, we discussed that when, in 2005, Congress enacted PL 109-8, significant changes were in store for the automobile finance industry. Four years after the enactment of PL 109-8, there is as yet little literature on the real-world financial consequences of the 910 provision. The conclusion herein continues the discussion.
Leverage and Lenders of Last Resort
November 23, 2009
Prior to the current global recession, companies filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection were able to secure financing with relative ease. In recent years, a competitive market for DIP lending had developed among investment banks, private equity firms, hedge funds and traditional lenders such as GE Capital.
SHAKING HANDS DURING THE FLU EPIDEMIC - Legal Sales
November 23, 2009
SHAKING HANDS DURING THE FLU EPIDEMIC - Legal Sales British Airways is currently running an ad which states, "Emails do not end in handshakes." And while their business development team is hoping you will jump on one of ther planes and run over the pond to England, their message is "spot on." All too many involved in lawyer marketing believe electronics are the way to client retention or demonstrate strong closing skills. If they were but to…
When You're All Alone In the Forest
November 17, 2009
In an economic environment in which the larger firms are competing with the smaller firms for the smaller clients, and in which law firms are retrenching and the client pool is diminishing, can the sole practitioner or the smaller firm compete in this arena?
Failure to Heed IP in China Can Be Costly
October 29, 2009
Chinese companies are increasingly becoming aware of IP matters and are realizing the power of protecting IP through filing at the SIPO and foreign jurisdictions.
Obtaining and Using Opinions of Counsel
October 29, 2009
In the high-stakes world of U.S. patent litigation, an opinion of counsel can be a useful weapon for defending against claims of patent infringement. This article presents practical tips regarding obtaining and using opinions of counsel under U.S. patent law.
Partnership in Troubled Economic Times
October 29, 2009
It is vitally important that partners examine the culture of their firm before making "blanket" modifications to the partnership structure/admission practices simply to satisfy the current, and perhaps short-term, economic issues.
Is the Hourly Rate Dead?
October 29, 2009
Beyond the daily headlines of layoffs and reductions in force, the current Recession/"Depression" has made another impact on the legal profession: raising more questions about the viability of the billable hour.
Pension Funding: A Program to Maximize Pension Growth and Limit Volatility
October 29, 2009
When a Pension is addressing its liabilities and assets, it is important that it present a simple, straightforward way to fund for the future for its participants in a meaningful and effective manner. The volatility of the markets since 2007 has increased demands on the Pensions, as an uneasy balance of influences and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 have required increasing funding levels to meet mandated levels.
