Giving 'Til It Hurts
March 31, 2009
How can you serve your community ' and frequently, your firm ' without hurting your own firm's budget and community relations? You can say yes too often and dissipate your budget and your firm's time and energy, but how do you say no without seeming to be coldhearted and indifferent to community or charitable needs?
India Opens Its Doors to Foreign Consultancy Firms
March 31, 2009
India looms large on the horizon as the next territory for increased expansion by law firms. A recent court ruling holding that India may tax a foreign law firm only for work actually performed in India, coupled with the enactment of a law permitting businesses to operate as limited liability partnerships, pave the way for these firms to enter the Indian market.
Eight Recession-Busting Tactics
March 31, 2009
When the recession ends, many firms will have survived. But those that thrived will have employed all or some of the measures outlined in this article.
Insurance Company Conduct Endorsing the Fairness of 'All Sums' Allocation
March 31, 2009
There are many examples of insurance company statements and conduct that have endorsed the fairness of the "all sums" approach to allocation, or argued against the imposition of extracontractual proration. This conduct contradicts the unsupported arguments these insurance companies now make in favor of extracontractual proration; that enforcing the "all sums" policy language somehow would lead to unfair or unintended results.
Finding the Familiar in Contingent Coverage Provisions
March 31, 2009
Contingent business interruption insurance found in many commercial property contracts is business interruption insurance with a single modification: While business interruption is triggered by damage to property of the insured, which leads to an interruption of the insured's business, contingent business interruption is triggered by damage to the property of a specified third party, which leads to an interruption of the insured's business.
Is Your e-Communication Being Read?
March 30, 2009
Any way you look at it, e-communication gives you and your firm exposure in an existing or potential client market. Unlike other communication delivery methods, e-communication is the one place a law firm can actually see specific results ' from who received the communication, to whether that person actually viewed the e-mail or forwarded it on to someone else.
Technology Changing the Litigation Game
March 30, 2009
There's no mistaking that new technologies are transforming the practice of litigation. Technology can overlook the time-tested interpersonal styles that facilitate skills development, but it can also offer a leg up when it comes to seamless client service and flexible schedules, a trademark that is here to stay as more Gen Ys enter the workforce with an innate expectation of using these tools. The successful litigator must temper the tension between the obvious personal and professional benefits of taking full advantage of new technology and the corresponding loss of face-to-face interaction.
Microsoft's New Office 2007 File Format Is More Than an Upgrade
March 30, 2009
In March 2008, Microsoft received approval on its new OpenXML file format from the ISO, a step Microsoft says is "proof it is willing to make once-proprietary technology work openly with competing programs." Good riddance! The old binary format was a mess and didn't play well with other applications.
