New York's Judicial Straight-Jacket
November 01, 2016
At a 2015 conference jointly sponsored by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), I listened with much interest as attorneys and judges from areas other than New York expressed disbelief, disapproval and dismay regarding New York's extraordinarily atypical positions regarding the copying and electronic transmission of documents, and the limitations on discovery in litigation focused on issues of access to and custody of children.
Trust Issues: Pre- and Post-Nuptial Clauses
November 01, 2016
<b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</b></i><p><p>This article explores common provisions used in pre-and post-nuptial agreements and suggest how standard language might be modified to protect a client's rights or interests in trusts he or she formed before the marriage, or that family members formed naming him or her in various capacities.
Case Notes
November 01, 2016
In what appears to be a case of first impression in New York, the court overseeing a couple's divorce has granted the wife's motion seeking to bar her husband from the delivery room when she gives birth to their child.
Essential Qualities of Successful Rainmakers
November 01, 2016
Although a handful of law firms has hired non-lawyer sales teams, most still rely upon individual attorneys or practice groups to generate new client matters (i.e., to sell) even though the majority of them have never received business development skills training. This article describes some of the important characteristics and habits shared by attorneys who have built successful practices.
Moving from Good Law to Great Law™
November 01, 2016
Law firm leadership is at a proverbial fork in the road. The people running law firms can continue to do business as usual, or they can lead their firms toward a model of business that reflects the new and still evolving client expectations and market demands.
Culture of Collaboration
November 01, 2016
<b><i>Optimal Insights Through Inter-Departmental Initiatives</b></i><p><p>As dizzying amounts of resources and the need for the timeliest insights grow, the conduit and collaboration between business development and an organization's information management department, especially, becomes more critical than ever.
Highlights of 2016 and Predictions for 2017 Attract Year-End Media Interest
November 01, 2016
By guiding your colleagues and lawyers to focus on the business consequences of timely legal issues, you introduce them to reporters as sources whose opinions and predictions will be quoted in these look-back and look-ahead review stories that executives and prospective clients will be reading to gear up for the new year.
Are You a Five-Tool Player?
November 01, 2016
A law firm executive's ability to lead lawyers' potential for greatness can be evaluated using a model that is similar to baseball. The term “five-tool player” is used to describe a player who has an array of skills across a broad spectrum.
Sixth Circuit's Decision on Privacy Claims over Data Breaches
November 01, 2016
Data breaches such as the one Yahoo recently revealed (500 million accounts!) get the big headlines. In response, large companies double down on their efforts to protect the security of their data. But small to midsize businesses often fail to appreciate the risk of a data breach to their own business.
Circuit Revives Copyright Case Against MP3tunes, Founder
November 01, 2016
Record companies and music publishers will get more damages and a second shot at holding the founder of MP3tunes liable for additional copyright infringement following a federal appeals court decision on Oct. 25.
