Surviving the Retail Shift
<b><I>Part One: Manage Expectations and the Legal Process</I></b><p>So far this year, more than 3,200 retail stores have closed their doors. While this is certainly not the end of brick and mortar retail, owners and managers of shopping centers faced with dark stores and mounting receivables are asking "now what?" This article is the first in a five-part series.
Employee Privacy and Corporate Legal Risk
The use of business email accounts and digital devices for personal communications can be risky for both employers and employees. However, employees of all levels may be commingling corporate communications with their personal information, according to new research.
The New DOL Fiduciary Rule
</b><i.What Does It Mean to Me?</b></i><p>While there are many items and complexities to the new rule, this article focuses on the basic premise of why the rule was developed and adopted and the effect on the retirement landscape and the players involved.
3 Tips for Handling the Difficult Decision to Downsize
By handling all involuntary terminations with professionalism and formality, law firms can limit the potential for conflict and give proper attention to the potential ethical and legal issues. Here are three tips for handling the transition of attorneys and staff from the firm.
The Law Firm Value Proposition
<b><i>How to Successfully Hire Lateral Partners</b></i><p>While a law firm asks for specific education, experience, contacts and portables at certain law firms, what if the candidates were to ask for their own list of must-haves? How would a firm measure up?
Court Holds That Deposits Would Be Hypothetical
In a recent ruling, the Ninth Circuit held that bankruptcy courts may permissibly engage in "hypotheticals within hypotheticals" so long as the inquiry is factually warranted and is supported by appropriate evidence, and provided further that the hypothetical action would not contravene any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code.
Bankruptcy Litigation Update: Determining Adequate Capital
This article focuses on the concept of "unreasonably small capital," which is not defined in the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state statutes. Consequently, the determination of adequate capital is fact-intensive and fertile grounds for litigation.
The Business Intelligence to Competitive Intelligence Continuum
Where law firm leaders' "gut judgement" was once sufficient, running the business well now requires solid intelligence (yes, Big Law is a business). Decisions must balance the demands of clients with those of the partnership. Law firms are awash in data, but harnessing it to support sound decision-making is a major challenge.
Forensic Accounting: When Do You Need It?
Most matrimonial attorneys have heard a client, typically the "out-spouse" in a marriage with a business interest, say, "The books are cooked," or "Personal expenses are being paid by the business," or "The accounting records are fiction." Failing to probe these issues may cost your client a lot of money when the asset division takes place, and may leave him or her dissatisfied with your representation.
The Am Law 100: Dark Clouds on the Horizon
While the year-on-year trends look appealing, a longer-term analysis reveals that many key metrics are showing signs of pressure, and firm performance is growing increasingly erratic. The Am Law data reveals that the past year has been good to Big Law but it also shows growing signs of problems on the horizon.
