Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

The Evolving Economy and Four Resulting Trends for the Legal Profession

By Blane Prescott
December 18, 2009

Economic problems impacting law firms are prompting a wealth of predictions about the future. What structural changes may result from the current economic downturn for law firms and the practice of law? The following is an updated version of an article first published by Blane Prescott, Vice President with Hildebrandt, in the closing months of 2008.

The economic problems impacting law firms are prompting a wealth of predictions about the future:

  • Some say the profession is undergoing a dramatic and profound restructuring and life for lawyers will never be the same.
  • Others say this is just another economic downturn, like so many before, and all of the reactionary changes being announced by law firms will fall by the wayside once the economy recovers.

The truth is probably somewhere between the two extremes, but it is clear that as with most recessions, some more permanent structural changes will result. Just how much change largely depends on the duration of the downturn.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.

The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs Image

The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.

CLE Shouldn't Be the Only Mandatory Training for Attorneys Image

Each stage of an attorney's career offers opportunities for a curriculum that addresses both the individual's and the firm's need to drive success.

Discovery of Claim Construction and Infringement Analysis May be Compelled Prior to a Markman Hearing Image

A defendant in a patent infringement suit may, during discovery and prior to a <i>Markman</i> hearing, compel the plaintiff to produce claim charts, claim constructions, and element-by-element infringement analyses.