<b>Media & Communication Corner: </b>Looking Back at the M&C Professionals Series
December 28, 2006
In the midst of 2006, Jaffe's public relations group turned its attention to some of the most notable law firm media and communications professionals currently working in house. Thanks to the candor of these people, we were able to provide snapshots of their work, their departments and their insight about law firm marketing. On behalf of the Jaffe authors, I again thank all of the participants for their time and their thoughtfulness. As we wrap up 2006, let's look back at some of the highlights in the series.
<b>Corner Office: </b>Growth: An Imperative For Survival
December 28, 2006
Do your current clients provide a steady stream of work that keeps all your lawyers busy? Are new clients constantly knocking at your door with new work based solely upon your firm's reputation? If that's your situation, stop here and read no further. You are in law firm nirvana.<br>Unfortunately, the other 99% of you managing partners are not so lucky.
More from the Best of MLF 2006
December 28, 2006
In last month's issue, we covered the best of MLF from February to and including June 2006. In this issue, we will take a look back at July through November.
Some Questions ' and Answers ' on Managing a Law Firm
December 28, 2006
As law firms have continued to grow and the practice of law has become even more of a business, firms are now giving serious attention to how to manage the firm. As they cope with this issue, firms raise many questions. Here are some of the ones they most frequently ask us as consultants ' and our answers.
Practice Tip: Buyer (of the Assets of a Company) Beware
December 28, 2006
Company X is evaluating whether it should purchase the assets of Company Y, which manufactures lawnmowers. Company X has been looking to break into the lawnmower market and sees the purchase of Company Y's assets as an excellent opportunity to do so. Company X is considering two courses of action if it purchases Company Y's assets: 1) continue the manufacture of Company Y's lawnmower product line, using Company Y's designs, specifications, diagrams, blueprints, personnel, and manufacturing facilities; or 2) cease the manufacturing of the product line, but continue Company Y's ancillary business of repairing and servicing the lawnmowers it sold to its customers. Company X comes to you with a seemingly straightforward question: Under these two scenarios, will it be held liable for product liability claims arising from Company Y's manufacture and sale of defective lawnmowers, even if, as part of the asset purchase, it expressly declines to assume Company Y's liabilities? Unfortunately, based on the current state of the law, you will not be able to provide Company X with an easy, clear-cut answer.
Is Your Web Site COPPA Compliant?
December 28, 2006
In 1998, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), broadly expanding the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) enforcement powers in the Internet arena. Since then, states and the FTC have become more active in regulating the collection, use and security of consumer's personal information generally. However, the protection of children's personal information remains a top FTC enforcement goal, and the commission has become more aggressive in enforcement of COPPA each year. Companies that fail to proactively act to ensure COPPA compliance do so at the risk of seven-figure penalties. <br>This article provides Web site operators with suggestions on how to comply with the spirit of COPPA when legal obligations are not crystal clear, as in the case when the operator of the Web site in question believes that it can make a good faith effort to be a 'general audience' Web site, but has reason to believe that the site may attract visitors under the age of 13 and is unsure how the FTC will view and treat the site.
Punk Rock and The Sale of Your e-Business
December 28, 2006
'Should I stay or should I go?'<br>That was the question that those classic '80s punk rockers The Clash asked in a song by the same title about a romance gone awry. That's just a song, though.<br>But, interestingly enough, that hard-driving ditty is applicable to the world of e-business: The entrepreneur contemplating the future of his or her business ' a love built of the same good times and bad, and with the same blood, sweat and tears as a real-life romance ' confronts the same dilemma when it's time to make that decision: Should he stay or should he go? How could a person not expect such perseveration? When an entrepreneur reads about the rapid rise of YouTube from startup to $1.65 billion buyout, he or she can easily forget about the many new firms that fail, and instead imagine being the personification of ' or fantasize about ' having a company that becomes the next tech-economy icon.
In the Spotlight: Beware of Lease Disputes in a Declining Market
December 28, 2006
We have just experienced a rising, perhaps frothy, commercial real estate market for the past half-decade, resulting in ever-increasing rental rates throughout much of the country. More recently, we have suffered increased gas prices that tax the budgets of all retail customers and appear to be reducing sales for many retailers.
Drafting a Better and More Effective Right of First Refusal
December 28, 2006
Land transfers date back to biblical times and have been the subject of an inordinate amount of litigation. Of course, the importance and value of land and the necessity for shelter might help to explain many of the disputes. Some, however, are due to human error, especially those involving the right to purchase property.
