Beastly Beauty Contest for Preferred Providers
November 29, 2005
In this compelling snapshot of a growing trend, Eriq Gardner describes the newly expensive vetting procedures now faced by outside firms choosing to pursue business with a highly demanding large client. Gardner also touches on law business practices (<i>eg</i>, long-term fixed-fee contracting for an entire class of a client firms' litigation needs) that may bode ill for the quality of justice produced by the overall legal system
Improving Associate Retention Through Confidential Interviewing
November 29, 2005
Partners in law firms of all sizes and specialties now realise it is one thing to attract high quality associates, but an even more difficult challenge to retain them. Competition for top quality associates continues to intensify, so effective associate retention is more important than ever.
Disallowance and Subordination of Transferred Claims
November 29, 2005
Bankruptcy claims traders are currently on the lookout for a decision from the Enron bankruptcy court that could add significant uncertainty to distressed debt markets. The court has under advisement the issue of whether claims sold post-petition are subject to disallowance under ' 502(d) or equitable subordination as a result of pre-petition conduct or receipt of avoidable transfers by the transferor.
Cooperating with NYSE Member Reviews
November 28, 2005
The framework that prosecutors and regulators use to assess a corporation's response to corporate wrongdoing changed forever on June 16, 1999. That day, then-Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder announced DOJ's new principles for the prosecution of corporations. The so-called Holder Memorandum emphasized cooperation with prosecutors and the requirement that corporations make full and voluntary disclosure of wrongdoing if they hoped to avoid or mitigate prosecution. The twin themes of cooperation and disclosure have become the standards by which federal and state prosecutors and regulators now judge a corporation's response to instances of corporate misbehavior.
Competitive Intelligence: A Must Have
November 14, 2005
In today's evolving technological legal market, it is not enough for a law firm to perform tactically, using best practices. Competitive marketing for same client market share necessitates strategic planning. And strategic planning, in turn, mandates Competitive Intelligence (CI) initiatives tag teamed with information analysis.
LexisNexis Market Intelligence
November 14, 2005
Understanding the business challenges law firms face in obtaining and leveraging Competitive Intelligence is critical for legal IT professionals to help provide the support and expertise marketers need for client development. In addition, keeping up-to-date on new technology tools for law firm marketers will help IT professionals as they drive the technology selection and implementation process.
Should Your Law Firm Jump on the BI Bandwagon?
November 14, 2005
In the past, Business Intelligence occurred on an ad hoc and informal basis in the legal industry. Before the proliferation of a legal trade press, the Internet (and competitor's Web sites), and market intelligence services, information about clients, prospects, and competitors was likely gained on the golf course, at bar association functions, or through the occasional press release issued by a law firm that was an early adopter of marketing. <br>Now a cottage industry has sprung up to support the burgeoning efforts of law firms to understand how to remain competitive, profitable and viable. As evidence of this, within the past year there have been numerous conferences and seminars aimed at teaching law firm management how to appropriately develop and use Business Intelligence, and a number of products and services are being offered to aid firms in their quest for actionable intelligence.
The Class Action Fairness Act: What Is It All About?
November 03, 2005
On Feb. 18, 2005, after the first bill signing ceremony of the year, President Bush approved the Class Action Fairness Act ("CAFA") by signing it into law. CAFA is part of a goal to restore common sense and balance to America's legal system and end frivolous litigation which, President Bush stated, will include legislation to further reform tort law in the areas of asbestos and medical malpractice. "President Signs Class-Action Fairness Act of 2005," <i>www.white house.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050218-11.html.</i>
How To Fail At Internet Marketing
November 02, 2005
For large and small firms, regardless of practice area, use of the Internet to attract new business can be one of the most productive and efficient forms of business development. Internet marketing ' Web sites, search engine ranking, e-mail campaigns, and the like ' is targeted, operates on a wide geographic scale, and can produce valuable leads while the lawyers are generating billable hours, vacationing, or doing other activities. <br>However, because it is a relatively new medium for law firm marketing, effective use of the Internet is not widespread. There are many myths and misunderstandings about how it works and what will succeed, and what the future holds. Here is a list of some of the best ways to fail at Internet marketing.
