Have Your Story Straight Before the Reporter Calls
May 27, 2005
There is acute tension between the do-it-now mindset of media-savvy PR pros and the generally cautious nature of lawyers. Eliminating the tension completely is impossible, even inadvisable. After all, the client's interests are sacrosanct, and overlooking those interests to get some quick press courts disaster. You can alleviate the tension, however, by taking steps to ensure a smooth process before you get that 3 o'clock call.
Media & Communications Corner: <b>Managing Your PR Agency Relationship: Communication, Communication, Communication</b>
May 27, 2005
So, you've hired your PR firm, signed a letter of engagement on the dotted line, and put them to work. You sit back and let them get to it, and pat yourself on the back a little. And why not? You've gone through a rigorous process assessing the candidates, finding out which agency's culture fits with your firm's, hammered out the details of budgets, responsibilities, strategies, etc. Quite frankly, you're pooped, and, as far as you're concerned, your job is over, right? <br>Well ...
Event Strategy: Ensuring Maximum ROI
May 27, 2005
You probably have much less time than you wish you had to "do your networking", so you might as well make the most of it. To ensure maximum return on investment for each event you attend, you'll need to carefully decide which events to attend, how to prepare for them, whom to go with, how to approach people and even what to wear.
Court Watch
May 26, 2005
Highlights of the latest franchising cases from around the country.
Tax Nexus Update for Franchisors
May 26, 2005
Franchisors thinking of expanding into new jurisdictions, and even those that are not changing anything, should be wary. State and local governments, in this time of deficits, are constantly looking for ways to increase their revenues by broadening the scope of their taxes.
Eureka v. Wentworth: Further Erosion of the 'Hell or High Water' Principle
May 26, 2005
A fundamental tenet of equipment leasing has been the concept of "hell or high water" rental payments. Once the lease is signed and the lessee accepts the goods, then the lessee's promises under the lease become irrevocable, especially the promise to pay rent. The draftsmen of UCC Article 2A recognized this critical element and codified it with respect to a finance lease in UCC §2A-407(1)-(2) (all citations herein refer to Uniform Commercial Code Article 2A pre-2003 revisions). A finance lease is a particular type of "true" equipment lease in which the lessee itself selects the item of equipment it wants and instructs the lessor to acquire it for lease to the lessee. UCC §2A-103(g). A finance lessor is neither the manufacturer nor supplier of the item of equipment; it is merely providing the money. Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code (the "Code" or the "UCC") extends certain benefits to finance lessors, one of the most important of which is that the lessee's promises are not subject to termination, modification or repudiation; in other words, the lessee must comply with them come "hell or high water." UCC §2A-407(2)(b).
Online: Explore Consumer Advocacy on the Web
May 26, 2005
Public Citizen ("PC") is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts. Its Web site is located at <i>www.citizen.org.</i>
Establishing a Dominant Market Share
May 26, 2005
I see a lot of law firm strategic plans that talk about "establishing a position of dominance" or "being preeminent" in an area of practice, an industry or a geographic area. In my mind these are precisely the kind of market-driven, externally focused goals that law firms should be setting for themselves. The obvious question, however, is how does a law firm know whether or not it has created a position of dominance?
Career Paths for Law Firm Accounting-Financial Professionals
May 26, 2005
This two-part article explores career path opportunities for individuals who have an accounting or finance background and experience working with law firms and attorneys. Part One focuses on opportunities to consult as an external service provider.
