'Add-on Patents': Innovation or Sham?
February 25, 2005
Some recent estimates suggest that by 2007 brand name pharmaceutical companies will lose more than $80 billion in drug sales because of patent term expirations. Patent term expirations, of course, usher the entry of generic drugs into the marketplace. On average, the market share for branded products decreases by 15% to 30% when a first generic version reaches the market, and as much as 75% to 90% when subsequent generics launch. Such significant losses provide incentive to extend patent life and maximize the period of market exclusivity for a patented drug.
A Senior Secured Lender's Guide to the Risks Posed By Junior Secured Debt
February 24, 2005
In theory, a borrower's issuance of junior secured debt is a boon for its senior secured lender. The borrower obtains additional capital, and the claims of the junior lender against shared collateral, since "subordinated," don't diminish the senior lender's prospects for repayment. In practice, however, a senior secured lender should view proposed junior secured financing skeptically because the existence of such debt can become highly problematic for the senior lender. The key to protecting the senior lender lies in properly negotiating and documenting the intercreditor agreement with the junior lender to eliminate, or at least minimize, the myriad ways in which the junior lender's rights may, in practice, limit — or even trump — those of the senior lender.
In The Marketplace
February 24, 2005
Highlights of the latest equipment leasing news from around the country.
Media & Communications Corner: <b>Jack of All Trades ' With Help from the Outside</b>
February 24, 2005
Law firms have a remarkable number of ways to market their expertise, almost too many at times. Most firms still utilize the more traditional avenues such as advertising, firm seminars, speaking engagements at industry events, and client newsletters. The marketing director is the one charged with handling all of these tasks and many more, often with a limited in-house staff. Whether the firm is staffed with one marketing director, a staff of marketing pros, or if the bulk of the job falls on one attorney who has expressed an interest in marketing, it is clear that the job now entails much more than it did years ago. <br>We asked a few experts for their viewpoint on how the position has changed.
Letter from the Editor
February 24, 2005
This month in our regular issue of Marketing The Law Firm we have an article written by one of my favorite Board members Mike Hodes, the Managing Director…
Marketing Dollars Make Radio Sense
February 24, 2005
Every law firm struggles with the dilemma of how to allocate their marketing and advertising budget. Should funds be used to pay for sports tickets, a dinner at an elegant restaurant or perhaps advertisements in a newspaper or magazine? Few firms consider radio as a means to make information available to the listening public while also attempting to develop or perpetuate a brand in their community.
Speaking Engagements for Attorneys
February 24, 2005
Most attorneys have recognized the value of holding seminars and workshops at which they can make presentations on a variety of topics. The problem with these seminars is that, more often than not, the law firm is preaching to the choir. The attendees at these seminars usually come from existing clients or prospects previously identified by the firm. What law firms need to do is expose their expertise and practice groups to new prospects for their services.
A Haven For Straight Talk: <b>Why Aren't You Blogging?</b>
February 24, 2005
I've already lost some of you. That's great. When I can turn off 25% of my readers with just the subtitle, I know that the rest of you will be getting some actual value and not just a bunch of regurgitated, freshman-year marketing pap. Here's the one-sentence version of the article for all of you out there with adult ADHD: <br>If your firm doesn't have at least one serious blogger for every major practice and industry group, you've got clients who are, at this minute, reading a competitor's blog.
Blogging and the Bottom Line
February 24, 2005
Pick an area of law ' trademark, employment, appellate, whatever ' tack "lawyer" onto it, and search the phrase on Google. Odds are, a legal blog will be among the top-ranking results ' often at the top of the list. <br>At a time when talk of online marketing invariably turns to the pseudo-science of search-engine optimization, many law firms are missing an often more sure-fire route to the top of the search-engine heap ' blogging.
