Dispelling the Myths of Litigation Funding
July 01, 2017
Litigation finance, or the practice of providing capital using legal claims as the underlying asset, is a growing industry. Its use by law firms alone grew four-fold between 2013 and 2016. To optimize its use, the legal and corporate industries should first collect the facts.
Layered Federal and State Cybersecurity Regulation of Financial Services Firms
June 02, 2017
Cybercrime poses an ever-increasing threat to consumers of financial products and services. In 2016, the then- SEC Chair said that cybercrime ranks as “one of the greatest risks facing the financial services industry.” Federal law thus requires financial services firms to implement procedures designed to protect their customers' data. Now individual states are increasingly getting into the game.
Ransomware: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
June 02, 2017
Ransomware has quickly emerged as a billion dollar industry and shows no sign of slowing down. So why is ransomware the ubiquitous nuisance it is? Simple: It works. Over 70% of companies pay the ransom.
'I Can't Get No Satisfaction' — Or Can I?
June 02, 2017
<b><I>How Lawyers Can Maximize Job Satisfaction</I></b><p>Multiple studies suggest that lawyers are among the least satisfied of all professionals. What many lawyers fail to realize, however, is that satisfaction is not as elusive as it seems. If you are among the majority of attorneys who fall somewhere below 85% on the satisfaction scale, you can do something about it.
Enhancing Lateral Partner Opportunities and Compensation
June 02, 2017
You are a partner in a law firm and you have decided to make a lateral move. You want it to be the right move to a better platform. Where do you start and how do you maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome? The more you are prepared to answer and ask questions, the greater the likelihood this next move will be an optimal one for you and the firm you are joining.
How Analytics Is Shaping the Current and Future Practice of Law
June 02, 2017
Anyone following the news headlines of late is aware that artificial intelligence (AI) is being heralded as the technology that will transform industries far and wide — including the legal profession. The evolution of technology in the practice of law today has already led to significant advances in data analytics and data visualization, each of which are having a significant impact on legal work.
Federal and State Cybersecurity Regulation of Financial Services Firms
June 02, 2017
Two states recently enacted or proposed rules for financial services firms. This may be just the beginning of a national trend toward increased state regulation of cybersecurity matters. Financial services firms and their management should be prepared to proactively address the shifting regulatory landscape as it continues to evolve.
Alternative Legal Services Providers: Changing Buyer Perceptions
June 02, 2017
A common perception of today's legal services industry is that buyers of legal services have many more choices because legal services are disaggregating and unbundling. No longer are law firms the only option for clients with legal work; they now have a wider menu of providers from which to choose.
SEC Takes Aim at Political Contributions By Investment Advisers
May 02, 2017
While it remains unclear both when the regulators will invoke their authority to enforce the nearly limitless strict liability provision of the "pay-to-play" rules and how they will determine the appropriate remedy, the recent settlements and the SEC's handling of exemptive relief petitions may provide some clues.
Changing Compensation Strategies Put Partners under Pressure
May 02, 2017
The legal profession has never been more cutthroat. As the race for revenue intensifies, firms are putting more pressure on their partners to perform in a number of criteria. If they don't, it will be reflected in their compensation, title and possibly their place in the firm.
