The Results Don't Lie: Mattern & Associates Cost Recovery Survey 2016
March 02, 2017
2017 has arrived with a bang: expenses are back on the rise and demand growth is trending negative. Last year in the March issue of this publication, we hypothesized what the results of the 2016 Mattern & Associates Cost Recovery Survey would reveal. With the results tabulated, let's see how accurate our predictions were as well as analyze the results.
Death of DOL Fiduciary Rule May Not Be Imminent
March 02, 2017
If one follows the recent onslaught of articles and blogs, Donald Trump's election to the presidency has placed a target squarely on the back of a DOL rule that imposes a fiduciary standard on those who provide investment advice in connection with employer retirement plans and IRAs. Yet reports of the rule's demise may be premature.
Deferred Compensation and Safe Harbor Plans
March 02, 2017
Companies are constantly looking for ways to recruit, retain and reward valued employees. The Department of the Treasury issued final regulations addressing deferred compensation and safe harbor planning utilizing §§409A(d)(1), 457(e)11 and 31.3121(v)(2). These regulations set forth how plan sponsors can provide death benefits on a permissibly selective basis.
Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2017
March 02, 2017
Compiled through industry research, industry participants' expertise and ELFA member input, the trends are designed to help businesses and other organizations as they execute their equipment acquisition strategies during the coming year.
Client Data in the Age of Digital Technologies and Cyber Warfare
March 02, 2017
Ubiquitous news of law firm data breaches, even among BigLaw, spotlights a treasure trove of trade secrets, confidential and strategic transactions, and sensitive client information. No wonder law firms are perceived to be attractive targets of cyber-attacks. Attractive? You can't help that. Easy? Not so fast.
What Law Firms Can Learn from The Ninth Annual Law Department Operations Survey
March 01, 2017
Over the last few years, the legal operation managers' role has flourished, growing from a profession in its infancy into an unruly teenager, far more mature but with substantial areas poised for development. Now, more than ever, law departments are focused on implementing programs and structures to improve their financial management and deliver value.
Is Your Data Breach Response Plan Good Enough? Stress Test It!
February 01, 2017
As the chances of a data breach incident increase, savvy firms and businesses have invested time and thought in a response plan. But plans never survive first contact with the enemy. Stress test your incident response plan to find and resolve its weaknesses while time is on your side.
Recent Developments in the Section 956 Deemed Dividend Rules<br></font>
February 01, 2017
<i><b>How to Avoid the Tax Pitfalls of 26 U.S.C. §956 when Negotiating Lending Transactions for Clients with Foreign Country Operations</i></b><p>A popular conduit for operating in a foreign country is a controlled foreign corporation (CFC). In 2012, U.S.-controlled foreign corporation earnings topped $793 billion as the world economy became increasingly interconnected. See, IRS, Statistics of Income. How does the aforementioned trend impact the legal profession?
The Evolution of the 'Virtual Law Firm'
February 01, 2017
<b><i>Though “Virtual Firms” Are on the Decline, Cloud Technology May Be Shifting the Model to Refocus on Lawyer Mobility</i></b><p>While the "virtual lawyer" may be on the decline, the technology making law practices more portable and potentially more efficient has seen a surge. The rise of cloud computing in particular has made it possible for attorneys to keep all the technology tools they need to practice on hand at all times and eschew direct client contact and office space if so desired.