FATCA's Due Diligence Expansion
October 02, 2015
Last month, we discussed the fact that although Congress' purpose and intent in passing 2010's Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in order to target U.S. taxpayers using offshore accounts to hide monies overseas FATCA was met, it has been achieved at a cost of imposing heavy burdens on those already compliant. The article concludes herein.
Creating a Competitive Situation
October 02, 2015
When it comes to the business processes that legal organizations should be improving immediately for long-term success, back-office support and the recovery of those costs tops the list. With the pressure on rates and cost recovery not abating, it is critical that firms develop a strategic plan to decrease and control their support costs and recover them in a fair and transparent manner.
Using Relativity As an Information Governance Application
October 02, 2015
Using Relativity to gather, review and produce documents in response to discovery requests has historically been its core use. However, one of the most effective ways in which Relativity can be creatively used by competent operators is as an Information Governance (IG) application.
Billing Scrutiny Creates Tension Between Firm and Client
October 02, 2015
Legal bill scrutiny in its many forms ' internally by legal departments, by nonlawyer staff elsewhere in the company, by third-party auditors, or via e-billing software ' has the potential to affect how and when law firms get paid, but the practical effect is up for debate.
Uncovering the Inner 'Intrapraneur' in Law Firms
October 02, 2015
One of the most pervasive impacts on law firms is the need for sustained continuous change. Change is never easy. Continuous change is harder and particularly so in conservative professions like law. Here enters the business case for law firm intrapreneur programs!
The Key to ELM Success Is Creating A Great User Experience
October 02, 2015
The tasks involved in managing legal, risk and compliance functions aren't simple. But when they take place with the support of a comprehensive Enterprise Legal Management (ELM) solution with a well-designed and holistic user experience, it can all be executed with confidence and efficiency.
All's Well That Ends Wellness:
October 02, 2015
In May 2015, the Supreme Court once again weighed in on the issue of bankruptcy court adjudication of <I>Stern</I> claims and provided us with a measure of clarity in its recent opinion, <I>Wellness International Network, Ltd., et al. v. Sharif.</I> This article explores the background, the facts, the holding and the aftermath of this decision..
Keeping the Data-Breach Headlines In Perspective
October 02, 2015
From the Sony Pictures settlement, to the Ashley Madison debacle, data breaches are making big headlines of late. And when it comes to one case in particular ' the data breach at luxury retailer Neiman Marcus ' some would-be experts are spinning a misleading, black-and-white storyline.
Twitter Faces Privacy Suit over Direct Messages
October 02, 2015
Twitter Inc. has been hit with a proposed class action alleging that the company's handling of direct messages between users violates the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA).
