The Dirty Little Secret Of Law Firm Billing
February 29, 2016
<i>The Wall Street Journal</i>'s front-page headline on billing rates last month tells only part of the story. "Legal Fees Cross New Mark: $1,500 an Hour," the Feb. 9 article announced, before listing partner hourly rates at several big firms.
They're With Us!
February 29, 2016
Recently, faced with pressure to increase efficiency, companies have increased their dependence on outside entities to complete tasks that were once reserved for in-house employees. How does this affect the attorney-client privilege?
When a Partner Divorces
January 31, 2016
Going through a divorce can be tumultuous for everyone involved. When one of the parties is a partner in a law firm, those challenges are sometimes elevated for both the partner and the law firm.
Cost Recovery in 2016
January 31, 2016
2016 is in full swing and we will soon be conducting the 2016 Mattern & Associates Cost Recovery Survey. We've been conducting this bi-annual survey since 2004 and, during that time, it has become an industry resource for tracking the cost recovery practices of law firms across size and geography.
Your Billing Process Is Wrong 'Time to Fix It!
January 31, 2016
It's hard to find a process more critical to the lifeblood of a law firm than its invoicing. Getting paid quickly and fully for professional services rendered is what keeps the lights on. It is what enables firms to grow, attract the best attorneys and serve the interests of more clients.
2015 Tax Legislation: Extenders Plus More
January 31, 2016
2015 was an eventful year for tax legislation for law firms, their clients and their employees. In addition to the extenders package, that has become an annual tradition in Congress, there were some other significant tax bills that passed over the summer.
Opening the Books
December 31, 2015
The criminal fraud trial of three former executives of Dewey & LeBoeuf last year cast a spotlight on an arcane, often tedious but essential part of the operations of any big law firm: accounting practices.
The Evolution of Law Firm Marketing and Business Development
December 31, 2015
Change is constant and hard ' and usually lumpy. Understanding some of the differences between a traditional marketing function and business development is key to evaluating current practices and future expectations for this department.