Planning a Merger? Avoid Pitfalls through Proper Due Diligence
July 02, 2014
After reaching an all-time high in 2013, the pace of U.S. law firm mergers and acquisitions is showing no signs of slowing down. With all of these deals in the news of late, you may be considering whether a merger or acquisition might be an appropriate growth strategy for your firm.
Proactive Trust Planning to Protect Your Clients
July 02, 2014
Planning for trusts has evolved substantially over the years. "Modern" trusts are more comprehensive, flexible and protective than those that were more typically completed only a few short years ago. Understanding the characteristics of modern trust drafting is critical to achieving better protection for clients.
New French Employment Legislation One Year Later
July 02, 2014
On June 14, 2013, France enacted the so-called "Employment Securization Law." This affects the operations in France of companies whose headquarters are located in other countries, such as the United States.
The Death Benefit Only Plan for Non-Profits
July 02, 2014
The Death Benefit Only (DBO) Plan for Non-Profits is an arrangement in which the employer, a 501(c) non-profit organization, agrees to pay the actuarially determined cost of the current death benefit on a permanent life insurance policy to be owned by the employee or employer. The employer and employee enter into a written agreement that ordinarily requires the employer to make premium payments as long as the employee works for the employer.
Disability Funding of Pension Contributions
June 02, 2014
Although pension plans are thought of primarily as a source of cash income for the elderly, they typically serve other functions as well. For example, they usually contain early retirement features and often provide pensions to workers who lose their jobs because of disability. The high proportion of pension plans with disability retirement features is dramatized in data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual survey -- none of these programs had provisions to make up employee contributions and employer matches where the employee becomes disabled during their employment years.
Using 'Sharing Origination' Credit to Motivate Partners to Develop Business
June 02, 2014
In today's competitive practice environment, client origination looms large in its significance to the success of a firm's future. Hence, strong incentives should be provided to partners for "bringing new business from potential and existing clients through the door." Below, several kinds of Origination Credit are examined.
QDRO or Buyout: Preparing Today for A Secure Tomorrow
June 02, 2014
Some 84 million Americans work for companies that maintain ERISA-covered retirement plans that are divisible by Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), which guarantee the non-worker spouse (the non-owner) a share of the pension. Or the couple can opt for a buyout (sometimes called an immediate offset), by which one spouse trades away pension rights for another asset.
Is Your Qualified Plan Prepared for A DOL Investigation?
May 02, 2014
The letter reads that there will be a visitor from the Department of Labor (DOL) coming to your business in roughly four or five weeks. The reason for the visit: they have determined they want to investigate your retirement plan(s). Whatever the reason, you have some time to prepare. What should you pay attention to in this prep time and what could the results be of an investigation like this?
Ten Reasons to Just Say No to New Work
May 02, 2014
The relentless pursuit of revenue in this era of decreased legal spending has created an environment in which it is anathema to turn away work. The battles to land new clients and matters are fierce and the consequences of losing are far more damaging than ever. Nevertheless, there are times when the smart play is to decline, no matter how alluring the likely fees are.
Leases Accounting Project
May 02, 2014
Following their recent meetings in March, the FASB and IASB remain at odds on the key issue of how lessees should account for all leases once they are recognized on a balance sheet.
