The Times, They Are A-Changin'
April 02, 2015
As more and more commercial clients move their legal teams in-house, competition among law firms continues to grow. With the legal industry still feeling negative impacts from the financial crisis, a considerable number of law firms have been pooling expertise and gaining market share through mergers and acquisitions.
Brokerage Windows in Retirement Plans
February 28, 2015
A discussion of recent developments surrounding what has become an increasingly controversial topic regarding the investment of Section 401(k) plans and other participant-direct retirement plans.
2016 Budget Targets Retirement
February 28, 2015
Last month, the Obama Administration's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget was published, along with the Department of Treasury's Greenbook, a detailed explanation of the President's proposed budget. Because the proposed legislation must pass a Republican led Congress, the President's budget may be "aspirational." It is a good indicator of the tools the Administration is prepared to use to fund its wish list.
A Tale of Two LLPS Sets a New Precedent
February 28, 2015
A look at the bankruptcy court's most recent ruling in the Dewey & LeBoeuf bankruptcy. The ruling establishes a bold, new, and much-needed precedent as to the interaction between state laws of business organization, and important provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.
Identity Theft and Your Income Taxes
February 28, 2015
In 2013, 13.1 million people were victims of some sort of identity-theft. Often, you may think of identity theft as being confined to credit card or ATM fraud, yet there is an epidemic of fraudulent electronically filed tax returns. Identity-related tax fraud is the third-largest theft of federal funds after Medicare/Medicaid and unemployment-insurance fraud.
Addressing Value Challenges With Collaborative Workspaces
February 28, 2015
Today's law firms face unprecedented challenges in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving marketplace. Corporate clients, under intense pressure to cut costs and increase efficiency within their own organizations, are no longer willing to simply pay an hourly rate for services rendered in good faith. They are unapologetic in demanding increased accountability and demonstrable value from the legal teams who represent them.
The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014
January 31, 2015
On Dec. 19, 2014, the President signed into law the long-awaited year-end tax package, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (TIPA). This law extended to the end of 2014 many but not all of the individual, business, and energy provisions that expired at the end of 2013. In addition, the law provides for a new tax-advantaged savings program to aide in meeting the financial needs of disabled individuals, called the " Achieving a Better Life Experience" (ABLE) program.
The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014
January 31, 2015
On Dec. 19, 2014, the President signed into law the long-awaited year-end tax package, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (TIPA). This law extended to the end of 2014 many but not all of the individual, business, and energy provisions that expired at the end of 2013. .
Billing Rates Rise, Discounts Abound
January 31, 2015
The price of a billable hour has risen by more than 10% in four years, as large corporate law firms focused on their most expensive work and saved clients' money elsewhere.
Top 10 International Employment Law Issues
January 31, 2015
This article compiles and describes, with varying degrees of specificity, what appear, to this author, to be the top 10 global employment law issues facing employers in 2015. They are listed in reverse order.