“The majority of Biglaw firms have rolled back their COVID-19 austerity measures the world over, but the coronavirus-related changes are far from over. With employees set to be working from home for the indefinite future, restructuring is now the name of the game, and at some firms, that means layoffs,” reports Staci Zaretsky in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

“That’s what’s happening at Norton Rose Fulbright, a firm that placed just outside the top 10 in the most recent Am Law 100 rankings. NRF is conducting a restructuring in its Europe, Middle East, and Asia (EMEA) offices, and more than 130 jobs will be lost in the process. Most of the cuts will be made in the firm’s London office.”

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“The current environment has triggered uncertainty and has accelerated change in law departments in struggling and thriving industries. To best manage an ever-changing environment and, at the same time, advance their evolution, law departments must embrace three critical characteristics: they must be agile, value-centric, and tech-enabled. The foundation for this future state is a mature and data-driven legal operations program,” writes Kevin Clem in CLOC’s blog.

“To respond to the ever-shifting environment and clients’ ever-changing needs, law departments must be agile and responsive, continually flexing to meet emerging areas of need. The ability to be responsive to emerging client needs requires effectively allocating and empowering resources in an organizational framework.”

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“The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released today a formal opinion addressing the ethical obligations for lawyers to consider when they contemplate responding to online criticism and posted negative reviews,” released The American Bar Association.

“Formal Opinion 496 notes that lawyers are regularly targets of internet postings, and stresses that ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6(a) prohibits them from disclosing information relating to any client’s representation or information that could reasonably lead to the discovery of confidential information by another. The formal opinion adds that a negative online review, alone, does not meet the requirements of permissible disclosure under the ‘self-defense’ provision of ABA model rules.”

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“Law firms learned lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic that could translate to permanent changes in the way that they manage their operations, deliver legal services and treat their employees, according to a report released Tuesday,” reports Debra Cassens Weiss in ABA Journal’s Daily News.

“There are signs that 2020 and 2021 may be regarded as a ‘tipping point’ for change—or at least a time for accelerated change, according to the 2021 Report on the State of the Legal Market.”

“The report was issued by the Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Thomson Reuters Institute.”

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“As many as 11 Boies Schiller Flexner summer associates in New York declined full-time job offers last year, according to sources familiar with the situation, a sign the litigation powerhouse’s reputation has taken a hit on the recruiting trail,” reports Roy Strom and Chris Opfer in Bloomberg Law’s The United States Law Week.

“The firm says it is hiring three first-year associates in New York following a 14-person summer associate program in 2019. One source said one of the summer associates was not offered a position at the firm, with the rest declining to join the firm to pursue opportunities at law firms or clerkships.”

“Boies Schiller’s recruiting troubles occur as the firm is trying to turn the corner with new leadership after last year experiencing nearly 60 partner departures, including prominent lawyers who represent companies including Facebook Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., Apple Inc., and Barclays PLC.”

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“A North Texas lawyer has been fired by his employer after he was seen on video outside the Capitol building along with hundreds of other supporters of President Trump on Wednesday,” reports Domingo Ramirez Jr. in the Forth Worth Star Telegram.

“Social media posts identified the attorney as Paul Davis, who was an associate general counsel and director of human resources at Goosehead Insurance, a company based in Westlake.”

“On Wednesday, Davis posted a video on Instagram saying that he was outside the Capitol building and he had just been tear-gassed.”

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“Dinsmore & Shohl announced a merger with Wooden McLaughlin that became official on January 1. That gives the newly expanded Dinsmore three new offices in Indiana (in Indianapolis, Evansville and Bloomington), and it’s being touted by the firm as ‘one of the largest such deals of two domestic-only firms in the legal industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.’ It brings the firm’s headcount to 630+, which is over a 7 percent increase,” reports Kathryn Rubino in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

“Just last month, megafirm Dentons announced a combination with Iowa law firm Davis Brown. That merger is part of Dentons ‘Project Golden Spike,’ which is a dual-partnership model that allows for local decision making. The new law firm will operate as Dentons Davis Brown.”

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“The attorney-client privilege is one of the bedrocks of the legal profession,” write James Dawson and Kevin E. Packman in Holland & Knight’s Insights.

“It permits communications between a client and an attorney to remain privileged. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that by assuring confidentiality, the privilege encourages clients to make ‘full and frank’ disclosures to their attorneys, who are then better able to provide candid advice and effective representation. Upjohn Co. v. United States, 449 U.S. 383, 389 (1981). On the other hand, courts sometimes view the attorney-client privilege as preventing full disclosure. As a result of these conflicting views, the attorney-client privilege ‘protects only those disclosures necessary to obtain informed legal advice which might not have been made absent the privilege.’ Fisher v. United States, 425 U.S. 391, 403 (1976).”

This article discusses Taylor Lohmeyer Law Firm P.L.L.C. v. United States and the prior decision.

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“This year, Biglaw bonus season generally consists of two components — the traditional year-end bonus and special bonuses given in appreciation of associates’ hard work during this particularly challenging time. And if the total bonuses don’t add up to those combined numbers, well, then a firm is below market,” reports Kathryn Rubino in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

“At Alston & Bird, the year-end bonuses are individualized and tied to hours, not class year, as at most Biglaw firms. But even beyond that issue, tipsters at the firm are reporting that the bonuses are only year-end money with no special bonus money.”

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“Law firms rushed to secure government aid early in the coronavirus pandemic, borrowing nearly $12 billion from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program as their revenues were threatened by court closures and a freeze in corporate deals,” write Rick Linsk and Caroline Spiezio in Reuters’ Big Story 10.

“The program, created by Congress in March to save jobs and help small employers weather the COVID-19 crisis, has faced criticism that too much of the $525 billion in approved aid went to big businesses in high-wage industries like law. Not only did law firms obtain billions of dollars through the program, but the loans didn’t always ensure jobs and paychecks would be protected, a Reuters analysis found. At least 10 firms that took in a combined $68.5 million in forgivable, government-guaranteed loans under the program went on to cut positions, salaries or both.”

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“Bonuses to the third power (i.e., bonuses on top of bonuses on top of bonuses), and that’s exactly what Orrick — a firm that brought in $1,158,537,000 in 2019 gross revenue, placing in at No. 31 in the most recent Am Law 100 rankings — is offering to its associates this year,” reports Staci Zaretsky in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

“First and foremost, the firm will be matching the year-end bonus scale offered by Cravath and the special bonus scale offered by Davis Polk. What’s needed for associates to get a full market bonus? At the beginning of the year, the firm lowered its billable hours threshold to 1,950, including 100 hours of time spent on areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), innovation, and business development (BD), plus unlimited pro bono hours.”

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“A former lawyer faces multiple charges of theft and fraud after investigators say he stole about $700,000 from clients over a period of three years,” reports 10 Tampa Bay in their Crime. section.

“According to FDLE, 52-year-old Moein Marashi from Clearwater was arrested after an investigation found he had ‘deprived clients of money entrusted to him for legal services.'”

“Marashi was a member of the Florida Bar Association from 2002 until he was disbarred in August 2019, FDLE reports. The investigation also began in 2019.”

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“Paradigm-changing shifts in demographics, client expectations, technology, and work styles have given rise to a host of distinct trends in the legal industry,” writes Sally Kane in American Legal Magazine’s Articles and Stories. “As law firms position themselves to succeed in 2021 and beyond, understanding and leveraging these trends will help firms become more efficient, productive and competitive in the coming year.” She discusses the top five trends that will shape legal practices:

1. New Talent & Hiring Strategies
2. Increased Focus on the Client Experience
3. Emerging Technologies
4. Micro-Niches
5. Broader Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Equality

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“In a tumultuous year defined by the Covid-19 pandemic and social justice movements, in-house legal teams have been relied on by their businesses to support employees, their organisations and the wider community,” reports Yasmin Lambert in Financial Times Management.

“The case studies outlined here highlight areas where in-house legal teams are making the greatest impact, whether in the way that they have responded to the pandemic, helped drive inclusion and diversity or reshaped the workplace.”

“While lawyers are often among the most cautious colleagues when embracing change, this year has required them to show they can adapt at speed, often widening their responsibilities in the process.”

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Boies Schiller & Flexner announced bank breaking bonuses, but they aren’t done spreading the good news, reports Kathryn Rubino in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

“BSF has revealed a new program designed to make it a little easier for those that are on the precipice of starting their legal career. Though they’ve yet to start work at the firm (they’re scheduled to start next month), they’re still sharing in the firm’s successes — to the tune of $20,000. That’s right: incoming associates will receive sizable welcoming bonuses at BSF.”

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“Davis Brown Law Firm, one of Iowa’s largest law firms, is combining with Dentons, which bills itself as the world’s largest firm,” reports Kathy A. Bolten in BusinessRecord.

“The new partnership is not an acquisition or merger but rather a combining of two firms that will share resources and services, representatives of the two firms said in an interview with the Business Record.”

“Davis Brown, founded in 1929, has nearly 80 lawyers who work in its offices in downtown Des Moines, West Des Moines and Ames.”

“Dentons has offices in more than 75 countries and numerous U.S. cities including Washington, D.C.”

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“The Biglaw bonus season is revving into high gear as firms are setting out exactly how much they appreciate their associates,” writes Kathryn Rubino in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

“… the market standard has pretty much been set — and it includes special bonuses that serve as an extra special tip of the hat for working during the wild ride that was 2020 — so it’s the small differences (like distribution dates and hours requirements) that make the most impact in categorizing a firm’s bonus structure.”

“On Friday, Kramer Levin announced year-end bonuses that match the prevailing market rate.”

Read the article for the bonus scale.

“Despite $1,035,000,000 in gross revenue last year” Squire Patton Boggs “instituted COVID-19 austerity measures. Back in May, Squire Patton Boggs announced a 20 percent salary cut for all associates, as well as staff cuts, between 10 and 20 percent, depending on salary, and partner distributions were adjusted to shoulder the largest financial burden. But beginning in October, the salary cuts ended, an excellent sign that the worst impacts of the pandemic were over,” reports Kathryn Rubino in Above the Law’s Biglaw.

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“Detroit-based Dickinson Wright is opening a Chicago office in the new year through the acquisition of Stahl Cowen Crowley Addis. Terms of the deal were not disclosed,” reports Grace Turner in D Business’ Daily News.

“The acquisition will be effective Jan. 1 and adds 12 attorneys and is the firm’s 19th office. The Chicago location is part of the firm’s strategic growth plan.”

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“Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP announced today that Geoffrey S. Berman, former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), has joined as head of the White Collar Defense, Regulatory Enforcement & Investigations Practice and member of the Firm’s Governance Committee,” as announced on Fried Frank’s News Releases.

“At Fried Frank, Mr. Berman, who served as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2018 to 2020, will represent individuals and corporations in white-collar cases, internal investigations, and complex commercial litigation.”

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