Law Firm Management

BigLaw is Doomed If Clients Refuse to Pay for Associates

News
Some general counsel are starting to push back against big law firms charging $400 an hour for the work of associates, writes Joe Patrice for Above the Law.

Building Your Legal Practice with Personal Networking in an Hour or Less

Insight
Bruce Vincent, writing on the website of Muse Communications, says the “problem” with personal networking for a lot of people, attorneys included, can be traced to a perceived lack of time or, in some instances, a simple, but common, fear of social situations or public speaking. Fortunately, those obstacles can be overcome with a little planning, and the results are well worth it.

Biglaw Firm Announces Hundreds Of Buyouts And Layoffs, Almost 500 Affected

News
Above the Law reports that Hogan Lovells recently decided to offer “voluntary retirement” packages to about 400 of its senior business support staff members in the U.S.

Big New York Law Firm Faces Questions on Work With Manafort

News
The Justice Department recently asked law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom for information and documents related to its work on behalf of a client of Paul Manafort, reports The New York Times.

2017 Litigation Finance Survey Shows Continued Growth

Insight
Global finance firm Burford Capital announced the results of its 2017 Litigation Finance Survey of lawyers and financial professionals at law firms and companies in the US, UK and Australia. The independent research builds on prior surveys commissioned by Burford to study third-party funding of commercial litigation and arbitration.

Squire Patton Boggs Fights for Domain Name With Chinese Imitator

News
World Trademark Review reports that a Chinese company appears to be practicing law using the same name and logo as that of the established firm Squire Patton Boggs, promoting its practice on a website located at squirepattonboggs.net.

Which Biglaw Firms Are Doing Right By Their Staff?

News
Above the Law follows up on an earlier report on the disparity of benefits offered to staff members of big law firms, compared to those offered to lawyers, this time with a focus on family leave.

Is Your LinkedIn Profile Compliant with State Bar of Texas Rules?

Insight
The two most important rules are: 1. Never publish anything false or misleading, and 2. Make sure your goal is to educate your audience, not to market yourself.

Examine Trends in Spin-Off Activity

Event, Oct. 10, 2017
Bloomberg BNA will host an event in San Francisco dedicated to understanding, preparing for, and benefiting from spin-offs.

Gruber Hail Attorneys Honored in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers Publications

News
Attorneys at Gruber Hail Johansen Shank have been recognized multiple times with the publication of the latest Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers listings.

Law Firm Sex-Bias Cases Will Turn on Key Question: Can Partners Be Employees?

News
Reuters reports that a sex bias suit filed by an anonymous partner hinges on whether a law meant to protect employees applies to her – an equity partner.

Some Houston Big Law Firms Spared Worst of Harvey’s Damage

News
While Big Law firms with Houston offices are still in recovery mode from Hurricane Harvey, many firms with downtown offices were spared the worst of the record-breaking storm’s damage, reports Bloomberg Law.

As Hurricane Shuts Down Houston, Law Schools and Firms Respond

News
Members of the legal community — from law students to big law partners — have donated time, energy and resources to helping to house, clothe and feed people displaced by the storm, reports Bloomberg Law.

Just Released: 2017 Law Firm Benchmarking Report

Insight
The Exterro benchmarking report discusses how a small subset of innovative law firms are beating their competition by redefining their legal processes to increase client satisfaction and revenue.

Law Firm Boots Partner Who Owned Neo-Nazi Record Label

News
Aaron Davis, a partner in the Minneapolis law firm Patterson Thuente, was placed on leave after the firm learned that Davis owned a neo-Nazi record label.

Rule #1 for Dealing with the Media: Assume You’re On the Record

Insight
Amy Boardman Hunt of Muse Communications offers a reminder about the First Rule of Dealing with the Media: Assume you are on the record.

Biglaw Leaders Denounce Trump’s Rhetoric On Charlottesville

News
Several large law firms have spoken out against President Trump’s remarks following the Charlottesville violence, reports Above the Law.

10th Annual Law Department Operations Survey

Survey
Participants are being sought for the 10th Annual Blickstein Group Law Department Operations Survey, the oldest research specifically covering law department operations.

Amplification Works for Women Lawyers Beyond Meetings

Insight
Amy Boardman Hunt of Muse Communications discusses the practice of amplification: when a woman makes a key point, other women repeat it, giving credit to its author.