Moving business processes online without introducing new risks is not a simple task. The fraud, repudiation, admissibility and compliance risks are challenging enough to address when executing transactions on paper. If not done properly in the electronic world, these risks can be far greater. This paper discusses how a well-designed process, supported by new-generation electronic signature technology, can actually reduce risk and increase the enforceability of e-transactions compared to paper processes. (See the download form below.)

This paper explains how eSignLive addresses the top six risks of bringing processes online as identified by leading
e-commerce law firm, Locke Lord LLP, which has guided Fortune 500 companies in the design and implementation of
electronic signature processes:

1. User Authentication Risk: “This Isn’t My Signature”
2. Repudiation Risk: “That’s Not What I Signed”
3. Admissibility Risk: “Objection, Your Honor”
4. Compliance Risk: “I Never Saw That”
5. Adoption Risk: “Am I Done Yet?”
6. Relative Risk: “How Does It Compare to PAPER?”

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Veteran trial lawyer Jay Old has joined the commercial litigation firm Hicks Thomas LLP, where he will represent construction, insurance, petrochemical and healthcare companies, effective Jan. 1, the firm announced in a news release.

Old’s addition will also include the opening of offices in Austin and Beaumont, further extending the geographic reach of the Houston-based firm, now in its 20th year.

Five other lawyers from his firm will joined Hicks Thomas, including labor and employment attorney Jim Henges.

Old frequently speaks at continuing education programs for lawyers. He is also a former president of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and chaired the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Read more about the new hire.

 

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Zapproved has published the proceedings catalog from the 2016 PREX, the premier conference for in-house e-discovery professionals. The catalog is available for free downloading.

The volume includes reflections shared by participants and faculty about the ongoing challenge of sustainably managing and preserving data to meet e-discovery demands.

It includes a recap of the fireside chat with Hon. Shira Scheindlin led by attorney and professor Maura Grossman; roadmaps for creating the perfect preservation notice and plan; strategies for improving e-discovery process and compliance; and predictions about the future of legal software and its impact on e-discovery. The content also covers the panel review where six judges summed up 10 cases and their key “takeaways” from each one in an hour.

Download the PREX catalog.

 

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Navex Global will present a free webinar discussing how a new administration and anticipated enforcement and regulatory changes will impact third party due diligence programs.

The event will be Thursday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST).

Topics will include:

• Potential impacts of the Trump administration on compliance
• Changes to FCPA enforcement approaches
• Disgorgement trends
• Yates Memo impacts
• Upcoming regulatory changes

Participants also will techniques and technology to help mitigate political and regulatory turmoil with a risk-based approach to modernizing due diligence.

Speakers will be Michael Volkov, CEO, Volkov Law Group, LLC; and Tim Morss & Chris Bailey, of NAVEX Global.

Register for the webinar.

 

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BTI Consulting Group’s 2017 ranking of U.S. law firms that corporate lawyers never want to face in court includes Dallas’ Bailey Brauer PLLC based on the firm’s successful work in high-stakes litigation across the nation.

In a news release, the firm, founded in 2013 by former big firm lawyers Clayton Bailey and Alex Brauer, said it has successfully represented major corporations, family-owned businesses and high-net-worth individuals in a variety of business disputes by relying on years of expertise trying and appealing cases and negotiating favorable settlements.

“It’s a point of pride to be on this impressive list,” says Bailey, who is widely recognized for his work in state and federal trials and appeals. “General counsel call on Bailey Brauer because we provide the experience and quality they expect while keeping a close eye on the bottom line.”

Read more about the award.

 

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Houston-based law firm Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. has added seven attorneys to the firm.

The seven include:

• Ifti Ahmed, an engineer who focuses on patent litigation and complex technical cases
• Weining Bai, who focuses on patent litigation
• Jason Ballard, a former software engineer who focuses on intellectual property litigation
• Rey Flores, a trial lawyer and combat veteran
• Sammy Ford IV, who has tried over 20 cases in the last five years
• Kelsi Stayart, who focuses on commercial litigation
• Jordan Warshauer, who focuses on commercial litigation

Read about the new hires.

 

 

 

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) has published a complimentary executive summary of “Eight Key Practices for Overseeing Risk Management.”

“As the number and magnitude of business risks increase, so do the expectations for stronger risk oversight — through both greater board awareness of risk and more disciplined board review of enterprise-risk management,” the NACD says on its website.

The reports offers key practices that all directors can use to oversee risk more effectively, such as:

• Clarify the roles of the board, committees, and management.
• Understand the company’s risk profile.
• Define the company’s risk appetite.

Download the executive summary.

 

 

Bloomberg BNA will present a complimentary afternoon briefing on DOJ and SEC enforcement trends, new emerging risks, and recent cases that will keep attorneys ahead of the changing landscape, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 3:30-6 p.m., with a networking reception to follow.

The event is underwritten by EY and will take place at Bloomberg LP, 120 Park Ave., New York, NY 10165.

Lanny A. Breuer, the Vice Chair for Covington & Burling LLP and one of The National Law Journal‘s 100 most influential lawyers in America, will give a keynote interview at the event.

Experts will discuss:

• Navigating investigations in the new administration, including how to prepare for a pending investigation
• Recent cases and emerging areas of risk in 2017 and beyond
• Technology’s role in global investigations and how to leverage new technologies to implement fraud-prevention rules

Register for the event.

 

 

General Counsel News and Zapproved have posted a complimentary on-demand webinar titled “Trends in Corporate E-Discovery Data Processing: Benchmark Survey Insights Revealed.”

An expert panel will explore the trends, and discuss the results of the 2017 benchmark survey.

The event provides insights and analysis on:

• In-sourcing vs. outsourcing e-discovery projects
• Satisfaction of process with an eye on factors such as time, cost and ease
• Technology trends affecting how in-house legal teams’ work evolves in 2017 and beyond

Speakers were Brad Harris, VP of Products, Zapproved, Inc.; Jack Thompson, Sr. Manager – eDiscovery & Legal Operations, Sanofi US; and Brad Ellis, Corporate VP of Legal Services, Physician Acquisitions, Asst General Counsel – Scripps Health.

The moderator was Corena Bahr, Webinar Consultant & Producer, YourWebinarGuru.

Brad Harris has more than 30 years of experience in the high technology and enterprise software sectors, including assisting Fortune 1000 companies enhance their e-discovery preparedness through technology and process improvement. He is a frequent author and speaker on data preservation and e-discovery issues, including articles in National Law Journal, Corporate Counsel, Metropolitan Corporate Counsel and Information Management and presentations at leading industry events such as LegalTech New York. Prior to joining Zapproved, he led the development of electronic discovery readiness consulting efforts for Fios, Inc. from 2004 to 2009. He has held senior management positions at prominent public and privately held companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Tektronix and Merant.

Jack Thompson is a corporate eDiscovery and Legal Operations professional, specializing in the advancement of efficiency of legal technical operations and information governance.  From 2001 through 2014, He was legal operations manager at Purdue Pharma LP in Stamford, CT providing services and solutions to Purdue’s legal technology operations as well as leading the company’s legal analytics programs.  In 2014, Thompson relocated to Atlanta, GA to work as the legal technology manager for the UPS Corporate Legal Department, followed by working as an IT Business Services Manager for The Coca Cola Company’s global legal department providing technical expertise and process workflow implementations.  Heis currently working as the eDiscovery Manager and Legal Operations Lead for Sanofi US, located in Bridgewater, NJ.

Brad Ellis received both his Juris Doctorate and a Master of Law in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law. He has 25 years experience in healthcare law, and has worked at Scripps Health for the last 18 years. Prior to joining Scripps Health he was in private practice with a focus in healthcare and the banking industries. In addition to his legal duties, he is responsible for physician acquisition in a business role, and is also responsible for system-wide cyber-security for the Scripps Health system.

See the on-demand webinar.

 

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Bloomberg BNA will present a complimentary event to discuss the widespread corporate apathy towards antitrust risks — and why the business community needs a collective wake-up call.

The event will be at the Bloomberg LP offices at 731 Lexington Ave. in New York on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, 8-10 a.m.

Robins Kaplan LLP is an underwriter of the event, will carries up to 1.5 CLE credits.

“Companies rely on their sales personnel to drive business growth and generate new revenue, while the in-house compliance team must prevent, detect, and report actions that could draw scrutiny from antitrust enforcement agencies,” Bloomberg says on its website. “But what if those employees don’t even know what types of conduct is problematic under the antitrust laws?”

Bloomberg BNA and Robins Kaplan LLP conducted a survey of corporate sales and compliance professionals, and the results show a widespread lack of awareness of antitrust guidelines. Among the alarming findings: 25% of respondents are engaged in pricing activities that could rise to the level of illegality.

The event is designed for in-house counsel, compliance and business executives responsible for antitrust compliance.

Register for the event.

 

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Navex Global has published its 2017 edition of the annual Top 10 Ethics & Compliance Predictions and Recommendations white paper and made it available for free downloading.

These 10 insider tips and predictions from experts present insight on how to prepare now — and get ahead of the trends that will impact the workforce and industry.

Some of the topics discussed include:

• Deliver a Return on Compliance (ROC)
• Thrive in a Five Generation Workplace
• Sort Through the Alphabet Soup of Global Standards
• Be More Than Just the People Who Say ‘No ’
• Mitigate Cyber Mayhem

Download the report.

 

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For the fifth consecutive year, Texas Lawyer has named Androvett Legal Media and Marketing the best public relations firm for the legal community in 2016.

The company has offices in Dallas and Houston.

On its website, the company says it works  exclusively with law firms and the media.

“We help law firms better market their services through public relations and advertising while supporting their attorneys and clients in their interactions with the media. We also assist reporters and editors by providing important background information and arranging timely interviews with legal experts on a wide range of subjects,” it says.

Read about the award.

 

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Exterro has published a white paper titled “Top 10 E-Discovery Cases of 2016,” which reviews the top e-discovery cases of 2016 and their implications for practitioners.

It’s been a year since the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure were amended. That’s why reviewing some of the most defining cases in e-discovery during 2016 is vital when it comes to understanding how courts define these new amendments, according to the company.

This white paper discusses:

• The top 10 most viewed or downloaded cases in 2016 from Exterro’s E-Discovery Case Law Library
• Simplified case briefs with the key case takeaways and issues
• Expert analysis and resources to help solve or prevent the same mistakes made in these cases

Download the white paper.

 

 

Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP, has added two lawyers to its team at the same time it is being recognized for both civil and criminal legal expertise and accomplishments among the nation’s Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America, the firm said in a news release.

 “This is a great time for the hard-working team at our firm. We’ve added two terrific lawyers and we’ve been acknowledged by a national group for both our criminal and civil work,” said founding partner Rusty Hardin.

Attorney Chelsea Dal Corso joins Rusty Hardin & Associates from Bracewell, LLP, where she worked in the financial restructuring group, representing debtors and creditors in complex Chapter 11 proceedings. She clerked for Judge Marvin Isgur, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas. She earned her law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Lawyer Naomi Howard joins the firm from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, where she served as briefing attorney. She received her law degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio. Ms. Howard also spent time in Japan where she taught English and is one of few women to have trained as a sushi chef.

The firm is listed in the 2017 top tier of Houston metropolitan law firms for white-collar criminal defense and in the second tier for commercial litigation. It is extraordinary for a firm of only 14 lawyers to be honored in two such different categories. The Best Law Firms selection is based on a rigorous process that includes client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from other attorneys in the same practice areas.

Read more.

 

 

eSignLive by VASCO and Insurance Networking News will present a complimentary webinar on how updated regulatory laws are allowing companies to improve the process of buying insurance for consumers, while ensuring security, compliance and enforceability, on Dec. 13, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

Intended to improve the process of buying insurance for consumers, there have been recent updates to laws that allow insurance companies to post policies, forms, and endorsements on a website rather than printing these documents on paper.

As you look to take advantage of this new regulatory environment, questions related to how this can be done in a compliant way will arise.

Webcast highlights:

• E-Posting and E-Delivery defined
• Update from PCIAA on the progress of legislative adoption of e-posting laws
• The intersection between ESIGN, UETA and state insurance laws on e-signatures and records
• How to demonstrate insured consent to do business electronically
• Best practices for ensuring security, compliance and enforceability
• A live demonstration of insurance policy electronic posting

Register for the webinar.

 

 

eSignLive by VASCO will present a complimentary webinar on the basics of using electronic signatures. The event will be Thursday, Dec. 8, beginning at 2 p.m. EST.

Electronic signatures are hardly a new, cutting-edge technology, eSignLive says on its website. Organizations of all sizes that are using esignatures have transformed the way they serve both internal staff and their customers and partners – offering a more convenient and efficient digital experience.

This presentation will provide an overview of the basic terminology, concepts, and laws related to electronic signatures and answer the most frequently asked questions on the topic including:

• What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
• How can you prove who e-signed?
• What legal and compliance requirements do we need to consider?
• What ROI metrics have others reported?
• What do signers need in order to e-sign?
• How do we get started? What’s the cost? What’s the effort?
• If you are just beginning to investigate e-signatures for your organization, or if you are new to an e-signature project team, join this discussion.

Register for the webinar.

 

 

The 2016 report on a comprehensive survey of law department operations, “Trying to Take the Leap from Small Changes to Major Disruptions,” can be downloaded from Blickstein Group at no charge.

Since 2008, Blickstein Group has worked in cooperation with Consilio to survey hundreds of law departments solely on the operations function to provide benchmarks that are useful to all law departments.

In addition to releasing the survey report, Blickstein Group will host a live webinar on Dec. 14 to provide exclusive analysis of survey results by five industry leaders. The complimentary online event will be Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. EST.

Some of the topics covered will be:

• The role of the LDO
• Change management
• Alternative fee arrangements
• Technology and tools
• Metrics and reporting

Presenters at the webinar will be:

• Brad Blickstein – Principal, Blickstein Group and Publisher, Law Department Operations Survey
• Elizabeth Jaworski – Director, Legal Operations, Motorola Mobility and Member, Law Department Operations Survey Advisory Board
• Josh Rosenfeld – Vice President, Legal Services, QuisLex
• Robin Snasdell – Managing Director, Consilio
• Aaron Van Nice – Director of Legal Operations, Baxter Healthcare and Member, Law Department Operations Survey Advisory Board

Download the report or register for the webinar.

 

 

Dallas litigation boutique Estes Thorne & Carr PLLC has been recognized among the 100 largest women-owned businesses in North Texas by the Dallas Business Journal.

One of only two law firms to be included in the 2016 Top 100, this is the first time Estes Thorne & Carr has earned recognition, debuting at No. 58. When founded in 2008, the firm was among only a handful of women-owned law firms in Dallas and has since grown to be one of the largest and most respected in Texas.

“Some clients may come to us because we are a women-owned firm, but we’ve built lasting relationships based on the quality of our work and our dedication to seeing the client succeed,” said managing partner Jessica Thorne. “We are exceptionally proud of the accomplishments of this firm and that we have built a reputation as one of the leading litigation firms in North Texas on the basis of the work we do.”

Read the release.

 

 

SpringCM has published an on-demand webinar titled “Get Control of Your Contracts!” that explains how Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) provides end-to-end visibility into contractual risks and obligations.

“To ensure your business is well-positioned for success in the 21st century, transforming critical business processes like contract management is pivotal,” the company says on its website. “Contracts are at the center of business success since they are directly tied to revenue generation.”

Guest speaker Andrew Bartels, Vice President and Analyst at Forrester Research Inc., discusses the benefits of:

• A central repository for contracts
• Contract reporting and analysis
• Automating the contract process
• And so much more!

Watch the on-demand webinar.

 

 

Black Duck Software has posted a complimentary ondemand webinar discussing the top five open source issues that impact transactions for both buyers and sellers in M&A transactions.

The 60-minute webinar is titled “Top 5 Open Source Issues – Stories from the M&A Trenches.”

“Open source risk is a significant issue for both buyers and sellers in M&A transactions,” Black Duck says on its website. “Although open source comprises 30-50% of the code in an average application, sellers rarely know what open source they’re using and there are often serious risks associated with open source components in code assets.”

In this session, Jim Markwith, a technology attorney who handles complex IP licensing transactions, and has been involved in scores of M&A deals, provides in-depth descriptions of the challenges encountered and their impact on the transaction, punctuating the presentation with insightful stories from the M&A trenches.

Register for the ond-demand webinar.