Small & Medium Size Law Firm News
Law.com - Small Firm Business 02/11/2008
|
Small Law Firm Thrives as Real Estate Market Swoons
Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle is benefiting from shifts in the real estate and legal industries even as the U.S. economic downturn takes a toll. The 24-lawyer firm specializes in real estate, related lending work and general corporate and business law. And it's content to stay its current size since larger firms refer "less lucrative" work to Meltzer Purtill. "It doesn't make economic sense" for larger firms to do general corporate work on employee matters and other day-to-day issues, says Brian Meltzer.
Debunking Five Public-Speaking Myths
During a workshop, a client once cornered consultant Joey Asher and said, "Many years ago, I had a boss who thought I looked great in red. He told me that I should always wear red during presentations because it made the best impression. So I've always worn red. What do you think of that advice?" That type of advice makes Asher want to hunt down the boss and tell him to cut it out because he's fostering bad presenters. And so, as a public service, Asher debunks the five worst tidbits of advice.
Responding to Claims Against Your Law Firm
No matter how good a loss-prevention program a firm has in place, it's a sad but inevitable fact that it will have claims. A firm manager's goal, therefore, is not to reduce claims incidence to zero but rather to have a sound program in place to identify and respond to claims in a manner that minimizes losses. Here are some thoughts on how to do that from the perspective of Goulston & Storrs trial lawyer Richard Zielinski, who has spent much of the past 30 years defending law firms against such claims.
Hang Together or Be Hung Separately: The Collective Compensation Dynamic
Consultant Ed Poll says that lawyers need to understand the interaction between what law firms charge clients for their services, how effectively they collect their fees from clients and how lawyers themselves are compensated for the work that they bill. The goal of that understanding, he says, should be creating an integrated approach to the entire issue of fees, collection and compensation. Poll describes three essential tools that can be critical to enhancing overall profitability.
Defense Bar Rallies Behind Attorney Charged With Laundering Drug Money
Colleagues call his ethics beyond reproach; Vice President Al Gore relied on him in his fight to get ballots recounted in the 2000 presidential election. But Miami attorney Ben Kuehne appeared Thursday before a federal magistrate charged with laundering $5.2 million in drug money that was transferred to defend a Colombian cocaine kingpin. The indictment revives the issue of the legal suitability of money accepted by criminal defense attorneys from clients accused of drug trafficking and money laundering.
Two Lawyers Disbarred for Plot to Dupe Former Law Clerk
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ordered that two attorneys be disbarred for setting up fake job interviews to pump a former court clerk for information on a former judge's possible bias. Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall wrote that one attorney's conduct was "so egregious and extensive that no reasonable attorney could have believed it comported with the solemn ethical obligations of attorneys."
|
General, National Law Firm News
Legal Trends
How to Avoid Client Complaints
New York Law Journal
Small firm practitioners may have an extra burden over large firm attorneys,
because they typically fail to have adequate bureaucratic protocols and
resources to protect in advance against hidden dangers created by disgruntled
clients and dishonest or careless colleagues. However, there are practical
solutions to help limit malpractice actions and disciplinary prosecutions. One
of the main rules – write things down.
How to Lose a Client in 10 Days
Legal Times
Here are 10 examples of what not to do when working with clients. While these
are especially good for new associates to consider, they're also good pointers
for attorneys in later stages of their careers. If you're a new associate, read
the following scenarios with an eye to avoid them. If you're a more seasoned
attorney, you'll want to read these examples and see whether you recognize
yourself in any of them, because it's never too late to learn.
Networking for Net Gains
New York Law Journal
Networking is a give-and-take process. It requires staying connected to others
by making it a point to attend gatherings, interact with people and make others
feel good about themselves. Here are some tips for effective networking that
you may not have thought about, including setting networking goals and creating
a professional presence for the position you want rather than the one you have.
Law Firm Strategies
Practice Group Evaluations
Altman Weil, Inc. principal Tom Clay provides a list of key questions law firms
should ask to identify initiatives that will enhance practice group
performance.
A Cost of
Doing Business
When it comes to the marketing budget, how much time should be focused on
measuring ROI?
All
You Really Need to Know You Learned in Law School
2005 Directory of In-house Law Departments at the Top 500
Companies
