Career & Practice

Smaller Law Firms Struggle with Morale Issues in Bonus Decisions

The gossip mill at smaller law firms can lead to morale issues at bonus time. The Connecticut Law Tribune notes the problem. “With just a handful of employees, it’s hard to keep individual bonus totals a secret,” the story says. “That can leave a subset of employees who might be…

Dec 2, 2009 2:44 PM CST

Some Law Firms Add Mini Round of 2L Recruiting

Some law firms that made a limited number of offers during on-campus recruiting are returning for a new round of interviews with second-year law students. The reason, according to the American Lawyer: Students got multiple job offers and turned down some law firms, leaving some unfilled 2010 summer associate positions.…

Dec 2, 2009 12:32 PM CST

Third Annual ABA Journal Blawg 100

Welcome to the third annual ABA Journal Blawg 100—the best legal blogs as selected by the Journal’s editors. This year we did something even more blog-like. We asked our readers to help us find blawgs worthy of note. We called it our Blawg Amici and we asked law blog readers…

Dec 2, 2009 5:50 AM CST

Practice Pitfalls

When it comes to potential ethics or malpractice hazards, watch where you’re going, or look out below

Dec 2, 2009 5:39 AM CST

Sick Call

Prepare ahead for days when kids fall ill

Dec 2, 2009 2:49 AM CST

Cashing Out

Hope to sell your practice? Plan early and well

Dec 2, 2009 2:39 AM CST

Web 2.Uh-oh

Judged by Facebook

Dec 2, 2009 2:29 AM CST

Rate-a-Neutral

Group to offer evaluations of arbitrators, mediators

Dec 2, 2009 2:09 AM CST

Billing Rates Projected to Increase 3.2% in 2010

BigLaw firms are shrinking and so are associate salaries. But billing rates are expected to go up next year. In the latest survey from the law firm consultancy Altman Weil, firms reported they project an average overall increase in rates of 3.2 percent in 2010. “Although these results may seem…

Dec 1, 2009 8:36 PM CST

40% of Firms Cut Starting Associate Pay, While 44% Consider 2010 Cut

Leaders of American’s top 200 law firms are more optimistic than they were a year ago. But associates may not be sharing that enthusiasm. An American Lawyer survey of law firm leaders found that 40 percent of the firms had reduced starting pay for their associates, and 44 percent are…

Dec 1, 2009 8:02 PM CST

Seyfarth Partner Sues Over Demotion, Claims Core Values Just a Marketing Tool

A Seyfarth Shaw partner who was demoted after a $30 million malpractice verdict that targeted his advice has sued his law firm in a complaint that derides its emphasis on profits. Lawyer William Lancaster claims in the lawsuit (PDF) that he was forced to accept a demotion and an unfair…

Dec 1, 2009 2:23 PM CST

Not Sending Clients Copy of Retainer a Costly Mistake for Law Firm

Delay in providing clients with a full copy of the applicable retainer agreement for their matter has cost a New Jersey law firm a six-figure sum. Reversing an earlier award of $163,000 to Alpert Butler & Weiss for unpaid legal fees and the cost of pursuing their collection action, a…

Nov 30, 2009 7:54 PM CST

BigLaw Partner Promotions Plummet, Even at Highly Profitable Wachtell

Last year, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz promoted six attorneys to partner. This year, despite being the most profitable firm in the country, it named only two new partners this month. And it’s far from alone in reducing its ownership ranks. Many BigLaw firms are promoting fewer associates to partner…

Nov 30, 2009 4:28 PM CST

Legal Secretary Sends E-Mail About Cancer Surgery, Is Fired, Suit Says

Within two hours after she e-mailed everyone at her New York law firm that she had cancer and was going to have to take two weeks off for surgery, a legal secretary had been fired, she alleges in a lawsuit. Theodora Benedict, 61, was invited to return to Tarnow &…

Nov 30, 2009 4:23 PM CST

Law Schools Reporting Drops of Up to 45% in On-Campus Interviews

A news report on the bleak job market for law grads is filled with numbers illustrating the problems. The law school at the University of Texas at Austin reported a 45 percent drop in on-campus interviews, ABC News reports. At Harvard, the percentage of employers participating in law student recruitment…

Nov 30, 2009 2:29 PM CST