Law Firms

Clifford Chance MP Predicts a Firm Future Less Focused on London

London’s top billing as an international financial and legal center could lose some of its luster in the foreseeable future, according to the global managing partner of Clifford Chance. “If I could wave my magic wand, in three to five years I would want to have three hubs and, if…

Jun 2, 2008 5:50 PM CDT

Supreme Court Allows Market Rate Recovery in Paralegal Fee Dispute

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a litigant may be compensated for the market rate of paralegals in a contract dispute with the federal government, SCOTUSblog reports. At issue was whether prevailing parties under the Equal Access to Justice Act may recover paralegal fees at market rates or whether…

Jun 2, 2008 2:44 PM CDT

Firm’s ‘Ever Argue With a Woman?’ Ad Provokes Debate on Stereotypes

Updated: Do men and women argue differently? And does that make a difference in the way they work as lawyers? That’s the suggestion of an ad by a women-owned Buffalo, N.Y., law firm that is attracting notice. Its headline: “Ever Argue With a Woman?” The ad touts the strengths of…

Jun 2, 2008 11:28 AM CDT

Milberg Law Firm Close to Plea Deal; $75M Under Discussion

The securities class-action firm now known simply as Milberg is close to a deal with prosecutors that would resolve charges it paid more than $11 million in kickbacks to lead plaintiffs in securities class actions, the Wall Street Journal reports (sub. req.). The story, quoting two unnamed sources, says negotiations…

Jun 2, 2008 10:28 AM CDT

Wise in the Ways of the World

Big practices abroad help large firms weather the economic storm

Jun 1, 2008 1:05 PM CDT

Opening Up to Open Source

Corporation counsel must be ready to deal with “free” software and its licensing

Jun 1, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

I Wish I Had Known ...

Former associates find surprises as they enter partnership

Jun 1, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

Long & Winding Road to UK Law Partnership is Getting Longer

For the third year in a row, it’s taking a little longer to make partner at major United Kingdom law firms. The average wait for the gold ring for those who succeed in grabbing it is now 8.8 years, compared to 8.2 years in 2006, reports Legal Week. In the…

May 30, 2008 6:56 PM CDT

Appeals Court Voids Most of $2.5M Wilson Elser Malpractice Verdict

Saying that a $1.7 million damages award to a former law firm client for lost future profits was “speculative and uncertain,” a California appeals court has voided this portion of a malpractice verdict against Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker. But that still leaves the firm liable for another $941,000…

May 30, 2008 6:40 PM CDT

Law Firm Diversity Consultant Tells Employees: Consider If You Are Valued

A lawyer turned diversity consultant has advised minority employees who feel underappreciated to get smart, rather than getting mad, by leaving for better opportunities. Natalie Holder-Winfield, who wrote Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Workforce, tells the New York Times the important question for employees to consider is how much they…

May 30, 2008 4:59 PM CDT

McCarter & English Chairman is Tough on Typos

The chairman of McCarter & English is apparently a stickler for good grammar. Chairman Drew Berry tells the Wall Street Journal Law Blog that every first-year lawyer at his firm gets a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk & White. And he expects the rules to be followed.…

May 30, 2008 4:30 PM CDT

Growing Number of Law Firms Contribute to China Relief Efforts

More than a dozen law firms are contributing money to help earthquake victims in China. While the firms were certainly motivated by the urge to help the devastated region, business considerations may also have been a factor, the AmLaw Daily suggests. “Is it sheer coincidence that many of the American…

May 30, 2008 3:00 PM CDT

In the Second Tier, Law Firms Post 8 Percent Revenue Gains

Law firms in American Lawyer’s list of Second Hundred law firms (sub. req.) had 8 percent gains in revenue last year, but they still lag behind the law firms that made the top 100 list. Average gross revenue was $170.5 million for Am Law Second Hundreds firms, compared to $644.5…

May 30, 2008 1:47 PM CDT

Ex-Refco CEO Unusually Cooperative in Shareholder Suit

The former chief executive officer of Refco Inc. has held a series of “highly productive meetings” with plaintiffs lawyers suing the bankrupt brokerage firm and its advisers. The lawyers informed the judge overseeing the June 19 sentencing of ex-CEO Philip Bennett of his unusual cooperation, the New York Law Journal…

May 30, 2008 12:10 PM CDT

Calif. Recruiters Say Job Market Tougher for Laterals

The job market for associates seeking jobs at new law firms is getting tougher, especially for junior associates in specialties hard-hit by the economic downturn, California legal recruiters say. Offers can take months instead of weeks, and some law firm managers are changing their minds about hiring in the middle…

May 30, 2008 11:01 AM CDT