Law Firms

Law Firm Face Time Still Required, Even in WiFi Era

Despite all the advantages that a state-of-the-art laptop, wireless Internet service and a cell phone can offer, there’s one thing that an associate working remotely for a law firm can’t accomplish. Face time. And, archaic though it might seem to some, the notion that an associate should be sitting at…

Feb 28, 2008 12:39 AM CST

Zuckerman Spaeder to Defend Wiley Rein in Malpractice Suit

Lawyers at Zuckerman Spaeder will defend Wiley Rein in a $30 million malpractice suit by Blackwater Security. The suit claims Wiley Rein botched pleadings to remove a wrongful-death suit from state to federal court. The Legal Times blog, the BLT, reports that Elizabeth Taylor and Mark Foster of Zuckerman Spaeder…

Feb 27, 2008 2:06 PM CST

Salary Wars Pit Associate Pay Against Partner Profits

Associate pay hikes have taken a bite out of profits for equity partners, according to some leaders of California law firms. Many large California firms matched their New York counterparts last year and agreed to pay starting salaries of $160,000 to new associates. Something—or more accurately, someone—had to give, the…

Feb 27, 2008 11:31 AM CST

2nd Lawyer Says N.Y. School Districts Often List Legal Counsel as Employees

Another New York lawyer reportedly has claimed that Long Island school districts often list their legal counsel as employees, allowing them to qualify for government pensions and health benefits even though they are in private practice. “This practice is approved by the state and is common among my colleagues, many…

Feb 26, 2008 7:15 PM CST

Men Cook Up a Victory in Nixon Peabody Food Contest

The men emerged victorious in Nixon Peabody’s annual cook-off yesterday, aided by a strong showing by securities partner John Partigan, who had first-place wins in the salads and vegetables categories and the second-place position in soups and stews. The men compete against the women in the annual cook-off, an event…

Feb 26, 2008 6:47 PM CST

London BigLaw Associates Have Growing Role in Firm Management

Although they obviously don’t run the show, associates at major United Kingdom law firms are reportedly playing an increasing role in firm management. One common practice, for instance, is to have an associate forum that lobbies law firm leaders on behalf of the firm’s junior attorneys, reports the Lawyer. Even…

Feb 26, 2008 6:40 PM CST

Clifford Chance Lawyers Warned About Running the Meter

Lawyers and staffers at Clifford Chance were warned yesterday that they need to be more careful about running the meter. No, not the billable hours meter. The taxi meter. Seems that at least a few may have kept cabs waiting curbside at the firm’s London office for significant periods of…

Feb 26, 2008 5:23 PM CST

Lerach’s Gone, But Business Is Booming at Coughlin Stoia

Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins is flourishing despite the loss of founder William Lerach, who was sentenced to two years in prison for a scheme to pay kickbacks to lead plaintiffs while at his former firm. Coughlin Stoia is filing more cases on average than in the months before…

Feb 26, 2008 1:50 PM CST

New York AG Asks 124 School Districts for Law Firm Payment Info

Updated: When N.Y. school lawyer Lawrence Reich reportedly said that what he did was common practice, the state attorney general apparently may have been listening. A dual state and federal investigation concerning Reich, a lawyer in private practice who allegedly “worked” as many as 1,286 days in one year for…

Feb 25, 2008 11:23 PM CST

How Alston & Bird Improved Retention by 6 Percent

An Altanta-based law firm that recently made a top 100 list of the best companies to work for explains how it helped improve employee retention in an article published in Business Law Today, a publication of the ABA Section of Business Law. Alston & Bird’s retention rate jumped by 6…

Feb 25, 2008 7:06 PM CST

Loss of Bankruptcy Rainmaker Shows Weil Gotshal ‘Time Warp’

Partner defections in the bankruptcy department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges highlight a disagreement in the firm about how its pre-eminent restructuring practice should be integrated with the rest of the firm. New York lawyer Martin Bienenstock, the co-head of Weil’s bankruptcy department, left the firm in November to join…

Feb 25, 2008 12:38 PM CST

Large Law Firms Prepare for a Slower Year

Large law firm leaders and consultants tell the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) that legal work is slowing in several segments, leading them to expect a less than stellar year in 2008. Last year was a boom time for many firms, which saw revenue growth of more than 10 percent…

Feb 25, 2008 11:51 AM CST

Like to Golf? San Diego Law Firm Seeks Associate Rainmakers

In an unusual recruiting effort, a small San Diego law firm apparently isn’t seeking hardworking associates who never leave the office until night has fallen and they’ve met their billable-hours quotas. In fact, a yen to spend a sunny Friday afternoon on the golf course or at a leisurely lunch…

Feb 22, 2008 7:37 PM CST

Going Public Pays: 56% Profit Increase Follows Law Firm’s IPO

The eye-popping expansion of an Australian plaintiffs firm that went public last year in order to fund its acquisitions of other law partnerships has also led to an eye-popping increase in its revenue stream. Slater & Gordon reports that its overall half-year profits are up 56 percent since it sold…

Feb 22, 2008 5:54 PM CST

What Are the Oscar Odds for Legal Thriller ‘Michael Clayton’?

The legal thriller Michael Clayton has seven Oscar nominations, but its chances of a win may not be all that good, if history is any judge. In 80 years, there have been only 10 wins for legal movies or actors who play lawyers, law professors, judges or legal assistants, reports…

Feb 22, 2008 4:04 PM CST