Legal Business News

Google's Watching You: The Good, the bad, the ugly

steven.levy@lexician.com (Steven B. Levy) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:18:00 -0400

This morning Google announced a change in its privacy policy. I link to the Washington Post article about it because searching Google for "Google Privacy Policy" does not bring up Google's privacy policy as its first result!!! (Okay, it's first if you count the ads... but many of us have trained ourselves to ignore those orange-background ads when we're looking for information!)

Here's a

Larry Downes in Forbes has an article on the decline and (they presume) fall of Best Buy. Other than the hagiography of Amazon.com,¹ there are some very interesting points in the article.

Before you read it, though, consider what you think intuitively is Amazon's core advantage over Best Buy.

Did you say pricing?

Now go and read or at least skim the article, and then consider BigLaw as it stands today as Best Buy. (It's a thought experiment, not a perfect

"2012 CFO Outlook" - A survey by Merrill Lynch and Bank of America - What does this mean for law firms?

loretta.ruppert@lexisnexis.com (Loretta Ruppert) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:06:00 -0400

Now that the holidays are behind us, let's get down to some serious business - and some prognosticating about what law firms' business and financial lives might be like this year. The bottom line is that the CFO respondents (600 of them from corporate America) are concerned and have low confidence in the economy - in spite of their prediction that corporate revenues and hiring will increase.

A post on the BofA website says:

In its 14th year, the survey finds that despite lower economic confidence and an expanding range of concerns heading into 2012, U.S. CFOs are largely holding firm on employment and hiring projections, research and development spending, new borrowing, and other activities that drive both day-to-day operations and future growth.

So, the news for law firms who serve these corporations is largely good. But, communication around fees and project management and scope will need to be clearer and more transparent

Legal Business Community Members: Like us on Facebook, and you could win a $300 AmEx gift card!

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:19:00 -0400

Link, Like, Love Lexis®!

We're always looking for feedback from our community members. For instance: What do you like most about us? Think we need to do something different? Or do you like us just the way we are? Whatever the case may be...we want to hear from YOU!

We know you're going to ask... "What's in it for me"?

Well...the LexisNexis Communities Team will randomly select three winners to receive a $300 American Express Gift Card. Take a look at our official contest rules for more details.

Get your thoughts together

LexisNexis Announces a New Generation of Financial Analysis Software for Law Firms

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:45:00 -0400

Redwood Analytics Business Intelligence 5 from LexisNexis Delivers Tailored Financial Intelligence to Key Stakeholders, Improving Profitability and Cash Flow

June 23, 2011 - Mew York, NY - LexisNexis (www.lexisnexis.com), a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced the launch of LexisNexis Redwood Analytics Business Intelligence 5, a new generation of financial analysis software designed specifically for law firms. Redwood Analytics Business Intelligence 5 moves business intelligence beyond the power users by delivering tailored, easy to understand financial insights to every timekeeper in the firm, in support of a firm's efforts to maximize profitability and accelerate collections and cash flow.

"www.lexisnexis.com), a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced the launch of LexisNexis Juris^® Suite Collections, a new collections module for LexisNexisJuris^®, a billing, accounting and financial management software for mid-sized law firms. Juris Suite Collections, available in Juris version 2.5, helps law firms isolate and manage delinquent accounts to speed up client payments while reducing the overall time spent on collections activities.

"LexisNexis Juris Suite Collections gives law firms a powerful set of tools to proactively manage their accounts receivables collections process and improve profitability," said Michael Lipps, vice president and managing director, Legal

Litigation Management Survey Identifies Trend toward Bolder Investments in People and Technology in Law Firms

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:19:00 -0400

Survey of lawyers also reveals attitudes, challenges and uses for technologies supporting e-discovery, mobility, case assessment and alternative fee arrangements

June 21, 2011 - NEW YORK, NY - Findings from a nationwide survey of law firms and corporate legal departments suggest that, while both corporate legal departments and their outside counsel are using various tools to achieve greater litigation efficiency, a trend may be developing in which law firms are making significant investments in people and innovative technologies so they are able to better manage the entire litigation process. The survey was conducted online among 513 lawyers by Harris Interactive® on behalf of LexisNexis® (www.lexisnexis.com).

The information is part of a set of findings from the State of Litigation Management report released today by LexisNexis. The report, which is available for free download at (www.lexisnexis.com/litigation-survey2011), also reveals attitudes

LexisNexis Lead Alert Application for iPhone Brings Leads to Lawyers on the Go

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:44:00 -0400

New Free Application from LexisNexis Delivers Real-Time Leads to Apple Mobile Devices, Maximizing Marketing and Potential Client Opportunities

June 15, 2011 - NEW YORK, NY - LexisNexis (www.lexisnexis.com), a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced the launch of LexisNexis^® Lead Alert, an application that instantly delivers lead information to Apple^® iPhone^® and other Apple mobile devices. Sourced from a lawyer's profile on Lawyers.comSM or martindale.com^®, or from their LexisNexis hosted website, Lead Alert provides phone and email information, giving attorneys the opportunity to respond promptly to new client inquiries even when they are away from their computer.

"LexisNexis Lead Alert provides attorneys with immediate access to leads when they are on the go, giving them a leg

PCLaw Legal Billing and Accounting Software Goes Mobile

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:38:00 -0400

PCLaw Version 11 from LexisNexis Now Accessible Via Mobile Devices and Integrates with Intuit QuickBooks

June 6, 2011 - NEW YORK, NY - LexisNexis (www.lexisnexis.com), a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced the launch of a new mobile application for PCLaw®, a leading legal billing and accounting software offering for law firms. The mobile application is offered as part of LexisNexis® PCLaw® version 11 software, which gives legal professionals a set of robust, yet easy-to-use tools to effectively manage time and expenses, billing and receivables, trust accounting, case and matter information and more. Today's release marks the latest in a range of mobile solutions from LexisNexis launched this year that enable lawyers to improve productivity and efficiency of their legal practice while they are on the go.

"PCLaw version 11 users can access the system anytime, from any location where their

LexisNexis Launches Series of Mobile Matter Management Offerings for Law Firms

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:29:00 -0400

Time Matters and Firm Manager Mobile Applications Enable Lawyers to Manage Their Practices Wherever They Go and Convert Downtime into Billable Hours

April 5, 2011 - New York, NY - LexisNexis, (www.lexisnexis.com) a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced new mobile applications for its Time Matters® and Firm Manager® practice management software solutions. The two applications are the latest in a range of mobile solutions LexisNexis® is launching this year that enable lawyers to use their smartphones, mobile or tablet devices to convert downtime into billable hours, respond to client inquiries faster and improve productivity and efficiency during periods when operating their laptops or desktop computers would be impossible or inconvenient.

"With four out of five lawyers using mobile devices for work-related tasks when out of the office

Redwood User Conference, the Bear-Packers Rivalry and National Wildlife Federation

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:35:00 -0400

The 2010 Redwood User Conference kicks off Monday night Sept. 27^th in Denver with an opening welcome reception during which the Chicago Bears play the Green Bay Packers. This age-old football rivalry is the perfect venue for conference attendees to devote spirited NFL enthusiasm to the National Wildlife Federation at the same time.

Redwood Analytics is hosting a silent auction during Monday Night Football to benefit the National Wildlife Federation's efforts to clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Items available for bidding at the silent auction include:

Autographed AJ Hawk Green Bay Packers Jersey (size XL)
Green Bay Packers Umbrella autographed by AJ Hawk
Green Bay Packers Hat (youth size) autographed by AJ Hawk
Chicago Bears Umbrella
Chicago Bears Hat
Apple iPad
2 Garmin GPS Watches
Kindle

Generous silent auction donations from User Conference

LexisNexis Announces InterAction 6.0 for Microsoft Outlook

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:05:00 -0400

LexisNexisannounced InterAction 6.0 for Microsoft Outlook at the 2010 International Legal Technology Association's annual meeting in Las Vegas. InterAction 6.0 software embeds features and functions of InterAction, a leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application for professional services, directly within Microsoft Outlook. The announcement marks the company's second major collaboration with Microsoft this year and is part of a broader effort to deliver valuable LexisNexis tools and resources via popular Microsoft Office desktop applications.

InterAction 6.0 users will be able to view and access firm-wide InterAction content including contact details, mutual connections, upcoming meetings, information updates and personal notes using only Microsoft Outlook - making it easier for lawyers and other professional services firms to build stronger client relationships and drive business development efforts as part of their natural workflow.

Bruce MacEwen of Adam Smith, Esq. Selected to Keynote Redwood Analytics 2010 User Conference

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:39:00 -0400

Bruce MacEwen, president of Adam Smith, Esq., a management consulting firm that advises the global legal industry on strategic and economic business issues, has been invited by LexisNexis Redwood Analytics, a leading brand of business intelligence software and services for the professional services industry, to keynote the 2010 Redwood User Conference Sept. 27-29, 2010 in Denver.

Tying in to the legal sector's continued economic challenges to improve business development along with tapping the pulse of the legal sector at large, Bruce plans to address law firms' need to be strategically aligned internally to meet and beat profitability goals in 2010 and beyond.

"Attendees at the Redwood User Conference are certain to garner key takeaways from Bruce MacEwen who brings a highly regarded global perspective on law firms' approach

Vault Releases 2011 Law Firm Diversity Rankings

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:22:00 -0400

In the survey, associates were asked to rate their firm's commitment to the recruiting, retention, and promotion of Women, Minority and GLBT attorneys. Vault's diversity rankings are unique in that it is the law firm associates themselves who rate their employer's commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Lawyers are a tough crowd; these firms have cleared a high bar.

1. Jenner & Block

2. (tie) Irell & Manella

Vault Releases 2011 Top 100 Law Firm Results

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:12:00 -0400

Once again, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has been ranked the top firm for Overall Prestige in Vault's annual law firm associate survey, marking eight consecutive years as number 1 in the survey results.

This is the 13^th year that Vault has conducted its annual Law Firm Associate Survey. This year, more than 15,000 associates from over 150 of the country's largest law firms took the survey. No other survey compares in terms of depth and breadth.

Associates rank their peer firms on the basis of prestige: overall, regional, and practice area. (Associates are asked to rate only firms with which they are familiar.) From this data, Vault calculates the Vault Law 100, as well as dozens of regional and departmental rankings.

In addition, associates rate their own employer firms on a range of quality of life issues: hours, compensation, selectivity, associate/partner relations, diversity and much more

Divorce lawyers: Facebook tops in online evidence

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:59:00 -0400

Forgot to de-friend your wife on Facebook while posting vacation shots of your mistress? Her divorce lawyer will be thrilled.

Oversharing on social networks has led to an overabundance of evidence in divorce cases. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says 81 percent of its members....

Read full article.

LexisNexis Launches InterAction® Strategic Account Management Application

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:06:00 -0400

LexisNexis announced the global launch of InterAction^® Strategic Account Management, a new customer relationship management (CRM) application for professional services firms. Strategic Account Management equips multi-disciplinary client teams with tools to improve their performance across multiple offices and geographic locations. Businesses can now enhance knowledge sharing and better track, coordinate and align the activities of individual team members with broader account management and client satisfaction goals.

InterAction Strategic Account Management is the first application for legal markets to integrate a CRM solution built on the Microsoft^®.NET framework, providing compatibility with Microsoft SharePoint^®. This platform facilitates information sharing across multiple software programs, making content and insights from the InterAction CRM database and the Strategic Account Management application seamlessly accessible on SharePoint

Recent law graduates find difficulty landing jobs

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:05:00 -0400

A few months ago, lawyer Katie Johnson had to ask her boss at the Macy's men's department for time off to defend her clients.

The 2009 graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law passed the bar last year and began taking clients on her own in November after sending out 100 resumes and finishing five job interviews but getting no job offers.

She's since opened an office in Beresford and quit Macy's, but she still needs supplemental income to pay the bills.

Read full article.

Firm's New Office Space Includes Rooftop Deck, Coffee Bar…and Not Many Walls

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:53:00 -0400

Chicago-based firm Childress, Duffy, Goldblatt Ltd. has left the traditional office setting behind for a rather unique space, which includes a rooftop deck with wireless access, a coffee bar, sofas and flat-screen televisions. Staff works on the rooftop, partners share offices, associates and staffers work side-by-side rather than in cubicles, and a masseuse stops by the office once a week.

The office space does have private conference rooms for meetings, but the goal of the less-traditional setup is to foster increased collaboration between firm members.

Ark. Lawyer Helps Negotiate Contracts for Athletes

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:29:00 -0400

CONWAY, Ark. - Texarkana, Ark., native Judy Simmons Henry has accomplished something no other female in the state of Arkansas has done before.

A business litigation lawyer and partner with Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP in Conway, Henry can now add one more designation: certified contract adviser by the National Football League Players Association.

Henry is the only female certified contract adviser in the state to help negotiate contracts for athletes looking to enter and become NFL players.

Read full story.

Census Says Women Equal to Men in Advanced Degrees

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:30:00 -0400

WASHINGTON (AP) - Women are now just as likely as men to have completed college and to hold an advanced degree, part of an accelerating trend of educational gains that have shielded women from recent job losses. Yet they continue to lag behind men in pay.

Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

Hearing to Determine Who Pays Stanford Legal Fees

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:21:00 -0400

HOUSTON, TX (AP) - Jailed Texas financier R. Allen Stanford and three executives all facing charges of bilking investors out of $7 billion as part of a massive Ponzi scheme will have to wait another five months before learning if they will have to foot their own legal bills.

Full version available to lexis.com subscribers.

NJ Court: Employee-Attorney E-mails were Private

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:49:00 -0400

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - In a decision that could set new ground rules for Internet privacy in the workplace, New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled an employer was wrong in retrieving e-mails between a former employee and her attorney, even though they were sent from a company computer.

Read the complete story.

Lawyers Sue Ala. for Legal Fees in Computer Suit

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:45:00 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A Montgomery law firm has filed a lawsuit seeking to force the state Finance Department to pay legal fees for work the firm did for a legislative oversight committee.

Read the complete story.

Jones Walker Combines with Alabama Firm

joseph.walsh@lexisnexis.com (Legal Business Community Team) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:27:00 -0400

NEW ORLEANS, La. (AP) - The New Orleans-based Jones Walker law firm says it is combining with the Birmingham, Ala.-based law firm of Walston Wells & Birchall.

The deal, effective May 1, will bring the number of attorneys in Jones Walker's Birmingham office to 26. The combined firm will operate under the Jones Walker name.