Law Firm NewsMakers

---

Law Firm News

Search For News Keywords

News Date

981 matches |  813-819 displayed

1  116 117 118 119 120  141

---

Family law practices tout new mode of dispute resolution

Attorneys practicing family law are using a more collaborative technique to resolve family business disputes for divorcing clients.

Collaborative law came into effect in the 1990s with an aim to save clients' time, energy and money. It proved successful in helping couples sort out differences through a non-adversarial collaborative divorce. Attorneys hire a neutral forensic accountant to review a family's business, assets, income, liabilities and debts and resolve disputes through mediation.

The collaborative method offers a way to avoid unwanted publicity and tries to preserve relationships, particularly in cases involving family-owned or jointly-owned businesses.

04-11-2006

---

Bankruptcy reforms under fire

The reforms of the Federal Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 are not working as intended, says the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. The association recently surveyed more than 60,000 consumers seeking protection under the new law and revealed that 97% were unable to pay their debts despite credit counseling.

The law, signed by President Bush last April, is facing continued criticism and controversy from bankruptcy attorneys. Many legal analysts have questioned its effectiveness in improving consumer protection, which has created new problems, like determining whether a debtor is eligible for Chapter 7 liquidation or Chapter 13, which results in a longer court-ordered repayment plan.

The U.S. Trustee Program of the Justice Department claims that the act seeks to enhance the integrity, effectiveness and efficiency of the nation's bankruptcy system. Many legal experts, however, beg to differ.

04-11-2006

---

Reed Smith's unique training program

Many law firms put emphasis on training programs, in-house seminars and a variety of short-term classes at universities. Pittsburgh-based Reed Smith has gone one step further.

The country's 10th largest firm opened its own school in order to improve client service and employee satisfaction. Reed Smith University came into effect in summer 2004 in alliance with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The firm is moving towards becoming a billion-dollar company and does not want to rely on on-the-job training programs in crystallizing its formal structure.

The University has five schools, including Leadership, Business Development, Technology, Professional Support and Law, governed by its chancellor, John Smith III, a Reed Smith partner. The 2004-2005 academic year saw the participation of nearly 1,800 employees from the firm's 16 offices. This year, the firm plans to introduce new programs for its clients as well as an undisclosed category called "friends of the firm."

04-11-2006

---

Practice groups follow market trends

Most big law firms look to expand or contract their practices according to the prevailing trends in the legal industry. Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham was quick to launch a Stem Cell Technology practice in the wake of California's plans to spend $3 billion on embryonic stem cell technology. The firm stepped into the promising life sciences/biotech world in order to provide exceptional services in the budding field.

Dickie McCamey & Chilcote also recently announced a new program for its Workers' Compensation Group called Medicare Set-Aside Program, which helps employees follow the laws relating to Medicare issues in the settlement of workers' compensation claims. On the other hand, an Airborne Food Illness practice launched by Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott after a massive hepatitis A outbreak in 2003 had to be subsequently shelved when it yielded no work.

04-11-2006

---

Sidley Austin's global expansion

Sidley Austin has initiated an expansion policy for its insurance practice, commencing with a series of lateral hires in the firm's London office. Nigel Montgomery, currently of DLA Piper Rudnick UK, will be joining Sidley as a partner in May 2006.

Sidley Austin comprises more than 1,600 lawyers in 14 cities, including Beijing, Brussels, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. Last year, the firm appointed a team of EU Competition lawyers to its trade and regulatory practices in Brussels, Geneva and DC. On March 1st of this year, the international firm also entered the German legal market with a new office in Frankfurt, which will concentrate on capital markets and structured products.

04-10-2006

---

Columbia Law School wins Shearman & Sterling Jessup World Cup

New York's Columbia Law School defeated Venezuela's Universidad Catolica Andres Bello to win the 2006 Shearman & Sterling Jessup World Cup. It has been 16 years since a school from the United States has won this prestigious moot court competition.

The Team will receive two awards: a trophy and the Shearman & Sterling World Championship Jessup Cup to hold in trust for one year at its school. Vincent Levy of Columbia won the "Best Oralist" in the championship match.

The 2006 Shearman & Sterling International Rounds were conducted from March 27th to April 1st. More than 100 teams from 80 countries participated in the rounds, the largest Jessup competition to date. These teams came to the International Rounds after winning national and regional competitions that involved nearly 600 law schools around the world.

04-10-2006

---

Regional law firms growing beyond borders

The globalization of the marketplace has led regional law firms to expand beyond state and national lines.

Increasing demand from clients is pushing firms to move into new territories. For small- and mid-size firms with a regional base, the easiest path to a new market is through acquisition.

Just like the banking industry in the past 25 years, regional law firms are consolidating at an increasing rate. According to Expansion Management magazine, Nashville, Phoenix, Atlanta, Texas, San Antonio and Charlotte are ranked among the six fastest growing U.S. cities and are prime targets for regional firms looking for growth.

04-10-2006

---

981 matches |  813-819 displayed

1  116 117 118 119 120  141