After Moscow Defection, Firms Brings Four Lawyers In From the Cold
The saga of Dechert and Chadbourne and attorney mobility continues and more players seem to be joining the fray. In some ways, this mobility is not surprising. If you are willing to leave one firm, why wouldn't you be willing to leave the firm you went to? This really can't be good for the profession though.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Chadbourne Regains Moscow Partner From Dechert
Chadbourne Regains Moscow Partner From Dechert
This article is a "mobility curiosity." The mobility of the profession has increased dramatically over the last decade or so with lawyers changing firms at a remarkable pace. This sequence of events, perhaps, takes the cake. It also makes you wonder how dedicated the participants were in the first place. Perhaps the most important issue, which the article does not discuss at all, is the impact on clients who have to decide whether they wish to follow the attorney changing firms. This certainly cannot give such clients a comfortable feeling, and it must also prove costly as new teams get up to speed, etc.
This article is a "mobility curiosity." The mobility of the profession has increased dramatically over the last decade or so with lawyers changing firms at a remarkable pace. This sequence of events, perhaps, takes the cake. It also makes you wonder how dedicated the participants were in the first place. Perhaps the most important issue, which the article does not discuss at all, is the impact on clients who have to decide whether they wish to follow the attorney changing firms. This certainly cannot give such clients a comfortable feeling, and it must also prove costly as new teams get up to speed, etc.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Hiring not firing | Opinion | The Lawyer
Hiring not firing Opinion The Lawyer
Conyers is clearly trying to seek out the opportunities the economic downturn has presented and get ahead of the curve when the recovery starts to take hold. Much of what Conyers is doing and saying makes good sense.
Conyers is clearly trying to seek out the opportunities the economic downturn has presented and get ahead of the curve when the recovery starts to take hold. Much of what Conyers is doing and saying makes good sense.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Norton Rose puts US high on agenda | News | The Lawyer
Norton Rose puts US high on agenda News The Lawyer
Regardless of the merits of NR's plans, it is good to see people starting to make forward looking plans again. Most economic forecasters are calling the bottom of the current recession as this past June. If this is correct, and it appears as if it is, this is the time to start thinking about the future and making plans to capitalize on the recovery that is now underway. Historically, the deeper the recession, the more robust the recovery once it takes hold. Thus, there may be reason to think that the coming recovery will be much more robust that many people are now predicting. This being said, NR's move is not without controversy as the legal press shows. Not everyone things it is a good idea. Some also predict it will fail. I will take a more watch and see what happens view. The timing seems to be right in any case.
Regardless of the merits of NR's plans, it is good to see people starting to make forward looking plans again. Most economic forecasters are calling the bottom of the current recession as this past June. If this is correct, and it appears as if it is, this is the time to start thinking about the future and making plans to capitalize on the recovery that is now underway. Historically, the deeper the recession, the more robust the recovery once it takes hold. Thus, there may be reason to think that the coming recovery will be much more robust that many people are now predicting. This being said, NR's move is not without controversy as the legal press shows. Not everyone things it is a good idea. Some also predict it will fail. I will take a more watch and see what happens view. The timing seems to be right in any case.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Network of Small, Midsize Firms Look for Opportunity in Hard Times
Network of Small, Midsize Firms Look for Opportunity in Hard Times
It is always nice to read an article that supports your views. This article comments on the virtues of law firm networks, and I completely agree. Good law firm networks are formalized and structured "best friends" relationships that are maintained in large part by a professional staff at the network level. Of course, as with any best friends relationship, you get out of the relationship what you put into it. The same is true of law firm networks. You get out of them what you put into them. Thus, there are still costs to maintaining a firm's presence in a law firm network. These costs include, network dues, the cost of attending network meetings, and the costs of participating in network sponsored programs and activities. All things considered, however, these costs are usually less than those required to maintain a series of ad hoc best friends relationships.
It is always nice to read an article that supports your views. This article comments on the virtues of law firm networks, and I completely agree. Good law firm networks are formalized and structured "best friends" relationships that are maintained in large part by a professional staff at the network level. Of course, as with any best friends relationship, you get out of the relationship what you put into it. The same is true of law firm networks. You get out of them what you put into them. Thus, there are still costs to maintaining a firm's presence in a law firm network. These costs include, network dues, the cost of attending network meetings, and the costs of participating in network sponsored programs and activities. All things considered, however, these costs are usually less than those required to maintain a series of ad hoc best friends relationships.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mapping the Legal Globe
Mapping the Legal Globe
This looks like a very worthwhile project that anyone interested in the delivery of legal services internationally should definitely follow and support. One thing that needs much closer study is the belief that only the largest law firms can successfully enter the international arena. I do not subscribe to that view, but there is no formal evidence that suggests that small firms can be successful as well. With more study of the means and methods of delivering international legal services, I suspect that it will be possible to demonstrate that most firms can enjoy an international practice, if they have the right skill sets and the right mix of "best friends" or law firm network connections.
This looks like a very worthwhile project that anyone interested in the delivery of legal services internationally should definitely follow and support. One thing that needs much closer study is the belief that only the largest law firms can successfully enter the international arena. I do not subscribe to that view, but there is no formal evidence that suggests that small firms can be successful as well. With more study of the means and methods of delivering international legal services, I suspect that it will be possible to demonstrate that most firms can enjoy an international practice, if they have the right skill sets and the right mix of "best friends" or law firm network connections.
BigLaw Firm Breaks Out the Good China
BigLaw Firm Breaks Out the Good China
It is good to see more articles about firms forming alliances and opening offices and fewer articles about staff reductions, pay cuts, and law firm closings. At the end of the day, a large part of the future of the practice of law rests with international practice, and those firms who have remained true to their commitment to enhance their ability to practice internationally will be much better off for it.
It is good to see more articles about firms forming alliances and opening offices and fewer articles about staff reductions, pay cuts, and law firm closings. At the end of the day, a large part of the future of the practice of law rests with international practice, and those firms who have remained true to their commitment to enhance their ability to practice internationally will be much better off for it.
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