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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

SPACE AGE - Offices! Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em, right? First, the law firm office was essential, then it was obsolete, now… well, that's TBD at the moment. As Law.com's Ben Seal writes in this week's Law.com Barometer newsletter, flexible in-person work appears to be the new standard, and lawyers are returning to the office at a time when the market still hasn't caught up, leaving firms with attractive leasing options. As opportunities abound, the future of law firm space is being decided right now. But unless everyone ultimately decides to follow PwC onto Remote Island, corporate real estate will likely be on the upswing soon enough. "When that happens, much of the opportunity facing law firms right now will dry up," Seal writes. "Those who haven't yet acted could be forced to choose from a set of far less favorable options. In the next few months, expect the flurry of activity in this space to grow. And for those firms that haven't yet determined who they want to be when they get back to the office, or how they want the office to reflect that, it's time to start thinking." To receive the Law.com Barometer directly to your inbox each week, click here.

CREDIT CHECK - Clients and—in at least one instance—litigation funding companies are increasingly using their considerable leverage over law firms to create incentives and accountability around origination credit. Diversity, equity and inclusion experts agree that origination credit—specifically, how it's awarded to women and minority attorneys—is one of the most important factors law firms must consider in trying to improve their ability to keep diverse talent. But it's also one of the most mysterious and least tracked metrics in Big Law. As we explore in this week's Law.com Trendspotter column, a shift to more equitable and transparent methods for assigning origination credit are, like most institutional changes at law firms, going to require external pressures. I'm interested to hear what you think: What can law firms do to make their process for assigning origination credit more equitable and transparent? How can clients and others help keep firms accountable in that regard? Let me know at [email protected].

RECORDED STEALS? - Dickinson Wright filed a trademark infringement lawsuit on behalf of the Amar'e Stoudemire Foundation on Thursday in Florida Middle District Court arising from its "Each 1 Teach 1," a/k/a E1T1, youth basketball team. The suit takes aim at Steven S. Reece, a former program director for the foundation who was terminated for allegedly misappropriating grant money. Reece is accused of using E1T1 trademarks without permission to hold events and charge participation fees. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendant. The case is 6:21-cv-01766, Amar'e Stoudemire Foundation v. Reece. Stay up on the latest deals and litigation with the new Law.com Radar.  

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EDITOR'S PICKS

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

MONEY MYSTERY - Law firms in Japan, India and Singapore are remaining curiously tight-lipped about their 2020 revenues, Law.com International's Jessica Seah writes in her Asia Legal Briefing. What gives? As Seah notes, some lawyers she spoke to alluded to the fact that clients aren't typically thrilled to hear how much their lawyers have profited off their hardship.  But how do these jurisdictions (and their client expectations) differ from South Korea's? South Korea's Big Six firm Kim & Chang reported a 17% revenue leap, up seven spots to 53rd place on the Global 200. It's also reporting one of the highest RPL among its Asian counterparts. So where do Japanese, Indian and Singapore firms stand? Will we ever find out? Stay tuned! You can receive the Asia Legal Briefing in an email or read it here.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"When I said I would protect our people from partisan influence with respect to investigations and prosecutions, I meant that, and I continue to do that regardless of what side of the aisle is criticizing me for it."