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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

NOT-SO-HORRIBLE BOSSES - What's the matter with these kids today? Suddenly it's not OK to berate, intimidate, manipulate and humiliate young lawyers in the workplace? Apparently, as Law.com's Patrick Smith reports, that management style doesn't work anymore. Believe it or not, current partners and practice leaders say fear-based bullying tactics are counterproductive with younger generations of lawyers and do nothing to inspire loyalty at a time when attorneys are changing jobs like we used to change our clothes before the pandemic. But how's anyone supposed to learn the ropes in a "professional" and "supportive" environment? Turns out that putting a premium on transparency and (non-yelling) communication goes a long way toward creating one of those culture thingies you hear so much about. "It is about earning that respect," said Shayda Le, a partner at employment, labor and benefits law firm Barran Liebman in Portland, Oregon. "The partners now understand that if the associates don't respect you, they may still perform but they won't stick around."

ZOOMING THROUGH IT -  Another surefire way to connect with younger generations at work is to pull out the occasional pop culture reference to prove that you're not a square. For example: Virtual litigation has 99 problems—but mediation ain't one! As Law.com's Jasmine Floyd reports, litigators and mediators say alternative dispute resolution seems to run just as smoothly on Zoom as in person, and they want to keep it that way. "Attorneys are able to get mediations settled quickly and efficiently," said former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, now a partner with Smith Gambrell Russell in Atlanta. "I believe this esteemed resolution is certainly the future, and it can be done pretty effectively through online calls. It's certainly been a very important part of us keeping the justice system alive during the pandemic."

SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER - British auction house Christie's has agreed to sell Christie's International Real Estate to real estate brokerage firm @properties in a deal guided by Allen & Overy; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; and Lathrop GPM. Financial terms were not disclosed. Chicago-based @properties was advised by Lathrop and a Gibson Dunn team led by partner Andrew Herman. Christie's was represented by Allen & Overy. Stay up on the latest deals and litigation with the new Law.com Radar.  

EDITOR'S PICKS

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

RETENTION TENSION - Apparently, money can't buy happiness, even in Australian dollars. As Law.com International's Christopher Niesche reports, several Australian law firms have increased lawyers' wages by 10% or even 15% this month, but recruiters question whether the rises alone will be enough to stem the tide of departures for competing firms and more lucrative overseas roles. Just like in the U.S., the market for legal talent in Australia is highly competitive, thanks in large part to M&A work. Unlike in the U.S., however, Australian firms also have to deal with some of the market's brightest young attorneys moving out of the country for work. "The demand for talent is fierce and demand is outstripping supply. Many Australian lawyers have gone overseas already this year and more will follow suit, especially to New York, California and London. More will follow suit next year putting a further squeeze on already stretched transactional teams," said Jonathan Walmsley, owner of legal recruitment firm Marsden Group.

WHAT YOU SAID

"I think a lot of these lawsuits are a little bit of political theater. I think that's just the time that we're in right now."