Arthur J Ciampi

May 23, 2008 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, managing member of Ciampi LLC, writes that if partners "buy in" to an unfunded retirement plan and see it as a viable means of rewarding senior partners who contributed to the firm's current success, they often choose to continue to see the benefit as worthwhile even though existing partners earn less in compensation. Unfortunately, this somewhat altruistic view is not widely held. Moreover, lateral partners are unlikely to understand or frankly care why the prospective firm is paying less than market, and firms seeking to merge have often found the presence of unfunded pension obligations to impede or even scuttle mergers.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

9 minute read

November 30, 2009 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, managing member of Ciampi LLC, writes: For many law firms and law firm partners, 2009 represented a year to hold on tight and hope for the best. As in years past, this last column of the year is devoted to a roundup of 2009 legal developments affecting law firms and their partners. This year saw a new ethics code, several decisions concerning a partner's right to an accounting, and some interesting decisions concerning arbitration of law firm partnership disputes.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

9 minute read

September 21, 2005 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, a partner of Morrison Cohen LLP, writes that analyzing and updating a law firm's partnership agreement is an opportunity for the firm to protect itself against upcoming risk and should be an integral part of its management practices, and he poses several questions to consider during this process.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

8 minute read

July 28, 2008 | Law.com

A common provision found in many law firm partnership agreements can have calamitous results, particularly when combined with the competing fiduciary duties partners owe to their partners and clients. Such provisions often place the departing partner in a state of limbo because during this interim period the rights and obligations of the departing partner and the partnership are unclear. Attorney Arthur Ciampi discusses notice provisions and analyzes the practical and ethical dilemmas they often raise.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

10 minute read

January 22, 2009 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, managing member of Ciampi LLC, writes: The difficult economy has caused numerous law firms to take drastic measures to improve performance and, in some cases, to ensure survival. When faced with poor financial results or even possible dissolution, many law firms consider combining with a stronger "partner" in the hope that synergies will develop which are beneficial to both firms. In addition, some firms will seek to hire productive groups from law firms that are having financial difficulty. Their ultimate business sense or immediate financial success aside, these transactions may result in unintended consequences.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

9 minute read

March 29, 2007 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, managing member of Ciampi LLC, writes that in light of the sheer number of partners approaching traditional retirement age and the direction of the looming case law such as Sidley, executive committees would be wise to reconsider mandatory retirement provisions in their partnership agreements to avoid or at least mitigate potentially costly lawsuits.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

10 minute read

September 28, 2007 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, managing member of Ciampi LLC, writes: Billable hours. They take all the "fun" out of practicing law as a law firm partner. First, every year you've got to try to reach a "goal" for billable hours. Second, every week . . . you've got to record your billable hours. Finally, every month you've got to review pre-bills, then bills, while at the same time collecting those billable hours from the previous month in the form of receivables. There has got to be a better way!

By Arthur J. Ciampi

10 minute read

May 02, 2002 | New York Law Journal

I n the present sagging economy, law firms and partners may be facing the prospects of shifting partner ranks. This article addresses the legal ramifications inherent in such changes and hopes to offer some general guidance to both law firms and partners.

By Arthur J. Ciampi And William J. Decoste

11 minute read

July 23, 2010 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, managing member of Ciampi LLC, discusses recent and limited successes of partners who have pursued claims under federal and state antidiscrimination statutes.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

9 minute read

March 27, 2009 | New York Law Journal

Arthur J. Ciampi, the managing member of Ciampi LLC, writes that being asked to leave one's firm is difficult and anxiety producing at any time, and it has become exponentially more difficult in these uncertain financial times. Negotiating a clearly delineated exit agreement, with a mutual release, an indemnification provision, a mutual non-disparagement clause and a reasonable departure period, can ameliorate a difficult situation.

By Arthur J. Ciampi

9 minute read