The National Law Journal

September 06, 2004 | National Law Journal

It's easy to become overwhelmed the first year by thinking too far ahead in terms of long-range career goals. Focus the first year on three areas: doing the very best job you can on every assignment; develop a focus or special interest; and build leadership skills. In addition, be mindful of conflicts of interest and client confidentiality.

By Jonathan W. LoweSpecial to The National Law Journal

9 minute read

May 07, 2007 | National Law Journal

Globalization has not had fair opportunities to contribute to economic development because its rules are distorted in a way that serves only "big" economic players.

By Sungjoon Cho/Special to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

July 28, 2008 | National Law Journal

International arbitration — once heralded as a more effective and efficient alternative dispute resolution mechanism than international litigation — is now routinely criticized for replicating some of the same failings as litigation: excessive cost and duration of proceedings. The greatest strength of international arbitration — its procedural flexibility — can be used to control its increasing cost and duration. As a party or practitioner, the key is choosing the best procedural tradeoffs to maximize the ability to present one's strongest case without incurring unnecessary and substantial additional costs or time.

By Joseph R. Profaizer / Special to The National Law Journal

12 minute read

September 08, 2003 | National Law Journal

Rarely do voters get a chance to weigh in on tort reform. But Texans have been asked to consider changing their state constitution to allow their Legislature to enact caps on civil suit damages.

By Mark BallardSpecial to The National Law Journal

10 minute read

October 16, 2006 | National Law Journal

Both intellectual property and other litigators need to know about a formerly radical, but now increasingly mainstream, method of innovation. A litigator's assumptions, clients, adverse parties, workload, skills and even personal income may be affected by the open-source movement.

By Henry W. (Hank) Jones III/Special to The National Law Journal

10 minute read

September 27, 2006 | National Law Journal

If you are an attorney practicing in the United States, you probably did not know that the rule against double jeopardy-a bastion of American criminal practice-passed away in 2003. In the United Kingdom, an acquittal is not longer a bar to retrial of a criminal defendant for the same offense.

By Daniel H. Erskine/Special to The National Law Journal

5 minute read

July 25, 2005 | National Law Journal

Until the year 2000, The Bluebook and its editors held an iron grip on the world of legal citation. It was then that a rebel alliance, the Association of Legal Writing Directors, introduced the ALWD Citation Manual: A Professional System of Citation. With the publication of its 18th edition, the master is striking back.

By Ellen K. BoegelSpecial to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

April 27, 2009 | National Law Journal

Nonprofit organizations — already stretched thin by tight budgets and small staffs — have been hammered by increasing demand for their services from growing segments of the public. At the same time they face a dwindling supply of the financial support, services and resources they need to ensure continued support for their underprivileged clients. In this trying climate, it is crucial that corporate law departments and law firms redouble their dedication to furnishing free legal aid to nonprofits of all sizes.

By Robert Weber / Special to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

May 26, 2008 | National Law Journal

Congressional committees, distressed by recent high court rulings, recently held hearings on legislation that would overhaul the Clean Water Act. The bills delete "navigable" from the definitional coverage and extend Congress' jurisdiction. But we doubt these changes would make for good policy. Surely, regulators do not welcome the prospect of examining every isolated discharge. Also, asking the public to trust that regulators' ad hoc enforcement will not extend too far is neither predictable nor workable.

By John C. Martin & Amy B. Chasanov / Special to The National Law Journal

5 minute read

April 26, 2004 | National Law Journal

Despite instability in the European marketplace, there are many opportunities for lawyers seeking a tour of duty abroad. Firms are hiring U.S. lawyers, not just for their U.S. expertise but also for their specialist talents. Most U.S. practices in Europe are either consolidating or growing, and over the last few years U.S. firms have shaken up the European legal market with a host of mergers and lateral hires.

By David Cowan Special to The National Law Journal

11 minute read