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International Edition

Virtually exposed

Law firms can fall prey to computer-based crime, just like any other business. Anthony Yates looks at how the need for information to be accessible over networks can be reconciled with the need for protection
7 minute read

International Edition

Conflicts comfort

Sam Suri looks at how technology can help ease the conflict-checking and compliance burden
9 minute read

International Edition

The long goodbye

The detail contained within a law firm's partnership deed, including that of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), has enormous influence on the retirement process. Worded appropriately, it can minimise the potential for dispute. The treatment of partners' current and capital accounts, not to mention precise exit arrangements, is key. This article focuses on the main issues that the partnership should address when partners or members retire, and also highlights factors that the individual should review.
6 minute read

International Edition

Working the room

"I don't do marketing, selling or business development. I am a professional, a lawyer, an expert and specialist who does a great job, so the referrals will come." You simply cannot prosper if you have that attitude. It is time to wake up; it is the 21st century, and even the supermarket is moving in. You all know about 'Tesco Law' and the Legal Services Bill. You simply cannot play ostrich if you want to succeed. The competition is hotting up and if you want to keep your slice of the cake you have to rethink your position: any business could be preparing to muscle in on your profession.
7 minute read

International Edition

The price is right

Although just a snapshot of the way in which professionals approach the delicate issue of pricing legal work for clients, a recent survey of 260 transactions at a leading mid-market law firm revealed that 72% of quotes were under the final amount billed, by an average of 21%. An additional 12% was also written off before the client's bill was submitted.
7 minute read

International Edition

The right fit

"Why are we here?" asks Dan Wilkins, director and head of London law firm recruitment at Hays Legal - a valid question, given the time (8.30am) and the bleary eyes around the table. Testament to law firms' appetites to hire and keep the best people, human resources (HR) managers recently met up to discuss recruiting and retaining assistants at top City law firms. The Legal Week roundtable discussion, held in association with Hays Legal and following up on the Legal Week Assistant report last year, saw some lively debate - despite the early start - on topics from CV-checking to the ethics of headhunters
7 minute read

International Edition

Time to change

Over the last few years I have asked law firm partners how they would manage differently if they were not billing by the hour. The question was met by intrigue to say the least, but all concluded with much certainty that "this will never happen". Nonetheless, in response to client demands, large law firms are indeed starting to offer alternatives to hourly billing, including fixed fees and success fees, and it is likely that others will follow suit in order to stay competitive. The Legal Services Act is set to further reshape the competitive landscape of legal advice, giving clients more options in the pressure to reduce their legal budget.
7 minute read

International Edition

Connect for success

Until recently, most law firm leaders have successfully juggled their producer and manager roles, succeeding in both getting the work done and motivating the law firm's professionals. However, the current environment is much more competitive and challenging than ever before. Not only do clients and associates expect more, issues of size and increasing corporatisation, geographic coverage, and mergers and acquisitions that rarely deliver the expected value have added significant complexity. So, too, has the trend in some sectors for industrial organisations to enter the professional services arena.
8 minute read

International Edition

Protected species

Earlier this month HSBC admitted that it had lost a computer disc holding information on 370,000 life insurance customers. The banking group, which faces a potential investigation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as a result, was just the latest in a growing list of private and public sector organisations to have lost personal data. The most high profile case so far involved HM Revenue & Customs, which lost discs containing the country's entire child benefit database. These covered some 25 million claimants and included bank and building society details.
10 minute read

International Edition

The legal security blanket

Law firms the world over have founded their success on the maxim 'knowledge is power'. By the very nature of their business, lawyers occupy an enormously privileged position, being privy to the confidential documents, private conversations and sensitive information essential to commercial life. Yet with great power comes great responsibility, especially as we move into a position where the bulk of this information takes electronic form.
7 minute read

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