The finalized amendments to the attorney advertising rules in New York are scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2007. The new rules go beyond advertising and include communications such as Web sites, email and direct mail in changing the way lawyers can generate new business. Will lawyers’ blogging survive? Or will the weight of lawyers blogging cause the Bar to change its rules?
New York is not alone. See new rules in Kentucky. Other rules already exist in Texas and Florida. And advertising rules are being examined around the country such as in California.
Do these rules violate Free Speech? Isn’t any and every communication from a lawyer intended to attract new business, directly or indirectly? Is this a slippery slope for the Bar? (more…)
The Dewey firm’s managing partner logged 3,300 hours last year, or 12.6 hours per week day. And Orrick’s managing partner has not practiced law since 1992; he’s been managing the law firm. Was the difference in management culture the reason the announced merger between these firms failed in the end? (more…)
Donald A. Downey, Executive Director of minisoft Worldwide, is interviewed by Ed Poll about collecting both WIP and AR. Don suggests that WIP (work in progress) that is not quickly converted into AR (accounts receivable) becomes sediment that needs to be cleared out.
Where the law firm uses the accrual method of accounting, there is an economic motivation to clear it out; where the law firm is a cash basis taxpayer, there is little motivation to do so … but the law firm merely fools itself into thinking that there is still value in the amount that isn’t quickly converted to an account receivable and then paid by the client.
Ed interviewed Norm Thomas, Director of Business Development for Microsoft Professional Services Solutions. Norm starts the discussion with Microsoft’s approach to developing solutions while using its platforms and applications.
He then continues to discuss specific applications to help improve the efficiency of lawyers, and concludes with a sneak preview of their presentations at the forthcoming LegalTech Show in New York.
Ed starts his interview by asking Norm to clarify his role with Microsoft.
Jim Skinner, CEO of McDonald’s, was interviewed in Wall Street Journal and discussed his philosophy of management. Seems to me that his 5 tips apply to all businesses, even the lawyering business. (more…)
Ben Cowgill has posted the summary of his challenge to the Kentucky Bar’s earlier restrictions on blogging as prohibited advertising by lawyers. It’s good news that they seem to have taken a more reasonable approach.
