Competition

Will The Robots Who Replace Us Also Pay Income Tax?

Modern information technology, intelligent algorithms and production robots are strongly influencing the working world in the 21st century. This article, by attorneys at CMS Francis Lefebvre, provides an overview of the future labor market as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on labor law and tax issues.

Opinion

BigLaw's Associate Salary Model Is A Relic Of A Bygone Era

Legal industry compensation practices are once again in the news as BigLaw firms continue to match the new high watermark of $190,000 for first-year associate salaries. The typical model of increasing associate salaries uniformly fails star associates, the firms they work for and, ultimately, the clients they serve, says William Brewer, managing partner of Brewer Attorneys & Counselors.

Kaepernick Case Raises Arbitrator Subpoena Power Issues

It has been widely reported that lawyers representing Colin Kaepernick in collective bargaining arbitration proceedings with the NFL may ask the arbitrator to compel President Donald Trump to appear for deposition. The case presents interesting issues about the power of an arbitrator to compel testimony of a nonparty, say attorneys with White and Williams LLP​​​​​​​.

#MeToo At Law Firms And What We Can Do About It

While some may say it’s ironic, it’s also embarrassing and enraging that the very industry that offers anti-harassment training, policies and counsel now finds itself the subject of #MeToo headlines. The American Bar Association recommendation that will bring about the greatest change is the call to provide alternative methods for reporting violations, says Beth Schroeder, chair of Raines Feldman LLP's labor and employment group.

Scrutinizing Noncash Settlements In Consumer Class Actions

In consumer class action settlements, cash provides the class and the court evaluating a proposed settlement with a quantitatively measurable benefit. Noncash settlements require heightened scrutiny by the court, since they are generally worth less to consumers than cash, and may benefit defendants and class counsel more than class members, says retired judge Thomas Dickerson.

Knowledge Lawyers Can Help Firms Stay Ahead Of The Curve

In a profession notoriously averse to change, it should come as no surprise that there is skepticism about the value of having attorneys perform nonbillable tasks. But U.S. law firms have slowly begun to incorporate knowledge lawyers into their operations — and the trend is likely to continue, says Vanessa Pinto Villa of Hogan Lovells.

High Court Answers Appeal Question For Consolidated Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Hall v. Hall is significant because it clarifies that parties have an immediate right of appeal following a final decision in actions consolidated under Rule 42(a). Companies that routinely face consolidation will have to be diligent in taking timely appeals, say Desiree Moore and Daisy Sexton of K&L Gates LLP.

An Unprecedented Look Inside The FARA Unit

For close observers of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the June 8 release by the U.S. Department of Justice of over 50 FARA advisory opinions was a watershed. These opinions offer an unprecedented glimpse into how the FARA Registration Unit interprets the law, say Brian Fleming and Andrew Herman of Miller & Chevalier Chtd.

Why FTC Accepted Conduct Remedies In Northrop Deal

The Federal Trade Commission’s approval of Northrop Grumman’s bid to buy Orbital ATK shows that, despite a long-standing preference for structural remedies, the FTC is still willing to consider behavioral or conduct remedies to resolve potential concerns associated with vertical mergers, says Francesca Pisano of Arnold & Porter.

Why Lawyers Shouldn't Accept Fees In Cryptocurrency: Part 2

The legal industry has already begun to feel the impact of anti-bribery and anti-money laundering requirements. When involved with cryptocurrency trading and remittance, law firms face more than the risk of being perceived as organizations that support money laundering practices, says John Reed Stark of John Reed Stark Consulting LLC.