Business of Law

5 Tips For A Successful Legal Blog

David Coale, leader of the appellate practice at Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst LLP, shares his insights into what works — and what does not — when setting up and maintaining a legal blog.

Series

What I Learned In My 1st Year: Lessons From Willy Wonka

As a new associate faced with vexing facts and unfavorable case law, I confidently told a senior partner that there was no way to win. The partner's response taught me something vital about the legal profession, and reflected the wisdom of Willy Wonka's "105 percent" formula, says Thomas Ciarlone Jr. of Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC.

Series

Judging A Book: Kopf Reviews Posner's 'Federal Judiciary'

There is a wonderful sketch of Seventh Circuit Judge Richard Posner dressed in a black robe with arms outstretched as if they were the billowing wings of a lean vulture. He is kicking a human brain down a hallway and wearing a half-smile that looks for all the world like a sneer. That sketch is the perfect metaphor for both Judge Posner and his new book, "The Federal Judiciary: Strengths and Weaknesses," says U.S. District Judge Ri... (continued)

The Use Of Special Masters In Complex Cases

Special master appointments can be very beneficial in resolving disputes quickly, streamlining discovery, handling delicate settlement negotiations, and — somewhat surprisingly — reducing cost and delay, says retired U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin, now with JAMS.

Roundup

Notes From A Law Firm Chief Privacy Officer

As more law firms become the targets of major cyberattacks, more firms may consider appointing a chief privacy officer. In this series, CPOs at four firms discuss various aspects of this new role.

Series

Notes From A Law Firm Chief Privacy Officer: New Demands

For outside counsel, oftentimes efficiency and responsiveness collide with security measures as clients are increasingly requiring their law firms to comply with third-party risk management programs. To meet these challenges, law firms are focusing more on the roles of chief privacy officer and chief information security officer, says Phyllis Sumner, chief privacy officer for King & Spalding LLP.

Opinion

It's Time To Improve Voir Dire In Federal Court

During the jury selection process, many times parties submit proposed voir dire questions, but the court ultimately chooses the questions to be asked and does all of the questioning of the jury panel. While this approach is judicially efficient, rarely do we learn anything meaningful from the panel members, say Lisa Blue of Baron and Blue and Robert Hirschhorn of Cathy E. Bennett & Associates.

Series

Notes From A Law Firm Chief Privacy Officer: Insider Risks

As law firms hold sensitive information not only related to the firm but to the firm’s clients, an insider threat — whether it's a "bad actor employee" or inadvertent activity — poses a particular concern. There are steps that privacy officers can initiate to help minimize these threats, says Patricia Wagner, chief privacy officer for Epstein Becker Green.

Series

Notes From A Law Firm Chief Privacy Officer: Balancing Act

As the role of law firm chief privacy officer becomes more prevalent and expansive, many CPOs are finding themselves in the midst of a delicate balancing act — weighing compliance with government regulations and client requirements on one side with the needs of firm business on the other, says Kristin Jones, chief privacy officer for Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP.

How The IPad Can Be A Litigator's Best Friend

New mobile computing tools — both hardware and applications — are changing the technology paradigm for legal practitioners. In particular, the combination of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil and the LiquidText annotation app can revolutionize both trial preparation and courtroom litigating, says attorney Paul Kiesel, in his latest review of tech trends.