The Implications Of COP26 For Legal Practitioners

Developments at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference will create both opportunities and risks for lawyers — with many new laws, regulations and industry best practices to track, and a growing pipeline of new energy and infrastructure projects to facilitate, say Caroline May and Charles Winch at Norton Rose.

Without Leadership Buy-In, Law Firm DEI Efforts Stand To Fail

A law firm's diversity, equity and inclusion strategies need the full attention and support of its top leadership to succeed, and requiring the firm's key decision makers to join the DEI committee can make the difference, says Noble Allen at Hinckley Allen.

Series

Confronting Origination Credit: Self-Advocacy Tips For Attys

Female lawyers and lawyers of color have historically not been privy to the rules of the origination credit game, but they can employ various strategies to increase the chances of receiving the credit they are due, such as enlisting allies for support and tracking inequity patterns, says Marianne Trost at The Women Lawyers Coach.

A Real-World Guide To Staying Discovery In Federal Court

Pleas for stay of discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are often rejected when motions to dismiss are pending due to a tenacious tangle of case law, imposing financial and administrative burdens on parties, but some unambiguous rules of thumb can be gleaned to maximize the chances of a discovery stay, says Amir Shachmurove at Reed Smith.

Mitigating Inflation's Impact On Commercial Contracts

As accelerating inflation threatens to turn many commercial contracts unprofitable for sellers, lessors and lenders, prospects of court relief are slim, but certain contract clauses and revisions can help, says Jonathan Hugg at Schnader Harrison.

Roundup

Confronting Origination Credit

This Expert Analysis series looks at how law firms' long-standing practice of awarding origination credit to attorneys who bring in new business can be a barrier to diversity, and offers possible paths toward more equitable compensation systems.

Heed These Rules, Or Risk Your Argument On Appeal

Failing to meet the scattered requirements for appellate preservation can have dire consequences, so litigants must understand the relevant briefing rules, the differences between waiver and forfeiture, and the four components of a pressed argument in order to get their case fully considered on appeal and avoid sanctions or dismissal, says Michael Soyfer at Quinn Emanuel.

What To Include In Orders Governing Remote Arbitration

When conducting remote arbitration, attorneys should negotiate written orders that spell out clear rules on technology accommodations, document handling, witness readiness and other key considerations to ensure parties' rights are protected and the neutral's time is not wasted, say Matthew Williams and Christina Sarchio at Dechert.

Series

Embracing ESG: CBRE GC Talks Effective Compliance Emails

Good corporate governance requires communicating expectations for ethical conduct, but compliance emails need not be overly technical — a relatable story told in simple language with humility and respect can create internal communications that drive home the message, says Laurence Midler at CBRE.

The Hazards Of Female Lawyers Being 'Office Moms'

Female attorneys are frequently credited with being the "office moms" who do critical but undervalued work — from bringing birthday cakes to serving on diversity committees — but as lawyers return to offices, now is a good time for employers to rectify the gender imbalance that disadvantages women, say Ninth Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown and Fine Kaplan partner Roberta Liebenberg.

Discovery Immunity For Draft Expert Reports Lacks Clarity

Court rulings on whether — and when — drafts of expert reports are immune from discovery have been inconsistent, so the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure should be amended to better distinguish between draft and final expert reports, say attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler.

A Phased Approach To In-House Legal Tech Adoption

In-house legal departments that adopt new technologies too quickly often face frustration or failure, so to help ensure a smooth transition, companies should consider a multistep approach, depending on where they stand with respect to modernizing legal processes, says Tariq Hafeez at LegalEase Solutions.

Series

Confronting Origination Credit: How Firms Can Redo Policies

To promote a more diverse and equitable workforce — not to mention better teamwork and higher profits — law firms must tackle common misconceptions about origination credit and design compensation systems that reflect four critical concepts about client relationships, says Blane Prescott at MesaFive.

How To Comply With ABA's New Language Access Guidance

Considering the American Bar Association's recent language access guidance for lawyers working with clients with whom communication is impeded, attorneys should carefully navigate social and cultural differences and take steps to maintain professional obligations, say Hilary Gerzhoy and Deepika Ravi at Harris Wiltshire.

Best Practices For Hiring And Integrating Freelance Lawyers

Law firms and legal departments that hire temporary attorneys for certain projects can make the most of their contract talent by ensuring the right fit at the time of recruitment, setting expectations among in-house team members, and being strategic about work distribution, says Leslie Firtell at Tower Legal Solutions.