Economy-driven corporate cutbacks in holiday celebrations this year could be good news in at least one sense for legal and human resources departments: fewer party-related harassment claims. The gift for ACC’s 25,000 members is a free two-minute phone message on “holiday party ethics” — including an overview of acceptable party behavior — for in-house lawyers and HR executives to share with employees.
Posts on ‘December 29th, 2008’
Discovery: ESI Rules Go Wide
A recently issued opinion sends all attorneys engaged in discovery a message: Advanced knowledge of the data in your control and cooperation with your adversary will get you everywhere. The cooperation, in addition to reflecting best practices, may be mandated by the Federal Rules.
From the Large Firm Suites to the Legal Aid Streets
A small but potentially broader solution to budget cuts plaguing the Legal Aid Society’s criminal defense division in Manhattan has been found in a new, unusual externship program involving private firms’ midlevel litigation associates. In difficult economic times, and when once respectable corporate titans are increasingly seen doing perp walks, participants can see mutual benefits. Recommending the program, Dewey & Leboeuf associate Ilona B. Coleman says her 2007 stint made her a “stronger lawyer.”
Apple to Pick Favored Firms
Apple is paring back the number of outside law firms it uses. Following in the footsteps of other large companies, like Sun Microsystems, Apple general counsel Daniel Cooperman is compiling a list of “preferred providers” — go-to law firms for particular chunks of legal work, like corporate, IP, or labor and employment.