Posts on ‘January 14th, 2009’

The phone is ringing off the hook in the office of Stuart Nichols, general counsel at tiny MIPS Technologies. Who’s on the line? A lot of “old friends” at law firms who suddenly aren’t so busy, just calling to see if he wants to go to lunch and “catch up.” “When times are good, they’ve got their book of business — now they’re really desperate for a job that would just involve a few hours,” said Nichols. So, are general counsel actually swayed to hand over legal work because of a free lunch?

Who would have expected the world economy to take such a precipitous plunge? Attorney Ross Kodner issues tips for law practices to batten down the hatches, tighten belts and learn to better exploit their existing infrastructure before rushing to upgrade and buy new technology.

Merger and practice group acquisition announcements have been coming fast and furious from small and midsize law firms since the year began. It’s not unusual for firms to wait until a new year to merge operations, but the recent economic tumble is adding a new dynamic, legal experts say. Namely, the opportunities for cost savings and to pick up practice areas that flourish during bad economic times, as well as the greater availability of legal talent, may be prompting more firms to consider their options.

Do you ever hear yourself saying there are never enough hours in the day? Do you ever complain you don’t have time to go out and build your book of business? Do you want 2009 to be the year you attract a huge number of new clients? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then make sure you put aside 15 minutes each day. That’s all the time you need to boost your productivity and your network, according to productivity expert Neen James. She outlines three strategies for getting fast results.

This year, corporate leaders will have their work cut out for them. The tough economy will force them to work smarter, even with tightened belts and half-empty wallets. With this in mind, gingerly approached in-house legal advisers for their 2009 personal and professional resolutions. Many plan to update technology and systematize business practices. Others hope that more rewarding leisure activities will ease work’s stresses.

Jonathan Lippman, the seasoned administrative judge who has been presiding justice of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, 1st Department since 2007, was tapped Tuesday by Gov. David A. Paterson to become the state’s next chief judge, said several sources. The governor plans to formally introduce Lippman as his choice at a news conference today. Lippman would succeed Judith S. Kaye, who stepped down last month due to mandatory retirement rules.