Posts on ‘March 5th, 2009’

In these tough economic times, employers are looking for alternatives to layoffs that will allow them to retain staff, particularly top talent and employees with institutional knowledge. Most employers seeking to reduce labor costs without layoffs are considering two alternatives: mandatory furloughs and reduced work hours. When done correctly, these can result in cost savings. Attorneys Eric Bellafronto and Blaire Cleveland review some important legal considerations to keep in mind.

Of the top 10 Am Law 100 firms that have laid off the highest percentage of their associates and counsel, the dubious first prize goes to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. In terms of absolute numbers, the “winner” is Latham & Watkins. But what’s surprising about the data is that California and Midwest firms dominated the list. Could they be more business-minded — perhaps more ruthless — than Wall Street firms? One consultant warns, “The big boys haven’t weighed in yet. Ultimately, you will see layoffs.”

A host of free Web applications are surprisingly effective in helping lawyers and marketing staff stay on top of their game. The trick is knowing which tools out there are worth your time and effort. Here are the apps that made consultant Nicholas Gaffney’s top 24 list.

Now that you have had several weeks to reflect on the past year, it is time to select the Big Law Word of the Year for 2008. The Snark likes the idea of capturing a year’s worth of events and emotions in a single word, and so he’s asking for e-mail votes. To get things started, The Snark has some suggestions, including the word that gets his vote: “pooh-pooh” or “poo-pooed,” as in: “Big Law management pooh-poohed the holiday party this year … and raises … and bonuses … and many employees … .”

Documents released as part of a Senate hearing looking into offshore tax havens on Wednesday show that Baker & McKenzie provided legal advice to embattled Swiss banking giant UBS on how to retain American clients who didn’t want their overseas assets disclosed to the IRS. But the documentation also appears to show that UBS didn’t listen to its lawyers.

Wednesday’s decisive Supreme Court ruling against Wyeth in a landmark pharmaceutical product liability case may also close off a major front in a hard-fought battle by businesses and the Bush administration to insulate national corporations from state tort litigation. The Court ruled that the federal drug labeling law did not pre-empt Vermont musician Diana Levine’s state court claim that Wyeth had failed to adequately warn that the method used to give her an anti-nausea drug could lead to gangrene.

Law firms are increasingly questioning the practice of spending tens of thousands of dollars responding to corporate requests for proposals, or invitations to compete for legal work, given that companies reject most bids, according to legal consulting firm Altman Weil. Its recent report pegged the outlay at $35,000 to $65,000, or between 100 to 200 partner hours. “There are many things that may be more productive for that time and those resources,” says Altman Weil GC Pamela Woldow.

General Motors is fighting to prove its viability to the federal government or risk losing a $13.4 billion loan. That predicament has GM executives pushing union leaders for concessions on retiree health care benefits. The union is bracing for the worst, fearing for their already negotiated lifetime health benefits. WolfBlock partner Jim Redeker discusses the crisis facing GM and its union workers, and the legal pitfalls of modifying a union contract and trimming health care for retirees.