White Papers
- Social Media Policy ** NEW **
by Jaffe PRBy now, almost all of the AmLaw 200 law firms have adopted social media policies to guide how their lawyers and staff conduct themselves and represent the firm in various online forums, including blogs, listservs, LinkedIn and even Facebook. Yet, according to audience polling at The 2012 MPF Spring Conference, fewer than half of mid-size firms have such policies in place. Even fewer mid-size firms provide training to their lawyers and staff. This article by Jaffe PR will help you develop your firm’s own policies and procedures are rapidly changing area.
- 2011 Chief Legal Officer Survey
by Altman WeilThere's good news according to this 12th annual survey of general counsel. The survey reports that corporate legal departments just might be starting to ease up on cost cutting, with 56% reporting an increase in their budgets for outside counsel in 2012. Even so, "controlling costs" remains the #1 priority for GCs this year. Interestingly, AFAs (alternative fee arrangements) account for just 14% of total fees for outside counsel. On the flip side, managing partners of mid-size firm report that less than 10% of their firms' revenues are derived through AFAs.
- 2010 Corporate Counsel New Media Engagement Survey
by Greentarget, ALM Legal Intelligence and Zeughauser GroupThe new social media - blogging, LinkedIn, Twitter and even Facebook - are revolutionizing the way lawyers and law firms are marketing themselves, and communicating with clients and other important target audiences. This recently published White Paper presents the findings of the first in-depth survey exploring how corporate counsel use various social media. According to the report, it's a rapidly growing area projected to become increasingly influential. It's all about "credentialing"; it's generational; and LinkedIn and blogs are leading the way.
- The Attorney Hiring Zone:
Top Activities to Win New Clients
by BTI Consulting Group for Hellerman Baretz CommunicationsThis 14-page White Paper, released in November 2009, studies the hiring methodologies of in-house counsel at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies. The research concludes that peer referral is the most powerful way for a lawyer (or firm) to catapult into the "hiring zone," and that superior client service drives peer referrals. A scheduled in-person meeting is #2 on the list. It takes seven attempts to get that meeting, and most lawyers give up after the first try.
- Fulbright's 6th Annual Litigation Trends Survey Report
by Fulbright & Jaworski, LLPGood news for litigators! This year's trends survey, conducted by Fulbright & Jaworski, reports that litigation is up in most every area of law due in large part to the sour global economy. Contracts, bankruptcy, employment and personal injury lead the way. Electronic discovery is another hot, rapidly growing area of law. The 64-page survey report, which includes over 400 US and UK respondents, also cites an increase in the use of alternative fee arrangements for litigation matters.
- LexisNexis
State of the Legal Industry Survey Report
by LexisNexisThis 48-page report reveals deep divisions in how law firm leaders and in-house counsel perceive the future of the legal profession. Most corporate counsel insist that there will be fundamental changes in the way law firms operate, and that they have changed far too little in the wake of the economic downturn. Many law firm leaders disagree. On top of that, 65% of law students feel unprepared to enter the profession. 300 firm leaders, 150 in-house counsel and 100 law students participated in the survey which was conducted in late 2009.
- How Corporations Identify, Evaluate and Select Outside Counsel
by LexisNexis Martindale-HubbellIt's all here in this groundbreaking white paper published by LexisNexis. The research presented concludes that clients hire lawyers, not law firms. And they hire based on the lawyer's expertise and reputation. Once hired, it's great service that keeps clients happy and coming back.