This is the second of two columns lightheartedly assessing technologies, measurement tools, and outside counsel management techniques specifically for the people in legal departments.
A driving reason for our evolution from the American Corporate Counsel Association to the Association of Corporate Counsel was a desire to be more inclusive of our growing membership outside of the United States. This strategic move was designed to benefit all of our members, as more and more companies—regardless of their location—were engaging in cross-border and global operations. And over the past five years, ACC has diversified its resources and services to address these needs.
Our first wave of subpoenas has gone out, with several served on nonparty competitors. And the first response... is a threat to impose sanctions and costs on us? But we have a right to discovery of relevant information! How can we be made to pay for their costs and attorneys' fees? Let me see: Cost-shifting is what they call it -- and we may find ourselves on the wrong side of this issue.
Where should you focus your attention during your first weeks as the new in-house attorney? Pay a house call to your Human Resources and Payroll Departments. Read more. . .
The Movers and Shakers
Provides helpful tips on: measuring outside counsel's performance; taking charge of the inside counsel/outside counsel relationship; strengthening your control over how outside counsel handles your work; improving the quality of outside counsel's work; and reducing the cost of outside counsel. Also provides a list of additional resources for outside counsel relations.
From ACC's 2008 Annual Meeting Benchmarking the Performance of Outside Counsel Session
This article is part two of a series on how to achieve corporate success from the perspective of Michael Shpizner, Vice President and General Counsel of Fujitsu America, Inc. In this article, he focuses on managing relationships through encouragement, accountability, and communication.
A stolen company laptop these days is much more than a nuisance, if customer information resided on the computer. The law in this area is fast-developing, with different schemes evolving in California, other states, and throughout Europe. Learn what advice to give your clients in the case of identity theft, what further actions they should take, and whether there is a difference between the practical business actions and the legally required actions when their databases are breached and customer information is stolen.
News, Notes, & Datebook Information
Tools & Solutions for Doing Your Job Better.