http://www.law.com/jsp/law/sfb/index.jsp Receive critical information - from practice management to product information -- for running a successful small firm. en-us 07 Feb 2012 02:53:23 -0500 Copyright 2012. ALM Media Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. http://www.law.com/jsp/law/terms.jsp http://www.law.com/img/newswire/sfb_rss.gif http://www.law.com/jsp/law/sfb/index.jsp To deal effectively with questions from the bench, a lawyer must appreciate the queries for what they are, anticipate what questions may be asked and prepare truthful responses that advance the client's position. Texas Judge Jim Moseley breaks down the process. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202513470990&rss=SFB The Florida Supreme Court has suspended a solo's law license for a year for improperly soliciting clients in a proposed class action. The decision exceeded the 90-day suspension recommended by a referee. The high court explained the stiffer punishment was due to a pattern of misconduct. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202513280398&rss=SFB Law graduates are increasingly going solo or opening small practices amid one of the worst job markets in generations. In the biggest one-year jump since 1982, the number of recent law graduates going solo rose from 3.5 percent in 2008 to 5.5 percent in 2009, according to the National Association for Law Placement. That figure increased to 5.7 percent for the class of 2010. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512905743&rss=SFB In 2009, Gaytri Kachroo resigned as chair of McCarter & English's international practice due to conflicts related to cases she was pursuing on her own into Bernard Madoff's $20 billion Ponzi scheme. She can now be seen in the film "Chasing Madoff," along with others who gathered evidence on the Madoff enterprise and pushed for regulatory changes. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512623406&rss=SFB Mark Fickes, who spent the past seven years prosecuting some of the nation's highest-profile securities enforcement actions, has left the SEC for startup trial boutique BraunHagey. "Going to a shop where other people are real trial lawyers was a huge attraction," he said. "At a large law firm working in a securities group I'd be writing motions to dismiss on cases for the next five to 10 years." http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512477873&rss=SFB Evan L. Kaine has somewhat unexpectedly become a go-to lawyer for people bitten by dogs. With two recent wins totaling $760,000, the Atlanta solo should be basking in the glow of victory. But because many dog owners are renters without insurance, the prospects of recovery can be dim. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512487916&rss=SFB Many lawyers are introverts, more comfortable at their desks than at a networking reception filled with strangers and awkward moments. While such lawyers may be drawn to using LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to make professional connections, Adrian Dayton suggests they consider something else -- "beer-worthiness." http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512351265&rss=SFB Fox Rothschild's latest acquisition has all the buzzwords of the current lateral market: Los Angeles, intellectual property and China. The acquisition of three-attorney IP boutique Chan Law Group also continues a Fox Rothschild pattern of acquiring a slew of boutiques since 2005. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512184384&rss=SFB Stryker, Tams & Dill closed its doors Aug. 1. From a high of 47 lawyers in 1985, the New Jersey firm's headcount dropped to 15 in 2010. By this spring, there were only nine lawyers left -- all prime targets for headhunters. The end was hastened by the expansion into New Jersey of out-of-state firms that aggressively courted local talent. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202512189280&rss=SFB Within a week of being convicted of vehicular homicide after her young son was hit by a drunk driver, Raquel Nelson had a new lawyer: nationally known criminal defense attorney Steven H. Sadow, who said he "put out feelers" making it known he was willing to take the case pro bono because he believes it was a wrongful prosecution. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202511912838&rss=SFB