With 2003 nearing conclusion, venerable law firm consultant Robert Denney has released his 15th annual year-end report, “What’s Hot and What’s Not in the Legal Profession.” The report cites bankruptcy, litigation and mutual fund investigations as the three red-hot practice areas, while associate attrition and compensation are down, summer associate programs have been reduced in size, profits per equity partner have increased and the trend toward multitier partnerships continues to grow.
Denney, of Wayne, Pa.-based Robert Denney & Associates, said that bankruptcy was “still as hot as the Sahara in July” and that litigation concerning securities, construction, intellectual property and products liability is especially busy. Denney said that products liability filings had more than doubled in the last four years, with leading claims being asbestos, pharmaceuticals and health care.
