In March, The American Lawyer ran a cover story about a prestigious national law firm that found itself mired in legal and ethical problems even as it enjoyed unparalleled growth and economic success. The article asks: Are the firm’s great strengths — enterprise, speed and daring — also its great flaw?
Similar articles have been written many times before, but were of less interest to lawyers because the firm in question was usually an accounting firm. It’s hard to find a major accounting firm that hasn’t experienced explosive growth and outstanding financial performance coupled with scandal. Indeed, defending accounting firms against criminal and quasi-criminal charges and investigations has become a growth industry for law firms.
