Commentary

Commentary

Why Must Women Wear High Heels?

Vivia Chen | August 16, 2018

Maybe it's become a talking point among those in the women-empowerment racket, but I have a hard time understanding the notion that expensive, sky-high pumps boost a woman's confidence. Pain is not empowering.

Commentary

Does Your Firm's Strategic Plan Say Little and Accomplish Less?

Blane R. Prescott | August 16, 2018

The most successful firms take the care to make necessary fundamental changes, despite the inherent difficulty. The least successful fail at the planning stage.

Commentary

Law Firms Need Informal Reporting Programs to Quash Sexual Harassment

Gwen Mellor | August 15, 2018

By establishing a neutral reporting resource for inappropriate behavior, firms can help keep women safe and satisfied, benefiting everyone.

Commentary

All Things Trumpian (And Sessions, Too!)

Vivia Chen | August 15, 2018

Despite a good-faith effort to avoid the topic of our commander in chief, I've slipped again.

Commentary

7 Habits of a Client-Focused Lawyer

Jill Weber | August 10, 2018

Simple strategies for building effective, long-term client relationships.

Commentary

Is That Lateral Partner a Sexual Harasser?

Vivia Chen | August 09, 2018

Heavy-handed, "Mad Men"-style harassment still happens in Big Law.

Commentary

From the YL Board: The Real Issues That Prevent Gender Equity in the Law

The Young Lawyer Editorial Board | August 08, 2018

Three myths that continue to hold women back in the legal profession.

Commentary

As California Burns, PG&E Turns to Cravath, Wilson Sonsini and Quinn

Jenna Greene | August 08, 2018

Once again, California is burning—and the potential liability for Pacific Gas & Electric is reaching staggering proportions.

Commentary

Sued for Gender Bias, but Named to the 'Best Law Firms for Women' List

Vivia Chen | August 07, 2018

How did embattled Ogletree Deakins land on a list that touts firms' fair and inclusive cultures for female attorneys?

Commentary

Women Think Sexual Harassment Is a Problem. Men: Not So Much

Vivia Chen | August 05, 2018

A survey by Working Mother magazine and the American Bar Association finds that while men agree harassment exists in the workplace, they don't fully appreciate the magnitude of the problem.

Commentary

A Texas 2L and His 3-D Guns + More Summer Fun!

Vivia Chen | August 02, 2018

Look what you can do while you're in law school: Develop weaponry! Also, Don McGahn apparently is in the dumps. And, the dimwitted need not apply to law school right now.

Commentary

Let's Get Real About Who's Paying for Associate Raises

Vivia Chen | August 01, 2018

Because clients have the power to balk at rate increases stemming from salary hikes, law firms with already thin profit margins will feel the hardest pinch.

Commentary

In Defense of a White, Middle-Aged Male

Vivia Chen | July 26, 2018

Comparing pregnancies to illnesses and questioning the necessity of a 90-day-plus leave were boneheaded moves for the Shook Hardy partner placed on leave over opposing counsel's continuance request, but they shouldn't make him the poster boy for bad male behavior.

Commentary

Where Lawyers Can Make Big Bucks, Y’all

Vivia Chen | July 24, 2018

Speaking as a former Houstonian who couldn't wait to escape the Lone Star State, I've always thought no amount of money could make me stay there. But perhaps I spoke too soon.

Commentary

Why the GC of Molson Coors Is Moving Major Work From Prestigious New York Firms

Lee Reichert | July 24, 2018

The belief that top lawyers are only found in the largest cities is growing increasingly outdated.

Commentary

Rich Man, Poor Man: Michael Cohen and Brett Kavanaugh

Vivia Chen | July 20, 2018

Let's explore the ways lawyers in President Trump's orbit spend lots and owe bigly.

Commentary News

A Present-Tense Solution to Law Firms’ Short-Term Thinking

Roy Strom | July 20, 2018

In the final installment of our "long-term thinking" series, we take a look at a sneaky way for law firms to develop permanent equity for their partners: Spinning off back-offices and giving partners shares in those entities.

Commentary

10 Critical Challenges in Negotiating a Successful Law Firm Merger

Blane R. Prescott | July 19, 2018

There are common, but not commonly understood, problems that keep mergers from benefiting everyone involved.

Commentary

How Good Are Lawyers in Mid-Market Cities?

Michael Williams and Aaron Kotok | July 18, 2018

Lawyers in larger cities don't necessarily keep clients more satisfied, according to the fifth major finding out of AdvanceLaw's GC Thought Leaders Experiment.

Commentary

5 Best Practices for Improving Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion

Grace E. Speights | July 18, 2018

Law firms are still discussing how to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. Here's how to get started.

Commentary

Brett Kavanaugh Is Not a Ladies’ Man

Vivia Chen | July 17, 2018

While the Supreme Court nominee is lauded by women who've had positive interactions with him, his affability does not translate to broader policies on women’s rights.

Commentary

How This Fortune 500 GC Is Strengthening Her Law Firm Panel Relationships

A. Verona Dorch | July 17, 2018

Peabody Energy's chief legal officer gives behind-the-scenes insight into what she learned from creating a roster of panel firms and what she thinks of AdvanceLaw's findings on panels through its GC Thought Leaders Experiment.

Commentary

Law Librarians Ready to Dive Into Tech

Pablo Arredondo | July 13, 2018

This weekend's AALL conference will highlight a growing trend for law librarians—legal informatics and AI.

Commentary

Latham Partner Embroiled in Latest NDA Mess

Vivia Chen | July 13, 2018

The dog days of summer have come early this year. Alas, we can count on the alleged actions of a few men to heat things up a bit more.

Commentary

How to Create a Culture of Profitability at Your Firm

Keith Lipman | July 12, 2018

The solution starts with changing behavior at the partner level.

Commentary

The Business Development Dilemma: Do Firms Get What They Pay For?

Joe Calve | July 11, 2018

Are firms hiring the right talent and creating the right roles to really drive business development?

Commentary

Law Firm Panels, Part II: Are Clients Demotivating Their Law Firms?

Firoz Dattu and Aaron Kotok | July 10, 2018

Clients can expect more if they work to avoid complacency, according to the fourth major finding in AdvanceLaw’s GC Thought Leaders Experiment.

Commentary

About Those Law Firms That 'Nurture' Women

Vivia Chen | July 10, 2018

Sometimes, it seems like ladies working in Big Law are just children in need of nourishment.

Commentary

The Cost to Law Firms of Ignoring Harmful Workplace Behavior

Lauren Stiller Rikleen | July 09, 2018

A new survey shows negative workplace experiences are rampant, and firms suffer by not preventing them.

Commentary

Motherhood Isn't the Culprit for Big Law's Gender Equity Failures

Vivia Chen | July 05, 2018

Women lawyers shouldn’t be viewed as moms first when it comes to the workplace.

Commentary

Forecast for Jones Day: Sun Could Shine on Its Black Box

Vivia Chen | July 02, 2018

The law firm's bid to seal the gender pay discrimination lawsuit it's defending is bodacious, but experts said the odds are against it.

Commentary

Jones Day Is So Secretive About Why It's So Secretive

Vivia Chen | June 29, 2018

Is the law firm saying that its black box compensation scheme is so sacrosanct and special that if details spilled out, it would lose its secret sauce forever?

Commentary

Ladies, Why Do You Put Up With the Black Box?

Vivia Chen | June 27, 2018

I know, some of you want me to buzz off. You say that you're fine and, indeed, happier at a law firm where no one talks about money.

Commentary

A Better Way to Pitch for Business

Alexander Geisler | June 26, 2018

What truly stands out in today's competitive market? Hint: It's not about legal bona fides or your resume.

Commentary

How Does Dentons Keep It All Together? In Part, This Company

Roy Strom | June 21, 2018

HighQ, a privately owned software company, is helping the global legal giant and other law firms streamline their operations.

Commentary

Reed Smith Is Ballsy. Plus: Ex-Big Law Associate Is Candidate for ‘Her Wickedness’

Vivia Chen | June 20, 2018

You have to hand it to the firm for openly admitting that it won't be joining the Big Law flock in upping associate salary. Also, UVA law grad makes Trump proud.

Commentary

Why This GC of a $25B Company Has Migrated Work Away From the Largest, Most Elite Firms

Bill Deckelman | June 19, 2018

DXC Technology general counsel Bill Deckelman reacts to the GC Thought Leaders Experiment findings on performance of the largest, most pedigreed firms and what he has found from moving work away from those firms.

Commentary

Prospering in the 'New Normal'

J. Mark Santiago | June 15, 2018

Raising Costs and Declining Demand are Sapping Profits

The “New Normal” of today is one in which raising operating costs, associate salary increases, and reduced realization rates coupled with AFAs and demands from corporate counsel for reduced rates are sapping firm profits and there is no relief on the horizon. Law firm leaders, seeing current conditions, should be asking if there is a better way.

Commentary

The Keys to Putting Together a Decent Proposal

Kevin L. Sullivan and Maxine Wilson | June 14, 2018

When responding to a request for proposal, ask yourself some tough questions before taking action.

Commentary

Yes, White Men Can Apply Too

Vivia Chen | June 13, 2018

Boston-based Brown Rudnick just debuted a diversity fellowship open to all 1Ls who are the first in their family to go to college.

Commentary

Law and Lemmings: Associate Salary Increases Are a Mass Act of Self-Harm

Hugh A. Simons | June 12, 2018

By matching Milbank’s pay raise, firms in the middle of the Am Law 200 are paving a path to ruin.

Commentary

This Firm Has Gender, Diversity Problems. But It Isn't Hiding Them.

Vivia Chen | June 08, 2018

Dickinson Wright says it's determined to make progress following a report by the University of Michigan that shed light on its numbers.

Commentary

This is an Awesome Time to be a Big Law Associate—Not!

Vivia Chen | June 05, 2018

Too much upbeat news makes The Careerist skittish. And there's plenty out there right now for young lawyers.

Commentary

We Need an Open Dialogue on Mental Health in the Law

The Young Lawyer Editorial Board | June 01, 2018

The numbers are striking, and the concern is real. The legal industry needs to address lawyers' mental well-being.

Commentary

If We Want Gender Equity, It's Time for Quotas

Vivia Chen | May 31, 2018

Clients don't seem eager to help break the chain. More forceful measures are needed.

Commentary

What Clients Really Want From Outside Counsel

Lean Adviser Legal | May 31, 2018

It doesn't take a magic formula or a lengthy pitch to impress clients, just master these five fundamentals.

Commentary

The Tiger Cubs Today; White Man Repents + More!

Vivia Chen | May 23, 2018

Remember poor Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld, daughter of Yale Law School professors Amy Chua (aka Tiger Mom, as if you needed reminding) and Jed Rubenfeld (a person in his own right)? Here's the official postscript: She just graduated from Yale Law School!

Commentary

What Women Can Learn From Michael Cohen

Vivia Chen | May 17, 2018

Unlike the president's lawyer, most of you have actual expertise, so stop underestimating yourself!

Commentary

Trending Now: Crappy Law Schools and Crappy Lawyers

Vivia Chen | May 15, 2018

Not to be alarmist, but some recent developments portend that the profession is going to hell.

Commentary

Shock. Shock. The Mommy Track Is a Dead End!

Vivia Chen | May 08, 2018

Why do we perpetuate the myth that it's viable to avail yourself of every family-friendly offering and never lose your place in the race?