North Carolina Lawyers Weekly

By Dylan Castellino State courts are the workhorses of our judicial system, and a recent special legislative session highlights the significance of reform in North Carolina. Studies show about 95 percent of all cases nationwide are initiated in state courts, ...

Tagged with: judicial appointment

Twenty-five years ago, law practice looked very different from today. Consider the accoutrements that a lawyer in 1986 did not have: • A laptop computer • A tablet computer such as an iPad • A cell phone • The Internet • Online research (although the firm might have a new Westlaw or Lexis terminal in the firm library) . • Email. What the 1986 lawyer did to work with clients and solve legal problems wasn't too different from what the 2011 lawyer does today. It just requires different tools.

Tagged with: Technology

One of the most eagerly anticipated provisions of the Affordable Care Act is the Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) program, Section 3022 of the Act, which is now known as the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released long-awaited proposed rules surrounding ACOs on March 31. The proposed rules were published in the Federal Register on April 7, and CMS is accepting comments on them until June 6. The program will be effective on Jan. 1, 2012.

Tagged with: Medicare

In "Only the Strong Survive," a song of my youth, Jerry Butler (aka the Iceman), sings about the importance of being strong in a budding love relationship. The sentiment by the Iceman may be right about love. But the title, taken from what many believe Charles Darwin, author of "The Origin of the Species," surmised, is wrong.

Tagged with: Commentary

By MARK J. BENNETT, Dolan Media Newswires [email protected]  The growth of renewable energy in the U.S. has been subject to inconsistent public policy at both the federal and state levels. This lack of predictability creates difficulty for investors looking for ...

Tagged with: commercial real estate

By ED POLL, Special to Lawyers Weekly [email protected] Given that Model Rule 5.4 prohibits firms from selling equity shares in law firms to non-lawyers by stating that a lawyer shall not share legal fees with a non-lawyer, the answer to ...

Tagged with: ed poll

A friend of mine from my Public Defender days who still works at the PD's office recently emailed me and asked to write an article about iPad apps for lawyers. I was happy to oblige - especially since I regularly write about topics like this at my blog, the Legal iPad (www.legal-ipad.com). First off, before you purchase any apps, spend some time with your iPad, think about your workflow and decide whether you plan to create content, consume content or both. This decision will necessarily affect which apps you choose to purchase.

Tagged with: Technology

I received a call from a lawyer wanting to know what percentage of his gross revenue should be allocated to rent and whether his percentage was in line with other law firms. I cited one study that put the average at 9 percent, but his comeback was that another consultant said the average was 12 percent. Such generic numbers totally miss the point on two levels. First, they allow lawyers to think that they need not try to do better than the average. And second, they obscure the point that the cost of office space is a statement about the law firm itself, raising issues that should be addressed in a strategic plan.

Tagged with: Business of Law Coach's Corner Practice Management

Every law firm is, or should be, a team, with lawyers, staff and support personnel committed to a team effort for providing the best possible service and work product for the benefit of clients. Involving everyone in the office so that they feel a sense of inclusiveness, understanding their roles and looking forward to exercising them, creates a better and more successful firm. At too many law firms, unfortunately, this does not exist.

Tagged with: Business of Law Coach's Corner law firms Practice Management

I am generally an early adopter of technology, and, admittedly, a bit of a gadget snob. I can't believe this little gem escaped my radar for almost two years. I've just purchased my first Livescribe Pulse Digital Smartpen. As a compulsive note-taker, this pen changed my life (sounds ridiculous, I know) and it will change the way you practice law. Professional note-takers like lawyers and paralegals know that organizing notes can be an insurmountable task. Not anymore.

Tagged with: Practice Management Technology