Is your firm still perking? 
Polsinelli Shughart partners recently discussed whether the firm should suspend its three-month sabbatical program for the firm’s partners and its minisabbatical for associates with at least five years at the firm.
“We decided not to,” said Russ Welsh, chairman and chief executive. “It’s part of a culture of the firm. There are a lot of stresses [...]
Cutting overhead can be a painful procedure
The cost represented by people is the largest expense at all law firms, including those with hundreds or even thousands of lawyers and staff, small firms or even solo practices.
There is no question that lawyers and law firms need people. Yet in periods of recession, such as firms face today, one of the first responses [...]
Temp help, permanent fix
Contract attorneys by definition provide a temporary fix. In a changing legal marketplace, they could end up becoming a permanent fixture.
As law firms and corporate legal departments look for ways to cut costs while still meeting the needs of clients, they are relying more on contract attorneys, according to legal staffing agencies, law firm leaders [...]
The right choice
When the American Bar Association Journal asked attorneys to predict the future, 10 percent of the 14,307 lawyers who responded said the economic downturn meant it was time to update their resumes.
The survey results, published this month, indicate attorneys expect the recession to impact the legal community. And with an increase in resumes floating around, [...]
Putting together a diverse staff
Practicing diversity in the legal workplace isn’t just an ethical choice. It also makes sense in an evolving social and business climate, members of prominent Missouri firms say.
“On a big-picture level, law firms and other businesses are creating proactive diversity programs because it’s the right thing to do, and it’s essential for their success in [...]
Tough economy: Where do you cut? When do you hire or outsource?
There’s no shortage of grim economic news in early 2009, much of it impacting the way law firms do business.
The list of firms trimming employees grows daily. Just a sample - on Jan. 15 the American Bar Association Journal reported that Boston’s Foley Hoag would eliminate about 32 associates and other staff.
Kansas City-based Polsinelli Shalton [...]