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May 12, 2006

China, California, and "Foreign" Influences In Both.

See the post, China's Foreign Law Firms Under Seige?, by Dan Harris at China Law Blog. It's about a Chinese government memorandum discussing a crackdown on "foreign" lawyers engaging in a range of "illegal" practices in China, including what amounts to unauthorized practice of law. As Dan notes, this may be part of a greater movement by Chinese authorities to combat foreign influences. This is unfortunate, as Westerners try to mix in the new Chinese markets. However, I agree with Dan that it's not all that remarkable. China is no more insular, territorial and medieval toward "foreign" business lawyers than the 50 states are toward China lawyers. Moreover, several American states in particular are arguably more backward and restrictive than China. For example, California, one of four jurisdictions where I am licensed, is supposedly a progressive state with a huge and vibrant economy. But it still has a non-reciprocity bar admission policy with respect to licensing out-of-state lawyers--as if it refuses to recognize that business is done across both state and international borders. Massachusetts' Alan Dershowitz would have to take the 2-day "lawyers" California bar exam--a world-class waste of time and money--along side hundreds of 25-year-olds named Justin, Brandon and Brittany to argue more than one appellate case a year here. So would Florida's Roy Black and New York's David Boies in the trial courts. So China and California (and other non-reciprocity states) are about even on the anti-business and general madness meters.

Posted by JD Hull at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)

May 11, 2006

Law "Subs": Have Law Boutiques Come of Age?

"So we'll trade you your immigration people for our patent guys--they were getting on everyone's nerves anyway."

Larry Bodine and Carolyn Elefant, leaders in new thoughts and in news of new developments, have attracted attention by highlighting the New Jersey ethics decision allowing law firms to purchase other law firms as wholly-owned subs. The New Jersey Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics and Committee on Attorney Advertising have issued Joint Opinion 704/37. So my firm can buy your firm as an investment--and sell you later if you don't work out. The advisory opinion was apparently prompted by a request concerning a law firm which sought ownership of another law firm in a speciality area--or a boutique. Lots of issues raised here, as Larry and Carolyn each note. And then there's this article by Mary Gallagher of The New Jersey Law Journal with an arresting quote from James Jones of Hildebrant International's DC office. Jones said that for large sophisticated clients, "[t]he idea of clients hiring one large firm to do everything is a thing of the past". We wait to see if other states will take positions. While we don't know who made the New Jersey request and why, this development will lead some to speculate that non-BigLaw boutiques over the past 15 years or so have shown themselves worthy of purchase in the marketplace. Premature, I know. But if that's right, will boutiques and solos even want that?

Posted by JD Hull at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)

May 09, 2006

Delia Venables' UK and Irish Sites.

Delia Venables, a consultant in the county of East Sussex, in the southeastern corner of England, is my new friend. From across the big pond comes Delia's great sites and "Delia Central" is Legal Resources in the UK and Ireland. Do see our favorite Blogs, News Feeds, Podcasts, Video Blogs and Wikis with UK and Irish Content. Delia also offers an Internet Newsletter for Lawyers. These are are comprehensive and interesting resources for the legal on-line coummunity in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Yanks, of course, are always welcome and encouraged to point, click and join in. Most Brits still like most of us most of the time. And the UK and Irish legal systems still bear amazing similarities to our own. Also, Delia is starting to link to and discuss in detail some U.S. blawgs.

Posted by JD Hull at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)

May 08, 2006

Rob Millard on "Bad" Clients.

Some time ago we wrote about bad clients. Our brief post was about choosing the right clients and our conclusion was that no client at all is better than the wrong one, especially during a downturn in business. Note also Rule 1 - Represent Only Clients You "Like". However, Edge International consultant Rob Millard, over at his The Adventure of Strategy blog, has just published on the subject of a different kind of "bad": the effect of detractors and non-promoters of your business on your business. A Principal with Edge in South Africa, Rob has written an insightful, well-researched and must-reading piece on the drain of these problem clients entitled What Do "Bad" Clients Cost Your Firm?

Posted by JD Hull at 05:21 PM | Comments (0)

Blawg Review #56 - Point of Law

It's an understatement to note that the people behind Point of Law, which crafted this week's Blawg Review, are part of a talented bund of lawyers, thinkers and commentators on the U.S. litigation system. Blawg Review #56 is here. Jointly published by the Manhattan Institute and AEI, Point of Law includes writers like Peter Huber, who has helped make the law and courtrooms more science-savvy, and Philip Howard, author of The Death of Common Sense, who works at a Washington, D.C. law firm I labored at one summer long ago. Put these people on your blog roll.

Posted by JD Hull at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)