Government Contracts

Cloud Computing Clearly The Future For Small Firms

While in-house technology investments on the scale and complexity needed to compete with large firms remain cost prohibitive for small and midsize law firms, cloud-based services offer significant cost savings and productivity gains with little to no capital investment, says Holly Urban of Effortless Legal LLC.

Leveraging Today's Lateral Associate Market

With the Milbank/Cravath pay scale once again equalizing compensation at many Am Law 100 firms, there is even more pressure for firms to differentiate themselves to top lateral associate candidates. This presents strategic considerations for both law firms and lateral candidates throughout the recruitment process, says Darin Morgan of Major Lindsey & Africa.

Q&A

Back To School: Stanford's Jeff Fisher Talks Supreme Court

In this series featuring law school luminaries, Stanford Law School professor Jeffrey Fisher discusses his motivation for teaching, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court and what the court might look like if Judge Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed.

Aviation Watch: Why The F-35 Has Struggled To Take Flight

Seventeen years after the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin the contract for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and 12 years after the first production aircraft flew in 2006, all versions of the plane remain far from combat-ready, or even fully operational. Recent concerns about cybersecurity have added to the project's woes, says Alan Hoffman, a retired attorney and private pilot.

Fed. Circ. Case Steers Agencies Toward Commercial Vendors

The Federal Circuit's decision last week in Palantir v. U.S. breathed new life into the government’s obligations to prioritize the acquisition of commercial and nondevelopmental solutions. It may prove to be one of the most significant procurement precedents of the decade, say attorneys with Arnold & Porter.

How A Hurricane Affects Gov't Contractors

During and immediately after a catastrophic event such as Hurricane Florence, government contractors must prioritize protection of lives and property. But the work of promptly identifying and documenting the hurricane’s effects on contract schedules and costs must not be forgotten or ignored, say attorneys with Thompson Hine LLP.

Calif.'s New Rules For Lawyers Move Closer To ABA Model

The first comprehensive overhaul of California's Rules of Professional Conduct in nearly 30 years becomes operational on Nov. 1. Some of the new rules mirror the model language used by the American Bar Association, but many continue to reflect California’s unique approach to certain ethical questions, says Mark Loeterman of Signature Resolution LLC.

Know The Limits To Atty Public Statements During A Trial

The balancing act between protecting attorneys’ speech rights and ensuring unbiased adjudications was highlighted recently in two cases — when Michael Cohen applied for a restraining order against Stephanie Clifford's attorney, and when Johnson & Johnson questioned whether a Missouri talc verdict was tainted by public statements from the plaintiffs' counsel, says Matthew Giardina of Manning Gross & Massenburg LLP.

In Calif., Questions Remain On Law Firm Conflict Waivers

In Sheppard Mullin v. J-M Manufacturing Co., the California Supreme Court ruled last month that a law firm's failure to disclose a known conflict with another current client did not categorically disentitle the firm from recovering fees. But the court didn’t provide hoped-for guidance on how to write an enforceable advance conflict waiver, says Richard Rosensweig of Goulston & Storrs PC.

Q&A

A Chat With Faegre Client Development Chief Melanie Green

In this monthly series, Amanda Brady of Major Lindsey & Africa interviews management from top law firms about the increasingly competitive business environment. Here we feature Melanie Green, chief client development officer at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP.