Sports & Betting

Expert Analysis

• Crisis Messaging To Protect Law Firm Brand And Bottom Line

  

  When crises occur, such as data security incidents or gender bias suits, a well-prepared law firm has a thoroughly tested communications plan at the ready, which ensures the firm is the most proactive news source, prevents the crisis from escalating and notifies stakeholders about mitigation efforts, says Zach Olsen at Infinite Global.

• Perspectives

  What You Should Know About Courtroom Closures

  

  At attorney Greg Craig’s trial in D.C. federal court this week, the courtroom was cleared so prospective jurors could answer sensitive questions. Even seasoned litigators were left wondering about the nature of this subtle, yet significant, issue involving Sixth Amendment public trial rights, says Luke Cass at Quarles & Brady.

• Series

  Why I Became A Lawyer: A Seaweed Scientist's Odyssey

  

  In the early 1980s, I was working on my Ph.D. in marine biology and ecology. As part of an international team of scientists studying oil spill impacts on marine ecosystems, I saw a niche opportunity to combine science and law, says Andrew Davis of Shipman & Goodwin.

• How To Counter Jury Reliance On Plaintiff's Damages Ask

  

  Years of interviewing jurors and observing deliberation show that the amount juries award in damages is almost always influenced by the amount of the plaintiff's demand, but there are three ways defense counsel can combat this anchoring effect, says Christina Marinakis at Litigation Insights.

• 5th Amendment Strategy For Parallel Civil, Criminal Litigation

  

  Whenever there is any prospect of criminal liability in civil litigation — as in the recent cases against Harvey Weinstein and former Theranos executives — it is important for both sides to understand the consequences of a party or key witness choosing to assert Fifth Amendment privilege, says Joshua Robbins at Greenberg Gross.

• Opinion

  Clients Benefit From Law Firm Expense Growth

  

  Although there continue to be corporate clients who are seduced by the idea that cheapest is always best when it comes to outside counsel, there are many negative implications on service delivery that result from myopically focusing only on cost reduction at the expense of quality and innovation, says Keith Maziarek at Katten Muchin.

• Opinion

  Changing Ethics Rules Is Key To Law Firm Innovation

  

  As demonstrated by the California bar proposal to allow nonlawyers to invest in law firms, we can change the legal ethics rules in a way that protects clients while permitting firms to innovate and serve clients better, say Todd Richheimer of ​​​​​​​Lawfty and Peter Joy of Washington University Law School.

• Series

  Judging A Book: Castillo Reviews 'Raising The Bar'

  

  A timely new book, “Raising the Bar: Diversifying Big Law," is one of the first honest assessments of the challenging battleground for people of color at large law firms, and I hope that firm management committee members read it, says U.S. District Judge Rubén Castillo of the Northern District of Illinois.

• Debunking 3 Myths About Contract Attorneys

  

  Although contract attorneys represent a quality source of legal work, inaccurate assumptions cause many legal departments and law firms to hesitate when considering them, say Matthew Weaver and Shannon Murphy of Major Lindsey.

• Opinion

  #MeToo Defendant Bankruptcies Can Delay, Not Deny, Justice

  

  Institutional defendants facing sexual abuse claims are increasingly using bankruptcy filings to freeze litigation, and those representing survivors need to be aware of the different rules, deadlines and discovery procedures in the new venue to ensure their clients' claims are not lost, says Michelle Tuegel of Seeger Weiss.

• Compliance Imperatives For Defensible Data Disposal

  

  Companies in a host of industries have recently faced steep compliance fines for data breaches from domestic and international regulators. Defensible disposal of corporate data presents an excellent opportunity to mitigate the impact of these data-driven risks, says Julia Brickell of H5.

• Key Defense Strategies For Sports Head Trauma Lawsuits

  

  Athletes who claim sports caused brain trauma are increasingly suing teams, leagues, schools and equipment manufacturers — sometimes years after leaving the playing field. And plaintiffs’ lawsuits are making it past dispositive motions, requiring defendants to mount creative defenses against these claims, say Jason Meyer and Robert Olson of Gordon Rees.

• A Litigator’s Reflections From The Arbitrator’s Chair

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court's opinions this term in Henry Schein and Lamps Plus remind us of the fundamental difference between arbitration and litigation. Yet, as a commercial litigator who serves as a neutral arbitrator, I have observed that experienced litigators often fail to adapt their approach in arbitration, says Paula Litt at Honigman.

• The Latest Fed. Circ. Move On Patent Eligibility

  

  The Federal Circuit had never conclusively stated that a presumption of validity applies to a patent challenged on Section 101 grounds until its recent Cellspin v. Fitbit decision, which invokes and responds to two earlier decisions, Berkheimer and Aatrix, says Anthony Fuga of Holland & Knight.

• 5 Hard Phrases Lawyers Should Master

  

  While Kelly Corrigan's popular book, "Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say," focuses on simple words or phrases that individuals can use to improve their personal lives, attorneys can utilize Corrigan's advice for professional benefit, says Karen Ross of Tucker Ellis.