Business piracy, e.g., the unauthorized use of intellectual property, is a problem that causes major losses for businesses each year. As technological complexity increases, and industry becomes more and more competitive, the temptation for the unscrupulous to gain a competitive edge also increases. (more…)
Filed under: Business, Civil Litigation, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, Legal Topics | Tagged: confidentiality, piracy, trade secret | 2 Comments »
As part of CEB’s commitment to bringing together California’s legal community, our blog will post a short interview with one of your fellow attorneys.
This week, we profile Matthew J. Geyer:
CEB: What are your practice areas and how/why did you choose or start in your practice area?
Matt: 80% of my practice now is arbitration and mediation, in commercial and other civil disputes, in a wide range of industries. So, breach of contract and business torts, fraud and nondisclosure claims, partnership and joint venture disputes, real estate sales and leasing contracts and related disputes, and professional malpractice involving accountants, engineers, attorneys, financial consultants.
CEB: What do you like best and least about practicing law?
Matt: The best thing about advocacy work is that I get to think and write for a living. The worst thing about it is counting your life in tenths of an hour. The best thing about being an arbitrator is everyone laughs at all your jokes; the worst thing is that it’s lonely work (when it’s not a panel case), at least once the case is submitted. The best thing about being a mediator is that it’s not lonely work—you get around a table and work with people through legal issues, calculations of risk, etc. The worst thing about it is nobody has to laugh at your jokes. (more…)
Filed under: Business, Civil Litigation, Legal Topics, Tort Law | Tagged: arbitration, civil litigation, mediation | Leave a Comment »
The following is from guest blogger Helen Leah Conroy, an Internet and commercial transaction lawyer who since 2001 has built a successful small firm practice.
It turns out that law school doesn’t teach you everything you need to know about how to make a law practice successful. Here are ten important — but sometimes overlooked — things you should do:
Filed under: Practice of Law | Tagged: law practice, small firm practice, solo law practice | Leave a Comment »
A client comes to you and wants to evict his or her tenant. Before you start drawing up the unlawful detainer complaint, you need to understand why your client wants to evict — is it a financial decision or an emotional one? Does it make sense financially? Is it because your client wants to live in the property? (more…)
Filed under: Civil Litigation, Landlord/Tenant Law, Legal Topics, Real Property | Tagged: eviction, landlords, tenants, unlawful detainer | 1 Comment »
Persuasive sentences make for a persuasive brief. The following six tips will allow your readers to easily sail through your briefs as you persuade them along the way. (more…)
Filed under: Civil Litigation, Legal Writing, Litigation Strategy | Tagged: legal briefs, persuasive writing | Leave a Comment »
As if the job application and interview process weren’t intense enough, some employers want to get into the applicant’s psyche to make sure he or she has the right psychological makeup for the job. (more…)
Filed under: Business, Employment Law, Practice of Law | Tagged: behavioral interview, job applicant, law firm, psychological testing | 2 Comments »
Office romance is an inevitability, and sometimes a headache for employers. Prohibiting office relationships is virtually impossible, but the right policy and “love contract” can protect at least the employer, even if it can’t protect its employees from broken hearts. (more…)
Filed under: Employment Law, Legal Topics | Tagged: dating, employer dating policy, sexual harassment, workplace romance | 1 Comment »
There are many reasons why a defendant in California might want to remove the case against them to federal court. But, as the Cal Biz Lit blog explains, the 30-day time limit for removal creates a “chronic problem” — does the time run from service on the first defendant or the last defendant? (more…)
Filed under: Civil Litigation, Legal Topics, New Legal Developments | Tagged: federal court, removal, removal procedure, timing | Leave a Comment »
Whether it happens informally on the telephone or in a more formal face-to-face meeting, the beginning of a negotiation can be critical to its success. First words and impressions are lasting; if you get off to the wrong start, it can erode trust, dampen optimism about the outlook for settlement, and increase the probability of deadlock. (more…)
Filed under: Civil Litigation, Legal Topics, Litigation Strategy, Practice of Law, Settlement Negotiation | Tagged: alternative dispute resolution, negotiation, opening, settlement | 2 Comments »
For those who think that Wikileaks or other famous whistleblowing incidents will lead to mass whistleblowing, consider the costs of whistleblowing. In some circumstances, the costs can outweigh the benefits. (more…)
Filed under: Business, Employment Law, Legal Topics | Tagged: bounty, fraud, Todd-Frank, whistleblower, whistleblowing | Leave a Comment »
