Upping the Partner Ante

For partners with portable business, this may be a good time to shop your practice. There are many hungry buyers out there; but be aware that the bar is being raised at most firms. A legal recruiter asserts that firms which wanted 500K now want 750K in portable business and firms that wanted a million now want 1.5 million. In addition, firms are looking closer at the portability of the business to make sure that a lateral partner can deliver and that the work is current.

Will the ABA Rule Change Fuel Lateral Movement?

The ABA has adopted a new rule which seems to create more opportunities for partners to move laterally. In lowering the ethics hurdle with respect to conflicts of interest, is the ABA encouraging lateral movement or simply acknowledging what is already happening in the legal profession?

Keep Asking Questions

In my latest article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (In Making a Lateral Move, Look Before You Leap ), I have addressed some of the important questions that you should be asking yourself before contemplating a lateral move.

As it turns out, asking a lot of questions (at least about firm finances), is not something that most partners have done in the past; but that seems to be changing as more firms are failing.

Lawyers Wanted: Abroad

While the market for corporate associates may be very weak right now in the United States, demand for top corporate talent remains strong in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. That according to the New York Times (free subscription required).

Get Out of Your Zone

Your comfort zone that is.