North America/US - Page 213
Entry-level hiring stumbles at US firms
US law firms have reeled in entry-level hiring for the fourth consecutive year as the increasingly competitive market continues to shrink the opportunities available to law graduates.
Lawyer gives up Eagle badge in Scouts protest
A civil rights and employment lawyer has handed back his Eagle Scout badge in protest against the Boy Scouts of America and its ongoing ban on gay members, staff and volunteers.
Leadership plans impaired by fear
The fear of alienating prized clients since the recession is hindering US law firms in their attempts to implement much-needed succession plans, a leading legal consultant claimed yesterday.
Apple bites back in shareholder row
The chief executive of Californian technology giant Apple yesterday shrugged off claims that the company does not know what to with its $137 billion cash pile, adding that a lawsuit filed by a shareholder is nothing more than a 'silly slideshow'.
US ethics committee to address foreign in-house registration
The American Bar Association's ethics commission is to tackle issues surrounding the registration of foreign in-house counsel, possibly amending the current model, the co-chair of the commission has said.
White & Case posts bumper profits rise for 2012
New York-based law firm White & Case has blown away bleak reports of meagre profit increases to post a whopping 15 per cent increase in profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2012 financial year.
Facebook sued over 'like' feature
Social networking platform Facebook is facing legal action over its 'like' button following a claim from a Dutch patent-holding company yesterday.
Billionaire sues Apple over shareholder cash
American hedge fund manager David Einhorn is suing technology giant Apple to force the company to hand out more of its $137bn (£87bn) cash pile to shareholders.
Retired Dewey partners reach settlement
A group of retired partners from defunct New York law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf has reached an agreement to put bankruptcy proceedings back on track for fast approval, according to media reports last week.
No go for GAYGUY licence plate
The Georgia Department of Driver Services is being sued by an Atlanta man who was denied a personalised licence plate as it made reference to his sexual orientation.
Baseball fan gets second bite at hot dog pitcher
A man injured by a flying hot dog thrown by a mascot at a 2009 baseball game will be allowed to take another swing at legal action, a state appeal court recently ruled.
Law firms told to 'embrace reality'
The legal sector will never return to the good times experienced before the recession and must react to changes in the marketplace to survive in the future, a report warned this week.
Flash law school applicants continue legacy
US college freshmen who go on to apply for law school are likely to be wealthier, more self-confident and have at least one lawyer parent, a survey revealed earlier this week.
Pension fears over younger partners' ability to pay
US law firm retirement schemes are to go back under the microscope following the release of an updated ranking of the top-25 plans this week, less than a year after researchers reported on the crippling burden pensions were causing younger partners.
Law schools told 'adapt to survive'
The future for law schools and their hordes of graduates is murky at best as student debt increases and employers cut entry-level positions, the dean of a leading US academic institution claimed yesterday.
Firm bins trust work amid concern over sector's future
A prominent white shoe law firm has bailed out of trust and estate work, casting doubt over the practice area's future at large US law firms.
Rating agency faces wrath of US government
Legal fallout from the global financial crisis ratcheted up a notch today as US authorities indicated they are to launch the first action of its kind against a global credit rating agency over the sub-prime mortgage market.
US legal jobs slump wipes out December gains
Jobs figures continued their rollercoaster ride in the US legal sector, as the profession shed some 2,400 posts last month, according to recent statistics released in Washington.
Medical negligence fee boost sparks doctor outrage
State authorities in the US's fifth largest jurisdiction have given the go-ahead to local legislation boosting the amount medical negligence lawyers can slice from their clients' damages in contingency fees, triggering outrage from doctors.
Competition row brewing over beer deal
Two of North America's biggest brewers this week felt the wrath of Washington's monopoly busters as they attempt to cut a major deal.