Law Firm Marketing - How To Radiate Value - Professional Service Marketing

Any time you have a chance to determine what your clients need and want from you, consider it a priceless opportunity to learn. Their needs and wants--and their experience with your firm--are the key to identifying the focus of your marketing efforts. Finding and delivering what your clients need and want will not only result in satisfied clients but, if you apply this knowledge to your practice, their experience of your firm can also become your branding.

When a client speaks to you from the heart, the insight you receive will be priceless. The marketing materials for that Century City law firm had previously emphasized their track record, their versatility and their willingness to be tough. Had they failed to incorporate this client's insight, they would have missed a precious marketing opportunity.

Beyond the decent service, the sound legal advice and the expectation of professionalism, what mattered to that client on an emotional level was that this firm had been by his company's side through the good times and the bad.

Not all of your clients will hand you a resonant marketing phrase. But an experienced marketing professional with the proper skills can make you more aware of them when this does happen, and more impor-tantly, can help you use them to shape the way your firm brands its services. But the key in this example is not the catchy phrase or even the kind expression of gratitude. What makes the Century City firm's marketing insight so important is the fact that it represents a fundamental truth about the firm: It does stick by its clients even when times get rough. That's how the firm does business.

if the business succeeded, the firm would be handed all their legal work, including taking them public. The marketers believed that doing this would demonstrate the firm's commitment and loyalty to their smaller, more vulnerable clients. One such client had this unfortunate experience dealing with the firm.

It doesn't take a marketing genius to know that it's bad business to sue your clients, but the contrast between the Century City firm and this one is worth noting. One firm made a loyal friend out of a client while the other made an enemy. The point is that how a firm does business, whether it's how they manage their receivables or which new practice group they decide to open, says something important about the firm in relationship to its clients.

In most cases, firms consider internal business decisions to be entirely internal--separate and distinct from the external side that the public sees. Firms fail to recognize that what a firm is can often be measured by the decisions it makes, and they often make decisions without regard to the effect they might have on clients, even in indirect ways.

Firms must con-sider the ways in which their decisions may change the nature of the con-tact between them and their clients. Law firms make important business decisions every day, and rarely do they consider the impact on those who do business with the firm. When problems do surface, they are often handed over to the public relations department to clean up.

For more information about Labor & Employment Law  In Lebanon ,Taxation Law In Lebanon,Real Estate And Construction Law In Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law In Lebanon please visit my website.

Steps Involved In Formation Of Corporations And The Importance Of Business Lawyers

Corporation is a distinct and legal and separate entity from the persons who have created it. Of all the business organizations, corporation is the most common form, and its owners are not responsible to pay for its liabilities. Corporations can be classified as: profit corporations, non-profit corporations, public corporations, private corporations, professional corporations, publicly-held corporations and closely-held corporation.

In this article we are going to comprehensively outline the formation of corporations and the importance of the role commercial and real estate lawyers play in this formation. It follows a procedure which includes the following steps: First of all, a name is to be decided for your corporation which should not be the same as any other registered corporations.

 The name should end with a corporation designation like 'corporation', 'limited' or 'incorporated'. However, some of the restricted words cannot be used such as 'federal', 'national' etc. To avoid any complications you need to contact the corporation's office and get a name registered. Since this process can get a little technical most individuals prefer appointing a business lawyer.

The second step is to appoint a board of directors, who make the financial decisions for the corporation and finalise the policies. They also appoint different officers and decide their salaries, make approvals for loans to be taken and other major decisions such as issuing stocks. They are appointed by the owners of the corporations before the beginning of the business.

The next step for the formation of a corporation is to file the 'articles of incorporation' with the corporation filing office. These are to be created and signed by the owners of the corporation. A member of the board of directors is appointed as the 'agent' so that public can contact the corporation through this 'agent'.

The formation of a corporation also requires you to create the bylaws, also known as the internal laws for your corporation which deal with daily decisions. For this, usually a lawyer is appointed who drafts them out for you. Another important step is the signing of an agreement, for the transfer of ownership of the corporation, after the owner becomes disabled, dies, retires or decides to leave the corporation.

The final step is obtaining required permits and licenses for your business. The most important being the business license, which is your tax registration certificate. You also need an employer identification number and a permit from the local planning board for your business. All these tasks can be performed efficiently by a business attorney.

If you are thinking about starting a corporation then you should get in touch.Her expertise and knowledge in business law can make the procedure of forming a corporation convenient and hassle free for you; the vast knowledge she processes can act as a sole source of guidance throughout the procedure.
For more information about Labor & Employment Law  In Lebanon ,Taxation Law In Lebanon,Real Estate And Construction Law In Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law In Lebanon please visit my website.  

Redefining the Practice of Law - New Trends Create Challenges and Opportunities

New Trends in Office Design, Technology and Managing Competition Create Challenges and Opportunities The legal industry is in the midst of tremendous changes that will inevitably have a profound impact on the way attorneys approach their business. In the wake of these changes, law firms are being challenged to control rising expenses, improve client services and responsiveness, boost efficiency and infuse technological support to improve overall productivity.

New trends in space planning, document technology, data security and the services offered will all redefine how law offices practice, how they meet the ever-changing needs of their client base, and how they strategically position themselves competitively.

Gaining a Competitive Edge

While much has changed about law, law office design and technology, the challenge to maintain a competitive edge remains of primary interest to law practices. Taking the necessary steps to ensure survival in this ever-changing industry will prevail as the legal sector is transformed. Embracing technological advances in document management, storage and retrieval; revolutionizing the traditional office space to allow more mobility, agility and flexibility; and opening our eyes to a broad spectrum of external services will all become key success factors.

In a recent survey of the 1200 largest U.S. law firms, 98% of attorneys agreed that telecommuting will increase over the next 10 years. How will your law firm effectively meet the objectives necessary to help your business thrive in this competitive market without compromising core business? How will you implement and balance these changes to maximize profitability and gain a competitive edge?.

The process begins by developing a better understanding of what the key Law Trends are and how these trends can shape the way your business operates and, ultimately, how they will affect the bottom line.

How Will The Trends Shape The Way Your Business Operates?

Building Selection and Design: Traditional high-rent law space is giving way to more streamlined real estate holdings as large firms consolidate operations and opt for functional, simplified space. While impressive workspace still prevails, having an expensive, high-profile property may no longer make good business sense. To aid in the building selection, more law practices are seeking the expertise of an unbiased, tenant-only real estate broker to assist them in the building selection process.

Architects added to the leasing team early in the process assist law firms in developing specific space requirements by analyzing the cultural and functional aspects of the business. Many firms are opting for sustainable design as this initiative reaches main stream. The long-term goal: to create a space that meets functional requirements and positively reflects the company.

For more information about Lawyer Lebanon ,Law Firm Lebanon,Taxation Law Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law Lebanon please visit my website. 

Intellectual Property and Its Pervasiveness in Industry Trade and Commerce

What Is Intellectual Property:

Property which comes from the Human Brain and for which Government gives protection is called Intellectual Property Right Trademark, Patent, copyright, geographical location are few examples of Intellectual Property(IP). Intellectual property has gained in prominence in many fields of business in recent times. Today, it is a major asset for many of the world's most powerful companies. The intellectual property of a company is its legally protectable and exploitable invisible assets .It is a sub-set of assets known as  intangibles. The term "intellectual property (IP)" refers to property in a legal sense.

It is something which can be owned and dealt with. The legal rights that give rise to intellectual property are usually referred to as  intellectual property rights . There are several types of IPRs that qualify as intellectual property. The most widely known lP category is patents. Other categories include copyrights, trade marks, design rights, trade secrets and plant breeders' rights. In the emerging knowledge economy, lP has become a critical success factor for most high- It is an Intangible Asset. But the future benefits to be derived is uncertain. Hence valuation cannot be made correctly.

Today, however, developing countries do not have the luxury to take their time over intellectual Property Rights (IPR).  As a part of the trade deal hammered out nine years ago, countries joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) also signed up to TRIPS (trade-related aspects of IPR), which include patents, copyright, trade marks, trade secrets, geographical indicators and such other items. The poor-er countries of the world were given until   to comply in full with the requirements of this treaty.

Tricky Proposition:-

For the last one year, the  WTO council responsible for TRIPS was involved with a tricky proposition . The manufacture and marketing of a patented drug without the patent-holders consent, This provision has been available since the formation of the WTO and Brazil has already used the threat of "compulsory licensing" to ring substantial price discounts out of major patent-holding drug companies.

 This has boon permitted under contain conditions, including national emergencies and can be used by countries such as Brazil or India, which have domestic drug industries to copy the medicines. The problem comes with countries that have no drug makers, They can import generic copies from the likes of India.  when these copying exporting countries are supposed to have fallen in with the TRIPS line?.

The big patent-holding drug firms in rich countries have worried that Indian and other companies might abuse the deal to flood their markets To arrive at a compromise, the TRIPS council of the WTO Issued a declaration just before the Cancun ministerial started ,saying that countries could override patents only  in good faith.

For more information about Labor & Employment Law  In Lebanon ,Taxation Law In Lebanon,Real Estate And Construction Law In Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law In Lebanon please visit my website. 

Family Dispute Resolution - A Guide For Parents and Family Members

There are some exceptions to this rule, for example cases involving child abuse and family violence.

What is Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)?

Family Dispute Resolution essentially is a structured discussion offered to separating couples to assist in decision making about parenting and/or property. All discussion that take place during Family Dispute Resolution are confidential, unless either party discloses an intention to harm a person or their property.

Parenting Matters

FDR creates an opportunity for you and your ex-partner to discuss how each of you can best continue to parent while maintaining a focus on your child's best interests being served. However, in discussions involving the welfare of your children, the practitioner may adopt a more advisory role in order to help you keep the best interests of your children in focus.

What is a parenting plan?

A parenting plan is a voluntary agreement that covers the day to day responsibilities of each      parent, the practical considerations of a child's daily life, as well as how parents consult and agree on important issues about their children. A parenting plan can be changed at any time as long as both parents agree.

FDR and Section 60I Certificates

Under the Family Law Act any person attending Family Dispute Resolution to discuss parenting concerns will be issued with a Section 60I Certificate that reflects their engagement with the FDR process. A Section 60I Certificate will enable you under the Family Law Act to apply to the court for a parenting order.  Not all cases are suitable for Family Dispute resolution .

Child Support Agency (CSA) Assessments

CSA will refer parents in dispute over child support assessments to Family Dispute Resolution. A signed parenting plan or verbal consent from both parties will supply the required information to the CSA for a child support assessment to be made.

Property/Financial Matters

Separating couples who want to resolve property/financial issues may attend Family Dispute Resolution, however for property and financial matters FDR is not compulsory.

Legal Advice

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners remain impartial and do not give legal advice. However it is advisable to discuss options relating to your dispute over parenting and financial matters with a family lawyer. Family lawyers are experts in interpreting the laws that govern parenting orders and the division of property. 

For more information about Labor & Employment Law  In Lebanon ,Taxation Law In Lebanon,Real Estate And Construction Law In Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law In Lebanon please visit my website.  

When Do You Need a Commercial Law Firm?

No matter what kind of business you are in there will come a time when you will the need the services of a commercial law firm. The reasons for this are many; some of the important ones will be covered here. The fact is that we live in a litigious society today and if your business is growing at a healthy rate at some point you will need a lawyer to help you navigate through the judiciary jungle. A commercial law firm will be able to help your business protect its assets and help you in times of legal dilemmas.

Some people would rather wait until a situation arises to get the help of a commercial law firm. The problem with this is that there may be situations where getting the help of a commercial law firm will be of no help. In other words it may be too late to get help and you will have to follow the course of the law. Needless to say this can be a very unpleasant situation for somebody who has worked hard to grow their business. There are many examples of this happening in the business world today.

One scenario businesses find themselves in today is sharing of marketing secrets. This involves a business that pioneers a certain marketing or manufacturing technique. What happens is that, an employee may leave the company and reveal your trade secret with another business. If you had consulted a commercial law firm in advance you would have known that there ways to keep your hard earned business techniques a secrete by making the employees signing a employee confidentiality contract. If this is not done, then you're hard earned business tactic will become fair game for your competitors.

It is not only for employee confidentiality reasons as to why it is important to have commercial law firm on your side. Whenever a business agreement is reached between 2 different companies, you will need proper legal guidance to make things run smooth. This situation is known as a partnership agreement. If you are running a business that requires giving out contracts, then you will need lawyer to review the contract and make sure your business interests are protected. Legal help will also be needed if there is any trade mark or patent situations involved.

Many people do not know their rights when it comes to bill collecting. When you are running a business, you may find yourself being harassed by bill collectors. When dealing with bill collectors it is important to know what can be done so that you can run your business smoothly. With the help of a commercial law firm, it will be possible to enjoy peace of mind when dealing with this type of problem.

For more information about Labor & Employment Law  In Lebanon ,Taxation Law In Lebanon,Real Estate And Construction Law In Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law In Lebanon please visit my website.  

Common Qualities of the Best Law Firms

In determining the best law firms do you include things such as employee benefits, firm culture and employee turnover rates? Or do you focus on the qualities that affect a law firm's most precious commodity - the client? My take on this is that the best law firms employ quality attorneys and staff with the highest of ethical standards and the desire to fight within their ethical bounds for their clients.

One key factor in having a successful law practice is an effective leader. A good leader will have a vision for the firm's direction, a commitment to serving its clients, and a desire to find like-minded people that believe not only in the clients, but the brand of the firm. I have found in my practice that effective leaders can quickly change with success and growth. They often lose touch with the very people that helped them grow into a successful powerhouse.

It is easy to go from a scenario of weekly partner/associate lunches to rarely, if ever, seeing a partner in the office. Effective leaders at the best law firm have a good understanding of the legal work coming out of the office, the overall satisfaction of its clients, and an awareness of the employees' overall job satisfaction. With success and growth, it is easy to lose touch with these important factors, but good leaders will remain cognizant of these factors, even with exponential growth of the firm.

The best law firms also have compassion for their clients. When attorneys at these firms meet with clients, it's never about sharing the attorney's successes. Rather, it's listening to your clients concerns, determining their overall goal through representation by the firm, and showing empathy towards their situation. Many attorneys look at their clients and see dollar signs. They look at the opportunity to bill or the total fee they will earn on a contingency for a huge settlement.

These attorneys fail to recall one of the most basic ethical consideration of attorneys, acting in the best interest of the client. Because at the end of the day, all the billable hours in the world won't make a practice successful If you don't satisfy and take good care of your clients. Firms with this mindset often have high turnover rates because they make billing THE priority. They burn their attorneys out and bring in brand new attorneys and start the process fresh with them. This can easily lead to dissatisfaction by clients. They may not know from one month to the next which attorney is representing them.

Another key quality of the best law firms is a narrow focus on a particular area of law. The days of general practitioners is (or should be) gone. Laws are complex and can change in an instant depending on legislation or new case law handed down by appellate courts. The best law firms have focus on one area of law and become very good at it. They are aware of recent changes as well as developing changes in their area of practice. With such a narrow focus, they can change strategy in an instant and become the authority to their clients by showing their knowledge in a particular area of law.

Beware of the lawyer who claims to practice in all areas of civil litigation. While it is possible, consider that opposing counsel may have a more narrow focus. They may have that golden nugget of information that can make the case a winner for them and a loser for your client.

There are a number of other factors to consider when trying to determine the best. That may be the discussion for a future article. But those discussed here are, in this author's opinion, the most important factors to consider when trying to figure out what makes a firm one of the best.

For more information about Labor & Employment Law  In Lebanon ,Taxation Law In Lebanon,Real Estate And Construction Law In Lebanon and Intellectual Property Law In Lebanon please visit my website.