2021
Showing 305–320 of 551 results
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Automation brings savings and efficiency
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 548
Abstract: Law firms don’t run without racking up nonbillable hours. Those hours — spent on anything from client intake to collections — can eat up a lot of time more profitably spent elsewhere. Fortunately, automated solutions are continuing to proliferate in ways that can help firms of all sizes make better use of their time and reap cost savings along the way. This article highlights the areas of law practices, such as client intake, document drafting, and billing and collections, that can benefit from automation.
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Charting the future – How key performance indicators can help your firm succeed
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 612
Abstract: After a tumultuous 2020, many law firms are looking towards a calmer future. But the waning COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only factor affecting firms’ futures. Each firm needs to review some key performance indicators (KPIs) to make informed decisions on the road to success. This article reviews financial KPIs and looks at goal setting, suggesting some steps law firms can take to have a successful KPI program.
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2021 legal market – Why this year could mark an inflection point
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 861
Abstract: A recent study of the legal market suggests that 2020’s disruptions to law firm operations could end up being the impetus the industry needs to finally adapt to the market’s competitive realities. The Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession at the Georgetown University Law Center and Thomson Reuters Institute’s 2021 Report on the State of the Legal Market looks at key issues likely to influence the market in 2021 — and beyond. The article discusses the report’s conclusion that the industry may be reaching a critical inflection point when it comes to the delivery of legal services. A short sidebar reviews some findings from the report, including why firms were able to raise their rates last year, attorney growth and partner profits.
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ERC: Does your dealership qualify for this valuable tax credit?
May / June 2021
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 496
Abstract: Two laws passed in the last six months have included a number of COVID-19-related provisions that could benefit dealerships. Among these are extensions and modifications of several CARES Act provisions, including the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). This article highlights the tax credit’s extended qualification period and other significant changes.
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A key lesson learned from the pandemic – Ways to lower your dealership’s cost structure
May / June 2021
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 506
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic turned the dealership world upside down last spring, and the ramifications are still being felt. With over a year’s experience in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to discuss a pivotal lesson learned during this precarious time: the importance of lowering the business’s cost structure. This article takes a look at three areas to examine: staff compensation, advertising and inventory.
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Thinking through the financial exec hiring decision
May / June 2021
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 689
Abstract: Despite the pandemic, many dealerships have seen strong financial results amid bumped-up consumer demand and restored supply chain efficiency. Some have grown to the size where they’re considering stepping up the financial management of their operation by hiring a controller or a CFO. This article describes what a dealer-owner needs to evaluate when making this decision, including revenue thresholds, responsibilities of the positions, compensation and outsourcing options.
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Crime fighting – How new technology can help detect occupational fraud
May / June 2021
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 865
Abstract: New technologies can more efficiently analyze a dealership’s unstructured data (emails, instant messages and social media posts) as it seeks to uncover occupational fraud. This article explains how natural language processing works and its potential in identifying weaknesses in internal controls and unearthing fraudulent behavior before it’s too late. A short sidebar highlights some eye-popping fraud numbers from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2020 Report to the Nations.
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Bank Wire – CAA provides COVID-19 relief for banks
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 431
Abstract: This summary of recent developments in banking discusses some bank-specific relief provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). It also highlights several other CAA-related developments relevant to banks, including the SBA’s guidance for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and the CAA’s simplification of the PPP-related loan forgiveness application. In addition, it notes the recent announcement that the Federal Reserve Board intends to work with other banking agencies to develop a fintech vendor due diligence guide for community banks.
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Online account opening: Managing the risk
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 578
Abstract: Banking customers increasingly rely on electronic banking tools to open accounts, make deposits, transfer funds and otherwise manage their money — and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend. This article points out that all of these activities increase an institution’s Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) compliance risks, particularly the opening of online accounts.
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Should your bank use third-party vendors?
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 715
Abstract: In the uncertain economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, community banks continue to streamline operations, improve efficiency and eliminate waste. This article points out that to help in this process, banks are increasingly turning to outside vendors to provide specialized services beyond the usual offerings. It also explains that to use third-party vendors successfully, it’s important for banks to evaluate liability and assess risk.
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5 tips for fair lending compliance
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 845
Abstract: Community banks need to develop and follow fair lending practices. This article summarizes some of the important provisions of the main laws that govern fair lending, such as the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. It then offers five tips to help a community bank create an effective compliance program, including conducting a risk assessment and developing a written policy. A sidebar explains that a useful source of guidance on fair lending compliance is the Interagency Fair Lending Examination Procedures used by federal financial agencies.
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Language matters: Grammar guides court’s patent interpretation
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 435
Abstract: Grammar nerds can delight in a new ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which hears all appeals involving patent litigation. Asked to interpret the meaning of the phrase “a plurality of” when it precedes a list of components in a patent, the court relied in part on a source likely to be found on the bookshelf of every English major at some point. This short article covers the court’s finding of noninfringement based on the meaning of the phrase “a plurality of.” SIMO Holdings Inc. v. Hong Kong uCloudlink Network Technology Ltd., No. 2019-2411 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 5, 2021).
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Federal Circuit diverges from PTAB on analogous art ruling
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: As patent owners are well aware, sometimes overcoming invalidating prior art can be difficult. Prior art — which makes an invention known and/or obvious, and therefore unpatentable — includes existing patents that are “analogous art.” But what makes an existing patent analogous? This article reviews a case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles all patent-related appeals, that explains the concept of analogous art. Donner Technology, LLC v. Pro Stage Gear, LLC, No. 20-1104 (Fed. Cir. Nov. 9, 2020).
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Take two – Court revives trademark infringement claim
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 622
Abstract: Using the exact words of a competitor’s trademark in a mark would pretty clearly constitute infringement, but a trial court evaluating such a situation disagreed. However, on review of what it described as a “somewhat unusual” trademark case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit didn’t concur, based on several factors. This article reviews the court’s discussion of the likelihood of confusion test as it applied to the facts. Car-Freshner Corp. v. American Covers, LLC, No. 19-2750 (2d Cir. Nov. 19, 2020).
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Oh, the places you won’t go – Fair use defense fails for mashup
June / July 2021
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: The fair use defense to copyright infringement traces its roots back to an 1841 case involving the use of George Washington’s writings for a biography. To say things have become more complicated is an understatement, as demonstrated by a recent fair use case that considered a “mashup” combining elements of Dr. Seuss with elements of the TV show “Star Trek.” This article reviews the case and the fair use defense, while a short sidebar reveals why the plaintiff lost its trademark claim. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. v. ComicMix LLC, No. 19-55348 (9th Cir. Dec. 18, 2020).
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CRM systems offer intriguing benefits
Spring 2021
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 432
Abstract: Customer relationship management (CRM) systems offer many benefits to businesses, including stronger customer relations, service and retention. This article explains how CRM systems may be most valuable to construction companies in managing the business development process and focusing a company’s limited resources on winnable, profitable projects.