Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Law Firm Slogans Can Be Catchy or Profound

The Stem Legal Blog has collected some of the most creative and profound legal slogans from the United States, the U.K. and Canada.Two local firms that made the list employ the following taglines to entice clients: Baker & Hostetler-Counsel to Market Leaders; and Jones Day-One Firm Worldwide. A few that did not make the list might include: Ulmer & Berne-whose website scrolls through pictures featuring the words commitment, community, diversity, teamsork, and value; Squire Sanders & Dempsey-whose slogan is "Legal Counsel Worldwide"; Davis & Young-whose home page flashes Tradition, Integrity, Responsiveness; Porter Wright-whose website states "Realize what's possible"; and Elk & Elk-whose slogan is heard everywhere-"Serious Lawyers for Serious Injuries."

Women Still Under-representated as Law Firm Partners

A brand new study on law.com indicates that women lawyers are still way behind their male counter-parts when it comes to making partner. Although women graduate from law schools as often as men, only 19.2% of partners across the country are women. At the rate women are going, experts claim there will not be an equal number of male and female partners until 2086. The numbers reflect some industry trends that might be changed with more flex-time options and parental leave policies. The article also suggests that the recession has disproportionately hit women lawyers who were working part-time, thus throwing another curve ball at their hope for partner status.

Jones Day Partner Rawson to Continue as Case Law School Dean

The Plain Dealer reports that Jones Day partner, Robert Rawson, will continue as the Dean of the Case Law School until mid-2011. High on his list of priorities for the remainder of his tenure are creating a strategic plan, raising money for more scholarships, and enhancing the school's career services division. Rawson received his JD from Harvard, a Masters from Oxford in England, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and his A.B. from Princeton, where he was Phi Beta Kappa.

Local Law Firm Sues Over Use of Its Name on the Internet

A large law firm based in Cleveland has sued BlockShopper.com (a source for online real estate news) for alleged trademark infringement over use of the law firm's name when two (2) firm lawyers bought expensive condos in Chicago, Illinois. According to a news article from Cleveland.com, the law firm does not want any connection to be made between its firm and the news source, whether by an online mention or a hyperlink to the firm's website. BlockShopper.com counters that it has the right to post public information under the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Interestingly, the article indicates that Cuyahoga County real estate information will soon be available on the news source's web site. Both the Cuyahoga County Recorder and Auditor already provide detailed, real property information online.

Kahn Kleinman is Merging into Taft Stettinius

Crain's Cleveland Business reports that the firm of Kahn Kleinman is merging into the law firm of Taft Stettinius, located at 200 Public Square, effective on September 1, 2008.  Taft's firm name, which derives in part from former President William Howard Taft, will prevail in the new entity, which will be based in Cleveland. Crain's indicates that the new "Taft" firm will become one of the 15 largest law firms in Cleveland and will concentrate on issues involving real property,intellectual property, labor and employment law, public law, and university and school law.

More Law Firms Going "Green"

An article on Cleveland.com chronicles the recent efforts of law firms that are taking the ABA's challenge to go "green." Apparently,�lawyers each generate about 100,000 sheets of paper�per year, second only to the publishing industry in our production of print copy. Some of the easy efforts firms have taken to counter-act this�waste�include printing on both sides, printing on paper made from Koala food (eucalyptus trees), delivering client copies on CDs, and�posting key documents to firm intranets. Although many smaller firms are probably doing the same things, some of the leaders in the "green" movement in the legal field appear to be Porter Wright, Thompson Hine, Squire Sanders & Dempsey & Jones Day.

Weston Hurd Expanding to Create a Tax Practice

Crain's Cleveland Business reports that the local law firm of Weston Hurd has acquired the Beachwood law firm of Persky, Shapiro & Arnoff Co. L.P.A., which employed 7 attorneys. Weston Hurd Managing Partner Carolyn Cappel has indicated that this acquisition will add a tax practice to her firm.

Exodus to the Suburbs Continues for Cleveland Law Firms

Crain's Cleveland Business reports that the exodus to the suburbs continues for downtown Cleveland law firms. The latest in the migration is the law firm of Seeley Savidge, which recently moved its offices and staff to Westlake, Ohio. The firm now occupies about 3,000 square feet more than it was using in downtown Cleveland. Being further away from the hub of local federal and state court adjudications will certainly keep the firm's docket clerks hopping.

American Lawyer Issues Annual Associates Survey

The American Lawyer magazine has issued its annual survey measuring the satisfaction of midlevel associates employed by the nation's top law firm's. According to the survey results, the average satisfaction was 3.81 on a scale of 1-5, but more than half of the respondents planned on leaving their firms within 5 years. Interestingly, about half of the firms either do not care or are happy when associates leave. The survey also indicates that there are going to be fewer graduates taking jobs in AM Law 200 firms, leading American Lawyer to make 3 major predictions: "First, in the short run, the war for talent will become more ferocious. Second, the cost of talent will only increase. And third, the need for firms to differentiate themselves will become apparent even to the hidebound." The report further indicates that although associate starting salaries currently begin at $160,000, the predicted shortages are likely to push salaries over $200,000. American Lawyer Subscribers can read the full survey report online, and members of the Cleveland Law Library can read the Library's copy in-house or check it out.

Thompson Hine Hires New COO

According to Crain's Cleveland Business, the law firm of Thompson Hine  just announced that it has hired a new Chief Operating Officer named Frank LaManna. Mr. LaManna was most recently employed as both the Executive Director and CFO at Calfee Halter & Griswold, another large Cleveland law firm.