Law Firms - The Indiana Lawyer

Finding the right fit: New lawyers rejecting long hours, big salaries in favor of work-life balance

May 25, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

In 2021, the hiring of lateral associates skyrocketed 148.5%, the largest year-over-year increase recorded, according to NALP. Likewise, Thomson Reuters warned that by November 2021, law firms were “edging dangerously close” to seeing almost a quarter of their associates leave. However, while firms have raised associate compensation to lure talent, many new lawyers are not as interested in big salaries as previous generations of new attorneys.

Talking honestly: New managing partner at Dentons’ Evansville office focused on well-being

May 11, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

Trisha Dudlo wants to have frank discussions. The 37-year-old is the new managing partner of Denton Bingham Greenebaum’s Evansville office and the first woman of color to hold that leadership position. Named the office chief in April, Dudlo is stepping into her role at the same time as she sees the legal profession rebuilding from the upheaval created by the pandemic and consequently having to do things “alarmingly different.”

Corporate costs: In-house legal departments spending more for outside counsel expertise

April 26, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

As consumers started paying more at the gas pump and the grocery store last year, businesses spent more for work done by their outside legal counsel.

Broecker and Beraldi: 5 services outside counsel should be providing

April 26, 2022 | Ed Broecker and Fernanda Beraldi

The legal profession, particularly for in-house counsel, has not been immune from the “Great Resignation.”

Keeping the culture: New Lewis Wagner managing partner leads by example

March 30, 2022 | Jordan Morey

Richard Blaiklock has never been one to shy away from hard work. The longtime business litigator will now take that attitude and work ethic into his new, three-year term as managing partner of Lewis Wagner LLP.

Web Exclusive: Indy Lawyers Basketball League brings March Madness to the law

March 16, 2022 | Jordan Morey

During the cold winter months, lawyers from across central Indiana return to the courts after the sun goes down. While there are plenty of motions, occasional oral arguments and even benches, the procedures during the meetings are far different from their day jobs. For around 13 weeks each year, dozens of attorneys trade in their suits and briefcases for jerseys and sneakers and take to the hardwood — a precedent set more than 40 years ago.

Lewis Wagner names Blaiklock as managing partner

March 4, 2022 | IL Staff

A. Richard M. Blaiklock has been named managing partner of Lewis Wagner LLP, where he is credited with helping to create the firm’s business services practice group. In his new role, he will lead the executive committee, which leads the firm’s strategic initiatives.

David: Tips on intentional celebrations of diversity holidays

February 16, 2022 | Lynsey F. David

There are over 200 holidays and events that celebrate diversity and inclusion. With the breadth of worthy celebrations, how does your organization select the right ones to recognize?

Hague: Employers: Invest in your employees like you do your clients

February 16, 2022 | Josh Hague

If our goal is to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, the focus cannot just be on hiring diverse attorneys. Law firms must also make concerted efforts in retaining their diverse attorneys.

Marquez: Implementing a secure BYOD policy at your firm

February 16, 2022 | Tino Marquez

Well before the current pandemic, BYOD policies were already in place for many law firms. BYOD stands for “bring your own device,” which in general terms allows users to access corporate data on their own personal devices.

New Plews Shadley Racher & Braun managing partner sees opportunities for boutique firm

February 16, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

Gregory Gotwald has been named the managing partner at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun. He is taking over when the world is lurching toward normalcy but times are still uncertain. Yet Gotwald said he is sure his firm will weather the changes just fine.

Marion County GOP prosecutor candidate Carrasco joining Indy firm

February 3, 2022 | IL Staff

Republican candidate for Marion County prosecutor Cynthia “Cyndi” V. Carrasco is joining the Indianapolis law firm of Riley Bennett Egloff LLP as of counsel, the firm announced this week. Carrasco will work with the firm’s government affairs practice group, according to a news release.

Plenty of help-wanted signs as lawyer jobs go unfilled

February 2, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

The January edition of the Lake County Bar Association’s monthly newsletter, The Minute Sheet, showed just how fierce the ongoing war for talent has gotten in the legal profession — 21 help wanted ads had been posted primarily by northwest Indiana law firms looking for attorneys. The extensive classified section in the newsletter reflects the need for more attorneys that law firms around the state and across the country say they have because of an increased workload.

Golden combo: At 2-year anniversary, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum ‘very, very happy’ with Project Golden Spike

January 19, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

With Project Golden Spike, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum is outperforming the market in the growth of its lawyer headcount. The firm launched the Golden Spike initiative in January 2020.

Indiana law firm combination market sees activity despite pandemic

January 19, 2022 | Katie Stancombe

Law firms completed 41 mergers in 2021. The total was up slightly from 40 in 2020, but well below the historical average of 55 mergers per year over the previous decade. Despite the slow down, Indiana’s legal community still saw some combinations take place during the pandemic.

Johnson and Hehner: Lessons learned from a law firm merger during a pandemic

January 19, 2022 | Lonnie Johnson and Jim Hehner

When Clendening Johnson & Bohrer merged with Hehner & Associates on March 15, 2020, just days before the lockdown, it was unimaginable how the practice of law would change between then and now.

ISBA’s Leadership Development Academy preparing for 10th class

January 5, 2022 | Jordan Morey

The ISBA’s LDA recently selected its 10th class. The purpose of the program is to “develop lawyers to be informed, committed and involved so that they may be empowered as leaders throughout the Indiana community and in local and state bar associations, and seen as role models in matters of ethics and professionalism.”

Fiercely competitive market awaits new management at Indiana law firms

November 10, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The incoming leaders at Hall Render and Ice Miller are part of a wave of new management settling into the corner offices of law firms across the country, facing the challenge of creating a new work life for their lawyers and fighting for talent amid unprecedented competition.

Trimble: Repeat business: Lifeblood of successful lawyers, law practices

November 10, 2021 | John Trimble

As 2021 draws to a close, lawyers and law firm managers everywhere are planning for the year ahead. Smart firms are preparing budgets and income projections for 2022, and they are assessing their client relationships in the hopes of maintaining those relationships next year.

Next leader at Hall Render knows health care is personal

November 10, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Starting Jan. 1, Gregg Wallander will become the president and CEO of Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman.

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