Legal Current (podcasts)
Legal Current is a podcast from Thomson Reuters, Legal, that features information and commentary on the business and practice of law.

On Jan. 26, 1997, many homes across America were tuned-in to Super Bowl XXXI. While much of the game itself may be a blur, most people who watched that night likely remember one image from that night: Hollywood legend Fred Astaire, who had died nearly a decade before, dancing with an electric broom in a vacuum commercial. While many people were fixated on how the ad was created, some – including members of Astaire’s family – took issue with bringing the legendary performer “back from the dead.”

Now 20 years later, a new film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, puts a new spin on the debate in part because, unlike the brief appearance of Astaire in the vacuum ad, the new Star Wars film demonstrates that actors, can quite literally, return to the screen forever.

But what are legal ramifications to these posthumous performances, and how are today’s actors prepping for this future?

Join us for the latest Legal Current podcast, where we are joined by Brad Cohen, partner with Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell in Los Angeles, where we break this down.

And be warned… there will be spoilers.

 

Direct download: The_Estate_Strikes_Back_-_Deceased_Stars_Star_Wars__Posthumous_Rights.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:01pm EDT

Geoffrey the Giraffe, Supreme Court & Online Sales Taxes

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case this term that could have provided some clarity to the bewildering array on jurisdictions and taxes involved with online sales.

Will the move lead to action by the states or Congress, or the potential for even greater confusion?

Matthew Hunsaker of Baker Botts discusses.

Direct download: Geoffrey_the_Giraffe__Online_Sales_Taxes.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:05pm EDT

Managing a successful solo or small law practice means overcoming many challenges. These days, running a small practice requires many skills in addition to being a good lawyer: one often also needs to be a project manager, technologist, marketer and small business expert.

The State of the US Small Law Firms Study surveyed more than 300 solo and small law firm leaders to find out how they define success, their challenges and what the most successful firms are doing to develop and execute winning strategies.

In this podcast, we discuss the survey findings and what it reveals about the world of today’s solo and small law firm with Karl Florida, managing director, small law firms, Thomson Reuters; and Bob Ambrogi, practicing solo attorney, ABA Journal columnist and creator of the LawSites blog.

Here are some of Bob’s previous discussions of the Small Law Firms study

http://abovethelaw.com/2016/07/this-week-in-legal-tech-exclusive-results-of-a-new-small-firm-survey/

http://www.lawsitesblog.com/2016/07/exclusive-survey-results-small-firms-greatest-challenges-theyre-address.html

http://www.lawsitesblog.com/2016/08/exclusive-survey-results-small-firms-measure-success.html

http://www.lawsitesblog.com/2016/08/exclusive-survey-results-small-firms-implementing-new-technology.html

http://abovethelaw.com/2016/09/this-week-in-legal-tech-survey-sheds-light-on-how-solos-differ/

 

 

Direct download: Thomson_Reuters_Solo__Small_Law_Firm_Survey.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:54pm EDT

What Safer Roads Could Mean for Your Personal Injury Practice

Our nation’s roads are getting safer. Traffic fatalities and injuries have generally been declining for more than two decades. But law firms that have staked their futures on motor vehicle accident (MVA) injuries or fatalities may face significant business challenges on the horizon unless they prepare now.

FindLaw has published a new white paper that analyzes traffic safety data and its implications for personal injury practices.

Traffic Signals – What Safer Roads Could Mean for Your Personal Injury Practice

Direct download: What_Safer_Roads_Could_Mean_for_Personal_Injury_Practices.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:52am EDT

Ark Group KM Conference - KM With Kim episode 5

Ark Group recently held its 12th Annual Knowledge Management in the Legal Profession. 

The law firm KM toolkit has expanded to include enterprise search, experience location, expert systems, and other collaborative tools — while the remit for some KM practitioners today also includes support for  alternative fee arrangements, process improvement initiatives, and legal project  management. At the same time, automation, machine-learning and advanced analytics are coming of age. How can these forces be coordinated to mutually reinforce as opposed to combat or overcome one another?  

In this edition of KM with Kim, Kim Stein discusses her takeaways from the conference. 

Direct download: Ark_Group_KM_Conference_-_KM_with_Kim_episode_5.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:26pm EDT

The Aspire to Lead Conference was recently held in Minneapolis.  Hundreds of omen and men from around the region met for a day full of speakers and networking that seeks to empower women to take more active leadership roles in their careers, communities and day-to-day lives.

Matt Wallaert is a behavioral scientist working at the intersection of technology and human behavior.  He spoke about where the diversity and the role of gender in the workplace. 

Direct download: Aspire_to_Lead_Conference.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:23pm EDT

Who Owns Your Selfies When You Die?

Do you store your family pictures and videos in the Cloud?  Would your family be able to access those files if you passed away?  Federal and state governments are scrambling to update estate laws to protect all your selfies and family cat videos against legal fights that could develop over rights to digital assets.

 

Tyler Newby of Fenwick & West discusses who actually has the rights to your selfies (and more) when you die.

 

Direct download: Who_Owns_Your_Selfies_When_You_Die.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

Blowing the Whistle on the SEC Whistleblower Program

Since passage of the Dodd-Frank Act overhauling federal securities laws, the Securities and Exchange Commission's whistleblower program has been gradually growing in scope and significance. In 2015, the SEC received more than 4,000 tips.

But some recent developments may be “blowing the whistle” on the whistleblower program itself.  Jonathan Shapiro of Baker Botts LLP discusses some recent developments with the whistleblower program.

Direct download: Blowing_the_Whistle_on_the_SEC_Whistleblower_Program.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:02pm EDT

What National Customer Service Week Means to Thomson Reuters

Happy National Customer Service Week!

Customer Support is an important connection between Thomson Reuters and its customers.  Thomson Reuters has a long history of commitment to provide outstanding customer service.

Lea Harpster, vice president of customer support, discusses the Thomson Reuters philosophy and approach to customer support, and the many dedicated team members who provide it.

Direct download: National_Customer_Service_Week.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:19am EDT

Potentially Groundbreaking IP Supreme Court Cases

Intellectual property have become somewhat of a staple for the US Supreme Court in recent years.  Two particular cases that are waiting to hear if they will make the docket for the 2016-17 court docket have the potential to break new ground for intellectual property rights.

Wayne Stacy of Baker Botts discusses the cases.

Direct download: Potentially_Groundbreaking_IP_SCOTUS_Cases.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:56pm EDT