ABA Section of Business Law
Business Law Today
Volume 5, Number 6
July/August 1996
HOW THE SECTION CAN WORK FOR YOU: NO MATTER WHAT YOUR
SPECIALTY, THERE'S A ROLE IN THE BLS
By LYNN HOWELL
An active member of the ABA Business Law Section maps out how new lawyers can get
involved in Section activities -- from how to save money at meetings to how to join and
contribute to a committee.
IT'S ALSO ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE: BEYOND THE BILLABLE HOUR
By WILLIAM B. IDE III
A former president of the American Bar Association reflects on one of the primary goals of
being a lawyer -- public service. He gives several examples of lawyers who have taken most
seriously this responsibility to help others. He urges new lawyers to carry on the tradition.
Sidebars outline Young Lawyers Division pubic service activities and pro bono work in the
Business Law Section.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE?: HALLMARKS OF THE BUSINESS LAWYER
By MARK A. SARGENT
The director of the Law & Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Maryland School of
Law runs through a list of skills that business lawyers need to succeed. From the "ability to
penetrate the impenetrable" (government regulations) to the ability to get beyond egos and
probe for a consensus, the author discusses eight skills.
TO MARKET, TO MARKET: YOUR GOAL IS VISIBILITY
By DAVID C. NEAL
The author, who is a marketing consulant with Hildebrandt, says it's never too early for new
lawyers to start thinking about marketing themselves. He lists some things associates can keep
in mind, with the main goals of networking and visibility. A sidebar suggests points for a
"personal inventory."
BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO: AVOIDING PROFESSIONAL PITFALLS
By KAREN L. VALIHURA
An associate in a Delaware law firm talks about how her state courts deal with several issues
touching on professionalism, including incivility between laweyrs. She concludes with a list of
suggestions on how to avoid professional pitfalls and improve the public's image of lawyers.
MEASURING UP: MAYBE YOU NEED A SKILLS LIST
By PATRICIA ANNE WOODS
The author, a law firm's "career development attorney," suggests that skills lists can be the
structure for a good training program. Such lists should identify what skills are needed at
certain points along a career path.
GETTING THE BUSINESS: HOW SOME LAW SCHOOLS COMPARE
By TERRY WOOLSEY
Business law is but one specialty that law schools can offer. The author lists a cross-section of
law schools offering respected business-law concentrations.
WHEN PRUNING IS IN ORDER: DUPONT TAKES A NEW LOOK AT THE
CORPORATE-OUTSIDE COUNSEL RELATIONSHIP
By DANIEL B. MAHONEY
How can corporate legal departments change the relationships they have with outside law firms
to improve costs and the quality of legal service? The author tells how his firm, duPont, went
from 300 plus outside firms to 34, keeping in mind that market forces had to dictate the new
relationships.