Author: eolis staff

For many years, EOLIS has produced blog posts on an external site and we have published articles at various digital media outlets. Now you need to look no further than this commentary blog for EOLIS opinions, and musings and links to any relevant media outlets receiving material from EOLIS International Group or our journalist and motivational speaker-in chief, Wendeen H. Eolis.

Small law firms with strong start up and mid-sized growing clients have catapulted into star status in the eyes of mid -sized  as well as national and global law firms that seek to infuse their practices with clients and talent for tomorrow.

For media wishing more information on this developing story contact Emead@eolis.com.

NEW YORK (May 20, 2014) A recent survey of partners at Am Law 200 firms indicates a likely slowdown in partner group acquisitions in the third quarter.

Two managing partners at global law firms cite concerns about profits as the major reason for avoiding potentially costly investments of this kind. For more information on this survey contact emead@eolis.com.

NEW YORK (Spring 2014) Based upon EOLIS’ updated  findings in a survey of lawyers over 60, EOLIS is moving forward with a customized attorney career transition services (ACTS) division  to serve the needs  of this segment of the  population of attorneys looking for “new adventures.”

Single jump start consults, 1/2 day coaching sessions,  and innovative short-term employer targeting programs assist lawyers in developing exit strategies and  negotiations for separation agreements and future employment arrangements.

Asking productive questions is a key element to an effective negotiating strategy in business, politics, and card rooms.—where I have spent a fair share of my spare time.

Children frequently blurt out whatever questions come into their heads, unnerving adults by their brash simplicity and clarity. More often than not, they ask basic questions designed to understand facts, and context  or to challenge parental authority: They easily inquire, “Why are you asking?” and “What do you mean?” These queries are among the most powerful probes.

At virtually every negotiating table,  gaining leverage and making deals is dependent in large measure by proficiency in the use of the PEP Principle.  Job seekers, especially senior level candidates are equally well-served to pay close attention to this principle, as errors are generally more costly  in direct proportion to one’s age, experience, and perceived sophistication.

Put the PEP Principle to Work

Probe, evaluate, and perform accordingly—PEP—combines the use of appropriate questions for specific situations, with analysis of answers from different vantage points. PEP calls for logic and common sense in the development of information. It also emphasizes the use of practical strategies to gage the relevance and credibility of responses. Lawyers are known to be faithful to this principle,  on behalf of clients; not so much on their own behalf in the career transition process. 

The keys to mastering the PEP principle, as a job seeker, reside in the career journey. “Seamless presentation of  the major decisions along the way unlock opportunities  for the broadest range of new adventures, ” says Wendeen Eolis, CEO of EOLIS.   In a new  interactive seminar series open to the public as well as one-one one collaborative aching sessions for senior level lawyers and leading executives, Wendeen explores the power of the PEP Principle  at every stage of the search process.  For further information on interactive workshops and coaching options contact at  emead@eolis.com.

Matching your negotiating strategies to  your negotiating personality is as critical to client development as it is making a deal or winning a case. There are four basic negotiating strategies.

They can be likened to poker principles; betting with  the goods (“the nuts”) a hammer, betting with comparative strength  (value betting),  betting with potential (a semi-bluff), and betting with maximum information (in position).  Depending upon life environment, experience, and activities you are likely to adopt one or two strategies as your favorites, and the others will take more thoughtful consideration.  Wendeen Eolis Enterprises now offers innovative coaching techniques designed to define your negotiating DNA with a view toward exponential results in client marketing efforts.

For further information, please contact emead@eolis.com or call (1) 212-472-4000

NEW YORK (December 2013) Results of EOLIS’ survey of senior partners (over the age of 60) at New York law firms indicates a large scale schism with law firm management over the time table for compulsory retirement of partners. One of the harshest criticisms leveled at law firms in their responses is firm failures to provide transition service’s funding and/or in-house programs to assist these lawyers in exit strategies that will allow them to pursue new adventures (productively). A follow-up survey is in progress. It solicits a senior lawyer’s top frustrations in looking for new positions with a view toward making a major report on recommendations to law firm clients. If you are a lawyer over 60 in an Am Law 200 law firm or a specialist in mid-size boutique, we are eager to obtain your views. Your comments will be maintained confidentially and included in our January report. Please contact A. Minster to provide information for this important survey, if you have not been contacted, already, by our office.

Eolis analyzes and commentates on the likely trajectory of the most recent online gaming bill introduced by Congressman Joe Barton—H.R. 2666 dated July 12, 2013. Obama might be willing to sign a bill with a revenue component.

The challenge is getting the Congress on board to pass legislation favorable to such gaming..  Meanwhile,The growing opportunity for gaming law practice is clear, as states continue to pursue gaming options in the face of floundering efforts to move federal legislation.  Click here to read the article.

(NEW YORK, NEW YORK  April 18, 2013)  With increasing frequency, law firm partnerships are pondering  protocols applied to the departures of highly productive partners-especially rainmakers.  Last week, Weil Gotshal and Manges faced the planned defection of two of its partners quite differently from the norm.

Traditional wisdom has been to circulate a memo wishing such partners well with implicit gratitude for the Firm’s greater strength without them.  WGM’s managing partner, Barry Wolf employed a harder nosed strategy—calling out two partners who are en route to Quinn Emmanuel as disloyal, as if they were traitors and proceeding with a strategy designed to compromise their expectations of a quick and easy transition.

The vast majority of major law firms  have traditionally waived whatever requirements of notice that have existed  their partnerships,   However, in the past several months, numerous partners at other firms have suggested  this is a bubbling issue.

A few have reported  partnership agreement amendments that call for  longer notice, notably  including Greenberg Traurig which changed its rules late last year according to one partner who is  quietly exploring greener pastures.

There is also an increasing focus on integrating the practices of incoming lateral partners with a view toward holding business relationships that arrive with them in the event that they depart once more.

It is undeniably good business for both firm and client to widen and deepen the access points for suitable talent. It is generally unrealistic for a Firm to presume that the Firm is more important to clients than the lawyers they have come to count on as their point persons for their legal matters.

And, it is folly for a Firm to make the sacrifice that is caused by restraining a partner, or even allowing a partner to leave on a delayed timetable.  Almost inevitably, to do so is to poison the environment and dissipate morale instantaneously.

Gaming lawyers with regulatory experience are in unprecedented demand in the Middle Atlantic States with New York, New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware and West Virginia scrambling  to bring about legislation to legalize online poker and more gambling fare.

The black sheep of online gambling  companies are the off-shore enterprises that operated after enactment of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 which prohibited online bets in America.  Is there a morality play underway or just economic warfare?  “A bit of both,” says Wendeen Eolis about the  the ongoing  ruckus in New Jersey that has pitted the American Gaming Association against PokerStars.

In an article titled “American Gaming Association v PokerStars; PokerStars Strikes Back–Especially at Caesars,” Ms. Eolis sums up the questions and listens to lawyers opine on the AGA’s bid to participate in  the PokerStars  New Jersey casino license hearing.  See the full article online.