New England Biz Law Update

A year after renewed diversity demands by general counsel from around the country, more law firms appear to be taking notice, taking stock and taking action.

A remarkable $43 million jury verdict against First American Title Insurance earlier this year shows that juries take non-compete agreements seriously, and in an increasingly aggressive business recruitment climate it tells a cautionary tale.

It didn't take long for dozens of corporate counsel at large companies to sign onto a recent "Call To Action" urging them to pressure outside counsel on diversity hiring and retention campaigns, with many on board before the final version went out in August. But unlike earlier initiatives that simply sought a commitment to diversity from outside counsel, this pledge promises to yank business from outside law firms that do not make diversity progress and give it to those that do.