Gail's Facts: Tech transactions expert Gail Mosse has years of experience in the enterprise software, wireless and Internet spaces. Before joining Paragon in 2008, Gail worked in-house for Netflix, Intellisync Corporation and RealNames Corporation. A former litigator, Gail clerked for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, and received both her B.A. and J.D. from Stanford University.

Paragon Project: "Gail handles tech transactions for LinkedIn and Yahoo's mobile group where, she says, "I enjoy the great teams I am a part of and the cutting-edge aspects of these companies' deals, and continuing to learn about evolving Internet and mobile business models."

Why Paragon? "Paragon has introduced me to high-profile clients with interesting legal needs. Working as a contractor enables me to maintain a work-life balance."

What are you reading? "I just finished Blink by Malcolm Gladwell and I am now reading The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan."

Blogs you follow? "I like http://www.iphonejd.com/."

Alternative Billing Goes Mainstream

Traditionally, both corporations and law firms have been resistant to alternative billing because if both sides are motivated by cost savings, one side is likely to be disappointed.

But today’s economic crisis is accelerating fundamental industry shifts that have otherwise been slow to develop.

Alternative billing is expected to represent an increasing proportion of total fees collected in 2009, according to a Law Firms in Transition survey by consulting firm Altman Weil.

In addition to virtual firms, like market leader Paragon, clients are demanding fixed fees, success fees (a bonus tied to a positive outcome or for meeting benchmarks), maximum or minimum fees, regional billing and no-first-year-associate bills.

For general counsels required by company management to decrease expenses, alternative billing provides both predictability and, some industry watchers say, an accurate – rather than inflated – value of legal services. Law firms are similarly drawn to the predictability of continuous incoming matters. The result is that outside lawyers are truly partnering with companies, rather than just representing them matter-by-matter.

For more information:

Billable Hours Now Under Siege Due to Recession

Law Firm Fees Defy Gravity

New Fee Structure for Law Firms

Kill the Billable Hour? A British Response

	Paragon proudly welcomes these leading companies to its growing client list: Bare Escentuals Beauty, Inc. LinkedIn Corporation SanDisk Corporation

Paragon in the News

"Economic Pressure May Force Permanent Shift in Corporate Legal Costs"
GC California Magazine, April 16, 2009

"Fill-in-a-gap lawyers for legal departments"
Rees Morrison's Law Department Management blog, April 20, 2009

	The Legal Industry is Growing…Really! Law budgets will grow in the second half of 2009, says BTI Consulting. Government bailouts will trigger a particular surge in counseling and advisory matters, and our own sources suggest that mid-market companies will be the busiest. Legal specialties positioned to grow include class actions, employment, bankruptcy, regulatory matters and litigation, especially IP and bet-the-company litigation. Got Harassment Protection? 2009 may be your compliance deadline for state-mandated sexual harassment training for managers and supervisors. Required every two years by AB 1825, this training is no longer a luxury for progressive employers. It can provide a defense against harassment claims and may prevent or decrease punitive damages. Contact Paragon about harassment training for your organization.