Law And More

Stanford's Michael Webber Documented What Lawyers Already Fear

Artificial intelligence isn't only threatening those repetitive tasks at the low end of the labor food chain. The classic example is telemarketing. Probably bots have already been interrupting your lunch, dinner, and breakfast.

In the Economics Department at Stanford University Michael Webb researched patents being developed. That is, they are not providing current technology. He matched them against the functional keywords in job descriptions of what we think of as knowledge workers. 

But if those patents generate a commercial use, that application could wipe out analytical/solution-creating type jobs at the top of the labor food chain - and which pay well. They include market researcher, chemical engineer, and physicist. The study, which you can read here, has been published by the Brookings Institution.

Of course, this may not happen.

But it also may. If the latter plays out, that means that high-level cognitive processing does not insulate a human job function from being performed by artificial intelligence.

Sure, there will always be a need to a handful of experts in, say, chemical engineering, to oversee inputting the variables into the artificial intelligence programming. They will also be required to monitor and measure the performance of applications in the actual work settings. But, essentially, that job category could slip away as journalism has. 

In the legal sector, where training to be a lawyer entails three expensive years of education, artificial intelligence is already being applied to functions ranging from document review during discovery to contract review. Here are more details from Forbes. 

As clients, customers, strategic partners, and investors become more aware of artificial intelligence realities and possibilities they could demand those be considered for inclusion in projects. When, for instance, law firms pitch for an account they may have to front load that with how they will be using artificial intelligence. 

Is ghostwriting also on the chopping block? Of course. The personality traits, language preferences, cognitive habits, and content expertise of professionals can also be coded into artificial intelligence. There could be an algorithm labeled "Clarence Miller, Thought Leader on Influence of the Baptist Church in Political Public Speaking."

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Don McGahn - Can Trump Administration Continue to Block His Testimony During Impeachment Hearings

When then Jones Day partner Don McGahn represented Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign he probably never anticipated what kinds of loops he would be part of.

The most recent looping is that he has been part of the former Trump Administration officials - McGahn went on to head legal in the White House - being barred from testifying at the House Judiciary Committee hearing on impeachment.

Law and Crime reports that a lawyer representing the House Democrats on the Committee Douglas Letter filed a motion with a federal judge. It requests a speeded-up ruling whether McGahn can be compelled to testify.

Currently, McGahn is back as a partner at Jones Day. Since he is so high profile, if he does testify, viewership will soar for that particular hearing. 

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Shift from Public Relations to Legal - Darkness Fell Fast Post-BBC Interview of Prince Andrew

The fallout from Prince Andrew's BBC interview doesn't only negatively impact the brand - and future - of the British royals. 

In addition, as the Daily Mail reports, the situation has rapidly transformed into a legal one. Public relations expert Jason Stein had warned Andrew not to do the interview. But Andrew did. Now this. Darkness has fallen fast.

The this is that players in the legal sandbox are discussing the vulnerability of Andrew to be extradited to the United States to "cooperate" with officials.

The alleged sexual misconduct occurred in the U.S., not the UK.

Being a royal doesn't confer immunity to Andrew.

And currently prosecutors and plaintiff lawyers have what is being labeled "ammunition" to use in questioning Andrew. That could be under oath. And the content of the BBC interview could be part of cross-examination.

From the get-go in the BBC interview, those of us in the communications industry picked right up on Andrew's absolutely wrong tone and no evidence of sincere regret about whom he chose to be on his international network.

Regarding the latter, more and more of us are aware of the dynamics of mirror neurons. The research about them proved out that we human beings affect each other, cell by cell. Years ago, in the pre-scientific age, mothers and religious organizations warned about "bad companions." The Roman Catholic Church even classified those as "near occasions of sin."

Remorse for behavior is required by most social norms. Also, as lawyers know, they are expected in most courts of law. It is contended that AdmissionsGate miscreant Felicity Huffman got off relatively easy because she was contrite. Former law partner Gordon Caplan also adopted that persona.

Andrew did not.

Singlehandedly, Andrew could bring down the institution of the royals. Those in the UK who pony up the funding for much of that may decide to pull the plug.

Bring in top marketing and public relations firms to create a fresh approach to UK tourism. A former English major, I could advise on beefing up drama performances of the dramas of William Shakespeare. 

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

Beyond the Pizza Defense - Push for Prince Edward to Discuss Epstein Looping under Oath

During a relatively slow news weekend, the BBC interview with Prince Edward about being in the Jeffrey Epstein loop is getting major media coverage. That ranges from tabloid Daily Mail, with multiple articles, to the more staid The Guardian.

Essentially, the Prince provided what will go down in history as The Pizza Defense.

He claimed that he couldn't have been present having sex with Virginia Giuffre in London because he was at the Pizza Express in Woking, then working  quietly at home.

A world made sophisticated about law through pop culture is having none of all that. Following the unsatisfying interview, at least in terms of clarifying facts about the Prince's activities, there is a demand that he has a redo. This time, under oath. 

Telling falsehoods under oath results in legal consequences.

Also, there could be the negative branding effect on The Royals. Should a severe global economic downturn occur, the UK might decide it no longer wants to financially and emotionally support that institution.

Yes, it brings in tourism but so does the staging of the plays of William Shakespeare. As humans weary of tech, there could be a flight back to the artistic. Who knows, a Shakespeare requirement could return to the curriculum of private colleges. 

Meanwhile, experts in public relations might assess doing that BBC interview as a mistake for Prince Andrew. The barbarians are now closer to the gate. No longer unthinkable are what institutions and personalities will be destroyed.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Lawyers, Working and Retired - Conduct Annual Inventory of the Stories You Tell

Okay, storytelling and oral history are both hot. The Wall Street Journal even has a piece on the benefits of retelling family stories.

But, there are downsides in all storytelling. They can become downright dangerous to careers and relationships if managed without street smarts.

To begin with, we are our stories. Keep telling the same one and we get locked into that identity.

That is very visible in retirement communities in the southwest. The former lawyer keeps retelling the saga of how she was in the loop of the Richard Nixon impeachment process. Anyone determined to continue to grow ducks her. Obviously, she is stuck in the past and she cannot transcend what she had done to earn a living way back when. In the complex, there is a rolling of eyes when referring to "the lawyer."

Meanwhile, the still-employed lawyer in the New York Metro area keeps telling the story of how it had been to work full-time for the state of Connecticut. Her mission is to provide evidence that government employment can be very fulfilling.

No one cares. And she probably misses out on having folks inform her of ongoing opportunities in the legal sector. The perception is that she too is stuck in the past. The assumption is that she cannot learn the new technologies. Currently, she is employed in a collection agency. Many agree she could do better than that in terms of jobs.

When it comes to family stories, that can get old fast.

Also, as members keep changing (that process has been speeded up in the 21st century) dredging up the past can alienate.

Please, Mom, don't inflict on me at Thanksgiving dinner how crushed I was in high school that I didn't get voted in to be class president and, look at me now - being published on politics. 

And, no, Mom, no more depression-era stories of how mean supervisions were. What downers when we need to keep optimistic about the world of work. 

The takeaway is this: Be cautious what stories you tell and don't tell the same one too often. Annually, review the story inventory and assess which ones should be ditched and what new merchandise should be parachuted in. 

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

The Case of the Mirror Neurons - Bill Gates Labels Being in Loop with Jeffrey Epstein "Mistake in Judgment"

Those in the know always knew. They ranged from the wise members of the psychiatry profession to the nuns teaching in Roman Catholic schools to mom.

What they knew is this: Our associates affect us, significantly.

That's why over the years young people had been warned and are still are warned to avoid supposed "bad companions." In Roman Catholicism, they were categorized as "near occasions of sin." 

And those struggling with the decision whether to marry X or Y is told to observe whom X or Y hangs out with. That will reveal plenty about who the possible spouse really is. Yes, the old adage has lots of truth: Birds of a feather fly together.

Later, researchers in Italy discovered the scientific reason for that phenomenon. What they called "mirror neurons" trigger profound connecting dynamics among humans. We impact each other cell by cell. Those mirror neurons provide the very human characters such as empathy. We can "feel" - literally - for another person.

So, one does wonder what were the mirror neurons doing during the multiple times that Bill Gates interacted personally with Jeffrey Epstein. Those encounters took place after Epstein's conviction as a pedophile in 2011. So Gates cannot plead innocence. 

Now, reports BusinessInsider, Gates positions and packages those meetings as a "mistake in judgment." He contends he was hoping that the deep pocket Esptein would contribute to global health initiatives. But that didn't happen. 

The scientifically minded among watchers of what might be called "The Case of the Mirror Neurons" could persist in asking about what kinds of thoughts and feelings might have been transmitted during the meetings. Is Gates worse off as human being as a result of them? 

The media outlets might not be willing to let Gates off the hook easily. Also, society might be puzzled how a sophisticated player such as Gates would allow Epstein into his network. Surely, Gates had access to myriad other deep pockets to fund his philanthropic outreach.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

Cliches in Earnings Calls - Legal, But New Research Hammers What's Likely Being Hidden

A growth field is the computerized analysis of corporate earnings via natural language processing technology.

What such reviews found, reports FN, is a significant link between corporate leadership's use of euphemisms and cliches on earning calls and the underperformance of the stock in the short term.

That correlation showed up in the research co-authored of Joshua Livnat at QMA, whose parent company is Prudential Financial. 

The executives know they are on the defensive. So, just as do those in so many other lines of work, they become indirect. No straight talk.

They fear stating negatives. They recognize they cannot lie.

So they use hackneyed phrases such as "moving forward" and "lock, stock, and barrel." They may assume that will create a neutral field force. But, given this recent research, it will likely do the opposite: Set off alarms. 

Straight talkers are direct. They will introduce concrete language and evidence such as statistics to back that up.   

This kind of evasion, of course, can pop up in relationships. The language is not real. Connection is impossible. Those seeking intimacy should search elsewhere.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Displaced Older Lawyers, Legal Staff - 4 Ways to Stop Shooting Yourself in the Foot

"I look younger than I am."

"On my resume I lopped all work but the last seven years. Same thing on the cover letters."

"My LinkedIn Profile receives lots of visitors."

That's what those over-45 whom I coach tell me. But they are seeking career counseling sessions from me because they can't get comparable jobs after being laid off, can only land low-paid jobs, or have had no offers for even gig hustles.

They have plenty of company in their unawareness how age bias happens in 2019. And, yes, it can kick in as young as 40-something. 

That blind spot usually is associated with the internet. They have no idea how the internet has put the kibosh on their ability to remain employed in a way that they can make ends meet. The reality, of course, is that more than half those over-50 will be forced out and only one of 10 of them will be hired at jobs which are in the same compensation ballpark.

Here are the four ways the internet has become an obstacle in the search for work for older professionals:

•  Plastered all over the internet is one's age. All employers have to do is key in the name of the applicant. Up will pop various items, some of which contain the exact age. Those age items are up-to-date. 
•  Lack of participation in social networks can make the applicant seem not only part of the has-been gens. It can create the perception of being out of touch. More applications require a listing of social networks.
•  Wrong tone and content on social networks. The applicant can come across as ancient. 
•  Small number of followers, likes, shares, and comments on social networks and social media. If the position involves the ability to engage, then that kind of data can send a red flag the applicant is clueless about getting, holding, and scaling attention. 

The good news is that there are also four ways to transcend these obstacles:

• Be open. Employers are searching for not the perfect fit to the posted job description. Instead they need a hire who can get done what has to get done. Pick up what that is. Then show how you can accomplish that better than other applicants. Here, free to download, is my book on exiting comfort zones. 
•  Embrace the career truism that nothing gets you a job like a job. Here, free to click open, is my guide on how to start over in the search for work Download Outwitting ageism. One unemployed former in-house lawyer restarted his career with a loss-prevention gig in retail. Eventually he wound up in the corporate office overseeing that function. 
•  Develop tenacity. The most successful sales professionals truly believe that every "no" brings them closer to a "yes." That's because they analyze every aspect of what they did or didn't do on that sales call. Based on their findings, they do course correction on their MO.
•  Don't tell your "sad story." We are our stories. One former administrative assistant I coached kept ranting how she was terminated, probably because of age. I told her to stop that. Her new narrative was that she was excited about pursuing a career shift. Within three weeks she accepted an offer as the dispatcher for a large trucking company. 

Coaching, lecturing, and writing/ghostwriting thought leadership content on aging.

 

For individual coaching – sliding scale fees. Complimentary initial consultation. The displaced over-50 get back to work. Please contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Zantac - Obviously, Pharma to Get Hit Again and Hard with Lawsuits

Defense lawyers for pharma have been busy.

There has been the pile on of lawsuits directed at prescription and over the counter medications.

Many of the lawsuits allege failure to warn.

Johnson & Johnson had been hit with a $8 billion Risperdal verdict. Its defense legal team will appeal that. 

Now, Zantac joins that conga line. In the loop are pharma companies ranging from Sanofi to Pfizer. 

As Law.com reports, plaintiff lawyers anticipate a deluge of litigation contending that the heartburn fix allegedly has triggered the formation of the carcinogen NCMA. It's claimed that can cause a number of cancers, ranging from the kidney to colon. It's also alleged that the pharma companies were aware of that possibility and did not inform consumers. 

Since the medication has been out there since 1983, the number of possible lawsuits is amazing.

Again, plaintiff lawyers can pitch to juries allegedly there has been the priority put on profits over safety.

That has been effective in generating nuclear verdicts such as the one in Risperdal and those aren't predicted to go away. Here is Law.com's analysis of that trend.

Yes, juries are out to "punish" BigBusiness not adequately focused on the public good. This reflects the ongoing global review of capitalism.

Harvard Business School, boot camp for future capitalists, has an elective called "Reimagining Capitalism."

The Roundtable has pushed for redefining the purpose of the corporation as more than just increasing investor value. The interests of other constituencies, be they planet earth, employees, or local communities, have to be factored in. 

The 2020 Election puts traditional capitalism under a microscope.

Also, in this Zantac development, shade is being thrown on the FDA. During the Trump Administration the regulatory agency has been downsized. In some circles there is outrage the FDA did not take action on Zantac sooner.

Reflection: Expect giant settlements and jury punitive damages awards with Zantac. Meanwhile, pharma has a major branding problem.

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.

 

Professional Services Such as Law, New Business Development, Power Lunching

Everything changes. 

That includes power, or at least how it's played out.

Those with it or chasing it used to have to be "seen" lunching in pricey restaurants like Michael's in Manhattan. Currently, as the New York Post observers, that ritual is becoming extinct. Yes, when it comes to those long boozy, high carb dining experiences, what's occurring is a power outage.

The new establishment - Millennials - have put together different ways of demonstrating they are in power or should be factored in as heading there. 

So, how does power look in 2019? 

Well, it's too busy with work to go out to eat. Something, usually healthy, is consumed at a desk, next to some kind of digital device. Since Puritan times, work has represented salvation. Many Millennial souls are being saved in the always-on-duty ethos of digital times. 

Power is also transmitted through social networks. Digital influencers are those who count. On Twitter and Instagram they have plenty of followers. For the buttoned-down among the influencers, there have to be triple-digit likes and comments on LinkedIn Updates. 

Also, power is symbolized by wellness. It's at the gym. It's riding a bike to the office, even amid the scary streets of Manhattan. It's lean and hungry. Come on now, there has always been something decadent about too much food and alcohol in overpriced restaurants. 

What has been becoming the code for power is the phrase "I don't do lunch." That's even trickled down to the level of non-strivers.

The ladies who used to lunch know better or should know better not to do that any more. Instead, they should be out there trying to change the world. Protesting is good. Volunteering in an animal shelter is better. Best of all is active listening. Those who have recovered the ability to be there in real time for a friend in need are the current superheroes in society. Suicides are likely being prevented.

The crowd over-50 has been embracing minimalism. That's to insulate themselves when they are forced out of jobs. According to ProPublica and the Urban Institute, more than half will lose their jobs, mostly because of factors somehow related to age. When they do bounce back into the workforce, only one-tenth of them will be earning comparable compensation. Radical saving is mandated. Money for lunch is money wasted. 

Of course, there are still lines of business, especially in professional services, where the players wine and dine prospects. Actually, that's one reason so many brandname public relations agencies and law firms are based in Manhattan.

The head of whatever at Corporation XYX in Minnesota expects that special treatment by those competing for the account. And they want it to unfold in Manhattan. Not Fairlawn, New Jersey. Law partners have to build into their schedules time slots for power lunching to develop new business.

Exactly how to orchestrate all that should be provided as an elective in the T-14 law schools. Current business is so much less important to holding onto a job than rainmaking. 

But, overall, just like Airbnb disrupted the lodging industry, the decline of the power lunch will reconfigure the restaurant one. 

Smart global ghostwriting, with social networking know-know. Emergencies welcome. Complimentary consultation (pressure-free) janegenova374@gmail.com.