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I have heard that another problem with bonuses in small-law general practice is that it has to be the right amount. If it is too low, you will get a disgruntled employee and his productivity and morale will suffer. But if it is too high, you may be providing seed money for him to quit and do something else. Or worse, start a competing practice. I think the latter line of thinking is suspect because most new attorneys do not want to start their own practice unless they absolutely have to or they are 100% certain that they will make serious money immediately. click here

I want to talk about two year-end issues that solo practices and small firms deal with. The first is one of ATL’s favorite topics. The other is year-end business planning. I’m sure there are many other year-end issues that should be covered, but I don’t want to leave you with TL;DR rambling on Christmas Eve. click here

In a sharp reversal of federal drug policy, Congress has prohibited the Justice Department from interfering with laws in California and other states that allow the medical use of marijuana. And the turnabout caught the immediate attention of federal judges, who want to know its impact on some recent criminal convictions under the federal law that classifies pot as one of the most dangerous drugs. click here

The legislation should persuade Haag’s office “to lay down its arms so as to end the costly and misguided offensive on the rights of medical cannabis patients,” said Henry Wykowski, a lawyer for the dispensary. read more

Federal prosecutors aren’t prepared to concede anything. While the Justice Department hasn’t spoken publicly on the meaning of the new law, saying only that it’s under review, the legislation - an amendment to a government spending bill - is loosely worded and subject to varying interpretations. click here