In House

Amazon and Yelp are both currently suing companies that sell fake online reviews, a major reminder that online reputation can have a major impact on the success or failure of a business. Reading just three negative reviews can be enough to change the mind of most consumers, according to The Guardian, so sham online ratings may result in serious damages. So, what should you do if your company is bombarded with false, negative reviews? Here are three tips: 1.

It's easy to spot great candidates for in-house counsel. Basically, they have already arrived. They beat out all other candidates for a plum job, working in the industry that you serve. But it's possible to overlook a great candidate if you don't know what to look for in the applicant pool. Here are some observations: Picture This Robert Osher, newly named general counsel at Miramax, is a fine example. He is a film industry veteran, which explains part of his success.

It's harder than it sounds, and it sounds impossible. The path to an in house counsel position at a startup company isn't too different than any other type of company: BigLaw is basically the path you must follow.

In 2014, new General Counsel were in place in 10% of large organizations, according to BTI Consulting Group. Circumstances may vary, but your organization may bring on a new general counsel as a result of the former GC retiring, as part of a merger/acquisition, or a law department shake up. Whatever the reason, there's someone new in charge. That got us thinking -- how do attorneys in the legal department deal with a new general counsel?

Keurig, a subdivision of Green Mountain Coffee, makes single-cup pod-style coffee makers. Until 2011, they held 100 percent of the legitimate market, as they had a patent on the cups. Until 2011. And late last year, Green Mountain's attempt to use method patents to stop the burgeoning third-party pod market was shot down by the Federal Circuit, putting the company's $2.4 billion cash cow at risk.

Often, the role of in-house counsel is to say "no." Often known as the resident fun-sucker, in-house attorney is there to limit the company's exposure to risk. But here's the thing: Risks are not only necessary for a company to thrive, they're crucial to survive. Doling out legal advice that is too risk averse can actually harm the longevity of the company. Here are three reasons why you should allow execs (and yourself) to take calculated risks: 1.