A "Situation Map" for Litigators

Fulbright & Jaworski has just released the results of its fourth-annual Litigation Trends Survey.  Aspiring litigators would do well to have a look at the findings.  In the words of Stephen Dillard, Fulbright’s litigation chair, it provides "a detailed situation map of the U.S. and international litigation scene."  It’s safe to say that this expansive view of the landscape is not available from the typical BigLaw midlevel’s office, especially in the wee hours of the morning.

The survey’s data show a "pronounced drop in the new case filings—both against and by American companies."  This is reversal of the upward trajectory of the previous three years.  Even so, on the vanishingly small off-chance that a normal, non-lawyer type person reads the findings, it might seem we live in a  Jarndyce and Jarndyce world.  Just to cite one example: nearly one fifth of the companies surveyed are juggling over 100 lawsuits in U.S. courts.

Among other survey highlights:

Consistent with previous years, in-house counsel report that labor & employment matters are the most frequent source of lawsuits.  Right, Isiah?

The ever-increasing impact of, and issues relating to, e-discovery and ESI.  True, Larry?

The current intense media and regulatory pressure over stock options backdating.  Larry again!

- posted by brian