Chicago Happenings

[Cletus Miller]

1. Any chance we actually manage to nip one political legacy in the bud in a few weeks?

2. Does Sachnoff merging with reed smith bode ill for the remaining 100-200 attorney hometown firms?

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Cletus Miller
Does Sachnoff merging with reed smith bode ill for the remaining 100-200 attorney hometown firms?

Reed Smith has been looking in Chicago for a while now. It was only a matter of time before they found a merger partner. That being said, my guess is that the future model for law firms is going to be under 50 lawyers or mega-franchise office.

That's the way it has almost always been. It's only a short historical blip that allowed for a 150 lawyer "small firm." Twenty years ago, 100-200 lawyers was a big firm, and the rest of the profession was a couple dozen lawyers at most. Anything in between was either on its way up or down.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by taxwonk
Reed Smith has been looking in Chicago for a while now. It was only a matter of time before they found a merger partner. That being said, my guess is that the future model for law firms is going to be under 50 lawyers or mega-franchise office.

That's the way it has almost always been. It's only a short historical blip that allowed for a 150 lawyer "small firm." Twenty years ago, 100-200 lawyers was a big firm, and the rest of the profession was a couple dozen lawyers at most. Anything in between was either on its way up or down.

I have a friend who had an offer from RS a few years back and declined as her duedili indicated they were moving in the mega-firm direction.

By the by, am I on ignore?

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
I have a friend who had an offer from RS a few years back and declined as her duedili indicated they were moving in the mega-firm direction.

By the by, am I on ignore?

Nope. You're not on ignore. What would make you think so?

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by taxwonk
Nope. You're not on ignore. What would make you think so?

An email I didn't get, but perhaps I already knew in other in other fora, sts. Anyway, I am heartened by this development and see the potential for bi-partisan growth.

Also, more topically, I willl be in Chicago in January and am open to any suggesstions. Legal or otherwise.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
An email I didn't get, but perhaps I already knew in other in other fora, sts. Anyway, I am heartened by this development and see the potential for bi-partisan growth.

Also, more topically, I willl be in Chicago in January and am open to any suggesstions. Legal or otherwise.

I thought you were fully apprised. I will send you my new contact info.

As for January, I suggest dining but not al fresco. As you know, Chicago at that time of year is likely to freeze your frescoes right off.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by taxwonk
I thought you were fully apprised. I will send you my new contact info.

As for January, I suggest dining but not al fresco. As you know, Chicago at that time of year is likely to freeze your frescoes right off.

Smashing. And yes, inside, I am planning on going skirted and don't appreciate a draft.......

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by taxwonk
As for January, I suggest dining but not al fresco.

Al Fresco? New Place? Does he work for Streets and San.?

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Al Fresco? New Place? Does he work for Streets and San.?

It's a gelateria on Taylor Street.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by taxwonk
It's a gelateria on Taylor Street.

Mmmmmmmmmm, gelato.....

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

City and organizers reach a new five year deal to keep the festival in Grant Park...

Link

[Penske_Account]

I will be visiting Chicago in January. Any tips on hot new restaurants and other interesting things to do and places to be seen for a preternaturally youthful hipster doofus?

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Is it worth it in this housing market? We plan to stay in this place for another 4-6 years (bought in 2/2006), so we'll get some enjoyment from a new kitchen, but I'd like to know what everyone's thoughts are on potential ROI. I'd like to recognize a decent portion of my investment.

[Cletus Miller]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Is it worth it in this housing market? We plan to stay in this place for another 4-6 years (bought in 2/2006), so we'll get some enjoyment from a new kitchen, but I'd like to know what everyone's thoughts are on potential ROI. I'd like to recognize a decent portion of my investment.

Sort of depends on how bad your current kitchen is. If it hasn't been redone since the 80s, I think its pretty important. Just don't spend $40,000 on a wood-fired brick oven and you should do okay on the ROI. From what I recall, in recent years, kitchen remodels have the 2d best ROI after bathrooms.

That said, I also think, with the major slowdown in construction, if you wait 6 months, you can get much better pricing (and responsiveness) on the work as there will be a glut of underemployed construction workers.

[Replaced_Texan]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Is it worth it in this housing market? We plan to stay in this place for another 4-6 years (bought in 2/2006), so we'll get some enjoyment from a new kitchen, but I'd like to know what everyone's thoughts are on potential ROI. I'd like to recognize a decent portion of my investment.

What sort of remodel are you talking? I am trying to figure out if mine is going to be a $5,000 remodel (new floors, cabinets from IKEA (which as far as I can tell are pretty damned good) and countertops), a $10-15,000 remodel (above plus new appliances) or a $50-75,000 remodel (expand kitchen, add laundry room, half bath and master suite to that side of the house). I tihnk any of the above will add value to the house, but Houston hasn't really been hit by any discernable housing slump.