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Bracewell & Giuliani Adds Two Partners to Austin Office

rebneely — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:10 +0000

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP announced that John A. Riley and Christopher C. Thiele have joined the firm’s Austin office as partners. Both join in the environmental strategies practice.

Before joining the firm, Riley was a partner, and Thiele was counsel in Vinson & Elkins LLP’s environmental litigation and regulation practice.

Mark C. Evans, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP’s managing partner was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “John and Chris are great additions to our environmental strategies team, particularly in Texas, where there is such strong demand for top environmental legal talent.”

Riley focuses his practice in permitting and enforcement matters in the air, water and waste media. He also advises entities in the power generation, hydraulic fracturing, manufacturing and waste disposal sectors in matters before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

From 1994 to 1998, Riley was the Director of the Litigation Division at the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (now TCEQ). During that time, he was directly responsible for overseeing the agency’s environmental crimes unit and the development and implementation of the Texas Environmental, Health and Safety Audit Privilege Law and other legislation, rulemaking, and policies.

Thiele’s focuses his practice mainly on the regulation of air pollution under the federal Clean Air Act and related state and local laws and regulations, notably in Texas. He also represents industrial clients in a wide range of air permitting, rulemaking, compliance auditing, enforcement, and litigation matters, including contested permit proceedings.

In 1999, Thiele began his legal career at Bracewell. Before practicing law, he was an engineer at an environmental consulting firm, where he represented the oil and gas, petrochemical, surface coating and wood-products industries, and was a senior engineer for a major electric utility.

Timothy A. Wilkins, head of Bracewell & Giuliani’s environmental practice was quoted as saying: “John and Chris further strengthen our ability to represent the energy, manufacturing, upstream shale, refining and waste industries in Texas and across the nation. In particular, we are pleased to bring aboard their extensive experience in contested case hearings for industrial c

Riley earned his juris doctorate from Boston University, and his B.S. from Cornell University. Thiele earned his juris doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law and his B.S. from Texas A&M University.

International law firm Bracewell & Giuliani LLP has over 470 lawyers in Texas, New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Seattle, Dubai, and London. The firm represents Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, leading private investment funds, governmental entities and individuals concentrated in the energy, technology and financial services sectors worldwide. The firm’s primary areas of practice include business law, finance, litigation, government relations and regulatory policy.

In addition, the firm has significant bench strength in all requisite practice areas including government relations, strategic communications, tax, trial, labor and employment law, intellectual property, real estate, government contracting and school and public law.

Wealth Management Group Expands at Bracewell & Giuliani

EmploymentCrossing — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:59:43 +0000

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP have announced they will be joined by Glen Eichelberger and Brian Teaff, both formerly of Fulbright & Jaworski. They will work in the wealth management department. Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (www.bgllp.com) is a law firm with offices around the States and in several international locations. They employ more than 470 lawyers.

Read the full article here:

Bracewell & Giuliani Grows its Wealth Management Group

Bracewell & Giuliani’s Shocking Client

joshua — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:24:07 +0000

Bracewell & Giuliani, an international law firm that bears the name of former New York Mayor and Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani, lobbied last year on behalf of a special needs school to kill a bill that would have prevented the school from using electric shocks to discipline students, according to this story from the Boston Globe.

The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center reportedly paid $100,000 to the law firm to lobby the Senate on its behalf in opposition to a bill that would have banned the use of restraints and certain other devices on students. The bill passed the House, but was killed in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. According to the firm, Giuliani was not involved in the decision to accept the school as a client and played no role in lobbying on the school’s behalf.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:20:37 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, October 6th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Kilpatrick Stockton and Bell, Rosenberg & Hughes announced their merger…

Chadbourne & Parke LLP added two partners to its New York Office…

Chadbourne & Parke LLP Adds Two Partners in New York Office

joshua — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:07:19 +0000

The international law firm Chadbourne & Parke LLP has added litigators M. Scott Peeler and Jeffrey Wasserman as partners in the New York office.

Mr. Peeler, 39, was formerly a partner at Arent Fox and Mr. Wasserman, 36, was most recently a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani, both in New York.

Mr. Peeler focuses his practice on white collar litigation and government investigations, including health care fraud and abuse, money laundering, securities and tax violations. He also regularly advises clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws.

Mr. Wasserman returns to Chadbourne, where he previously served as an associate. He focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, concentrating on cross-border disputes and other transactions.

According to the press release at the firm’s website, Chadbourne Managing Partner Charles K. O’Neill was quoted as saying: “We are very pleased to welcome Jeff back to Chadbourne. He and Scott bring a wealth of litigation experience and knowledge to the firm. More stringent enforcement of FCPA and other anti-corruption laws in the U.S. and in countries where we have offices make Scott’s addition to our FCPA team particularly timely.”

Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, project finance, private funds, corporate finance, and venture capital. The Firm has offices in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, London, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Dubai and Beijing.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:06:45 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, September 29th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Orrick and Akin Gump began merger talks…

Greenberg Traurig added two attorneys to its Corporate and Securities practice…

The Florida Supreme Court declined U.S. Rep Alan Grayson’s request to halt the foreclosures being handled by three South Florida law firms under investigation…

Greenberg Traurig Adds Two to Corporate and Securities Practice

joshua — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:11:08 +0000

Greenberg Traurig, LLP today announced fund lawyers John A. Brunjes and Genna N. Garver have joined its Corporate and Securities Practice.

Brunjes joins in the Boston and New York offices as shareholder, and Garver in the New York office as of counsel, where they will add to the firm’s growing Private Investment Funds group.

Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Brunjes and Garver were at Bracewell & Giuliani in its Connecticut office where Brunjes, a partner, was a member of Private Investment Funds Group, and head of the Fund Formation practice. Garver was a member of the Private Investment Funds and Corporate and Securities Groups.

In today’s press release at the firm’s site, Michael Lehr, Regional Operating Shareholder was quoted as saying: “The addition of Brunjes and Garver will increase our presence in the hedge fund and private equity fund legal arena, especially in the New York to Boston geographic region. Their experience in fund formation and investment advisory matters will nicely compliment our existing capabilities in those areas.

Brunjes’ practice focuses on advising managers and sponsors in hedge fund, private equity, and venture capital fund formation as well as operational and compliance issues, with particular emphasis on structuring private domestic and offshore capital pools.

Garver represents financial institutions in a variety of transactional and regulatory matters with a focus on investment advisers, hedge funds and other private investment funds.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, full-service law firm with approximately 1800 attorneys serving clients from more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:40:36 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, September 15th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

The EPA threatened nine hydraulic fracturing companies with legal action…

Former Ambassador and Associate Attorney General Joins Fulbright & Jaworski…

Kramer Levin added three partners from Baker & McKenzie to its banking and finance group…

Andrews Kurth LLP added four attorneys to its Washington D.C. Office…

White & Case expanded its white collar and litigation practice…

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:25:27 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, July 15th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Corporate law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore is considering adding a four-person marketing team…

The American Association for Justice named Alabama-based attorney C. Gibson Vance its new president…

McKool Smith earned its 2nd consecutive selection to National Law Journal’s Midsize Hot List…

Bracewell & Giuliani opened an office in Seattle…

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips added a new team of lawyers and advisers to its New York City government practice…

Bracewell & Giuliani Plants Flag in Seattle

joshua — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:32:48 +0000

Bracewell & Giuliani is opening a new office in Seattle. Partner Paul Fox, co-head of the firm’s energy regulatory practice, will serve as the office’s managing partner.

Also joining the Seattle office as partners are Dave Domansky, formerly the leader of the energy practice at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; and tax attorney Lance Behnke. Bracewell & Giuliani is also adding associates Chris Schenck and Valyncia Simmons.

Bracewell & Giuliani is based in Houston, Tex. and has 470 attorneys. It has additional offices in New York, Washington D.C., Connecticut and Dubai.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:45:22 +0000

Good morning everyone. Here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Nine IP lawyers from Fish & Richardson head for Bracewell & Giuliani…

Bloomberg is set to unveil its new legal search engine…

A new law makes it easier for foreign firms to open in South Korea…

and Kenneth Glazer has joined K&L Gates…

Nine Fish & Richardson Lawyers Move to Bracewell & Giuliani

joshua — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:26:36 +0000

As we reported last month, Fish and Richardson is closing its office in Austin. Nine IP lawyers from that office have signed on with Bracewell & Giuliani, according to a press releasefrom Bracewell.

The IP group is headed by Alan Albright, who was managing principal of Fish & Richardson’s Austin office. Ed Cavazos, Barry Shelton, Andrew Gajkowski, Chris Johnson, Betty Chen, Michael Chibib and David Hoffman round out the group. Some of the nine have already made the move, and the rest will come over as they wrap up current projects.

Bracewell & Giuliani employs more than 400 lawyers at offices in Texas, New York, Washington DC, and Connecticut, as well as in Dubai, Kazakhstan, and London.

Winstead Poaches Real Estate Team from Bracewell

Erik Even — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:15:49 +0000

Winstead has added three attorneys from the San Antonio office of Bracewell & Giuliani.

Frank Ruttenberg joins Winstead in San Antonio as a shareholder. Elizabeth Breazeale joins as of counsel, and D. Farr Nolen joins as an associate.

All three join the real estate development and investment practice.

Winstead PC has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; and in Washington, DC.

The Week in Law Firm Layoffs

Erik Even — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:26:37 +0000

This week in law firm layoffs:

Brownstein Hyatt: 15 lawyers, 22 staff

Chapman and Cutler: undisclosed lawyers

Quinn Emanuel: 10 staff

DLA Piper: estimated 32 lawyers

Willkie Farr & Gallagher: 24 undisclosed

Vedder Price: 9 lawyers

Townsend and Townsend and Crew: 16 lawyers, 45 staff

Bracewell & Giuliani: undisclosed staff

Baker & McKenzie: 38 lawyers, 86 staff

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek: 90 staff

Clifford Chance: 10 lawyers

Winstead PC: undisclosed lawyers

Bricker & Eckler: 9 lawyers, 19 staff

William Fry: 17 staff

Shipman & Goodwin: 5 lawyers, 21 staff

Total: 144 lawyers, 310 staff

Week of March 29th: 199 lawyers, 474 staff

Week of March 22nd: 455 lawyers, 219 staff

Week of March 15th: 91 lawyers, 177 staff

Week of March 8th: 574 lawyers, 812 staff

Tipster: Staff Layoffs at Bracewell & Giuliani

Erik Even — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Today we received a lengthy tip from a frustrated employee of Bracewell & Giuliani, reporting support staff layoffs at the firm’s Washington, DC office.

Here’s is what the tipster had to say, edited for length & clarity:

I work for the firm Bracewell & Giuliani, and would like to share the layoff process they conducted this past Monday, April 6, 2009.

Just a little over a month and a half ago, we were all told by the office administrator that B&G was one of the only firms in DC that was not going through any type of layoff. We were all assured that our jobs were secure and that if anything should arise we would be the first to know.

During this meeting we were also told about the expansion the firm was in the process of making. … They would be hiring more attorneys, associated and secretaries. We were told that the firm was growing and we were all lucky part of that team. They really pumped us [up], making us all feel extremely secure.

My suspicions [were] aroused when we were all told that they were replacing our Special Service team, with an different agency that was more affordable. Special Service folks were given the opportunity to interview with this particular agency, but if they agency did not hire them, they were out of a job.

These folks have been with B&G [as long as] 30 years.

On Monday… a secretary at our firm… was told that she was being “laid off” and needed to leave the building immediately. They called a cab and gave her a voucher. Shortly thereafter, they called another secretary and then another.

The following day the layoff rampage continued and they let IT folks go, and sent them out the door with out anytime to properly gather their items or tell people they had been working with for years good-bye.

The tipster takes issue with the way the layoffs are being handled.

The process almost seems rude, cruel and inhuman. It seemed to me that the HR bosses from Houston took great joy in walking around the hallways for the next few days, intimidating us. I also overheard a few people laughing and making jokes about the people that had been laid off.

At this point, no one cared about the stress they were causing us and how their nonchalant attitudes affected us. I felt terrible and continue to feel terrible for the people that were laid off, and feel so incredibly angry every time I see the Partners having their expensive catered lunches.

There were rumors of B&G layoffs in January.

Bracewell & Giuliani employs more than 400 lawyers at offices in Texas, New York, Washington DC, and Connecticut, as well as in Dubai, Kazakhstan, and London.

GOP “Golden Boy” Joins Bracewell & Giuliani

Erik Even — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:57:10 +0000

Kevin J. O’Connor, the former US associate attorney general (the third-highest job in the Justice Department), is joining Houston’s Bracewell & Giuliani.

The 41-year-old Republican is expected to focus on “multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation matters, including those related to corporate restructuring,” for Fortune 500 companies and private investment funds.

O’Connor is slated to start work at the firm’s Hartford, Connecticut office on February 2nd.

“Having served as the associate attorney general under Ronald Reagan, I am well aware of the challenges Kevin has faced in the same position, and I am extremely pleased that he brings that experience with him to Bracewell,” firm name partner and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said.

O’Connor’s return to private practice comes after a five-year stint as US attorney for Connecticut, which ended with his appointment two years ago as chief of staff to former US Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales. Some of the disgraced Gonzales’ staffers have had trouble transitioning to the private sector.

O’Connor holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut. His name continues to be mentioned as a possible candidate for elective office, with one prominent criminal defense lawyer dubbing him, “the golden boy of the Connecticut Republican Party.” He lost a bid for state senate in 1998, by 17 points.

Bracewell & Giuliani employs more than 400 lawyers at offices in Texas, New York, Washington, DC, and Connecticut as well as in Dubai, Kazakhstan, and London.

Tip: Layoffs at Houston’s Bracewell & Guiliani

Erik Even — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:20:12 +0000

Bracewell & Guiliani’s headquarters in Houston is laying off a lot of people in corporate and energy, according to a JDJournal tip.

If you have any further information on these firings, please send us a confidential tip. JDJournal relies on your tips to get the latest breaking legal employment news to you ASAP.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is an international law firm based in Houston, Texas, founded in 1945. The firm has over 400 lawyers, with offices in New York, Washington, DC, Hartford, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Dubai, London, and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The firm’s areas of specialization include energy, banking & financial institutions, environmental strategies, white collar criminal defense, special investigations and private investment funds.

In 2005, former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani joined the firm as a named partner.

Attorney General Recuses Self from Madoff Probe

Erik Even — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:37:54 +0000

US Attorney General Michael Mukasey has recused himself from the Department of Justice probe into the Madoff investment scandal. Mukasey’s son, Marc Mukasey, a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani, is representing Frank DiPascali, a top financial officer at Madoff Investment Securities.

Congress will also investigate the alleged $50 billion pyramid scheme run by Wall Street money manager Bernard Madoff.

Democratic Representative Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), chairman of the House Financial Services subcommittee on capital markets, will convene a congressional inquiry early next month to examine the alleged fraud and to determine why the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulators “failed to detect these substantial evasions.”

The planned congressional inquiry follows a stunning rebuke that SEC Chairman Christopher Cox leveled against his agency’s career regulators, blaming them for a decade-long failure to investigate Madoff and for failing to detect one of the largest pyramid scams ever.

In other news, New York Southern District Magistrate Judge Gabriel Gorenstein has set new conditions for Madoff’s bail, including an ankle-monitoring bracelet and a curfew that will require him to be in his Park Avenue apartment from 7 pm to 9 am. The magistrate judge also ordered Madoff and his wife, Ruth, to surrender their passports.

Bracewell & Giuliani Hosts Posh Holiday Bash [Video]

Erik Even — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:49:54 +0000

From the Carpe Vita blog:

Friday night, the Dallas-based Bracewell & Giuliani team celebrated the holidays with a gathering at the decked-out Four Seasons Hotel.

Here’s the video:

Bracewell & Giuliani is an international law firm based in Houston, Texas and founded in 1945. The firm has over 400 lawyers in New York, Washington, DC, Hartford, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Dubai, London and Kazakhstan. The firm’s areas of specialization include energy, banking and financial institutions, environmental strategies, white collar criminal defense, special investigations and private investment funds.

The firm maintains the Energy Legal Blog.