JD Journal » Dickstein Shapiro

Winston & Strawn Continues Expansion of IP Litigation Practice With Addition of Two Partners

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

Winston & Strawn LLP announced in recent days it has added Alfred Fabricant and Lawrence Drucker as partners to its New York office. Fabricant will head the firm’s IP practice in New York.

Both attorneys join from Dickstein Shapiro, LLP. Both have cultivated a robust IP litigation practice through their representation of clients in cutting-edge technologies related to software used for analyzing media audience and marketing information data, radio frequency identification, digital watermarking, robotics, optics, and Web design platforms. Their clients are based in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Fabricant has over thirty years of litigation experience. He is an experienced trial lawyer, and concentrates his practice on patent, copyright, trademark, unfair competition, entertainment, antitrust, and other commercial litigation matters. He has, on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, tried cases to verdict as first chair in a broad range of technical disciplines, including digital and analog electronics, robotics, computer software, mechanical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and business method patents.

For twenty years, Drucker has concentrated his practice on patent, trademark, and copyright litigation, including trials and appeals. His work covers a broad range of areas, and includes patent infringement matters involving consumer electronics, audience measurement systems, medical devices, robotics, optics, radio frequency identification products, and floor coverings.

Michael Elkin, managing partner of Winston’s New York office was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Fred and Larry bring enormous talent and energy to our IP litigation practice. Their nuanced understanding of advanced technologies, plus their track record of success in the courtroom, are tremendous assets to existing and new clients in New York.”

Thomas Fitzgerald, firm managing partner was quoted as saying: “We welcome the remarkable skills and savvy that Fred and Larry bring to the entire firm. Their reputation and know-how are an outstanding fit for the practice and the firm’s global platform.”

Fabricant earned his J.D., with highest distinction, from The John Marshall Law School in 1978 and his B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami. Drucker earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1988 and his B.A. in Economics and Political Science, summa cum laude, from Queens College of the City University of New York.

The addition of Fabricant and Drucker follows the firm’s recent expansion of its global intellectual property litigation group and regional capabilities. Most recently, Winston added prominent IP litigation attorney Michael Murray to its New York office. As well, David Enzminger and David Dalke joined the firm’s Los Angeles office. In addition over fifteen litigation partners from the former Howrey law firm joined its Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices, as well as its newly opened Houston office.

International law firm Winston & Strawn LLP has nearly 1,000 attorneys in fifteen offices in Beijing, Charlotte, Chicago, Geneva, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, New York, Newark, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. The firm serves clients of all types and sizes, in both the private and the public sector.

Perkins Coie Adds Five Attorneys to National Insurance Coverage Practice

rebneely — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:00:28 +0000

In recent days, the law firm of Perkins Coie announced five new attorneys have joined its national Insurance Coverage practice in the Washington, D.C. office.

Leon Kellner and Vivek Chopra join as partners from the firm of Dickstein Shapiro, and Christina Buschmann, Aaron Coombs and Laura Dellatorre join as associates.

The addition of the attorneys follows the addition of partners Selena Linde and Michael Sharkey, also formerly of Dickstein Shapiro, to the Washington, D. C. Office, about two months ago.

Tim Burns, Firmwide Insurance Coverage Litigation practice Chair was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “We are very pleased to have this new group on board with us, Leon and Vivek are exceptional policyholder attorneys and add to our growing bench of first-chair litigators. We are continually working to expand the group with premier talent and the combined trial skills and litigation experience of this group will help us continue to provide exceptional service to our clients in all aspects of insurance coverage litigation.”

The focus of the group’s practice will be on the representation of corporate policyholders in insurance recovery efforts in state and federal courts; in addition they will advise clients on a number of other matters, including environmental liability, first-party losses, directors and officers insurance, asbestos coverage, errors and omissions policies, employee dishonesty and bad faith.

Leon Kellner was quoted as saying: “Perkins Coie’s policyholder practice has emerged on the national scene in the last two years as an industry leader on the policyholder side. The firm’s reputation as a prestigious national full service law firm and its commitment to represent only policyholders, together with its growing bench of now more than 45 talented policyholder attorneys made the decision to join Perkins an easy decision for us.”

Kellner has nearly 25 years of experience representing policyholders, having been involved in all aspects of insurance coverage litigation. He has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, and ranked as a leading policyholder attorney by Chambers USA from 2005 to 2011, both nationally and in Washington, D.C.

Chopra provides representation for policyholders in state and federal courts. He has as well, recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his corporate policyholder clients. He has represented major pharmaceutical, hospitality and telecommunications companies in a broad variety of insurance coverage disputes. As well, he has represented Fortune 100 companies in multi-month trials.

Buschmann received her J.D. from The College of William & Mary; Coombs received his J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law; there he served as the executive editor for the Virginia Journal of Social Policy and Law. Dellatorre earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Perkin Coie’s Insurance Coverage group has significant experience representing policyholders in all types of dispute resolution proceedings, from pre-litigation negotiation and advocacy to litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the United States to domestic and international arbitrations.

Perkins Coie has over 850 lawyers in 18 offices across the United States and in China.

More Lawyers Leave as Howrey Dissolution Vote Approaches

aostler — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:24:21 +0000

As the dissolution vote draws nearer, and is reported to be happening this week, partners are continuing to leave the firm.

Four IP litigation partners from Howrey’s Palo Alo office are now moving to Perkins Coie. The four who are leaving are James Valentine, Daniel Shvodian, Christopher Kelley, and James Pistorino, all from Howrey’s Palo Alto office. Margaret Macdonald, another partner of Howrey located in Washington D.C., has also been given an offer by Perkins Coie, according to Perkins Coie’s chief lateral recruitment officer, Karen Andersen.

Since these four jumped ship, Perkins Coie has increased its IP practice to over 75 patent litigators and over 200 attorneys in its Bay area location, according to its Bay area managing partner, Ed Wes.

Krista Carter, also based in Howrey’s Palo Alto office, left Howrey for Dickstein Shapiro. On March 1^st she joined the firm and now is opening an office in Silicon Valley, along with partners Deborah Fishman and Jeffrey Miller, who were formerly partners at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Henry Petri and Janelle Waack, from Howrey’s Houston firm, left for Novak Druce + Quigg, an intellectual property firm, originally founded in 2004 by partners formerly from Howrey. Howrey’s Houston office has not seen as many defections as some of its other offices, and Petri was offered a position at Novak in January, but, in his words, he stayed until now “to wrap up things there.”

Waack decided to move much more recently, because of the talks between Howrey and Winston. In her own words, she said, “When the situation came up with Howrey and the potential integration with Winston & Strawn, it just became apparent there were some conflict issues I’d have to deal with.”

As a result of all of the recent departures, Howrey is now almost the half the size it was last year. The firm had 297 partners and counsel as of April 2010. Now, less than a year has passed by, and 141 of those 297 have left the firm.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:30:26 +0000

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, February 23, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news…

Zuckerman Spaeder absorbed a Baltimore boutique…

Dickstein Shapiro expanded its IP practice in Southern California…

And Congress is considering suspending the Equal Access to Justice program…

Dickstein Shapiro Adds Four in LA

joshua — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:46:48 +0000

Dickstein Shapiro continues to expand its IP practice on the west coast. Following the opening of an office in Irvine last year with the addition of IP partner Kimberly Nobles, the firm added three more IP partners and one senior counsel last week.

Robert Dickerson, formely the head of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Los Angeles IP practice is moving to Dickstein Shapiro along with partners Yasser El-Gamal and Allan Jansen and senior counsel James Geriak. Dickerson will join the Los Angeles office and the other three will work out of the Irvine office.

The firm plans to have 20 IP lawyers in California soon and as many as 30 by the end of the year.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, has offices in Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, Stamford, and Orange County.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:55:09 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, November 16, and here’s a quick look back at Monday’s headlines…

Threats against social security judges have increased in both nature and scope…

The FDIC has filed a suit against Bryan Cave…

Venable picked up five attorneys from Wilmer Hale…

and Dickstein Shapiro added 12 attorneys to its M&A practice on the east coast…

Dickstein Shapiro Adds Twelve Attorneys to M&A & Private Equity Practices

joshua — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:27:14 +0000

Dickstein Shapiro LLP expanded its national M&A and Private Equity Practices with the addition of five partners and seven associates.

The attorneys will be working both from New York City and the firm’s newly launched Stamford, Connecticut office. The group includes partners Christopher Cerrito, Martin Clarke, John Flaherty, Thomas Freed, and Evan Seideman, previously with Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP.

They represent a wide variety of fund clients, Fortune 1000 companies, management teams, buyers, sellers, and lenders in M&A deals and private equity and venture capital financings. Among them, they have closed over 40 deals in the last 12 months.

In the press release at the firm’s site, Howard Graff, managing partner of the firm’s New York office was quoted as saying: “We are truly fortunate to be adding such an exceptional group of lawyers. They not only fit perfectly with our strategic plan to grow our New York area presence, but also with our multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving that has achieved enormous success for our clients — particularly in this challenging economic climate.”

Thomas J. Freed, who is recognized by Chambers USA among the top 10 Corporate/M&A attorneys in Connecticut, is a transactional attorney who, among other activities, provides representation for Fortune 1000 companies undertaking middle market mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.

Martin A. Clarke, among other activities, represents private equity funds, public companies and private companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

John A. Flaherty, who is recognized by Chambers USA among the top Corporate/M&A attorneys in Connecticut, is a transactional attorney focusing primarily on mergers and acquisitions, as well as other strategic investment and capital raising transactions, joint ventures, and general corporate representation.
Christopher M. Cerrito is a transactional attorney who focuses his work on solving the business needs of venture capital investors and start-up companies, as well as middle market and Fortune 1000 corporations, particularly in the technology sector.

Evan S. Seideman is a transactional attorney and business advisor who, along with other activities, works with private companies engaged in one or a series of mergers and acquisitions.

Foundd in 1953, Dickstein Shapiro LLP is internationally recognized for its work with clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. The firm provides strategic counsel and develops multidisciplinary legal solutions by leveraging its core strengths—litigation, regulatory, transactions, and advocacy—to successfully advance clients’ business interests.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:50:46 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, November 4th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Although California’s controversial measure to legalize and tax medicinal marijuana failed, several cities joined with Oakland in imposing city-based taxes…

Ira “Ike” Sorkin, perhaps best known for his role representing Bernie Madoff, will leave Dickstein Shapiro for Lowenstein Sandler…

A settlement was reached in the Google Buzz class action suit…

Kilpatrick Stockton will merge with IP firm Townsend and Townsend…

Ira Sorkin, Lawyer for Bernie Madoff, Leaves Dickstein Shapiro

joshua — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:58:15 +0000

The New York Law Journal reports Ira “Ike” Sorkin, perhaps best known for his role representing Bernie Madoff, will leave Dickstein Shapiro for Lowenstein Sandler.

According to the report, Sorkin, who was co-head of Dickstein Shapiro’s securities litigation and white-collar practice, is defecting to Lowestein Sandler along with partner Donald A. Corbett and four associates.

Sorkin told the New York Law Journal Lowenstein Sandler “presents a unique opportunity for myself and my group that I could not pass up.”

The New York Law Journal notes firms are building interest in their white-collar practice, largely as a result of increased enforcement from the SEC and DOJ in light of the financial meltdown. Lowenstein Managing Director Gary M. Wingens told the Web site the addition of Sorkin’s team is in line with that increased emphasis.

Lowenstein Sandler is based in New Jersey and has 255 lawyers, including about 75 in New York.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:59:06 +0000

Good morning everyon! Today is Tuesday, August 24th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

The “Tax Lady’ Roni Deutch was slapped with a $34 million lawsuit for fraud by California Attorney General Jerry Brown…

Dickstein Shapiro added two partners, previously from Patton Boggs…

The American Lawyer publication Corporate Counsel announced the top coporate law firms…

McCarter & English named a new managing partner…

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati added a partner, and expanded its Asia Practice…

Two principal members of Price Waicukauski & Riley were selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America…

Dickstein Shapiro Adds Pair From Patton Boggs

joshua — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:13:46 +0000

Dickstein Shapiro LLP has added litigators John W. Schryber and Norah D. Molnar as partners in its insurance coverage practice in Washington D.C. Both were previously partners at Patton Boggs.

Schryber is an insurance law litigator and appellate attorney who has prosecuted the rights of policyholders and beneficiaries of private indemnity agreements in connection with coverage disputes of every kind, the firm said in a press release.

Molnar concentrates her practice on representing corporate policyholders. She has litigated a wide variety of complex coverage issues and has provided counsel in connection with numerous policy forms.

“Dickstein Shapiro’s policyholder practice, for many years now, has set the standard by which all other coverage practices are measured,” said Schryber said. “I believe a large part of the firm’s success in attracting both clients with complex coverage issues and top-flight coverage practitioners is its unwavering commitment to policyholders. Policyholders trust Dickstein Shapiro, and unlike most other firms, it represents policyholders exclusively in insurance-related matters.”

Founded in 1953, Dickstein Shapiro is a multiservice law firm with attorneys located nationwide.

Dickstein Shapiro Hit With $250 Million Lawsuit

joshua — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:02:20 +0000

Dickstein Shapiro has been slapped with a $250-million malpractice lawsuit by Encyclopaedia Britannica for alleged mistakes made in its handling of technology patents.

Dickstein Shapiro is being represented in the suit by Goodwin Procter partner John Aldock. Encyclopaedia Britannica is being represented by attorney Robert Cummins. The suit was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the National Law Journal reports.

According to the suit, Dickstein Shapiro erred in its handling of technology patents that ultimately resulted in Encyclopaedia Britannica to lose a patent infringement suit brought against several GPS manufacturers in 2007.

“The errors and omissions that led to this valuable property loss and Dickstein’s response to the admittedly negligent performance at issue are quintessential examples of hornbook malpractice,” the suit alleges.

The suit specifically cites Dickstein Shapiro partner Jon D. Grossman for “fatal prosecution errors that led to the invalidity” of its patents. The dispute dates back more than 20 years to patents related to CD-ROM technology in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, according to the NLJ.

Aldock told the publication the suit “is based on a mischaracterization of the facts and the law. The lawsuit is without merit and will be vigorously defended.”

Morning Roundup

sara — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:06:02 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, March 2, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news…

Revenue and profits are down, while PPP is up at Dickstein Shapiro…

Steptoe & Johnson open a new office in Beijing…

According to Am Law Daily’s “Diversity Scorecard” diversity at major law firms declined in 2009…

The NALP settles on a heavily scaled back recruitment plan…

Kaye Scholer opens a new office in Silicon Valley…

Hogan & Hartson’s Warsaw office moves to K&L Gates…

Revenue and Profits down, PPP up at Dickstein Shapiro

joshua — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:06:42 +0000

As a firm, Dickstein Shapiro shared the country’s economic woes in 2009 with revenues dropping by 4.78% and profits dipping 5.17%, but the partnership still managed to do ok. Per partner profits were up 6.76% to just over $1 million. The discrepancy is due to an 11% reduction in the number of equity partners firm wide. The number of non equity partners rose slightly and non equity partner compensation jumped by a little more than 8% to an average of $525,000.

Associates didn’t fare as well with two rounds of layoffs and a salary freeze. This year, associates at the firm are being paid using a merit based system rather than lockstep compensation.

DC Firms Take a Snow Day

joshua — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:38:08 +0000

Growing up in Los Angeles, I was always jealous of kids living on the east coast because in my 12 years of public education I never once got to take a “snow day”.

Reading about the blizzard that’s hitting the Washington DC area today, I am no longer regretting my days filled with sunshine. The Washington Metro Transit Authority says it will close the above ground portions portions of the metro when the snow reaches 8 inches and that closures are likely to remain in effect at least through Sunday. How do people live in places where 8 inches of snow is simply assumed?!

Firms throughout the DC area are closing early today and many attorneys are opting to work from home rather than brave the commute. Thus far, DLA Piper; Howrey; Crowell & Moring; Dickstein Shapiro; Gibson Dunn; Patton Boggs; and Arent Fox have all announced plans to batten down the hatches in the early afternoon.

Snowpocalypse indeed.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:45:12 +0000

Good morning! Today is Friday, January 15, and here’s a look at yesterday top stories…

A study from Altman Weil predicts biglaw billing rates will rise this year…

The former COO of TARP has joined Cozen O’Connor..

White & Case has launched a arbitration practice in Singapore…

Dickstein Shapiro is abandoning lockstep compensation…

and the UK’s Appleby opened an office in Guernsey…

Dickstein Shapiro Abandoning Lockstep

joshua — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:53:04 +0000

The lockstep march away from lockstep compensation continues unabated as 2010 gets into full swing. The latest firm to join the thundering herd is Dickstein Shapiro, which will initiate a three tiered merit based system as of January 22. Regulars readers of our page are no doubt familiar with the basic concept – associates are broken down into three tiers based on various subjective and objective criteria. Dickstein Shapiro associates are, in yet another market conforming convention, broken down into A and B levels within their tiers to determine base pay.

Entry level A associates will be making $145k per year and Entry B associates will earn $160k. What’s the difference between level A and level B associates? According to a statement made to abovethelaw, it’s “…based on their achievement in a number of core competencies, including productivity, problem solving, legal research, writing, communication, fact development, negotiation skills, supervisory responsibilities, and adherence to the firm’s core values…”.

Maybe it’s just me, but if I had known that I could earn $145k per year working as a lawyer in a major law firm without being productive, competent at problem solving, legal research, writing, communication, fact development and negotiating, I would have chosen a different career. That sounds like easy money. As for supervisory responsibilities, how much supervising are entry level associates expected to do?

It’s easy to pick on Dickstein Shapiro for basing salary differences on the skills required to be a lawyer, but the truth is it’s not all that different from a variety of firms moving toward merit based compensation plans.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is a multi-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys in Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:51:26 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, December 28, and here’s a look back at the news from last week.

Kirkland & Ellis paid out bonuses…

Newly released records detail Rothstein’s non profit activities…

Cravath confirmed that no new partners will be named this year…

A dozen lawyers have left Dickstein Shapiro….

A federal appelate court has upheld a large judgement against Microsoft….

and Weil Gotshal’s bonuses are out…

Massive Defection at Dickstein Shapiro

joshua — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:59:03 +0000

Sources are reporting that anywhere from 12 to 15 lawyers are moving from Dickstein Shapiro to the neighboring office of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman, including the managing partner of Dickstein Shapiro’s New York office, Robin Cohen. Cohen, who represents corporations in insurance claims, was named one of the 50 most influential female lawyers by the National Law Journal.

There is some disagreement among sources as to the exact number of defections or the timing on the move. According to The American Lawyer, Dickstein Shapiro is expected to try to convince the lawyers to stay.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is a multi-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys in Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:45:55 +0000

Good Morning everyone! Today is Friday, November 6, and here’s a look back at the last few days.

Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan opened its 13th office…

Goodwin Procter laid off 21 of its second year associates…

Hogan & Hartson picked up a former government regulator…

Dickstein Shapiro laid off more attorneys and staff…

and same sex marriage has been defeated at the polls in Maine…

More Layoffs at Dickstein Shapiro

joshua — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:35:05 +0000

In a firm wide memo sent out today, Dickstein Shapiroannounced that three percent of its associates and ten percent of its staff would be laid off. Affected personnel will be notified later today. The firm did not hide behind performance reviews or make excuses for the layoffs; the memo made it very clear that this is a purely economic decision and that they regret having to let go of talented hard working attorneys and staff. Mention was also made of a comprehensive compensation package that will include salary and medical coverage continuation, but was short on specifics.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is a multi-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys in Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:15:48 +0000

Good morning everyone. Before we jump into the Monday grind, here’s a quick look back at Friday’s news…

Katten moved up the start dates for some of its incoming associates…

Altman Weil says 3rd quarter law firm mergers are up…

David Shapiro, founding partner of Dickstein Shapiro, has passed away…

Wildman Harrold has rescinded offers to some of its incoming associates…

and Cooley Godward has let some staffers go…

David Shapiro Passes Away

joshua — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:59:01 +0000

David Shapiro, founding partner of Dickstein Shapiro, has passed away. Shapiro died in London of a heart attack at age 81.

In addition to being a founding partner, Mr. Shapiro was a prominent figure at the Supreme Court where he argued several well known cases. In 1960, he successfully defended the 1st amendment rights of George Lincoln Rockwell, the head of the American Nazi Party.

He is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 29 years, along with five children and numerous grandchildren.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is a multi-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys in Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles.

PCT Law Launches Virginia Office

Erik Even — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:08:07 +0000

PCT Law Group has opened a new office in Alexandria, Virginia, staffed by two new hires.

Angela H. France joins as managing member from Albo & Oblon. She handles litigation and corporate transactions on a wide range of legal disciplines including business contracts, corporate formation, mergers and acquisitions, employment matters, bankruptcy, and creditor’s rights. Her JD is from the George Mason University School of Law.

Kimberly B. Whitehead joins from Dickstein Shapiro as senior counsel. She focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation, licensing, and the acquisition of rights through trademark and patent prosecution. Her JD is from the Georgetown University Law Center.

The Washington, DC-based PCT Law Group PLLC provides legal counsel and representation in the practice areas of corporate, intellectual property, employment and litigation.

Akin Gump Wins Big in Lobbying Revenues

Erik Even — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:41:34 +0000

Am Law 200 firms Covington & Burling, K&L Gates, Dickstein Shapiro, and McGuireWoods were among the law firms that made the most cash from lobbying in 2008, according to Legal Times’ annual listing of the “Influence 50.”

But Akin Gump came in first place, with $98 million in lobbying revenues in 2008, up 9% from 2007.

Covington saw a 36.6% increase in lobbying revenue, to $55.2 million in 2008.

The law firm with the biggest loss in lobbying revenues was Washington, DC’s Williams & Jensen, whose revenues fell 16.5% to $16.7 million.

In 2009, firms are scrambling to hire lobbyists to win federal stimulus package dollars for clients.

Report: Women Still Not Making Partner

Erik Even — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:48:42 +0000

According to a report released by the San Francisco-based Project for Attorney Retention, which surveyed 100 American law firms, only 23 of those firms had partnership classes consisting of at least 40% women in 2008.

Fourteen of the 100 firms did not include any women.

The survey included 100 law firms, which were chosen based on prior years’ surveys, firm size, reputation, and availability of information.

From the report:

The best: Cravath (67%), Dickstein Shapiro (67%), Wiley Rein (60%), Andrews Kurth (57%), Bryan Cave (56%), Arent Fox (50%), Baker & Daniels (50%), Hogan & Hartson (50%), Holland and Hart (50%), King & Spalding (50%), Luce Forward (50%), Simpson Thacher (50%), and Sullivan & Cromwell (50%). A special mention goes to Farella Braun, whose only new partner is female (100%).

The worst: None of the following firms made a female partner this year: Cadwalader, Cleary Gottlieb, Dechert, Foley Hoag, Kaye Scholer, Lowenstein Sandler, Milbank, Schulte Roth, Steptoe, Strook, Venable, Wachtell, White & Case, and Wilkie Farr.

PAR is an initiative of the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law.

Reduced Hours for Associates Instead of Layoffs?

Erik Even — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:28:17 +0000

The Project for Attorney Retention (PAR), an initiative of the Center for WorkLife Law at University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, is suggesting to struggling law firms that they cut associate hours rather than laying off lawyers completely.

“I think if firms aren’t thinking about such a program, they really should,” consultant Charles Santangelo told the NLJ. “A number of firms are already talking about it, and it’s happening for some paralegals. It may or may not work, but they should consider it.”

The PAR has long advocated for reduced hours as a way for law firms to retain attorneys, particularly women and minorities.

Associates working reduced hours would see corresponding reductions in their compensation, which would help firms cut their costs without firing associates.

It remains to be seen if the reduced-hours schedule idea will catch on with law firms.

The PAR does not have any statistics on the number of firms using reduced hours as a response to the economy, because the trend is fairly new. But a growing number of firms have contacted the PAR since this summer to ask about reduced hours and how such a program could be implemented.

Michael Nannes of Dickstein Shapiro said he doesn’t foresee a wave of law firms looking to reduced hours solely as a cost-savings move. The reality, he says, is that having associates work fewer hours doesn’t provide the same level of savings as layoffs.

It costs a law firm less to have three associates working 2,000 than to have four associates working 1,500 hours because the law firm must pay for office space and benefits for that fourth, reduced-hours associate. That added cost is eliminated in the layoff scenario.

On the other hand, Nannes said, clients value continuity among attorneys, and reducing associate hours would help protect the continuity that is disrupted by the layoff process.

Via NLJ.