JD Journal » DOJ

Wal-Mart in Compliance with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?

rebneely — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:01:02 +0000

The best defense is a good offense? That’s what one may wonder after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced it is launching its own investigation into whether its policies, procedures and internal controls are in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the legislation deals with anti-bribery.

The retail giant disclosed the investigation to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company has also enlisted the assistance of outside counsel and advisers to implement remedial measures, according to the filing.

Wal-Mart was quoted as having said in the filing, per the December 8^th law360.com article, “Wal-Mart Launches FCPA Compliance Probe”: “We cannot reasonably estimate the potential liability, if any, related to these matters. However, based on the facts currently known, we do not believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.”

Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar explained, per the article, that the company had, on a regular basis, instituted changes during the past few years to ensure its FCPA compliance programs were more effective. In coordination with that effort, Wal-Mart undertook a global review of its anti-corruption programs.

Tovar was quoted as saying: “We believe this is the right thing to do, in keeping with Wal-Mart’s core values and previous practices.” He also explained the investigation concentrates on “discrete incidents in specific areas”; as well, the company will disclose its findings to federal authorities.

The retail giant operates nearly 9,900 units in nearly 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, China, India, South Africa and Japan. In 2010, the company reported fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, and it employs over 2 million people worldwide.

In recent years, amid the push for financial reform, the housing crisis and the economic downturn, the federal government has moved aggressively to put an end to foreign bribery, and that includes the executives, employees and third parties who allegedly make it possible.

Examples of companies who’ve faced backlash recently include pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc… The pharma giant paid over $60 million to settle investigations into whether it used bribes to secure business in foreign countries, according to The Wall Street Journal.

New York-based Pfizer said it had reached agreements in principle with the DOJ and SEC over “potentially improper payments” made by Pfizer and Wyeth Ltd. subsidiaries in connection with certain overseas sales activities.

As well, earlier in 2011, Johnson & Johnson paid U.S. regulators $70 million to settle bribery and kickbacks allegations in connection with overseas business.

The FCPA continues to have a profound impact on the way U.S. firms undertake business in at home and abroad. In 1998, the United States Congress and 33 other countries acted against the bribery of foreign officials, essentially government officials in an attempt to reduce corruption and money laundering through the global financial system. Corrupt political officials and those in high army office were targeted with a view to preventing government officials from exploiting their positions to gain unfair commercial advantage.

DOJ Confirms Appointment of Munger Tolles & Olson Partner Pomerantz to Trial Team in Antitrust Case Against AT&T

rebneely — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:20:00 +0000

According to the November 22nd wsj.com blog, “Munger Tolles’s Merger-Buster Joins DOJ Team”, the Justice Department confirmed in recent days that it had hired Glenn Pomerantz, a partner in the Los Angeles office of Munger, Tolles & Olson, and an experienced litigator, to strengthen its trial team for its antitrust case against AT&T’s $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile USA.

Pomerantz, per the blog, has been hired as a “special government employee,” a spokeswoman said. This is the same designation given to David Boies in 1998; at that time he led the government’s antitrust case against Microsoft.

Per the blog, the spokeswoman was quoted as saying Pomerantz is “an experienced litigator with substantial expertise in trying complex litigation matters.” In addition, she was quoted as saying that he would be the “perfect complement to the team of experienced telecommunications staff, led by deputy attorney general Joe Wayland.”

In his private practice, Pomerantz has worked mostly with entertainment and media companies. He represented the major Hollywood studios and music labels. In 2011, he won a $105 million settlement for the record labels from the defunct online music sharing service LimeWire.

The hire is further evidence that the Justice Department is preparing for battle, even as AT&T tries to settle out of court. Attorney General Eric Holder recently was quoted as saying of the situation in the blog: “There is a trial team that is in place and they are ready and eager to go to court.”

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (MTO) is a California law firm that has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Charles Munger founded the firm in 1962 with six other lawyers. The firm is known for its defense of corporations in civil law suits and individuals in criminal trials and investigations. In 2008, Munger, Tolles & Olson ranked as the nation’s top law firm on the American Lawyer A-List based on financial performance, pro bono practice, associate satisfaction and workplace diversity. With nearly 200 attorneys, MTO’s work is national in scope. The firm’s principal areas of practice include bankruptcy, corporate, environmental, labor and employment, litigation, real estate and tax.

In the November 29^th news.cnet.com article, “FCC report slams AT&T’s takeover of T-Mobile”, the FCC, in a nearly 110 page report, said a merger of the two wireless carriers “would substantially lessen competition and its accompanying innovation, investment, and consumer price and service benefits.”

The FCC released the report in spite of AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s objections. It also accused the carriers of making misleading statements about the benefits of the merger.

Per the article, the report states: “The staff finds the applicants’ assertions that the transaction would create jobs in the United States to be inconsistent with AT&T’s internal analyses and record statements concerning cost reductions from the merger. The staff also finds that there are serious questions whether the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile would cause other public harms that are not offset by the claimed benefits.”

DOJ Veteran Joins King & Spalding’s Antitrust Division

rebneely — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:00:51 +0000

King & Spalding announced in recent days that a 32-year veteran of the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice Donna N. Kooperstein has joined the firm as senior counsel in Washington, D.C.

She joins King & Spalding’s antitrust practice from the Department of Justice. There, she most recently served as chief of the antitrust division’s transportation, energy and agriculture section.

Jeffrey S. Spigel, leader of King & Spalding’s antitrust practice was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Donna’s tenure at the Justice Department and her extensive experience handling antitrust matters related to the transportation, energy and agriculture sectors give our practice additional depth and increase our capacity to help our clients in their antitrust matters in general and especially in DOJ-related matters. We are pleased to welcome Donna to our team.”

At the Department of Justice, Kooperstein supervised numerous high-profile matters, including the litigation challenging JBS’s proposed acquisition of National Beef; the successful effort in the KeySpan financial derivative case to obtain judicial endorsement of disgorgement as a Sherman Act remedy; and the lawsuit and settlement involving the proposed $27 billion Exelon/Public Service Enterprise Group electricity merger. As well, she played a major role in the department’s civil price-fixing suit against the major domestic airlines, U.S. v. Airline Tariff Publishing Co. In addition, Kooperstein supervised numerous investigations and cases in the oilfield services, agricultural biotech, railroad and maritime sectors, as well as the department’s competition advocacy activities before the Department of Transportation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Federal Maritime Commission.

Kooperstein earned her J.D. degree, with high honors, from Rutgers University School of Law, and a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan.

Kooperstein was quoted as saying: “I am excited to join the talented lawyers in King & Spalding’s antitrust practice and look forward to advising our clients in a variety of industries on key legal and policy issues affecting them.”

King & Spalding’s global competition/antitrust practice was recognized by Chambers Global in 2011. The firm represents clients on a regular basis in complicated antitrust matters before the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, European Commission, state attorneys general and other key competition authorities around the world, drawing on extensive enforcement authority experience and private practice expertise to guide clients safely and successfully through all phases of civil and criminal enforcement actions and merger investigations.

King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad variety of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100. With 800 lawyers in 17 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients.

The United States Department of Justice is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice. The DOJ is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate and is a member of the Cabinet. At present, the Attorney General is Eric Holder.

Prominent Litigation Attorney and Former DOJ Assistant AG Joins WilmerHale

rebneely — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:24 +0000

WilmerHale recently announced that Molly Boast, former Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General, joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Antitrust and Competition Practice.

Boast possesses over thirty years of litigation experience in both the public and private sectors. This includes leadership roles in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and in private practice.

As a key member of the firm’s New York office and its global Antitrust and Competition Practice, she will manage high-profile antitrust regulatory and litigation matters for the firm.

From May 2009 to February 2011, she served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. As the senior official responsible for civil enforcement, she oversaw all merger and conduct investigations; this led numerous significant merger and civil non-merger resolutions, including the NBC/Comcast and Oracle/Sun Microsystems ventures. 150 legal professionals were under her supervision in the Antitrust Division; she was one of three division authors of the 2010 Horizontal Merger Guidelines.

Boast served first as Senior Deputy Director and then as Director of the Bureau of Competition at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from 1999-2001. Many mergers occurred during this period of time; she was responsible for many significant competition investigations and enforcement actions and served as the bureau’s Capitol Hill spokesperson on energy and pharmaceutical industry matters.

Michelle Miller and Thomas Mueller, co-chairs of WilmerHale’s Antitrust and Competition Practice, expect Boast “to bring a depth of experience from her years of government service and private practice that will be of tremendous benefit to the firm’s clients.”

William Perlstein, co-managing partner at the firm was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Molly Boast is one of the top antitrust litigators in the field. Her extensive experience at the senior levels of two government agencies and in leading complex litigation matters is a unique combination that will serve not only our antitrust and competition clients, but also our entire firm.”

Boast is well known in the New York litigation community. She served previously as a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and before that at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP. She has handled major antitrust litigation and governmental investigation matters, including a seminal antitrust case before the US Supreme Court. At Debevoise, Boast was the chair of the antitrust group, and at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, she chaired the litigation department.

Additionally, Boast has served on the governing bodies of the litigation and antitrust sections of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. She was also the first woman to chair the federal courts committees of both the Federal Bar Council and the New York City Bar Association. She earned her JD from Columbia University School of Law; there she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and received the Jane Marks Murphy Prize for public interest contributions.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia, with over 1,100 attorneys worldwide.

With one of the leading antitrust and competition practices in the United States and Europe, WilmerHale has decades of experience and over 70 competition lawyers in the US, Europe and China. The practice is consistently ranked in the top tiers of major legal directories such as Chambers USA, Chambers Global, Legal 500, Global Competition Review and PLC Which Lawyer.

Sr. Member of DOJ’s National Security Division Joins Perkins Coie as Partner

rebneely — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:00:01 +0000

The law firm of Perkins Coie recently announced that Todd Hinnen, a senior member of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Security Division, has joined as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office.

In his role at the DOJ, Hinnen served in the National Security Division as both Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Law and Policy and Acting Assistant Attorney General. In this capacity, he managed all aspects of the division, which employed 320 attorneys.

Hinnen previously worked as a prosecutor in the Department’s Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section, as a Director in the National Security Council’s Directorate for Combating Terrorism, and as Chief Counsel to then-Senator Joseph Biden. His many responsibilities regarding national security and law enforcement issues have included supervising the federal government’s major terrorism and espionage related investigations and prosecutions. He has represented the DOJ on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and testified before Congress on a variety of intelligence issues, including expiring Patriot Act authorities.

Perkins Coie partner Michael Sussmann was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Todd is an exceptionally talented lawyer who will bring a wealth of experience at the very highest levels to our clients facing challenging criminal and national-security issues.”

Sussmann is a nationally recognized expert in Internet law. He has an established practice focusing on privacy, technology, and national-security issues.

In 2002, Hinnen worked together with Sussmann in DOJ’s Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section, where Hinnen prosecuted a number of high-profile cases, including the first trial of an individual alleged to have provided material support to terrorism over the Internet and the convictions of several high-profile state and federal officials regarding a plot to prevent voters from reaching the polls.

Hinnen will join Perkins Coie’s growing Privacy and Security Practice, counseling clients on criminal and national security investigations, regulatory compliance, and interactions with law enforcement, national security, homeland security, and intelligence agencies. He will also counsel companies on mergers, acquisitions, and other foreign investments in domestic entities that impact national security. As Acting Assistant Attorney General with the DOJ’s National Security Division, Hinnen was responsible for reviewing transactions such as these as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

Hinnen was quoted as saying: “Effective national security increasingly requires close collaboration and communication between government agencies and the private sector. I look forward to using my government experience to assist private companies interacting with the law-enforcement and national-security communities. Perkins Coie has a long, distinguished history of representing technology and defense industry leaders in such matters. This is a great fit for me.”

Hinnen drafted legislation regarding national security and criminal justice policies while serving as Chief Counsel to then-Senator Joseph Biden. He prepared Justice Elena Kagan for her confirmation hearing for the position of Solicitor General as a member of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition team. Before that, Hinnen served under President George W. Bush as a director in the National Security Council’s Directorate for Combating Terrorism.

Perkins Coie has over 800 lawyers in 18 offices across the United States and in China.

Former Chief of Staff of DOJ’s National Security Division Joins Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

rebneely — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:14 +0000

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati announced in recent days that Donald L. Vieira, the former chief of staff of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division (NSD), has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office.

He will focus on regulatory and enforcement issues that relate to foreign investments, export controls, privacy, and data security. In addition, he will work on matters regarding white collar crime and other government investigations.

CEO Steve Bochner was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Don has broad and deep expertise in a number of areas of prime importance to many of our clients, such as cyber security, export controls, sanctions, foreign investments, and other national security matters related to private enterprises. He is a proven leader in his field and, as the global marketplace continues to expand, Don will be a valuable asset to our highly regarded regulatory practice. It is my pleasure to welcome him to the firm.”

Vieira has served in senior national security positions in the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. In his role as , as NSD chief of staff and counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security the Justice Department, he was responsible for the daily management of the division. In this role, he provided counsel on issues relating to cyber security, export controls and sanctions, counterterrorism, counterintelligence investigations, electronic surveillance, and various other intelligence matters. He also supervised the NSD’s Foreign Investment Review Staff; it is responsible for representing the Justice Department on the Committee for Foreign Investment in the United States. He also managed the NSD’s legislative portfolio and served as the division’s primary liaison to Congress, where he worked closely with that legislative body on issues relating to poilicy.

Before joining the Justice Department as the NSD’s chief of staff, Vieira served as deputy chief counsel to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and staff director of the HPSCI’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. In addition, he served as a federal prosecutor in the Justice Department’s Counterespionage Section. In this role, he took part in the successful prosecution of multiple espionage and export enforcement matters. He has been the recipient of many awards and honors for his prosecutorial and national security work. Among those he’s received have been from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of National Intelligence, the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of State, and Congress.

Vieira started his legal career as an associate at Williams & Connolly. There he focused on litigation, white collar criminal defense, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide. The firm has long established roots in Silicon Valley. The firm has offices in Austin; Brussels; Georgetown, DE; Hong Kong; New York; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Shanghai; and Washington, D.C.

DOJ Report Slams Puerto Rico Police For Rights Violations

EmploymentCrossing — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:41:19 +0000

The Department of Justice, after a 3-year investigation of the Puerto Rico Police Department, has finally released its findings. The DOJ report claims that the Puerto Rico police repeatedly engaged in unlawful and also unconstitutional behavior. The police force used excessive force, failure to recognize and protect the First Amendment rights of citizens as well as carried out unconstitutional searches and arrests.

Read the original article here:
DOJ condemns unconstitutional conduct of Puerto Rico police

Antitrust Suit Filed By DOJ Against T-Mobile USA-AT&T Deal

EmploymentCrossing — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:31:08 +0000

The DOJ has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit to block the proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA by AT&T. AT&T is ready to pay T-Mobile’s parent company, Deutsche Telekom AG $39 billion. But the DOJ is citing traditional antitrust concerns about the sale such as consumers getting poor quality in service, fewer choices and higher prices.

Read the original article here:
DOJ files antitrust suit to block AT&T, T-Mobile merger

Dems in South Carolina Protest Voter ID law to DOJ

EmploymentCrossing — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:35:43 +0000

The Democrats in the state Senate of South Carolina filed an objection for the rejection of the state’s new voter identification law. They argued that the present law is too restrictive and may disenfranchise African Americans and elderly voters. The present voter id law clearly says that a voter must have both a valid and current form of identification. Because of this voters with suspended or revoked licenses may lose the chance to vote as they do not have any other form of identification. 30 US states require voters to present some form of ID at the polls, including 14 states that require photo ID.

Read the original article here:

South Carolina Democrats protest voter ID law to DOJ

DOJ announces cuts to honors program for lawyers

EmploymentCrossing — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:52:53 +0000

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also been hit by the government’s austerity measures. Although the honors program is still going on, it will be smaller this year. The exact number of spots open has still not being announced. The DOJ application deadline is September 6, 2011.

Read the original article here:
The Incredible Shrinking DOJ Honors Program

Gay marriage supporters get mixed signals from government

EmploymentCrossing — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:59:17 +0000

Gay marriage supporters and gay rights advocates got mixed messages from the federal government this week. First the Obama Administration appealed the DOMA bankruptcy ruling saying that the law was unconstitutional. Then the DOJ weighed in on a different lawsuit brought by a federal government employee who says that DOMA is making the federal government deny healthcare coverage to her same-sex partner.

Read the original article here:
Government Appeals DOMA Bankruptcy Ruling

Morning Update

joshua — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:38:39 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, February 24, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s stories…

Linsday Lohan is back in court…

Rahm Emanuel is the new Mayor of Chicago…

The Justice Department will not defend DOMA in court…

and Linklaters is paying a spring bonus to US associates…

DOJ Will Not Defend DOMA

joshua — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:55:35 +0000

In a letter to the Speaker of the House, Attorney General Eric Holder has informed Congress that on his advice President Obama has ordered the Department of Justice not to defend Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, on the grounds that it violates the equal protection clause of the 5th amendment to the US Constitution. While this clause has withstood challenges in past appellate cases, there are two cases pending in circuits for which this is a matter of first impression.

The two cases, brought in New York and Connecticut respectively, are Windsor v. United States and Pedersen v. Office of Personnel Management. The DOJ’s deadline for filing a brief in each case is coming up but according to AG Holder, the administration will not be defending the law in court.

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 — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:09:46 +0000

Good morning! Today is Monday, June 28th. Here’s a quick look back at Friday’s stories.

The St. Louis, Missouri firm Gallop, Johnson & Neuman advised companies considering mergers, tender offers, acquisition transactions and joint ventures to carefully examine any potential antitrust risks…

Major DC firms are still doing work pro bono despite downsizing and the current economic lag…

NALP predicted a weak jobs market for law grads…

Dewey and LeBoeuf Partner L. Londell McMillan received the prestigious Reginald F. Lewis Award…

KBR In Hot Water With DOJ

joshua — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:48:29 +0000

The Justice Department has filed a claim against Kellog, Brown and Root alleging unjust enrichment and breach of contract. The claims stem from a contract KBR had with the US Army to provide logistical support for soldiers in Iraq. According to the DoJ, KBR billed the government for additional services not included in the contract, including security.

Under the contract, KBR did not have military authorization to arm its employees or subcontractors. Never the less, KBR hired three companies who were not registered with the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior to provide armed security for its executives and awarded subcontracts to at least 30 additional companies that used armed security guards. The government was subsequently billed for the cost.

KBR, who is being represented by Susman Godfrey, said in a statement that “…the costs incurred and actions taken by the company and its subcontractors to provide support and to protect its employees and subcontractors were reasonable, necessary and appropriate under the contractual arrangement between KBR and the Army.”

Justice Department Under Attack

joshua — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:27:04 +0000

A group calling itself “Keep America Safe” has been running an ad attacking Attorney General Eric Holder for refusing to name Justice Department appointees who represented detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The ad, seen below, is charged with high octane rhetoric.

Fox News has since “outed” the DoJ lawyers who worked on detainee cases. We aren’t going to repeat the names here, but we will tell you that the lawyers worked at liberal subversive law firms like Covington & Burling, Venable, Morrison & Foerster, WilmerHale, Debevoise & Plimpton, Sidley Austin, and O’Melveny & Myers. In fact, according to ABC News, 34 out of the 50 largest US Firms have represented or filed amicus briefs on behalf of detainees.

The right of the accused to legal representation and the requirement of lawyers to zealously advocate for their clients are hallmarks of our legal system. To impugn the integrity or patriotism of lawyers who do so is repugnant to the rule of law.

“Keep America Safe”, which was formed in part by Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has no apparent problem with JAG Corps officers defending detainees or the JAG Corps officers who, sitting in judgement, released several. I’m left to believe that this is nothing more than a smear attack on the Attorney General’s office, and by extension, the President. It’s shameful that they would do so by attacking the integrity of some of America’s top lawyers.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:30:04 +0000

Good morning everyone! Anyone else ready for it to be Friday? Bad news, friends, it’s only Thursday, March 4. Here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

AIG’s former GC, Anastasia Kelly, has joined DLA Piper…

A survey of Big Law shows 26% of firms are poised to expand…

And another shows that corporation are looking to save money by expanding in house counsel…

Lawyers for Civil Justice is starting an ambitious review of the FRCP…

The DOJ has filed a $300 million suit against lawyers and insurance companies involved in a PCB contamination settlement…

Baker Donelson is forming a gaming industry group…

NALP reports that summer associate offers are at a 17 year low…

and Jackson Lewis had a good year in 2009…

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:25:25 +0000

Good morning! Today is Thursday, February 18, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s headlines…

Citizens are nearly united against the Citizens United ruling…

Kilpatrick Stockton picked up a pair of partnersfrom Winston & Strawn…

The DoJ issued indictments in two noteworthy cases…

Another study shows fewer lawyers are making partner during the recession and recovery…

Latham & Watkins saw a decline in revenue in 2010, but per partner profits were up…

A pair of Chicago firms are moving into new digs…

Allen & Overy is opening up in Qatar…

Kaye Scholer has a new co-managing partner…

Gibson Dunn increased revenue and per partner profits last year…

While things remained steady at Greenberg Traurig…

Former Jones Day Partner Rejoins Firm After a Stint at DoJ

joshua — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:31:11 +0000

For the past eight years, Gregory Katsas has held high level posts at the Justice Department. Mr. Katsas served as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from June 2008 to January 2009. Between 2001 and 2008, Mr. Katsas also served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General, and Acting Associate Attorney General. Prior to that, he was an issues and appeals partner with Jones Day, and today the firm announced that he is rejoining Jones Day as a partner in the same practice group. Read the full press release here.

Jones Day is an international law firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1893 by Judge Edwin J. Blandin and William Lowe Rice. Jones Day is the 8th largest law firm in the world by revenue. It is currently the second largest law firm in the United States, with approximately 2,400 lawyers and gross annual revenue in excess of $1.5 billion.

Tuesday Roundup

joshua — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:45:41 +0000

Good morning everyone! Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories…

Morrison & Foerster lowers salaries for California associates…

Schulte Roth nabs five securities lawyers from Mayer Brown…

Six lawyers jump from Anderson Kill to Offit Kurman…

The DoJ has an Office of Vaccine Litigation? Yes, and it is hiring…

Skadden Arps picks up former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt…

The DoJ is Hiring an Attorney for the Office of Vaccine Litigation

joshua — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:11:56 +0000

The DoJ is gearing up for a fight with the anti-vaccination crowd, and they’re looking for a new attorney to help out. The Department is hiring one attorney to represent the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Vaccine Litigation. The job involves litigating cases that arise from claims of injury from certain vaccines. Swine flu vaccinations aren’t mentioned in the job description but it’s no stretch to assume it will be a major part of the job. For the full job listing, see the DoJ’s job page here.

Friday Roundup

joshua — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:36:14 +0000

Good morning everyone and TGIF!

The blawgosphere was rocked yesterday by the newsthat Hogan & Hartson has entered merger talks with Lovells…

But somewhere around the edges, some other news snuck in. The DOJ has begun investigating IBM for antitrust violations…

and Holme Roberts & Owen opened a new office in Dublin…

DOJ Investigating IBM for Antitrust Violations

joshua — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:12:55 +0000

The Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation of IBM. Big Blue’s rivals allege that IBM has engaged in anticompetitive practices in the mainframe market. The complaints spell out practices that echo some of the antitrust problems Microsoft has faced, such as requiring purchasers of IBM’s software to also purchase IBM hardware to run it.

The DOJ and IBM have tangled before – in 1969 the DOJ brought a suit against IBM for monopolizing the computer industry. The investigation lasted over 10 years, into the early 80′s, before being dropped. IBM has said they will cooperate fully in any investigation. I smell billable hours on the horizon!

Tuesday Roundup

joshua — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:23:56 +0000

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

Jeffrey Lamken leaves Baker Botts to open boutique…

The US Attorney’s office hired three new prosecutors in DC…

Half of Chadbourne’s deferred associates have been deferred again…

and Blakes becomes the first Canadian firm with a presence in the Persian Gulf…

Three New Prosecutors for the US Attorney’s Office in DC

joshua — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:03:09 +0000

Acting U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips announced the hiring of three new assistant U.S. attorneys today in the D.C. office. The three attorneys are Andrew Finkleman, Stephen Rickard and Carl Ross. Finkleman will join the appellate division, Rickard will work in the misdemeanor unit and Ross joins the civil division.

Anti Trust Guidelines for Mergers to be Reviewed

joshua — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:09:20 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are reviewing the guidelines used to asses the antitrust issues raised by corporate mergers. The review will take place place at the end of this year and is expected to take six to ten months. Christine Varney, who is the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, said they will be looking primarily at three areas: market definition, market concentration and competitive effects.

The review is intended to bring the guidelines into line with actual practices at the two agencies, and to update outmoded guidelines to reflect changes in modern business and society.

Wednesday Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:05:26 +0000

After a slow news day on Monday, things picked up quite a bit yesterday. Here’s a recap of the top stories…

We updated our story on Morgan Lewis and summer associate offer rates…

Mayer Brown is the second firm in two weeks to ask associates to start early….

More bad news out of Fish & Richardson…

The Department of Justice is looking for fifty new lawyers…

Massachusetts set aside a plan to use deferred associates as clerks due to ethical issues…

and the bills are coming in for the University of Illinois in their law school admissions scandal…

Justice Department to Hire Fifty Lawyers

joshua — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:07:50 +0000

Uncle Sam wants you! The Justice Department has proposed hiring at least fifty new lawyers to bolster its civil rights division. Attorney General Eric Holder is planning to reshape the division, bringing it into the forefront of fights in which there is a disparate impact on minorities. This is a sea weather change from policies enacted under former President George Bush, when the civil rights division focused on individual cases in which there was evidence of intentional discrimination.

The New York Times has reported that 236 civil rights lawyers, in a division that normaly employs 350 attorneys, left the Justice Department between 2003 and 2007. Many of their replacements had little or no experience with civil rights law but are now protected by civil service laws.

Obama Closer to Choices for DOJ

Erik Even — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:23:04 +0000

The list of candidates for Barack Obama’s Department of Justice picks get shorter every day.

Rumor says that David Odgen of DC’s Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr is a likely pick for deputy attorney general. Odgen was chief of staff to then-Attorney General Janet Reno.

Elena Kagan’s name is being bandied around as a Supreme Court pick. She is dean of Harvard Law.

Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has announced he will delay the confirmation hearings for Attorney General-designate Eric Holder Jr. for a week, to January 15th. The date was pushed back to placate Republicans, who said they needed more time to pick through Holder’s record.

Via Legal Times.