The law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP saw its points on the 2012 Corporate Equality Index docked by the Human Rights Campaign on Thursday of last week.  The index rates companies based on the policies they have regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees. The law firm group’s rating on the index was reduced because it supports groups that oppose same-sex marriage, according to Law360.

There are 139 law firms rated by the index, with the score of 60 for the Foley firm coming in as one of the lowest of all the law firms. The scoring is done on a 100-point scale. The majority of the law firms rated on the index are members of the Am Law 200. Fifty-five of the law firms rated on the index achieved perfect scores, while 44 law firms received scores of 90 on the index. There were only 13 law firms that scored at or below the rating of 60 that Foley received.

Back in 2009 and 2010, Foley earned perfect scores on the index, but its rating on the index dropped to 85 in 2011. The lower score for Foley was reported to the firm by the president of the HRC, Joe Solmonese, who sent a letter to the firm on November 8. The letter to the firm expressed the dissatisfaction of the firm for its representation of the National Organization for Marriage. The letter called the representation “a notable step backwards.”

Also according to the letter, Foley partner Cleta Mitchell has registered as NOM’s Minnesota lobbyist. The reason for this could be the fact that Mitchell will advocate for legislation on its behalf. The letter from Solmonese states that even though the firm has to represent some very unpopular clients, lawyers do have a duty to take on controversial cases. Solmonese also said that the registration as a lobbyist by Mitchell “goes well beyond any professional or ethical obligations of legal representation.”

“Moreover, the firm has established a clear pattern of knowingly taking on anti-LGBT organizations as clients, even after we and others in the community expressed concerns,” Solmonese said in the letter.

In 2010, the HRC had already dropped the firm as a national corporate partner. This occurred after the firm decided to represent the Stand for Marriage D.C., which is an organization based in Washington that openly opposes gay marriage. The letter also stated that Foley has not responded to the previous two surveys released by the HRC.

There were 636 companies rated by the 2012 survey on criteria that includes workplace protections, domestic partner health care, and adoption assistance. The legal world was the largest of the industries surveyed that came away with perfect scores, which was 55. The industry of banking and financial services came in second with 22 perfect scores.

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Three Am Law 100 firms are advising on the potential sale of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars by the current owner J. Wayne Weaver to Illinois auto parts magnate Shahis Khan, who has pledged to keep them in down in Florida.

The Jaguars, who actually joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995, have struggled in the recent years both at the gate, and on the field. Also in addition to announcing the proposed sale to Khan, the team fired head coach Jack Del Rio on Tuesday. Weaver, who has owned the Jaguars since their inception, said publicly on Tuesday that he turned down other offers for the team from investors in California that might have decided to move the franchise to Los Angeles.

While the exact purchase price was not disclosed, Forbes reported that Khan had agreed to pay $760 million for the team, and plans to use $350 million in debt to finance the acquisition. This sale requires the approval of the league and owners who control the NFL’s other 31 teams.

Foley & Lardner finance and financial institutions practice chair Charles ”Chuck” Hedrick is leading a team from the firm advising the Jaguars on the sale. The other Foley lawyers that are working on the matter include employee benefits partner Leigh Riley, tax partner Timothy Voigtman, and the insurance partner Brian Kaas.

Paul Vance, who is on the counsel with Foley is Jacksonville, serves as the senior vice president of football operations and general counsel for the Jaguars. He became Weaver’s closest confidant and the second-most powerful person in the Jaguar organization after taking over virtually all nonpersonnel matters in 2001 from the former vice president Michael Huyghue, who is a sports lawyer currently serving as commissioner of the upstart United Football League, according to a 2003 profile of Vance in The Florida Time-Union.

In his role with the Jaguars, Vance, who is a Columbia Law School Graduate, manages the salary cap and contract negotiations with the players, while also handling transactional and other corporate matters for the team. Foley states on its Web site that is has been provided a good variety of services to the Jaguars, including representing the team in financings amounting to more than $100 million, lease agreements with the city of Jacksonville, IP and general litigation, and numerous labor and employment matters.

According to Forbes, Khan, who is a Pakistani native, helped build his fortune in the U.S. by ”adroitly buying unwanted factories,” owns privately held Urbana, Illinois-based auto parts maker at Flex-N-Gate. He had previously sought to purchase a 60 percent state in the NFL’s St. Louis Rams in 2010. Proskauer Rose advised Kham in that endeavor, which has stalled when Rams minority shareholder and Missouri businessman E. Stanley Kroenke exercised his right of first refusal to match Khan’s bid and to take control of the team. The Rams were sold to Kroenke in August of 2010 for $750 million.

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Duane Morris announced recently David A. Charapp has joined the firm as a partner in its San Diego office, in its Corporate Practice Group. In addition, the firm is also pleased to welcome Jarrett Fugh as a partner in its Los Angeles and San Francisco offices. Fugh joins the Real Estate Practice Group.

The addition of Charapp reflects the firm’s growing corporate practice group on the West Coast and nationally, especially in the areas of life sciences and technology. He joins Duane Morris from Foley & Lardner LLP. There, he served as chair of the firm’s Life Sciences Collaborations & Licensing Practice.

Charapp assists life sciences and technology companies with their critical partnering, licensing and financing transactions, as well as significant operational agreements such as those for manufacturing and supply, distribution, and pre-clinical and clinical research. Charapp has significant experience as an in-house attorney, having been associate general counsel at Kosan Biosciences, a biotechnology company acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and associate general counsel at Santarus, a specialty biopharmaceutical company.

Charapp earned his J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, from Boston College Law School.

Duane Morris’ Life Sciences and Biotechnology Group offers clients a wide range of legal services, including intellectual property counsel, securities counsel in connection with private and public equity funding, international trade and tax advice, labor and employment guidance, dispute resolution and litigation service. These are all provided within the framework of their business to address each client’s specific needs.

The addition of Jarrett Fugh reflects the firm’s growing Real Estate Practice Group on the West Coast and nationally. He joins Duane Morris from Winston & Strawn.

Fugh concentrates his practice on real estate and corporate matters, representing clients in the acquisition, financing, development and leasing of real property, with an emphasis on hospitality and resorts. He helps clients in the origination and restructuring of syndicated, mezzanine and securitized loans, as well as in the construction financing of major commercial, residential and hospitality properties. In addition, Fugh advises clients on the formation and structuring of joint ventures for both developers and institutional investors in real estate projects. He also counsels clients on a range of general corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions and financings.

Local and national media have interviewed Fugh with regard to economic trends in the real estate market, particularly those concerning Asian investment in the U.S. real estate markets.

Fugh earned his J.D., cum laude from The George Washington University Law School, where he was a staff member of The George Washington Journal of International Law and Economics.

Duane Morris LLP is a full-service law firm with over 700 attorneys in 24 offices across the United States and around the world. Founded in 1904, the firm is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2011, the Am Law 100 ranked Duane Morris as the 67th largest law firm in the U.S. based on gross revenue.

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This week, Foley & Lardner LLP announced Charles E. Schwenck joined as a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. There, he will work with the Energy Practice Group and Energy Industry Team, as well as the Transactional & Securities and Finance & Financial Institutions Practices.

Prior to the move, Schwenck was a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP; there he served as co-chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Practice.

Schwenck has an impressive resume, with over 30 years of experience with energy, infrastructure and other commercial and industrial projects, in both domestic and international situations, to his credit. He has significant experience in the structuring, drafting and negotiating arrangements for the development, construction, financing, fuel and feedstock supply, product sales, ownership and operation of said projects. Additionally, Schwenck provides representation to developers of energy and water projects before federal and state regulatory agencies, to companies involved in mergers and acquisitions in the energy industry, and to lenders involved in the acquisition of portfolios of energy loans and leases, all on a regular basis.

Schwenck’s experience spans industries and disciplines; he has done work in project finance in  engineering and construction, traditional and alternative energy, mining, water supply and treatment, chemicals, transportation, and telecommunications. He has also testified before various Congressional committees and state legislative bodies on behalf of engineering, construction and electric power industries.

Schwenck also has significant experience in the alternative energy industry. This includes his representation in conjunction with the production of electricity from various alternative energy sources, the production of ethanol, biodiesel and other synthetic fuels from various feedstocks, among other areas.

Earlier in his career, Schwenck served in the roles of senior vice president, general counsel and a member of the board of directors of LG&E Power Systems, as well, he served as general counsel at Fluor Corporation and as division counsel for the Bechtel Group’s Power Division.

Steven Barth, co-chair of Foley’s Transactional & Securities Practice was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Charlie has an impressive track record of success representing various stakeholders in energy and infrastructure projects, both in the United States and throughout the world. As we continue to help clients navigate the various financial and regulatory issues that arise in energy-related projects, Charlie’s wide-ranging experience will be instrumental in further strengthening our transactional capabilities.”

Founded in 1842, Foley & Lardner LLP is a full service law firm with over 900 attorneys in 21 offices around the world.

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The law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP announced recently that Erika L. Morabito rejoined the firm’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office.

Morabito, who rejoins Foley from Patton Boggs, practices in the areas of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, debtor reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. Other areas she provides representation in include Chapter 11 debtors and creditors’ committees, creditors’ rights litigation, and the purchase and sale of assets under the Bankruptcy Code.

Mark L. Prager, chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Erika brings a well-regarded and sophisticated national practice to our national bankruptcy capabilities. We know Erika well, and beyond her notable Chapter 11 representations and restructuring efforts she is an accomplished litigator, which is increasingly important to our clients in this space.”

Earlier this month, Christopher Celentino, Mikel R. Bistrow and Kathryn M.S. Catherwood joined Foley’s San Diego office as partners in the firm’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice – one that is widely regarded as the most prestigious in the nation. All specialize in bankruptcy and finance attorneys, and all three joined from Duane Morris LLP.

Jay O. Rothman, chairman and CEO of Foley was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Adding such an exceptional team of bankruptcy and finance attorneys to our San Diego office further advances our reputation and capabilities in California and across the country. Their wide-ranging, national experience in business reorganization, creditor’s rights and transactional finance will be a tremendous asset to our clients involved in these areas.”

Celentino practices in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency, business reorganization and creditor’s rights. As well, he specializes in the crossover of family law and bankruptcy.

Bistrow has significant experience in a wide variety of areas, including bankruptcy, insolvency, commercial finance and lending, and the representation of borrowers and lenders in real and personal property loans and secured transactions.

Catherwood focuses her practice in the areas of creditors, debtors and trustees involved in workouts, commercial litigation, bankruptcy and lender liability/secured creditor matters.

Additionally, Bistrow and Celentino will serve as the Western Regional co-chairs of Foley’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations Practice.

Van A. Tengberg, managing partner of Foley’s San Diego and Del Mar offices was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “The addition of these prominent attorneys helps solidify Foley’s standing as a firm that is uniquely positioned to represent clients in high-profile bankruptcy, insolvency and finance matters.”

Founded in 1842, Foley & Lardner LLP is a full service law firm with over 900 attorneys in 21 offices around the world.

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• Schiff Hardin Adds Three Laterals from Foley & Lardner

Foley & Lardner is starting a new venture capital fund called Foley Ventures. The firm will use “professional venture capitalists to make the investment decisions”. Attorneys at the law firm will make the investments as a demonstration to clients that they are willing to go the extra mile pursuing business opportunities. Two Boston partners will oversee the fund, according to Am Law Daily.

Read the full article here:

Foley & Lardner Taps Firm Attorneys to Create $4M Venture Capital Fund

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WilmerHale’s 2010 numbers show substantial growth over 2009…

Terrorists attacked Moscow’s largest airport…

and Foley & Lardner picked up a former governor…

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Greenberg Traurig announced that former Motion Pictures Associations of America IP Counsel Joseph Geisman joined its Intellectual Property and Technology Practice…

Prominent life sciences patent attorney Dr. Lauren L. Stevens joined Foley & Lardner…

Nixon Peabody expanded its presence in China through a new affiliation with Hong Kong firm Cheng Wong Lam & Partners…

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Stevens focuses her practice on strategic client counseling and patent counseling in the pharmaceutical industry. She has extensive experience with the preparation of validity, infringement, and freedom to operate opinions regarding chemical and pharmaceutical patents. In addition, she brings vast experience and knowledge of biopharma patent litigation, serving as Vice Chair of the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s (AIPLA) Hatch-Waxman Subcommittee in 2009. In addition, Stevens has substantial in-house legal experience, as she served as vice president of legal and financial affairs at Affymax Research Institute and in other legal and corporate posts.

In the press release at the firm’s site, Paul A. Stewart, managing partner of Foley’s Silicon Valley office was quoted as saying: “Lauren’s addition, combined with the recent arrivals of Jerry Swiss, Lorna Tanner and their team last month, and our already strong team of intellectual property attorneys in the Silicon Valley office, creates one of the strongest pharmaceutical patent practices in Northern California. Her experience with IP due diligence and IP licensing in both biotechnology start-up and large pharmaceutical environments will also be valuable to our corporate practices both regionally and nationally. Her addition continues the rapid growth in 2010 of Foley’s Palo Alto office.”

Stevens advises national and international clients on patent and related issues spanning a variety of technologies in the pharmaceuticals industry. She also speaks frequently on pharmaceutical patent law topics, including foreign filing strategies and FDA Orange Book listings.

Prior to joining Foley, Stevens was a partner at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP.

With nearly 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and more than 60 practices, Foley is recognized for providing high-caliber business and legal insight. Comprised of more than 200 attorneys, Foley’s Intellectual Property practice is a recognized leader in IP legal services.

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Schiff Hardin

The trio focuses their practice in the energy sector, Schiff Hardin said in a press release.

“Schiff Hardin has long recognized that environmental issues often drive critical decision-making and business strategy,” said Gabriel M. Rodriguez, leader of Schiff Hardin’s Environmental group. “Our attorneys are some of the best in the country, and the addition of Russ, Brad and Mike further enhances our top-notch, nationally recognized practice.”

Selman’s nationally-recognized practice focuses on representing corporate, real estate and power generation companies in environmental disputes. Prior to entering private practice he was acting assistant enforcement counsel for the EPA in Washington D.C.

Rochlen is a litigator who represents corporate, real estate and power generation companies, including public utilities, in complex environmental disputes. He assists clients in prosecuting and defending hazardous waste control (Superfund) cases, RCRA cases and private cost recovery cases at some of the largest contaminated sites in the country.

Schiff Hardin LLP is a general practice law firm with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco, and Washington.

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UK-based Simmons & Simmons, which cut off merger talks with U.S.-based Mayer Brown this summer, is still considering entering the U.S. market through a merger with a U.S. firm…

The partnership of Jones Walker re-elected William H. Hines as managing partner of the firm…

Schiff Hardin added three attorneys to its environmental practice…

Tracy E. Miller, a prominent health care lawyer, joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP…

Greenberg Traurig Attorney Nelson Migdal will lead distressed hotel symposium…

Eversheds was named Europe’s ‘Most Innovative’ law firm…

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All three attorneys join from Foley & Lardner LLP’s Chicago office. Russell B. Selman and Bradley S. Rochlen join as partners, and J. Michael Showalter joins as an associate.

Russell (Russ) B. Selman’s nationally recognized practice focuses on representing corporate, real estate and power generation companies in environmental disputes. Clients choose Mr. Selman to handle their most complex and potentially expensive environmental matters. His work is known for a high degree of factual and technical understanding that he uses to gain very real advantages for his clients.

Bradley (Brad) S. Rochlen is a litigator who represents corporate, real estate and power generation companies, including public utilities, in complex environmental disputes. Mr. Rochlen assists clients in prosecuting and defending hazardous waste control (Superfund) cases, RCRA cases and private cost recovery cases at some of the largest contaminated sites in the country. He also has significant experience in Clean Water Act cases and toxic tort disputes.

J. Michael (Mike) Showalter is a litigator whose practice is focused on resolving complex environmental disputes. His past clients span diverse industries including manufacturing, mining, power generation and transmission, the financial and insurance sectors, and process outsourcing. While much of his current work focuses on disputes arising under federal statutes including CERCLA, RCRA, and the Clean Water Act, Mr. Showalter has significant experience representing parties involved in class action, toxic tort and regulatory litigation.

In a press release, Gabriel M. Rodriguez, leader of Schiff Hardin’s Environmental group was quoted as saying: “Schiff Hardin has long recognized that environmental issues often drive critical decision-making and business strategy. Our attorneys are some of the best in the country, and the addition of Russ, Brad and Mike further enhances our top-notch, nationally recognized practice.”

Schiff Hardin LLP is a national law firm with nearly 400 attorneys practicing out of seven offices nationwide — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. It is a general practice firm serving corporate clients in a number of practices within the United States, and around the world.

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Fish & Richardson nabbed the communications team from McDermott…

A recent poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans are unable to name a single member of the U.S. Supreme Court…

U.S.–based Kirkland Ellis bolstered its London office with the addition of two highly-regarded private equity partners…

Three more partners left Nixon Peabody for rival DLA Piper…

AM Law’s second Hundred also took a hit in ‘09…

Littler Mendelson added a partner to its Philadelphia Office…

A former Kirkland IP Partner launched hiw own IP firm…

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati added an expert patent litigation partner to its IP Practice…

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Shatzer will be based in Wilson’s Washington, D.C. office. He joins the firm from Foley & Lardner, where he was the firm-wide chair of Foley’s intellectual property litigation practice.

In today’s press release at PR Newswire, CEO Steve Bochner was quoted as saying: “The firm’s IP litigation practice has grown dramatically in recent years, resulting in an impressive track record for our work in bet-the-company patent cases. Larry’s demonstrated skill as a trial lawyer, years of experience in the technology field, and familiarity with the ITC and other key trial venues make him a welcome addition to the firm. He will be a great member of the patent litigation team and an invaluable D.C.-based resource for our clients.”

Shatzer has more than 20 years of experience litigating complex intellectual property matters. His work has involved both jury and non-jury trials — including serving as first chair — as well as arguments before the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Federal and Fourth Circuits.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is the premier legal advisor to technology and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the investment banks and venture capital firms that finance them. Over the past four decades, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has established its reputation by having an unmatched knowledge of its clients’ industries and deep and long-standing contacts throughout the technology sector.

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Erin Brockovich Joins Forces With Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. to Assist Victims of BP Oil Spill…

Foley & Lardner announced yesterday seven lawyers from Lovells LLP have joined the firm…

A challenge to the US Defense of Marriage Act began…

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Foley & Lardner

Gail Goering, Eric Haab and Neal Moglin will join the firm’s Chicago office as partners. Also joining the firm from Lovells are Kay Wilde as counsel, Peter Steffen as senior counsel, and Edward Diffin and Katherine Markowski as associates.

In the press release at Foley & Lardner’s website, Gordon Davenport III, chair of Foley’s Insurance & Reinsurance Litigation Practice Group was quoted as saying: “The arrival of Gail, Eric, Neal and their colleagues marks a major accomplishment for Foley’s Insurance and Reinsurance practice. The vast experience they bring in advising clients on a broad array of complex insurance and reinsurance issues will further enhance the service our firm has been providing to clients in the insurance industry for more than 100 years.”

Established in 1842, Foley & Lardner is a highly regarded national law firm providing client-focused, industry-specific services that result in high-value legal counsel for its clients. Practice areas encompass the full range of corporate legal services, and include mergers and acquisitions, IP litigation and intellectual property.

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The illustrious history of the recess appointment is explained after President Obama makes 15 of them…

The law offices of Derek K. Yu go paperless in March…

Lovells plans to close it’s Chicago office later in the year…

McKool Smith wins more than100 top verdicts for the second year in a row….

Willie Shepherd, formerly of Kamlet Shepherd and Reichert LLP, lied about diversity statistics at his firm and receives a $127.50 fine…

Ogletree Deakins opens a new office in Minneapolis….

Carter G. Phillips of Sidley Austin is named one of the decade’s most influential lawyers by The National Law Journal…

Gross revenue and profits per partner drop at Foley & Lardner…

A former Arnold & Porter partner who pleaded guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy charges is sentenced…

Three former and current female employees of Bank of America and it’s Merrill Lynch division sue the bank claiming the company engages in gender biased and discriminatory practices …

Pope Benedict XVI invokes the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act…

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Firm Chairman Ralf-Reinhard Boer told the AM Law Daily “we’re glad 2009 is behind us” and that business has increased across all practice areas since the start of the year.

“It was a tough year for the industry and a tough year for us,” Boer said. “Things are perking up pretty much.”

According to the report, the positive news for Foley & Lardner was limited to its bankruptcy and renewable energy practices. The biggest hits came in IP and IP litigation, securities and white-collar litigation.

Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and 60 practice groups, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

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Tycko & Zavareei filed a class action suit against Fifth Third Bank…

Pillsbury gave raises (sort of) and bonuses…

Gardere Wynne added four attorneys to their roster…

Morrison & Foerster hired Joe Calve as their Chief Marketing Officer…

Danna McKitrick attorney Ruth Binger was named a Top Small Business Lawyer by the St. Louis Small Business Monthly…

Revenues and profits were up at Bingham McCutchen…

Thor Hearne, a former national election counsel in the Bush administration, joined Arent Fox…

Littler Mendelson welcomed 4 new shareholders to the firm…

Neil Upton joined Greenberg Traurig to head its UK Energy Practice…

The former director of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality joined Foley & Lardner…

Mintz Levin gave incoming associates the option to defer their starting employment date…

Alston & Bird hired a contractor to explore the construction of a new office building…

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Foley & Lardner is a general practice international law firm with 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices worldwide including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., Shanghai and Tokyo.

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Woodcock Washburn has a new litigation chair…

Adams & Reese is expanding in Florida with an office in Tampa…

Sidley Austin has received an award for its work in life sciences law…

Thompson Hines promoted 10 law clerks to associates…

Foley & Lardner picked up a former managing partner from Nixon Peabody…

Jones Day added four lateral partners and promoted four more partners in California…

Greenberg Traurig opened a San Francisco office…

Akin Gump picked up threefrom Woodcock Washburn…

UMass is moving forward with plans for the state’s first public law school…

Cravath is holding a deferral lottery – first prize is the chance to start working…

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water – Layoffs at Howrey…

and Dorsey & Whitney report 2009 decline in revenues and profits…

• Morning Roundup
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Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and 60 practice groups, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

• Morning Roundup
• Prominent Life Sciences Patent Attorney Joins Foley & Lardner
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• Former Director of Michigan DEQ Joins Foley & Lardner LLP

One of the investors on Greenberg’s team is legendary Ranger’s pitcher and strike out king, Nolan Ryan. Ryan will continue in his current role as team president.

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Foley & Lardner snag a prominent IP lawyerfrom Sheppard Mullin…

Baker Hostetler open an office in Chicago…

Intel and AMD have reached a $1.2 billion settlement…

and according to a survey from PWC, UK firms are feeling the pinch…

Anyone interested in the history of the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th might enjoy this article…

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Sheppar Mullin declined to comment on the move but noted that Daniel Yannuzzi has replaced Thakur as the co-chair of the IP practice group.

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• Prominent Life Sciences Patent Attorney Joins Foley & Lardner
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Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories…

Foley & Lardner has struck a deal with the NIH…

McGuire Woods gets around to making some of its offers to its summer class…

Ropes & Gray adds another attorney to its new office in London…

A beauraucratic snafu may cost Pepsi $1.2 billion…

and our condolences go out to the family and friends of Texas lawyer Sidney Davis, who died this week from complications due to the swine flu…

Also of note – several sites yesterday were carrying stories about a possible merger between Hogan & Harston and the UK firm Lovells. We reported on this story a few weeks ago, and there isn’t really anything new to report yet. For our original story, look here. We will of course bring you any updates as they arise.

• Morning Roundup
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Foley & Lardner recently deferred for the second time its incoming IP associates, who will be starting next September. With the new influx of IP work from this contract, we can only hope the firm will reconsider that decision.

Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

• Foley & Lardner Snag IP Co-Chair from Sheppard Mullin
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• Former Wisconsin Governor Joins Foley & Lardner LLP
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• Prominent Life Sciences Patent Attorney Joins Foley & Lardner

• Hard Times at Seyfarth Shaw
• Scary Days at Drinker Biddle
• Incoming Associate Class Split, Half Will do Pro Bono Work at Reduced Salary
• Fenwick & West the Latest Firm to Buy Off Incoming Associates
• Day Pitney Lays Off 20 Lawyers, Defers Associates

Foley & Lardner have confirmed the layoffs we first reported last week…

Sidekick users are getting their data back after all, but lawsuits are still on their way…

Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group bidding on the Rams…

and Justice Ginsburg spent another night in the hospital…

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Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States

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• Prominent Life Sciences Patent Attorney Joins Foley & Lardner
• Former Director of Michigan DEQ Joins Foley & Lardner LLP
• Nixon Peabody Managing Partner Moves to Foley & Lardner
• Staff Layoffs at Brown McCarroll

McDonald Hopkins picked up four attorneys in Detroit…

A tipster helped us update our story on layoffs at Foley & Lardner…

Nixon Peabody has been laying people off on the sly…

A report indicates that spending on outside counsel will continue to decline…

and the offer rateis in for Fenwick & West, and it ain’t pretty….

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UPDATE: A tipster tell us that 40 associates were let go and sent a copy of the following email

Message from Managing Partner Nancy Sennett to attorneys: As all of you are aware, the firm has concluded that it is necessary to layoff a number of associates and senior counsel in order to bring capacity in line with demand. While this certainly is not what any of us would have liked, I fully support this decision and believe that it is in the best long-term interests of the firm. All attorneys in Milwaukee who have been affected by the layoffs have now been individually notified. No further attorney layoffs are contemplated. We will provide whatever support and assistance we can for our colleagues who have been terminated. Thank you for your understanding and support in this difficult economic environment.

Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

• Foley & Lardner Score Big Contract with NIH
• More Deferrals at Foley & Lardner
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• Foley & Lardner Layoffs Confirmed
• Baker Botts layoffs

Partners Richard Andreano and John Socknat join in Washington DC, along with associates Reid Herlihy, Heather Hutchings and Haydn Richards. Partner Michael Waldron joins in Dallas.

In April, Patton Boggs has hired away a three-person bankruptcy team from Foley & Lardner.

Patton Boggs LLP is a full service law firm with more than 600 lawyers and professionals in nine locations in the United States and the Middle East.

• Patton Boggs Teaming with The Collingwood Group
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• Crowell & Moring Adds 7 to Environmental Group
• Andrews Kurth Brings on Lawyers
• Paul Hastings Hires IP Team from Skadden

The firm is refusing to confirm or deny the rumor. If you know anything about pay cuts at Foley & Lardner, please — send us a confidential tip!

Foley & Lardner has been hiring new lawyers this year — three and three in May, three and two in June.

Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

• Foley & Lardner LLP sees LGBT Index Rating Drop
• Three Firms Take the Lead on the Proposed Sale of NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars
• Duane Morris Adds Pair of Attorneys on West Coast
• Former Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Energy and Natural Resources Joins Foley & Lardner’s LA Office
• Foley & Lardner Continues Expansion of Bankruptcy Practice

Jeffrey Thrope joins in New York from Manatt Phelps & Phillips as a partner in the firm’s health care practice. He represents hospitals, nursing homes, public health facilities, not-for-profits, and other health care providers.

Etsuo Doi joins in Tokyo from Paul Hastings as a partner in the intellectual property practice. He will co-head the office with Michael D. Kaminski.

Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

• Foley & Lardner Adds Lowrie Lando IP Team
• K&L Gates Brings on Partners
• Paul Hastings Hires IP Team from Skadden
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• Prominent Life Sciences Patent Attorney Joins Foley & Lardner