JD Journal » hiring

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:56:42 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, September 27th. Here’s a quick look back at Friday’s stories.

Dinsmore & Shohl Welcomes New Partner Michael DiSanto to Corporate Department…

The publisher of The American Lawyer, Corporate Counsel and other legal and business titles, is consolidating its legal research functions into a single organization…

Butzel Long Shareholder was named a recipient of the 2^nd Annual International Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor Award…

London-based firm Kennedy’s opened an office in Miami…

Poll conducted earlier this week by the New York State Bar Association revealed guarded optimism about hiring trends and demand for legal services in 2011…

New York Firm Chiefs Expect More Hiring in 2011

joshua — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:10:07 +0000

A straw poll of 21 managing partners at New York law firms revealed guarded optimism about hiring trends and demand for legal services in 2011. Only two respondents said they anticipated legal work would decrease next year, while more than 50 percent expected to hire the same number or slightly more first year associates than in 2010.

The informal poll was conducted earlier this week by the New York State Bar Association at a meeting of managing partners from large, mid-size and boutique lawn firms under the auspices of the Association’s Task Force on the Future of the Legal Profession.

Survey highlights include:

All managing partners who were polled confirmed that their firms had experimented with something other than the billable hours system. Six of the 21 respondents (almost 30%) said their firms “regularly” used alternate billing methods.
11 of the managing partners also said that clients complain about having to pay for the work of first- or second-year associates. Two additional respondents said that clients refuse to pay for such services.
18 of the 21 managing partners said that their firms expected attorneys to respond to non-emergency emails and phone calls on weekends and holidays.
The vast majority (18 of 21) indicated that their firms offer flex policies including reduced hours, job sharing and flex times. Not surprisingly, more women attorneys took advantage of flex time than their male counterparts.
66% of the managing partners said their firms hired fewer attorneys in 2010 when compared to more typical years.
However, the outlook for 2011 was that a little more than half expected to hire the same number of associates as in 2010.
11 of the 21 managing partners said they anticipated demand for legal services to remain flat in 2011; while 8 believed workload would increase modestly.

Of the managing partners who responded, six were from firms of 25 lawyers or less; three were from firms of 26-100 attorneys; six managed firms of 101-250 lawyers; and six were in firms of over 250 lawyers.

“One thing was clear from yesterday’s dynamic and lively discussion – whether from firms large or small, they all agreed that the profession is ready for permanent, positive changes that will allow us to better serve the modern client while shaping a profession that is satisfying to today’s lawyers and appealing to future lawyers,” said State Bar President Stephen P. Younger in a press release..

“Significantly, there was consensus around the table on many issues. Clients want fixed and predictable costs, and lawyers are willing to try alternative billing methods, such as value billing, because this leads to increased efficiency, better trained lawyers and greater opportunity to achieve work-life balance,” Younger added.

The Association’s Task Force was established in June 2010 by Younger to study and recommend ways to create a roadmap for the future use of technology in the profession, to improve legal education and training, to establish proper work/life balance for attorneys, and to analyze the billing structure in law firms.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:52:48 +0000

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 12th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Opportunity For Firms To Re-learn and Re-market Real-Estate Practice…

Legal Heavyweights Speak About Arizona Immigration Legislation…

Clifford Chance To Deepen Bankruptcy Practice Group…

Firms Hire MDs to Combat Government Suits Over Medicare Billing…

Lucado Law Firm Opposes BP’s Motion To Have All Lawsuits Involving Gulf Oil Spill to Houston…

Nevada School District Hires Littler Mendelson…

Clifford Chance To Deepen Bankruptcy Practice Group

joshua — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:47:08 +0000

Today, according to PR Newswire, Clifford Chance announced the addition of Rick Atanoff as a partner in the United States. Atanoff will join the firm’s Financial Restructuring Group.

Prior to joining the Clifford firm, Atanoff was a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and was a member of its Subprime Industry Group.

Clifford Chance is one of the world’s leading law firms with 29 offices in 20 countries and 3,600 legal advisors globally. The firm is structured around six global practice areas: Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, and Tax, Pensions and Employment.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman is an international law firm with offices located throughout the US and globally, including key financial centers New York, London, Tokyo and Shanghai.

Recruitment Levels Get Back to Normal at Clifford Chance

joshua — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:04:33 +0000

In another sign the legal jobs market is improving, Clifford Chance has re-invited students from last year’s recruitment drive in England to re-apply with the firm.

According to LegalWeek, Clifford Chance normally recruits 120 trainees a year during its two intakes, which occur in August and February. However, because of the tough economic climate last year, the firm recruited “cautiously.” Now it’s asking students at Europe’s College of Law to re-apply during the next two trainee intakes so it can bring the number of trainees back to “normal” levels.

When confirming the news, a Clifford Chance spokesperson said the firm has used “rolling recruitment” in the past, but didn’t do so last year because of the economic climate.

LegalWeek goes on to note how retention rates have declined during the recession. According to its research, the retention rate in March 2010 was 75 percent, which is a pretty substantial drop from 83 percent in March 2009. As for Clifford Chance, Legal Week reports the firm retained 70 percent of its March qualifiers, which is down from 80 percent the previous year.

Clifford Chance is global London based firm with 29 offices in 20 countries and 3,600 legal advisers.

More Chief Legal Officers Plan on Hiring in 2010

sara — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:45:47 +0000

The Association of Corporate Counsel’s 10th annual Chief Legal Officer Survey finds that more chief legal officers plan on hiring this year. Don’t take this to mean that economic pressures and budget issues have receded. The additional hiring indicates that the poor economy is forcing chief legal officers to bring more work in-house and spend less on outside counsel along with increasing spending on alternative fee arrangements.

970 chief legal officers participated in this year’s survey. 29% said they are planning to add to their departments, while last year only 23% planned to do the same. 34% have said they have reduced spending on outside counsel. When chief legal officers do hire outside counsel it is more common to negotiate alternative fee arrangements to reduce costs. 44% negotiated alternative fees in 2009 and 41% in 2008.

Over half of respondents said their work has increased because of increased regulation. 57% were concerned by increased scrutiny by regulators and law enforcement. Despite all these hardships over 90% of chief legal officers are satisfied with their careers, up from 88% last year.

13th Partner Quits White & Case for Latham

sara — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:34:54 +0000

White & Case lost its 13th partner to Latham & Watkins with M&A specialist Andrew Macklin becoming the latest to make the switch. Macklin made partner at White & Case in January 2009. He joined the firm in 2005 and relocated last year to the firm’s new Doha, Qatar office. Macklin’s departure leaves White & Case’s Doha office with only one associate. Macklin’s hiring will further boost Latham’s Middle East practice after the additions of corporate partner Villiers Terblanche, energy and infrastructure partner Nick Collins, project partner Christopher Langdon and project partner Mohammed Al-Sheikh.

Latham & Watkins LLP is an international law firm based in Los Angeles, California. The firm has 2,100 attorneys in offices around the world including Abu Dhabi, London, Hong Kong, Brussels, Moscow, Milan, Newark, New York City, Paris and San Francisco.

Katten Moves Up Start Dates For Six Incoming Associates

todd — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:25:05 +0000

Half a dozen incoming associates to the Katten Muchin Rosenman law firm have reason to celebrate. On Friday, the law firm sent out a statement rescinding their March decision to hold off starting dates for six of their incoming associates. Initially, the associates were to start on February 1, 2010. However, due to what the law firm cited as “an increase in demand for [their] legal services in a number of core practice areas,” six lucky new comers will start their new positions this month.

The hires come in the areas of litigation and intellectual property, but are spread across all of the firm’s offices.

Berenato White & Stavish Brings on IP Pros

Erik Even — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:17:16 +0000

Bethesda, Maryland patent firm Berenato, White & Stavish has brought on board Steven Kelber and Kyle Hepner.

Kelber has 30 years experience in patent prosecution, patent interference and trade secret law. Prior to joining Berenato, Kelber served as partner at Jagtiani+Guttag. He received his JD, With Honors, from the National Law Center, George Washington University in 1981.

Hepner works on patentability, validity, and infringement research. He is also a graduate of The George Washington University Law School.

Berenato, White & Stavish LLC is Maryland’s leading patent firm, providing counseling and litigation services to clients in the US and around the world.

Akerman Senterfitt Adds 3 to Labor & Employment Practice

Erik Even — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:40:25 +0000

Miami-based Akerman Senterfitt has brought a three-attorney group into its West Palm Beach labor & employment practice.

David Spector and Christopher Duke are joining the firm as shareholders. Lorraine Rogers joins as of counsel.

Spector got his JD from the University of Miami School of Law; Duke and Rogers from the University of Florida College of Law.

Akerman Senterfitt was founded in 1920, and has grown to become one of the largest law firms in the United States. In 2008, the National Law Journal ranked the firm as 92nd largest in the US by number of attorneys, and the second-largest Florida-based firm, behind Greenberg Traurig.

Berman DeValerio Seeking Associates

Erik Even — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:17:29 +0000

Berman DeValerio’s San Francisco office seeks to add two junior or senior associates to the 10-lawyer office.

The associates should have experience in antitrust or securities litigation.

The firm was recently appointed co-lead counsel in a Bear Stearns securities class action.

Berman DeValerio prosecutes class actions nationwide on behalf of individuals and institutions, chiefly victims of securities fraud and antitrust law violations. Founded in 1982, the firm now includes 33 lawyers in Boston, San Francisco and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

During Layoffs, Holland & Knight Expanded Lobbying Team

Erik Even — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:26:06 +0000

Last month we reported that Holland & Knight laid off 243 lawyers and staffers.

But it has now been revealed that during the same period, the firm took on more than a dozen lobbyists.

Rich Gold, head of the firm’s public policy and regulation practice, expanded the size his federal lobbying team to about 70, to help clients get their piece of the president’s economic stimulus package.

The practice group has 240 clients, including 50 recently acquired ones.

Holland & Knight is a law firm with more than 1,150 lawyers in 23 US offices. Other offices around the world are located in Beijing, China, and Mexico City, Mexico, with representative offices in Caracas, Venezuela, and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Holland & Knight is the 36th largest law firm in the world, providing representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law.

Microsoft Seeks Antitrust Lawyer

Erik Even — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:13:59 +0000

Microsoft will soon be releasing its new operating system, Windows 7. To handle any regulatory issues that may arise with the release of the software, Microsoft is looking to hire an experienced antitrust lawyer.

According to an ad placed at a Washington state job bank, the company seeks an attorney that can to “analyze and address complex legal, business, and strategic issues affecting Microsoft products and services.”

“These issues typically include antitrust and regulatory compliance, general commercial law, contracts, intellectual property and licensing, and marketing & communications,” the ad says. “”This attorney must help provide front-line transactional support for [Microsoft's Windows Experience Group's] business and technology initiatives related to Windows 7, including user interface, music and video media, desktop and graphics, and accessibility”

The ad was placed on February 27. It indicates that the position closes on August 26, 2009.

Edwin Coe Hires Four New Partners

todd — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:49:28 +0000

Litigation team Edwin Coe has just hired four new partners to accommodate their growing list of clients.

Edwin Coe has hired Teacher Stern IP partner Simon Miles, Royds Solicitors Litigation partner Vivien Davies, Fasken Martineau’s former head of employment Ruth Hickling and David Goepel, previously of counsel at Withers. All four will come on as partner.

Christopher Berry, senior partner at Edwin Coe, claims they made the hires in the IP and private client practices to establish a route for succession ahead of partner retirements.

Chief executive Tim Nash said that the practices were “specific areas where the firm has identified opportunities for growth.”

Coe’s David Greene just recently won an instruction from a group of Madoff investors looking into possible action against intermediary banks HSBC, UBS, and Barclays regarding advice they gave in relation to Madoff’s $50 billion.

Former Bush Solicitor General Returns to King & Spalding

Erik Even — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:58:23 +0000

Former Bush Administration Solicitor General Paul Clement is returning to the Washington, DC office of Atlanta’s King & Spalding.

“We are very pleased to welcome our former colleague and friend Paul Clement back to King & Spalding,” said managing partner J. Sedwick Sollers. “Our clients and growing appellate practice will benefit greatly from Paul’s vast knowledge and experience before the US Supreme Court, and before appeals courts nationwide.”

Clement headed the firm’s appellate practice before becoming deputy solicitor general in 2001. Clement argued 49 cases before the high court during his tenure at the solicitor general’s office.

King & Spalding website.

Via The BLT.

New Managing Partner at Bernick Lifson [Video]

Erik Even — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:06:46 +0000

From LawCrossing.com:

Bernick, Lifson, Greenstein, Greene & Liszt has announced Jessica Roe as the firm’s new managing partner.

Roe is the first woman in the firm’s 25 year history to hold this position. Roe is a partner in the firm’s employment law and litigation practice.

With over fourteen years of employment law and litigation practice, Roe has extensive experience in employment-related issues with a focus on preventing legal claims through advice, training and policy planning. Should litigation be necessary, Jessica has extensive experience navigating clients through the process to a cost effective, successful resolution.

Roe is a frequent author and speaker on topics related to employment law. She is currently a member of the Minnesota Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association and American Bar Association.

Visit LawCrossing.com.