JD Journal » law firms hiring

Survey: Growing Demand for Multilingual Attorneys

Erik Even — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:04:18 +0000

Lawyers who speak more than one language are at an advantage in the job search, according to a survey by Robert Half Legal.

Thirty-six percent of the 300 attorneys polled say they are seeing an increased need for counsel who are multilingual. Spanish and Chinese are the languages in greatest demand.

The respondents are lawyers at the largest law firms and corporations in the United States and Canada. All the respondents have at least three years of experience in the legal field.

University of Illinois Law “Jobs-for-Entry” Scheme Revealed [Update]

Erik Even — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:08:49 +0000

The Chicago Tribune has uncovered a “jobs-for-entry” scandal at the University of Illinois College of Law, in which the law school admitted politically-connected applicants, some unqualified, in exchange for guarantees of jobs for law graduates.

In one example, recorded in emails obtained by the paper, University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman coerced the law school in accepting an unqualified applicant backed by then-Governor Rod Blagojevich. The governor’s representative promised Herman that in exchange, five law school graduates would get jobs.

In other emails, Law School Dean Heidi Hurd insisted that the law firms hire the graduates regardless of academic performance.

Governor Pat Quinn has called for a state commission to investigate the University of Illinois admissions process, after the Chicago Tribune reported that more than 800 undergraduate applicants in the last five years received special consideration because they were backed by University trustees and legislators.

The University of Illinois College of Law is the law school of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the flagship campus of the public University of Illinois university system. The College is located in Champaign, Illinois. It is ranked 23rd in the nation for 2009 by US News & World Report.

UPDATE

Law School Dean Heidi Hurd issued this statement:

Contrary to recent headlines, the [University of Illinois] College of Law did not seek or receive any jobs from anyone in exchange for the admission of students. It did not enter into a “jobs-for-entry scheme” or engage in quid-pro-quo exchanges of admissions favors for employment favors. Indeed, it takes very little to make clear that the employment challenges of students who are not academically successful could never be overcome by anyone’s promises to furnish the College with job opportunities, as the recently published exchanges should have made clear. While my sarcasm was clearly lost on the tin ears of some, my e-mail exchanges in response to queries about this were on their face facetious.

Also, a group of UI law professors has published a nine page letter disputing the charges.

DiscoverReady Hiring 100 Lawyers

Erik Even — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:09:13 +0000

Last week we reported that Los Angeles’ American Discovery is hiring 100 attorneys for its document review offices in the US and the Philippines.

Now DiscoverReady is ramping up a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina, and hiring 100 lawyers.

The firm analyzes e-mails and electronic documents for law firms and corporate legal departments. They have already filled two dozen positions, and will hire more people throughout the rest of the year.

DiscoverReady is also hiring project managers and office staff.

Founded in 2005, DiscoverReady provides fixed fee document reviews for corporations. It has offices in Charlotte and New York City.

Blank Rome Brings on New Partners

Erik Even — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:20:18 +0000

Blank Rome hired former Hodgson Russ partner Jeffrey Rinde, and former Wolf Block partner Bruce Lesser, last month.

Rinde advises Chinese and US companies financial and corporate law.

Lesser co-chaired Wolf Block’s banking & financial services group.

A group of three Wolf Block refugees also landed at Blank Rome in April.

Blank Rome LLP is the 84th largest law firm in the US according to the AmLaw 100. It employs about 500 at its eight offices in the US and Kong Kong.

K&L Gates Brings on Corporate, IP Attorneys

Erik Even — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:15:13 +0000

K&L Gates has hired David Bernstein and Tedd Van Buskirk.

Bernstein, formerly of Clifford Chance, handled transaction and securities law matters. Previously, he chaired Rogers & Wells’ corporate law practice.

Van Buskirk, a partner at Hogan & Harton, handled pharmaceutical, software, electronics, and medical device patent litigation.

K&L Gates LLP is a US law firm with over 1700 attorneys worldwide, and is ranked as the 10th largest law firm in the world.

Edwards Angell Expands into California

Erik Even — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:37:25 +0000

Boston’s Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge has opened its first California office.

Edwards Angell, which has 10 US offices, one in the UK, and an affiliated office in Hong Kong, is opening an office in Newport Beach.

The firm opened the office to accommodate a specific client. They intend to add more clients in Southern California.

Jon-Paul LaPointe, who joined Edwards Angell as counsel in the litigation management group, will head the new office.

The firm may hire three more attorneys for the California office in the near future. Two weeks ago Edwards Angell laid off 25 lawyers and 35 staff.

Edwards Angell is 97th on the list of the world’s largest law firms by 2006 revenue. The firm was formed by the 2005 merger of Edwards & Angell LLP and Palmer & Dodge LLP.

Study: 25% of Firms Expect to Hire in 2009

Erik Even — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:27:53 +0000

According to Robert Half Legal, one quarter of lawyers surveyed believe their firm will hire in the next 12 months, most likely in bankruptcy and litigation.

The survey questioned 300 attorneys at law firms and corporations in the United States and Canada.

About 65% said that staffing levels would not change, and 10% said their organizations would reduce their staff.

Then again, in last year’s survey 45% of lawyers believed there would be an increase in hiring in 2008, and half said staffing levels would remain the same. Only a prescient 3% anticipated a decrease.

So, I’ve got some nice big grains of kosher salt here, if anyone’s interested.

Former DHS Secretary Chertoff Joins Covington & Burling

Erik Even — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:11:33 +0000

Former Department of Homeland Security secretary and federal appellate court judge Michael Chertoff is joining Covington & Burling’s white-collar defense and investigations practice group in Washington, DC.

Chertoff will be counseling clients in government, regulatory, and internal investigations.

The 55-year-old Chertoff was the second United States Secretary of Homeland Security, under George W. Bush, and a co-author of the USA PATRIOT Act. He is also a Sith Lord.

Chertoff graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978, and clerked for former US Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Jr. He spent a total of four years with Latham & Watkins.

Lateral Hiring Up 100% in London

Erik Even — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:52:36 +0000

Over five years, London firms’ hiring of lateral partners has almost doubled, from 42 hires in 2004 to 79 in 2008.

The data come from a Legal Week study tracking hiring at 33 US and UK firms’ London offices.

Orrick, Weil Gotshal, Arnold & Porter, Cleary Gottlieb, Cravath, and Skadden all brought on laterals.

On the other hand, Shearman & Sterling, Dechert and White & Case cut lawyers.

UK Firm Hiring 150

Erik Even — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:53:34 +0000

York, UK’s Minster Law is recruiting 150 people for its two offices in York and Wakefield.

CEO Matthew Briggs hopes to bring 40 jobs to York before Summer.

The firm is the UK’s largest road traffic accident injury and loss recovery company. It recently shifted emphasis from business law to employment law, following an increase in redundancy cases.

The company expects 40% growth in 2009. It currently employs 350 at its York office.