JD Journal » Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown’s Sao Paolo Office Raided for Lawyers by Davis Polk

EmploymentCrossing — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:20:32 +0000

Mayer Brown’s office in Sao Paolo was raided by Davis Polk for lawyers, since Davis Polk is starting a new office in Sao Paolo, which is scheduled to open this summer. Next month corporate partners Maurice Blanco and Manuel Garciadiaz will head the new Sao Paolo office along with partner James Vickers and of counsel Stephen Hood.

Read the full article here:
Davis Polk Raids Mayer Brown to Open New Sao Paolo Office, Lures Away 2 of 3 …

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:59:20 +0000

Good morning everybody! Today is Friday, October 22nd. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

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…

Simmons & Simmons Keeping Eye on U.S. Market

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:04:22 +0000

U.K-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, LegalWeek is reporting.

Though emphasizing that such a merger is not a “key strategic target” of the firm, the story revealed Simmons & Simmons management informed its membership during a partners’ weekend earlier this month that such a merger remains a possibility.

“The basic message is that a US merger is not a driver of our strategy but that we remain open-minded about the option,” Managing Partner Mark Dawkins told LegalWeek.

Simmons & Simmons currently has a presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It is rated a top-15 firm in the U.K, according to LegalWeek.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:39:28 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, September 9th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Winston & Strawn LLP added two partners to its Los Angeles office…

Veteran trademark attorney Monica Riva Talley joined Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox…

Houston’s Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Anaipakos Law Firm was named an “awesome opponent” in a survey conducted by BTI Consulting Group…

Winston & Strawn LLP Adds Two Partners to Los Angeles Office

joshua — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:34:45 +0000

C. James Levin and Warren Loui have joined Winston & Strawn LLP’s Los Angeles office as partners.

The move significantly expands its M&A, securities, private equity, and finance capabilities on the West Coast. Levin joins from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he was a partner in and former co-chair of the firm’s M&A/Private Equity practices. Loui joins from Mayer Brown LLP, where he was a partner in its banking and finance department, and the Los Angeles Finance practice leader.

The two men, who each have well established practices in Southern California, bring a rare combination of experience representing public and private companies in acquisitions and divestitures, securities offerings, and corporate finance transactions, including securitizations, structured and acquisition finance matters, and capital raises for emerging companies.

Levin has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as private companies in their acquisitions and business dispositions, and has advised many prominent investment banking firms.

Loui’s representation of lenders and issuers includes acquisition financings of up to $3.7 billion, and structured financings and other securitizations in transactions valued up to $6 billion, including some of the first securitizations of non-performing loans and life settlements.

In today’s press release at PR Newswire, Laura Petroff, managing partner of the Los Angeles office, was quoted as saying: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Jim and Warren to our office. Their reputation and proven deal-making abilities, along with their uncommon blend of experience, will allow our office to grow strategically in ways that complement our existing corporate presence in California and the firm’s global capabilities.”

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with more than 900 attorneys among 14 offices in Beijing, Charlotte, Chicago, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, New York, Newark, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:27:07 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, July 29th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked several key provisions of Arizona’s controversial immigration law…

Squire Sanders & Dempsey will close its Tallahassee office…

Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell promoted partner Jennifer Kenedy to managing partner of its Chicago office…

BuckleySandler hired four in its Washington D.C. office…

Winstead PC hired two shareholders in its Washington D.C. Office…

BuckleySandler Continues Raid of Mayer Brown

joshua — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:04:15 +0000

BuckleySandler has made four hires to its national criminal & civil enforcement practice at its Washington D.C. office, the firm said in a press release Wednesday.

Joining the firm from Mayer Brown is partner James T. Parkinson; counsel Adam Miller and associate Lauren R. Randell. Also joining the practice group as counsel is Joseph J. Reilly, who previously served as special counsel at Sullivan & Cromwell’s Washington D.C. office.

The additions from Mayer Brown comes a month after BuckleySandler raided Mayer Brown for a three-person team of litigators that included David S. Krakoff, the former co-chair of Mayer Brown’s white collar litigation practice.

Firm Co-Chair Andrew L. Sandler explained the moves in a press release.

“We have made strategic decisions to bring in top-notch White Collar lawyers to assist our clients nationally as they tackle the challenges arising from increased scrutiny and an ever-changing regulatory and enforcement environment,” Sandler said. “Jamie, Joe, Adam and Laurie are terrific additions and further strengthen our team of experienced White Collar defense attorneys.”

BuckleySandler’s Criminal & Civil Enforcement practice represents leading financial services companies and other major corporations, as well as their officers and directors, in a variety of civil and criminal state and federal enforcement matters in cases involving civil enforcement of fair lending and unfair and deceptive trade practices, mortgage fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, mail and wire fraud and environmental crimes.

BuckleySandler has more than 100 lawyers in Washington D.C., Los Angeles and New York.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:51:37 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, July 20th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Prominent litigator Caryn Jacobs joined Winston & Strawn as partner…

Crowell & Moring added a former federal prosecutor as partner…

DLA Piper opened an office in New Jersey and added two partners…

Sidley Austin added three partners to its L.A. office…

Shearman & Sterling’s Project Development & Finance Group ranked in Top 10…

Prominent Litigator Caryn Jacobs Joins Winston & Strawn as Partner

joshua — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:09:35 +0000

Today, Winston & Strawn LLP announced that Caryn L. Jacobs, a prominent litigator focusing on securities, accounting and auditing professional liability and ERISA litigation, has joined its litigation department in Chicago as a partner.

Jacobs, who joins Winston from Mayer Brown, brings more than 20 years of experience in a wide range of securities, accounting and auditing, ERISA, and other commercial disputes. Her experience includes the successful handling of complex individual, class, arbitration, and multidistrict actions at the trial and appellate level.

Formerly, Jacobs was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois’ Criminal Division, where she prosecuted dozens of criminal matters, eventually concentrating on criminal financial institution fraud cases.

Jacobs co-tried the high profile Lexecon v. Milberg case. The case resulted in a $45 million jury verdict against the law firm in question and led to a $50 million settlement. She also co-tried and won, on behalf of a Big Four accounting firm, a massive federal securities fraud action brought in the Southern District of New York.

According to the release at Winston & Strawn’s website, Thomas Frederick, chair of Winston’s Litigation Department was quoted as saying: “Caryn clearly brings enormous talent, energy, and experience to our litigation team. The depth of her experience in complex securities and corporate governance litigation will greatly increase the depth of our national litigation services and will undoubtedly be welcomed by our corporate clientele.”

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with more than 900 attorneys in 14 offices in Asia, America and Europe. The firm serves the needs of enterprises of all types and sizes, in both the private and the public sector.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:40:50 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, June 30th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Thompson Hine bolstered its Washington D.C. product liability practice group with the addition of Fern Phillips O’Brian…

Yesterday was Day 2 of the Kagan confirmation hearings…

Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons broke off merger negotiations…

Law firms sought recovery for creating ‘common benefit’ in 2003 Staten Island ferry disaster…

Mayer Brown, Simmons & Simmons Break Off Merger Talks

joshua — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:30:02 +0000

Merger negotiations between Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons have been discontinued, according to a report from LegalWeek Tuesday.

The two firms had been discussing a potential transatlantic merger over the last several weeks, but a joint statement from the firms released Tuesday said those plans have been scrapped, at least for the time being.

“Simmons & Simmons and Mayer Brown have held preliminary discussions with regard to the potential for a merger.,” the statement reads. “Mergers are complex and present a number of issues which need to be resolved before discussions can proceed. We have concluded that a combination between our firms is not the right option. There is, however, considerable goodwill and continuing respect on both sides.”

The merger would have followed the transatlantic unions forged earlier this year between Hogan & Hartson and Lovells and Sonnenschein and Denton Wilde.

According to previous reports, the merger between Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons would have potentially given Mayer Brown a significant boost in the United Kingdom while Simmons & Simmons would substantially bolster its presence in Asia.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:23:40 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, June 24th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan opened an office in Atlanta, the fifteenth for the firm…

DLA Piper announced the expansion of its Venture Pipeline Service and online resource center for entrepreneurs….

Cooley’s bankruptcy and restructuring practice earned top honors at last week’s Turnaround Atlas Awards…

Sonnenschein added a former U.S. Treasury tax counsel as a partner in its taxation practice…

Jones Day cut staff in Cleveland…

Bowman & Brooke launched a blog for women executives in law and other fields…

The former co-chair of Mayer Brown’s litigation practice joined Buckley Sandler…

Mayer Brown Loses Litigation Co-Chair To BuckleySander

eric — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:06:49 +0000

Bloomberg: Former co-chair of Mayer Brown’s litigation practice, David S. Krakoff has been hired by BuckleySandler. Another former Mayer partner, Christopher Regan, joins Krakoff at the firm where the two will specialize in financial-services enforcement.

The firm has been aggressively growing its boutique practice since its inception in March 2009. Created through a merger with Buckley Kolar and a number of lawyers led by Andrew Sandler, a former Skadden partner, it now has some 90 attorneys in its ranks.

BuckleySandler is headquartered in Washington DC, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. It represents clients in the financial services industry, such as banks, mortgage lenders, and credit card companies.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:00:47 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, June 21st. Here’s a quick recap of Friday’s stories.

U.S.-based Mayer Brown and U.K-based Simmons & Simmons have reportedly reopened talks on a merger…

Sidley Austin’s international arbitration practice was named the best in the U.S. at the International Legal Alliance Summit & Awards…

A large group of attorneys from Nixon Peabody left to join the New York office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP…

Duane Morris picked a new managing partner…

Many big law firms have been brought in to defend Florida oil suits…

Arent Fox LLP added nine attorneys to its NY City Office…

Is Yet Another Merger Forthcoming?

joshua — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:20:03 +0000

Discussions are underway for what would potentially become the third transatlantic merger to take place this year, according to a report from the Lawyer. U.S.-based Mayer Brown and U.K-based Simmons & Simmons have reportedly reopened talks on such a move and both firms are slated to outline the proposal to their partnerships next week.

The merger would follow the transatlantic unions forged earlier this year between Hogan & Hartson and Lovells and Sonnenschein and Denton Wilde. According to the report, the merger between Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons would potentially give Mayer Brown a significant presence in the United Kingdom while Simmons & Simmons would substantially bolster its presence in Asia.

The firms reportedly reopened merger talks after partners at Simmons “demanded” from management details on a potential merger.

Mayer Brown, which is based in Chicago, is coming off a tough 2009 that saw significant declines in revenue and profits. Earlier this year the firm, which has 22 offices in 10 countries, axed 28 associates and 47 staffers.

Morning Roundup

sara — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:14:39 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, April 19th, and here’s a look back at Friday’s stories…

New law grads face a difficult economic climate…

Associates at DLA Piper receive a 10% pay raise…

Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto receive awards in two categories from Managing Intellectual Property Magazine…

An intellectual property lawyer from Haynes and Boone is nominated for the European Patent Office’s Inventor of the Year Award…

Recruitment levels are back to normal at Clifford Chance…

Dewey & Leboeuf has raised $125 million in a bond offering to refinance its existing bank debt…

The Oregon Supreme Court sides with the employer in a case involving medical marijuana…

Two partners leave Mayer Brown following layoffs…

Two Partners Leave Mayer Brown Following Layoffs

joshua — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:56:41 +0000

Mayer Brown, which last week let go of 28 associates and 47 staffers, saw its ranks continue to thin this week with the loss of two partners.

The first is Peter V. Darrow, who was a partner at Mayer Brown for 25 years and most recently served as co-chair of its Latin America practice. He has joined the New York office of DLA Piper, where he will serve in its corporate finance practice. The other is Ron D. Franklin, who has left Mayer Brown to join the Boston office of Proskauer Rose.

Darrow represents issuers, underwriters and placement agents in cross-border securities offerings. Roger Meltzer, global chair of DLA Piper’s corporate and finance practice, said the addition “is the latest step in DLA Piper’s strategic expansion of the New York corporate and finance practice, as well as our cross-border practice in emerging markets.”

Proskauer Rose brought on Franklin as it looks to expand the senior debt component of its finance practices. He told the New York Law Journal that his departure was not related to any financial difficulties at the firm.

Mayer Brown reported a 14 percent decrease in revenue in 2009 and its headcount fell by 144 to 1,657.

London Revenue Plummets For U.S.-Based Firms

joshua — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:56:05 +0000

Nine of the 10 biggest U.S. firms with operations in London saw revenue decreases in 2009 with the lone holdout being Latham & Watkins.

According to TheLawyer.com, revenue for the top 10 U.S. firms in London fell by an average of 12 percent and among the top 30 firms revenue was down by 5 percent. Latham & Watkins, which saw its revenue increase by a mere $1.1 million, was in fact the lone firm out of the top 20 to increase revenue.

White & Case again garnered the most revenue among U.S. firms in London, but even it saw its revenue plummet by 20 percent to $197-million. Runner-up Baker & McKenzie’s revenue fell by 24 percent to $184.5 million.

The biggest drops in revenue percentage-wise were felt by Mayer Brown and K&L Gates. Both firms dropped 28 percent, with Mayer Brown down to $146.3 million and K&L Gates to $43.3 million.

The biggest increase last year came from WilmerHale, which moved from 23^rd in 2008 to 17^th in 2009 through an $8.2 million increase in revenue.

Mayer Brown Axes 28 Associates, 47 Staffers

joshua — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:17:44 +0000

Multiple online reports indicate Mayer Brown has laid off 28 associates and 47 staffers. Mayer Brown saw a 14 percent decrease in revenue in 2009 and last April the firm let go of 45 lawyers and 90 staff.

According to a memo obtained by Above The Law, affected personnel will receive salary and benefits continuation packages, outplacement counseling and other assistance to help them through this difficult time.”

Firm leaders did say in the memo that 2010 is off “to a positive start” for Mayer Brown, but apparently it wasn’t enough. Last year net income fell by almost 19 percent at the firm and overall head count dropped by 144 to 1,657.

U.S. Firms Scale Back London Recruitment According to New Survey

sara — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:54:35 +0000

A new survey conducted by “Legal Week” finds that lateral partner hiring by U.S. firms in London fell to its lowest level last year since 2004. Hiring trends at 37 of the biggest U.S. and trans-Atlantic firms show that just 59 lateral partner moves were made in 2009. Many firms were reluctant to expand with a continuing global recession. This figure is a decline of 2008 recruitment levels when there were 77 lateral partner hires, the highest since 2005 (when there were 80).

Greenberg Traurig was responsible for a quarter of all partner hires by U.S. Firms in London last year. Minus Greenberg Traurig’s 15 partner appointments there were just 44 new hires across all remaining firms. The most active firms after Greenberg were Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, which hired 8 partners, including a 7 partner team from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft . Other firms making lateral moves included Mayer Brown and Reed Smith, making five each.

Lau Joins Goodwin Procter’s Hong Kong Office

joshua — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:02:33 +0000

Loretta Lau, formerly a partner at Mayer Brown, has joined Goodwin Procter’s Hong Kong office as a corporate finance partner. Goodwin Procter established a presence in Asia with the opening of its Hong Kong office in 2008. Lau, a graduate of the University of Hong Kong and China University of Political Science and Law, will help Goodwin Procter expand its client base in Asia, the firm said in a press release.

“The Asian markets continue to be an area we have targeted for investment,” said Regina M. Pisa, chairman and managing partner of Goodwin Procter. “Loretta will be an instrumental part of our team and bolster our capabilities in serving clients, particularly in Hong Kong, (China) and Asia, in a broad range of complex transactions.”

Lau’s practice includes advising on all aspects of corporate law.

In addition to Hong Kong, Goodwin Procter also has offices in Boston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington D.C.

Morning Roundup

sara — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:03:13 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, February 23, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s stories…

Steve Epstein joined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as a partner…

Albert P. Halluin, Senior Counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, passed away in a plane crash last Friday…

Kirkland & Ellis reported increases in profits and revenues in 2009…

Mayer Brown reported decreases in profits and revenues in 2009…

British law firm Ashurst asked more partners to leave and closed it’s India office…

Northwestern University School of Law topped The National Law Journal’s annual rankings…

K&L Gates global development partner Janice Hartman has overseen the rapid expansion of the firm…

Winston & Strawn outlined associate salaries in a memo…

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear were named one of the top intellectual firms in the nation by MIP Magazine…

Rosemary Becchi joined Patton Boggs Washington, D.C. office as a partner…

Revenues and profits decreased at Howrey in 2009…

Revenue & Profits Down at Mayer Brown

sara — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:58:32 +0000

Revenues decreased at Mayer Brown in 2009 by 14%, from $1.294 billion in 2008 to $1.118 billion last year. Profits decreased as the firm’s net income decreased by almost 19%. Profits per equity partner decreased 4% from $1.11 million to $1.06 million. Revenues per lawyer also decreased to $670,000 from $720,000 in 2008. The firm reduced its equity partner head count to 274 (down by 50). Nonequity partners increased from 330 to 355. Overall head counts were down by 144, as overall attorneys at the firm decreased from 1801 to 1657. In April 2009 the firm laid off 45 lawyers and 90 staff

Mayer Brown is an international law firm founded in Chicago in 1881. The firm has 22 offices in 10 countries including New York, Washington, D.C., Beijing, Berlin and London.

Recession Causing Fewer to Make Partner

joshua — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:30:49 +0000

It’s probably not a surprise that making partner has proven a more difficult task during the current recession. Not wanting to further cut into its partner’s profits, most firms have been extremely cautious to add to its ranks. Bloomberg gives further clarity to the trend in a report out today.

Among the firms cited in the story, Mayer Brown LLP promoted 14 attorneys to partners in November, down from 27. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in New York said it was promoting only six attorneys to equity partners in December, down from 20 a year earlier.

According to the report, it’s not enough to simply be a solid citizen and good lawyer to make partner these days. You also have to pass the ‘Cleveland Airport Rule’ at many firms i.e. would you be willing to spend time with the person if your plane was stuck in the Cleveland airport? Interesting read.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:56:19 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, February 3, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Arthur Cutillo plead not guilty in court yesterday to charges stemming from the Galleon Group insider trading case…

Thomas Russo has officially started at AIG, leaving Patton Boggs behind…

Mayer Brown has thawed salaries and given associates a double bump…

McDonald Hopkins expanded its health care practice…

Chadbourne & Parke added a litigator in New York…

Seyfarth Shaw picked up one from the Department of Labor…

Greenberg Traurig has a new CEO…

Revenues were up in 2009 for Bryan Cave, but per partner profits dropped a bit…

WilmerHale is in the market for more office space in New York…

And Dechert picked up two from Goodwin Procter…

Mayer Brown Raises Salaries Back to Pre-Recession Levels

joshua — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:22:34 +0000

The salary marketis starting to crystallize now. Mayer Brown today joined other top tier firms in restoring associate salaries back to pre-recession levels. That means everyone is being bumped up two levels, putting all Mayer Brown associates where they would have been had salaries never been frozen in the first place. There are still some minor differences between the firms – for example, no word yet on whether Mayer Brown will issue an extra bonus to make up for the lost salary in 2009, but these differences affect past compensation and not the state of the salary market going forward.

The question is, will the market respond? Several firms that have thawed salaries have only moved their associates up one level. Will this put pressure on them to reconsider that decision? And how will it affect the salary market for those firms that have adopted or are intending to adopt a merit based compensation plan? It’s too soon to say, but when it happens, you will read about it here.

Mayer Brown is one of the largest global law firms both by number of lawyers and revenue. The firm has over 1,800 lawyers in key business centers across the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Pierpont Named Partner of Jones Day

joshua — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:29:15 +0000

Scott Pierpont has been named partner in the banking and finance practice of global firm Jones Day. Prior to joining Jones Day, Pierpont was a partner in Mayer Brown. He will serve in Jones Day’s New York office.

Pierpont’s practice includes representation of financial institutions, asset managers, hedge funds and investors among others. He most recently represented clients in international finance transactions from China, India and East Asia.

“Scott’s work advising clients on projects in Asia is a perfect complement to the firm’s global structure,” said Willis Goldsmith, partner-in-charge of Jones Day’s New York office.

Jones Day has more than 2,500 lawyers and 32 offices worldwide.

Daily Roundup

joshua — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:13:28 +0000

As we get closer and closer to New Years Eve, I want to remind everyone to be be careful and to have a fantastic and safe holiday. We want every single one of our readers back next year!

Here’s a look at yesterday’s news…

Ron Parraguirre is Nevada’s new chief justice…

A branch of Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attempted Christmas bombing…

Recruitment firm Sivin-Tobin has lost its appeal in its suit against Akin Gump…

Congress continues to be unsympathetic to the ABA’s appeal for debt relief for law students….

In house counsel at Fortune 500 companies have named Ulmer & Berne the “go to firm”…

And Mayer Brown announced bonuses, with no new surprises….

Mayer Brown Bonuses Match Cravath

joshua — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:05:57 +0000

Mayer Brownassociates got the news on Christmas Eve – the firm is matching the Cravath bonus scale. $7500 for first years, $30k for senior associates and the same sliding scale in between. What associates have not yet been told is whether or not they’re getting a pay raise next year. Mayer Brown froze salaries this year and have yet to announce next year’s compensation plan.

Mayer Brown is one of the largest global law firms both by number of lawyers and revenue. The firm has over 1,800 lawyers in key business centers across the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:34:33 +0000

Good morning everyone! It’s Tuesday, December 8, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s headlines…

Kirkland & Ellis is under new management…

A transgender teen is suing McDonald’s…

There’s a new round of layoffs at DLA Piper’s middle east offices…

and Mayer Brown has asked some of its incoming associates to voluntarily defer their start dates…

Voluntary Deferral Extension at Mayer Brown

joshua — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:43:31 +0000

The incoming class of associates at Mayer Brown is scheduled to begin work in January after being deferred back in April. Later that same month the firm offered voluntary extension to October of 2010 with a $5000 per month stipend plus benefits, along with assistance securing public service experience in the meantime. Now we’ve learned that the firm is once again asking 18 of its 119 incoming associates to push back their start date until October, although it’s still being called a voluntary deferral. It’s unclear how voluntary the deferment actually is. If you have any specific information on the options available to those being asked to hold off starting work, please send us an anonymous tip here.

Mayer Brown is one of the largest global law firms both by number of lawyers and revenue. The firm has over 1,800 lawyers in key business centers across the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Firms Tighten up in Partnership Promotions

joshua — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:21:46 +0000

In a year that has been notable for salary cuts, layoffs, associate deferrals and smaller bonuses, it should come as no surprise that promotions to partner are also down across the board. Profits are down, and firms are reluctant to increase the number of slices of the shrinking pie. Although not every firm has announced this years promotions yet, plenty have.

Here’s a sampling of prominent firms that have announced a smaller partnership class this year compared to last year: Cleary Gottlieb, Latham & Watkins, Ropes & Gray, Proskauer Rose, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, Skadden Arps, Davis Polk, Paul Hastings, Gibson Dunn, Mayer Brown, Kirkland & Ellis. The list of firms bucking the trend is much smaller and those that have promoted larger classes have promoted only marginally more partners while some of the firms with smaller classes have cut promotions by as much as half. Fried Frank for example promoted seven new partners, up from five the previous year, but did so in a year where its total number of attorneys shrank by 26%.

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…

Schulte Roth Picks up 5 from Mayer Brown

joshua — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:32:54 +0000

Five securities litigation lawyers started working at Schulte Roth in Washington today after leaving Mayer Brown. The team is led by Richard Morvillo, who had been the chair of Mayer Brown’s securities enforcement practice group. Peter White and Pat Conti are also joining as partners, while Jeffrey Robertson and William Mann join as of counsel.

Washington DC is Schulte Roth’s first domestic expansion (the firm also opened an office in London in 2002). It was founded in New York in 1969 and there are over 450 attorneys working out of the three offices.

Two Antitrust Partners move to Sheppard Mullin from Mayer Brown

joshua — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:48:58 +0000

Donald Klawiter and Jennifer Driscoll-Chippendale have left Mayer Brown and joined the antitrust practice at Sheppard Mullin. Klawiter, who has also worked for the Justice Department’s antitrust division, will chair the firms east coast antitrust group.

Mayer Brown is an international law firm with 21 offices and 1800 attorneys. They specialize in commercial transactions and litigation.