JD Journal » new office

K&L Gates Adds On Seven Partners From Parker Poe To Launch In SC

chelsei — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:38:14 +0000

K&L Gates announced last month that it is going to open a twenty-fourth office in the United States–and its fortieth office worldwide–by launching a location in Charleston, South Carolina, with the addition of a seven-partner team from the Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein company.

“South Carolina has one of the most business-friendly public policy climates in the United States…and we expect it to be, increasingly, a destination for national and international business,” according to Peter Kalis, K&L Gates’s chairman and global managing partner.

Joining K&L Gates to open the new office are the former Parker Poe partners Matthew Norton, J. Walker Coleman IV, Joshua Dixon, Theodore Manuel, Bryan Walpole III, Jason Walton, and James Bruce. Norton is going to join the new firm’s global resort and hospitality practice, while Coleman and Dixon will work over in the employment and commercial litigation areas. Manuel, Walpole, and Walton will all join K&L Gate’s banking and tax group; Bruce is a big corporate transactional attorney. All of the seven departures leave Parker Poe, which will maintain the six offices that are scattered throughout the Carolinas, with half as many partners in the Charleston office as before.

Kalis says that he expects an unspecified number of staffers and lower-level attorneys to try and make the move to K&L Gates from Parker Poe, but that there is no specific certain number target for the Charleston offices as of now. Instead, he says that the firm is going to grow ”opportunistically and strategically” over a certain amount of time.

In welcoming in the new additions, Kalis touts their regional and international experience, especially in the resort and hospitality companies. This group is K&L Gates in a perfect position to pick up any additional assignments if, as many of the observers have suggested,the city see some growth of corporations in the manufacturing, aviation and automobile industries.

The widening of the Panama Canal–which is scheduled for completion in 2014–is being viewed as a boon to the various East Coast port cities, also including those over in South Carolina. The Port of Charleston is already the fourth-business port in this entire country, and the city is looking for more ways to secure financing to make itself more accessible to large ships. Back in April, it was noted that the predicted a surge in shipping activity has already attracted one law firm to Charleston: Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, which acquired 44-lawyer firm Buist Moore Smythe McGee over in Charleston. Kalis says that in addition to trying to help the Charleston office attract a new business, and expansion of port activity ”harmonizes nicely with an existing practice of the firm”: it’s maritime practice. While is firm’s maritime group that already exists is based in Washington, D.C., Kalis says that he expects maritime specialists there to work in concert with the ones that are based inside of Charleston.

Jones Day Announces Plans for New Office in Boston

joshua — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:52:02 +0000

Jones Day will open a new office in Boston in January 2011.

In the press release at the firm’s website, Jones Day’s Managing Partner, Stephen J. Brogan, a graduate of Boston College and Notre Dame Law School, was quoted as saying: “We are privileged to have many strong client relationships in Boston and throughout New England. The Boston area is a leading center of new technology and continues to foster new business development and entrepreneurial spirit that is now bringing these companies to new markets around the globe. Our Boston Office will include some of our finest next generation talent, lawyers with distinguished academic and professional careers, who will be able to serve New England based clients backed up by the highest levels of legal capacity that the Firm has built up around the world. We look forward to more effectively serving our existing clients through a formal Boston presence, and becoming full participants in the vibrant business and cultural life of Boston and the region.”

Traci L. Lovitt, formerly an Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General and law clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, will serve as the Partner-in-Charge of the Boston Office.

Jones Day’s Boston Office will offer a full range of legal services, as well as Jones Day’s one firm worldwide access to its lawyers around the globe. The Firm expects there will be close to 20 lawyers in the office by the end of the first quarter in 2011. Among the first partners to join Ms. Lovitt in Boston will be Eileen Falvey and Lynn Coe. The Firmwide head of Jones Day’s Trial Practice, Thomas (Tim) Cullen, Jr., will divide his time between Boston and Washington.

Jones Day is a global law firm with over 2,500 lawyers, including more than 400 in Europe and 200 in Asia. With the openings in São Paulo and Boston, Jones Day will have 34 offices throughout the world.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:29:56 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, October 26th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Baker Botts partner J. Bradley Bennett was named the new head of enforcement for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority…

Goodwin Procter was named the winner of the 2010 Beacon of Justice Award by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association…

Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP formed a national foreclosure litigation and investigation practice to deal with the emerging national foreclosure crisis…

Loeb & Loeb attorneys were named as 2011 Lawyers of the Year by Best Lawyers…

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati opened an office in Hong Kong…

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Opens Office in Hong Kong

joshua — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:55:27 +0000

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has opened an office in Hong Kong.

In a press release at the firm’s site, CEO Steve Bochner was quoted as saying: “China is an incredibly vibrant market—one that we have been focused on and investing in for many years. Given Hong Kong’s position as a leading global financial center and the preferred overseas capital market for many Chinese enterprises, it is the logical place for us to open our second office in China. There are also considerable synergies between Hong Kong and the work we already are doing in China. We are extremely pleased to have found the right team and leadership to anchor our Hong Kong office, and look forward to continuing to build our presence in the Greater China region.”

The Hong Kong team will be led by Weiheng Chen, who co-heads the firm’s China practice along with Carmen Chang. He recently joined the firm from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, and McCloy and has particular expertise in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. The Hong Kong team will work closely with the firm’s attorneys in Shanghai and the U.S.

The China practice represents clients in a variety of legal matters in the Greater China region and the U.S., including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, capital markets, joint venture and other forms of foreign investments.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s is nationally recognized as a leader in many areas of law, including the fields of corporate governance and finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities class action litigation, employment law, and intellectual property. In addition to the newly opened Hong Kong location, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has offices in Austin, New York, Palo Alto, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C.

Gibson Dunn Goes To Hong Kong

eric — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:26:36 +0000

PR Newswire: With a push to further increase its presence in Asia, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher announced today the opening of its Hong Kong office, the firm’s second in Asia. The first, an office in Singapore, was opened in 2008.

The newest addition to Gibson’s global network, whose practice will focus on corporate transactions and compliance, will be helmed by new partner Kelly Austin, Gibson partner Joseph Barbeau, and associate Kate Yin. Ms. Austin comes to the firm after an eight year stint at GE International’s Hong Kong operations. Mr. Barbeau, who has extensive experience practicing in Hong Kong, comes back to it from Gibson’s Palo Alto office.

Gibson Dunn is a global law firm with approximately 1000 lawyers. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and has offices in 16 locations including New York City, Washington, D.C., London, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Clifford Chance Head Predicts Office In India By 2010

eric — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:44:20 +0000

India’s ban on foreign lawyers practicing, let alone, opening an office, in that country has been a frequent item in the news lately. In a December ruling, the ban was upheld by a Bombay High Court, prohibiting such firms as Chadbourne Park and White and Case from obtaining the licenses necessary for opening up shop. The ban, however, is not a deterrent to global powerhouse Clifford Chance.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the firm expects with some confidence to have an office in Bombay by as soon as late 2012. By then, Clifford, as well as number of other firms, hope that the ban will have been lifted. For now, another suit is scheduled to be heard next week that will address whether foreign lawyers are even allowed to give clients advice in India at all. The case is expected to end up before the country’s Supreme Court as India’s government continues feel pressure from such fronts as the British banking lobby.

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.

Steptoe Expands Energy Practice Goes To Pennsylvania

eric — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:37:21 +0000

Beginning September 1, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC will put in to action a significantly expanded energy practice, says PR Web. The expansion results from the acquisition of western Pennsylvanian firm Culbertson, Weiss, Schetroma and Schug. That firm is headed by Russell Schetroma, whose practice focuses on oil and gas transactions, most notably within the Marcellus shale. The shale has gained a lot of attention in recent debates over energy dependence and cleaner fuels. It contains largely untapped natural gas reserves, and its proximity to the high-demand markets along the East Coast of the United States make it an attractive and potentially lucrative target for energy development.

As the result of the acquisition, Steptoe will add an office in Meadville, Pennsylvania, facilitating further service to the firm’s Appalachian clients. The addition of the Schetroma firm will boost the firm’s rapidly growing energy practice to over 190 attorneys and professionals.

Ogletree Opens Portland Office

eric — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:18:46 +0000

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C. has opened a new office in Portland today, says dBusinessNews. This marks the opening of the firm’s fortieth office. David P.R. Symes, formerly with Perkins Coie, LLP, joins the firm as the managing shareholder of the Portland office. Ogletree expects to add additional attorneys soon.

Mr. Symes’ practice focuses on complex and class action employment litigation. He has worked with employers from a wide spectrum of business and industry, including telecommunications, manufacturing and financial services.

This is the fifth new office Ogletree Deakins has opened this year. The firm has also opened offices in Las Vegas, Denver, Orange County and Minneapolis.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC is the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 500 lawyers located in 40 offices nationwide from Miami to Los Angeles.

Chadbourne Announces New Brazil Office

eric — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:34:23 +0000

PR Newswire: With an eye toward strengthening its Latin America practice, Chadbourne & Parke announced today that it would open an office in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The opening is pending Brazilian regulatory approval.

To man the new office, Chadbourne has brought in Charles Johnson as partner. Mr. Johnson, who has worked in Brazil for the last eight years, is an expert in structured finance transactions both in Brazil and throughout Latin America. He is joined by Daniel Spence, also a new hire, and Felipe Carazzo from Chadbourne’s New York office. Mr Spence’s practice focuses on cross border finance and other trade and securitization transcaction. Mr. Corazzo’s involves corporate mergers and finance, and international transactions.

Established in 1902, Chadbourne & Parke has over 400 attorneys worldwide with offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Beijing, Dubai and throughout Eastern Europe.

Littler Mendelson Moves To Yukon Territory

eric — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:31:22 +0000

Today, Littler Mendelson announced that it would open its forty-ninth office and that that office would be located in Anchorage Alaska, says BusinessWire. Alaska’s own Doug Parker, a Littler shareholder, will head the enterprise. Parker joined the firm in 2007 and prior to that practiced exclusively in Alaska, representing a broad range of Alaska businesses. At Littler, he has had extensive experience working, in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, on matters ranging from traditional labor relations to wrongful termination suits.

Littler Mendelson, founded in 1942, is the largest U.S. based law firm exclusively dedicated to employment and labor law matters. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the firm has 750 attorneys in 48 offices nationwide.

Atlanta Based King & Spalding To Open New Office In Geneva

eric — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:36:05 +0000

MarketWire is reporting that King & Spalding has announced plans to open an office in Geneva Switzerland. This will be the firm’s seventh office opened abroad and represents a move to expand its global trade practice. To head the Geneva practice, K&S has brought in Daniel Crosby, a former partner of the Geneva based firm Budin & Partners. He is an international trade specialist with a range of experience in World Trade Org matters, international trade and investment policy and trade remedy proceedings.

King & Spalding, which is celebrating 125 years of service, is an international firm with more than 800 lawyers in Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dubai, Frankfurt, Houston, London, New York, Paris, Riyadh (affiliated office), San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C.

Morgan Lewis To Open New Office In Delaware

eric — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:21:27 +0000

With former U.S. Attorney for Delaware, Colm Connolly as its managing partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius will open a new office in Wilmington, Delaware on June 1, writes DelawareOnLine. Connolly joined the firm in 2009. He, partner David Marston and one associate will staff the office.

With many companies, and many of Morgan Lewis’ clients, incorporated in the state of Delaware, a new office in the state gives the firm better access to the courts there as well as a base for better serving those clients.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP was founded as Morgan & Lewis in 1873. It has 1,300 lawyers in 23 offices worldwide.

Bowie & Jensen Opens Office in Manhattan

joshua — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:26:10 +0000

Towson, Maryland based Bowie & Jensen today announced the opening of its New York office located in Midtown Manhattan.

According to the article at baltimore.citybizlist.com, Bowie & Jensen Founder Robert R. Bowie, Jr. was quoted as saying: “The firm’s operations have grown significantly over the past few years, and a New York office will be a tremendous asset as we continue our growth. At Bowie & Jensen we are very lucky. We are small enough to be personally responsive to clients of all sizes and sophistications, but large enough to handle the most complex legal issues.”

Founded in 1990, Bowie & Jensen is a law firm focusing on all aspects of business law. The firm offers extensive experience in litigation, and corporate and intellectual property law. The firm supports clients that include companies in all stages of development.

Orrick Herrington Gets New Digs

joshua — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:00:22 +0000

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe moved into its new New York office this week at 51 West 52^nd St., the firm announced in a press release. The office is located in the same building that houses the CBS headquarters, which is also known as Black Rock.

The office includes innovative designs and features that are non-traditional to law firms, including numerous public spaces, transparent glass office fronts and an open floor plan, with low-height components for greater visibility and interaction among staff. Additionally, to better connect with other offices and clients, Orrick invested in a state-of-the-art telepresence conferencing equipment.

“We abandoned prior notions about what a law office should look and feel like,” said Peter Bicks, Orrick’s New York office leader. “Using strategies often used by our clients, we designed the space to maximize efficiency and provide a more collaborative work environment for Orrick’s lawyers and staff.”

The firm said being environmentally-friendly was another top consideration for the office. Orrick will be applying for LEED green building certification for its New York office.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a global law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers in 22 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The firm focuses on litigation, complex and novel finance and innovative corporate transactions.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:36:08 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, April 8, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Altman Weil is predicting an increase in law firm mergers as the economy gets back on its feet…

BestAttorneysOnline has compiled its list of top criminal defense attorneys…

Former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor adds her two cents to the dustup between the President and the Court at the State of the Union…

and Akin Gump is opening an office in Switzerland…

Morning Roundup

sara — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:54:25 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, April 7, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Quarles & Brady snag three attorneys from Holland & Knight and three from DLA Piper…

The U.S. Court of Appeals rules against the Federal Communications Commission in a net neutrality case involving Comcast..

Kelley Drye responds to an age discrimination suit filed against them by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission…

Former Federal Trade Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour will join Fulbright & Jaworski…

Akin Gump tops the National Law Journals “influence 50″ rankings of the highest grossing Washington, D.C. lobbying practices…

Lawyers find delayed mercy in the Qualcomm discovery scandal ruling…

Latham & Watkins establishes a presence in Saudi Arabia…

Merchant & Gould opens a New York office and announces the addition of new partners…

Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has refused to join a suit against the Health Care Reform bill…

Merchant & Gould Opens New York Office, Adds Partners

joshua — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:23:12 +0000

IP firm Merchant & Gould opened a new office in New York City Tuesday and announced the additions of new partners to its offices in Seattle and Alexandria, Va.

The firm’s new office is located in midtown Manhattan and will be headed by partner Adda Gogoris, a former principal at the recently shuttered Darby & Darby.

“The past two years have not been kind to many IP boutiques,” said Randy King, CEO and managing director of Merchant & Gould. “And we take no pleasure in the setbacks of so many friends and colleagues. But Merchant & Gould has continued to thrive despite this economic climate by staying true to its guiding principles.”

Gogoris will be joined in New York by partner Dianna Goldenson and patent agent Andrew Larsen. The firm’s New York office will offer a full range of IP services, including litigation, patent and trademark prosecution, portfolio management and assessment.

In other news, joining the firm’s Seattle office are Paul H. Beattie and Christopher Frank. Beattie previously worked as an IP litigator at Schwabe, Williamson, & Wyatt’s Seattle office.

Frank joins the office as a technical advisor. He will support patent procurement and client counseling in the fields of biotechnology and chemistry. He was previously a scientific advisor at Darby & Darby.

Joining the firm’s office in Alexandria, Va. are E. Joseph Gess and Melissa M. Hayworth. Both partners were formerly with Crowell & Moring.

Gess’ has a chemical patent practice with a focus on client counseling, including inter-parties proceedings and developing IP strategies.

Hayworth’s practice focuses on organic chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and petroleum chemistry.

Merchant & Gould has more than 100 attorneys with offices in Atlanta, Denver, Knoxville, Madison, Minneapolis, New York, Omaha, Seattle and Washington D.C.

Littler Mendelson Opens New Office in Lexingon, Ky.

joshua — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:13:53 +0000

Labor firm Littler Mendelson opened the doors of its new office in Lexington, Ky., which is the firm’s 49^th in the United States. Susan Sears, formerly a partner at Cincinnati-based Dinsmore & Shohl, will serve as the office’s managing shareholder, according to a firm press release.

Little Mendelson is based in San Francisco and is the nation’s largest labor and employment law firm with more than 750 attorneys. The firm, which saw its revenue increase 5 percent to $371.7 million in 2009, has been on the forefront of expansion among labor firms because of the recession, notes a report in the San Francisco Chronicle.

“With unemployment soaring to levels not seen since the 1980s, companies have been calling on labor and employment attorneys for a range of issues, including how to avoid violating laws during layoffs, what issues a company must consider when bringing on freelance workers and age discrimination suits,” the report states.

Sears, who has more than 15 years professional experience, represents employers in employment litigation in both state and federal courts. She also counsels employers on a range of issues including hiring, discipline, discharge, medical leave, wage & hour, disability accommodations, and workplace harassment.

“We are very fortunate to have Susan join the Firm,” said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of the Firm. “She is not only highly regarded in the Kentucky area, but she brings to Littler a strong record of successfully representing and defending organizations in employment-related matters on a regional and nationwide basis.

“The addition of Susan and the opening of our Lexington office underscores the firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional client service throughout Kentucky and the Mid-South,” Mrkonich added.

Littler Mendelson was founded in 1942.

Morning Roundup

sara — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:24:55 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, April 1, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Bestattorneysonline.com announce the top ten environmental law firms in Alaska…

The Entrepreneurs Law Group is formed in South Carolina to advise businesses and individuals…

42 of 58 county district attorneys in California oppose the nomination of Goodwin Liu to the Ninth Circuit…

Linklaters is returning to lockstep compensation for it’s associates…

Quarles & Brady open an office in Tampa, Florida…

Weil Gotshal & Manges earn big bucks in the Lehman bankruptcy case…

A federal judge in Boston has ruled that mutual fund companies are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act…

A U.S. District Court judge ruled that wiretaps were illegally installed on phones owned by the Islamic Foundation under the now ended Terrorist Surveillance Program…

Quarles & Brady Opens Second Florida Office

joshua — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:02:26 +0000

Quarles & Brady has opened a second Florida office in Tampa. The Milwaukee-based firm, which also has a presence in Naples, opened the office with approximately 10 lawyers, according to the Tampa Business Journal.

Reportedly included in that group are several lawyers from DLA Piper, though the firm would not reveal names of the Tampa lawyers because of contractual obligations.

According to the Tampa Business Journal, Quarles & Brady had been recruiting lawyers in the Tampa area for the past several weeks.

“This is a great opportunity for our law firm to not only expand our Florida presence but augment our practice groups and add to the breath and balance of our services,” said John W. Daniels Jr., chairman, in a statement.

Quarles & Brady has nearly 450 attorneys. In addition to the two Florida offices, the firm also has a presence in Chicago, Madison, Phoenix and Tucson.

Morning Roundup

sara — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:43:13 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, March 31, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

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…

DLA Piper Places its Flag in Turkey

joshua — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:46:53 +0000

Reports out of Turkey indicate DLA Piper is placing a stake in the Middle East country with a new office. Joint CEO and Managing Partner Nigel Knowles told a group of Turkish journalists that the move is part of the firm’s plan to have a presence in all countries in the G-20.

According to Knowles, 58 of the firm’s top 100 clients currently invest in Turkey and they asked the firm to enter the market. He notes the country’s emergence among the G-20 made the move an easy decision.

“Turkey is 17^th in the G-20, and it has got ambitions to go even beyond that,” Knowles told Today’s Zaman. “I understand that in the time frame of four to five years it is estimated that Turkey will be around 12^th of the G-20. So far as DLA Piper is concerned, we cannot claim to be the leading law firm if we haven’t got a solution for Turkey.

Knowles goes on to touch on a number of subjects. He believes the firm is in perfect position during these tough economic times, noting corporations are cutting their legal budgets and “looking for greater value for money.”

Knowles also believes DLA Piper’s presence in Turkey will be enough to spur investment in the country. Companies “will find it easier now because we are there to support them,” he said.

According to the report, the addition of Turkey gives DLA Piper a presence in 30 countries with 68 offices and more than 8,000 employees.

Morning Roundup

sara — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:56:36 +0000

Good morning! Today is Monday, March 22, and here’s a quick look back at Friday’s stories…

Troutman Sanders opens a new office in Portland, Oregon…

Former Millberg partners Melyvn Weiss, William Lerach, David Bershad, and Steve Schulman move on with lives after serving their prison sentences…

The United States District Court in Alexandra, Virginia orders the U.S. Patent Office to reconsider a rejected patent extension filed by the Medicines Company for their drug Angiomax…

Former Democratic counsel on the House Judiciary Committee Brian P. Woolfolk joins the lobbying branch of Squire Sanders…

Troutman Sanders Opens Office in Portland

joshua — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:54:26 +0000

Troutman Sanders is opening a new office in Portland, Ore., the firm’s 16th. Partner Lara L. Skidmore will serve as the office’s first managing partner. The office will also house two additional partners, Matthew D. McVee and Antoine P. Cobb.

According to a firm press release, the Portland office will initially focus on assisting electric and natural gas utilities. All three partners have bring experience in utility and regulatory-related matters. McVee currently is general counsel for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and Cobb is a former manager of federal regulation for Arizona Public Service Company.

“We have had our eye on Portland and the Pacific Northwest for some time because of the region’s high concentration of utilities and related agencies, and because of the significant renewable energy development throughout the Western U.S.,” said Robert W. Webb Jr., chairman and managing partner of Troutman Sanders. “Portland provides us with a great opportunity to expand our Energy practice, which will instantly become the region’s largest with access to our more than 130 lawyers whose practices focus primarily on servicing clients in the energy industry worldwide.”

Troutman Sanders already has offices in San Diego and Orange County, Calif., “but needed to be closer to key clients in the Pacific Northwest,” said Webb.

Skidmore joined Troutman Sanders in 2007. Prior to that she worked at Pacific Power as general counsel from 2003-2007. Skidmore will focus her practice on representing electric utilities on transmission, interconnection and compliance matters, working with a major renewable energy developer on integration of renewable resources, and representing utilities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Bonneville Power Administration.

“We’re excited about our entry into the Portland market and in becoming a new member of the city’s dynamic business community,” said Skidmore.

McVee will focus his practice in the field of electric reliability compliance, as well as regional transmission planning processes. He will counsel clients on, among other things, reliability standards development and compliance, critical infrastructure protection and transactions.

Cobb will focus on regulatory issues affecting the electric utility industry, primarily before FERC. He will counsel clients on, among other things, transmission service policy and compliance issues, as well as power sales regulatory issues.

Troutman Sanders is an international law firm with more than 650 lawyers and 16 offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

Morning Roundup

sara — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:21:09 +0000

Good Morning! Today is March 16, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news…

Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty open a new office in Akron, Ohio…

Cozen O’Connor is named No. 2 Bond Counsel in PA and No. 1 Underwriter’s Counsel in NJ…

Former Justice Department prosecutor Kirk Ogrosky joins Arnold & Porter…

Goulston & Storrs adds five partners to their land use and zoning practice…

Bryan Cave adds two partners and four counsel to it’s securities litigation practice…

W. Kam Quarles joins McDermott, Will & Emery as the firm’s director of legislative affairs…

Revenue and profits decline at Stroock…

Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. Opens Office in Akron, OH

joshua — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:34:09 +0000

Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A., a leading regional law firm with offices in Canton, Alliance, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek, announced the opening of a new office in Akron.

In the March 15 article at Suburbanite.com, Terry A. Moore, Managing Director of the firm was quoted as saying, “The clients we serve in and around Summit County have, for years, expressed the desire for our firm to provide a location in Akron. We felt the timing was right to invest in Akron, and offer our clients a convenient presence in the Akron community.”

The new Akron office, located will be managed by Attorney Edward V. Buehrle, who recently joined Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. as a Shareholder and Director, will manage the new office, located downtown in The Akron Centre.

“We are fortunate that we are able to expand and continue our strategic growth in northeast Ohio. This new office will enhance our regional reputation encompassing all of our representative practice areas, and it will allow us to better service our clients,” said John M. Tucker, director and member of the firm’s management committee.

Founded in 1958, by the late Samuel Krugliak, the firm has over 40 attorneys practicing in over 25 different areas of the law.

Morning Roundup

sara — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:02:43 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, March 10, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news…

Akerman Senterfitt opens a Las Vegas office…

Arent Fox names Mark Katz it’s new chairman…

The Massachusetts Bar Association will honor Fish & Richardson for their pro bono work…

Greenberg Traurig defends their firing of an alleged thief…

K&L Gates bolsters it’s London practice with a pair of partners…

Dewey & LeBoeuf lay off 30 staffers…

Loeb & Loeb create a new video game practice…

Akerman Announces Opening of Las Vegas Office

joshua — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:15:11 +0000

Today, Akerman Senterfitt announced the opening of its fifteenth U.S. office in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ariel Stern will lead the office. He joins Akerman from Ballard Spahr, where he was a litigation partner focusing on defending individual and class actions involving consumers, as well as other complex cases, business litigation, administrative matters and election laws.

This will be Akerman’s third new office in the past year and a half. In that time, Akerman opened offices in Denver, CO and Dallas, TX to meet increasing client demand, and business opportunity in the western part of the country. Like the Denver and Dallas offices, the Las Vegas office will offer the firm’s highly respected Consumer Finance Litigation practice.

“Our firm has been involved in the State of Nevada for many years, assisting clients in a variety of business matters,” said Andrew Smulian, Chairman and CEO of Akerman Senterfitt, according to information at the firm’s website. “Opening an office there will allow us to better serve our clients in this market in an expanding business environment. In addition to financial services and in particular, consumer finance issues, Las Vegas is an important market for the hospitality and gaming industries; and the State of Nevada is also a leader in environmental initiatives, ranging from alternative energy and water conservation, areas of deep experience at Akerman. The Las Vegas office, as well as our existing Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles offices, will utilize our deep, firm-wide experience in these key industries and issues to best serve our clients’ interests,” he added.

With 500 attorneys and consultants, Akerman Senterfitt represents private and public companies, government entities, educational institutions and high net-worth individuals in over 40 different practice areas. The firm was founded in 1920.

Morning Roundup

sara — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:06:02 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, March 2, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news…

Revenue and profits are down, while PPP is up at Dickstein Shapiro…

Steptoe & Johnson open a new office in Beijing…

According to Am Law Daily’s “Diversity Scorecard” diversity at major law firms declined in 2009…

The NALP settles on a heavily scaled back recruitment plan…

Kaye Scholer opens a new office in Silicon Valley…

Hogan & Hartson’s Warsaw office moves to K&L Gates…

Steptoe & Johnson Open Beijing Office

sara — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:11:52 +0000

Steptoe & Johnson announced that they have opened a new office in Beijing, their first foray into Asia. International trade partner Eric Emerson relocated to Beijing to assume the role of managing partner at the new office. Susan Munro, former counsel to O’Melveny & Myers’ Shanghai office, will join Emerson. She has experience in corporate transactions and litigation work in the region. The Beijing office will focus on advising Chinese companies on outbound investments and help navigate U.S. and European regulations.

Founded in 1913, Steptoe & Johnson is a Washington, D.C. based firm with over 450 lawyers in 8 locations worldwide including Brussels, Chicago, London, the Los Angeles area, New York and Phoenix.

Morning Roundup

sara — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:54:35 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, March 1, and here’s a quick look back at Friday’s news…

Profits and revenue decline at Debevoise & Plimpton…

Ogletree Deakins open a new office in Orange County, California…

Donchess & Notinger claim in a court filing that a bankruptcy case is creating a financial hardship for the firm…

Seyfarth Shaw releases details about it’s merit based plan…

Revenue and profits increase at Cahill…

10 lawyers leave McDonough Holland & Allen for DLA Piper…

Revenue decreases at DLA Piper…

U.S. firms scale back London recruitment according to a new survey…

Former University of Maryland law dean Karen Rothenberg is asked to refund $60,000 to the university…

Laurence Tribe accepts a position at the Department of Justice…

Freshfields unfreezes associate lockstep…

Obama nominates 4 U.S. Attorneys…

The Citizens United decision could lead to a constitutional amendment…

Congress considers a U.S. patent overhaul…

Ogletree Deakins Opens Orange County Office

sara — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:12:39 +0000

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C. will open a new Orange County office on March 1. Vince Verde and Keith Watts will join the office as co-managing shareholders. Both come from the Orange County office of Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP.

Verde focuses his practice in employment law, including wage and hour matters, medical and disability issues and wrongful discharge claims. Verge also handles commercial litigation. Watts focuses his practice in labor and employment law and has experience in matters including sexual harassment, discrimination, wage and hour, and wrongful termination claims. He also advises employers on remaining union-free as well as representing employers in union organizing campaigns, negotiations and state court strike injunction litigation.

This is the third new office Ogletree Deakins has opened in the last few months. The firm also opened offices in Las Vegas and Denver.

Greenberg Traurig Has Steady Year

sara — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:34:11 +0000

2009 was a steady fiscal year for law firm Greenberg Traurig. Gross revenues decreased 2.9% to $1.17 billion. Profits per equity partner increased 0.15 of a percent to $1.311 million. The compensation pool for non-equity partners increased 3.94% to $222 million. The number of non-equity partners working at the firm increased more than 10% to 585. The total number of partners increased from 824 to 877. Greenberg opened two new offices in London and White Plains, New York, which accounts for the growth in partners.

Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Miami Florida, Greenberg Traurig has approximately 1,800 lawyers in 35 offices around the world.

Lovells Opens Second Office in Saudi Arabia

joshua — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:34:47 +0000

Lovells has opened a second office in Saudi Arabia through its associated law firm Al-Yaqtoub Attorneys and Legal Advisers. The new office is located in Jeddah and joins its sister office in Riyadh.

Lovells is one of a few international law firms to have offices in both Saudi cities. Crispin Rapinet, regional managing partner for Asia and the Middle East, said its presence in both cities gives the firm “a very competitive position in the Saudi market.

“Jeddah has historically been the commercial center – many of Saudi’s largest corporations are headquartered there – and Riyadh capital and banking hub. As one of the few international firms to have offices in both, we are significantly well-placed to take advantage of the key economic activity in both eastern and western Saudi Arabia.”

Lovells also has an office in Dubai, which opened in May 2007. Lovells operates in Saudi Arabia in association with the local law firm AYALA, according to a press release. It is led by Montasir Al-Mohammed, a Saudi-qualified lawyer who previously worked for Andersen Legal and Ernst & Young in Saudi Arabia.

There are also two Lovell lawyers based in the Saudi offices – Mustafa Kamal in Jeddah and Imran Mufti in Riyadh.

Allen & Overy Launch Australian Practice

sara — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:18:34 +0000

London based international law firm Allen & Overy announced that they will launch an Australian practice based in Sydney and Perth. 14 new appointed partners will work in the Sydney office and 3 new appointed partners will work in the Sydney office. The new practice will significantly bolster the firm’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The Australian practice will focus largely in energy, mining and natural resources, finances, infrastructure, investment funds, M&A, private equity, tax, telecoms, media and technology.

Founded in Allen & Overy has over 2,000 attorneys, including 450 partners. The firm has offices in 33 locations worldwide including New York, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Moscow and Tokyo.