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.

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Hush Blackwell, which is based out of Kansas City, has expanded its horizon by taking in 24 lawyers from Jacobs Chase. According to the managing partner, this move could not be called a merger but a collaboration of different minds and talents with the aim of diversifying into different aspects of litigation that will serve its clients better.

Read the full article here:
Husch Blackwell Adds 24 Attorneys From Denver Firm

• K&L Gates Adds On Seven Partners From Parker Poe To Launch In SC
• Lathrop & Gage Expands in Boston, Hires 3 New IP Partners
• 3 Mayer Brown Lawyers Jump to Jones Day
• Thomas Goldstein to Depart from Akin
• Quinn Emanuel Announces Eight New Partners

Joel Voran, Chief Executive Officer of Lathrop & Gage, said that the entire firm is excited to open the new office in Boston. “Intellectual property has and continues to be a significant driver for our firm both in terms of new business and lateral expansion. It is part of our firm’s ongoing strategic growth plan and we are excited to open another office focused on the IP needs of our clients.”

DeConti said that his decision to join Lathrop & Gage is attributed to the firm’s strong reputation in the legal sector. “Joining Lathrop & Gage gives us the opportunity to continue to do top-level IP boutique work but with the added strength of a large firm having excellent corporate and litigation capabilities.”

• 3 Mayer Brown Lawyers Jump to Jones Day
• Thomas Goldstein to Depart from Akin
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Co-leader of Jones Day’s Banking & Finance Practice, Mark Sisitsky, said that he is excited to work with the three latest partners. He added that the broad experience of the three in Banking & Finance Practice will further strengthen the firm’s global presence. “These three exceptional lawyers are timely and welcome additions to the Firm. The arrival of Michael and Mitch will add strength to our ongoing efforts to help clients respond to challenging new financial regulations. Olga is a valuable addition to our Private Equity Practice. Her cross-border experience will deepen our strong global capabilities for clients’ growing needs internationally.”

Butowsky, from Boston University, and Gibbons, from New York University, will both focus on advising various investment advisers, broker-dealers, and investment funds such as registered funds, hedge funds, and private equity funds, regarding organizational, compliance, regulatory, and transactional matters. Loy, from University of Illinois, will work on tax planning and regulatory and compliance matters related to private equity funds that includes and tax advice to fund principals and management teams.

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• Thomas Goldstein to Depart from Akin
• Kramer Levin Adds Two Partners to Private Equity Practice
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Anthony Pierce, managing partner of Akin’s Washington office, said that the firm respects Goldstein’s decision. “This is a great opportunity for Tom. We will miss him, but look forward to working with him on projects in the future and seeing him around Washington. We wish him well.”

Goldstein said that profits were not the reason why he decided to leave Akin. He explained that his departure was attributed to his recent encounter with one of his largest clients giving him additional work that he had to decline to avoid a conflict of interest with another Akin Gump client. “In terms of hard numbers, Supreme Court practices can be quite difficult to make profitable, but I have expanded my practice to do a lot of other kinds of litigation.”

Goldstein has nothing but good words regarding his tenure with Akin. “I have nothing but over-the-moon praise for Akin.” Goldstein also mentioned that Akin and Goldstein, Howe & Russell have a close relationship so he will continue to collaborate with Akin.

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• 3 Mayer Brown Lawyers Jump to Jones Day
• Dewey Announces 7 New Partners
• Former Michigan Attorney General Joins Dykema

Bunting is from the firm’s London office. Faxio, Stephens and Wanrre are from Los Angeles office while Finestone, Sheth, Rudis are based in New York office of the firm. Gross works in the firm’s Silicon Valley office.

Quinn Emanuel is a worldwide litigation law firm with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, London, Tokyo, and Manheim. Quinn Emanuel is the only firm in the US legal industry to win four nine-figure jury verdicts in the last seven years.

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Collas Day, a leading and highly respected law firm in Guernsey, will continue to cater to the Guernsey market through the firm’s associated fiduciary business, the Guernsey Trust Company. Collas Day IP Management will become Collas Crill IP Management, and Collas Day’s London office will support the combined legal practices.

Collas Day’s senior partner, Chris Bound, expressed his excitement over the upcoming merger. He said that this plan is not just good news for each individual firm, but for the entire Channel Islands as a whole. “Together we will service clients in the Channel Islands, the UK and internationally – including the increasingly important Asian market – and will raise awareness of our services and our jurisdictions in the international legal markets.”

Crill Canavan is a leading law firm based in Jersey but operates through three strong international networks to handle its multi-jurisdictional work. Senior partner Nuno Santos-Costa also said that he highly looks forward to the merger next year. “Both Crill Canavan and Collas Day believe we have found in each other an excellent strategic fit. As mid-sized firms in our respective markets, we already punch above our weight. The merger will strengthen both firms’ presence locally and internationally, while providing clients with greater strength and depth of expertise across our full service offering.”

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• Hammonds Hong Kong Office Rejects Merger of Hammonds and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
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• Lathrop & Gage Merges With Denver Based Kamlet Reichert
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White & Case LLP

Nine of the new partners are based in North America, including five in New York. The new Empire State partners are Douglas P. Baumstein, Donald C. Dowling Jr., Stefan M. Mentzer, Charles J. Pesant and Carolyn J. Vardi.

The firm also promoted Richard J. Burke and Jane Plomley of Washington D.C., Richard B. Furey of Miami, and Sean Goldstein of Mexico City, who is also qualified to practice in New York.

The firm also added 23 partners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including seven in London, and three partners in Asia.

The promotions will become effective Jan. 1, 2011. White & Case also said in addition to the newly-elected class, the firm added a total of 59 new partners since the start of the year.

Commenting on the promotions, Global Chairman Hugh Verrier said “our new partners are all outstanding lawyers, with diverse experience and expertise. They represent the future of the firm and the confidence we have in our global business.”

White & Case has lawyers in 36 offices in 25 countries.

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• White & Case Marks 40th Year Anniversary of London Office
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Kilpatrick Stockton and Bell, Rosenberg & Hughes announced their merger…

Chadbourne & Parke LLP added two partners to its New York Office…

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Mr. Peeler, 39, was formerly a partner at Arent Fox and Mr. Wasserman, 36, was most recently a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani, both in New York.

Mr. Peeler focuses his practice on white collar litigation and government investigations, including health care fraud and abuse, money laundering, securities and tax violations. He also regularly advises clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws.

Mr. Wasserman returns to Chadbourne, where he previously served as an associate. He focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, concentrating on cross-border disputes and other transactions.

According to the press release at the firm’s website, Chadbourne Managing Partner Charles K. O’Neill was quoted as saying: “We are very pleased to welcome Jeff back to Chadbourne. He and Scott bring a wealth of litigation experience and knowledge to the firm. More stringent enforcement of FCPA and other anti-corruption laws in the U.S. and in countries where we have offices make Scott’s addition to our FCPA team particularly timely.”

Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, project finance, private funds, corporate finance, and venture capital. The Firm has offices in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, London, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Dubai and Beijing.

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Arnold & Porter LLP

Azarow and Nygard bring experience in mergers and acquisitions and securities transactions for commercial banks, savings institutions, and other financial institutions that complement Arnold & Porter’s existing bank regulatory and corporate practices, the firm said in a press release.

Bright’s background in executive compensation and employee benefits will add depth to the firm’s executive compensation and tax-planning practices.

“Rob, Ed, and Stephanie will add to our transactional capability in New York and broaden our footprint in the financial services sectors,” said Arnold & Porter Chair Thomas Milch. “This team has an excellent track record and reputation, and will deepen our bench in financial services.”

Azarow was a member of the corporate and financial institutions practice groups at his former firm. He has served as corporate and regulatory counsel, handling mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, SEC reporting, and bank regulatory matters for a wide range of publicly held and privately owned depository institutions, as well as for investment banks.

Nygard was also a member of the corporate and financial institutions practice groups at Sonnenschein. She represents federally and state chartered depository institutions, holding companies and other financial institutions in a broad range of corporate and regulatory matters and transactions, including mergers, public and private offerings of securities and Securities Exchange Act reporting.

Bright’s practice focuses on executive compensation and employee benefit needs of publicly traded financial institutions, providing advice to institutions, their boards of directors, and individual executives. He frequently acts as outside counsel for executive compensation and ERISA matters for these clients, including retirement plan design, compliance and administration, employment contracts, equity and incentive compensation programs, and related corporate governance issues.

Arnold & Porter LLP, an international law firm of more than 700 attorneys. It has offices in Brussels, Denver, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northern Virginia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

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Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

“London’s importance to global markets makes it a critical business centre for our clients,” Anne O’Neill, , partner-in-charge of Orrick’s London Office, said in a press release. “A well-recognized strategic objective of the firm has been to grow in London with highly experienced lawyers who can serve all of our clients needs.”

Formerly the leader of Fox Williams’ ebusiness group, Stone’s practice focuses on intellectual property and technology  law, data protection and privacy law and online regulation.  He regularly negotiates, drafts and advises on complex commercial agreements and technology transactions, such as technology licenses, supply, distribution and development agreements, terms of business, SaaS agreements and outsourcing agreements.

Thornton focuses his practice on the tax aspects of many types of transactions, particularly those with an international dimension, including mergers and acquisitions, asset purchase and sales, corporate restructurings, securities offerings, financings and fund formations.  He has worked on sophisticated tax issues for a number of large international clients including Virgin Media, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Investec, Rhodia, Thomson Reuters and Edison Mission Energy.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a global law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers in North America, Europe and Asia.

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The pair will examine key issues facing in-house attorneys and litigators today, including risk management, shareholder issues, the impact of media and the challenge of international dispute resolution. The complete conference agenda and details are available at www.americanlawyer.com/litigation.

Martin explained the purpose of the conference in a press release.

“By some estimates, U.S. companies spend in excess of $20 billion yearly on litigation,” Martin said. “The goal of the Litigation Summit is to bring in-house counsel, outside counsel and litigation support professionals together to look at litigation as a strategic business issue, share best practices and help sharpen our collective skills.”

Attendees will be eligible for up to 15.5 CLE credits, including one ethics credit. For additional conference information, or to register, contact Carl Seering at 212-457-7905 or e-mail cseering@alm.com or visit www.americanlawyer.com/litigation.

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Sidley Austin

According to a firm press release, the pair has extensive experience representing hedge funds and other investment clients. They will focus on fund formation and maintenance, and investment adviser formation, regulation and compliance.

“We are extremely pleased to have such talented lawyers as Mark and David joining us,” said Sharon Flanagan, managing partner of Sidley’s San Francisco office. “Their practices are an excellent fit and have strong synergies with our growing practices in San Francisco and Palo Alto.”

Whatley concentrates his practice on securities regulation and transactional and business counseling matters, with a particular focus on investment management and broker-dealer regulation.  Tang focuses his practice on securities regulation, private investment fund formation, mergers and acquisitions and public and private debt and equity offerings.

Sidley’s investment funds, advisers and derivatives practice consists of more than 120 lawyers in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Singapore and Tokyo.

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Oestreicher, a partner in Thompson Hine’s Corporate Transactions & Securities and International Trade & Customs practice groups, counsels numerous companies concerning their domestic and international transactional activities. He is a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee and former partner-in-charge of the firm’s Cincinnati office.

In February 2006, Oestreicher was appointed by President George W. Bush as a member of the President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. His term was extended for an additional two years in 2008.

Oestreicher serves the Greater Cincinnati community in many ways, according to a firm press release. He serves on the board of trustees for the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, as a member of the Executive Committee of the Cincinnati USA Partnership of the Cincinnati U.S.A. Chamber of Commerce, as ex-officio board member and past president of the Isaac M. Wise Temple and as emeritus trustee of Hebrew Union College.

Thompson Hine is a business law firm, established in 1911, with approximately 400 attorneys.

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They join from Nixon Peabody LLP. There, Hall was leader of the national Financial Institutions Litigation Team. Toral was deputy practice group leader for the Commercial Litigation practice and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department.

At DLA Piper, Hall will focus on the representation of financial institutions in class action, wage and hour, and ERISA matters. Toral will focus on finance, workout and insolvency matters.

In today’s press release at PR Newswire, Robert J. Mathias, joint global leader and US chair of DLA Piper’s Litigation practice was quoted as saying: “Paul and Todd have each developed successful and growing practices, both of which supplement and expand our class action and financial institution representation capabilities in Northern California and nationally. Their deep pool of contacts and client relationships are extraordinary and will be invaluable as we continue to grow and diversify the practice.”

Hall focuses his practice primarily on class actions involving financial institutions. He has significant trial experience in a wide variety of areas, including lender liability, corporate acquisitions, and unfair competition.

Todd Toral is a commercial litigator with a particular focus on investment partnerships, finance, tax disputes, and unlawful business practices claims. His litigation experience includes serving as restructuring counsel to national and international banks and syndicators concerning investments in tax credit projects.

DLA Piper has 3,500 attorneys in 30 countries and 69 offices throughout the US, UK, Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia. The firm offers a wide range of global services as well as hundreds of additional services in individual markets to address its clients’ business needs.

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The EPA threatened nine hydraulic fracturing companies with legal action…

Former Ambassador and Associate Attorney General Joins Fulbright & Jaworski…

Kramer Levin added three partners from Baker & McKenzie to its banking and finance group…

Andrews Kurth LLP added four attorneys to its Washington D.C. Office…

White & Case expanded its white collar and litigation practice…

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• Kramer Levin Nabs Banking Team from Baker & McKenzie
• Andrews Kurth LLP Adds Four to Washington D.C. Office
• EPA Threatens Hydraulic Fracturing Companies with Legal Action
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Liu, who served as head of Baker &McKenzie’s banking and finance practice in New York, represents issuers, underwriters, borrowers, lenders and service providers on private and public structured finance and securitization transactions. He was also co-chair of Baker & McKenzie’s pro bono committee.

Pettit regularly advises issuers and financial advisors on structured finance transactions involving a wide range of jurisdictions and asset classes. He also represents clients in debt capital markets transactions.

Rudder represents major commercial and investment banks, issuers, investors, trustees and bond insurers in public and private financings involving esoteric assets. He has acted as deal counsel in the closing of many first-of-a-kind transactions including the first commercial mortgage loan conduit transactions.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel is a full-service law firm with office in New York and Paris.

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• Kramer Levin Adds Two Partners to Private Equity Practice
• Baker & McKenzie Adds Ricardo S. Martinez to Latin American Finance and Transactional Practice
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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
• Veteran Trademark Attorney Joins Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox
• Houston’s AZA Law Firm Named as Formidable Opponent in National Corporate Counsel Survey
• Prominent Litigator Caryn Jacobs Joins Winston & Strawn as Partner
• Duane Morris Adds Pair of Attorneys on West Coast

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.

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Mr. Moriarty represents a number of middle market private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a wide variety of industries and transactions, including acquisition and sale transactions, leveraged buyouts, restructurings, and management equity arrangements.

Mr. Pinilis is a tax and fund formation attorney. He has worked extensively with private equity investment funds, representing them in a wide variety of matters, including fund and transaction structuring, ensuring the tax efficiency of investments and portfolio company transactions and fund formation matters.

Prior to joining Kramer Levin, Mr. Moriarty and Mr. Pinilis were partners at O’Melveny & Myers.

According to today’s press release at PR Newswire, Paul Pearlman, the managing partner of Kramer Levin, was quoted as saying: “Russell and Jim each bring 15 years of focused transactional experience and will add an exciting dimension to Kramer Levin’s private equity practice that complements our existing representation of private equity sponsors and other participants in private equity transactions. As the state of the economy and private equity markets continue to evolve, their breadth of knowledge, especially in the mid-market sector, will be an invaluable asset to our firm.”

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is a premier, full-service law firm with offices in New York and Paris. The firm guides Global 1000 companies and emerging growth entities across a broad range of industries to help them fully realize their business goals. For more than a decade, Kramer Levin has had one of the leading and most diverse investment fund practices in the country, with a special emphasis on complex transactions within the middle-market.

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• Willkie Farr & Gallagher Adds Two Partners to Private Equity Practice
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More details emerged in proposed Squire Sanders, Hammonds Merger…

Nixon Peabody elected four new members to its partnership…

Lathrop & Gage merged with Denver Based Kamlet Reichert…

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According to a report in Legal Week, Squire Sanders Chairman Jim Maiwurm would become the new firm’s global chairman, while Hammonds Managing Partner Peter Crossley would likely take the role of European chair.

The firms would also “retain separate profit pools,” according to the report, which is similar to the business model adopted when Lovells merged with Hogan & Hartson and Denton Wilde Sapte combined with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal earlier this year.

Additionally, Squire Sanders London office would be relocated to the Hammonds facility.

The merger could go live as soon as Jan. 1, as the firms partners are expected to vote in the coming months.  Hammonds would need 75 percent approval from its partners while Squire Sanders would require a two-thirds majority, Legal Week reports.

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Nixon Peabody

Richard F. Langan Jr. managing partner of the 700-attorney strong firm, said the four attorneys are “stellar performers and make significant contributions to both our clients and to the firm.”

Higgins is a member of the firm’s labor and employment practice in Albany. He has more than 20 years experience representing employers in all types of labor litigation matters.

Lind, a member of the firm’s public finance group, focuses his practice on municipal finance and federal tax law.

Sklar is a member of the firm’s financial restructuring and bankruptcy group in New Hampshire. He has wide-ranging experience in insolvency law, corporate debt restructuring and bankruptcy.

Diniz serves the firm’s global finance practice. He has experience with both U.S. domestic and cross-border transactions with parties or assets located across Europe and Asia.

Nixon Peabody is one of the largest firms in the world with offices in 17 cities around the globe.

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The merger will create a full-service firm with strengths in business transactions, real estate, oil and gas, and litigation and intellectual property.

The combined firm will be called Lathrop & Gage. It will have 37 lawyers in Denver and rank among Colorado’s 20 largest law firms.

According to today’s article at denverpost.com, Jay Kamlet, firm partner was quoted as saying:  ”It really brings us areas we weren’t able to do before — oil and gas and intellectual property.”

According to the article, Kamlet said Kamlet Reichert had been approached by a number of law firms about merging in the last six years, but had considered just three other offers. A deal never worked out because of philosophical and cultural differences between the firms, as well as reluctance to break existing leases to combine offices.

The merger comes just one month after Kamlet Reichert LLC celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Founded in 1873, Lathrop & Gage boasts a long tradition of success. The firm has 300 lawyers in 11 offices in six states. While the firm offers the depth and strength of a national firm, it also possesses the hands-on service, management style and aggressive competition of a smaller firm.

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Founded in 1908 in Cincinatti, Ohio, Dinsmore & Shohl is becoming more and more influential in the state.  Now, with 48 lawyers, the firm is the tenth largest in Central Ohio and second largest in Dayton.  With 450 attorneys overall, branches can also be found in Kentuky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well.

With more than 50 years experience between the two, adding Freiburger and Moehring can only be a boon to the firm.  Managing partner of the Columbus office of Dinsmore & Shohl, Don Leach, says, “We are thrilled to have two such high quality and well established attorneys joining us.”

Since 1972, Freiburger has gained much experience working on environmental law, including with the Ohio EPA.  He has also   Conversely, Moehring has focused on business matters and real estate with clients from California, Florida, Las Vegas, New York, and others.

Leach says, “We continue to be excited about the opportunities in Columbus, and adding Chuck and Boyd is a huge step in continuing our growth here.”

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• Dinsmore & Shohl Welcomes New Partner Michael DiSanto to Corporate Department
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According to today’s press release at the firm’s site, Glen Amundsen, Chairman and CEO of SmithAmundsen was quoted as saying: “We have looked for ways to expand the scope of financial services we offer clients by looking for the right opportunities to add expertise and depth to the firm. Our announcement today is one more step towards furthering the strategic objective of helping serve our business clients.”

Mr. Jones has extensive experience in corporate restructuring, creditors’ rights, and insolvency-related commercial litigation. Prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Mr. Jones was a partner with Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP where he acted as national bankruptcy counsel for Farmers Insurance Group.

Ms. White focuses her practice in creditors’ rights in the area of commercial litigation, banking, bankruptcy, and real estate law. Prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Ms. White was a co-founder and shareholder of Burke & White, PC.

Ms. Franco practice focuses on commercial litigation, banking law, and real estate law.

SmithAmundsen is a 130 lawyer firm headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Rockford, St. Charles, and Woodstock, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm’s attorneys share a proficiency in a broad range of practice areas. As one of Chicago’s premier firms, SmithAmundsen’s success is built upon a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to exceeding client expectations.

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Paul Hastings

Flatterman will serve in the firm’s New York office. His practice focuses on patent litigation in the life sciences sector, including biotech, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

“Gerald’s market-leading reputation and significant experience…will enhance the firm’s growing IP practice,” said Jamie Wareham, global chair of Paul Hastings Litigation practice. “His addition advances our development of a high-end IP practice that leverages our broad footprint in the U.S. and our strong positions in Europe and Asia.”

Rupert and Willgoos both have biotech backgrounds with a focus on patent litigation in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry.  They will also serve in the firm’s New York office.

Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker is a global firm with offices in Asia, Europe and the United States.

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Conte will join the firm’s Washington D.C. office in September. While at the SEC, Conte played a lead role in several SEC enforcement actions, including its cases against Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan and Robertson Stephens Inc. involving unlawful IPO allocation practices, and accounting violations of Dell Inc.

“Chris’s extensive experience and deep commitment to investor protection made him a strong force in the effort to hold accountable those who violate the securities laws,” said Robert Khuzami, director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “After a long and fruitful career at the SEC we wish Chris the very best.”

Conte joined the SEC as a staff attorney in 1992 and rose to the rank of associate director in October 2006.

At Steptoe & Johnson, Conte will serve in firm’s securities practice. He will represent companies and executives facing investigation by the SEC and other regulators, the law firm said in a statement.

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Noted patent litigators Michael J. Bonella and Paul B. Milcetic were formerly partners with Woodcock Washburn LLP, a national intellectual property law firm based in Philadelphia.

According to the August 27th press release at PR Newswire, partner Joseph Meltzer was quoted as saying: “Broadening our practice to include patent litigation is a key part of our overall strategy. Patent work is a great fit for what we excel at – complex litigation on a national stage for clients seeking top-flight representation under an alternative billing structure. Mike and Paul are top intellectual property trial attorneys who have litigated major national patent cases across numerous industry sectors. We’re pleased to have practitioners of their caliber join us – they will drive the new practice forward.”

Mr. Bonella has served as lead lawyer on patent cases involving a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, signal processing, electrical hardware and software. Mr. Milcetic has been lead trial lawyer on multiple patent litigations.

With over 80 attorneys, Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check, LLPis one of the largest firms specializing in the prosecution of complex class action litigation. Since the firm’s founding, Barroway Topaz has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in the areas of shareholder, ERISA, consumer and antitrust litigation. The firm also dedicates a large portion of its practice to complex litigation on behalf of consumers as well as public and private entities, including municipalities, state agencies, and multi-employer welfare funds.

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Many associates at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe received pay raises…

Sidley Austin added to its international trade and Latin America practices….

Former pitcher Roger Clemens will be arraigned Monday in on charges he lied to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs…

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Sidley Austin

Grikscheit will focus her practice on cross-border transactions and alternative investment funds. She has significant experience representing clients in Latin American, emerging market and other cross-border transactions, including M&A, joint ventures and fund formation.

Sidley’s investment funds, advisers and derivatives practice consists of more than 120 lawyers in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Singapore and Tokyo.

Fries joins the firm from the European Union Permanent Delegation to the WTO, where she has served as Legal Counsel since 2006. At the Delegation, Fries provided in-house legal advice on European and international law, with a specific focus on international trade law and dispute settlement at the WTO.

Sidley’s International Trade practice includes approximately 70 professionals based in Washington, D.C., Geneva and Brussels.

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Before signing on with Barnes & Thornburg, Zura was a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman.

Zura’s duties will consist of client counsel on patent infringement, validity, an large portfolio due diligence studies.
Barnes & Thornburg is the largest law firm in Indiana and the 97^th largest in the United States. They have approximately 475 attorneys across 7 offices in locations such as Washington D.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; among others.

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Joining DLA Piper are partners Richard de Bodo, Siegmund Gutman, Robert Benson, Christopher Broderick and Troy Schmelzer. Additionally, Hogan Lovells of counsel Lawrence McClure is leaving the firm to be a partner at DLA Piper.

De Bodo is a former IP practice head at Hogan Lovells and his clients include Dow Jones & Co. and News Corp., the NLJ reports.

According to the story, the team has experience in Japanese electronics, life sciences, and pharmaceutical matters among others. Most of its work includes patent litigation and patent prosecution.

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Schryber is an insurance law litigator and appellate attorney who has prosecuted the rights of policyholders and beneficiaries of private indemnity agreements in connection with coverage disputes of every kind, the firm said in a press release.

Molnar concentrates her practice on representing corporate policyholders. She has litigated a wide variety of complex coverage issues and has provided counsel in connection with numerous policy forms.

“Dickstein Shapiro’s policyholder practice, for many years now, has set the standard by which all other coverage practices are measured,” said Schryber said. “I believe a large part of the firm’s success in attracting both clients with complex coverage issues and top-flight coverage practitioners is its unwavering commitment to policyholders. Policyholders trust Dickstein Shapiro, and unlike most other firms, it represents policyholders exclusively in insurance-related matters.”

Founded in 1953, Dickstein Shapiro is a multiservice law firm with attorneys located nationwide.

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