JD Journal » New York City

Anchorman Greg Kelly Cleared of Rape Charges

danielj — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:20:33 +0000

The rape charges brought up against Greg Kelly, Fox anchorman and son of New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, have officially been dropped. The charges were raised in late January, but have been subsequently dropped when investigators determined that Kelly did nothing illegal.

“After reviewing all of the evidence, we have determined that the facts established during our investigation do not fit the definition of sexual assault crimes under New York criminal law,” said Assistant District Attorney Martha Bashford. “Therefore, no criminal charges are appropriate.”

The details of the charges began when the anonymous accuser, of about 30 years old, claimed that she met Kelly and shared a few drinks on October 8, 2011, near the South Street Seaport. After she become a bit “woozy” from the alcohol, the two went to her law office where she works as a paralegal and had sex in the boss’s office. She claims she was not a willing participant. She also claims she became pregnant from the experience and subsequently terminated it.

Kelly’s position is delicate. Because he is the son of Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, the police department recused from investigating the rape allegations, to avoid a conflict of interest.

The case nevertheless was thoroughly investigated, including careful inspection of receipts, security logs, text messages, and phone records. The district attorney’s office handled the case and said that the accuser and Greg were both cooperative. DA Spokesman Joan Vollero said that they conducted a “thorough investigation consistent with standard procedure.” The investigation included “interviewing numerous relevant fact and expert witnesses, and reviewing multiple items of physical evidence.” Though officials have not commented on the validity of the alleged abortion, the rest of her story was determined to have not involved rape.

Kelly has requested some time off work at Fox 5 to get through the difficulties. He said “I am thankful that the investigation established what I’ve known all along, that I am innocent of the allegations that were waged against me. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and friends whose support for me never wavered.

“My lawyer, Andrew Lankler, and adviser, Ken Sunshine, were invaluable during this process. Thank you to the thousands of ‘Good Day New York’ viewers who expressed positive support through social media. And I am grateful to everyone at Fox 5, especially Rosanna Scotto, my co-host. I will always remember her kindness, and I look forward to soon resuming my post on ‘Good Day New York’ next to her.”

Jenny McCarthy Shares Midnight Kiss with NYC Cop

jim — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:46:17 +0000

It is a New Year’s Eve tradition to share a kiss at midnight with someone, anyone, no matter where you are. For those who found themselves glued to their TVs on Saturday night watching ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,’ you might have caught the smooch between on-air correspondent Jenny McCarthy and a New York City police officer.

McCarthy found herself standing next to one of New York City’s finest at the stroke of midnight, prompting her to take initiative and make sure she kissed someone as the ball completed its course.

“I just happened to be standing with that hot cop,” she later explained to Seacrest about the kiss. The kiss was caught on video and can be seen in this post courtesy of Mediaite.

The kiss was rated a ‘10’ by the police officer.

Team of Weil Attorneys Help Wrongfully Imprisoned Man Win Increased Compensation

rebneely — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:28:00 +0000

A team of attorneys from international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPA recently helped win increased compensation for an inmate who was wrongfully convicted of and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. In granting a joint motion to dismiss, the Texas Supreme Court’s decision reflects an agreement reached late last month by the former inmate, Larry Charles Fuller, and the state, whereby Fuller will receive increased compensation for his wrongful imprisonment following a 2009 amendment to the Texas Wrongful Imprisonment Act.

Fuller had served nearly 20 years in prison of a sentence for an alleged rape before being exonerated by DNA evidence and receiving a full pardon from Texas Governor Rick Perry in 2007.

Under the provisions of the Texas Wrongful Imprisonment Act, Fuller received a lump-sum payment of approximately $1 million as compensation for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment. When the Act was amended in 2009 to provide for additional compensation and an annuity, Fuller filed applications seeking the newly created annuity, as well as the difference between what the new legislation provided and what he previously received.

While the Texas State Comptroller granted Fuller’s request for the newly created annuity, amounting to just over $11,500, his request for an additional lump-sum payment was denied on the grounds that it was barred by his previous application for lump-sum compensation under the old version of the Act and was an impermissible request for retroactive adjustment of his prior application.

Weil represented Fuller throughout these proceedings, and argued that the Act placed no limits on the number of independent requests for compensation, only on the amount of time (three years from the date of a pardon) within which an application for compensation must be made, and that Fuller’s application was made well within the relevant time period. Weil continued negotiating with the Comptroller on Fuller’s behalf and filed additional papers seeking reconsideration, but the Comptroller again denied Fuller’s request.

Weil filed a mandamus petition in the Texas Supreme Court, by statute the only means of review, challenging the Comptroller’s decision to deny Fuller the additional lump sum payment as a violation of her ministerial duty under the Act to compensate exonerees who demonstrate actual innocence through a pardon, a criterion that the Comptroller does not dispute as to Fuller. The Texas Supreme Court had scheduled oral argument for December 2011 on the issue of whether the Act permits successive applications within the three-year statutory window.

In recent weeks, the State Comptroller, represented by the Texas Solicitor General’s office, agreed that the Comptroller could make full payment to Fuller. On November 18, 2011, the Texas Supreme Court granted Fuller’s and the Comptroller’s joint motion to dismiss the mandamus petition, and Fuller has now received an additional lump sum payment of more than $750,000, the full compensation to which he is entitled under the law.

Weil litigation partners Yolanda Garcia and Yvette Ostolaza, both in the Dallas office, represented Fuller, pro bono. In addition, Appellate Litigation counsel Lisa Eskow, from the Houston office, and Litigation associates Daniel Klein, Cheves Ligon, Victoria Neave, Emmanuel Obi, Ricardo Pellafone and Mandisa Price, all from the Dallas office, worked on the case.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is an international law firm headquartered in New York City, employing over 1,200 attorneys.

US Financial Figure Accused of Sexually Assaulting Employee at New York Hotel

EmploymentCrossing — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:32:27 +0000

Mahmoud Abdel-Salam Omar, chairman of a salt company and a big financial figure in the U.S. market has been accused and arrested by the New York Police Department on the charges of sexually abusing an employee at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan. Omar is accused with sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and harassment. This is the next big sexual abuse case after the Strauss Kahn arrest which was in the news a few days ago.

Read the full article here:

NYPD: Another financial figure accused of hotel sexual assault

Archer & Greiner Merges with Herten Burstein, Forming NJ’s 4th Largest Law Firm

rebneely — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:28:34 +0000

Archer & Greiner PC and Herten, Burstein, Sheridan, Cevasco, Bottinelli, Litt & Harz LLC recently announced that the firms will combine effective today. The merger will create the fourth largest firm in New Jersey.

The merged firm will have the name of Archer & Greiner PC.

Archer & Greiner President Christopher R. Gibson was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “An office in northern New Jersey has been a strategic goal for Archer & Greiner for some time. We have been waiting to capitalize on the right opportunity to expand into the important North Jersey market, and Herten Burstein presents the perfect strategic alliance by which to extend our services to clients throughout the state, to build on the pharmaceutical and mass tort practice of Herten Burstein and to open opportunities for our regional, national and multinational clients in other markets as well, such as New York City.”

Before the merger, Archer & Greiner had 170 attorneys. Founded in 1928, the firm is headquartered in Haddonfield, NJ and has additional offices in Princeton and Flemington. Its additional seven offices are in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York.

Founded in 1987, Herten Burstein has 31 attorneys in its main office in Hackensack, N.J., another office in New York City, and is one of the premier firms in northern New Jersey.

The addition of the Hackensack location will greatly expand Archer & Greiner’s presence in New Jersey, and increase the total workforce to around 450 people. That includes nearly 200 attorneys, almost 50 paralegals and about 200 support staff. The firms’ clients range from large multi-national corporations to small businesses and individuals.

Herten Burstein founding member Thomas J. Herten was quoted as saying: “Joining with Archer & Greiner adds depth to our existing practices, strengthens our client service capabilities and expands our regional presence. Both firms have a similar client-centered focus and culture of excellence. Bringing them together will enable us to provide comprehensive legal services and significantly benefit clients throughout the region. I foresee tremendous synergy between the two firms and exciting new opportunities. The merger is a definite win-win on all levels.”

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton Elects New Managing Partner

marvins — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:29:25 +0000

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has elected a new managing partner to lead their firm. Cleary, a leading international law firm for the past 60 years, elected Mark Leddy, an antitrust partner based in Washington DC, to replace Mark Walker in the managing partner post beginning in January 2011. Walker has been the managing partner since 2005. Under Walker’s term, the firm has successfully expanded in Asia, acquired an office in Beijing, launched a Hong Kong practice and is now preparing to enter the Brazilian market.

Leddy, who joined the firm as a partner in 1986 after 14 years in the US Department of Justice, said that he is committed to carrying on the outstanding work done by Walker. “I will continue Mark Walker’s strategy of thoughtful expansion, while at the same time maintaining our one-firm structure and our strong tradition of legal excellence, innovation and internationalism.” Leddy also expressed his admiration for the outgoing managing partner. “By any measure, Mark Walker has been an outstanding managing partner and leader. Mr. Walker has significantly enhanced our litigation strength in the United States and Europe.”

Meanwhile, Walker is in full support of the incoming managing partner. “Mr. Leddy impressed me with not only his abilities as a lawyer but also his strengths as a thoughtful leader.”

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has about 1,100 lawyers spread across 12 offices. In 2009, the firm registered $965 gross revenue, a 27% increase from its 2008 revenue.

Debevoise & Plimpton Announces its New Partner

marvins — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:41:36 +0000

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a worldwide law firm based in New York City, announced that the former New York Superintendent of Insurance, Eric R. Dinallo, will join its roster as the firm’s new partner in its Manhattan office. Dinallo handled major national issues under his term in his previous post. He was one of the men behind the settlement of claims from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He was also responsible for solving the crisis in the municipal bond insurance market at the peak of the US financial crisis two years ago. In 2009, Dinallo resigned from the insurance department. As to Danillo’s role in the firm, Presiding partner Martin Frederic Evans did not specify it for the time being.

Dinallo said that Debevoise made him an offer after losing a race in September to be the state’s attorney general. “It was the only firm I spoke with. It has a unique compensation structure. Partners within a class are paid the same, so there is no eat what you kill, just a bunch of super-smart lawyers pulling on behalf of the client,” Dinallo added that he will still continue to teach at New York University’s Stern School of Business, although on a reduced schedule, while fulfilling his duties as the new partner at Debevoise. He also revealed that he has no plans to run for office again in the near future.

Today, Debevoise has around 700 lawyers worldwide. The firm has been the partner of the American International Group Inc. in its $20.5 billion spinoff of AIA Group Ltd. in Hong Kong. The firm has also been the chosen adviser of giant companies such as Amazon.com Inc., Prudential Financial Inc. and Dell Inc.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:26:53 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, November 29th. Here’s a quick look back at Friday’s headlines.

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan added two partners…

Dorsey & Whitney added leading PRC Practitioner Peter Corne as a Partner in its Shanghai office…

International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP recently named ten new partners…

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Adds Two Partners

joshua — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:16:06 +0000

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP announced that Ron Kriss has joined the firm as a Partner in the Real Estate Practice Group and Chair of the Distressed Property Practice Group, and Paul Shelowitz has joined as a Partner in the Litigation Practice Group, effective immediately.

In the press release at the firm’s site, Alan Klinger, Stroock’s Co-Managing Partner was quoted as saying: “We believe Ron and Paul will be exceptional additions to our Miami Office. There is a very natural fit between Stroock’s existing clientele and expertise and Ron and Paul’s ability to grow and service both current real estate needs in work-out situations as well as development opportunities that will arise as economic conditions improve. They will be an important part of Stroock’s growth in the southeastern U.S. market place, and we are pleased to welcome them to the firm.”

Mr. Kriss was a shareholder at Akerman Senterfitt, where he founded and chaired that firm’s Distressed Property Group. He has handled a broad array of commercial real estate matters. As chair of Stroock’s Distressed Property Practice Group, he will concentrate on representing lenders in loan recovery and investors in the purchase of defaulted loans.

Mr. Shelowitz was also a shareholder at Akerman Senterfitt, where he practiced in the Litigation group. Mr. Shelowitz has more than 20 years of civil litigation experience and focuses his practice on complex real estate contract disputes, large commercial foreclosures, brokerage commission and licensure claims, and a multitude of other real estate related matters.

With over 750 lawyers, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP is an American law firm with offices in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:48:28 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, October 8th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

SNR Denton added a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a partner to its white collar & government Investigations practice…

Thompson Hine appointed partner James B. Aronoff to the newly-created management role of administrative partner at the firm’s Cleveland office…

The National Law Journal will present the 2010 “Law Firm Leadership and Economic Forum” Oct. 13-14 at the Harvard Club in New York City…

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:54:47 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, September 22nd. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

King & Spalding opened an office in Singapore…

The Best Lawyers in America gave Jones & Walker high rankings for the fourth year in a row…

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe added two attorneys to its London office…

The American Lawyer, The Nationnew al Law Journal and Corporate Counsel will present the second annual “The Litigation Summit: The Business of Litigation” October 5-6, 2010…

O’Melveny & Myers formed a new integrated legal strategies practice…

Schedule Set for ALM’s Second Litigation Summit

joshua — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:10:01 +0000

ALM’s The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal and Corporate Counsel will present the second annual “The Litigation Summit: The Business of Litigation” October 5-6, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The conference will be co-chaired by Steven Kyono, senior vice president, general counsel & corporate secretary of Hewitt Associates and Craig C. Martin, partner and co-chair of the litigation department at Jenner & Block LLP.

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.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:57:53 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, September 13th. Here’s a quick recap of Friday’s stories.

The ACLU will represent defense lawyers against U.S. Homeland Security…

According to a CT TyMetrix Inc. and The Corporate Executive Board survey, billing rates in Washington, D.C. are the second highest in the U.S….

The Quellos Group owners pled guilty to fraud and tax evasion…

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was ruled unconstitutional in California’s 9th District…

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan disqualified herself from 10 more cases…

Law School admissions officers survey tells prospective students how to prepare…

Burleson Cooke added nine attorneys to its Pittsburgh office…

Billing Rates in Washington, D.C. Are Second Highest in the U.S.

ashley — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:24:35 +0000

Between 2007 and 2009, CT TyMetrix Inc. and The Corporate Executive Board gathered invoice data from over 3,500 law firms and 90,000 individual billers across the nation. Ultimately the invoices came to $4.1 billion.

According to the CT TyMetrix Inc. and The Corporate Executive Board survey on billing rates, Washington, D.C. law firm partners come in at a close second for the highest rates in the United States at $600 an hour for their time. New York City law firm partners charge the most in the United States at about $700 an hour. Washington, D.C. associates, however, bill at only $375 an hour, more than in San Fransisco, and just less than Las Angeles.

Over the three years of the CT TyMetrix Inc. and The Corporate Executive Board survey, it was also found that District of Columbia lawyers raised their rates on an average of 10.5%. In comparison, lawyers in Detroit only raised their rates 2%, the least in the country, and Dallas invoices showed the highest rate raising at 21.9%.

It seems lawyers nationwide do not necessarily have set rates, however. The survey found that 85% of lawyers change their rates for the same work depending on the client.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:25:27 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, July 15th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Corporate law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore is considering adding a four-person marketing team…

The American Association for Justice named Alabama-based attorney C. Gibson Vance its new president…

McKool Smith earned its 2nd consecutive selection to National Law Journal’s Midsize Hot List…

Bracewell & Giuliani opened an office in Seattle…

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips added a new team of lawyers and advisers to its New York City government practice…

Manatt Boosts City Government Practice In New York

eric — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:18:24 +0000

BusinessWire: The firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has added a new team of lawyers and advisers to its New York City Government Practice. The new team is led by Claudia Wagner and she brings along four advisers from the Law Offices of Claudia Wagner, William Floyd, Katie Schwab, Adam Rich and Joshua Bocian.

With over 25 years of experience in her field, Ms. Wagner’s practice focuses on the complex code embodied in New York City laws, regulations, procedures and politics.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips is a Los Angeles based general practice firm founded in 1965. The firm has 380 attorneys and offices located in San Francisco, New York City, Washington, D.C., Orange County, Palo Alto, Sacramento and Albany in addition to Los Angeles.

Morning Roundup

sara — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:54:08 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, March 5, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news…

O’Melveny & Myers file a lawsuit against video game publisher Activision on behalf of game makers Jason West and Vince Zampella…

Profits are steady but revenue is down at Drinker Biddle…

A dozen companies pledge $30 million to law firms owned by women and minorities…

The Senate Judiciary Committee approves Dawn Johnsen’s nomination to lead the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel…

Chadbourne & Parke bolster their practice with five additions to their Mexico and New York City offices…

David Quinto protects the trademark of the Academy Awards…

Governor David Paterson of New York turns to lawyer Theodore V. Wells Jr. for assistance…

Profits and Revenue Decline at Debevoise & Plimpton

sara — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:58:23 +0000

Debevoise & Plimpton report that gross revenue dropped 12% at the firm and profits per equity partner dropped even further due to poor economic conditions in 2009. Revenue dropped to $667.9 million and profits per partner dropped 16% to $1.87 million. These drops came on the heels of a decline in corporate work and the completion of large matters in its litigation practice, specifically the internal investigation of Siemens AG.

Founded in 1931, New York City based Debevoise & Plimpton is an international law firm and a leader in corporate litigation and large financial transactions. The firm has approximately 680 lawyers and additional offices in Paris, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Moscow, Frankfurt and Shanghai.

Cravath Changes Course on Deferred Associates

sara — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:45:24 +0000

Cravath, Swaine & Moore informed incoming associates that some of them can begin their employment with the firm this fall, one year sooner than originally planned. Hiring partner Rowan Wilson said in an email, “those who have not yet committed to something else for 2010-11, if they are interested in starting at Cravath in2010, we will be able to take some of them.”

Last June the firm announced delayed start dates for 120 incoming associates and in exchange each one received a monthly stipend of $65,000. How many associates the firm will take on this fall has not been decided. If too many associates decide to begin in the fall a lottery will be held by the firm to select associates.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore is a general practice firm with 500 attorneys in two offices. Founded in 1819, the firm is headquartered in New York City.

WilmerHale May Expand New York Office Space

sara — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:19:01 +0000

Washington D.C. based firm WilmerHale has sent out inquiries to real estate brokers in New York City. The firm is looking for between 200,000 and 225,000 square feet of new office space. This is significantly larger than the space it currently occupies at Boston Properties’ 399 Park Avenue. At 399 Park Avenue WilmerHale occupies 163,000 square feet of space on floors 27 through 31, and 37. Other tenants in the building make it difficult for the firm to expand any further at that location.

WilmerHale has additional offices in Boston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, California, and Waltham Massachusetts. International offices are located in London, Brussels, Berlin, Beijing, Oxford and Frankfurt. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys worldwide.

Cadwalader Profits per Partner Increase By 28%

sara — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:18:02 +0000

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft reported a 28% increase in profits per partner for 2009, marking the first per partner increase for the firm since 2007. However, this increase may be attributed to an almost 21% loss in the number of equity partners in the firm and massive associate layoffs. Cadwalader had 61 equity partners at the end of August 2009, compared to 77 a year earlier.

Gross revenue dropped 10% while net icome increased 1.38% to $147 million. The firm reported gross revenue of $456.5 million for 2009. In 2008 the firm announced the layoffs of 131 associates. In early 2009 a further 25 lawyers received layoffs and in July 2009 34 lawyers were offered a one-year sabbatical. Cadwalader reported 457 lawyers at the end of August 2009, down 12.6% from a year earlier when they had 523.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft was founded in New York City in 1792 and is one of the worlds leading financial law firms. Its practice includes the areas of capital markets, bankruptcy, real estate, insurance and income tax. It has offices located in New York, London, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and Beijing.

Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith Expand New York City Office

sara — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:33:21 +0000

Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith have expanded their offices in New York City. The Los Angeles based firm signed a lease at 77 Water Street for 75,716 square feet of space. This new space is two times as large as their old location at 199 Water Street. The firm signed a 10 year deal with Goldman Sachs, which subleases the entire building. The lease covers at least three floors.

Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith is a full service firm with 19 offices across the nation including Atlanta, Charleston, Houston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans and its headquarters in Los Angeles. The firm has over 700 attorneys and was founded in 1979.

Proskauer Rose Defers Its Deferred 2009 Associates

Erik Even — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:17:51 +0000

Proskauer Rose, which in July deferred its current Summer associates to Fall 2011, is also deferring its deferred 2009 incoming associate class in New York.

The associates, who had already been deferred to March 2010, are now being pushed to November 2010. This move seems to affect only the New York office.

Founded in 1875, Proskauer Rose, formerly known as Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn, is one of the United States’ largest law firms, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston, Boca Raton, Chicago, Newark, New Orleans, São Paulo, London, Hong Kong, and Paris.

Loeb & Loeb Cancels NY Summer Program

Erik Even — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:12:43 +0000

Loeb & Loeb, which laid off four corporate lawyers in July, has “suspended” its Summer associates program at its New York office. No program will be held in 2010, nor later until the firm announces otherwise.

Loeb & Loeb says its associate recruitment will focus on attorneys who already have experience.

Founded in 1909 in Los Angeles, Loeb & Loeb is a national law firm with offices in LA, New York, Chicago and Nashville. It has applied to open a representative office in Beijing. The firm employs over 300 attorneys.

Hughes Hubbard Expands NY Bankruptcy Practice

Erik Even — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:51:36 +0000

Hughes Hubbard & Reed has expanded its bankruptcy practice in New York with two hires.

Kathryn Coleman joins from Gibson Dunn, where she was a partner. She represents Chapter 11 debtors in possession, creditors’ committees, secured lenders groups, acquirers of distressed assets in and out of bankruptcy court, and equity stakeholders in connection with troubled investments and portfolio companies.

Eric Fromme joins as counsel. He is a federal-court litigator and corporate reorganization lawyer.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, an international law firm based in New York, is ranked number one in New York and number two nationally on The American Lawyer’s A-List of the “top firms among the nation’s legal elite.” AmLaw also ranked the firm #4 in “Top Growth Firms” among the nation’s 200 largest firms over the last 10 years.

Nixon Peabody Hires Partners from McKee Nelson

Erik Even — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:35:32 +0000

Nixon Peabody, which in February laid off 56 attorneys and staff, has hired away two partners from McKee Nelson.

Keith Krasney and Peter Morreale will head up Nixon Peabody’s securitization and structured finance team. Krasney will work out of New York City, while Morreale will set up shop in Washington DC.

Nixon Peabody LLP is one of the largest multi-practice law firms in the US, with offices in seventeen cities in the United States and one in London, and more than seven hundred attorneys in twenty-five major practice areas.

Chartwell Law Launches New York Office

Erik Even — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:36:51 +0000

Pennsylvania’s Chartwell Law has launched a Manhattan office.

Danielle Sullivan Kaminski joins from Clausen Miller as a partner in New York, handling first-party property, damaged cargo, major casualty, complex subrogation, transportation, and construction law. Her JD is from the Fordham University School of Law, where she was editor of the law journal.

Matthew Gonzalez joins from Bruckmann & Victory. He handles complex commercial litigation, subrogation, insurance defense, and first-party property insurance coverage, for both domestic and international companies. He also graduated from Fordham.

The firm opened a Delaware office in June.

The Chartwell Law Offices, LLP was founded in Valley Forge in 2002 with four lawyers. It now has offices in Valley Forge, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Scranton, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; New York City; and Wilmington, Delaware. It employs 49 lawyers.

There is no one at the firm named Chartwell — it is named after Winston Churchill’s house.

Clifford Chance Loses 50 Partners

Erik Even — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:05:41 +0000

According to sources, Clifford Chance has lost almost 50 partners since March of this year, most from New York City and the London headquarters office.

Eighteen partners have left the firm in London, and another 18 in New York. Twelve have jumped ship in Europe.

Clifford Chance is restructuring, and expects to lose 90 further partners, or 15%, between now and April 2010.

Last week, the firm reported that average profits per equity partner dropped 37% to £733,000 ($1.2 million) in the last fiscal year.

Clifford Chance LLP is the largest law firm in the world by number of lawyers, and part of the UK’s “Magic Circle” of leading law firms. It is a prestigious international practice with its principal office in London.

Cadwalader Offers Sabbaticals to 34 Associates

Erik Even — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:12:45 +0000

Cadwalader, the AmLaw 200 firm that leads in percentage laid off, has asked 34 junior associates to accept a one year, unrestricted sabbatical.

The sabbaticals target lawyers in the Capital Markets and Real Estate Finance groups in New York and North Carolina. Participating lawyers will get one-third of their current compensation, plus medical benefits.The firm intends to rehire these associates after a year, but no guarantees are being made.

Those who turn down the sabbatical option will get three months full severance.

A committee of partners and senior administrators will attempt to place these lawyers with clients, prospective clients, and not-for-profit organizations.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is the oldest continuously-operated law firm in the United States. Established in New York City in 1792, Cadwalader is now one of the leading financial law firms in the world. It has offices in London; Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington, DC; and Beijing, China.

Fates to Be Decided for Clifford Chance Litigation Associates

Erik Even — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:30:11 +0000

We have been reporting on the saga of Clifford Chance’s US litigation practice. Group head Mark Kirsch jumped ship to Gibson Dunn, leaving the fates of 29 New York litigation associates in doubt.

Now the futures of those associates are coming into focus.

Seven associates are going to Gibson Dunn with Kirsch and partners Joel Cohen and Christopher Joralemon. Up to 10 associates will be laid off this week; the rest will remain on the New York litigation team, which will be headed by Juan Morillo of the DC office.

Clifford Chance LLP is the largest law firm in the world, both by number of lawyers and revenue, and part of the UK’s “Magic Circle” of leading law firms. It is a prestigious international practice with its principal office in London.

Albany Law School Boasts 94% Employment for ’08 Grads

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:08:46 +0000

Albany Law School has announced a 94% employment rate in legal positions for its 2008 graduating class, outpacing the national average of 90% for all law schools.

Each year, Albany Law School’s Career Center coordinates more than 1,000 job interviews on campus, as well as many more off campus; processes more than 7,000 job applications; and organizes more than a dozen job fairs.

One third of Albany Law’s 2008 class is employed in New York City, while an additional one third is employed in the greater Capital Region.

Of the 2008 grads, 49% went to law firms; 16% into government; 9% got judicial clerkships; 19% into business and industry. Six percent went into public interest law, and 2% are in academia.

Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. Founded in 1851 by Robert H. Pruyn and others, Albany Law School is the oldest independent law school in the United States.

New York Law Firms Slash Summer Classes

Erik Even — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:46:33 +0000

The New York Law Journal has published its annual survey of summer class sizes at New York Biglaw firms.

Latham & Watkins had the largest cut in class size, of 68%. The firm has 26 summer associates this year, down from 80 in 2008.

Here are the top five New York firms in terms of summer associate class size decrease:

Latham & Watkins: -68% to 26
Shearman & Sterling: -60% to 53
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson: -54% to 32
Jones Day: -49% to 25
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett: -49% to 57

Weil Gotshal Lays Off 79 Staff

Erik Even — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:23:08 +0000

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has eliminated 79 administrative positions across its US offices.

Those targeted will get severance packages with transitional income and benefits, including health care and outplacement.

In March, the firm deferred start dates for incoming associates.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is an international law firm headquartered in New York City. It is one of the largest and most highly regarded law firms in the world, with approximately 1,300 lawyers and gross annual revenue in excess of $1.7 billion.

Clifford Chance to Lay Off New York Litigation Associates

Erik Even — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:31:44 +0000

Mark Kirsch, head of Clifford Chance’s US litigation practice, has left the firm, leaving the 29 associates in the firm’s New York litigation group under threat of layoffs.

The group and its associated staffers have been informed that layoffs are coming, but no numbers have been revealed.

Kirsch will be replaced in his position by Juan Morillo.

In March, Clifford Chance today laid off 24 of its New York associates.

Ladas & Parry Brings on Partners from Schweitzer Cornman

Erik Even — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:46:55 +0000

Ladas & Parry has hired Michael Cornman, Jay Bondell, and Meyer Gross, all former partners at New York intellectual property firm Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell.

Ladas & Parry brought on the IP team as of counsel for its New York office. They bring along associate Elliot Lipins.

Established in New York in 1912, Ladas & Parry LLP is an international intellectual property firm with over 50 attorneys at offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, London and Munich.