JD Journal » Obama administration

Obama Administration’s Top Health Official Blocks Plan B Pill From Becoming OTC

rebneely — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:19:59 +0000

Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius – the Obama administration’s top health official stopped the Plan B morning after pill from being allowed to be sold over the counter. Her decision overrules scientists at the Food and Drug Administration.

At the moment, the only people who can purchase the Plan B pill are those aged 17 and older – and can prove it – and who have a prescription.

Sebelius said, per the December 8^th foxnews.com article, “Block of OTC morning-after pill sparks debate”, that “she was worried about confusing 11-year-olds.”

For over ten years, the debate about making access to pills for pregnancy prevention easier has raged on. However, Sebelius’s decision comes with election year consequences. Per the article, her decision caught women’s health advocates off guard. This faction is considered a major part of President Barack Obama’s Democratic base. In addition, many major doctors’ groups disagreed with the decision, arguing that over-the-counter sales could lower the nation’s large number of unplanned pregnancies.

Obama spokesman Nick Papas was quoted as saying: “Secretary Sebelius took this action after careful review. As the secretary has stated, Plan B will remain available to all women who need it, and the president supports the secretary’s decision.”

Dr. Robert Block of the American Academy of Pediatrics was quoted as saying: “Sebelius’ decision is “medically inexplicable.”

In addition, AAP member Dr. Cora Breuner, a professor of pediatric and adolescent medicine at the University of Washington was quoted as saying of the decision: “I don’t think 11-year-olds go into Rite Aid and buy anything, much less a single pill that costs about $50.”

She was also quoted as saying, in regard to making Plan B pills available OTC that they would help those “who have made a serious error in having unprotected sex and should be able to respond to that kind of lack of judgment in a way that is timely as opposed to having to suffer permanent consequences.”

However, conservatives praised the decision.

Wendy Wright, an evangelical activist who helped lead the opposition to Plan B was quoted as saying: “Take the politics out of it and it’s a decision that reflect the concerns that many parents in America have.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa was quoted as saying: “This is the right decision based on a lack of scientific evidence that it’s safe to allow minors access to this drug, much less over-the-counter.”

FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg was quoted as having written: “There is adequate and reasonable, well-supported and science-based evidence that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective and should be approved for nonprescription use for all females of child-bearing potential.”

The emergency contraception battle will continue to rage on. Per the article, in 2009, a federal judge said the FDA had allowed politics, versus science, drive its initial behind-the-counter age restrictions and said it should reconsider. At a hearing scheduled in federal court in New York next week, the Center for Reproductive Rights will argue the FDA should be held in contempt.

Use of the Plan B pill within 72 hours of rape, condom failure or merely not using a contraception method reduces the chances of becoming pregnant by nearly 90 percent.

Supreme Court Will Rule on Affordable Care Act

rebneely — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:48:25 +0000

It’s official – today is the day the Supreme Court justices consider the widely debated challenge to the Obama administration’s health-care overhaul.

The court will hear a challenge brought by a group of Republican governors and attorneys general from 26 states, the National Federation of Independent Business and two individual plaintiffs.

There are multiple issues in the case, but the key question is whether or not Congress overstepped its constitutional powers when it required most individuals to carry health insurance or pay a penalty.

The court expects to hear oral arguments in March, and a decision is expected by the end of June – which puts the court’s ruling right in the heat of battle of the 2012 presidential campaign.

Those opposed to the law see the requirement that all Americans carry insurance as an “unprecedented intrusion on individual liberty”, according to the November 14^th wsj.com article, “Supreme Court Agrees to Rule on Health Law”. They argue Congress is not allowed to use its interstate commerce powers to regulate citizens who choose not to participate in the health-insurance market.

The Obama administration justifies the insurance mandate with the following logic, per the wsj.com article: because the uninsured impose enormous costs on the United States health care system, requiring coverage is a legitimate way to address this national crisis. In addition, requiring coverage is a critical part of the insurance reform, “which require insurers to accept all prospective customers, even if they have pre-existing medical conditions.”

Per the article, in a statement today, the White House was quoted as saying: “We know the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and are confident the Supreme Court will agree.”

Also per the article, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who has attempted to repeal the law, was quoted as having said it “represents an unprecedented and unconstitutional expansion of the federal government into the daily lives of every American”, and has requested the Supreme Court strike it down.

If that happens, it has said it will rule on the remainder of the health care package. Those opposed to so called “Obamacare” want to nullify the entire thing. However, the Obama administration believes the majority of the law’s provisions that aren’t connected to the mandate should remain in place even if the insurance requirement is struck down.

The article speculates that all eyes, and ears, will be on Justice Antonin Scalia. A conservative justice, he joined two rulings in 1995 and 2000 that placed limits Congress’ commerce power. However, Justice Scalia, in 2005, embraced a broader view of that power in 2005, saying Congress had the authority to prohibit seriously ill Californians from growing marijuana for their personal medical use, even though a state law allowed it.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law (along with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010) is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress. PPACA reforms certain aspects of the private health insurance industry and public health insurance programs, increases insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, expands access to insurance to over 30 million Americans, and increases projected national medical spending despite lowering projected Medicare spending under previous law.

Interior Department Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff Thomas Strickland Joins WilmerHale as Partner

rebneely — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:11:40 +0000

The law firm of WilmerHale recently announced that Thomas Strickland, former Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks for the United States Department of the Interior, has joined the firm as a partner in its Washington D.C. office. In this role, he will be responsible for matters dealing with law, business, and government policy, including governmental enforcement cases, Congressional and internal investigations, corporate governance, and high-stakes crisis management matters.

Strickland served as a senior member of the Obama Administration. Prior to this role, he served as chief legal officer for UnitedHealth Group, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, and Policy Director for Colorado Governor Richard Lamm. In addition, he also was a successful leader in private practice.

Mr. Strickland joined the Interior Department in 2009, after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He held both the Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary positions. As Chief of Staff to Secretary Ken Salazar, he managed press, legislative and intergovernmental affairs for the department. This included coordination with the White House and external constituencies. He was also responsible for managing nearly 80,000 employees, as well as a $12 billion budget. As Assistant Secretary, he was responsible for managing the National Park System and the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as for enforcing the Endangered Species Act.

WilmerHale Co-Managing Partner William Perlstein was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Tom has a rare combination of public and private sector experience and substantive expertise that enables him to assist clients in successfully navigating the most challenging matters involving government oversight, regulation and enforcement. He has a strong reputation and track record as a problem solver in high-stakes cases.”

Before his service with the Department of the Interior, Strickland was executive vice president and chief legal officer at UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation’s leading managed health care companies. There, he managed an in-house group of 200 attorneys, as well as a nationwide team of outside counsel. Responsible for all legal, regulatory and compliance matters, he also implemented various corporate governance initiatives.

He also has significant experience in private practice. As a partner at Hogan & Hartson, he participated in building and leading the firm’s practice in Colorado. Prior to this, he served as U.S. Attorney for Colorado. In this role, he was in charge of the federal investigation of the Columbine shootings. His expertise lies in the areas of natural resources and environmental, health care regulation, and securities laws.

Strickland was quoted as saying in the press release: “WilmerHale is the perfect fit for me because it has the full range of top policy, regulatory and litigation practices necessary to assist clients with high-stakes matters involving government oversight and policy. I had the privilege of working with a multi-disciplinary team at WilmerHale when I was with UnitedHealth, and was greatly impressed with the firm’s quality and depth, collaborative approach, and sophisticated understanding of how government works.”

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr has over 1,000 lawyers in twelve offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

According to the Obama Administration, Recent Ban on Funding for Abortion Services Goes Against Federal Law

EmploymentCrossing — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:44:15 +0000

The Obama administration reacted to an Indiana law that bans abortion providers from receiving Medicaid funds for non-abortion related healthcare. The administration informed Indiana that the new law does not adhere to a federal law that prohibits Medicaid patients from receiving treatment from a provider based on anything other than their qualification to provide the specific services in question. According to the Obama administration, banning providers who perform abortions as qualified providers for services other than abortions does not adhere to section 1902 (a) of the Social Security Act.

Read the full article here:

Obama administration: Indiana ban on funds for abortion services violates federal law

Quick Appeal Sought by Obama Administration in Health Care Ruling

aostler — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:18:26 +0000

The recent ruling made by Judge Vinson in Florida is now being asked by the Obama administration to be appealed as quickly as possible, as it challenges the health care overhaul’s constitutionality. The Justice Department has filed a notice of appeal on Wednesday, March 9, and it will go to the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

April 18 is the proposed date that the government will file its first set of papers in court on the issues brought up by Vinson. The government is also proposing that May 18 be the date set for those who are challenging the new health care law. June 1 is the date set by the government when they will file additional papers.

Although a fast appeal has been sought by the Obama administration, Charles Shanor, a law professor at Emory University in Atlanta, believes that the court won’t be so quick to give out a ruling, and that it may take months before one is issued. “I just don’t see the court writing an overnight opinion in a matter that’s of such concern to the public.” said Shanor. He also added that this particular court, the 11^th Circuit, is seen as “moderate” compared to other courts of appeal in the country.

It sounds like this case will definitely not be resolved anytime soon, so we’ll keep you posted with any updates or further rulings as the appeals process moves forward.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:11:33 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, September 16th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Veteran Obama and Clinton official Jonathan Prince joined Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates as a partner…

Jones Walker added two attorneys to its business and commercial litigation practice group…

Veteran Obama and Clinton Official, Joins Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates as Partner

joshua — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:48:39 +0000

D.C.-based strategic communications firm Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates announced that Jonathan Prince, a senior political strategist and communicator in the Obama and Clinton Administrations, has joined the firm as a partner.

Most recently, Prince served in the Obama Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State with responsibility for strategic communications and public diplomacy for Middle East Peace, and a member of Special Envoy George J. Mitchell’s regular delegation. As a senior advisor in the Clinton White House, Prince managed communications and message strategy at NATO during the war in Kosovo, during the impeachment and trial of the President, and for other major Clinton Administration initiatives.

In today’s press release at PR Newswire, Bob Chlopak, CLS’s founder and chief executive officer was quoted as saying: “Jonathan has worked on some of the world’s most challenging issues for more than 20 years and is one of Washington’s most skilled, respected and versatile strategists. We are incredibly fortunate to have Jonathan join our team, counsel our clients and help lead our firm for years to come.”

In addition to his foreign policy work in the Obama and Clinton Administrations, Prince served in senior domestic positions in the Clinton White House. Additionally, he worked in senior roles on the presidential campaigns of President Clinton and former Senator John Edwards, where he served in 2008 as national deputy campaign manager and co-chief strategist. He was a partner at the strategic communications firms Isay, Klores, Prince and Brunswick Group where he served a wide range of corporate and not-for-profit clients.

An accomplished writer and author, Prince was a top speechwriter for President Clinton and co-wrote the New York Times bestseller “Survival of the Sickest” with Sharon Moalem and edited the bestselling “Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives” with former Senator John Edwards and his daughter Cate.

Founded in 1993, Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates provides strategic counsel and communications support at the senior-most levels to leading companies, major trade, professional and non-governmental organizations, prominent individuals, and foreign governments and political leaders. The firm’s areas of expertise span public affairs, corporate and crisis communications, global public relations and international political consulting.

Federal Labor Watchdog Coming To Proskauer

eric — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:42:12 +0000

Per a brief late day Washington Post piece, Ronald Meisburg, general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board since 2006, is joining Proskauer Rose as a partner in the law firm’s labor and employment law department.

Nominated by President Bush, and subsequently re-appointed to further service under the Obama administration, Meisburg’s tenure was set to expire in August of this year.

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.

Obama Taps Venable Partner For Federal Bench Seat

eric — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:47:38 +0000

Yesterday Venable partner Robert Wilkins was given the tap by the Obama administration for a spot on the bench of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, writes the Legal Times Blog.

Prior to his move to Venable in 2002, Wilkins, per the BLT, was chief of the Public Defender Service’s special litigation section from 1996 to 2000. Currently, he is a trial and appellate lawyer in the firm’s corporate defense/white collar, technology and commercial litigation practice groups.

Venable LLP is a law firm, formerly known as Venable, Baetjer & Howard LLP. It was founded in Baltimore in the post-Civil War period. Today the firm maintains six Northeastern US offices and specializes in patent litigation, labor and employment law and white collar investigations. Venable employs nearly 600 attorneys.

Gregory Craig Surfaces With Skadden

joshua — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:55:38 +0000

Gregory Craig, former White House counsel under President Obama, has joined Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as a partner in its Washington D.C. office. Craig will lead Skadden’s new global policy and litigation strategy practice Group.

Craig, a former partner in Williams & Connolly, has a long history of public service. Prior to joining the Obama administration he served under President Clinton as assistant to the president and special counsel. In that role he represented Clinton in his Senate impeachment trial. He also was director of policy planning under Secretary of State Madeline Albright and was senior advisor of defense for Sen. Edward Kennedy.

“Greg Craig is a terrific addition to our firm,” said Eric J. Friedman, Skadden’s executive partner. “His combination of international expertise, national public service and high-profile litigation experience will greatly enhance our traditional strengths and offer added value to clients in the U.S. and internationally. We’re excited about what Greg can contribute to both ourWashington, D.C. capabilities and the firm’s overall strategic initiatives.”

Skadden’s has 24 offices worldwide.

Obama Nominates 3 to District Court Bench

Erik Even — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:25:49 +0000

In more Obamanomination news, the President has nominated three California lawyers to the United States District Court bench.

Edward Chen has been nominated for the US District Court for the Northern District of California. Chen currently serves as a US Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. He was a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, Northern California Chapter. His law degree is from the UC Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law.

Dolly Gee has been nominated to the US District Court for the Central District of California. She is a managing partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Schwartz Steinsapir, where she practices labor and employment litigation. She received her JD from the UCLA School of Law.

Richard Seeborg has been nominated to the US District Court for the Northern District of California. He is currently a US Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California, and previously worked at Morrison & Foerester, in both Palo Alto and San Francisco, where he was an equity partner. Seeborg also served as an Assistant US Attorney in San Jose, California. His JD is from the Columbia University School of Law.

The 94 United States district courts are the general trial courts of the US federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty.

Obama Nominates 4 for US Attorney

Erik Even — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:55:05 +0000

On Friday, President Obama nominated four lawyers as United States Attorneys.

Daniel Bogden was nominated for the District of Nevada. He is a partner at McDonald Carano Wilson. He was previously US Attorney for the District of Nevada; Reno Division Chief in the US Attorney’s Office; and an Assistant US Attorney and member of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. His JD is from the University of Toledo College of Law.

University of Toledo College of Law was nominated for the District of Nebraska. She is president of Gilg Kruger & Troia in Omaha. She is also the Saunders County, Nebraska Attorney. Her JD is from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Timothy J. Heaphy was nominated for the Western District of Virginia. He is a partner at McGuireWoods, and was an Assistant US Attorney for the District of Columbia, and a Deputy Managing Assistant US Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. His JD is from the University of Virginia Law School.

Peter F. Neronha was nominated for the District of Rhode Island. He is an Assistant US Attorney, and served in the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General as Special Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General. Neronha graduated from the Boston College Law School.

Obama Picks Union Lawyers for Merit Systems Board

Erik Even — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:16:35 +0000

The Obama administration has tapped two union lawyers for the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Susan Grundmann is nominated for chairperson. She is general counsel to the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents 100,000 federal workers. She was previously general counsel to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Her JD is from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Anne Wagner is nominated for vice chairperson. She is general counsel to the Personnel Appeals Board of the Government Accountability Office. She was previously a lawyer for the American Federation of Government Employees. Her JD is from the George Washington University School of Law.

The positions require Senate confirmation.

The Merit Systems Protection Board is an independent quasi-judicial agency established to protect Federal merit systems against partisan political and other prohibited personnel practices and to ensure adequate protection for federal employees against abuses by agency management.

Obama’s Lawyers Make $172,000 or Less

Erik Even — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:41:47 +0000

The Obama administration has released salary information for its 46 staff lawyers.

The highest paid is Gregory B. Craig, whose tiles are Assistant to the President and Counsel to the President. The Yale Law School graduate, who held the same position in the Clinton administration, pulls down $172,200 per year.

Rounding out the top five:

Virginia R. Canter, Counsel: $163,940
Cassandra Butts, Deputy Assistant and Deputy Counsel to the President: $158,500
Nancy-Ann E. DeParle, Counsel to the President, Office of Health Car Reform Director: $158,500
Mary B. DeRosa, Deputy Assistant and Deputy Counsel to the President: $158,500

Those lowest paid, such as Director of Counsel Operations Matthew R. Kennedy, make $62,000 a year.

Obama Taps Biglaw Attorneys for Ambassadorships

Erik Even — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:20:09 +0000

The Obama administration has recently tapped three Biglaw bigwigs for ambassadorships.

Howard Gutman, a partner at Williams & Connolly, was nominated to be ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium. He helped raise at least $500,000 for Obama’s campaign. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

Last month, Williams & Connolly partner Laurie S. Fulton was chosen to be ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark. She raised $200,000 for Obama. Fulton holds a JD magna cum laude from Georgetown University.

Washington, DC-based Mayer Brown partner Mark Gitenstein was nominated to be ambassador to Romania. He was the early favorite to head the Office of Legal Policy at the Justice Department, until controversy over his past as a lobbyist for the US Chamber of Commerce put him out of the running. Gitenstein was also once a Senate staffer for Vice President Joe Biden. Gitenstein holds a JD from Georgetown University.

Obama Ex-Strategist Berman Joins Bryan Cave

Erik Even — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:19:10 +0000

Obama campaign strategist Jeff Berman has joined the DC office of St. Louis, Missouri’s Bryan Cave.

Berman is part of Bryan Cave’s new 25-member public policy & governmental affairs group. The group is made up of Bryan Cave Strategies LLC, the firm’s pre-existing government affairs affiliate, as well as the firm’s election law practice and Powell Goldstein LLP’s public policy practice.

Berman served as the national delegate director for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

Until 2004, Berman served as a longtime adviser to former House of Representatives Democratic Leader and two-time presidential hopeful Dick Gephardt from Missouri.

Berman also has experience in private practice, working at Winston & Strawn’s DC office from 1995 until 2003.

Like Obama, Berman is a Harvard Law grad, earning his JD in 1982.

Justice Nabs Four from Jenner & Block

Erik Even — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:28:20 +0000

From The BLT:

Jenner & Block managing partner Thomas Perrelli, nominated as associate attorney general, is not the only Jenner lawyer leaving for the Obama Administration. The firm has just announced that Donald Verrilli, co-chair of the firm’s appellate and Supreme Court practice, will become associate deputy attorney general.

The veteran Supreme Court advocate has argued telecom, business and pro bono death penalty cases with equal skill over the years…

Also departing Jenner, according to the firm’s announcement, are litigation partner Brian Hauck, who will be counsel to the associate attorney general, and Ginger Anders, who will be an assistant to the solicitor general.

Jenner & Block has offices in Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC. Over 450 attorneys serve a wide range of clients in corporate litigation, business transactions, and in the public sector.

Via The BLT.

Bradley Arant to Town: Gotta Spend Money to Make Money

Erik Even — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:17:10 +0000

Pelham, Alabama City Council members have approved a one-year contract tonight for professional legal services to assist city leaders with finding and obtaining state and federal grant money.

Members unanimously approved an agreement with law firm Bradley Arant Rose & White, which recently became Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, for $7,000 a month.

Council members want professional help applying for projects through President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. They will also use the law firm’s expertise to find out about other state and federal grants for city projects.

Council members believe the law firm’s experience assisting other cities with securing grants from Montgomery and Washington, DC, may also save money on projects and improvements.

Bradley Arant will also represent the four county schools in the city limits of Pelham and help obtain school improvement grants.

Obama Hires Am Law 100′s Top Legal Earners

Erik Even — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:46:54 +0000

The American Lawyer reports that new Obama administration appointees Eric Holder Jr., Jeh Johnson, Ronald Kirk and Tom Vilsack raked in the cash while working for Am Law 100 firms.

Holder, Obama’s nominee for attorney general, made $3.3 million at Covington & Burling last year… [he] stands to earn between $1 million and $5 million from Covington as part of a separation agreement with the firm. Holder also will receive a repayment of anywhere between $500,000 and $1 million from Covington’s capital account… If confirmed as AG, Holder’s annual salary would be $196,700…

…prospective Defense Department general counsel Jeh Johnson of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, earned $2.6 million last year as a litigation partner at the firm. Like Holder, Johnson will receive severance of between $1 million and $5 million…

Obama’s nominee for U.S. trade representative, former… Vinson & Elkins partner Ronald Kirk, received $556,740 from his firm last year… the firm will pay him a $150,000 bonus and other accrued benefits, which… includes an outstanding $80,000 partnership share.

…Vilsack, who made partner at Dorsey & Whitney shortly before [becoming] Obama’s nominee for secretary of agriculture… earned $300,000 from his firm last year.

Looks like everyone’s going down a pay grade.

Read the complete story. Also here.

Anti-Choice Groups Fear An Obama Administration

todd — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:29:32 +0000

The announcement of Obama’s administration is helping abortion rights supporters feel optimistic, while unnerving “pro-lifers.”

Thursday is the 36th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Pro-choice groups see President Barack Obama as an ally of the Democratic leadership in Congress, and feel that they will likely ease restrictions on federal funding, broaden family-planning programs, and install federal judges who support the right to choose.

Anti-choice activists feel they have taken several political setbacks as a result of the Obama election. They are encouraging the Republican minority to filibuster if necessary.

“The alignment of a hard-core pro-abortion president with pro-abortion Democratic majorities in Congress means that many existing pro-life policies are now in great jeopardy,” said Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee. “Some damage is inevitable, but the extent to which the Obama abortion agenda will be achieved will depend on the perception of elected policy-makers as to how the public is responding to the proposed changes.”

Neal Gerber Fires Attorneys

Erik Even — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:24:41 +0000

Chicago’s Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, a 200-lawyer firm specializing in real estate, litigation and mergers & acquisitions, has cut attorneys following annual performance reviews.

The firm this month cut ‘fewer than 10 attorneys’ across various practice groups, according to Jerry Biederman, the firm’s managing partner. He should hire a second grader who can actually count to ten, so we can know how many people got axed.

Biederman left open the possibility that the firm may have to make additional cost reductions if the economy continues to sour and negatively impacts law firm work. But the new Obama Administration’s proposed stimulus could accelerate companies’ disposal of real estate and other assets, and thereby boost transactional work.

The Obama Administration and its legislative priorities may also spur more work for law firms in practice areas related to healthcare law and labor unions and organizing, Biederman said.

Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, another Chicago firm with about 200 attorneys, said last week that it was cutting 10 attorneys, including five income partners and five associates.

Via Law.com.

Former Patent Czar Joins Whiteford Taylor

Erik Even — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:01:46 +0000

The Clinton-era head of the US Patent & Trademark Office has joined Baltimore’s Whiteford, Taylor & Preston.

Bruce A. Lehman, previously of counsel to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, is now of counsel to Whiteford in the firm’s global and technology & intellectual property groups.

“[Lehman's] extensive service in the last Democratic administration makes him uniquely qualified to advise clients about how the intellectual property landscape may change under the Obama administration,” said Steven Tiller, co-chairman of Whiteford’s technology & intellectual property practice.

Lehman was assistant secretary of commerce and commissioner of the Patent Office from 1993 to 1998. He helped to negotiate two controversial international intellectual property treaties as the leader of the US delegation at a 1996 meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

He was named Lawyer of the Year by The National Law Journal in 1994, and has been recognized by several other groups and legal publications.

At Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, Lehman will advise clients on domestic and international intellectual property law and on public policy and law.

Duke law professor James Boyle, an expert in intellectual property, has claimed that Lehman threatened to “destroy” him following the publication of an anti-whitepaper piece in the Washington Times criticizing the “Intellectual Property and the National Information Infrastructure” whitepaper, written by the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights.

Via Law.com.

Illinois Legislature to Consider Blagojevich Impeachment

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:01:40 +0000

The speaker of the Illinois house is convening a special panel to determine if Governor Rod Blagojevich should be impeached on corruption charges.

Also, an internal review by the Obama transition team concluded there was no improper contact between the President-elect’s camp and Blagojevich’s office. Blagojevich is accused of trying to barter Obama’s vacated US Senate seat for political and personal favors.

Blagojevich was charged Dec. 9 with trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama. The governor also was charged with trying to force the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial page editors who opposed him, in exchange for help with the sale of properties by the company, which entered bankruptcy protection last week.

In recent days Republican operatives have speculated publicly, without evidence, about the role Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s incoming chief of staff, may have played in hypothetical negotiations over the disposition of the Senate seat.

Persons speaking on Emanuel’s behalf have acknowledged that he discussed who might be appointed to the Obama seat, but insist that nothing untoward had taken place.

At a news conference last week, Obama said he had no dealings with Blagojevich about whom to appoint to the Senate. He also said his staff had not had any inappropriate contacts, but Obama ordered the internal investigation.

Meanwhile, at a televised news conference, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said he has formed a committee of senior legislators to examine whether Blagojevich should be removed from office.

Depending on the committee recommendation, the full House will decide whether to file impeachment charges, the speaker said. Madigan said the committee will work every day except holidays.

Blagojevich’s top aide, also charged in the scandal, resigned last week.

“We have given the governor six days to resign,” said Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who has frequently clashed with Blagojevich. Madigan’s daughter, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, has asked the state’s top court to rule that the governor is unable to carry out his duties, thus clearing the way for Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn to take over the post. Lisa Madigan is considered a potential candidate for governor.

GOP to Put AG Choice Through the Ringer

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:54:17 +0000

While no one expects the Senate to vote down the confirmation of Covington & Burling partner Eric H. Holder Jr. as the nation’s next attorney general. But key Republican lawmakers are signalling that they do not intend to make it easy.

From Legal Times:

While congressional leaders negotiated behind closed doors over proposed loans to Detroit automakers, several Republicans took the floor Wednesday and Thursday to discuss Covington & Burling’s Eric Holder Jr. They called for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., to delay the Jan. 8 confirmation hearing for Holder, who of late has been dogged by his involvement in pardoning fugitive financier Marc Rich in the waning hours of the Clinton administration.

But the comments from Republicans went further. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama questioned Holder’s fitness to be attorney general. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said he wanted to delve into Holder’s career in private practice. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma threatened to prevent a vote.

The likely motive behind the attacks on Holder is to extract concessions and compromises from the incoming Obama administration.

Holder was a deputy attorney general under Janet Reno in the Clinton Administration. If confirmed, he will be the first African-American attorney general.