JD Journal » Paul Hastings

Paul Hastings Helps the Enterprise Shuttle Land in New York

chelsei — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:45:13 +0000

When the Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise lands at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan over the next summer, Paul Hastings real estate partner Robert Wertheimer can say that he had a hand in the retired spacecraft’s arrival.

Wertheimer led a free Paul Hastings team representing the Intrepid Museum Foundation in the acquisition of Enterprise from NASA. The firm’s team is working on the matter also included the litigation partners Charles Patrizia and Robert Sherman, and real estate senior associate Nathalia Bernardo.

The Enterprise, who is now housed in a Smithsonian Institution hangar in Chantilly, Virginia, was the very first space shuttle that was built. It was completed way back in 1976 for flight tests but was never launched into space.

In the month of April, NASA announced that the museum would be one of the four institutions in the country to receive a space shuttle from its recently retired fleet. Bernardo says that the Paul Hastings team had actually begun preliminary work on the Intrepid’s bid to land the shuttle in the fall of 2010, and stepped up to those efforts after the April announcement. The Enterprise is scheduled to be opened up to the public viewing next summer.

The New York public radio station WNYC reported that the Smithsonian is donating the shuttles to their new homes completely for free, though ”some of the museums will have to pay for the massive costs of preparing and transporting them”–up to $42 million per each shuttle. The Intrepid Museum President Susan Marenoff-Zausner told WNYC that the Enterprise ”may cost significantly less to move that the others.”

Paul Hasting’s Wertheimer says that the transaction is very unique. ”Nasa,” says Wertheimer, ”has not been in the habit of getting rid of the things that they own.”

In addition to the hammering of the details of the transaction, the Paul Hastings team also had to work out all of the logistics of safely transporting the shuttle from Virginia to Pier 86 of the Hudson River Park on Manhattan’s West Side. This move will see Enterprise flown aboard a 747 in a ferry-flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport in the spring-time. The retired shuttle will now be taken by the barge up the Hudson River and lifted by a water-based crane to the flight deck of the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier, which is attached the the museum building.

Wertheimer says that Paul Hastings has been proving free counsel to the museum foundation for almost 15 years. Martin Edelman, who is the real estate of counsel at Paul Hastings, serves at the vice chairman on the Intrepid’s board.

The firm’s work from the past includes representing the museum in its 2003 acquisition of the decommissioned Concorde aircraft. ”So, when the shuttle came along, it was natural for them to look to us. And, we were happy to do it,” says Wertheimer.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:09:25 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, September 1st. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker added a biotech litigation team…

A 20 year veteran in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement left the government agency to be a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP…

Redgrave LLP, a new information law firm, opened three offices…

Paul Hastings Adds Biotech Litigation Team

joshua — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:13:13 +0000

Paul Hastings bolstered its litigation practice with partner Gerald Flatterman, formerly of Kirkland & Ellis, and of counsel’s Melanie Rupert and Chrstine Willgoos.

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.

Seyfarth Shaw Boosts Employment Practice on Both Coasts

joshua — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:05:34 +0000

Seyfarth Shaw has added a pair of partners to its labor and employment practice. In New York, Marjorie R. Culver comes over from Paul Hastings and in San Francisco, Eric M. Steinert has returned to the firm after serving an in-house stint the last three years.

Culver joins the firm’s international labor practice. She advises on a wide range of international employment matters in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America and is also the co-chair of the International Law Committee of the American Bar Association.

“Marjorie is a leading international employment lawyer, and her approach and extensive experience in a wide range of international matters are an excellent fit with our international employment law practice,” said Darren G. Gardner, , Chair of Seyfarth Shaw’s international labor & employment law practice.

Seyfarth Shaw’s New York office opened in 1979 and is home to more than 100 attorneys.

Steinert was a partner in Seyfarth’s Los Angeles office from 2003-2007, but left to serve as vice president and senior employment counsel for Wachovia Corp. He then became senior counsel of Wells Fargo in 2009 when the banks merged.

“[Steinert’s] practice touches upon nearly every type of employment matter from wage and hour litigation to traditional labor law,” said Lisa J. Damon, chair of Seyfarth Shaw’s labor and employment department. “Eric is truly a jack of all trades and his experience adds tremendous value to our firm.”

Steinert’s practice is focused on representing clients in the financial services industry, and he has represented financial services companies extensively in FINRA arbitrations, wage and hour class actions and single-plaintiff employment litigation.

Seyfarth Shaw’s labor & employment department consists of nearly 350 employment attorneys nationally.

Latham Adds Laterals in D.C., Houston

joshua — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:31:46 +0000

Latham & Watkins announced it has added lateral partners to its offices in Washington D.C. and Houston. Joining the firm litigation department in D.C. is partner Lawrence J. Gotts, who was previously with Paul Hastings. In Houston, Craig S. Kornreich joins as a partner in the firm’s finance department from Vinson & Elkins.

Gotts’ practice focuses on litigation and trial of intellectual property disputes, including patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright matters. He will join the firm’s global intellectual property litigation practice Group.

“Larry is a widely respected patent litigator with an outstanding reputation as a formidable trial lawyer,” said Eric Bernthel, managing partner of Latham’s D.C. office. “His background and trial experience have strong synergies with our practice, particularly in the aerospace, telecommunications, high-tech, consumer products, and medical device and life science sectors. His addition to the team signals another major step forward in the advancement of our cross-border patent litigation capab ilities.”

Kornreich’s practice focuses on representing arrangers and borrowers in syndicated bank financings within the energy sector, including MLP financings, sponsor backed acquisition financings, asset based lending facilities, first and second lien financings, and project financings.
Kornreich has particular experience representing parties involved in financings in the oil and gas sector, as well as participants in the power and renewable industry.
“Craig adds further strength to our energy industry practice through his product expertise, market experience and industry relationships,” said Michael Dillard, office managing partner of Latham & Watkins in Houston. “His specialized bank finance expertise in the oil and gas sector complements our transactional capabilities in Houston and more broadly our global energy practice.”
Latham & Watkins is a global law firm with approximately 2,000 attorneys in 30 offices around the world.

Paul Hastings Adds Nine Lawyers to Corporate Practice

joshua — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:03:22 +0000

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP announced that nine lawyers have joined the firm’s corporate practice in Chicago. The group of lawyers, which arrive from Greenberg Traurig and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, will focus on expanding the firm’s private equity practice.

The nine lawyers joining the firm are Ryan McLennan, Amit Mehta, Paul Quinn, Richard Radnay, Brian Richards, Chris Sheaffer, Kim Thompson Smith, Jim Smulkowski, and Jeff Terry.

“The arrival of these highly experienced corporate lawyers to the Chicago office is evidence of our commitment to deepen the breadth and scope of services we can offer our clients,” said Elizabeth Noe, chair of Paul Hastings Corporate practice. “This group strengthens our global private equity and mergers and acquisitions practices.”

McLennan, Mehta, Quinn, Radnay and Terry were all shareholders at Greenberg Traurig. Quinn chaired that firm’s corporate practice in Chicago. Richards, Sheaffer, Smith and Smulkowski were all formerly partners at Katten Muchin. Richards was co-chair of the firm’s private equity practice.

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

Haynes and Boone LLP Adds Three Attorneys to NY Real Estate Practice

joshua — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:12:03 +0000

Haynes and Boone, LLP has added three more attorneys to its New York real estate practice.

Stuart Mass joins as partner, and brings with him Of Counsel Noah Shapiro and Associate Siobhan Green. All three were previously with Paul Hastings in New York.

In the press release at the firm’s website, Steven Koch, a real estate finance partner among the seven joining Haynes and Boone in its first round of expansion was quoted as saying: “As our group grows and the economy improves, the opportunities for our clients and the practice will likewise grow. Stuart, Noah and Siobhan serve truly blue-chip leasing clients, so it is an exciting opportunity for Haynes and Boone.”

Stuart Mass devotes his practice to commercial real estate leasing transactions. He is routinely involved in several of the largest New York City leasing transactions each year, representing major landlords, and premier tenants.

Mr. Shapiro and Ms. Green focus on all aspects of commercial leasing transactions. As part of Mr. Mass’s client team they regularly represent the same top-tier clients.

Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm, providing a full spectrum of legal services. With almost 550 attorneys, Haynes and Boone is ranked among the largest law firms in the nation by The National Law Journal.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:02:05 +0000

Good Morning everyone! Today is Monday, February 22, and here’s a look back at Friday’s news…

Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels is suing WC&C for defamation…

A former Toyota lawyer claims the company destroyed evidence about rollovers…

Blank Rome posted increased revenues and profits last year….

The federal government and big tobacco are moving their fight to the Supreme Court…

A fomer US Attorney joined Sidley Austin…

A Washington Post article has people talking about Justice Obama…

Defense attorney for the suspect in the University of Alabama shootings says his client is legally insane…

Texas Governor Rick Perry is suing the EPA on behalf of his state…

Google gets hit with a class action law suit over privacy problems with Google Buzz…

Circulation for major Law Reviews is way down….

Paul Hastings had a drop in revenue and a drop in profits last year…

MoFo restores first year salaries to $160k…

and Dechert saw a drop in revenues and profits for 2009…

Revenue Drops at Paul Hastings

sara — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:35:16 +0000

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker reported that revenues fell to $889 million in 2009, a decrease of 9.8%. Profits per partner also decreased 1.4% from $1.9 million in 2008 to $1.87 million. Head count decreased by 13.7% last year and revenue per lawyer increased by 4.4%, from $930,000 in 2008 to $969,500 in 2009. Paul Hastings real estate practice was down almost 30% in 2009, with its New York Office suffering the largest decline. Litigation revenue for the firm increased in 2009.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker has more than 1,100 attorneys in 18 offices including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and Shanghai. The firm was founded in 1951.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:22:25 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, February 2, and here’s a quick peek back at yesterday’s headlines…

Ropes & Gray adds a former Assistant to the Solicitor General…

McDermott Will & Emery added one to its IP practice…

A forthcoming DoJ report will admonish but not sanction the lawyers who authored the “torture memos“…

UC San Diego is working on plans for a new law school…

DLA Piper hired Pfizer’s assistant general counsel…

Lateral moves were at a record high in 2009…

A Federal Court has ruled in favor of a blind law student trying to take the bar exam…

Jones Day has issued a memo in opposition to the NALP recruitment report…

Two more Paul Hasting lawyers moved to Haynes and Boone, bringing the total to six…

Chadbourne & Parke added one to its anti-trust practice…

Latham & Watkins added eight more from White & Case…

And Paul Weiss had record high profits in 2009…

Haynes and Boone Bolsters Real Estate Practice

joshua — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:24:39 +0000

Haynes and Boone has added six partners to its East Coast real estate practice. All six will be coming from Paul Hastings New York-based real estate finance and restructuring practices. Initial reports had the number at four, but two more have been confirmed to be making the move.

In a press release, Haynes and Boone described the action as “a major expansion of it East Coast real estate, finance and real estate restructuring practices.” Four of the six are focused on real estate finance. They are Kenneth Friedman, Robert Gracdos, Steven Kock and Walter Schleimer. The remaining two, Lawrence Mittman and Carolyn Sullivan, focus their practices on real estate restructurings.

Haynes and Boone said its goal is to expand its New York office to at least 100 lawyers over the next several years.

Haynes and Boone is an international corporate law firm with almost 550 attorneys. It has offices in Texas, New York, California, Washington D.C., Mexico City and Moscow.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:11:21 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, January 28, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s headlines…

President Obama took on the Supreme Court in last night’s State of the Union…

James O’Keefe’s lawyer says his client was not trying to bug Senator Landrieu’s phones…

Reed Smith picked up two corporate partners in New York…

Four partners jumped from Paul Hastings to Haynes & Boone…

Tipsters report staff layoffsat Brown McCarroll…

Read our pregame analysis of the State of the Union and see what we got right… and wrong…

Sidley Austin added an IP lawyer in San Francisco…

Gregory Craig returned to private practiceand has landed at Skadden…

Four Alston & Bird partners have jumped ship to open their own firm…

Baker & Daniels picked up a senior insurance lawyer….

A Hatian law firm has reopened amid the chaos…

Northwestern Law dovetails on a student loan program mentioned by the President in the SotU…

Scott Rothstein appeared in court and plead guilty yesterday…

McDonough ranks top in the nation on percentage of female partners…

and Boeing has a new chief counsel…

Four Partners move From Paul Hastings to Haynes & Boone

joshua — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:16:11 +0000

Four real estate partners in New York, including Steven Koch, the head of Paul Hastings real estate practice, have moved to Haynes & Boone. Bob Grados, Ken Friedman and Walter Schleimer round out the group.

There is some controversy surrounding the move, with Paul Hastings confirming that Grados, Friedman and Schleimer have left the firm but saying nothing about Koch, while Haynes & Boone have confirmed all four. Koch’s biostill appears on Paul Hastings roster but the other three have been removed, and none are listed yet at Haynes & Boone. This morning abovethelaw reported rumors that the four partners were asked to leave Paul Hastings, but now it appears they left voluntarily.

We will keep you posted as we learn more.

Firms Tighten up in Partnership Promotions

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

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

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

Tuesday Roundup

joshua — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:19:43 +0000

Monday was a slow news day. The biggest story of the day was one we wrote about on Friday thanks to a heads up from an anonymous tipster…

Cooley picked up three new partners in Palo Alto…

Dewey & LeBoeuf and Paul Hastings were involved in the Disney/Marvel deal…

and the Florida Bar will be screening the Facebook pages of some applicants….

Giant lateral moves from Marvel to Disney

joshua — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:12:55 +0000

In what has to be the largest industry merger of the year, Disney picked up 5000 new cartoon characters from Marvel Entertainment today. Peter Parker will head up a new urban justice practice group for Disney, while Professor Xavier will help Disney develop new talent.

In all seriousness, there is legal news to report here. Two familiar firms were involved in Disney’s purchase of Marvel. Disney was represented by outside counsel Dewey and LeBoeuf who have been involved in several other big deals for the Entertainment mega company. Dewey played a secondary role in the purchase of Pixar Animation Studios and also advised the company in the acquisitions of Capital Cities/ABC and Fox Family Worldwide (renamed now to ABC Family). Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, who previously represented Marvel in litigation involving intellectual property, was tapped by Marvel again to ensure the transferability of IP rights of all characters included in the deal.

K&L Gates Brings on Partners

Erik Even — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:39:32 +0000

Charles D. Holland joins K&L Gates from Morrison & Foerster as a partner in the Palo Alto office. He focuses on intellectual property matters. He has extensive experience in patent prosecution, portfolio review and strategic advice, ex-parte and inter-partes reexaminations, interferences, non-infringement and invalidy analyses and opinions, due diligence reviews for companies and investors, pre-litigation and litigation analyses and assistance, and design-around analyses and advice.

His JD is from the Santa Clara University School of Law.

Vincent Pisano joins from Paul Hastings as a partner in New York. He focuses on securities and mergers & acquisitions matters. He has significant experience representing corporations and investment banks in their public and private offerings, US & international transactions, initial public offerings, high yield debt offerings, special product development and leveraged buyout and other acquisition financings.

He is a graduate of the St. John’s University School of Law.

K&L Gates LLP is a US law firm with over 1700 attorneys worldwide, and is ranked as the 10th largest law firm in the world.

Paul Hastings to 2009 Summers: No Deferrals [UPDATE]

Erik Even — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:30:39 +0000

Although Los Angeles’ Paul Hastings has not finished informing this year’s Summer associates which ones will get job offers, the firm is promising the 70% to 75% who are accepted that they will start in Fall 2010, and will not be deferred.

Last year, the firm offered jobs to 90% if its Summer associates.

Founded in LA in 1951, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP is a leading international law firm with over 1,300 attorneys and 18 offices worldwide. Paul Hastings serves a diverse client base that includes many top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

UPDATE

In less than a day, Paul Hastings has reversed its position on deferrals for its Fall 2010 incoming class.

Paul Hastings will have some of its new associates start in the fall of 2010, but some new associates will start in the [sic] January 2011.

CA Attorneys Leave Public Life for Private Firms

Erik Even — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:23:55 +0000

Former Los Angeles, California City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo is joining Goodwin Procter as counsel. He still plans to run for state attorney general in 2010.

Delgadillo is joining the firm’s 400-attorney litigation department. He will work out of the firm’s Century City and downtown LA offices.

Meanwhile, US Attorney Thomas O’Brien will be step down from his post on September 1st, to join Paul Hastings. O’Brien led the prosecution of Missouri mother Lori Drew in the MySpace “cyber-bullying” case. He also oversaw a grand jury investigation of alleged molestation by priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Paul Hastings Hires IP Team from Skadden

Erik Even — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:51:45 +0000

Paul Hastings has hired a team of three IP attorneys from Skadden.

Jeff Randall joins Paul Hastings’ Palo Alto and Washington DC offices, as co-chair of the firm’s Global Intellectual Property Practice. He represents companies in multi-billion-dollar intellectual property cases. He earned his JD from the University of California Hastings College of Law.

Allan Soobert joins in Washington DC. He represents major technology companies in patent disputes before trial and appellate courts across the United States. His JD is from the Franklin Pierce Law Center where he was editor of IDEA, The Journal of Law and Technology. He received his LL.M in Intellectual Property from George Washington University Law School.

Jeff Pade also joins in Washington DC. He has represented clients in patent litigation matters before arbitration panels, federal district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. His JD is also from the Franklin Pierce Law Center.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1951, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP is a leading international law firm with over 1,300 attorneys and 18 offices worldwide. Paul Hastings serves a diverse client base that includes many top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

Shearman & Sterling Adds 3 Partners

Erik Even — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:53:46 +0000

Shearman & Sterling has hired on three new partners.

Antitrust litigator Edward B. Schwartz, formerly a Shearman & Sterling associate, returns to the firm from DLA Piper, where he was a partner and Chair of its US Antitrust & Trade Regulation Group. He is based in Washington, DC.

Michael D. Bednarek and Scott Doyle join, also in Washington, as co-heads of the IP Litigation practice. Bednarek joins from Paul Hastings; Doyle joins from Steptoe & Johnson.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is a law firm headquartered in New York City, with 19 offices located in major financial centers around the world. It was founded in 1873. As of 2006, it was the 17th largest law firm in the world as measured by 2006 annual revenue. Shearman & Sterling is a white shoe firm, the equivalent of the Magic Circle in the UK.

The Week in Law Firm Layoffs

Erik Even — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:00:30 +0000

This week in law firm layoffs:

Clifford Chance: 10 lawyers

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt: undisclosed staff

Simpson Thacher: undisclosed staff

Cravath: 25 lawyers

Paul Hastings: 25 staff

Miller Canfield: 16 lawyers, 9 staff

Total: 51 lawyers, 34 staff

Previously:

Week of June 7th: 81 lawyers, 61 staff, 85 undisclosed

Week of May 31st: 101 lawyers, 142 staff, 49 undisclosed

Week of May 24th: 66 lawyers, 119 staff

Week of May 17th: 40 lawyers, 118 staff

Week of May 10th: 274 lawyers, 499 staff

Week of May 3rd: 274 lawyers, 160 staff

Week of April 26th: 352 lawyers, 220 staff, 70 undisclosed

Week of April 19th: 61 lawyers, 184 staff

Week of April 12th: 67 lawyers, 50 staff, 115 unidentified

Week of April 5th: 144 lawyers, 310 staff

Week of March 29th: 199 lawyers, 474 staff

Week of March 22nd: 455 lawyers, 219 staff

Week of March 15th: 91 lawyers, 177 staff

Week of March 8th: 574 lawyers, 812 staff

Paul Hastings Hiring in LA, Firing Everywhere Else

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:38:38 +0000

Blawgs are reporting that Paul Hastings is cutting 25 staffers related to document production from several offices, including New York. Severance is being offered.

Document production is being centralized in Los Angeles, and some new positions will be created there. The laid off staffers are being encouraged to apply for the LA jobs, with relocation to be paid by the firm.

In March, the firm laid off 44 associates and 87 staff.

Foley & Lardner Brings on New Partners

Erik Even — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:06:37 +0000

Foley & Lardner announced two new hires this week.

Jeffrey Thrope joins in New York from Manatt Phelps & Phillips as a partner in the firm’s health care practice. He represents hospitals, nursing homes, public health facilities, not-for-profits, and other health care providers.

Etsuo Doi joins in Tokyo from Paul Hastings as a partner in the intellectual property practice. He will co-head the office with Michael D. Kaminski.

Foley & Lardner LLP is an international general practice law firm started in 1842 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It employs 1,000 attorneys, and is the 24th largest firm in the United States.

Paul Hastings Laying Off 44 Associates, 87 Staff

Erik Even — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:09:54 +0000

Paul Hastings is laying off 131 employees today.

From the official memo:

…today we have completed a regretted but necessary step of reducing our workforce in the United States by 44 associates and 87 staff. Based on our analysis, we believe at this time these economic reductions are sufficient to align these staffing levels to our current and anticipated client demand.

ATL: Paul Hastings Layoffs in L.A.

Erik Even — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:27:26 +0000

First LA’s Paul Hastings announced the layoff of 10 Atlanta associates.

Now tipsters tell Above the Law that the firm is holding stealth layoffs today at its Los Angeles HQ.

I just wanted to let you know that stealth layoffs are ongoing at Paul Hastings. Rumor has it that the grim reaper is making rounds to many offices [in California].

There are also rumors of layoffs in the firm’s Shanghai office.

If you know anything about layoffs at Paul Hasting, please send us a confidential tip!

Via ATL.

Breaking: Paul Hastings Lays Off 10 Associates in Atlanta

Erik Even — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:20:38 +0000

Tipsters tell Above the Law that Paul Hastings’ Atlanta office is going through a round of layoffs, and ten associates have been let go. That’s 15% of the associates in that office.

The firm told ATL:

As in previous years, there is some limited turnover taking place in our Atlanta office as part of our annual performance evaluation process, as well as from attrition.

And tipsters tell ATL that employees are upset there has been no official announcement.

Los Angeles’ Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP is a leading international law firm with over 1,300 attorneys and 18 offices worldwide.

Via ATL.

Breaking: Cadwalader to Sue Departing Partners

Erik Even — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:03:09 +0000

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft has threatened seven departing London partners with legal action for breaching their partnership agreement.

The partners, Karl Clowry, Conor Downey, Michelle Duncan, Justin Jowitt, Tom O’Riordan, Christian Parker and Charles Roberts, announced their mass walkout on January 14th. They are headed to rival US firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.

Through London firm Lewis Silkin, Cadwalader presented the team with letters before action, alleging that they have breached the confidence terms of their partnership deed.

Under British employment law, Paul Hastings may also be obliged take on more of the Cadwalader associates than originally anticipated. Cadwalader believes all of the associates connected to the departing partners are covered by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE).

There are currently 23 associates in Cadwalader’s London office and it is thought that more than half will follow the team of partners.

Seven Partners Walk Out of Cadwalader London

Erik Even — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:00:49 +0000

The London office of New York’s Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft has been rocked by the unnanounced mass walkout of seven partners to Paul Hastings.

The partners leaving the firm are Karl Clowry, Conor Downey, Michelle Duncan, Justin Jowitt, Tom O’Riordan, Christian Parker and Charles Roberts.

Although no reasons have been given for the defections, two possible motives are (1) plummeting profits for America’s oldest law firm and (2) the BBC picked a 26-year-old nobody to play the new Doctor.

The defections leave Cadwalader with just four partners in London. An insider told The Lawyer.com the move could prompt Cadwalader to shut down in London altogether:

It is understood that firm chairman Christopher White and former chairman Bob Link have flown to London from New York for crisis talks with the London partners.

Yesterday we reported Cadwalader’s 30% profit plunge, with profit per equity partner for 2008 dropping to an unliveable $1.88m.

If you have any inside info, please let us know. We’ll update this post as the situation develops.

Paul Hastings Associate Charged in Insider Trading Scheme

Erik Even — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:29:32 +0000

An associate of Los Angeles’ Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker was charged in a $4.8 million insider trading scheme involving a former Lehman Brothers representative and his wife, who worked at a public relations firm that had information on impending corporate deals.

Eric A. Holzer, 34, a Paul Hastings tax associate, was allegedly recorded discussing the scheme with Matthew C. Devlin, 35, of Lehman Brothers, whose wife, Nina Devlin, is a partner at the public relations firm Brunswick Group.

Matthew Devlin has already pleaded guilty in the case and is cooperating with prosecutors.

The criminal complaint against Holzer was one of three unsealed in the Southern District of New York, charging conspiracy and securities fraud.

An additional civil suit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission details illegal trading on 13 impending transactions that Mr. Devlin learned about from his wife.

Devlin allegedly referred to his wife as the “golden goose” for the information she provided, information the SEC said he used to curry “favor with his friends and business associates and received in return cash, luxury items and other benefits.”