JD Journal » Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges

Quinn Emanuel Will Launch Moscow Office with Pair from Dechert

rebneely — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:00:19 +0000

Quinn Emanuel announced in recent days it will launch an office in Moscow with senior litigation partners Ivan Marisin and Vasily Kuznetsov. Both join from Dechert; both joined Dechert’s Moscow office last year from Clifford Chance. The announcement comes less than two months after announcing plans to open a new office in Washington, D.C.

Marisin is a senior figure in Clifford Chance’s CIS practice; he became head of the firm’s Moscow litigation and arbitration practice in 1992, and was named local managing partner in 2000.

High-profile cases in which he has been involved include representing Bank of New York Mellon on a $22.5bn (£19.7bn) claim brought by the Russian Government, which was settled in 2009.

Kuznetsov, a national partner at Dechert, joined Marisin’s team at Clifford Chance in 2002, and they jointly represented Russian uranium seller Tenex on a $1bn (£633m) arbitration in Stockholm in 2007.

Quinn Emanuel managing partner John Quinn was quoted as saying in the October 19th legalweek.com article, “Quinn Emanuel set for Moscow with hire of ex-CC duo from Dechert”: “We see Moscow as a key source of work for both our practices in London and the US and we are very excited that Ivan and Vasily have agreed to help us exploit the opportunities that Russia presents to the west. We are fundamentally a trial firm, and Ivan, who is widely acknowledged as one of the most experienced and toughest advocates in Russia, is a like-minded individual who we are confident will contribute to our brand and practice internationally.”

London co-managing partner Richard East was quoted as saying: “These are very senior, very credible litigators, and we look forward to working with them. We expect there to be a lot of interaction between the London and Moscow offices as there are significant client synergies.”

It opened its first overseas office, in Tokyo, in 2007, followed by the London location in 2008 and an office in Mannheim, Germany in 2010. Most recently, Quinn Emanuel opened its doors in D.C. after landing a trio of Alston & Bird partners who specialize in litigating intellectual property cases before the International Trade Commission.

Quinn Emanuel managing partner John Quinn was quoted as saying in the October 19th amlawdaily.com article, “Quinn Emanuel Taps Dechert Pair to Launch Russian Office”: “Representing Russians and those with Russian interests is a big practice in London. Having an office [in Moscow] will assist us in representing those clients and raising our profile in the business and legal community in Russia.”

Quinn was also quoted as saying in the amlawdaily.com article: “There are a lot of other American and British firms there, but more focused on deal work. We see a real opportunity there.”

Founded in 1986, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a 500 plus lawyer business litigation firm – the largest in the United States devoted exclusively to business litigation.

No Bonuses at Jones Day

marvins — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:48:46 +0000

Jones Day, a leading international law firm based in Ohio, will once again forgo associate bonuses this year.

Joe Sims, a Jones Day partner, said in an email that Jones Day will not bow to industry pressure by providing bonuses. He explained that the associates at their firm are rewarded in different ways. “We don’t do bonuses. We did away with that several years ago. Most bonuses are tied to hours billed, which creates an artificial incentive-artificial in the sense it is separate from any particular client needs-to bill hours. We compensate our associates based on their overall contribution in all the aspects of their work, just as we do our partners.” Sims added that although Jones Day does not give bonuses, the firm provides merit raises to its associates.

Recently, other law firms such as Boies Schiller, Susman Godfrey, Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, Cahill Gordon & Reindell and Cravath, Swaine & Moore announced their year end bonuses. The bonuses in most firms range from $7,500 to $35,000. However, Boeis has moved well ahead with its $75,000 to over $200,000 bonus to its associates. Sims explained that even though Jones Day does not give out bonuses, their associates stay with the firm because it’s still making partners. In fact, Jones Day recently announced that the firm has 36 new partners in its various practices such as antitrust, trial practice, bankruptcy, merger and acquisitions–and even a couple or so in real estate.

Boies Schiller Leads the Bonus Race

marvins — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:54:38 +0000

Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, one of the nation’s premier law firms with over 200 lawyers, is now leading this year’s bonus race. The firm recently announced its market busting bonus schedule which will pay first year associates a bonus of $75,000 while senior associates take home over $200k. This bonus plan is head and shoulders above bonus schedules issued by the firm’s competitors in the legal industry. In the previous weeks, other law firms such as Susman Godfrey, Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, and Cahill Gordon & Reindell announced bonus schedules remarkably simmilar to the disappointingly low plan issued by Cravath, in which even the top associates will receive less than a first year Boies Schiller attorney. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise; last year Boies Schiller also bucked the trend and paid bonuses well above market rates.

Boies Schiller partner Philip Korologos explained that 2010 has been a productive year for the firm and that’s why they can afford to give such bonus amount to its associates. “Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP is proud of its associates’ extensive contributions to the firm’s considerable accomplishments in what was a very busy year.”

According to the recent AM Law 100 financial data, Boies, Schiller & Flexner registered gross revenue of $296 million in 2009, which was 0.3% higher compared to its revenue in 2007. In 2009, the revenue per lawyer at the firm also hiked by 4.7%, closing it to $1.35 million.

Greenberg Taurig Open S.F. Office with Two Shareholders

joshua — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:29:46 +0000

Greenberg Traurig has opened an office in San Francisco, its fifth in California. The new office will have two managing shareholders — Samuel B. Shepherd and Kenneth Steinhal.

Shepherd, an IP and employment litigation attorney, was previously a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges. Steinthal’s practice focuses on trying cases in the music and broader media industries. He had been at Weil Gotshal & Manges since beginning his career in 1978.

Greenberg Traurig’s San Francisco office sits in 28,000 square feet of space at 153 Townsend St. It is expected to have 12 to 15 attorneys by month’s end. The firm entered California with the opening of its Los Angeles office in 2000. In addition to Los Angeles and San Francisco, the firm also has offices in Orange County, Sacramento and Silicon Valley and more than 200 attorneys in the Golden State.

Quinn Emanuel Reports Decline in Revenue & PPP in 2009

sara — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:32:32 +0000

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges reported a 6% decline in profits per partner for 2009 with the firm’s 388 partners averaging $3.1 million in profits. In 2008 Quinn Emanuel reported an average of $3.3 million in profits per partner. Revenues declined 5%, from $442 million to $420 million. Revenue per lawyer dropped from $1.1 million to $1 million.

William Urquhart believes the declines can be attributed to a lagging first quarter. After a packed final half of 2008, the firm saw billable hours suddenly drop as important cases were settled or concluded. Urquhart says the workload began to pick up in the second quarter of 2009.

Quinn Emanuel was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles with other offices in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, New York, Chicago, Tokyo and London. The firm has 400 lawyers and focuses on business litigation. In 2008 Quinn Emanuel had the third highest profits per partner in the Am Law 100.

Quinn Emanuel Defers Incoming Associates at Last Minute

Erik Even — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:24:46 +0000

At its San Francisco and Silicon Valley locations, law firm Quinn Emanuel is deferring half its incoming first year class to until January 2010. No deferral stipend or any other consideration has been announced.

Some, but not all, of the deferrals are voluntary. Less than ten incoming associates have been affected.

The firm waited to make the announcement until just six days before July’s California Bar Exam.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, with major offices in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and New York.

McKool Smith Hires 5 Lawyers in New York City

Erik Even — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:09:56 +0000

McKool Smith, which brought on two new partners in March, has now hired five attorneys for its New York office.

Eric P. Berger joins from Quinn Emanuel in New York. He handles intellectual property matters, including electrical engineering patent litigation. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, before graduating cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Virginia Iglesia joins from Greenberg Traurig in Miami. She graduated from Emory University School of Law and holds a master’s degree in communications from Florida International University.

John F. Petrsoric joins from Goodwin Procter. He graduated from Fordham University School of Law, and has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University.

Katherine B. Thornburgh joins McKool Smith from Howrey. She represents clients in government investigations, internal investigations, commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. She earned her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Benjamin J. Warlick joins from Paul Weiss. He handles patent and antitrust litigation. He has a JD from the New York University School of Law and a masters degree in electrical engineering from the University of California Berkeley.

McKool Smith has offices in Dallas, Austin & Marshall, Texas; plus New York City and Washington DC.

The Week in Law Firm Layoffs

Erik Even — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:26:37 +0000

This week in law firm layoffs:

Brownstein Hyatt: 15 lawyers, 22 staff

Chapman and Cutler: undisclosed lawyers

Quinn Emanuel: 10 staff

DLA Piper: estimated 32 lawyers

Willkie Farr & Gallagher: 24 undisclosed

Vedder Price: 9 lawyers

Townsend and Townsend and Crew: 16 lawyers, 45 staff

Bracewell & Giuliani: undisclosed staff

Baker & McKenzie: 38 lawyers, 86 staff

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek: 90 staff

Clifford Chance: 10 lawyers

Winstead PC: undisclosed lawyers

Bricker & Eckler: 9 lawyers, 19 staff

William Fry: 17 staff

Shipman & Goodwin: 5 lawyers, 21 staff

Total: 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

Confirmed: Layoffs at Quinn Emanuel

Erik Even — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:50:43 +0000

A JDJournal tipster informed us yesterday that Quinn Emanuel held layoffs at their Los Angeles office.

Today the firm confirmed that our tipster was reliable: Quinn Emanuel laid off 10 staff members in LA this week.

No lawyers were affected.

Quinn Emanuel’s revenues climbed 15% to $442 million in 2008, and profits per partner rose 11% to $3.34 million. I’m sure the laid off staff were happy to hear it.

The firm also laid off “a handful” of people in March.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, with major offices in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and New York.

Tipster: Quinn Emanuel Layoffs in Los Angeles

Erik Even — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:13:43 +0000

According to a JDJournal tipster, Quinn Emanuel held more layoffs at their Los Angeles Office yesterday.

There are no further details. The last rumored layoff was held last month, and there were no numbers released then as well.

If you know anything about the situation at Quinn Emanuel, please — send us a confidential tip!

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with major offices in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and New York.

The Week in Law Firm Layoffs

Erik Even — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:12:52 +0000

This week in law firm layoffs:

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher: 36 staff

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom: undisclosed lawyers, 50 staff

Bose McKinney & Evans: 10 lawyers, 15 staff

Clifford Chance: 24 lawyers

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge: 25 lawyers, 35 staff

Dechert LLP: 63 lawyers, 62 staff

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP: undisclosed

Saul Ewing: 7 lawyers, 7 staff

Goldberg Kohn: 9 lawyers, 14 staff

Wolf Block: 317 lawyers, undisclosed staff

Total this week: 455 lawyers, 219 staff.

Last week: 91 lawyers, 177 staff

The week before: 574 lawyers, 812 staff

Quinn Emanuel Holds Layoffs Today

Erik Even — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:05:32 +0000

Quinn Emanuel has confirmed it laid off “a handful” of people for lack of work today.

Rumors in the blawgosphere say six people were let go. The firm denied a rumor that up to 25 were sacked.

There are no further details available at this time. If you know anything about what’s going on at Quinn, send us an anonymous tip!

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with major offices in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and New York.

O’Melveny & Myers Sees Revenues, Profits Drop

Erik Even — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:44:21 +0000

Los Angeles-based O’Melveny & Myers announced that profits per partner were down more than 7% to $1.5 million. Gross revenues for 2008 were $908 million, an almost 3% drop from the prior year.

O’Melveny lost two high profile partners this winter. The co-head of restructuring, Michael Sage, joined Dechert in mid-January. And white collar practice group head James Asperger left O’Melveny for Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Olver & Hedges last week.

But the firm also recently announced that it had recruited Kenneth Wainstein, a white collar specialist and former homeland security adviser to the Bush administration. O’Melveny also added Dean Collins, a former director at private equity investor Actis, to the firm’s Singapore office.

Melveny & Myers LLP is the 19th largest law firm in the world, and lauded by Vault as one of America’s top twenty most prestigious law firms.

ATL: IP Partners Ankle Latham & Watkins

Erik Even — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:16:54 +0000

Tipsters are telling Above the Law that two intellectual property partners at Latham & Watkins are leaving, and setting up shop at Quinn Emanuel.

Sean Pak and Dave Nelson were both patent litigators at Latham.

ATL quotes a tipster:

This is on top of the NY IP partners all leaving last year. Expect several associates to follow. Right now LW has no IP practice in NY, and soon to have no substantial IP practice in Chicago. Rats leaving the sinking ship?

Quinn Emanuel confirmed that Pak and Nelson have joined the firm.

Via ATL.

Partners Come and Go at O’Melveny

Erik Even — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:32:34 +0000

James Asperger, head of the white-collar crime practice at Los Angeles-based O’Melveny & Myers, has left for Quinn Emanuel.

Kenneth L. Wainstein, former homeland security adviser to President George W. Bush, has joined O’Melveny in Washington.

Asperger, an assistant US attorney in Los Angeles from 1983 to 1993, joins LA’s Quinn Emanuel as a partner, and will be co-chairman of the firm’s white-collar group. He was at O’Melveny for 15 years.

Wainstein, who served as US attorney for DC from 2004 to 2006, is joining O’Melveny’s Washington office as a partner in the white-collar defense & corporate investigations group.

Last year, Wainstein was named homeland security adviser, coordinating the nation’s counterterrorism, homeland security, infrastructure protection and disaster response and recovery efforts.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP is the 19th largest law firm in the world. It employs 1200 attorneys in 14 offices worldwide.

Quinn Emanuel Had Great 2008; Revenue Up 15%

Erik Even — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:33:40 +0000

Revenue at 400-lawyer Quinn Emanuel Urquardt Oliver & Hedges was $441.9 million in 2008, up 15% from 2007.

Profits jumped 10% to $260 million last year. Profits per partner, already near the top of the Am Law 100 in 2007, rose 11% to $3.3 million.

Quinn Emanuel has 78 equity partners.

According to managing partner John Quinn, the firm was working flat-out for the first seven months of the year. Between May 1st and August 1st, Quinn lawyers racked up hours in 11 cases on trial. During that stretch, lawyers at the firm averaged 200 hours a month.

Among the firm’s major cases in 2008 were the Bratz copyright trial, in which Quinn Emanuel won a sweeping injunction on behalf of Mattel against MGA Entertainment; and a loss for the Italian company Parmalat, which had sought damages from Citigroup for its alleged role in a financial scandal. The firm also represented cell phone maker Nokia in a broad IP settlement with chip manufacturer Qualcomm.

Quinn says activity at the firm slowed during Q4 of 2008, as trials concluded.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with major offices in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and New York.

Quinn Emanuel Rewards High Billers

Erik Even — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:11:42 +0000

Los Angeles’ Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges has announced its 2008 associate bonuses:

The firm will be paying bonuses pursuant to the following schedule on December 23rd.

We greatly appreciate all your hard work this past year and wish you all very happy holidays…

Name partner John Quinn revealed, in a second memo, that his caps lock key is broken:

it is an amazing fact that of the 10 largest billing matters in 2008 thru the end of sept, 9 have finished or nearly so. these are the kinds of cases that you do not replace immediately.

this really shouldn’t be a cause for concern tho. our basic practice strategy–focusing on high end ip and financial litigation, trial work, being able to be adverse to financial institutions, etc–is clearly sound.

Above the Law spoke to several Quinn Emanuel associates, whose opinions varied on the fact that only lawyers without families, significant others, hobbies or the need to sleep got the best bonuses.

I’m in the top tranche! Good for Quinn for compensating the hardworking fairly!

Via Above the Law.

Client Sues Quinn Emanuel for Malpractice

Erik Even — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:52:08 +0000

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges is being sued over an allegedly botched $48.8 million settlement that netted the Los Angeles-based firm $12 million in contingency fees.

Former client Todd Kurtin filed the claim earlier this month in Los Angeles Superior Court. Kurtin accuses Quinn Emanuel of negligence for failing to advise him of “the meaning and ramifications of all terms of the settlement agreement” he reached with a former business partner, Bruce Elieff.

Under the 2005 settlement, Kurtin was to receive his payout in four installments, but, according to the complaint, wound up getting only two payments and is still owed nearly $23 million.

Kurtin is pursuing claims against Elieff for reneging on the settlement agreement.

Quinn Emanuel has received $12 million in fees for representing Kurtin over a four month period. A contingency agreement guaranteed to Quinn Emanuel half of any amount recovered, up to $20 million and 20 percent thereafter. That amount is equal to what Kurtin himself has gotten to date from the settlement.

Paul Kennerson, an attorney at San Diego’s Kennerson & Grant, is representing Kurtin in the malpractice claim.

Earlier this year, firm cofounder and managing partner John Quinn won a jury decision establishing Mattel’s rights to the Bratz line of skanky dolls for young girls, which was brought to market by another toy company.