JD Journal » Schiff Hardin

Schiff Hardin Adds Three Laterals from Foley & Lardner

joshua — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:31:49 +0000

Schiff Hardin has added two partners and an associate to its environmental group from Foley & Lardner. Joining the firm’s Chicago office are partners Russell B. Selman and Bradley S. Rochlen and associate J. Michael Showalter.

The trio focuses their practice in the energy sector, Schiff Hardin said in a press release.

“Schiff Hardin has long recognized that environmental issues often drive critical decision-making and business strategy,” said Gabriel M. Rodriguez, leader of Schiff Hardin’s Environmental group. “Our attorneys are some of the best in the country, and the addition of Russ, Brad and Mike further enhances our top-notch, nationally recognized practice.”

Selman’s nationally-recognized practice focuses on representing corporate, real estate and power generation companies in environmental disputes. Prior to entering private practice he was acting assistant enforcement counsel for the EPA in Washington D.C.

Rochlen is a litigator who represents corporate, real estate and power generation companies, including public utilities, in complex environmental disputes. He assists clients in prosecuting and defending hazardous waste control (Superfund) cases, RCRA cases and private cost recovery cases at some of the largest contaminated sites in the country.

Schiff Hardin LLP is a general practice law firm with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco, and Washington.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:59:20 +0000

Good morning everybody! Today is Friday, October 22nd. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

UK-based Simmons & Simmons, which cut off merger talks with U.S.-based Mayer Brown this summer, is still considering entering the U.S. market through a merger with a U.S. firm…

The partnership of Jones Walker re-elected William H. Hines as managing partner of the firm…

Schiff Hardin added three attorneys to its environmental practice…

Tracy E. Miller, a prominent health care lawyer, joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP…

Greenberg Traurig Attorney Nelson Migdal will lead distressed hotel symposium…

Eversheds was named Europe’s ‘Most Innovative’ law firm…

Schiff Hardin Adds Three Attorneys to Environmental Group

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:17:08 +0000

Schiff Hardin LLP has added three attorneys to the firm’s Environmental Group, with related practices specifically in the energy sector.

All three attorneys join from Foley & Lardner LLP’s Chicago office. Russell B. Selman and Bradley S. Rochlen join as partners, and J. Michael Showalter joins as an associate.

Russell (Russ) B. Selman’s nationally recognized practice focuses on representing corporate, real estate and power generation companies in environmental disputes. Clients choose Mr. Selman to handle their most complex and potentially expensive environmental matters. His work is known for a high degree of factual and technical understanding that he uses to gain very real advantages for his clients.

Bradley (Brad) S. Rochlen is a litigator who represents corporate, real estate and power generation companies, including public utilities, in complex environmental disputes. Mr. Rochlen assists clients in prosecuting and defending hazardous waste control (Superfund) cases, RCRA cases and private cost recovery cases at some of the largest contaminated sites in the country. He also has significant experience in Clean Water Act cases and toxic tort disputes.

J. Michael (Mike) Showalter is a litigator whose practice is focused on resolving complex environmental disputes. His past clients span diverse industries including manufacturing, mining, power generation and transmission, the financial and insurance sectors, and process outsourcing. While much of his current work focuses on disputes arising under federal statutes including CERCLA, RCRA, and the Clean Water Act, Mr. Showalter has significant experience representing parties involved in class action, toxic tort and regulatory litigation.

In a press release, Gabriel M. Rodriguez, leader of Schiff Hardin’s Environmental group was quoted as saying: “Schiff Hardin has long recognized that environmental issues often drive critical decision-making and business strategy. Our attorneys are some of the best in the country, and the addition of Russ, Brad and Mike further enhances our top-notch, nationally recognized practice.”

Schiff Hardin LLP is a national law firm with nearly 400 attorneys practicing out of seven offices nationwide — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. It is a general practice firm serving corporate clients in a number of practices within the United States, and around the world.

Schiff Hardin Cutting Costs to Avoid Layoffs

Erik Even — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:24:24 +0000

Chicago’s Schiff Hardin has announced it is taking steps to cut costs, in the hope of avoiding further layoffs.

From the memo, signed by managing partner Ronald S. Safer:

I know you have read with interest, and undoubtedly some trepidation, the news of law
firms slashing personnel, lawyers and staff alike. We have no intention of following that lead…

… We will curtail our summer associate program by shortening it to 8 weeks and making the program more content focused. We will delay the start date for our Fall Associates to January 1, 2010…

…we will eliminate this year’s Staff Appreciation Luncheon and Picnic. We will not have Holiday Parties this year. Similarly, the Attorney Dinner Dance will not be held this year. The Equity Partners’ Retreat will be replaced by a business meeting which will be held in Chicago. We will, however, hold our Service Recognition Luncheon for staff again this year…

… Associates, like Partners and Of Counsel Attorneys, will be responsible for 100% of the premium for health and disability insurance. We will continue to share this cost with members of our staff…

Finally, we are offering a Voluntary Early Retirement Option…

Thank you for your consideration and understanding.

The firm laid off some administrative staff in February.

Schiff Hardin employs more than 400 attorneys, practicing out of seven offices nationwide.

Schiff Hardin Lays Off Support Staff

Erik Even — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:38:39 +0000

Chicago’s Schiff Hardin cut some of its administrative staff this week, as a result of “increased technological efficiencies.”

Schiff Hardin dismissed 11 “unassigned floating secretaries” who were no longer needed at the firm, because there was not work for them to do as a result of “technological advancements,” said spokesperson David Milberg.

The firm, with 432 non-lawyer employees following the reduction, has about three to four lawyers assigned to each secretary.

Schiff Hardin, which notified all employees of the cuts today, said the economic downturn didn’t play a role in the workforce reduction.

Schiff Hardin has more than 400 attorneys practicing out of seven offices nationwide.

Revenue, Profits Up at Sidley Austin

Erik Even — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:20:41 +0000

Chicago’s Sidley Austin saw revenue grow by 7% in 2008, while profits increased 4%.

The firm brought in $1.489 billion in revenue, up from $1.386 billion in 2007. Profits per equity partner reached $1.43 million.

The firm’s overall head count grew from 1,651 to 1,702, with revenue per lawyer also growing from $840,000 to $875,000. Equity partners remained static at 332, while the nonequity ranks increased from 294 to 310.

In October Sidley saved six partners from the collapsed Heller Ehrman. In March, the firm hired a six-partner private equity team from Chicago’s Schiff Hardin.

Sidley Austin LLP, formerly Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, is one of the oldest law firms in the world. It is the sixth largest US-based corporate law firm with over 1,800 lawyers, and offices in 16 cities worldwide.