JD Journal » washington

Willkie Farr & Gallagher Adds Two Partners to Private Equity Practice

rebneely — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:56 +0000

In recent days, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP announced that Neil W. Townsend and David B. Cosgrove joined the firm as partners.

Townsend and Cosgrove will practice in the Corporate and Financial Services Department and Private Equity Practice Group in the New York office.

Willkie Co-Chairman Steven Gartner was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “The firm continues to enjoy a very successful expansion of our private equity practice. The addition of top talent such as Neil and David helps further our leading position in this area.”

Neil Townsend was quoted as saying in the same press release: “We were drawn to Willkie by the strength and sophistication of their platform, and by their great history, representing buyout funds in the competitive New York and global markets. We are very excited to get started.”

Both Townsend and Cosgrove were formerly partners in Bingham McCutchen’s Private Equity Practice Group. Each represents private equity funds and other financial sponsors and hedge funds in the structuring, negotiation, financing, implementation and restructuring of leveraged buyouts and other investments. In addition, they represent public and private companies in strategic acquisitions, dispositions and securities transactions, as well as in a wide variety of joint venture, capital raising and restructuring transactions.

Founded over 120 years ago, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP was on principles that still distinguish the practice today, including integrity, innovation, pragmatism, flexibility and intellectual agility. These principles enable the firm to constantly meet the dynamic business needs of clients.

Willkie has over 630 attorneys in addition to support staff across eight offices in the U.S. and Europe, including New York, Washington, Paris, London, Milan, Rome, Frankfurt and Brussels. Our practice is globally integrated, yet it enables international offices to function independently in order to deliver the most appropriate localized legal services to our clients—from the Fortune 500 to the pro bono community causes we regularly represent.

The firm’s corporate transactional attorneys have access to expertise in a wide variety of areas including tax, regulatory, real estate, antitrust, bankruptcy, intellectual property, ERISA, litigation and environmental matters.

The firm’s Corporate and Financial Services Department offers clients high-quality services that cover all aspects of corporate and financial transactions, including purchasing and selling businesses and companies, raising capital, and implementing other corporate and commercial transactions. The firm is able to offer these services by combining specialized practice groups with general practitioners who have a broad perspective of business and legal matters.

Willkie’s Corporate Practice covers all facets of private equity transactional activities including mergers and acquisitions, direct equity investments, PIPEs, debt (bank, high yield and mezzanine) finance, dispositions, restructurings, recapitalizations, “club” deals, joint ventures and management compensation issues.

Recognized in the 2010 editions of Chambers USA, Chambers Europe and Chambers Global as having one of the leading private equity transactional practices in the United States and Europe, Willkie is regularly recognized as being among the foremost private equity deal counsel both domestically and internationally.

K&L Gates Adds Partners in Brussels and Washington, D.C. Offices

rebneely — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:51 +0000

In recent days, global law firm K&L Gates LLP added Jeroen Smets as a corporate partner in its Brussels office. In addition, Fatima S. Sulaiman joined as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. investment management, hedge funds and alternative investments practice. Prior to her joining as a partner, she practiced from 1997 to 2009.

Smets, who joins K&L Gates from Taylor Wessing LLP, advises clients on a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and structured and leveraged finance transactions, with a focus on management buyouts and acquisition finance. He has practiced in Brussels for over fifteen years.

Martin Lane, K&L Gates’ Managing Partner, Europe was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “We are delighted that Jeroen has joined our growing Brussels office. His experience and deal track record will add a further dimension to our transactional practice there, which assists international businesses and institutional investors seeking to grow their operations in Belgium.”

Smets was quoted as saying: “It is a unique opportunity for me to join K&L Gates’ success story and strengthen the corporate and regulatory team in Brussels. The resources this firm can mobilize across the globe are impressive and the integrated corporate and M&A practice is recognized as one of the legal industry’s leading practices. It is a very exciting prospect to be able to be part of the further development of the practice in Belgium and internationally and to provide a first class service to our clients through this platform.”

Smets is the second new partner to join K&L Gates’ Brussels office. In recent months, Flavia Distefano joined as a competition and regulatory partner.

Sulaiman advises clients, including investment companies and advisory firms and independent directors, on a variety of transactional, regulatory, and compliance matters. These include mergers and acquisitions, fund reorganizations, contract advice, federal securities law disclosure, and compliance program review and development.

David T. Case, Administrative Partner of K&L Gates’ Washington, D.C., office was quoted as saying: “Fatima’s experience in the financial services sectors will be a tremendous asset to K&L Gates’ clients. We’re delighted to have her back.”

Global law firm K&L Gates has over 1900 lawyers practicing out of 38 offices located in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and represents numerous GLOBAL 500, FORTUNE 100, and FTSE 100 corporations, in addition to growth and middle market companies, entrepreneurs, capital market participants and public sector entities. The firm has seven practice areas, which are Corporate and Transactional; Energy, Infrastructure and Resources; Financial Services; Intellectual Property; Litigation and Dispute Resolution; Real Estate; and Regulatory and Policy.

It is ranked as the ninth largest law firm in the United States by the National Law Journal. The firm is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Law Firm Kirkland Ellis Commits $2.75 Million to Stanford Law School to Fund Scholars’ Program and Annual Forum

rebneely — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:03:04 +0000

Stanford Law School recently announced law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP has committed $2.75 million over five years to the law school. The funds, which were made possible through the firm’s foundation and through individual partners’ contributions, will fund a scholars program, honoring the law school’s top first-year students, as well as a yearly forum on important legal issues for students, alumni, and the Bay Area business and law community.

Stanford Law School Dean Larry Kramer was quoted as saying in a press release at Kirkland Ellis’s website: “This generous support from Kirkland & Ellis will enable Stanford Law School to continue to transform legal education and prepare the next generation of leaders through innovative, interdisciplinary and international programs, new and expanded forms of clinical education, and a renewed commitment to public service.”

The newly established Kirkland & Ellis Scholars Program will recognize first year law students who have performed at the very highest level. Each year, six first-year students will be designated Kirkland & Ellis Scholars, based on overall scholastic achievement across a variety of courses. Now, students may win awards in individual courses. These awards, known as “book prizes,” will help determine who among the first-year class deserve recognition with the highest honor, the Kirkland & Ellis Scholar designation. The award is unique at the law school.

Kramer was quoted as saying of the program: “The Kirkland & Ellis Scholar designation symbolizes the highest standard of achievement. It is an honor that students will covet and it will benefit them in their pursuit of career and public service goals.”

The Kirkland & Ellis Law Forum offer panel discussions and symposia on emerging legal issues of interest to the business community. Stanford Law School faculty, Kirkland & Ellis attorneys and other legal and business thought leaders from academia, private practice, government, and the public sphere will participate in the discussions.

Jeffrey C. Hammes, Chairman of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee was quoted as saying: “We’re very pleased to support Stanford Law School and excited about these new programs. The opportunity to recognize student excellence and to provide a forum for sharing thought leadership on emerging matters that may challenge and reshape the business and law community fit well with Kirkland & Ellis’s culture and mission.”

Established in 1893, Stanford Law School is one of the nation’s leading institutions for legal scholarship and education, and has worked to establish a new model for legal education that focuses on rigorous interdisciplinary training, hands-on experience, global perspective and focus on public service. The Law School employs more than 50 faculty and hosts over 500 students who are working towards their Juris Doctor (J.D.) or other graduate legal degrees.

Global law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP has over 1,500 attorneys, representing clients in a broad range of matters, including complex litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, and corporate mergers and acquisitions. The firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.

Baker Botts Announces 13 New Partners

rebneely — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:53:29 +0000

The law firm of Baker Botts announced in recent days that thirteen lawyers will become partners in the firm, beginning in January 2012.

Managing Partner Walt Smith was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “These new partners represent a diverse group with exceptional legal skills. They will add depth to our practice throughout the firm.”

New partners in the Washington office will be Bill Foster in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice, Adam Haubenreich in the Corporate practice, and Jeremy Levin in the Litigation practice. In the firm’s Austin office, Paula Heyman will become a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice. In the firm’s Houston office, new partners include Hillary Holmes in the firm’s Corporate practice, Lisa Kelly in the Intellectual Property practice, Russell Lewis in the Litigation practice, Shalla Prichard in the Corporate practice, and Denmon Sigler in the Global Projects practice. In the firm’s Palo Alto office, Brian Lee will become a partner in the Corporate practice. Jessica Pulliam and Jonathan Rubenstein will both become partners in the firm’s Litigation practice in the firm’s Dallas office. Finally, Sergei Stepanov will become partner in the firm’s Corporate practice in Russia.

Bill Foster focuses his practice on patent counseling and related litigation and prosecution matters, with an emphasis in providing infringement/invalidity analyses; preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications; and assisting in all aspects of patent litigation, including appellate practice.

Adam Haubenreich concentrates his practice on corporate law, with an emphasis on securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.

Jeremy Levin concentrates his practice on corporate investigations, white collar criminal defense, and complex civil litigation. Among other areas, he has represented companies and individuals in Justice Department, SEC, and congressional investigations, governmental enforcement actions.

Paula Heyman is experienced in litigating patent and technology disputes in both Texas and in federal courts around the country. Previous representations have involved computer systems, database management software, medical devices and neural network technology.

Hillary Holmes handles a broad variety of corporate and securities work, with a focus on corporate and securities matters and mergers and acquisitions. She has extensive experience in capital markets transactions (including public and private offerings of debt and equity securities by corporations and master limited partnerships), mergers and acquisitions, private equity financing, Exchange Act reporting and SEC compliance.

Lisa Kelly focuses her practice on a variety of areas of intellectual property law, including patent litigation and prosecution, and works primarily on cases involving patent and trademark infringement in the fields of mechanical and electrical devices and computer systems.

Russell Lewis focuses his practice in the areas of product liability, commercial litigation, toxic tort and personal injury law. He has significant experience representing clients regarding product liability claims, including allegations of negligence, breach of warranty and manufacturing and design defects.

Shalla Prichard counsels borrowers, financial institutions and other institutional investors in senior and subordinated debt, acquisition financings, asset-based lending and equipment and project financings.

Denmon Sigler focuses her practice on complex commercial and financial transactions in the energy industry, including the alternative energy market, and on M&A, joint ventures and project development, among other sophisticated transactional matters.

Brian Lee represents public and private companies and private equity firms in merger and acquisition transactions, and he advises issuers and investors in equity and debt offerings, venture capital financings and other transactions.

Jessica Pulliam focuses her practice on a wide variety of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country, litigating disputes involving accounting and legal malpractice, securities fraud and intellectual property.

Jonathan Rubenstein’s trial practice includes a broad range of commercial, intellectual property, securities and personal injury defense cases. He regularly provides representation in a variety of industries, including the telecommunications and energy industries.

Sergei Stepanov focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, energy, mining and real estate transactions. He represents major Russian and large multinational companies in Russia and several CIS countries – mainly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan – on a variety of projects.

With over 725 lawyers and a network of 13 offices around the globe, Baker Botts is an international law firm recognized as a leader in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. The firm was established 170 years ago.

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.

High Profile SEC Commissioner Roel Campos Joins Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell

rebneely — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:28:10 +0000

Former SEC Commissioner Roel Campos has joined Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell’s Washington, D.C., office as the National Chair of the Firm’s Securities Regulation and Enforcement Practice.

In this role, he will continue to advise corporate boards, executive teams and fund managers regarding raising capital, governance and strategic transactions. In addition, he will be part of the firm’s national White Collar/Internal Investigations Practice Group.

According to the press release at the firm’s website, while serving as a Commissioner at the SEC, Campos represented the SEC internationally and was selected by other international regulators as the Vice Chair of the Technical Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions. He has worked with securities regulators in Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia, and also helped develop international auditing and account standards as Chair of the SEC’s Monitoring Group for the setting of International Standards of Audit. As a Commissioner, Campos also evaluated scores of securities enforcement cases involving allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duties.

Campos was recently honored by President Obama by being selected as a member of the Presidential Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB), an independent citizens advisory board. He previously served on the President Elect’s Economic Advisory Board to the Transition Team.

Firm Chair Jerry Clements was quoted as saying: “Roel brings to this Firm a stellar reputation and an established international track record in the legal and leadership arenas. He will help us strategically grow our national white collar and litigation practices and will work with Partners across Locke Lord to provide clients with unparalleled insight into today’s financial, securities, banking and capital markets areas.”

Global law firm Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP consistently ranks among American Lawyer’s top 100 U.S. law firms and employs nearly 650 attorneys, who serve clients in over thirty practice areas.

Global Law Firm K&L Gates Adds Retired U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon to D.C. Office

rebneely — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:51:10 +0000

Retired U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon has joined K&L Gates LLP as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. based public policy and law practice.

From 2007 to 2010, Gordon served as Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology. He was also a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and served on the Financial Services, Budget, and Rules Committees.

Having spent 26 years in Congress, Gordon possesses significant experience and deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory process that will enable him to advise clients on a wide range of matters, including innovation and technology-related issues, including clean technology, nanotechnology, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and nuclear energy.

Peter J. Kalis, K&L Gates Chairman and Global Managing Partner was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Bart’s Committee service in the House was extraordinary by any measure and will add considerably to our policy practice’s capabilities in the technology-dense 21st Century and especially in the energy sector.”

Among Gordon’s numerous and notable achievements during his congressional career include his 2007 support of the landmark legislation, America COMPETES Act, which encourages federal investments in innovation in order to make the U.S. more competitive. Additionally, in 2010 he was instrumental in the passage of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. Gordon was consistently a strong supporter for nanotechnology, and played a large role in developing and passing the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, which encouraged the federal government to promote the transfer of nanotechnology breakthroughs from laboratories to commercial products. Gordon also has extensive working relationships throughout the European Union.

Gordon joins 50 plus other lawyers and policy professionals in K&L Gates’ bipartisan public policy and law practice, which is among the five largest law and lobbying firms in the United States.

17 Howrey Attorneys Join Baker Hostetler

rebneely — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:22:29 +0000

Robert G. Abrams, former co-chair of Howrey’s Global Litigation Practice, along with 16 Howrey antitrust and environmental law attorneys have joined Baker Hostetler’s Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles offices.

Seven partners, four counsel and four associates possessing significant antitrust and environmental practice strengths will join the Firm in Washington, D.C. They include Robert G. Abrams, who will serve as the head of Baker Hostetler’s national antitrust practice, and the following individuals, who all join as partners: Gregory L. Baker, Robert J. Brookhiser, Gregory J. Commins Jr., Gilbert S. Keteltas, , Elizabeth B. McCallum and Terry L. Sullivan.

Joanne E. Caruso and Joanne Lichtman have joined the Los Angeles office as partners. They each have significant antitrust, commercial litigation and environmental experience.

National Executive Partner Steven Kestner was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website that: “The addition of Bob Abrams and this highly respected team is another significant step forward for Baker Hostetler’s Washington and Los Angeles offices, our Firm and our clients. These attorneys bring the experience and client relationships that complement and broaden our national litigation team as we deliver the highest quality legal counsel on the most complex and critical issues facing clients today.”

John F. Bruce, William T. DeVinney, Danyll W. Foix and Monica B. Lateef join the Firm as Counsel. Associates joining the Firm are Carey S. Busen, Evan M. Mannering, Bridget S. Merritt and Jocelyn R. Roy.

With over 700 attorneys, global law firm Baker Hostetler serves clients in such diverse industries as hospitality, healthcare, financial services, media, energy, sports and technology.

Jones Day Announces Plans for New Office in Boston

joshua — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:52:02 +0000

Jones Day will open a new office in Boston in January 2011.

In the press release at the firm’s website, Jones Day’s Managing Partner, Stephen J. Brogan, a graduate of Boston College and Notre Dame Law School, was quoted as saying: “We are privileged to have many strong client relationships in Boston and throughout New England. The Boston area is a leading center of new technology and continues to foster new business development and entrepreneurial spirit that is now bringing these companies to new markets around the globe. Our Boston Office will include some of our finest next generation talent, lawyers with distinguished academic and professional careers, who will be able to serve New England based clients backed up by the highest levels of legal capacity that the Firm has built up around the world. We look forward to more effectively serving our existing clients through a formal Boston presence, and becoming full participants in the vibrant business and cultural life of Boston and the region.”

Traci L. Lovitt, formerly an Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General and law clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, will serve as the Partner-in-Charge of the Boston Office.

Jones Day’s Boston Office will offer a full range of legal services, as well as Jones Day’s one firm worldwide access to its lawyers around the globe. The Firm expects there will be close to 20 lawyers in the office by the end of the first quarter in 2011. Among the first partners to join Ms. Lovitt in Boston will be Eileen Falvey and Lynn Coe. The Firmwide head of Jones Day’s Trial Practice, Thomas (Tim) Cullen, Jr., will divide his time between Boston and Washington.

Jones Day is a global law firm with over 2,500 lawyers, including more than 400 in Europe and 200 in Asia. With the openings in São Paulo and Boston, Jones Day will have 34 offices throughout the world.

Venable Adds Five Attorneys from Wilmer Hale to Real Estate Group

joshua — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:42:17 +0000

Venable has added five attorneys to its real estate group. The attorneys are partners Thomas Millspaugh, Brian Gurtman, and Patrick Lincoln, and associates Kamaal Jones and Joseph Creech.

They join from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.

Millspaugh will work out of Venable’s Washington and Baltimore offices. Lincoln will be based solely in Washington, and Gurtman will work out of the firm’s New York office.

The group advises clients on multi-state property deals and has provided counsel to several investment management firms on real estate matters. They also advise pension funds and other institutional investors, fund advisors, developers, corporate property owners and private equity investors.

With nearly 600 attorneys in offices across the country practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and regulatory and government affairs, Venable is one of America’s top 100 law firms.

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.

Goodwin Procter Named ‘Beacon of Justice Award’ Winner

joshua — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:21:25 +0000

Goodwin Procter was named the winner of the 2010 Beacon of Justice Award by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. The award honors law firms that have made significant contributions to pro bono representation in the area of immigration law.

Goodwin Procter was nominated for the award by Medical-Legal Partnership-Boston for its naturalization project, which provides legal assistance to families with permanent resident or “Green Card” status to become U.S. citizens. According to the firm, 25 Goodwin Procter attorneys have contributed more than 500 pro bono hours to the program, which was launched in 2009 in conjunction with MLP|Boston.

The program works like this: MLP | Boston screens individuals for eligibility for naturalization, selects cases with high potential for success and connects these individuals and families with Goodwin Procter lawyers. The firm’s volunteer attorneys then interview the clients, assist them in completing and filing the necessary immigration documents, and accompany them to interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

NLADA was founded in 1911 and is one of the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit associations focused on delivering legal services to the poor. Goodwin Procter has offices in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington D.C.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Opens Office in Hong Kong

joshua — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:55:27 +0000

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has opened an office in Hong Kong.

In a press release at the firm’s site, CEO Steve Bochner was quoted as saying: “China is an incredibly vibrant market—one that we have been focused on and investing in for many years. Given Hong Kong’s position as a leading global financial center and the preferred overseas capital market for many Chinese enterprises, it is the logical place for us to open our second office in China. There are also considerable synergies between Hong Kong and the work we already are doing in China. We are extremely pleased to have found the right team and leadership to anchor our Hong Kong office, and look forward to continuing to build our presence in the Greater China region.”

The Hong Kong team will be led by Weiheng Chen, who co-heads the firm’s China practice along with Carmen Chang. He recently joined the firm from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, and McCloy and has particular expertise in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. The Hong Kong team will work closely with the firm’s attorneys in Shanghai and the U.S.

The China practice represents clients in a variety of legal matters in the Greater China region and the U.S., including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, capital markets, joint venture and other forms of foreign investments.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s is nationally recognized as a leader in many areas of law, including the fields of corporate governance and finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities class action litigation, employment law, and intellectual property. In addition to the newly opened Hong Kong location, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has offices in Austin, New York, Palo Alto, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C.

Top Polish Banking & Finance Attorney Joins Chadbourne & Parke’s Warsaw Office as Partner

joshua — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:25:08 +0000

Chadbourne & Parke LLP today announced that Marek Krol, a top Polish banking and finance attorney, has joined the firm as an international partner in the firm’s Warsaw office.

Most recently, Mr. Krol was a partner at CMS Cameron McKenna, where he served as head of the banking and finance department. Previously, he led the structured finance department at White & Case.

Mr. Krol advises clients on a broad scope of banking and finance transactions, including project financing, real estate investments, and syndicated loans. He has extensive experience advising on real estate finance projects involving hotels, office buildings and commercial and recreational centers.

Previously, Mr. Krol worked for the Polish government in the legal department of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served at KPMG Poland and as legal director in a major Polish bank. There he advised on the formation of bank syndicates financing some of the largest investment projects in Poland.

In today’s press release, Chadbourne Managing Partner Charles K. O’Neill was quoted as saying: “Marek’s inside knowledge of the Polish banking system, as well as his project finance experience, make him an excellent fit for Chadbourne. As our Warsaw office prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the addition of Marek to our finance team demonstrates our commitment to the Polish banking and finance industry and enhances our ability to provide clients with sound legal advice on even the most complex transactions.”

Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services. The Firm has offices all over the world, including in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, London, and Moscow.

Thompson Hine Adds to Cleveland Leadership

joshua — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:21:59 +0000

Thompson Hine said it has appointed partner James B. Aronoff to the newly-created management role of administrative partner at the firm’s Cleveland office. In the role, Aronoff, a real estate capital markets lawyer, will work alongside office partner-in-charge April Miller Boise.

The move comes following an expansion of duties for Boise, who was recently named to the firm’s executive committee. Boise said in a press release that “by increasing the leadership bench…we are positioning the firm for continued progress and success.”

Aronoff is a member of the firm’s real estate practice group and leader of the group’s real estate capital markets practice.

Thompson Hine is a business law firm established in 1911. It has approximately 400 lawyers with offices in Atlanta, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, New York, Washington D.C.

Dickie McCamey Expands into Ohio With Merger

joshua — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:34:24 +0000

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C., one of Pittsburgh’s largest law firms, has expanded into Columbus, Ohio, through a merger with Golian McCaffrey, LLC.

With this acquisition, Dickie McCamey now has offices in Columbus, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Delaware, New Jersey, Charlotte, Steubenville, and West Virginia, along with the firm’s headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Jeffrey T. Wiley, managing director of Dickie McCamey, said joining an established firm like Golian McCaffrey “will allow us to expand in Ohio immediately because our practices are complimentary.”

Joe Golian and Pat McCaffrey, principals in Golian McCaffrey LLC since 1995, will be shareholders in Dickie McCamey. Also joining the firm is Audrey E. Varwig as an associate.

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. is a nationally recognized litigation firm providing comprehensive legal expertise, as well as non-litigation services, in a multitude of practice areas. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh and was founded more than 100 years ago.

Morning Roundup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burleson Cooke added nine attorneys to its Pittsburgh office…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:02:41 +0000

Good morning everybody! Today is Friday, September 10th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Chambers USA recognized Monteleone & McCrory in the area of construction law in California…

Highly-regarded commercial trial and appellate attorney Thomas Gilbertsen joined Venable LLP…

Former Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer joined Akin Gump…

Highly Regarded Commercial Trial and Appellate Attorney Joins Venable LLP as Partner

joshua — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:04:49 +0000

Highly-regarded commercial trial and appellate attorney Thomas Gilbertsen has joined Venable LLP as a partner in its Washington office.

Gilbertsen, who regularly defends major companies in antitrust and consumer class actions, was previously a partner in the Washington office of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.

Gilbertsen serves as lead counsel to major consumer product, technology and service companies in a broad span of litigation contexts, including antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, Lanham Act and false advertising and consumer class actions. He has appeared in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country, and has represented clients in matters pending before the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Justice, International Trade Commission and various state attorneys general. Mr. Gilbertsen is a frequent presenter and author on class action litigation trends.

In the press release at PR Newswire, Douglas Baldridge, who chairs Venable’s Washington, Virginia and Rockville, MD litigation practices was quoted as saying: “Tom is a versatile trial lawyer with tremendous range and a proven track record – he fits right into our nationally recognized litigation practice with complementary skills and experience. We’re especially excited to add his antitrust and class action defense talents. Antitrust, privacy and other consumer class actions are a growing concern to our clients. The emerging privacy statutory and regulatory regimes, the recently-passed financial reform legislation, and formation of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are putting renewed emphasis on our ability to successfully defend class actions. Tom’s consistent success in this area will be invaluable to Venable clients.”

Former FERC Enforcement Director Joins Hogan & Hartson Energy Practice in Washington, D.C.

aostler — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:51:35 +0000

Today Hogan & Hartson LLP publicly stated that Susan J. Court has become part of their Washington, D.C. office. She will join the energy practice group as a partner.

Court was formerly the Director of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement, or FERC. While at FERC, she was in charge of 170 lawyers, accountants, auditors, economists, and other staff in charge of keeping to the Federal energy laws and rules. She was also key in helping set up NERC guidelines and rules.

Court also served on FERC’s natural gas counsel in a senior position during its restructuring of the regulation of natural gas. She is also involved continually in international energy issues; she recently spoke in Argentina at the 24th World Gas Conference and will be attending the 25th World Gas Conference in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia in 2012.

Director of the firm, Kevin Lipson, voiced that she will be well received by Hogan & Hartson. He stated, “We are very fortunate to have Susan join us. Her knowledge of the industry and regulatory environment in which our clients operate is unparalleled. She will be a great asset to our firm and the firm’s clients.”

Brunswick Group Adds Partner, Director To DC Office

Erik Even — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:51:41 +0000

Brunswick Group LLC today announced that Michele Davis, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs and Director of Policy Planning, has joined the firm’s Washington, DC office as Partner. Also today, Brunswick announced that Julie Andreeff Jensen, who most recently served as Pennsylvania’s Get-Out-the-Vote Director for Barack Obama, has joined the firm as Director.
“With her communications and policy leadership at Treasury, Michele will provide our clients with expert counsel during this time of market upheaval and significant government action. We’re a global firm, and she’ll offer an international perspective to companies facing what are clearly international challenges,” said Hilary Rosen, Managing Partner of Brunswick’s Washington office.
“Julie has been a key field organizer in some of the most important Democratic campaigns of the last several years,” added Ms. Rosen. “Her successful work as the GOTV Director for the Obama campaign in Pennsylvania is an example of her coalition building skills and her ability to bring diverse parties to the table on behalf of a cause. We are thrilled Michele and Julie are joining our growing team in Washington.”

Microsoft Seeks Antitrust Lawyer

Erik Even — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:13:59 +0000

Microsoft will soon be releasing its new operating system, Windows 7. To handle any regulatory issues that may arise with the release of the software, Microsoft is looking to hire an experienced antitrust lawyer.

According to an ad placed at a Washington state job bank, the company seeks an attorney that can to “analyze and address complex legal, business, and strategic issues affecting Microsoft products and services.”

“These issues typically include antitrust and regulatory compliance, general commercial law, contracts, intellectual property and licensing, and marketing & communications,” the ad says. “”This attorney must help provide front-line transactional support for [Microsoft's Windows Experience Group's] business and technology initiatives related to Windows 7, including user interface, music and video media, desktop and graphics, and accessibility”

The ad was placed on February 27. It indicates that the position closes on August 26, 2009.

Williams Mullen Offers Free Legal Advice For A Day

Erik Even — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:05:18 +0000

Williams Mullen announces it will host the North Carolina Bar Association’s annual 4ALL Phone-In for the second year in a row. Attorney volunteers will gather in the firm’s Wilmington, North Carolina office on March 6, 2009 to provide free legal information to callers from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteer attorneys will take questions regarding any type of legal situation for this year’s statewide “Ask-a-Lawyer” event.

The 4ALL Phone-In is held in conjunction with the NC Bar Association’s 4All Campaign. Initiated by NC Bar Association former president, Janet Ward Black, the program commits to make legal services available to all, focusing on those at or below the poverty level.

Williams Mullen has 325 attorneys practicing in 30 areas. They have offices in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., and London.

Judges Begrudgingly Accept Pay Freezes

Erik Even — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:16:16 +0000

The National Law Journal writes that judges, who have been pushing for years for pay raises, are now backing off, and begrudgingly accepting pay freezes in the shadow of the global economic meltdown.

After years of aggressively lobbying for raises in their salaries, chief justices and court administrators in five states are backing off as unprecedented budget cuts have forced judges to accept pay freezes.

Chief justices and court administrators in Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio and Rhode Island, most of whom had sought jumps in salaries for state judges in the past, have accepted pay freezes in recent weeks as worsening economic problems unfold in their states.

In some cases, judges have spoken out against lobbying for pay increases during a major financial crisis. Judges in other states, such as Hawaii, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, have resisted proposed freezes, although in varying degrees…

But many fear that freezing judicial pay, on top of dwindling raises, could reduce the competitiveness of the bench and negatively affect the quality of those who are retained or recruited to serve as judges.

Read the full story.

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.”

BGR Group Holds Bipartisan Inauguration Party

Erik Even — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:17:19 +0000

The transitioning bipartisan firm, BGR Group, with a history of powerful Republican clients, partied into the late hours Tuesday during the Obama inauguration. The BGR Group hosted a Blue Ball for over 200 invited guests at its new Homer Building office in Washington, DC.

The firm patriotically primped its office floor with star lights projected on the dance floor conference area, mega screens airing the balls across town, and a blue glow throughout the space. Refreshments included mini-Reubens, corn souffle and champagne glasses with red, white, and blue sugar rims.

The 18-year-old lobbying firm added a couple of prominent Democrats to its staff in the past year and wanted to throw an intimate gathering in the new office to celebrate its own transition over the past year of becoming a bipartisan firm.

“The Democrats came into the firm and are pleased that Republicans know something about policy, so they work real well together,” said Lanny Griffith, chief executive and the “G” in BGR Group. “When I worked for the White House a long time ago for Bush in 1989, my job was to be bipartisan. This is very similar to that.”

The idea for the Blue Ball stemmed from a company Christmas party. But the idea behind the name does not have Democratic connotations.

“We were sitting in my office, drinking some Johnnie Walker Blue and decided to do the blue party,” Griffith said. “The Blue Ball. That’s what I thought it was about!”

Among the hundreds at the brunch reception were Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the new chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Carol Browner, picked to head Obama’s White House energy and environment council; and a platoon of NBC News personalities, including anchor Brian Williams and former anchor Tom Brokaw.

Founded in 1991, BGR Group is the premier bipartisan government relations, strategic consulting, mergers & acquisitions and investment firm in Washington, D.C. The firm’s reputation in Washington and international capitals means decision makers, journalist and business leaders often refer to them for insight regarding policy development, politics and international issues.

BGR clients include Fortune 500 companies, international governments, trade associations, non-profits, academic institutions, hospitals, coalitions, state and local governments. The firm intends to continue its hiring of new staff during the bipartisan transitioning.

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