JD Journal » WilmerHale

“Legendary” White Collar Crime Attorney Joins WilmerHale’s London Office

rebneely — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:15:44 +0000

In recent days, global law firm WilmerHale announced that Stephen Pollard, a leading practitioner in the areas of white-collar crime and regulatory financial services, joined the London office.

Pollard will join as a partner in the Investigations and Criminal Litigation Practice. He joins from law firm Kingsley Napley LLP, also based in London.

Pollard is widely known as one of the leading lawyers in the United Kingdom for his work in cases regarding allegations of insider trading, market manipulation and market abuse. He has established an extensive practice during the last 22 years, especially in cases involving regulatory or criminal investigation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Among other notable, high-level representations, Pollard represented former Barings trader Nick Leeson; a defendant in the FSA’s first criminal prosecution for market manipulation; and a partner of a leading hedge fund facing allegations of market abuse. He has specialized expertise in the defense of financial services fraud, internal investigations, multijurisdictional white-collar crime allegations, corruption allegations and competition/cartel allegations.

Pollard is one of only four Chambers UK “Star Individuals” for white-collar crime fraud work. Chambers UK has described him as “legendary” and also notes he “has the perfect combination of commercial litigation skills and a criminal law background, and always fights his clients’ corner well.” Chambers UK also lists him as a leading practitioner for financial services work and recommends his cartel defense practice. He is also listed as a leader in his field in the 2011 edition of the International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.

WilmerHale Co-Managing Partner William J. Perlstein was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Mr. Pollard is an important strategic addition to our global white-collar criminal defense, investigations and securities practices. White-collar defense is a field that is becoming increasingly international, especially considering the proactive and aggressive approach of the FSA, and our group will benefit greatly from his UK expertise.”

White-collar defense, securities enforcement, financial institutions and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act expertise is a hallmark of WilmerHale in the United States and, ever more so in the UK and global markets. Pollard’s arrival will strengthen the firm’s growing representation of multinational companies, corporate executives and high-ranking public officials that retain the firm to counsel them in internal corporate investigations; government investigations; criminal litigation; and related civil and administrative proceedings. The firm defends clients internationally against allegations of insider trading; health care, securities, accounting and government contracts fraud; violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-kickback Statute and False Claims Act; criminal environmental violations; criminal antitrust violations; money laundering; and violations of other statutes.

Pollard was quoted as saying: “I am excited to join WilmerHale. The firm has an excellent reputation in the white-collar and financial services regulation space and provides a great platform for me to continue to grow my practice.”

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia, and employs over 1,100 attorneys worldwide

WilmerHale Helps in Effort to Pass Landmark Peace Corps Reform Legislation

rebneely — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:00:05 +0000

The United States House of Representatives passed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 on November 1^st. The legislation enacted historic reforms to the Peace Corps’ policies for the prevention of rape and sexual assault of its volunteers and for providing assistance to volunteers who are the victims of sexual assault during their service. The Senate passed the bill on September 26. It has been sent to President Obama, and he is expected to sign it into law.

WilmerHale provided representation for five returned Peace Corps volunteers who were sexually assaulted during their service. The attorneys helped gather and publicize evidence of longstanding, systemic weaknesses in the Peace Corps’ sexual assault prevention and response policies. In addition, the firm provided substantial technical assistance to volunteers and others advocating the newly enacted reforms.

The firm praised Congress for acting, and current Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams for supporting the landmark legislation. WilmerHale’s pro bono team was led by Associates Natalie Adams and Robert Zachary Beasley and Summer Associate Matthew Robinson, and supported by Partners Reginald Brown, Kimberly Parker, Eric Mogilnicki and John Valentine.

Senators Isakson and Boxer and Representatives Ros-Lehtinen, Poe and Tsongas provided congressional leadership. Pro bono public relations support was provided by Michele Davis and Anthony Coley of Brunswick Group.

The bill was named for a Peace Corps volunteer killed in Benin in 2009.

According to the November 2nd legaltimes.com article, “Congress Passes Wilmer-Supported Legislation to Protect Peace Corp Volunteers”, the bill would require the Peace Corps to provide “comprehensive sexual assault risk-reduction and response training” and information about what should be done if a volunteer becomes the victim of sexual assault. It would also establish a sexual assault advisory council and require the agency to keep track of the incidents of sexual assault against volunteers.

Reginald Brown, a Wilmer partner and head of the firm’s congressional investigation practice was quoted as saying: “We are thrilled that Congress and the Peace Corps responded so quickly and comprehensively.”

Brown is a former Peace Corps volunteer; he served in Micronesia from 1990 to 1992. Former Peace Corps volunteers who had been victims of sexual assault contacted him, and from there, he put together a team of lawyers led by second-year associate Natalie Adams.

Brown was quoted as saying: “Natalie led this engagement as a second-year associate. Helping volunteers tell the story of their experiences, preparing for hearings and media events, negotiating with a federal agency and shepherding through legislation in less than a year is quite an accomplishment. Ultimately, the power of our clients’ stories and the sacrifice of Kate Puzey – who died trying to advocate for assault victims – made this legislation a reality.”

With over 1,100 attorneys, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia. The firm has consistently distinguished itself as a leader in pro bono representation.

Prominent Litigation Attorney and Former DOJ Assistant AG Joins WilmerHale

rebneely — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:24 +0000

WilmerHale recently announced that Molly Boast, former Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General, joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Antitrust and Competition Practice.

Boast possesses over thirty years of litigation experience in both the public and private sectors. This includes leadership roles in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and in private practice.

As a key member of the firm’s New York office and its global Antitrust and Competition Practice, she will manage high-profile antitrust regulatory and litigation matters for the firm.

From May 2009 to February 2011, she served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. As the senior official responsible for civil enforcement, she oversaw all merger and conduct investigations; this led numerous significant merger and civil non-merger resolutions, including the NBC/Comcast and Oracle/Sun Microsystems ventures. 150 legal professionals were under her supervision in the Antitrust Division; she was one of three division authors of the 2010 Horizontal Merger Guidelines.

Boast served first as Senior Deputy Director and then as Director of the Bureau of Competition at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from 1999-2001. Many mergers occurred during this period of time; she was responsible for many significant competition investigations and enforcement actions and served as the bureau’s Capitol Hill spokesperson on energy and pharmaceutical industry matters.

Michelle Miller and Thomas Mueller, co-chairs of WilmerHale’s Antitrust and Competition Practice, expect Boast “to bring a depth of experience from her years of government service and private practice that will be of tremendous benefit to the firm’s clients.”

William Perlstein, co-managing partner at the firm was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Molly Boast is one of the top antitrust litigators in the field. Her extensive experience at the senior levels of two government agencies and in leading complex litigation matters is a unique combination that will serve not only our antitrust and competition clients, but also our entire firm.”

Boast is well known in the New York litigation community. She served previously as a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and before that at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP. She has handled major antitrust litigation and governmental investigation matters, including a seminal antitrust case before the US Supreme Court. At Debevoise, Boast was the chair of the antitrust group, and at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, she chaired the litigation department.

Additionally, Boast has served on the governing bodies of the litigation and antitrust sections of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. She was also the first woman to chair the federal courts committees of both the Federal Bar Council and the New York City Bar Association. She earned her JD from Columbia University School of Law; there she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and received the Jane Marks Murphy Prize for public interest contributions.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia, with over 1,100 attorneys worldwide.

With one of the leading antitrust and competition practices in the United States and Europe, WilmerHale has decades of experience and over 70 competition lawyers in the US, Europe and China. The practice is consistently ranked in the top tiers of major legal directories such as Chambers USA, Chambers Global, Legal 500, Global Competition Review and PLC Which Lawyer.

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.

Boyd M. Johnson, III, Deputy U.S. Attorney for SDNY Joins WilmerHale

rebneely — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:57:03 +0000

The law firm of WilmerHale recently announced that Boyd M. Johnson III, current Deputy U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), will join its trial litigation and white collar practices.

As Deputy U.S. Attorney, Johnson has overseen the litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the SDNY, including several high profile matters: the biggest crackdown in U.S. history on hedge fund insider trading; in regards to the Bernard Madoff fraud scandal, the handling of the criminal prosecutions and civil forfeiture proceedings, as well as the “investigation and prosecution of individuals and entities responsible for structuring and promoting international tax shelters,” per the press release at the firm’s website. In this role, Johnson supervised over 450 federal employees, managed a $50 million budget and took part in the creation of the SDNY’s Civil Frauds Unit.

William Perlstein, co-managing partner at WilmerHale, was quoted as saying in the press release: “Boyd’s reputation precedes him, and his tenacity combined with his intellect, demeanor and dedication to developing young lawyers makes him an excellent addition to our Litigation/Controversy Department and our New York office.”

Prior to serving as Deputy US Attorney, Johnson served as Chief of the SDNY’s Public Corruption Unit. In this role, Boyd supervised bribery and embezzlement prosecutions of New York State legislators and New York City council members, and investigations of corruption of United Nations officials. In addition, he led an investigation into prostitution rings used by former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Johnson served as the Deputy Chief and Chief of the SDNY’s International Narcotics Trafficking Unit from 2004 to 2006. During this time, he led extraterritorial prosecutions of Colombian, Mexican and Chinese drug kingpins; Afghan narco-terrorists; and members of global money-laundering syndicates.

Johnson began his career at the SDNY over a decade ago, in 1999. Since then, he has conducted 15 federal jury trials, briefed and argued 15 appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and led the prosecution in the terrorism trial of Monzer al Kassar, a Syrian arms trafficker who supplied weapons to terrorists for over thirty years.

According to the press release, the New York Times reported that Johnson “has been described as a classic hard-charging government lawyer, confident and talented yet self-deprecating and fair, who would not allow politics to hinder good judgment.”

According to the March 2008 wsj.com blog, “The Man Behind the Spitzer Prosecution: Boyd M. Johnson III”, Randy Mastro, a Gibson Dunn partner and formerly the deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani, and who supervised Johnson as an associate at the firm, where he worked in the mid- 1990s, was quoted as saying of Johnson:: “He’s a very affable guy, but don’t let that affability fool you — he’s a very tenacious, determined litigator.” He also was quoted as saying that when he persuaded Johnson to stay with the firm when he was considering moving to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Johnson responded that becoming a prosecutor “is just something I really want to do.”

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

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:56:53 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, March 4, and here’s a quick glance at yesterday’s news…

WlimerHale jumped on the spring bonus bandwagon…

Howrey lost another big batch of lawyers…

Sirhan Sirhan was denied parole…

UK firm Kennedys merged with its Portugese partner…

and pop star Prince is facing some unpleasant legal troubles…

Spring Bonuses at WilmerHale

joshua — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:49:33 +0000

Like so many of its counterparts, WilmerHale announced that associates will receive a spring bonus to be paid on April 29. Most firms have followed the scale set by Cravath, but in keeping with its move away from lockstep compensation, WilmerHale says bonuses will be merit based and in many cases will significantly outpace the market. According to the firm, roughly 43% of its associates received above market size bonuses at the end of 2010.

That might help take the sting off of the lower than average salaries associates reported in The American Lawyer’s associate’s survey for 2010.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:34:13 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, January 25, and here’s a look back at Monday’s news…

WilmerHale’s 2010 numbers show substantial growth over 2009…

Terrorists attacked Moscow’s largest airport…

and Foley & Lardner picked up a former governor…

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:54:55 +0000

Good Morning! Today is Friday, December 3, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories…

The US Senate is preparing to pass a new whistle blower law…

Cleary is moving into Hong Kong…

Collas Day and Crill Canavan are set to merge…

A new panel has been authorized to consider pay raises for New York judges…

And WilmerHale has named a new pair of managing partners…

WilmerHale Names its New Co-Managing Partners

marvins — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:56:38 +0000

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) revealed its co-managing partners for a three-year term effective January 1, 2012. The law firm named Susan W. Murley and Robert T. Novick as the new co-managing partners replacing William Perlstein and William Lee, who have been co-managing partners of WilmerHale since 2004. Murley and Novick will work closely with the firm’s current co-managing partners to ensure a seamless transition next year.

Lee said that he is happy with the recent development in their firm. “Susan and Bob have been leaders within the firm for some time and this election is a natural progression. They come to these new leadership positions with a very broad and real understanding of WilmerHale’s practices, clients, culture and law firm economics. I am confident the firm will excel under their leadership.”

Murley, Boston-based, joined Hale and Dorr in 1986 after graduating from the University Of Virginia School Of Law. She became the chair of the firm’s corporate department in 1994 and the then chair of the transactional department in 2008. Meanwhile, Washington D.C.-based Novick graduated from the Washington College of Law at American University in 1983 and joined Wilmer Cutler as a partner in 2001, after four years of service as counselor and then general counsel in the Office of the US Trade Representative.

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.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:36:51 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, November 12th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Energy law firm Burleson Cooke added three attorneys to its growing Pittsburgh office…

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP partner Joseph K. Brenner was named chief counsel of the Division of Enforcement for the Securities and Exchange Commission…

Howrey laid off 32 staffers across its 10 offices…

Wilmer Partner Tabbed as Chief Counsel of SEC Enforcement Division

joshua — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:34:28 +0000

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale partner Joseph K. Brenner has been named chief counsel of the Division of Enforcement for the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the role, Brenner will provide legal and policy advice on potential enforcement actions before they are recommended to the Commission for approval.

Brenner has been a partner at Wilmer Cutler since 1990. Most recently, he served as vice chair of the firm’s Securities Department and as a member of the Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice Group.

“Joe is a highly-accomplished attorney who will bring a deep expertise and a practical perspective to the many legal and policy issues facing the Enforcement Division,” said Robert Khuzami, director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “We could not be more pleased that he has chosen to join the Division, and we look forward to his counsel and help as the Division moves forward on its many initiatives to better realize its mission of investor protection.”

Brenner is filling the chief counsel position previously held by Joan McKown, who left the agency in August after 24 years of service. He is expected to begin his new role sometime in the next several weeks, the SEC said in a press release.

At Wilmer, Brenner’s focus was securities enforcement, internal corporate investigations, and related civil and criminal litigation. He has more than 20 years of experience in representing public corporations, financial institutions, professional service partnerships, investment managers, and individuals in investigations and enforcement proceedings by the SEC, FINRA, and PCAOB, and related federal criminal and civil litigation.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:19:41 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, September 22nd. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

Dinsmore & Shohl welcomed former Deputy General Counsel for EPA…

A former Kennedy Chief of Staff Returned to WilmerHale…

A Thompson Hine Partner was reappointed to the Cincinnati State Technical and Community College board of trustees…

A Greenberg Traurig partner was named co-chair of the ABA Committee…

Cadwalader announced the launch of the Cadwalader International Law and Litigation Center…

48 Winstead PC Attorneys were selected as Texas Super Lawyers…

Former Kennedy Chief of Staff Returns to WilmerHale

joshua — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:04:39 +0000

Eric Mogilnicki, a former chief of staff for U.S. Senator’s Edward Kennedy and Paul Kirk, has rejoined WilmerHale. Mogilnicki was previously a litigator for the firm for 10 years before leaving in 2006 to be chief of staff for the late Edward Kennedy.

Mogilnicki will focus his practice at WilmerHale on public policy matters, including working with clients on matters of legislative and public policy strategy, congressional investigations, and litigation that involves regulatory or public policy issues.

William J. Perlstein, WilmerHale’s co-managing partner, commented on the move in a press release.

“I am confident that Eric’s firsthand government experience will deepen the firm’s public policy expertise,” Perlstein said. “Many of our partners who left for high-level positions in government return, refreshing our government experience and enhancing our reputation as among the nation’s leading firms for Washington-focused policy matters.”

As Chief of Staff to Senator Kennedy from February 2006 to August 2009, Mogilnicki was closely involved in every aspect of the Senator’s public life, including political strategy, legislation and communications. Following Kennedy’s death, Mogilnicki went to work for Sen. Kirk.

WilmerHale has approximately 1,000 lawyers with offices in 12 cities in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:03:33 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, June 4th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

BP brought on WilmerHale to fight the myriad of congressional investigations the company is facing…

The American Association for Justice named Ronald F. Motley the recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award…

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan welcomed the addition of Irah H. Donner to their Intellectual Property Practice Group…

Jun He Law Offices Opened a second U.S. Office in Palo Alto…

Karen P. Hewitt, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, headed to Jones Day…

Baker & McKenzie appointed Eduardo Leite, a partner from its Sao Paolo office, as its global chairman…

Fried Frank Adds Two Partners to London Office…

BP Looks To WilmerHale for Oil Spill Defense

joshua — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:48:35 +0000

BP and the two other major culprits in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill—Transocean Ltd. and Haliburton Co.—have retained their legal teams, according to a report in the New York Times.

BP has brought on WilmerHale to fight the myriad of congressional investigations the company is facing for the ongoing ecological disaster. Leading the team for WilmerHale is Washington D.C. partner and practice head Jamie Gorelick, a former deputy attorney general of the United States under Bill Clinton and one-time lobbyist for BP.

The company that leased the exploded rig to BP, Transocean Ltd, has enlisted Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Halliburton has brought on Patton Boggs.

The Times said potential government inquiries include whether BP and the other companies “violated any regulations, whether they subverted the regulatory process by seeking favors with Minerals Management Service or other Interior employees, or whether BP acted criminally by keeping away cameras that could have revealed earlier the extent of the spill.”

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:57:22 +0000

Good morning! Today is Friday, May 14th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Bryan Cave and Venable Add A Partner Apiece…

More And More Firms Consider Alternative Fee Structures…

Massachusetts Home To Many Cutting Edge IP Law Firms…

U.S. Citizens Association Files Suit to Repeal ‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’…

List Of Top Corporate Law Firms Released…

DiversityBusiness.com Selects Rutherford & Christie as one of “Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Georgia”…

Massachusetts Home To Many Cutting Edge IP Law Firms

eric — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:10:43 +0000

Massachusetts has long since moved its economy toward tech and information based industries. The same holds true for its legal sector with its booming Intellectual Property practices, according to Mass High Tech, the Journal of New England Technology. It makes sense that an economy founded on tech would stimulate the growth of its firms focus on the ideas behind innovation and host some of the largest IP firms in the nation.

IP lawyers are a special breed, often having advanced degrees in engineering and other areas of advanced sciences. The MHT article highlights Nathan Edwards, and the Cambridge firm of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP. Edwards is a PhD in biological sciences and a “new breed of technology lawyer”.

At the article’s center is the tech sector’s potential to be one of the driving forces in the next evolution of IP firms across the country. “‘In the past, IP was not given nearly the consideration it is now,’” said McDermott Will & Emery partner, Leigh Martinson, who was interviewed for NMT article. “‘Now it’s the core of the business. It used to be ‘just get me a patent.’ Now it’s ‘Get me a patent that’s going to allow me to leverage relationships and compete.’ That’s exciting.’”

The posting lists the top ten IP firms in the greater Boston area as well, a list which includes Goodwin Procter, WilmerHale and Fish & Richardson.

WilmerHale Opening New Center in Ohio

joshua — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:48:37 +0000

WilmerHale announced its opening a business services center in Dayton, Ohio. The center will open officially in September and will house approximately 187 workers. Employees will come from existing WilmerHale offices as well as new employees from the Dayton area, the firm said in a press release.

The business services center will place the firm’s administrative support staff into one central location. It will include services such as finance, human resources, information technology services, operations, document reviews and management. It is hoped the center will bring improved efficiency to the administrative staff while significantly reducing operational expenses.

WilmerHale employees impacted by the decision have been offered the opportunity to transfer to the business services center.

WilmerHale is an international law firm with 1,100 attorneys. It has domestic offices in Boston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Calif., Waltham, Mass. Its international offices are located in London, Brussels, Berlin, Beijing, Oxford and Frankfurt.

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joins WilmerHale

joshua — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:02:17 +0000

Brian R. Michael, a former Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles and New York, has joined WilmerHale’s Los Angeles office. He will serve as counsel in the firm’s business trial, securities litigation and enforcement and investigations and criminal litigation groups.

Michael served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2003 to 2010, most recently in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Prior to that Michael served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

While serving the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Michael served in the Violent & Organized Crime Section as Anti-Gang Coordinator and Violence Against Women Coordinator.

Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Michael was a litigation associate at Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett from 2000 to 2003.

London Revenue Plummets For U.S.-Based Firms

joshua — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:56:05 +0000

Nine of the 10 biggest U.S. firms with operations in London saw revenue decreases in 2009 with the lone holdout being Latham & Watkins.

According to TheLawyer.com, revenue for the top 10 U.S. firms in London fell by an average of 12 percent and among the top 30 firms revenue was down by 5 percent. Latham & Watkins, which saw its revenue increase by a mere $1.1 million, was in fact the lone firm out of the top 20 to increase revenue.

White & Case again garnered the most revenue among U.S. firms in London, but even it saw its revenue plummet by 20 percent to $197-million. Runner-up Baker & McKenzie’s revenue fell by 24 percent to $184.5 million.

The biggest drops in revenue percentage-wise were felt by Mayer Brown and K&L Gates. Both firms dropped 28 percent, with Mayer Brown down to $146.3 million and K&L Gates to $43.3 million.

The biggest increase last year came from WilmerHale, which moved from 23^rd in 2008 to 17^th in 2009 through an $8.2 million increase in revenue.

Morning Roundup

sara — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:54:55 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, April 6, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Southeast Michigan law firms log thousands of non-billable hours over health care reform…

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens nears retirement…

The National Law Journal releases it’s annual Appellate Hot List…

Jackson Lewis adds two partners to its Denver office…

Massachusetts enacts a law requiring businesses to have a written security plan in place for handling client’s personal data…

Littler Mendelson opens a new office in Lexington, Kentucky…

A new initiative slated to appear on California ballots in November seeks to delay a law from 2006 enacting greenhouse gas emission cuts…

David W. Ogden rejoins WilmerHale after working at the Justice Department for a year…

Toyota may face enormous civil penalties for failing to report defects in their brakes within the required period of time…

Ogden Rejoins WilmerHale After Year as DOJ’s No. 2

joshua — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:01:34 +0000

David W. Ogden, who spent more than a year as deputy attorney general of the United States before leaving that post last month, has rejoined WilmerHale as co-chair of its government and regulatory litigation group.

Ogden was previously a partner at WilmerHale from 2001-2009. He joined President Obama’s Justice Department transition team before becoming the second ranking official and chief operating officer at the DOJ. In that role he supervised the department’s 110,000 employees and a budget of almost $30 billion.

William J. Perlstein, co-managing partner at WilmerHale, commented on the addition in a press release.

“During his time as Deputy Attorney General, (Ogden) played a significant role in revitalizing the department and accomplished a great deal while seeking justice for the American people,” Perlstein said. “David is an outstanding lawyer with keen legal judgment. We’re all eager to begin working with him again.”

During his previous stint with WilmerHale, Ogden specialized in high-stakes international legal disputes, major government investigations and litigation, and complex civil matters.

WilmerHale has approximately 1,100 attorneys worldwide. In addition to Washingtonm D.C., the firm has offices in Boston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Waltham, Mass., London, Brussels, Berlin, Beijing, Oxford and Frankfurt.

Senate Confirms Ronald Machen & Others

sara — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:44:51 +0000

The Senate confirmed Ronald Machen as U.S. Attorney for D.C. on Thursday. Machen was a partner at WilmerHale. He was assistant attorney in DC from 1997 to 2001. Machen faced no opposition and was confirmed without a formal vote.

Andre Birotte Jr., former inspector general of the Los Angeles Police Department was confirmed as the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California

Sharon Bowen, a partner in Latham & Watkins’ New York office, was confirmed as a director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

Ketanji Brown, of counsel to Morrison & Foerster’s Washington office was confirmed to a seat on the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

Richard Hartunian, an assistant U.S. Attorney, was confirmed as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:56:19 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Wednesday, February 3, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s news…

Arthur Cutillo plead not guilty in court yesterday to charges stemming from the Galleon Group insider trading case…

Thomas Russo has officially started at AIG, leaving Patton Boggs behind…

Mayer Brown has thawed salaries and given associates a double bump…

McDonald Hopkins expanded its health care practice…

Chadbourne & Parke added a litigator in New York…

Seyfarth Shaw picked up one from the Department of Labor…

Greenberg Traurig has a new CEO…

Revenues were up in 2009 for Bryan Cave, but per partner profits dropped a bit…

WilmerHale is in the market for more office space in New York…

And Dechert picked up two from Goodwin Procter…

WilmerHale May Expand New York Office Space

sara — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:19:01 +0000

Washington D.C. based firm WilmerHale has sent out inquiries to real estate brokers in New York City. The firm is looking for between 200,000 and 225,000 square feet of new office space. This is significantly larger than the space it currently occupies at Boston Properties’ 399 Park Avenue. At 399 Park Avenue WilmerHale occupies 163,000 square feet of space on floors 27 through 31, and 37. Other tenants in the building make it difficult for the firm to expand any further at that location.

WilmerHale has additional offices in Boston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, California, and Waltham Massachusetts. International offices are located in London, Brussels, Berlin, Beijing, Oxford and Frankfurt. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys worldwide.

Daniel Gallagher to Join WilmerHale as Partner

sara — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:33:45 +0000

The Deputy Director at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Trading and Markets is ending his four year tenure at the agency to return to private practice. Daniel Gallagher Jr. will leave his position at the end of the month and become a partner in the Washington D.C. office of WilmerHale.

Gallagher joined the Division of Trading and Markets in 2008. Gallagher played a key role in the SEC’s response to the financial crisis. He oversaw the issues arising from the bankruptcy of Lehman brothers, rulemaking to address issues regarding credit rating agencies, and efforts to facilitate the central clearing of credit default swaps. He earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Catholic University of America and graduated from Georgetown with a BA in English.

Profits per Partner up 7% at Wilmer Hale

joshua — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:49:02 +0000

After a rocky first half of the year, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr posted a seven percent per partner profit increase last year, going from $1.08 million to $1.16 million. Total firm revenue was down slightly overall, but so was the partner headcount at 318, down from 330. The number of associates was up, despite mid year layoffs.

According to the firm, revenues in the first half of the year were down but made a strong recovery in the second half of the year, lead by the IP practice group which had a 10% growth in business. Also doing well were the bankruptcy practice and the anti-trust practice.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the US, Europe and Asia. It was created in 2004 through the merger of the Boston’s Hale & Dorr and the Washington’s Wilmer Cutler & Pickering, and employs a little under 1000 attorneys worldwide.

Carl Nichols Joins WilmerHale

joshua — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:16:41 +0000

Carl Nichols, a former senior litigator for the Department of Justice has joined WilmerHale as a partner.

Nichols worked in the DoJ under President George W Bush from 2005 until 2009, serving as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Federal Programs Branch of the Civil Division, and later as the Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General. While with the Justice Department, Nichols handled several high profile cases, including cases enjoining state investigations into alleged acts of the National Security Agency and various lawsuits filed against telecommunications companies over their participation in national security programs. Prior to his stint at Justice, Nichols was with Boies, Schiller & Flexner.

At WilmerHale, Nichols practice will be in the Litigation/Controversy Department, and a member of the Government and Regulatory Litigation and Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation Practice Groups, as well as the Business Trial Group.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:08:41 +0000

Good morning everyone! It’s Thursday, December 17, and here’s your snapshot of yesterday’s news…

John Schulman, top counsel for Warner Bros for 25 years, has joined MS&K…

Seyfarth Shaw picks up a lateral from Hogan & Hartson…

WilmerHale’s new partnership class is over 50% female…

The FTC wants a piece of Intel….

Dewey & Leboeuf match the Cravath bonuses…

and Simpson & Thatcher is the only firm that we know of paying bonuses to deferred associates doing public interest work…

Five of Nine New Partners at WilmerHale are Women

joshua — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:37:09 +0000

WilmerHale announced its new partnership class this week. Nine associates have been promoted to partner and of those, five are female. Three new partners were promoted in Washington DC and three in New York, with two more coming in Boston and the last one in London.

Last year WilmerHale promoted ten partners, four of whom were women. Wilmer’s assistant managing partner, Carol Clayton, says it’s a reflection of the firm’s effort to hire and promote women and that she hopes that it’s the beginning of a trend.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:13:07 +0000

Good morning everyone! It’s Wednesday, December 16, and here’s a quick look at yesterday’s news…

Sonnenschein lays off some staff and abandons lockstep compensation….

WilmerHale also ditches lockstep….

Nixon Peabody associates get a last minute deferral…

and the partnerships at Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have approved the merger plans…

WilmerHale Ditches Lockstep

joshua — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:12:44 +0000

WilmerHale is abandoning lockstep compensation and adopting a merit based three tiered system that should look familiar to anyone that’s read these pages over the past few months. The new compensation plan, cleverly titled “career advancement program” or “CAP” will take effect in 2012. But not to worry, WilmerHale has found another time honored method of holding labor costs down in the mean time. Next years salaries look remarkably like this years – yes, the firm is instituting a salary freeze for everyone but second year associates, who will receive a $5k bump in compensation.

Staff Layoffs at WilmerHale

joshua — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:38:26 +0000

WilmerHale laid off 57 staff members across 4 offices today, with the biggest cuts coming in Washington DC and Boston. The company says the decision was made to be able to “respond to a changed business landscape and provide the highest quality legal services in a more cost-effective manner”. So far this year, WilmerHale has managed to avoid any large scale attorney layoffs, but has told some associates that they need to start looking for new jobs.

Above the Law was the first to report on the staff cuts, thanks to anonymous tips it received. Apparently WilmerHale’s attempt to stifle leaks was not as successful as it had hoped.