Legal News

Davos Report: Which Lawyers Are World Economic Forum-Bound?

Posted on January 26, 2011
As the World Economic Forum opens in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos, lawyers from a handful of top international firms are set to be on hand for client meetings and networking with the business and political leaders from around the globe.

The Careerist: Akin Gump Partner Strays Off Reservation

Posted on January 26, 2011
Like most firms, Akin Gump could probably give a hoot about what its lawyers say in their personal blogs--unless it might cost the firm a client.

Latham Ties Up Another Deal For The Carlyle Group

Posted on January 26, 2011
The firm is representing its longtime client on the acquisition of AlpInvest, a deal that will make The Carlyle Group the world's largest private equity firm by assets under management.

The Am Law 100: Shook, Hardy Posts Gains in PPP, RPL

Posted on January 26, 2011
Shook, Hardy & Bacon reported flat revenues and a slight rise in profits per partner for 2010.

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Weil, Allen & Overy Land Asia Work for GE

Posted on January 25, 2011
The firms are advising General Electric on two major transactions announced this week: the $665 million sale of its Singapore unit and a $1.3 billion joint venture with a state-owned Chinese aviation company.

The Bankruptcy Files: Lehman Fees, State Bankruptcies, and Three New Filings

Posted on January 25, 2011
Another installment of Lehman Brothers bankruptcy fees--$30.5 million in December for attorneys and other outside advisers. Plus: the debate over state bankruptcies and new filings by Anchor Blue, Constar International, and Orchard Brands.

Hogan Lovells's New Los Angeles MP Bullish on West Coast Expansion

Posted on January 25, 2011
The firm named corporate partner and former Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. GC Stephen Kay as managing partner of its LA office Tuesday. The move highlights Hogan Lovell's intention to grow its West coast presence.

The Careerist: McKenna Long Psychs Recruits

Posted on January 25, 2011
Fims are using "psych tests" to suss out the most well-adjusted associates.

The Churn: Lateral Moves and Promotions from The Am Law 200

Posted on January 25, 2011
A group of Mayer Brown lawyers heads to Jones Day; Lathrop & Gage launches a new Boston office with three IP partners; and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge adds two King & Wood partners in Hong Kong. The Churn is constant. Please send all announcements and news releases to thechurn@alm...

S&C, Wilmer Hale on Amgen's Buy of Biovex for Up to $1B

Posted on January 25, 2011
Biotech behemoth Amgen has plans to get even bigger with its proposed acquisition of BioVex.

LAT: Latham, K&L Gates, Others Raked In Big Fees From Tiny Vernon, Calif.

Posted on January 25, 2011
Vernon, Calif., a Los Angeles area municipality with fewer than 100 residents but a $300 million budget, paid more than $54 million to law firms over the past five years. Now California's attorney general is asking why.

Ex-Jenner Partner Donald Verrilli Named
Solicitor General

Posted on January 25, 2011
Donald Verrilli Jr., served as Jenner & Block's D.C. Supreme Court practice co-chair from 2000 to 2009, before joining the Justice Department. 

Dechert Shells Out $429K to Settle Meal-Break Class Action Claim

Posted on January 25, 2011
Dechert ended its battle with employees who claimed the firm had workers sign waivers when they worked through meal breaks, sibling publication The Recorder reports.

Locke Lord Open for Business in Hong Kong

Posted on January 25, 2011
The 650-lawyer Houston-based firm has hired a former DLA Piper partner to head the office, the firm's first in Asia.

Wilmer is Hiring...in Dayton

Posted on January 24, 2011
Some good news for unemployed attorneys and law grads--Wilmer is looking to hire 20 new lawyers to handle full-time document review out of its Ohio-based business services center.

The Churn: Asian Edition

Posted on January 24, 2011
DLA hires the former head of King & Wood's tax practice in Hong Kong, and White & Case welcomes a Hogan Lovells veteran in Singapore.

China's Zhong Lun Strengthens Hong Kong Presence

Posted on January 24, 2011
Beijing-based Zhong Lun Law Firm, one of China's largest firms, is stepping up its internationalization drive with a new merger in Hong Kong and plans for another in New York.

The Am Law 100: Wilmer's Profits, Revenue Rise in 2010

Posted on January 24, 2011
Average profits per equity partner increased 17 percent from 2009 to 2010, while gross revenue saw a slim increase of 2.2 percent. Activity in Wilmer's government regulation and investigations, securities, and intellectual property practices contributed to the firm's healthy returns, as did a decrease in lawyer headcount...

Cravath, Cooley on Proposed Sale of Genoptix to Novartis

Posted on January 24, 2011
Pharma giant Novartis plans to buy up diagnostics company Genoptix for $470 million.

King & Spalding, Wachtell on RockTenn's
$3.5B Smurfit-Stone Buy

Posted on January 24, 2011
The deal will create one of North America's largest producers of containerboard and packaging materials. 

The Am Law 100: Sonnenschein Profits Increase
15 Percent

Posted on January 24, 2011
The firm posted a solid increase in profits per equity partner in its last fiscal year as a single U.S. entity. Gross revenue fell for a second consecutive year.

The Careerist: Keeping Up Appearances

Posted on January 22, 2011
The number of women attorneys who've made repeat appearances before the Supreme Court is surprisingly small. Why aren't more women raising their voices?

Dealmaker of the Week: Alan Kaden of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson

Posted on January 21, 2011
Kaden led for Cargill in its $24 billion tax-free spin-off of fertilizer subsidiary The Mosaic Company. The deal, the largest in the company?s 146-year history, allows Cargill to remain a privately-owned entity.

Cravath M&A Partner Woolery Heading
to J.P. Morgan

Posted on January 21, 2011
James Woolery, who joined Cravath, Swaine & Moore in 1994, will become co-head of North America M&A at J.P. Morgan on February 7. The move is one of a handful of changes to the bank's deal advisory business announced Thursday.

How to Prevent 'The End of Lawyers'

Posted on January 21, 2011
How can legal IT professionals can help their firms thrive in this brave new world of legal competition?

The Score: Clifford Chance, Reed Smith See That Sid the Kid Gets Paid

Posted on January 21, 2011
The two firms--one of whom got the work through a key lateral hire--are advising on a $115 million secured syndicated revolving credit facility for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. Plus: the lawyers behind a $300 million TV deal between ESPN and the University of Texas, civil suits by Ron Franklin, Mike Leach, and Tom Cable, and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens fight back in our weekly look at sports and the law.

Culture Shock

Posted on January 21, 2011
As partners lateral into equity partnerships, how does the culture of the hiring firm change?

Sutherland Launches Sacramento Office with CalTax GC

Posted on January 21, 2011
Michele Pielsticker joins the firm as counsel in the state and local tax practice to help Sutherland establish a California presence.

The Churn.Gov: Lateral Moves from Fed to Firm

Posted on January 21, 2011
Foley lands former Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle; that state's former deputy attorney general rejoins Michael Best; and Saul Ewing's chairman takes a post with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Churn is constant. Please send all announcements and news releases to thechurn@alm...

Manatt Settles Malicious Prosecution Suit for $25 Million

Posted on January 21, 2011
Ending 13 years of litigation, Manatt has agreed to pay $25 million in damages to Los Angeles businessman Stewart Resnick and his wife, Lynda, in a case that began over trademark claims related to the late Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales.

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