Associates

Dorsey & Whitney Faces Malpractice Suit Over Dual Representation in Small Real Estate Matter

A well-known Minneapolis-based international law firm is facing a malpractice suit over a former associate’s representation of both parties in the purchase of an ownership share in a Wisconsin bed-and-breakfast. The purchasers, who are represented by Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi, have sued Dorsey & Whitney, contending that they weren’t…

Jan 4, 2013 5:23 PM CST

Highest Partner Billing Rate in New Survey Is $1,285 an Hour

A real-estate investment trust partner in the Dallas office of Locke Lord has the highest billing rate in a new survey: $1,285 an hour. The National Law Journal survey also revealed the lowest rate for associates: $130 at Dinsmore & Shohl based in Cincinnati. The legal newspaper provided data from…

Dec 17, 2012 1:27 PM CST

Continued Dip in Number of Female Associates Is ‘Significant and Troubling Trend’

The percentage of female associates in law firms has fallen slightly for the third year in a row, even as women made small gains in partnership ranks, according to NALP, the Association for Legal Career Professionals. Women made up 45.05 percent of associates in an “incremental but steady slide from…

Dec 13, 2012 1:30 PM CST

Stinson Morrison to Open Denver Office with 9 Lawyers from Jones & Keller

Corrected: Stinson Morrison Hecker is the latest out-of-state law firm from Kansas City to announce plans to plant its flag in Denver. The 300-attorney Midwest regional firm will open a new office in February with five partners and four associates from Denver-based Jones & Keller, the Kansas City Business Journal…

Dec 6, 2012 4:40 PM CST

California Lawyer Accused of Lying to Get More Time to Take Bar Exam

A California lawyer who was granted more time for the state bar exam based on a false statement has agreed to cancellation of her law license. Leah Harmuth was granted time and a half and given a semi-private room to take the July 2009 bar exam because of an asserted…

Dec 6, 2012 2:37 PM CST

Boies Schiller Pays Big-Bucks Bonuses to Top Associates

Boies Schiller & Flexner is paying bonuses of up to $250,000 to its top senior associates. Bonuses range from $50,000 to $250,000 for senior associates, and from $25,000 to $150,000 for first- and second-year associates, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. The amount varies based on factors that include…

Dec 5, 2012 12:25 PM CST

Prudent or Plentiful? How Law Firms Decide Year-End Associate Bonuses

Higher associate bonuses came from Cravath Swain & Moore in 2012. Naturally other firms that see themselves–or want to see themselves–as competitors with the Wall Street firm followed suit. For the most part partners and associates are happy with the numbers, guests tell ABA Journal Podcast moderator Stephanie Francis Ward, but there could be big changes in the future.

Dec 3, 2012 2:30 PM CST

Video: Deals Are Back, M&A Partner Says; CFTC Prompts Intrade Shutdown; BigLaw Bonus Time

Editor’s Note: We’re experimenting with using more video on ABAJournal.com and will be bringing you this short weekly legal news brief from Bloomberg Law for the next few weeks. Thanks for the feedback so far. Please note that adding video would not mean eliminating text-based stories. Rather, we’re exploring adding…

Nov 29, 2012 6:19 PM CST

Tis the Season: Skadden and Simpson Thacher Match Cravath Year-End Bonuses of $10K to $60K

Two other major New York-based law firms have followed the lead of Cravath Swaine & Moore, increasing end-of-year bonuses for associates to a range of $10,000 to $60,000. Both Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett made the announcement on Wednesday, reports Reuters. Annual salaries for…

Nov 29, 2012 5:30 PM CST

Ex-Associate of Law Firm Charged With Wire Fraud, Accused of Obtaining $453K from Trust Account

An ex-associate of a Baton Rouge, La., law firm has been federally charged with wire fraud for allegedly using fraudulent misrepresentations to persuade his former firm to send $93,750 to a bank account under his control. The charging document, a bill of information, also contends, however, that James M. “Tres”…

Nov 28, 2012 6:08 PM CST

Attorney Who Gave Up City Job for Kids Forms ‘Top Brain’ Law Firm With Other Stay-at-Home Moms

A former London lawyer who gave up a lucrative legal job in the global financial center after she had her first child is now challenging the traditional idea that skilled corporate attorneys have to work at traditional BigLaw firms if they want a challenging legal career. Eve King joined with…

Nov 27, 2012 7:03 PM CST

Cravath Boosts Year-End Bonuses, Will Pay $10K to $60K; Last Year’s Ceiling Was $37.5K

In happy holiday news for BigLaw associates, Cravath Swaine & Moore announced on Monday that it will pay associates a year-end bonus ranging from $10,000 to $60,000. That’s a substantial increase from last year’s range of $7,500 to $37,500, reported the New York Times’ DealBook blog, which obtained a copy…

Nov 26, 2012 9:44 PM CST

16-Lawyer Group Exits Cetrulo for Boston Office of Nelson Mullins

A 16-lawyer litigation team, led by a name partner, has exited Cetrulo & Capone for the Boston office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. The contingent, which will work in two groups, focuses on construction and surety law and product liability and catastrophic accident litigation. The total attorney roster for…

Nov 19, 2012 11:32 PM CST

Report Finds ‘Stagnation’ in Diversity at New York City Law Firms

Diversity remains a challenge for New York City law firms, according to a 2011 Diversity Benchmarking Report released on Wednesday. The report (PDF) by the New York City Bar Association says its survey results “paint a picture of stagnation for women and minority attorneys. At the micro-level there are improvements…

Nov 15, 2012 4:04 PM CST

Why Ms. X Is Leaving BigLaw: Busy Mom Details Untenable Schedule in Departure Memo

If you’ve ever wondered why it can be so difficult to juggle motherhood and BigLaw, a Clifford Chance associate dubbed Ms. X explains it in a departure memo with a blow-by-blow account of her untenable daily routine. Above the Law blogger Elie Mystal, himself a new father, posted the memo…

Nov 13, 2012 12:15 PM CST