Law Firms

Sutherland Asbill Lays Off Some Associates

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan has laid off fewer than 15 associates, including about eight lawyers in its Atlanta office. An initial report said as many as 30 to 40 associates had been cut, but Sutherland’s managing partner, Mark Wasserman, told the Fulton County Daily Report that the numbers were not…

Apr 30, 2008 12:12 PM CDT

Judge Smacks Law Firms & Partner With $150K Sanctions, But Spares 2 Associates

A federal bankruptcy judge in Massachusetts has sanctioned two law firms and a name partner a total of $150,000 for incorrectly claiming that their client owned a mortgage that had in fact been reassigned at least twice. Finding that one law firm had information in a client file that contradicted…

Apr 29, 2008 8:14 PM CDT

Facing Retirement, Fox Rothschild Leader Jumps Ship

A former managing partner and chair of Fox Rothschild is leaving for a litigation boutique so that he can continue to practice law. Louis Fryman, who has been with the 425-lawyer Philadelphia-based law firm for 26 years, is 72 years old and facing mandatory retirement at his soon-to-be-former firm, reports…

Apr 29, 2008 7:30 PM CDT

AmLaw 100 Profits Up, Partners Down

Updated: Once again, the major law firms in the AmLaw 100 reportedly have posted an impressive earnings year. And, in a webinar today, as American Lawyer is about to detail the results of its latest survey of the nation’s top-grossing law firms in its May issue, the magazine’s top editor…

Apr 29, 2008 7:20 PM CDT

Law Firm Credit Crunch

Law firms are dipping deeper into credit lines and seeking to line up new credit as they anticipate tougher financial times in 2008. Citi Private Bank, which has relationships with about 150 law firms, finds they are using about 25 more of their credit lines than they did during 2007’s…

Apr 29, 2008 6:05 PM CDT

Big Firm Lawyer Works Part-Time—and Largely at Home

Victoria Wells has a job that many a lawyer might envy. As counsel to a major United Kingdom law firm, she works part-time from her home in Yorkshire, where she moved after marrying a farmer there, and only goes to work at Allen & Overy’s office in London one day…

Apr 29, 2008 4:55 PM CDT

Survey Says Law Firm GCs Make More Than Ever Before

Most major U.S. law firms continue to have an in-house general counsel, and the position is better-paid than ever before. On average, law firm GCs earn $750,000 in cash compensation if they hold the position full-time, according to a new survey by a legal consultant. The $750,000 represents a 34…

Apr 29, 2008 3:57 PM CDT

7 Partners Leave Locke Lord Bissell, Form New Chicago Insurance Firm

A seven-partner contingent has left Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, including the chair of the recently merged 700-attorney firm’s insurance group, to form its own law practice. Led by Joseph Hinkhouse, 44, the new Chicago firm, which will be known as Hinkhouse Williams Walsh, will focus on representing insurance companies…

Apr 29, 2008 3:15 PM CDT

Simpson Thacher and Skadden Arps Handle Mars-Wrigley Deal

Two powerhouse law firms are handling details of candy maker Mars Inc.’s $23 billion buyout of the Wrigley chewing gum company. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett handled the negotiations for Mars, the AmLaw Daily blog reports. Wrigley is represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. The Wall Street Journal reports…

Apr 29, 2008 1:39 PM CDT

Morrison & Foerster Closes Orange County Office

Morrison & Foerster is closing its Orange County office in the wake of a decision by the head of the outpost to leap to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. Orange County managing partner Dean Zipser is moving to Manatt along with partner Thomas Umberg, the Recorder reports. The firm plans to…

Apr 29, 2008 12:08 PM CDT

Wolf Block Acquires Five-Lawyer White-Collar Crime Firm in Delaware

East Coast law firm Wolf Block has acquired a five-lawyer law firm in Delaware that includes the state’s former attorney general, Charles Oberly III. The Delaware firm, Oberly Jennings & Rhodunda, will add white-collar and corporate investigations expertise to Wolf Block’s Wilmington office, the Legal Intelligencer reports. One of the…

Apr 29, 2008 11:50 AM CDT

Vinson & Elkins Transfers Partners, Prepares to Expand

Houston-based law firm Vinson & Elkins, buoyed by profits from oil clients, is reorganizing and beefing up its offices in New York and abroad. Seven partners will move to New York to focus on capital markets and mergers and acquisitions, the American Lawyer reports. Other partners will move to Tokyo,…

Apr 29, 2008 11:34 AM CDT

Paul Hastings Deals With Aftermath of Secretary’s Murder Outside Office

Two grief counselors were at the Atlanta office of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker on Monday to help those who worked for the firm deal with the death of a secretary killed in a murder-suicide on Friday. A private memorial service for the 25-year-old secretary, Raven Buckley, will be held…

Apr 29, 2008 11:03 AM CDT

Worried Partners Secretly Seek Business Development Help

Worried about drastic cuts in compensation and possible de-equitization, many partners at major law firms in the Philadelphia area are trying something new to enhance their marketability. An unprecedented number reportedly are secretly seeking help from career counselors with their business development skills. “Pretty much 100 percent of marketing consultant…

Apr 28, 2008 7:45 PM CDT

Big Firms Often Pay Bar Exam Costs, Sometimes Pay Signing Bonuses

Most of the big law firms help their lawyers pick up the costs of bar exam fees and bar review courses, according to an informal survey of readers by the blog Above the Law. Fewer readers were paid a graduation bonus, a salary advance or a “stub bonus” for the…

Apr 28, 2008 5:46 PM CDT