Midsize Firm

32 Law Firms Certified for Empowering Women

Thirty-two law firms have received a “Gold Standard Certification” for hiring women equity partners and promoting them to leadership positions. The Women in Law Empowerment Forum certified law firms with more than 100 lawyers that met three of six criteria for percentages of equity partners and leaders, the National Law…

Jun 15, 2011 1:26 PM CDT

Ex Rothstein Lawyer Pleads Guilty, Allegedly Wrote Letter re Name Partner’s $1.2B ‘Investment’ Scam

A former law partner of convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy in federal court in West Palm Beach. Prosecutors said Howard Kusnick, 59, wrote a letter claiming to have settled a client’s case favorably when in fact there not only was no such settlement…

Jun 14, 2011 10:44 PM CDT

Altman Weil Survey Says 95% of Law Firms Plan to Up Fees By a Median 4%

After much talk of a paradigm shift in the practice of law and the need to provide clients with more value for their money in recent years, it appears that the legal economy is on the upswing. Almost all of the law firms responding to a survey by consultant Altman…

Jun 14, 2011 10:12 PM CDT

Denver Law Firm Isaacson Rosenbaum to Close

Denver law firm Isaacson Rosenbaum is closing its doors. CEO Lawrence Donovan Jr. announced this morning that the firm would close at the end of the month, the Denver Business Journal reports. A small staff of administrators will stay on to help in the wind down. “We will continue our…

Jun 14, 2011 1:02 PM CDT

Saul Ewing Is Planting Flag in Boston by Acquiring 7-Lawyer Real Estate Boutique

Saul Ewing is opening its first office outside the mid-Atlantic region by acquiring a seven-lawyer, six-partner real estate boutique in Boston. The merger with Dionne & Gass will take place July 1, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports. David Antzis, who serves as managing partner of the Philadelphia-based firm, says it…

Jun 13, 2011 5:17 PM CDT

Michigan Law Firm Pledges $1M in Free Legal Work for Start-Ups

Michigan-based Varnum is donating up to $1 million in pro bono legal services over the next five years to help start-up and fledgling businesses in the state. Gov. Rick Snyder announced the pledge Wednesday. The contribution is part of a plan Snyder is backing, MiSpringboard, to boost economic activity in…

Jun 10, 2011 1:45 PM CDT

Honigman Settles with Ex-Assistant Who Said She Injured Her Back While Wearing Required High Heels

A Detroit-based law firm has settled on undisclosed terms a federal discrimination lawsuit brought by a former executive assistant who alleged that she injured her back while wearing high heels Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn required of female employees, reports Crain’s Detroit Business. Denise Fitzhenry sued both the firm and…

Jun 1, 2011 9:35 PM CDT

Former Clark Thomas & Winters Partner Convicted in Bill-Padding Case, Gets 500 Days, Must Pay $222K

A former partner of Clark Thomas & Winters was convicted yesterday by a Texas jury in a case that revolved around the alleged padding of legal bills to obtain money to make secret payments to relatives of board members of a client utility company. Convicted of theft, money laundering and…

Jun 1, 2011 9:01 PM CDT

More Trouble for ‘Tax Lady’ as IRS Hits Her With $183K Lien, But 70 Independent Franchises Stay Open

A California attorney known as the “tax lady” faces a new issue: The Internal Revenue Service has filed a lien contending that she owes $183,000. Although Roni Deutch’s troubles have put her into receivership, 70 independent franchises in 23 states have been allowed to continue in business under her name,…

Jun 1, 2011 6:43 PM CDT

California’s Best Best & Krieger Acquires DC Telecom Boutique

Best Best & Krieger is opening a Washington, D.C., office through the acquisition of Miller & Van Eaton, a boutique telecommunications law firm based in the District. Six lawyers from Miller & Van Eaton will join Best Best & Krieger effective July 1, according to a press release. The D.C.…

Jun 1, 2011 2:14 PM CDT

Former Law Partner of Scott Rothstein, 3 Others Face Wire Fraud Conspiracy Charges

A former partner in convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein’s law firm has been charged in an alleged wire fraud conspiracy, along with three other individuals. Ex-partner Howard Kusnick worked on a civil case in which client car dealer Ed Morse and his wife sued a kitchen designer. Rothstein, who operated…

May 27, 2011 3:01 PM CDT

Jury Mulls Money-Launder Case Against Ex-Clark Thomas & Winters Partner Charged re Billing Practices

A Texas jury is beginning deliberations in a money-laundering case against a former partner at Clark Thomas & Winters who is accused of padding law firm bills to conceal improper payments to individuals related to members of the client’s executive board. Walter Demond is also charged with theft and misapplication…

May 26, 2011 7:30 PM CDT

Ruden McClosky Closes 3 Offices, Says in Email ‘Things are Clearly Moving in the Right Direction’

After lawyer defections, staff layoffs and partner pay holdbacks, Ruden McClosky is now closing three Florida offices. But the downsizing Fort Lauderdale-based firm, which has now shrunk to an attorney roster of 64 from around 200 a decade or so ago, said in an April 27 email that “things are…

May 25, 2011 8:00 PM CDT

Trustee Picard Will Be ‘Richer Than Madoff’ Once Legal Bills are Paid, Investor Lawyer Says

A lawyer for 800 investors defrauded in Bernie Madoff’s stunning Ponzi scheme complains that trustee Irving Picard will be “richer than Madoff” once his law firm’s legal bills are paid. Attorney Helen Chaitman, who is contesting the latest $44 million bill from Baker & Hostetler, says Picard himself is getting…

May 25, 2011 6:01 PM CDT

$6.3M Settlement Wired to Marc Dreier Is Toast, Bankruptcy Judge Tells Ex-Lawyer’s Ex-Client

A former client has lost a legal battle to recoup a $6.3 million settlement stolen by his then-legal counsel Marc Dreier after it was wired to his attorney trust account. Technology investor Paul Gardi and his company, Alix Interactive Media, are bound by the purported Gardi signature Dreier forged on…

May 24, 2011 7:38 PM CDT