Partners

New Lawyer to Represent ‘Crockefeller’ on Multiple Fronts

An apparently bogus blueblood who made international headlines this summer after he allegedly kidnapped his 7-year-old daughter is putting a high-profile criminal defense attorney in charge of a variety of legal proceedings he is now facing. Jeffrey Denner of Denner Pellegrino will now represent “Clark Rockefeller,” who is believed to…

Nov 5, 2008 6:44 PM CST

Chicago Attorney and Ex-Alderman Ed Vrdolyak Pleads in Kickback Case

A well-known Chicago attorney who is a former longtime city alderman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud. The case, which involves a claimed kickback paid to put a real estate deal on a fast track, was to have gone to trial this week. “Edward Vrdolyak said he…

Nov 4, 2008 9:07 PM CST

11 of 44 Chicago Law Firms Met Female Partner Goal

Updated: A Chicago Bar Association program aimed at increasing the number of women in law firm partnership ranks is being criticized for being too lenient in crediting law firms for improvement. The “Call to Action” program found that 11 out of 44 Chicago law firms met their pledge to increase…

Nov 4, 2008 4:18 PM CST

McKee Nelson Cuts 17 Associates; Expects 10% Drop in Partner Profits

McKee Nelson announced today that it laid off 17 corporate finance associates and 15 staff because of a steep decline in structuring mortgage-backed and asset-backed securitizations. “This is market-driven, not the fault of these kids,” William Nelson, the firm’s co-founder, told the Wall Street Journal Law Blog. “All of the…

Nov 3, 2008 10:34 PM CST

2 Baker & Daniels Partners Leave for Athletics Director Posts

If you ever had a dream of becoming your alma mater’s athletics director, making partner at your law firm could be good job training. At least that’s what two former partners at the sports-savvy Indianapolis-based Baker & Daniels have discovered. In July, John “Jack” Swarbrick, a former Baker partner, became…

Nov 3, 2008 5:38 PM CST

La. Lawyer Pleads Guilty in Bizarre $30M Law Firm Theft Case

A New Orleans gaming lawyer who until recently was contending that his former law firm concocted theft allegations against him pleaded guilty today to charges that he bilked the firm and casino clients out of $30 million, stashing most of it in a Swiss bank account. James “Jamie” Perdigao, 46,…

Oct 31, 2008 8:03 PM CDT

Heller’s Chairman is Headed to Dechert

The chairman of the dissolving Heller Ehrman law firm has found a new home—Dechert. Matthew Larrabee will practice in the litigation group of the firm’s San Francisco office, reports the Am Law Daily. “Larrabee moved into the San Fransisco office today,” the article states, “though a partnership vote on Larrabee…

Oct 30, 2008 7:56 PM CDT

Eversheds Eliminates Planned Partner Profit Payouts

In the latest example of law firms battening their hatches to cope with a stormy economy, a major United Kingdom firm is eliminating quarterly profit distributions to equity partners scheduled for November and February. “Eversheds said the unusual move was aimed at encouraging partners to improve lock-up—work in progress and…

Oct 30, 2008 4:36 PM CDT

Ex-Partner May Plead in Fraud Case Over Alleged $30M La. Law Firm Theft

A news agency is reporting that James Perdigao, a former partner at a New Orleans law firm who is accused of fraud and money laundering concerning the $30 million he allegedly stole from an Adams and Reese trust account before repaying the money, is now expected to plead guilty. “Court…

Oct 30, 2008 4:24 PM CDT

2 Ga. BigLaw Partners Join No-Frills Firm

As a partner at Hunton & Williams, James Meadows billed his time at $650 per hour. Since moving on Oct. 1 to the no-frills law firm of FSB Legal Counsel, he charges half that amount. But the rate reduction is worth it, because of the flexibility the job offers, he…

Oct 29, 2008 9:59 PM CDT

What McKinsey Told White & Case

Implementing recommendations in a recent report by the McKinsey & Co. management consultants on its worldwide operations, White & Case is changing the management structure in its European offices. The matrix of those in charge will now be organized by geographic region and global practice group, rather than simply representing…

Oct 29, 2008 7:23 PM CDT

Bond Revoked for La. Lawyer Accused in $30M Law Firm Theft and Hacking Cases

A Louisiana attorney previously accused of stealing some $30 million from his law firm’s trust account has had his bond revoked after a more recent claim that he hacked into its computer system last month. Former Adams and Reese partner James “Jamie” Perdigao, 46, had been free on $2 million…

Oct 28, 2008 10:00 PM CDT

Thelen Leaders Seek Vote to Dissolve, Hope to Close By Dec. 1

Updated: Citing crippling economic factors and the impact of partner losses, the partnership council of Thelen recommended in a meeting today that the law firm’s partners vote to dissolve. The firm hopes to shut down by Dec. 1. Partners have seven days to vote on dissolution. Thelen attributes its troubles…

Oct 28, 2008 8:08 PM CDT

Kramer Levin Bankruptcy Trio, Milbank’s Luc Despins Jump Ship to New Firms

Updated: Three former bankruptcy partners of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, including the co-leader of the firm’s Distressed and Special Situations Lending Group, have departed for Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. David Feldman, Eric Wise and Matthew Williams are now partners in their new firm’s New York office, where Feldman will…

Oct 28, 2008 6:06 PM CDT

Some Lawyers Ante Up $25K in Gay Marriage Fray, as Law Prof Stars in Ads

A Pepperdine University law professor is taking to the airwaves to back a California constitutional amendment to bar gay marriage in the state, while other lawyers on both sides of the debate are contributing as much as $25,000 to committees battling over the issue. Professor Richard Peterson appears in TV…

Oct 28, 2008 3:26 PM CDT