Partners

Diversity Manager Hiring Rises, But Are They Effective?

Corrected: Last year, 50 percent of law firms had designated diversity managers, and according to a new Altman Weil survey, that number has risen to nearly 60 percent. All 80 firms surveyed now have diversity committees as well. “This year, for the first time, more than half of law firms…

Apr 24, 2008 4:28 PM CDT

Will Defections Leave Blank Rome Without Fla. Office?

Philadelphia’s Blank Rome may be without a Florida office if it can’t convince its lawyers in Boca Raton to stay. At least half of the attorneys from the Florida outpost have already left for Greenberg Traurig and the National Law Journal (sub. req.) says the rest are considering a move.…

Apr 24, 2008 1:49 PM CDT

Drinker Biddle Revenue Up, Partner Profits Down

At nearly 160 years old, Drinker Biddle & Reath is as healthy as ever, with soaring revenues thanks to a merger with Chicago’s Gardner Carton & Douglas. The Legal Intelligencer reports that after the merger, both the firm’s revenue and headcount grew by more than 40 percent. Leadership also organized…

Apr 24, 2008 10:25 AM CDT

Ex-Quarles Partner Suspended For Not Reading Partnership Fine Print

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended a former Quarles & Brady partner who kept $230,000 in trustee fees because he says he didn’t realize his partnership agreement required him to turn over the money. The nine-month suspension of Jeffrey Elverman is tougher than the one recommended by a referee, who…

Apr 22, 2008 2:23 PM CDT

Lawyer Uncovers McCain ‘Family Recipe’ Scandal

An “eagle-eyed” New York lawyer searching the Internet for recipes has broken the latest campaign scandal in search of a clever name. Lawyer Lauren Handel, a partner in McDermott Will & Emery’s New York office, made an unusual discovery when she was looking for a recipe from a chef on…

Apr 18, 2008 1:03 PM CDT

Advice from a Lawyer Who’s Been There, Done That

Joseph Flom is the last-named lawyer in Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and he’s the only lawyer who is still with the law firm since it was formed 60 years ago this month. Flom, 84, had advice and reflections on everything from client service to the economic downturn in…

Apr 16, 2008 2:22 PM CDT

Kirkland & Ellis Snags 3 Partners from Mayer Brown

One Chicago-based BigLaw firm reportedly has just raided another of three partners. Bruce Gelman, Thomas Geraghty and Joshua Hanna have left Mayer Brown are now practicing at Kirkland & Ellis, reports Legal Week. Gelman and Geraghty are tax lawyers, and Hanna specializes in real estate and private equity matters.

Apr 15, 2008 8:32 PM CDT

Law Firms Mull ADR After Lawyer Suits, But Verdict’s Still Out

A recent spate of lawyers suing well-known law firms is prompting partners to consider requiring mandatory arbitration for such disputes. However, many law firms are reluctant to do so, and fear that adverse publicity and expensive, time-consuming discovery could still result even if they do successfully block associate and partner…

Apr 15, 2008 7:05 PM CDT

Why Gibson Dunn Keeps Winning in the Supreme Court

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has achieved an impressive record in the past three terms at the U.S. Supreme Court. It has won eight out of 11 cases. The reasons for that record include the firm’s impressive appellate litigators, its loose organizational structure and the strength of its cases, the National…

Apr 15, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

Big Law Firms Lose Female Managing Partners, Raising Pipeline Issues

A number of large law firms have recently lost their female managing partners, leading some to wonder whether women’s gains are slipping. A survey of large law firms released in November by the National Association of Women Lawyers found that only 8 percent of law firm leaders are women, the…

Apr 15, 2008 10:54 AM CDT

McKenna’s Roadmap to Partnership and Rainmaking

A midsize Atlanta law firm has created a new professional development structure that not only serves as a roadmap to partnership for associates but may help McKenna Long & Aldridge retain rainmakers. At the helm of the 456-lawyer firm’s expanded professional development program is Avital “Avi” Stadler, a securities litigator…

Apr 14, 2008 7:05 PM CDT

Rocker’s Remarks Spurred O’Melveny Partner to Buy WNBA Team

A co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks is a former Yale law grad and entertainment partner at O’Melveny & Myers. Lawyer Carla Christofferson credits a “defining moment” for spurring her idea to put together a group of investors to buy the women’s professional basketball team, the New York Times reports.…

Apr 14, 2008 4:35 PM CDT

Clifford Chance Revs Up US Operations

Struggling for a while in the U.S. after a difficult merger with Rogers & Wells in 2000, Clifford Chance is revving its engines and expects to see American profits nearly double in the foreseeable future. Four of the 35 new partners named by the London-based megafirm are in its 440-lawyer…

Apr 14, 2008 3:53 PM CDT

Brobeck Bankruptcy Trustee Sues 10 Former Partners, Two Law Firms

Ten former partners of the bankrupt law firm Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison and the two new firms they joined are facing lawsuits by a bankruptcy trustee. Ronald Greenspan filed two lawsuits on March 28 against the partners and their firms, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and Dorsey & Whitney, the Recorder…

Apr 11, 2008 11:05 AM CDT

Despite Slowdown, Dealmakers of Year Still in Business

Despite a significant work slowdown that began almost exactly halfway through 2007, the nation’s best dealmakers found a way to continue doing business last year when others might have been stymied. Among them: Paul Bird of Debevoise & Plimpton closed a HD Supply buyout in late August without funding, as…

Apr 8, 2008 6:17 PM CDT