Partners

Reed Smith to U.K. Attys: Play By Rules for ‘Partner’ Pay

Eyebrows apparently are being raised among the U.K. nonequity partners of Pittsburgh-based Reed Smith over the U.S. firm’s compensation methodology. Reed Smith introduced salaried partners at its British merger match, Richards Butler, at the beginning of this year to a new pay scheme in which 15 percent of their pay…

Nov 16, 2007 12:25 AM CST

Famed Texas PI Lawyer’s Trials Help Destroy Landmark Home

An abandoned landmark home in Houston reflects the fortunes and vicissitudes of its owner, famed personal injury attorney John O’Quinn. Purchased in 2004, along with its unique furniture, for $515,000 by the “zillionaire” attorney, the once-“superswank Mod palace” remembered by a local architecture critic is now a water-damaged, vandalized wreck…

Nov 15, 2007 12:17 AM CST

N.Y. Lawyer Stole $24M, Gets 10 Years

Updated: It isn’t every dishonest lawyer who manages to steal $24 million. But Anthony Bellettieri, a former real estate practitioner in wealthy Westchester County, N.Y., pleaded guilty earlier this year to doing so and was sentenced yesterday by a federal judge to a 10-year prison term. The onetime partner of…

Nov 14, 2007 8:05 PM CST

Should Law Firm Leaders Get CEO Pay?

At a time when major law firms are increasingly like the big corporations that they represent as clients, there’s still one noteworthy difference between the two: The individuals in charge of managing big corporations are paid considerably more. While there is some pressure for law firms to up the ante…

Nov 14, 2007 6:40 PM CST

‘Dismal’ Diversity at Big Dallas Firms

More than a decade ago, the men at the helm of the biggest and best-known law firms in Dallas pledged to a major effort to recruit more minorities. But attorneys of color still represent only a small fraction of those who work there–less than five percent of equity partners, reports…

Nov 12, 2007 7:39 PM CST

Ace Private Equity Attorney: Super-Smarts Aren’t a Job Requirement

Charlie Geffen readily admits he’s something of a workaholic. But, the British lawyer says, it doesn’t take an academic whiz to be one of the world’s most successful private equity practitioners. Instead, diligently learning the rules is what it takes to get through law school, and, especially in his practice…

Nov 9, 2007 4:58 PM CST

BigLaw Firms End Mandatory Retirement

Another BigLaw firm has just announced that it will end its mandatory retirement program for lawyers, following a high-profile $27.5 million settlement in a law firm partner age discrimination case and an ABA recommendation against such policies. Effective immediately, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis will no longer require its…

Nov 7, 2007 6:13 PM CST

Experts: Share-the-Spoils Model Better Than ‘Eat What You Kill’

Although an eat-what-you-kill approach to law practice has gained popularity in recent years, a share-the-spoils model is the better pathway to follow for future law firm success, experts say. Otherwise, according to Doug Moore of accountant Grant Thornton, the law firm “promotes stars and rainmakers, those who bring in the…

Nov 5, 2007 7:11 PM CST

Oops: Top Lateral Lured from UK Rival is Retiring

The London office of Hogan & Hartson reportedly has been stunned by the news that the head of its city corporate team—a partner it stole from rival Shearman & Sterling’s London office less than 18 months ago—is leaving law practice. Although Jonathan Coppin announced last month that he planned to…

Nov 5, 2007 5:44 PM CST

Law on the Fly

Commuting between offices can pay off, these lawyers say

Nov 1, 2007 7:30 PM CDT

Partner Sentenced in Car Vandalism Case

After over-imbibing at his mother’s 80th birthday party, a senior partner at a well-known Scottish real estate law firm went a bit wild. However, solicitor Paul Hutcheson, 43, has taken steps to make restitution to the owners of 11 cars parked outside the golf club at which the party was…

Oct 31, 2007 6:46 PM CDT

Indicted Baker & McKenzie Partner Resigns

A now-former corporate partner of Baker & McKenzie has resigned following his indictment last week in a federal securities fraud case involving alleged corporate kickbacks. The megafirm says in a written statement today that Martin Weisberg, 57, has resigned effective immediately, reports the New York Times in its DealBook column.…

Oct 25, 2007 11:36 PM CDT

Client Conflict Disrupts Partner’s Move

An IP litigator who decided to switch firms experienced a bumpy landing because of a client conflict issue. Baker Hostetler’s James Doroshow planned to move to Los Angeles’ Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. But, according to the Recorder (sub. req.), a client put a kibosh on Doroshow’s firm choice. After some…

Oct 24, 2007 5:58 PM CDT

Oldest Practicing MA Lawyer Dies at 103

Bill Landau can retire now. The Massachusetts lawyer was ready to do so three years ago, in his early 70s, but one thing held him back—his partner and father, Reuben Landau, then 100, who was still going strong in his longtime trusts and estates practice. Reuben Landau continued working until…

Oct 24, 2007 12:59 AM CDT

Ex Jenkens Partner Named in Fraud Case

A New York partner of Baker & McKenzie has been indicted in a federal securities fraud case involving alleged corporate kickbacks, along with executives and two individual investors. Attorney Martin Weisberg and the five other defendants “face a variety of charges, including conspiracy, securities fraud and money laundering,” reports the…

Oct 19, 2007 9:34 PM CDT