Solos/Small Firms

As Federal Judge Blasts His ‘Ready, Fire, Aim’ Tactics, Embattled Lawyer Counts His Blessings

A federal judge arguably added to attorney Eric Deters’ troubles today by criticizing his “ready, fire, aim” approach to litigation and requiring him to get an independent lawyer, selected by Deters and OK’d by the court, to review his law firm operations. But Deters, a flamboyant trial lawyer and radio…

Jul 13, 2011 10:48 PM CDT

John Edwards Had Planned to Launch Public Interest Law Firm, Prior to His Indictment

Before being indicted for alleged campaign financing law violations concerning donations he accepted to cover up an extramarital affair, politician and trial lawyer John Edwards had planned to launch a public interest law firm in New York City. The former Democratic presidential candidate looked at real estate and conducted attorney…

Jul 13, 2011 9:52 PM CDT

Former Office Manager Admits Stealing Over $1.1M From NJ Law Firm

A former office manager for an unidentified law firm in Lakewood, N.J., has admitted to embezzling more than $1.1 million between 2003 and 2009. Kathleen Baker, 54, has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge and will be sentenced in October, the Asbury Park Press reports. She reportedly stole…

Jul 13, 2011 8:54 PM CDT

Warrant Issued for Ex-Prosecutor Who Was a No-Show at His Own Client-Theft Trial

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Louisiana prosecutor who was a no-show both Monday and Tuesday at his scheduled trial on charges of client theft. Stephen Callahan, 51, allegedly took money from four women while subsequently working as a private practitioner but then did not perform promised…

Jul 13, 2011 6:41 PM CDT

Lytal Reiter Partners Battle for Client Fees After Firm Split; Did Name Partner ‘Fake’ Retirement?

Current and former partners of Lytal Reiter are battling for big bucks after the split of the South Florida law firm last year. Those who stayed say they are entitled to millions in fees from the work taken by six partners who reportedly exited nearly a year ago with one…

Jul 13, 2011 6:10 PM CDT

Feds Try to Kick Prominent Defense Lawyer Off Hip-Hop Mogul’s Drug Case, Calling Him House Counsel

Claiming that a prominent New York defense lawyer has multiple conflicts of interest and has acted unethically by accepting attorney’s fees in cash, prosecutors are asking a federal judge in Brooklyn to bar Jeffrey Lichtman from defending a hip-hop mogul in a major drug case. However, Lichtman says he has…

Jul 13, 2011 12:30 AM CDT

11th Circuit Rescues Fla. Lawyer Caught in Conflicting Rulings, Says He Must Quit Scientology Case

A Florida plaintiffs lawyer allegedly agreed not to sue the Church of Scientology again as part of a settlement in a 2004 wrongful death suit. But Ken Dandar sued the church again in 2009, leading to an uncomfortable situation: A state court judge told Dandar he had to withdraw as…

Jul 11, 2011 7:13 PM CDT

Ex-Office Manager’s Theft of Over $1M from NJ Law Firm Forced Layoffs, Partners Say

A former office manager allegedly forced a Morristown, N.J., area law firm to lay off associates and staff by taking more than $1 million between 2003 and the beginning of 2010. Beth Friedland admittedly took $448,721 from the Maloof Lebowitz Connahan & Oleske, which is located in Chatham Borough, and…

Jul 11, 2011 4:50 PM CDT

Shy Lawyer’s Guide to Becoming a Rainmaker

Some people are talented lawyers, but find hiding out in a hotel room more appealing than attending a convention cocktail party, especially if they don’t know anyone there. If you’re in private practice--or want to be--such fears need to be conquered. ABA Journal Podcast moderator Stephanie Francis Ward talks with guests about how lawyers can overcome their business development anxieties, and discover that they’re much better at networking than they think.

Jul 11, 2011 1:30 PM CDT

7 Drinker Biddle Lawyers Form New Environmental Firm, Brooman Buzzell & Garber

Headed by the former managing partner of the now-closed Berwyn, Pa., office of Drinker Biddle & Reath, seven attorneys from the law firm have formed a new environmental boutique. It will be known as Brooman Buzzell & Garber, reports the Legal Intelligencer in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer…

Jul 7, 2011 7:31 PM CDT

Recent Law Firm Mergers Involve Smaller Acquisitions, Report Says

Acquisitions of smaller law firms dominate a list of law firm mergers and acquisitions compiled by a legal consulting firm. Out of a dozen mergers and acquisitions in the second quarter, 10 involved acquisitions of firms with 20 or fewer lawyers, according to the report by Altman Weil Merger Line.…

Jul 7, 2011 5:52 PM CDT

Each Violation of New Barratry Law Could Cost Texas Lawyers a $10K Fine, Plus Attorney’s Fees

Ambulance-chasing lawyers can be forced to pay a $10,000 penalty to each client they sign up in violation of the rules on attorney solicitation, under a new anti-barratry law that goes into effect in Texas on Sept. 1. It also allows such clients to sue for rescission of the representation…

Jul 7, 2011 5:48 PM CDT

Orrick DC Litigation Chief Forms New White-Collar Boutique with Robbins Russell Partner

The chief of the Washington, D.C., litigation practice group at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has joined with a partner of Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck, Untereiner & Sauber to form a new white-collar defense boutique. Headed by Gregory Poe, who is also a former assistant federal public defender, and Preston Burton,…

Jul 5, 2011 9:13 PM CDT

Clement Has No Regrets Over Abrupt Exit from King & Spalding

Former Solicitor General Paul Clement, who made headlines two months ago when he resigned his BigLaw partnership on principle and moved to a small firm, says he has no regrets about the decision. That may be in part because Clement’s practice didn’t skip a beat. He found a home quickly…

Jul 5, 2011 5:25 PM CDT

Lawyer’s New Client in Murder One Case Allegedly Killed a Former Client

A Minnesota criminal defense lawyer is now representing, in a first-degree murder case, a man who is accused of killing a former client of the attorney. This kind of situation can raise some complicated ethical issues, experts tell the Star Tribune. But there is no clear conflict of interest, because…

Jul 5, 2011 4:45 PM CDT