Legal Book » week

Southern Strategy: Baker Donelson, Womble Carlyle Continue to Grow by Snapping up Small Shops

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:40:22 +0000

The law firm consolidation trend continued this week, with Womble Carlyle absorbing a three-lawyer South Carolina shop and Baker Donelson executing its third merger in less than four months by picking up a seven-lawyer Houston firm. And the urge to merge is not exclusive to the U.S. See more information on the Baker Donelson merger, from the Tex Parte Blog.

The Strongest Law Firm Brands in the Land

Master — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:15:09 +0000

Which law firms have the strongest brands in the United States, the world’s largest legal market? According to a study released this week by brand research company Acritas, Skadden leads the big-firm pack, followed by Jones Day, Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, and Wachtell.

State Court Funding Woes a Nationwide Problem, Panel Says

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:21:06 +0000

Addressing New York State Bar Association members this week, the president of the ABA praised the bar’s recent report detailing the impact of $170 million in cuts in the 2011-12 court budget.

In online child exploitation case, judge issues rare not guilty verdict

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:22:38 +0000

After rejecting a plea deal that would have kept him behind bars for nearly four years, a man charged in an undercover online sex crime sting in Washington was found not guilty this week and ordered released from custody. The case marks a rare win for the criminal defense bar as the number of federal investigations grows in response to a reported proliferation of child pornography and an increase in online enticement of minors.

LaCroix: Dutch Ruling Could Become Milestone in Foreign Securities Litigation Post-Morrison

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:02:21 +0000

In a decision this week that could be a harbinger of things to come, a Dutch court has approved a collective securities settlement brought by shareholders of the Swiss reinsurance company Converium Holding AG, providing a forum for non-Dutch shareholders of a non-Dutch company.

In fight with homeowners, EPA takes heat from high court

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:26:19 +0000

The EPA faced a generally hostile Supreme Court this week in a case involving a landowner’s fight to build a home on an alleged wetland. “If you related the facts of this case to the ordinary homeowner,” that homeowner would say, “‘This doesn’t happen in the United States,’” said Justice Samuel Alito Jr.

In fight with homeowners, EPA takes heat from high court

Master — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:26:19 +0000

The EPA faced a generally hostile Supreme Court this week in a case involving a landowner’s fight to build a home on an alleged wetland.

AALS hears words of caution from departing dean

Master — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:08:40 +0000

Former New York Law School Dean Rick Matasar delivered a cautionary speech this week during the annual meeting of the Association of American Law Schools, ruminating about graduates’ poor job prospects and growing debt load, and the possibility that outside regulators will force changes upon law schools.

A Year Later, Moves to Overturn Citizens United Abound

Master — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:19:42 +0000

From the Iowa campaign trail to the Montana Supreme Court, and from New York to California, the wake of Citizens United has rippled across the U.S. this week in a range of political, judicial and media encounters — a sudden reckoning with a ruling that changed the parameters for corporate involvement in American political life.

2011 Was a Banner Year for FCPA Enforcements and Trials

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:19:41 +0000

It was another record-breaking year for the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, with the SEC and Justice Department “pushing the edges as far as what’s permitted and not permitted under the statute,” according to the co-author of a report released this week. The DOJ has also made clear its willingness to go after individual defendants long after a case has been settled against the parent company.

Ecuador Court Affirms $18 Billion Judgment Against Chevron; Is a Settlement in the Offing?

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:24:03 +0000

Does this week’s highly anticipated ruling by an Ecuadorean appellate court upholding a lower court’s $18 billion judgment against Chevron mean that Chevron and Ecuadorean plaintiffs will finally opt to settle the knock-down, drag-out Lago Agrio litigation?

Duncan School of Law denied accreditation

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:24:03 +0000

The American Bar Association has denied provisional accreditation to the Lincoln Memorial University, Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, Tenn. Earlier this week, Duncan was featured in a New York Times article about how the ABA’s lengthy and detailed accreditation standards contribute to the high cost of legal education.

Law School Transparency hopes the second time’s the charm on data

Master — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:14:13 +0000

In 2010, the first time Law School Transparency asked schools to cough up detailed lists of graduate employment data, it didn’t go so well. The organization hopes for better success this year, and sent letters this week to all ABA-accredited law schools asking them to release reports generated by NALP.

Much Ado About Mergers, But Closures Also A Part of 2011

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:18:22 +0000

It’s easy to think of 2011 as yet another chapter in a long trend of regional law firm consolidation. While that may be true, the year has also seen its share of law firm failures

N.Y. Federal Judge Slashes MBS Suit Against JPMorgan, Rules Investors Limited to Tranche-Level Claims

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:37:09 +0000

Until this week, only two judges had limited standing for mortgage-backed securities claims to plaintiffs who purchased certificates in specific MBS tranches.

WaMu Shareholders Settle, Agree to $7 Billion Bankruptcy Exit Plan

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:58:02 +0000

Could Washington Mutual emerge from bankruptcy as an operating company and someday own a bank again — all thanks to insider trading allegations? A federal judge’s finding related to those allegations helped spur WaMu’s equity committee to finally sign off on an amended reorganization plan this week.

Harbinger General Counsel Gets Wells Notice from SEC

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:57:47 +0000

Robin Roger, the top lawyer at Harbinger Capital Partners, and the hedge fund’s chief, Philip Falcone, received Wells Notices from the Securities and Exchange Commission this week, indicating they may be charged with violations of U.S. securities laws.

Sandusky’s Accusers Set to Testify Anonymously

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:06:57 +0000

For Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach who has publicly maintained his innocence amid allegations that he sexually abused at least 10 minors, this week’s preliminary hearing reflects his attorney’s first chance to gather information from the alleged victims under oath.

Chamber and criminal defense lawyers team up in case over fines

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:37:11 +0000

The business community and criminal defense lawyers have found common ground in efforts to limit prosecutors’ attempts to pierce attorney-client privilege in federal investigations.

Judge Revives Employee Securities Class Action Against Citi

Master — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:28:09 +0000

Convincing a judge to change his mind is no small feat.

Privacy-Suit Settlements Spur Scrutiny

admin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:07:18 +0000

Facebook’s Beacon and Google’s Buzz both had privacy advocates howling — and then suing. Both companies settled by putting money in a pot for privacy foundations.

D.C. Circuit rules Obama health care law constitutional

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:46:35 +0000

A divided D.C. Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the Obama administration’s health care reform law today, solidifying the split among circuit courts over the controversial legislation. The U.S.

O’Melveny: Settlement talks with MGA near collapse

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:17:57 +0000

A tentative settlement of O’Melveny & Myers’ $10.2 million billing dispute with former client MGA Entertainment is on the verge of falling apart, an attorney for the law firm told a judge on Monday, saying: “If it doesn’t happen this week, it’s not going to happen.”

O’Melveny: Settlement talks with MGA near collapse

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:17:57 +0000

More Bankruptcy Lawyers Pulled into MF Global Orbit

Master — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:04:12 +0000

Several more Am Law 100 and leading international firms have landed roles advising parties in connection with the collapse of commodities and derivatives broker MF Global Holdings, which this week sought Chapter 11 protection as a result of its exposure to Europe’s mounting sovereign debt problems.