Howrey LLP and intellectual property litigation boutique Day Casebeer Madrid and Batchelder LLP has confirmed their plan to merge.  Howrey will be adding Day Casebeer’s nine partners and 16 associates to its firm of 700 attorneys, 300 of which do intellectual property work.  

Source:  www.bizjournals.com

Jenner & Block has taken the number 1 spot according to The American Lawyer’s annual pro bono rankings.  The firm has devoted more pro bono hours than any other firm.  Jenner & Block’s lawyers averaged almost 170 pro bono hours last year.  Latham & Watkins came in second with an average of 164 hours.   

Source:  www.law.com

Alas, we now know where Paul Maher has landed after retiring from Mayer Brown.  Maher has joined Greenberg Traurig as founding member of its London office.  The new office will assume the name of Greenberg Traurig Maher, LLP.  Cate Sharp and Fiona Adams will co-manage the London office.  

Source:  www.news.prnewswire.com

The A-List ranks law firms by measuring and weighing factors that create an “elite” law firm.  The four factors include:  revenue per lawyer, pro bono work, lawyer diversity, training, and satisfaction.  The A-List began in 2003.   The list has almost completely transformed since last year, despite four firms holding on to last year’s rankings.  Four firms fell off list, which in turn allowed another four to join.  Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and Howrey rejoin the list, while Irell & Manella and Kirkland & Ellis are entirely new to the list.  

Source:  www.law.com

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has just recruited its 11^th litigation attorney from Clifford Chance in the span of a month. Litigation partner, George Schieren will be stationed at Gibson Dunn’s New York office. He joins Mark Kirsch, ex-Clifford Chance global head of litigation, partner Joel Cohen, and counsel Christopher Joralemon, along with seven associates.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has high hopes for its London office, specifically its dispute resolution practice. The firm moved New York partner, Jon Blackman, to London to grow the litigation practice. Cleary will be hiring laterally as well in the near future.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com