The First Texas Law Firm as an Energy Star PartnerGardere Wynne Sewell LLP has emerged a ENERGY STAR Partner, becoming the first Texas-based law firm to join the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge. The project is joint collaboration by the Environment, Energy, and Resources Section of the American Bar Association and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Gardere committed to reducing energy use in its offices by at least 10 percent.
Source:pr-usa.netMore >>

Romania is Now Home to White CaseWhite & Case has recently opened a branch in Bucharest, becoming its 37th firm. The Romanian office will be led by lawyer Todd Shollenbarger. His team will consist of 10 lawyers focused on real estate, finance, energy and private equity.
Source: www.thelawyer.comMore >>

Proskauer Rose's 2007 Revenues Are UpProskauer Rose posts a 19% increase in revenues for the year 2007. 2006's figure of $514.3m (£262m) increased to $627.8m (£320m). Profits per partner (PEP) has grown 15% to reach $1.5m (£763,000). This is good news following Proskauer's 2007s launch of offices in London, as well as Sao Paulo.
Source: www.legalweek.comMore >>

Ropes and Gray Opens Up Shop In ChicagoBoston based Ropes & Gray has launched a new office in Boston this past Monday. It currently predicts that within the next two years, it will grow to house 100 lawyers. The firm has been around now for 140 years accumulating about 900 lawyers in seven offices, six in the US and one in Tokyo.
Source: www.chicagobusiness.comMore >>

New Shanghai OfficeSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP opened an office in Shanghai, which brings the total number of offices in Asia Pacific to six. The Shanghai office is to focus on M&A, corporate finance and real estate.
Source: www.lawfuel.com More >>

A New Addition to Kaye ScholerKaye Scholer has a new addition in its Frankfurt office. Mayer Brown patent litigation lawyer,Wolfgang Leip, has joined as Partner. Leip moved to the US firm’s German arm last month along with associate Benedict von St André and two assistants.
Source: www. legalweek.comMore >>

Firm Mergers Dropped Some in 2007Law firm consultancy Hildebrandt International reports that in 2007 55 law firm mergers. Not bad, as compared to the 58 law firm mergers in 2006. The trend is still apparently higher than from 2004 and 2005. Hildebrandt expects the 2008 number to stay fairly high.
Source: www.nylawyer.comMore >>

Nixon Peabody Goes GreenNixon Peabody is looking to gain LEED certification for its new Albany office. The U.S. Green Building Council offers LEED certification to buildings who meet particular qualifications concerning its environmentalism. Nixon Peabody plans to move into their hopefully LEED certified building in mid-May.
Source: www.bizjournals.comMore >>

Kurt Nondorf to Lead Jackson Walker's Houston OfficeKurt Nondorf has recently joined the Houston office of Jackson Walker LLP as managing partner. His position entails the overseeing of the firm in its Houston location. Nondorf was previously head of transactions section in the firm's Dallas branch, where he practiced commercial real estate.
Source: www.bizjournals.comMore >>

Timea Bana Joins Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & MangesTímea Bana has joined Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & Manges as an associate. Bana joins from Hungarian Television Zrt, in which she headed contractual matters. Bana's specialization is in media and intellectual property law.
Source: www.bbj.huMore >>

Chadbourne & Parke Makes More Room In LondonChadbourne & Parke is expanding its London offices, adding more than 1,000 square meters to its Regis House location on King William Street. The expansion will support the branch's growth, allowing for more attorney's and more room. The construction should be completed in May.
Source: www.sev.prnewswire.comMore >>

A New Addition to Jones DayBrette Simon joins Jones Day in the Los Angeles Office as a partner in the Private Equity Practice. Ms. Simon, a renowned transactional attorney, comes from the Los Angeles office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. Ms. Simon is the 4th transactional attorney to join as partner in the West Coast offices of Jones Day in the past three months.
Source: www.pehub.com More >>

Top Hong Kong Litigator To Join Clifford ChanceHong Kong: LAWFUEL - Law Firm Newswire - Renowned Hong Kong litigator Brian Gilchrist is to join leading law firm Clifford Chance from 1 May 2008.

Brian joins the strongest litigation team in Asia, with four partners based in Hong Kong, including leading practitioner Martin Rogers, and 40 litigation lawyers working across Asia.
More >>

Hogan & Hartson Launches Earth Friendly and Wellness Pilot ProgramHogan & Hartson LLP has implemented a pilot program in its Colorado offices aimed to do two things: establish "green" business practices and improve the health of its employees. The program focuses on reducing energy use and waste. The program also strives to better inform its employees by offering information, services, and incentives for participation.
Source: www.pr-inside.comMore >>

Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP Is Joined By James Wesley KinnearJames Wesley Kinnear has joined Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro as a partner in their San Francisco office. Kinnear will continue to center his work on complex commercial and intellectual property litigation. His main focus is media and IP litigation.
Source: www.pr-inside.com More >>

Akerman Enlists Environmental LawyerRobert M. Andersen, who comes from New York's Dewey & LeBoeuf, has joined the team of Akerman Senterfitt, specifically their Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group. Prior to Dewey, Anderson was former chief counsel of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he supervised 400 attorneys. As of now, Anderson has joined one of Florida's largest law firms.
Source: www.law.com More >>

Reed Smith Adds Fifth Partner to Los Angeles Office This MonthCharles Pak, former co-chairman of the private equity group at Seyfarth Shaw, joins Reed Smith's Los Angeles office as a partner in its corporate and securities group. Pak is experienced in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and corporate finance. In addition to Charles Pak, Reed Smith has hired four new partners to the Los Angeles office this month.
Source: www.nylawyer.comMore >>

Thompson Hine's New Practice In AtlantaThompson Hine LLP has launched a Labor & Employment practice at its Atlanta office to represent management in labor, employment, immigration and workers' compensation matters. Mark Floyd, partner and vice chair of the firm's Labor & Employment practice group, will head this practice. He brings more than 20 years of experience.
Source: www.bizjournals.comMore >>

DLA Piper Hires 16th LawyerDLA Piper has hired its 16th lawyer in Europe this year, recently adding Maria Segimón de Manzanos for its Madrid office. On average, the firm has hired a new lawyer every three days. At this rate, it will hire another 116 lawyers before the end of this year.
Source: www.thelawyer.comMore >>

Bryan Cave's London's Conflicting ResultsBryan Cave's London branch has increased their turnover by almost a quarter in 2007. fees at the firm’s City branch increased by 22.4% reaching $28.4m (£14.6m). Even so, revenue per lawyer (RPL) dropped by 9.3% to $845,450 (£435,000. Office managing partner Anthony Fiducia blames the low dollar exchange rate and the hire of two new partner hires for this decrease in RPL. Fiducia remains confident the office will be more productive in 2008.
Source: www.legalweek.comMore >>

DLA Now on 15th Hire This YearDLA Piper has recently made their 15th lateral hire in Europe in 2008 alone. Their newest venture? Rob Ludding from Van Wylick & Ludding has just joined the team. Ludding, haveing 33+ years of experience, will become counsel at DLA Piper. In the firm's France office, DLA Piper has hired seven partners and three associates.
Source:thelawyer.comMore >>

Jones Day California Attracts New AssociatesJones Day remains as one of the world's largest law firms by a variety of tactics. One such tactic, is ensuring the possibility of promotions for its current members, which in turn aids in attracting those on the outside, specifically in its five California offices. In 2004, the San Diego office had one lawyer. Today it has more than 20. Along with various other lateral moves, Jones Day has had 9 associates climb the ladder to partner throughout the California offices. The California offices began 25 years ago, now with more than 250 lawyers cumulatively among the five offices, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego.
Source: blackenterprise.comMore >>

Latham Plans Three New Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and QatarLatham & Watkins plans to open three offices in the Middle East in March of this year, holding the distinction of the first law firm to do so. Last week Latham hired corporate partner Rindala Beydoun to head the three offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar in March. Three Latham partners and about 12 associates will also transfer to the Middle East later this year. The firm is also “actively recruiting from the market at the moment,"Beydoun says.
Source: thelawyer.comMore >>

Reed Smith Sending More Trainees to Hong KongFollowing Reed Smith's merger with Richards Butler Hong Kong, the firm plans on sending two trainees to Hong Kong. Mark Matthew, Reed Smith graduate recruitment manager, says this will occur later this month [February] at the next seat rotation. The merger,announced January 1, 2008, added about £30m to Reed Smith’s annual turnover.
Source: www.thelawyer.comMore >>

Hogan & Hartson's London Office Increases RevenuesHogan & Hartson's London office has increased total revenue by 16.6 percent to $880m (£448.45m), leaving its 13 partners and 47 lawyers with a revenue per partner of $2.6m (£1.32m) and a revenue per lawyer (RPL) figure of $965,000 (£491,800). The firm's managing partner of the international offices, Steve Immelt, is pleased with Hogan's progress in Europe and now plans on advancing the Los Angeles office to serve Asian tech companies with their IP and regulatory strategies.
Source: www.thelawyer.comMore >>

CC taps Mayer Brown for Asia Disputes BoostClifford Chance (CC) has boosted its Asia litigation team with the hire of a partner from Mayer Brown JSM, the magic circle law firm announced today (18 February).

Brian Gilchrist joins CC’s Hong Kong arm on 1 May. He specialises in banking and insurance disputes, directors’ duties and minority shareholders’ rights matters, as well as tax-related areas.
More >>

Experienced Securities Lawyers David Worley and James Evangelista Joins Page Perry, LLC As PartnersPage Perry, LLC announced today the addition of two new partners: David J. Worley and James M. Evangelista, widely known for their securities and commercial litigation. Evangelista, with more than 17 years of commercial and class action litigation experience, has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts throughout the United States. Worley has almost 20 years of vast experience in civil trial and appellate litigation has had substantial experience in securities, other class-action litigation, and portfolio monitoring.
Source: www.prnewswire.com More >>

McDermott Initiates Subprime & Credit Markets Practice GroupMcDermott Will & Emery announced today the formation of a Subprime & Credit Markets Practice Group, intending to address clients’ various needs arising from the repricings in the subprime debt markets. The group, comprised of 40 partners and 90 lawyers, is led by head of structured finance Thomas McGavin (New York) and by co-head of structured finance Nick Terras (London).
Source: http://www.mwe.comMore >>

DLA Piper's Reaches and Surpasses Revenues of $2bnDLA broke the $2bn revenue barrier, set by Latham & Watkins and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. The firm posted global revenues of $2.1bn in the 2007 calendar year as a collective figure for their operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and US operations. Because of the increase of revenue by 19 percent from last year's figure, DLA Piper has the distinction of having one of the most significant turnovers.
Source: www.thelawyer.com More >>

Paul Hastings Sustains Increased Profit and RevenuePaul Hastings has had a second consecutive year of revenue and profit increase by 20 per cent or more. Chairman Seth Zachary reports that this increase is representative of his firm’s growth in the US, specifically in New York, and globally, particularly in London and Asia. Paul Hastings’ recent success means it has tied for second place, alongside Latham & Watkins, as being the second-largest and most-profitable California-originated firm.
Source: www.thelawyer.comMore >>

Skadden Opens in ShanghaiSkadden Arps Meagher & Flom will open a Shanghai branch Monday, February 18th, the firm has announced. Partner Gregory Miao, formerly of Beijing and Hong Kong, will head the office, which will focus on corporate and real estate law. Skadden joins a rush of moves to Shanghai, where it will join firms such as Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton and Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson.
Source: www.nylawyer.comMore >>

Lowenstein Sandler Elects New Managing DirectorLaw firm Lowenstein Sandler has announced that shareholder Gary M. Wingens has been elected new managing director of the 275-attorney firm. Wingens is the head of Lowenstein Sandler's Mortgage Finance practice, and succeeds Michael L Rodburg.
Source: www.njbiz.comMore >>

New York Firm to Center Texas Practice in HoustonLaw firm Epstein Becker & Green has announced that they will be consolidating their Texas practice to the Houston market, and thus will be closing their Dallas branch. The 13 attorneys housed in Dallas have been offered positions in the Houston office or in any Epstein Becker office they choose. Representatives of Epstein Becker say this move will strengthen and improve their Houston practice.
Source: texaslawyer.typepad.com More >>

Top Law Firms Flock to the Middle EastTop law firms Latham & Watkins and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are set to embark on initiatives to gain footing in the Middle Eastern market. Latham has hired partners from Vinson & Elkins to launch their Dubai branch, while Freshfields has relocated many of its London associates to its existing offices in the area. Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance are among the premier firms with UAE branches, solidifying a trend in efforts to capture lucrative clients in the Middle East.
Source: www.legalweek.comMore >>

Bracewell & Giuliani’s White Collar Group GrowsBracewell & Giuliani has announced the addition of Jeffrey J. Ansley and William C. McMurrey as partners to its White Collar Criminal Defense and Special Investigations practice. Both Ansley and McMurrey served as Assistant United States Attorneys in Dallas. Ansley was lead prosecutor for securities fraud cases in the Fraud and Public Corruption/White Collar Section, while McMurry was the Assistant U.S. Attorney in charge of healthcare and financial institution fraud prosecutions.
Source: www.pr-inside.comMore >>

Baker Botts Posts Strong Profit Results for 2007The Houston-based law firm Baker Botts has reported an increase in profits by 19 percent for 2007. Profits per equity partner (PEP) surged to 18.6 percent at a new record of $1.3 million, an increase from last year’s $1.09 million. Revenues were also up, with turnovers at just under 15 percent.
Source: www.law.comMore >>

Bracewell Elects New CaptainBracewell & Giuliani LLP has announced that Mark C. Evans has been elected to the position of Firm Managing Partner. Evans has over thirty years of experience in complex commercial litigation and has been working for Bracewell since 1977. He is the firm's seventh Firm Managing Partner.
Source: www.businesswire.comMore >>

Cleary Shows Growth for 2007Estimated figures for Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton show steady growth with a two per cent increase in profit per equity (PEP) along with a nine percent increase in turnovers. Partners speculate this growth can be largely attributed to emerging markets. Despite the increase in revenue, the firm has no immediate plans to expand due to current global economic concerns.
Source: www.thelawyer.comMore >>

Baker Botts Adds New PartnerBaker Botts has announced the addition of tax attorney Felicia Finston to its Dallas office. Finston brings her 20 years of experience to the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation team. Bakers Botts representatives stated that they look forward to utilizing her long record of excellence.More >>

Chadbourne & Park Open New Climate Change PracticeChadbourne & Parke LLP will open a new Climate Change practice in order to address the legal and economical ramifications of the growing global warming crisis. This addition is primarily a response to clients’ environmental concerns. The group will be led by former New York Governor George E. Pataki and former Commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation John P. Cahill.
Source: www.earthtimes.com More >>

Thompson & Knight Expands With San Antonio BranchLaw firm Thompson & Knight LLP has announced the opening of an office in San Antonio. Firm attorneys Jason Davis, Marina Garcia Marmolejo, and Michael McCrum will head the office, which focuses on complex litigation. This is Thompson & Knight's fifth Texas office, with other locations in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.
Source: www.openpr.comMore >>

California IP Firm Opens in SeattleCalifornia law firm Fenwick & West LLP has opened an office in Seattle. Corporate attorneys Stephen M. Graham, Roger M. Tolbert and Alan C. Smith will head the office, which will focus on life sciences. Representatives of the firm said that they had been eying the Seattle market for some time, adding that it is attractive because of its similarities to both the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Source: sev.prnewswire.comMore >>

Latham Edges Toward Top Revenue SpotSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is in serious danger of losing its spot at the top of revenue lists this year. Latham & Watkins has announced earnings of over two billion for 2007, an increase of 23%. If Skadden even slightly under performs, it will lose its long-standing title of highest-grossing law firm in the nation.
Source: www.law.comMore >>

Firms Rush to Take Advantage of Mortgage MessSince the subprime meltdown, an estimated 20 firms have opened subprime practice groups, totaling at least 500 attorneys. One of the first firms was Greenberg Traurig, whose practice began in August with 48 lawyers. This is the biggest rush to open new groups since the savings & loan crisis two years ago.
Source: www.crainsnewyork.comMore >>

Cadwalader Bags Top AttorneyR. Ronald Hopkinson, a top private equity attorney, has been recruited by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Hopkinson was previously the global head of private equity at Latham & Watkins. Hopkinson had been with Latham since he was a first year in 1988.
Source: www.nylj.comMore >>

Fredrikson & Byron Open in ShanghaiMinneapolis-based firm Fredrikson & Byron will open an office in Shanghai, the firm has reported. The new office will be helmed by attorney Ruilin Li and will house two additional attorneys.
Source: www.bizjournals.com/twincities/More >>

Ballard Spahr Joins Subprime FrayBallard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll has become the latest in a string of firms to open a Subprime Practice group. These groups deal with the financial aspects of litigation and government mandates that have come out of the recent subprime meltdown. Ballard, Spahr's team is pulled from a variety of practices including consumer finance, real estate, investment management and bankruptcy.
Source: www.dsnews.comMore >>

LA Entertainment Attorney Switches CoastsLisa Bonner, a Los Angeles entertainment attorney, has moved to Dreier's New York office. Bonner previously founded and managed Bonner Law, which represented a wide range of entertainment and media clients. She remains outside counsel for Vibe magazine and Code Black Entertainment.
Source: www.nylawyer.comMore >>

Manatt Merges with SF FirmLos Angeles law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has announced the completion of its merger with Steefel, Levitt & Weiss. Manatt's San Francisco employees will move into Steefel's offices, and will be managed by partner Christopher L. Wagner.
Source: www.nylwayer.comMore >>

Edwin Leroy Tolles Dies at 85Edwin Leroy Tolles, a founding partner of law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, has died at the age of 85. He had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Rolles started the firm in 1962 with seven attorneys; it now houses over two hundred.
Source: www.nylwayer.comnMore >>