Gibson Dunn Re-Hires Dupree

The man who was the No. 2 official in the Civil Division of the Justice Department has come back to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  Thomas Dupree Jr. rejoins as partner will focus on complex trial and appellate litigation.  Dupree is not the only former Bush administrative official to land back at Gibson.  Thomas Hunger, ex-deputy solicitor general, also rejoined the firm back in October.

 

Source:  www.legaltimes.typepad.com

 

Tags:  Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Andrews Kurth Creates Practice Group Devoted to the Economy

Andrews Kurth LLP has announced an Economic Recovery/Government Opportunities Task Force.  This new group will aid clients in the affects of the economic decline, including the repercussions in governmental law.  The task force will be made up from attorneys from the following practice groups: Structured Finance/Securitization, Commercial Real Estate/Capital Markets, Private Equity, Tax and Real Estate.

 

Source:  www.prnewswire.com

 

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Chadbourne Loses a Major Player

Joseph Smolinsky will be moving from firm, Chadbourne & Parke to Weil, Gotshal & Manges.  This information has been confirmed by Howard Seife, firm-wide chair of Chadbourne’s bankruptcy.  It is reported that Smolinsky has millions in his book of business.  This is a big hit for Chadbourne, and of course, a huge step forward for Weil, Gotshal.

 

Source:  www.nylj.com

 

Wolf Block-New Jersey Will Not Give Up

The New Jersey branch of Wolf Block has hopes to survive on its own, despite the fact that the rest of the firm is to close within two months.  The office must decide what is in its best interest: to merge or not to merge.  Managing Partner, John Fanburg, reports that he has received phone calls regarding proposed mergers.  He also explains that the New Jersey office was the most profitable of all Wolf Block’s, in the 2008 fiscal year.

 

Source:  www.law.com

 

A Partner Soon to Leave White & Case

Rachel Hatfield, a partner at White & Case, has announced her impending departure from the firm.  Hatfield began her career at White & Case in 2000, joining from law firm, Weil Gotshal & Manges.  The attorney has held some important positions at her current firm, including the head of the high yield practice group from 2005-2008, as well as co-head of capital markets from 2002-2005.  It is unclear where Hatfield will take her career next.

 

Source:  www.nylj.com

 

Tags:  White & Case LLP

Good Bye WolfBlock

It has been decided. Wolf Block is to dissolve itself over the span of 2 months.  The downhill economy has hit too hard.  There are now 300 extra attorneys and much more staff looking to join the job market.  The two months of pay that they will receive before the firm officially closes, is to be treated as severance pay.  

 

Source:  www.nylj.com

 

Shearman & Sterling Decreases and Freezes Salaries

Shearman & Sterling has decreased newly qualified (NQ) attorney salaries and freezing the salaries of current associates in the UK, the Middle East, and in Asia.  The pay cut is more than 8 percent, bringing NQ salaries from £80,000 down to £73,000.  Any lawyers who have had one year of experience will not move up in salary.

 

Source:   www.thelawyer.com

 

Tags:  Shearman & Sterling LLP

Covington & Burling Makes a Great Lateral Hire

Covington & Burling has hired a notable attorney – Michael Chertoff. Chertoff was formally the Department of Homeland Security secretary and federal appellate judge.  As a magna cum laude graduate from Harvard, Chertoff has had much opportunity throughout his career.  Here is a brief summary:  He spent almost four years at Latham & Watkins, became assistant U.S. attorney under Rudolph Giuliani, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, returned to Latham & Watkins to open its Newark office and head the white-collar defense practice, became the head of the Justice Department’s criminal division, and now off to Covington. Wheh! That was a whopper!

 

Source:  www.amlawdaily.typepad.com

 

Tags:  Covington & Burling