One of the ten largest Twin Cities firms, Rider Bennett, announced that it will shut down on May 31. According to a notice posted on their website, firm leadership has concluded that with its current structure, the firm cannot compete in today’s market. Founded in 1960, the firm has 91 lawyers and 101 other professionals. Most of the attorneys will probably continue their practice at other existing or newly formed firms.
Source: www.law.com

The fashion industry is becoming a hot practice area in need of style-savvy attorneys. Though law enforcement and customs are cracking down on trademark violations in the fashion industry, counterfeiters are still finding more sophisticated ways to get around the law. M&A work is also heating up, as banks and private equity are looking to invest, apparel companies are taking over smaller companies, and non-apparel companies are using fashion labels to expand their brands. Though few firms have practices dedicated solely to apparel, things are starting to change as the demand for expertise increases. Moreover, as the work becomes more corporate, firms with strong M&A practices are getting deals as well.
Source: www.nylawyer.com

Former Maryland Lt. Governor, Michael Steele, will join law firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae as a partner. Steele will work in the DC office, and will focus on corporate securities, government relations and international affairs, with an emphasis on Africa. Steele was the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Maryland when he became Lt. Gov. in 2003. He previously served on the board of visitors of the US Naval Academy and worked for Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. LeBoeuf, Lamb, Green & MacRae employs over 700 attorneys in 18 offices worldwide.
Source: www.bizjournals.com

Three partners from Miller & Chevalier’s international practice have jumped ship. William McGlone, vice chairman of the export control group, left for Latham & Watkins, and Lisa Prager and Josephine Aiello LeBeau have joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Miller has recently lost several other partners to larger firms; however, with the hiring of two new partners from The Loeffler Group for the international practice, the DC firm is working to stay competitive.
Source: www.nylawyer.com

Greenberg Traurig has taken well-known Tampa firm, Zinober & McCrea, in-house. The two-lawyer firm will become shareholders in Greenberg’s labor and employment legal practice. Besides labor & employment, the Greenberg Tampa office also handles civil and criminal litigation; trial and appellate practice; alternative dispute resolution; environmental and land use law; construction, architecture and engineering law; lending, taxation, and other financial matters; as well as business planning and transactions. The firm has 1,600 attorneys practicing in 29 offices worldwide.
Source: www.tampabay.bizjournals.com

There has not been a formal application for a new nuclear plant in over 25 years; however, rising energy costs and efforts to slow global warming have lead to renewed interest in nuclear energy. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects about 30 applications for new reactors in the next few years. Firms with nuclear energy practices like Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; and Winston & Strawn, have been very busy and are adding new lawyers to keep up with the demand. Pillsbury, for example, has been assisting energy companies with their NRC applications. The firm has added six new lawyers in the past few months, and wants to add another six by the end of 2008.
Source: www.nylawyer.com

Michel Frieh, of Linklaters Paris, has announced that he is leaving the firm to set up his own practice. Formerly with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, the private equity lawyer joined Linklaters in 2004. The firm recently named a record 38 associates as partner, raising the firmwide number to 540. There are now about 30 partners in Paris; David Swinburne, Frieh’s replacement in the private equity practice, was one of the recently promoted attorneys.
Source: www.legalweek.com