Drinker Biddle made history in 2007 within its 160 year old firm. Starting January 1st, Drinker’s gross revenue and headcount both increased by more than 40 percent. This was an effect of the merger with the firm Gardner Carton & Douglas. Gross revenue increased 45 percent from its 2006 $246 million to $357 million in 2007. The revenue per lawyer grew by 2.5 percent. However, profits per equity partner decreased by 1.7 percent.

Source: www.law.com

Shearman & Sterling has broken up with its Mannheim office, which has launched a firm to call its own. The office consists of 9 partners and 30 lawyers. This group will launch its practice under the name, Schilling Zutt & Anschuetz, its former name before joining Shearman.

Source: www.law.com.com

Powell Goldstein LLP has launched its new Sustainability practice on Earthy Day. The aim is to support clients with environmental issues in all forms of operation. The group consists of attorneys from all of the firm’s offices.

Source: www.sev.prnewswire.com

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP is given the honor (for the fifth year) as being one of the top law firms in Texas in the annual listing of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” conducted by Chambers & Partners. Chambers USA guide recognizes 19 of Gardere’s partners were noted as being among the best in their respective fields.

Source: www.lawfuel.com

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge in Hartford hopes to become the first law firm in Connecticut to earn the LEED certification. They are implementing many of the latest earthy friendly technologies for their new office at 20 Church St. in Hartford. The office will have glass panels made out of recycled bottles, countertops made out of aluminum scraps. The floors will be made partly from bamboo, which is a quickly replenished resource, and partly out of walnut, because this resource does not come from the rain forest. This earth friendly renovation is costing Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge $4 million. The firm expects to move in at the end of May and the lease is for 12 years.

Source: www.courant.com

The law firm of Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel is making great strides towards reducing their environmental impact. It has been two years since the firm committed itself to reducing, reusing, and recycling. Since this January, Sullivan has been working hard to meet standards set by both the American Bar Association and Environmental Protection Agency Climate. These two organizations created a program to aid law firms in their attempts to reduce their pollution. One drastic measure taken by Sullivan is their elimination of paper use. As soon as paper documents enter the office, they are scanned, shredded, and recycled. This major contribution is supported by Sullivan’s other measures: they print double-sided, they conserve much energy by shutting down computers when not in use, and their envelopes and letterhead are at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled material.

Source: www.sdbj.com

The National Bar Association has scored the nation’s top law firms in terms of representation of minority attorneys. A total of 18 of Chicago’s biggest law firms were given poor to failing grades. Out of the best possible score of 100, Holland & Knight received a score of 38.7, the lowest score in the survey. The firm has one minortiy equity partner out of 38, and seven minority attorneys out of 132. The survey reports that 27 percent of the firms have zero black equity partners, from which two of those firms, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and Katten Muchen Rosenmann, do not have any equity partners of color. Co-chair of the Diversity Task Force, Daryl Washington says that the association will help to increase the low percentage of minority found in the most notable law firms.
Source: www.suntimes.com

The German firm of Rödl & Partner has launched a new office in Zurich. This location will be its 79th and is part of an aim for worldwide expansion. Rödl & Partner have plans to open in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe within a year.
Source: www.thelawyer.com