Carlton Fields has made one of the most specific practice groups maybe ever.  The “Chinese Drywall Team” has been formed to aid clients who have been negatively affected by it.  The lawsuits are against contractors, suppliers and others involved in using Chinese drywall.  Carlton Fields has offered its services to defend these groups.

Source:  www.blogs.tampabay.com

Macfarlanes is notorious for almost never making lateral hires. But, it would appear that their new partner David Berman is too good to pass up. Berman is to join the investment funds and financial team. Berman is departing from Dresdner Kleinwort for this new opportunity.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Two law firms are preparing to move into their new offices within the next two months. This is not the only detail they share: they will be moving into same building in Chicago and each will be gaining more office space. Kirkland & Ellis and Quarles & Brady are both moving to 300 North LaSalle, a new skyscraper located on the north side of the Chicago river.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Latham & Watkins has announced that it has transfered a partner to its Doha office to satisfy the increasing number of finance and restructuring deals in the Middle East. Philip von Randow has moved from the firm’s Frankfurt office to the Doha office. Latham & Watkins hopes that this will aid in their desire to increase cross-border finance deals in the Middle East and Europe regions.

Source:  www.asia.legalbusiness.com

Yesterday, White & Case let go of 400 people.  200 associates were laid off, and if you can’t do the math, 200 staff were also given the boot.  But the firm will play it fair and will actually be evaluating and later dumping partners as well.  And, the firm has stated that about 60 percent of incoming associates will be asked to wait until 2010 to officially join the firm. 

Source:  www.nylj.com

It is obvious that Haynes & Boone has been devoted to expanding their Labor & Employment group.  The firm knew that the changes produced by Obama’s administration would significantly change labor & employment law, as well as increase cases.  For instance, Haynes & Boone added Aaron Epstein to its Dallas office. Epstein has had considerable experience with the subject, as he is a formal field attorney for the National Labor Relations Board.  This foresight of change and growth did not come only in the months before Obama took office, but actually began two years ago.  Haynes & Boone has made significant additions to all offices in the field of labor & employment.  These associates include: Barbara-Ellen Gaffney, John Farrell, Janet Avyad and Haley DeVault in Dallas; Chris Barnes and Paige Woodard in Houston; and, Lawrence Morales and Brenna Nava in San Antonio.  

Source:  www.lawfuel.com

Foley & Lardner announced that its 2008 revenues had actually increased by 1.5 percent.  They made it to $732 million dollars.  Sadly, the firm also announced a drop in profits per equity partner to $882,000, down 3.7 percent. The practices that can share in taking credit for the rise in revenue are: IP, bankruptcy, and litigation.  Those that were the weakest links include: real estate, M&A, and capital markets.

Source:  www.amlawdaily.typepad.com