According to a study conducted by Altman Weil Inc., about a quarter of law firms were forced to de-equitize partners in 2009. Apparently 18.8 percent of the surveyed reported that their firm would have to de-equitize partners in 2010. 787 law firms were surveyed, 37 percent of which were AMLaw 200 firms. All firms had at least 50 attorneys.

Source:  www.nylj.com

DLA Piper has lost its Head of Private Equity. Andrew B. Harris has joined Kaye Scholer as the firm’s managing partner in the London office.

Source:  www.dc.citybizlist.com

Mayer Brown just lost two partners, David Krakoff and Christopher Regan to BuckleySandler LLP. Krakoff co-led Mayer Brown’s litigation practice.

Source:  www.bloomberg.com

Sacramento is losing its second largest firm: McDonough Holland & Allen. The firm released a statement that puts the target closure date at Labor Day. It seems that too many partners have left the firm too quickly.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Sidley Austin LLP has transferred Tom Albrecht to Hong Kong to become the Asia managing partner. He plans on concentrating on growth in Asia, including seeking new cities to launch branches. Currently, Sidley has 120 lawyers practicing in Asia.

Source:  www.businessweek.com

Merger talks between Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons are back in existence. If the union happens, Mayer Brown will gain a strong UK practice while Simmons will expand immensely in Asia.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has announced that it will hire about 20 of Nixon Peabody’s corporate lawyers. Mats G. Carlston is part of the group switching firms. He was the head of the global finance practice and will be the head of the leveraged-finance group at Pillsbury.

Source:  www.businessweek.com