Cooley Godward’s litigation head, Mike Rhodes, says that the legal market is getting better, at least in the litigation field. He says litigation work has increased by ten percent nationwide and by 15 percent in the Francisco Bay Area. Although things are looking back, he says that it will take some time for law firms to start hiring more.

DLA Piper has increased associate pay by 10%, back to the level before the economic recession. Associates in the busiest cities are seeing their salaries back to $160,000. Those in secondary cities, such as Phoenix, Tampa and Sacramento are back to $145,000. Other firms that have increased associate pay recently include: Latham & Watkins, Linklaters and K&L Gates.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Shawn Atkinson, who was most recently a senior associate at Kirkland & Ellis Shawn Atkinson has just joined Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge as an equity partner. Atkinson specializes in private equity and venture capital. He joins the London office.

Source:  www.lawgazette.co.uk

Proskauer Rose has hired finance partner Ron D. Franklin from Mayer Brown. Franklin, who practiced at Mayer Brown for about 8 years, left the firm on the same day that Mayer Brown laid off 28 associates and counsel. He says that his leaving had nothing to do with the firm’s finances.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Since health care legislation was passed last month, health care law is on a definite rise and health care lawyers are reaping the benefits. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough has hired quite a few of health care attorneys from Epstein Becker & Green just in April alone. On April 1st, Nelson Mullins hired three partners from Epstein for its Atlanta office. Six days later, three health care associates joined the partners. Nelson hired one last Epstein health care lawyer with the addition of Jana Kolarik Anderson, who joined the firm’s Washington and Tallahassee offices.

Source:  www.nylj.com