Alston & Bird LLP today announced the addition of veteran environmental litigator, Mark Johnson, to its Los Angeles office, joining the firm’s already highly regarded Environmental & Land Development Practice Group. Johnson brings with him over 30 years of experience focusing on environmental matters, including CERCLA, petroleum and hazardous waste contamination, toxic torts, air quality, public water supplies, Proposition 65, CEQA and the California Coastal Act.

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The global legal practice of Squire Sanders is pleased to announce today that Chris M. Amantea has joined its Environmental, Safety and Health Practice Group as partner, resident in the Los Angeles office.

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Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. and Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation have announced a definitive agreement under which Valeant will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Medicis for $44.00 per share in cash.

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Realty Income Corporation, the Monthly Dividend Company, and American Realty Capital Trust, Inc. have announced a definitive merger agreement under which Realty Income will acquire all of the outstanding shares of American Realty Capital Trust in a transaction valued at approximately $2.95 billion.

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Bruce G. Chapman has joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm’s 70-attorney Intellectual Property practice group, based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Chapman joins from Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Sheppard Mullin added two IP litigation partners: Ed Anderson in Palo Alto and partner Jill Pietrini in Century City.

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The law firm of Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP is pleased to announce that Ronie M. Schmelz has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Insurance and Reinsurance Department. She will divide her practice between the firm’s offices in Los Angeles and New York.

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Theodora Oringher PC is pleased to welcome Helen B. Kim as a Senior Attorney in the firm’s Los Angeles office.  Helen is a commercial litigator focusing on the representation of public and private companies and their directors, officers and principal shareholders in complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on the defense of securities and other class actions, shareholder derivative suits and regulatory investigations.

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Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has announced a definitive agreement to acquire David’s Bridal, Inc., the leading specialty retailer of bridal gown and wedding-related apparel and accessories in North America. Leonard Green & Partners will continue as a minority partner. The transaction values the company at approximately $1.05 billion.

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The Los Angeles office of O’Melveny & Meyers announced the recruitment of Mark Easton back to the firm’s Los Angeles office. Mr. Easton returns to the firm from Warner Bros. Entertainment where he was general counsel. Mr. Easton’s career focuses on mergers and acquisitions, with significant attention to media, sports and entertainment.

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O’Melveny & Myers LLP announced today that Mark Easton is rejoining the Firm from Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. where he served as Deputy General Counsel. Easton will reside in O’Melveny’s Los Angeles office as a partner and a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. He also will spend significant time in the Firm’s Century City office working with members of O’Melveny’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice Group.

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