Covington is significantly expanding its government contracts practice with 20 lawyers from one of the nation’s top government contracts groups, including its former chair and leaders in contractor tort liability, bid protests, procurement fraud, trade secrets and employment.

The group of five partners and 15 other lawyers from McKenna, Long & Aldridge expands and deepens Covington’s capabilities across a range of government contracts matters. Frederic Levy, until recently the chair of McKenna’s government contracts practice, will serve as co-chair of Covington’s government contracts group with Alan Pemberton and Jennifer Plitsch. More >>

NetScout Systems, Inc. received unconditional clearance from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for its proposed acquisition of the Communications Business of Danaher Corporation. The clearance follows the issuance of a Second Request by the DOJ, which occurred on December 24, 2014, and effectively extended the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act. As part of a negotiated timing agreement, NetScout agreed to delay close of the transaction until late May, making the DOJ’s early decision to terminate its investigation without imposing any remedies a welcome development in the deal timeline. More >>

The global law firm Jones Day is pleased to announce that Kevyn D. Orr, who recently served as the Emergency Manager for the City of Detroit, is returning to the Firm on May 1, 2015, as a partner in its Business Restructuring & Reorganization Practice and as the Partner-in-Charge (PIC) of its Washington Office. Mr. Orr succeeds Gregory M. Shumaker, who has served as the PIC of the Washington Office since 2011, and who will become the leader of Jones Day’s Global Disputes Practice. More >>

Michael Bednarek, who represents some of the world’s largest technology and financial services companies in patent and intellectual property litigation in the United States, has joined Locke Lord as a Partner in Washington, D.C. He will be a member of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Department. More >>

Schiff Hardin is pleased to announce that Dr. John K. Hsu has joined the firm as a partner in the Intellectual Property group. Dr. Hsu comes to the firm from Winston & Strawn LLP, and brings with him extensive experience in intellectual property litigation. He is based in the firm’s Washington D.C. office.

“John’s addition is another important strategic step in the continued growth of our intellectual property practice and considerably strengthens our pharmaceutical industry team,” said Steve Hankins, head of Schiff Hardin’s Intellectual Property group. “Having earned a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry, John brings a great depth of knowledge in the field of science that will significantly expand our ability to serve our pharmaceutical clients. He will be a great resource to our many Washington D.C.-based clients and engagements.” More >>

King & Spalding has recruited Joseph A. Eisert to its tort and environmental litigation practice as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Eisert joins a two-member team of environmental partners from his former firm of Kirkland & Ellis – Granta Nakayama and Ilana Saltzbart – who came over to King & Spalding in January. Eisert had been a partner at his former firm. More >>

Squire Patton Boggs is pleased to announce that Kevin McCart has rejoined the firm as a partner in its Government Investigations and White Collar Practice Group. He joins from Husch Blackwell and will be resident in the Washington, DC office More >>

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP announced today that Ellen McElroy has joined the firm’s Tax Practice Group as a partner in Washington, DC, expanding the firm’s tax accounting services. Prior to joining Sutherland, Ms. McElroy was a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP More >>