Career & Practice

Fla. Woman’s 25-Year Mortgage Foreclosure Battle a Cautionary Tale for Lenders

During the 25 years that Patsy Campbell has been fighting a mortgage foreclosure case on her Florida home she has outlasted six lenders and seen seven great-grandchildren born. She last made a mortgage payment on her Okeechobee County home in 1985, reports the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). Attorney Robert…

Dec 8, 2010 11:39 PM CST

Major Del. Law Firm at Which IT Manager Allegedly Traded on Client Merger Info Is ID’d

One of Delaware’s biggest and best-known corporate law firms was reportedly the victim of an alleged insider-trading scheme by a former information technology and security manager. Although not identified in a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint filed against Jeffrey Temple, 40, the law firm from which he stole client merger…

Dec 8, 2010 10:30 PM CST

Seyfarth Shaw to Open ‘Hub’ Office in London Led by Norton Rose Employment Chair

Seyfarth Shaw will open a London office next year led by the one-time chair of Norton Rose’s employment law practice. The lawyer, Peter Talibart, is widely regarded as one of the leading lawyers in international employment law, according to a Seyfarth Shaw press release. Seyfarth chairman Stephen Poor says in…

Dec 8, 2010 3:28 PM CST

Paralegal Job Can Make Career Sense, But Document Review Is Dubious, Experts Advise

Looking to get a foot in the door for an entry-level attorney job in a rough economy? It can make sense, from a career-advancement standpoint, to seek work as a paralegal. But a contract attorney gig focused on document review likely won’t do more than pay the bills, experts say.…

Dec 8, 2010 1:16 AM CST

Congress Votes to Exempt Lawyers from ‘Red Flags Rule’

With a vote of the House of Representatives today, Congress has exempted lawyers from the so-called Red Flags Rule. Last month, the U.S. Senate also voted to protect attorneys and other professionals from having to comply with its record-keeping and safeguarding requirements. Hard-fought by the American Bar Association, the rule,…

Dec 7, 2010 9:53 PM CST

Nine Lawyers From Dissolving Indianapolis Law Firm Jump to Bose McKinney

An Indianapolis law firm that once included former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh is dissolving, but many of its lawyers and staffers will be joining a bigger rival. Tabbert Hahn Earnest and Weddle will close at the end of the year, according to the Indianapolis Star, the Indianapolis Business Journal and…

Dec 7, 2010 1:44 PM CST

Suit Claims Reed Smith Managers Doled Out Work Based on Sexual Liaisons

Updated: A nonequity partner at Reed Smith’s Pittsburgh office claims in a lawsuit that women lawyers there are paid less than men and given work based on actual or hoped-for sexual liaisons. The suit by JoEllen Lyons Dillon says she never participated in sexual shenanigans at the firm, which paid…

Dec 7, 2010 1:22 PM CST

Skadden to Exit Bay Area for Silicon Valley, Shift San Francisco Lawyers to Palo Alto Office

Silicon Valley’s the place to be, not San Francisco, a top New York City-based international law firm has decided. Hence, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom will be closing its San Francisco office by June, the Daily Journal (sub. req.) and the Recorder reported. Although the 25 lawyers in San…

Dec 6, 2010 8:17 PM CST

‘Knee-Jerk Reaction’ to Prof’s New Co. Underscores Fear of Change in Legal Marketplace

Editor’s note: The New Normal is an ongoing discussion between Paul Lippe, the CEO of Legal OnRamp, and Patrick Lamb, founding member of Valorem Law Group. Paul and Pat spend a lot of time thinking, writing and speaking about the changes occurring in the delivery of legal services. We hope…

Dec 6, 2010 7:05 PM CST

Why Many Midsize Law Firms Are Prospering During the Recession (Podcast)

As corporate legal budgets continue to shrink, many general counsel are turning to midsize law firms in lieu of their more expensive, BigLaw counterparts. In fact, many midsize firms have reported significant success in the Great Recession. Listen to find out why.

Dec 6, 2010 2:45 PM CST

Fired Associate Sues Akin Gump, Alleging Bias and NALP Lie

An African-American associate laid off from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld claims the law “showcased” her at minority events to create a false image of diversity, even as it was transferring her assignments to white lawyers. The racial discrimination suit by Tameka Simmons claims the firm cited pretextual economic…

Dec 6, 2010 12:00 PM CST

Law Firm Accused of UPL, After Admittedly Filing Foreclosures Without Attorney Review

A Pennsylvania law firm has joined Florida colleagues on the hot seat over questioned practices in high-volume mortgage foreclosure cases. Goldbeck McCafferty & McKeever has been accused of unauthorized practice of law because—as two of its name partners admitted in deposition—nonlawyers, at least in the past, routinely prepared and filed…

Dec 4, 2010 12:00 AM CST

Morrison & Foerster Matches Cravath Bonuses, with Caveats

Morrison & Foerster might pay bonuses to its associates, and in New York the amounts might match the Cravath scale with a top payout of $35,000. Associates received word about the possible bonuses Thursday in two vague memos full of “caveats and out-outs,” Above the Law reports. According to the…

Dec 3, 2010 7:30 PM CST

‘Poised to Grow’ Ruden McClosky Lays Off 16 Staff, Including 20-Year Secretaries

Two weeks ago, Ruden McClosky elected what amounts to a new managing partner after a tough couple of years that included a pay cut, layoffs and defections. Last week, new co-managing partner Michael Krul said the firm was “poised to grow,” after being hit hard by the recession and the…

Dec 3, 2010 6:56 PM CST

Lawyer with Tics Gives Book Character Same Symptoms, Gets Advice from Mom on Sex Scenes

When attorney Joel Goldman developed tics, a neurological disorder similar to Tourette’s syndrome, and was eventually forced to give up his trial law practice, he made lemonade. An author of several acclaimed legal thrillers, he focuses on a central character whose involuntary movements are like his own, according to Gatehouse…

Dec 3, 2010 4:20 PM CST