New Spin on Dechert Layoffs

Today is the deadline for 13 unlucky associates in Dechert’s finance and real estate group to decide whether to accept a severance package or shift to a busier practice area. But even if they opt to stay, the Philadelphia-based international firm is only guaranteeing another two months of employment, according…

Mar 4, 2008 7:09 PM CST

Law Firms Embrace Leadership Training, Even if Leadership Isn’t the Goal

Law firms nationwide are paying millions of dollars to send partners to leadership training programs, but experts say the goal may be to get lawyers to agree on firm strategy, the National Law Journal reports. Leadership programs may range from free bar association presentations to personalized coaching sessions, the legal…

Mar 4, 2008 4:29 PM CST

Are Associate Bonuses Counterproductive?

Law firm bonuses are the rule rather than the exception, but one law firm manager tells the Legal Intelligencer he thinks bonuses are counterproductive. Alexander Henderson III, managing partner of Hartman Underhill & Brubaker in Lancaster, Pa., said he doesn’t think its right to reward associates based on the health…

Mar 4, 2008 3:59 PM CST

More FTC Officials Jump to New Jobs

Two more staffers at the Federal Trade Commission are planning to leap to new jobs, according to The Deal. Deputy general counsel John Graubert has confirmed that he will become a partner at Covington & Burling, according to the publication. He will join the firm’s antitrust and consumer law practice…

Mar 4, 2008 3:15 PM CST

Lawyer Awarded at Least $10M for Secret Videotaping

Lawyer Mark Geragos was awarded at least $10 million—and possibly as much as $18 million—in his invasion of privacy suit against an air charter company for secretly videotaping him while traveling with pop star Michael Jackson. Geragos’ colleague, Pat Harris, will receive between $1.25 million and $2.25 million, the Associated…

Mar 4, 2008 1:43 PM CST

Senate Confirms Filip as No. 2 Justice Official

The Senate has confirmed Mark Filip, a federal judge in Chicago, to become the Justice Department’s second in command. The confirmation was part of a broader agreement by Democrats to confirm more White House appointments, report the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). In exchange, the administration…

Mar 4, 2008 11:49 AM CST

Dechert to 13 Associates: You’re Fired ... No, You’re Not

Updated: After notifying 13 real estate and finance associates last week that they were being laid off, apparently because of a slowing economy, Dechert has reportedly changed its mind. The 13, who were originally told to depart the Philadelphia-based international firm by the close of business tomorrow, as discussed in…

Mar 3, 2008 7:41 PM CST

The Wall Street Journal’s General Counsel Is Fired

The Wall Street Journal has axed Stuart Karle, the paper’s longtime general counsel who achieved some important First Amendment victories. Karle did not disclose why he was fired in a conversation with Legal Times, but he did say he “had a spectacularly good time” helping the newspaper defend its stories.…

Mar 3, 2008 2:32 PM CST

Heller’s Associate Bonanza: Bonuses Restored, Training Added at No Charge to Clients

Heller Ehrman has concluded it was wrong to cut some 2007 bonuses to pay for associate salary hikes, and it’s doing something about it. The law firm has announced it will restore 2007 bonuses of $15,000 to $25,000 for 2,000 hours billed, the Recorder reports. The firm had eliminated the…

Mar 3, 2008 12:11 PM CST

Practicing on Faith

In an unassuming office park in a quiet Chicago suburb, six lawyers are planning a revolution. The six are American women of the Muslim faith, and they have started what they believe is a first-of-its-kind law firm. They hope to change the way others think about their religion and culture, as well as the way law can be practiced.

Mar 1, 2008 9:14 AM CST

A Novel Heroine

A wealthy socialite’s philandering husband is murdered. When the socialite becomes a suspect in his killing, only Los Angeles trial lawyer Vernetta Henderson can uncover the truth. Or can she?

Mar 1, 2008 8:26 AM CST

Taking the CLE-nic Route

With 43 jurisdictions now mandating continuing legal education, there are a whole lot of lawyers falling asleep in sub-basement-level hotel ballrooms while talking heads drone on and on and on about ... uh ... well, who can remember—but have you seen that sign-in sheet?

Luckily, there are far better ways to do CLE thanks to companies that combine education with adventure. Think of them as learning experiences you’ll never forget.

Mar 1, 2008 7:31 AM CST

Former Miami City Attorney Seeks $300K Severance Pay

After resigning as Miami’s city attorney earlier this month, at the same time that a misdemeanor plea agreement concerning his office expenses was announced, Jorge Fernandez is reportedly still hoping for a significant payday. An employment contract provision says he will be paid six months of severance, regardless of why…

Feb 29, 2008 9:52 PM CST

Dechert Lays Off 13 Associates (But That’s Not the Final Answer)

Updated: In an apparent response to the slowing economy, Dechert has reportedly laid off 13 associates in offices throughout the U.S. They work in the Philadephia-based international firm’s real estate and finance practice, according to the Legal Intelligencer, which attributes the information to an unnamed source. There are 167 attorneys…

Feb 29, 2008 9:31 PM CST

Lawyer Promotes Candidacy, Pokes Fun at His Disability, in YouTube Ads

Portland lawyer Steve Novick is taking a humorous look at his disabilities and his looks in YouTube ads seeking support for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate in Oregon. Novick was born without a left hand and is missing one of the two major bones between the knee and…

Feb 29, 2008 3:40 PM CST