International

Patton Firm Seeks to Sue Chevron, Gibson Dunn, Claims Tortious Interference with Client Relationship

Last week, Chevron Corp. filed a federal civil racketeering lawsuit in New York against the plaintiffs in a hard-fought multi-billion-dollar Ecuador environmental case, alleging that they conspired to manufacture and withhold evidence. Among the defendants is one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, Steven Donziger. This week, another plaintiffs law…

Feb 8, 2011 4:34 PM CST

Scalia Takes His Frank Views to Australia, Criticizes EU for Offering ‘Reduced Democracy’

Justice Antonin Scalia criticized the European Union and its Court of Human Rights as undemocratic in an appearance in Australia on Wednesday. Scalia’s “famous self-confidence and power to control a debate” were evident during his speech and a question-and-answer period, the Australian reports. According to the report, Scalia criticized the…

Feb 4, 2011 12:28 PM CST

Top UK Court OKs Tweets and Live-Texting Under Most Circumstances

Journalists, legal teams and the public are all permitted to use Twitter to send live tweets from the United Kingdom’s highest court, according to guidance provided today. Because its proceedings don’t involve jurors or witnesses, says the U.K. Supreme Court in a press release (PDF) concerning “live text based communications,”…

Feb 3, 2011 6:24 PM CST

As Unrest in Egypt Unfolds, BigLaw Firms Keep Wary Eye on Offices There

Despite reported turmoil in Egypt, it appears that the relatively small number of major international law firms with offices there have stayed out of the worst of the fray. “Our paramount concern is for the safety and welfare of all our people,” says Howard Morris, the CEO of SNR Denton,…

Feb 2, 2011 7:50 PM CST

British BigLaw Firm A&O Plans to Shift Back-Office & Legal Support Workers to Distant Location

In the latest signpost pointing the way toward a new approach to BigLaw practice that is rapidly gaining traction, a London-based international firm has announced it is shifting its back-office and legal support functions to a distant location. Allen & Overy expects to have some 300 staffers working in Belfast,…

Feb 2, 2011 5:46 PM CST

Pursuit of Happiness Could Become a Constitutional Right in Brazil

Legislators in Brazil are considering a constitutional amendment to make the “pursuit of happiness” one of the social rights of citizens. The document now lists social rights that include education, health, food, work, housing, leisure and security, the Associated Press reports. The Senate could approve the happiness amendment as soon…

Feb 2, 2011 12:09 PM CST

Jury Acquits Suspended Top Cop Accused of Framing BigLaw Litigation Chief for Car Arson

A jury has acquitted a suspended top cop accused of torching his own car to get the insurance money and framing his lover’s husband—who happens to head the litigation department of a major London-based law firm—for the crime. Chief Superintendent Jim Trotman of the Thames Valley Police was accused due…

Feb 1, 2011 6:30 PM CST

Dutch Lawyer Argues His ‘Giant’ Client Is Too Tall and Fat for Jail Cell

A Dutch lawyer claims his 500-pound client, who is a couple inches shy of 7 feet tall, is too big for his jail cell. Lawyer Bas Martens maintains that his client’s 12-square-yard jail cell violates European human rights law, the Associated Press reports. Martens told a court in The Hague…

Jan 28, 2011 4:43 PM CST

Lawyer in Megabucks Chevron Enviro Case Must Turn Over Hard Drive Mirror Images, Judge Rules

After persuading a federal judge that a plaintiff’s lawyer waived privilege by operating as a “political operative” in conjunction with the making of a documentary film, a corporate defendant in a megabucks South American environmental case has scored a follow-up victory. Initially, based on the “political operative” finding, a federal…

Jan 27, 2011 9:18 PM CST

ABA President Urges India Bar to Maintain Status Quo While It Debates Foreign Law Offices

ABA President Stephen N. Zack is urging the Bar Council of India to maintain the status quo as it considers whether to allow foreign lawyers to establish law firms in the country. Currently, U.S. lawyers may travel to India on an “in-and-out basis” to advise their clients on non-Indian laws.…

Jan 27, 2011 7:06 PM CST

DLA Piper to Become World’s Largest Law Firm with Australian Merger

DLA Piper is planning a merger with its Australian partner DLA Phillips Fox to become the world’s largest law firm. The merger, targeted to take place May 1, is subject to a partnership vote, Bloomberg News reports. The two law firms had formed an exclusive alliance in 2006. The merged…

Jan 27, 2011 2:41 PM CST

After Hack Attacks and Death Threats, Lawyer Tells Court, He’s Dropping File-Share Suits

Citing “immense hassle to me and my family,” a lawyer pursuing controversial file-sharing claims has told a British court that he is dropping the litigation due to hack attacks, bomb threats and death threats. Solicitor Andrew Crossley of ACS:Law now says he has dropped all such work, in a statement…

Jan 25, 2011 10:17 PM CST

Successful ‘Two Lads and a Laptop’ Law Firm Credits Back-to-Basics, Plain Language Focus

When John Hogan and Larry Fenelon founded Leman Solicitors in 2007, the economy wasn’t exactly robust. But the tiny law firm’s three guiding principles—clear communication, plain language and understandable itemized bills—obviously struck a chord with clients, reports the Irish Times. Ironically, the difficult economy proved to be a plus, as…

Jan 24, 2011 5:37 PM CST

Hogan Lovells Raids Willkie Farr, Lures 10-Lawyer Capital Markets Team to Frankfurt Office

In another sign that the corporate legal market is gaining steam this year, megafirm Hogan Lovells has raided the Frankfurt, Germany, office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher for a 10-lawyer capital markets team. The group is led by Michael Schlitt, who will head the practice group at his new law…

Jan 21, 2011 9:21 PM CST

UK Judge OKs Extradition of Terrorism Suspect Wanted for Alleged NY Subway Bomb Plot

A terrorism suspect who argued he could face torture or mistreatment if he is sent to the United States for trial has lost a bid to avoid extradition. A British court today approved the extradition of Pakistani national Abid Naseer, who is wanted here for his alleged role in a…

Jan 21, 2011 3:54 PM CST