Middle East

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

ABA Prez Condemns ‘Unfair’ Trial of Iranian Civil Rights Lawyer Sentenced to 11 Years

Sentenced to 11 years in prison and barred from practicing law or leaving the country for 20 years, an Iranian civil rights attorney known for her representation of women and children is being punished for expressing her views to the media, some supporters say. Convicted of “activities against national security”…

Jan 13, 2011 12:28 AM CST

Fla. Prosecutor’s Next Career Move is to Afghanistan

After five years as a prosecutor, it isn’t unusual to make a career move. But it is a rare step to head to Afghanistan to do so. Moin Kahn isn’t venturing out alone, however. The 33-year-old Florida lawyer follows his wife, who left her job with the Pinellas County Public…

Dec 28, 2010 2:30 PM CST

Iraqi Lawyers Watch ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to Learn Trial Techniques

A Mayer Brown partner relied on To Kill a Mockingbird when he traveled to Iraq this fall to teach trial techniques to lawyers who advocate for the legal rights of victims of domestic violence. Matt Rooney used movie excerpts to show how Atticus Finch delivered opening and closing statements and…

Dec 21, 2010 12:29 PM CST

Israeli Attorney Is 1st Foreign Law School Grad to Become Wis. Lawyer, Under New Rule

An Israeli attorney who earned her law degree from Bar Ilan University Law School in her home country is the first graduate of a foreign law school to win admission to the Wisconsin bar under a new rule that no longer requires graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited institution. Deborah…

Oct 6, 2010 12:00 AM CDT

Morgan Lewis Seeks to Expand European Nuclear Practice

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has hired a top energy lawyer in London and is seeking to expand its overseas nuclear practice. Morgan Lewis hired Susan Quint, formerly a top lawyer for a state-owned nuclear energy services company, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The firm’s nuclear practice has 32 lawyers, and it…

Apr 19, 2010 2:53 PM CDT

Latham Establishes New Saudi Arabia Office, Affiliating with Ex-Ally of White & Case

Latham & Watkins has established a foothold in Saudi Arabia by associating with a former ally of White & Case now operating the Law Office of Mohammed Al-Sheikh in Riyadh. Its new Riyadh office is the firm’s fourth in the Middle East, after a trifecta opening last year of offices…

Apr 6, 2010 5:15 PM CDT

I Just E-Mailed a Friend, US Lawyer Charged in Dubai Corporate Info Case Tells ABA Journal

A U.S. lawyer criminally charged in Dubai with leaking information about his corporate employer says he simply e-mailed a friend from work a couple of times about what was going on in his life, including a job search. But there is no way that anyone reading the e-mail he sent…

Apr 1, 2010 12:31 AM CDT

US Lawyer Charged in Dubai, Accused of Revealing Employer’s Corporate Info

Updated: An American lawyer has been criminally charged in Dubai for allegedly revealing inside information about his corporate employer, a property investment company owned by the country’s ruler. The attorney, who is identified only as “JC,” 37, is accused of revealing financial and market information about Meraas Holdings in order…

Mar 31, 2010 6:26 PM CDT

Eight More White & Case Partners Jump to Latham

Eight more partners at White & Case are moving to Latham & Watkins offices in New York City; London; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two of the lawyers who are going to Latham’s London office will join four others who already made the move there from…

Feb 1, 2010 4:00 PM CST

Hurled Shoe Knocks Israeli Chief Justice Off Her Chair

The chief justice of Israel’s Supreme Court took a direct hit between the eyes from a hurled tennis shoe during a court session on medical marijuana on Wednesday. The impact knocked Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch off her chair and broke her glasses, according to the Associated Press and the…

Jan 27, 2010 3:35 PM CST

US-Educated Human Rights Lawyer Among 4 Convicted in Vietnam

An American-educated human rights lawyer was among four dissidents sentenced in Vietnam yesterday after being tried for trying to overthrow the government. The lawyer, Le Cong Dinh, was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting he had joined a banned political party and had met with foreign groups, according…

Jan 21, 2010 12:30 PM CST

Latham to Open Office in Houston; New Hires Include Ex-Akin Gump Energy Chief

Latham & Watkins is opening a new office in Houston with three transactional energy lawyers. They include Michael Dillard, who formerly headed the practice area at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. The new office will initially be staffed with Dillard; another ex-Akin Gump lawyer, J. Michael Chambers; and Sean…

Jan 11, 2010 5:33 PM CST

DLA Piper Downsizes Again in Dubai, Hires Alston Partner to Head Financial Practice Group in D.C.

DLA Piper is laying off seven lawyers and 10 staff members from its offices in the Middle East because of a business slowdown there. Most of the layoffs are in Dubai, reports Legal Week, which also says the international megafirm plans to transfer another 14 individuals, including some partners, to…

Dec 8, 2009 1:11 AM CST

Baghdad Law

Tom Donovan’s firm seems to be perched on the rim of the apocalypse. Sandstorms can turn the noonday sky black and knock out the law firm’s connection to a communications satellite. Routine trips outside of Baghdad’s International Zone require a security escort to the tune of $6,000 a day.

Dec 2, 2009 3:39 AM CST