Midsize Firm

Spokane Diocese Sues Law Firm That Handled Its Bankruptcy, Seeks $12M Legal Fee Clawback and Damages

Updated: The Catholic Diocese of Spokane has filed a malpractice suit against the law firm that handled its $50 million bankruptcy, contending that the church was ill-served by the strategy Paine Hamblen developed to deal with priest sex-abuse issues. The suit, which was spearheaded by Bishop Blase Cupich after he…

Oct 15, 2012 8:15 PM CDT

As 6 Connolly Bove Partners Exit for BigLaw Firms, IP ‘Super-Boutique’ Merger with Novak on Track

Although Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz has lost at least six partners to major general practice law firms since announcing an expected merger with Novak Druce + Quigg a month ago, that has not affected the two law firms’ plan to merge into an intellectual property “super-boutique” that would be…

Oct 15, 2012 4:00 PM CDT

Despite Brutal Legal Job Market, Some Well-Known Law Firms are Hiring in the Midwest

Although the overall market for legal hiring could hardly be called robust, it is perhaps improving in the Midwest; and in certain high-demand niche practice areas, experienced attorneys are even being sought-after. Tucker Ellis, based in Ohio, added 21 new attorneys lawyers this year, 16 in its downtown Cleveland office.…

Oct 10, 2012 3:30 PM CDT

Florida Trial Lawyer Willie Gary and His Law Firm Must Pay $12.5M to Litigation Funding Company

A Florida trial lawyer known both for the big verdicts he has won and his lavish lifestyle has been hit with a $12.5 million verdict in a case brought by a litigation funding company. Willie Gary, his law firm, Gary, Williams, Lewis & Watson, and another partner are the defendants…

Oct 4, 2012 3:48 PM CDT

Three Regional Law Firms Announce Mergers; Like Most This Year, They Involve Small Law Firms

Three well-known regional law firms have announced mergers this week. And, like most other law firm mergers this year, they involved the acquisitions of smaller shops, according to Reuters. Adams and Reese will add Tallahassee, Fla.-based Igler & Dougherty to its existing roster of 260 attorneys working in offices throughout…

Oct 3, 2012 6:54 PM CDT

Burr & Forman Acquires 23-Attorney Tampa Law Firm, Establishing a Third Office in Florida

A growing Southeast regional firm with a history in Birmingham, Ala., that dates back a century is establishing a new office in Florida with the acquisition of a 23-attorney law firm there. Counting the lawyers from Williams Schifino Mangione & Steady, there will now be more than 275 attorneys on…

Sep 28, 2012 8:00 PM CDT

Criminal Defense Associate Played a Role in Creation of New CBS Legal Drama ‘Made in Jersey’

In all honesty, Creston P. Smith isn’t much of a television watcher, except when the Baltimore Orioles are trying to make the playoffs. But he’s planning to record a new legal drama that premieres Friday on CBS, to watch later and see if any of the scenarios he talked about…

Sep 28, 2012 1:35 PM CDT

Thompson & Knight to Open New Office in Los Angeles

A Texas law firm is planting its flag in California. Thompson & Knight will open a Los Angeles office Oct. 1, the Dallas Business Journal reports. A law firm press release provides additional details. The new office will initially be staffed by partner Shelly A. Youree as well as counsel…

Sep 26, 2012 8:48 PM CDT

2 Law Firms Poised to Collect $300M Del. Chancery Attorney’s Fee Award, Plus $212K Daily Interest

A well-known Wilmington, Del., law firm and its Pennsylvania-based co-counsel are poised to collect one of the biggest legal-fee awards ever made in a securities class action, after the Delaware Supreme Court on Friday rejected a motion for reargument of the massive payout, which at last report totaled about $305…

Sep 24, 2012 4:46 PM CDT

Ex-Lawyer Steven Lippman Gets 3 Years, Says Ex-Partner Scott Rothstein ‘Played Me Like a Fool’

A newly disbarred South Florida lawyer was sentenced Friday to three years in federal prison, in the latest fallout from the implosion of the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm operated by convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein, who is also disbarred and serving a 50-year federal prison term. Although Steven Lippman,…

Sep 14, 2012 6:19 PM CDT

Judge OKs Damages Claim by Ex-Edwards Wildman Partner Allegedly Ousted Without Required Partner Vote

A former corporate partner of Edwards Wildman Palmer isn’t entitled to his promised pay of $625,000 for his work 2008, because he didn’t bring in anywhere close to the amount of business he was supposed to generate to be paid at this level, a New York judge ruled last week.…

Sep 7, 2012 9:12 PM CDT

A Split at Connolly Bove Leaves Firm with Only an IP Practice

Twenty-one corporate litigation lawyers have left Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz to form their own law firm, leaving Connolly Bove with only an intellectual property practice. The new firm is Connolly & Gallagher, Delaware Online reports. Name partner Arthur “Chip” Connolly III was formerly managing partner at Connolly Bove. Delaware…

Sep 6, 2012 11:38 AM CDT

European Law Firm Field Fisher Waterhouse Opens First US Office in Palo Alto

A European law firm that focuses on technology and intellectual property matters is opening its first United States office in Palo Alto, Calif., this month. However, Field Fisher Waterhouse doesn’t expect to practice locally but simply offer its existing American client base easier access for representation in European matters, the…

Sep 4, 2012 9:24 PM CDT

Law Firm Merger Bumps NJ Municipal Judge Off the Bench After 23 Years

A law firm merger has effectively bumped a 23-year municipal judge in New Jersey off the bench. Given a choice between giving up his job as a Ridgewood municipal judge and giving up his job as a partner at Archer & Greiner, one of the largest firms in New Jersey,…

Aug 29, 2012 3:41 PM CDT

Ex-Client Sues Firm re ‘Massive Overbilling,’ Partner Says ‘Meritless’ Suit a Bill Dispute Tactic

A former client has sued a New York-based law firm in federal court for malpractice, accusing Wilk Auslander of “massive overbilling for needless work” while defending several securities class actions. In the suit (PDF), which was filed Monday in the Central District of California, ex-client Westport Capital Inc. and two…

Aug 28, 2012 7:57 PM CDT