Midsize Firm

All Shook Up By Quake, Courts and Law Firms Evacuate; Cozen Partner Welcomes Break in Park

An earthquake in Virginia this afternoon closed some courts and law firms there and in Washington, D.C., and was felt in New York, Boston, Maine and Canada as far north as Toronto, as well as North Carolina. However, there were no reports of serious injuries. The 5.8 magnitude temblor closed…

Aug 23, 2011 10:31 PM CDT

New York Attorney Is a Driving Force at the Track

Sam Caruso Jr. tried 13 felony cases in 2010. But when the Rochester, N.Y., criminal defense lawyer is in the winner’s circle, it’s just about as likely to be on the track as in court. Despite driving in only 25 harness races this year, the 54-year has had five wins,…

Aug 22, 2011 6:34 PM CDT

Ice Miller to Gain Another 90 Attorneys By Merging With Schottenstein Zox

The third-biggest law firm in Indianapolis will soon be among the 150 largest in the country, after a planned merger with the fourth-biggest in Columbus, Ohio. Ice Miller, with 224 lawyers, plans to combine forces on Jan. 1 with 90-attorney Schottenstein Zox & Dunn, according to the Indianapolis Business Review…

Aug 19, 2011 11:50 AM CDT

Ruden McClosky is Reportedly Deep in Merger Discussions With Benesch Firm

Following a tough period in which Ruden McClosky closed offices, made staff layoffs and held back some partner pay following lawyer defections, a co-managing partner of the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based firm said in an e-mail several months ago that “things are clearly moving in the right direction.” Now it appears…

Aug 19, 2011 11:02 AM CDT

In UK First, Attorney and Spouse Say Law Firm Forced Them Out Due to Caste Discrimination

In what is being billed as a first-of-its-kind case, a man and a woman of Indian descent have made a wrongful dismissal claim against a British law firm, saying they were forced out of their jobs due to caste discrimination. After practice manager Vijay Begraj, 32, who is a Dalit,…

Aug 17, 2011 7:49 PM CDT

Burleson Opens New Office in Denver

A rapidly expanding Houston-based energy law firm announced today that is has opened an office in Denver. It is the third new office for Burleson in the past two years, the not-quite-100-attorney firm said in a press release. It will be headed by Jack R. Luellen, who formerly practiced at…

Aug 17, 2011 5:57 PM CDT

Fired Kasowitz First-Year Sues for $77M, Says Firm Didn’t Appreciate His ‘Superior Legal Mind’

A first-year associate fired by Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman in May after he emailed partners about his “superior legal mind” and asked for more responsibility has filed suit against the law firm seeking $77 million in damages. Gregory Berry, who says he started work at the firm last September…

Aug 16, 2011 10:37 PM CDT

Thorp Reed Opens New Office, Its 5th, in Wilmington, Del., With Bankruptcy Focus

A venerable Pennsylvania-based business law firm has opened a new office in Wilmington, Del. It is expected to have a bankruptcy focus, a law firm press release announces. It will be the fifth office for the 100-attorney Thorp Reed & Armstrong, which was established in Pittsburgh in 1895. Thorp Reed…

Aug 15, 2011 6:53 PM CDT

Edwards Angell to Merge with Wildman Harrold; New Firm Will Have 650 Lawyers

Boston-based Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge is merging with Chicago law firm Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon. The new firm will be called Edwards Wildman Palmer, according to a press release. It will have 13 offices and 650 lawyers. The merger takes place on Oct. 1. Wildman Harrold had 224…

Aug 15, 2011 4:26 PM CDT

Several Law Firms Plan to Increase Hiring; Law Schools Jockey for Placements

The hiring outlook may be slightly better for law students this year. Several large law firms are planning to increase hiring over the previous year, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. They include Bingham McCutchen, planning to increase summer associate hires by almost 29 percent, and Skadden, Arps, Slate,…

Aug 12, 2011 11:43 AM CDT

Merger Talks to Create 800-Lawyer Law Firm Are Confirmed

Baker & Daniels and Faegre & Benson are discussing a merger. Thomas Froehle Jr., chair and chief executive partner at Baker & Daniels based in Indianapolis, confirmed the merger talks, the Am Law Daily reports. The combined law firms would have 750 to 800 lawyers and 13 offices. Faegre, the…

Aug 12, 2011 11:18 AM CDT

Sedgwick Opens New DC Office with 14-Attorney Team From Wallace Partners

After opening a Seattle office last month, Sedgwick has now announced a new office in the nation’s capital. It will be staffed by a 14-attorney team from Wallace Partners, led by the firm’s managing partner, Rick Wallace, says a press release. Wallace specializes in the defense of products liability cases…

Aug 12, 2011 12:34 AM CDT

6-Partner IP Team Leaps from Black Lowe to Foster Pepper in Seattle

Led by law firm co-founder Richard Black, six partners have exited Seattle intellectual property boutique Black Lowe & Graham for one of the state’s largest business law firms, Foster Pepper. Left with 11 lawyers and agents, their former firm has changed its name to Lowe Graham Jones and is looking…

Aug 9, 2011 11:18 AM CDT

Judge’s Sanction Banning Website Mention of Law Firm and Members Violated 1st Amendment

A California judge had the power to ban a San Diego woman from continuing to make statements online that had been found to be false and defamatory. But the trial court went too far, an appellate panel found, when it banned Maura Larkins, as a sanction for continued violation of…

Aug 8, 2011 4:25 PM CDT

Dykema Hires Ex-Womble Carlyle Partner to Head New Charlotte Office and Financial Practice Group

Dykema has hired a former partner of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice to head both a new office in Charlotte, N.C., and the firm’s financial services regulatory and compliance practice. Donald Lampe, 54, is presently practicing in Washington, D.C., with another former Womble lawyer, Elizabeth Collins. However, they will move…

Aug 8, 2011 9:59 AM CDT