New York

3 More NY Lawyers Lose Pensions; 45 Now on State’s No-Pay List

Three more Long Island lawyers are having their government pension credits or pension revoked by the state comptroller, bringing to 45 the number of New York attorneys who have had their benefits rescinded. The three allegedly were improperly listed as employees of government entities, allowing them to receive state benefits,…

Dec 12, 2008 8:28 PM CST

King & Spalding to Acquire Half of Thacher Proffitt?

Struggling in a difficult economy, Thacher Proffitt & Wood is seeking a merger partner and could see about half of its lawyers acquired by King & Spalding. The well-known Atlanta-based BigLaw firm has been talking with New York City-based Thacher Proffitt about taking on about 100 of the firm’s 195…

Dec 11, 2008 8:30 PM CST

After Libel Suit Against Blogger Fails, Lohan Gal Pal Targets Own Lawyer

A defamation lawsuit brought by a gal pal of actress Lindsay Lohan against a well-known celebrity blogger didn’t turn out the way either the plaintiff or her counsel had hoped. Represented by a high-profile New York lawyer Martin Garbus, disc jockey Samantha Ronson had hoped for vindication against blogger Perez…

Dec 11, 2008 7:58 PM CST

Ex-NY Judge Indicted, Accused of Seeking $10K from Lawyer

A former New York judge has been indicted on charges of attempted extortion and attempted bribery. The indictment accuses former Judge Thomas Spargo of pressuring an Ulster County lawyer to give him $10,000 in 2003, the New York Law Journal reports. The charges stem from a misconduct investigation that forced…

Dec 11, 2008 4:05 PM CST

Dire Situation at Dreier: Bills Unpaid, Client Funds Allegedly Missing

Just when it seemed that the alleged situation involving the founder of Dreier and his disintegrating 238-attorney law firm could hardly get much worse, even more bad news is being reported. After he was arrested and jailed in Toronto last week, Marc Dreier allegedly managed to transfer $10 million in…

Dec 10, 2008 10:06 PM CST

Dreier Controller: I Refused Jailed Boss’s Request for Escrow Millions

The controller of the Dreier law firm says in a sworn statement that he refused to wire up to $10 million in escrow funds to his boss sitting in a Canadian jail. The statement was contained in court filings by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports.…

Dec 10, 2008 1:52 PM CST

Will Caroline Kennedy Bring Another Piece of Camelot to the Senate?

Rumors are hot that New York Gov. David Paterson spoke to the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy about filling the senate seat once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy, a 1988 Columbia Law School graduate, is considering replacing Sen. Hillary Clinton, according to ABC…

Dec 5, 2008 9:39 PM CST

Holiday Party Critique: Bingham Event Was Sobering

Am Law Daily reporter Vivia Chen is on the law firm party circuit and offered up a critique of the most recent one. With the economy in turmoil and law firms everywhere cutting back, it should be no surprise that Bingham McCutchen’s annual New York Public Library gala was more…

Dec 5, 2008 3:57 PM CST

Reports: Murdered NYC Lawyer Victim of Jealous Stalker

Anthony Ottaviano, a staff attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, was shot and killed Monday in what authorities and news accounts describe as jealousy-infused ordeal involving the world of S&M fetish circles. Police say Ottaviano was shot by West Chester man David P. Krieg, who then kidnapped Ottaviano’s…

Dec 4, 2008 4:34 PM CST

Suit Claims Wal-Mart Sale Ads Led to Trampling of Worker

A lawsuit filed by the family of a Wal-Mart worker trampled to death by after-Thanksgiving shoppers contends advertising touting deep discounts led to “crowd craze.” The suit claims the retailer was negligent when it engaged in marketing to attract a large crowd, creating “an environment of frenzy and mayhem,” the…

Dec 4, 2008 12:25 PM CST

No Women on NY High Court’s Nominee List

Of the seven judges on a New York chief judge short list passed to the governor by the State Commission on Judicial Nomination, not one is a woman. And that has Gov. David A. Paterson and Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo a little peeved. Both issued statements Wednesday saying they…

Dec 3, 2008 8:47 PM CST

NY Environmental Lawyer is ‘Cocktail Geek’

Manhattan environmental lawyer Mayur Subbarao is among a growing contingent of coctktail connoisseurs who have made mixed drinks a near obsession. Subbarao readily admits he is “cocktail geek,” the New York Times reports. He makes his own vermouth and his own block ice for his at-home concoctions. Sometimes he travels…

Dec 3, 2008 7:00 PM CST

Declining Pound, Pay Disputes Spur Lawyer Exits at Clifford Chance

Magic Circle law firm Clifford Chance is losing partners and cutting associates as it grapples with the decline of the pound and disputes over lockstep pay. Legal Week reports that four Clifford Chance litigation partners based in New York City are poised to jump to other firms. James Moyle is…

Dec 3, 2008 1:49 PM CST

Lawyer, Ex-Clinton Neighbor, Gets 25 Years for Killing Wife

A disbarred New York lawyer who lived just a few doors down from Bill and Hillary Clinton was sentenced today to 25 years for fatally shooting his wife. Carlos Perez-Olivo, 60, got a lecture from Westchester County Judge Barbara Zambelli before she imposed the maximum sentence. According to an Associated…

Dec 2, 2008 7:02 PM CST

Patterson Belknap, Stradley Ronon Must Remain on Ex-GC’s Case

A Manhattan judge has refused to allow two law firms to withdraw from defending the former general counsel of Oppenheimer & Co. in a sex harassment case. Judge Judith Gische ruled that the company’s former general counsel had raised legitimate concerns that the withdrawal just days before trial would make…

Dec 2, 2008 4:54 PM CST