Practice Management

Activists: Timber Suit Based on Draft Regulations

In a lawsuit characterized as “downright bizarre” by a Seattle newspaper blog, a timber industry lawyer who formerly worked for the Bush administration has made a legal claim based on draft environmental regulations. Mark Rutzick, now a private practitioner in Portland, Ore., was formerly a special counsel at the National…

May 1, 2007 11:03 AM CDT

Chicago Law Firm Raids Competitor’s N.C. Office

Chicago-based Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has established a new office in Charlotte, N.C., raiding one of the local offices of Atlanta-based Kilpatrick Stockton in order to do so. A total of 18 lawyers have moved from Kilpatrick’s Charlotte office to Sonnenschein’s new venue there, leaving only 11 attorneys on the…

May 1, 2007 11:00 AM CDT

Attorney Search Alternatives

Lawyers turn to online classifieds to find–and fill–jobs

May 1, 2007 9:12 AM CDT

Am Law 100: Most Top Partners Earn $1 Million or More

Equity partners at most of the 100 largest U.S. law firms are making an profit of at least $1 million a year.

Apr 30, 2007 12:15 PM CDT

Pay Goes Up for Some London Associates

Pay is going up for new lawyers at some London law firms. Starting pay will be $130,000 a year at Allen & Overy and $127,000 at Clifford Chance, according to the American Lawyer. Other top firms are likely to make similar announcements in coming weeks.

Apr 30, 2007 12:02 PM CDT

Detainee Lawyer Discusses Gitmo Conditions

In an interview reported in the Wall Street Journal’s law blog today, New York City lawyer Sarah Havens says years of harsh treatment have worn down clients she represents who are being detained at the Guantanamo military prison. However, the presence of habeas attorneys has helped improve conditions, she contends.…

Apr 27, 2007 10:02 PM CDT

Firm Sued Over Forging of Judge’s Signature

A lawyer from a well-known Denver firm has been suspended and faces potential disciplinary action for admittedly forging a federal judge’s signature on a document in order to remove a lien and help a client get a loan, reports the Rocky Mountain News. Funds from the loan were to be…

Apr 27, 2007 6:49 PM CDT

Legal Fees Add Up for Politicians

Politicians and political groups caught up in investigations and lawsuits have paid more than $2 million in legal bills in the first quarter of 2007, according to the Washington Post. Last month, the Republican National Committee reported paying Covington & Burling of Washington, D.C., $500,000 in fees. Party officials told…

Apr 26, 2007 3:34 PM CDT

Police: CA ‘Lawyer’ Practiced for Years, in Court

A would-be California lawyer who earned a juris doctor degree but didn’t pass the bar has now reportedly been arrested for allegedly passing himself off as a licensed attorney and representing clients for several years. Thomas Bernard Ware, 50, of Sacramento even appeared in court without being detected, although he…

Apr 26, 2007 3:11 AM CDT

Leading Syrian Human Rights Lawyer Jailed

A leading Syrian human rights lawyer reportedly was sentenced to a five-year prison term yesterday in Damascus, sparking protests by the U.S. and others. Arrested last May, Anwar al-Bunni was convicted of “disseminating false information likely to undermine the morale of the nation in wartime,” reports the Cybercast News Network.…

Apr 25, 2007 7:34 PM CDT

Post-Shakeout Move by Mayer Brown Dept. Head

The musical chairs game continues at Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, following the demotion and/or outright dismissal of 45 partners last month. New York City-based Gary Friedman, who was chair of the firm’s national employment practice group, is moving with three other lawyers (one counsel and two associates) to Weil,…

Apr 24, 2007 10:48 PM CDT

Lawyer: Stop ‘Rush to Judgment’ in Bank Case

Wasting no time getting to work after his weekend appointment to represent beleaguered World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, powerhouse Washington attorney Robert Bennett called today for measured consideration of the situation. The bank’s board is already reportedly deliberating about the fate of Wolfowitz, who is accused of having given a…

Apr 24, 2007 10:32 PM CDT

$50,000 Reward Offered in Attorney Death

A $50,000 reward has been offered by an anonymous donor for information concerning the apparent murder late last year of a suburban St. Louis personal injury attorney in his law office. Ernest Brasier, 57, was found dead of a single gunshot wound in his third-floor law office in the suburb…

Apr 24, 2007 7:12 PM CDT

No Car Registration = No Law License?

A lawyer who allegedly used his Portsmouth, N.H., office address rather than his Maine home address when registering three vehicles has been criminally charged and could conceivably lose his law license, reports the Seacoast. Richard Foley, 53, of Kittery, Maine, who is charged with three felony title fraud counts, was…

Apr 23, 2007 9:41 PM CDT

Ousted for Bad Mouth, NY Lawyer Doesn’t Zip It

After 50 years in practice and a self-estimated $70 million in verdicts for his clients, 77-year-old Kenneth Heller stands out for one completely unique accomplishment – he is the only lawyer in New York City ever disbarred for obnoxious behavior, according to the Village Voice. According to disciplinary hearing records,…

Apr 23, 2007 6:21 PM CDT