Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Mayer Brown LLP

Tiffany Smith Joins Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw Global Trade Practice
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is pleased to announce that Tiffany L. Smith has joined its Global Trade Practice in Washington, DC as Senior Policy Adviser. Ms. Smith comes to the firm with fifteen years of distinguished experience working for the Executive Branch and Congress.

Ms. Smith has previously served as the Director of Market Access in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. During her tenure, Ms. Smith led access negotiations for consumer and industrial products during nine Free Trade Agreements (Korea, Malaysia, Oman, UAE, Panama, Columbia, Peru, Dominican Republic and Bahrain) and for Saudi Arabia and Vietnam's accessions to the WTO. Ms. Smith was instrumental in developing the United States' positions on legislation that later determined international negotiating strategy. Her work has made a global impact through establishing policy, sustaining the opportunity for negotiations and concluding international agreements.

"We are delighted to welcome someone of such stature and prominence in the world of international trade," said Jim Jochum, head of the firm's Global Trade Practice. "Ms. Smith's expertise will provide immediate value to our global and multinational clients."

Prior to her work at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Ms. Smith served as a Congressional Fellow for the office of Senator Bob Graham where she authored legislation for the Trade Promotion Authority and for the enhancement of the Andean Trade Preference Act (both passed in the Trade Act of 2002). During her years at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ms. Smith was influential in major trade initiatives including U.S. - China trade, WTO negotiations, APEC, and the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue. She designed the first "virtual trade mission" to China and coordinated industry issues for China's accession into the WTO.

"I'm thrilled to be joining this impressive group of global trade attorneys," said Ms. Smith. "Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw has earned a reputation for excellence in the international trade arena, and a reputation for providing an unparalleled level of service. I look forward to applying my years of senior-level governmental trade experience for clients' benefit."

Ms. Smith received her M.A. in International Affairs at George Washington University where she was a Wolcott Foundation Fellow. She graduated summa cum laude from Stephen F. Austin University with a B.A. in Political Science.

The prestigious Chambers Global and Chambers USA, have ranked Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's Global Trade Practice highly in the International Trade/WTO sections. Chambers' most recent guides noted, ".Mayer Brown's international trade practice has made waves in the market as it adds to the number of former senior government officials who have entered private practice. This has created a group that is perfectly placed to provide market access, trade remedy and export control advice."

In reviewing the caliber of work performed by the Global Trade Practice during 2006 and the feedback gained from interviews with clients, Chambers USA researchers nominated the group for a Chambers Award for Excellence. These awards, presented each Spring at the release of the updated Chambers USA guide, highlight individuals and practice groups that have stood out from the competition.

The Global Trade Practice has professionals in Washington, D.C., Brussels and Beijing, including former trade negotiators, senior U.S., European, and Russian Government policy officials and international trade lawyers with broad experience in all aspects of international trade. The Practice offers strategic advice and counseling, advocacy and representation to companies seeking to gain and maintain an advantage in the global marketplace and represents clients in public law, in lobbying at the federal, state, and local levels, and in public finance.

04-23-2007

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Mayer Brown LLP

Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw advises AstraZeneca on the antitrust aspects of its acquisition of MedImmune Inc.
AstraZeneca has today announced its recommended cash offer to acquire MedImmune, a U.S. biotech company. This transaction is worth $58 per share, totalling $15.2 billion. Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw is advising AstraZeneca on the antitrust aspects of the deal, led by EU & Competition partner Frances Murphy.

MedImmune is a world-leading biotechnology company with revenues for 2006 of $1.3 billion, profit before tax of $75 million and has gross assets of $3.0 billion. The combination of MedImmune and AstraZeneca's capabilities will enable AstraZeneca to deliver a greater number of new biologic products to benefit patients in AstraZeneca's prioritised disease areas.

The tender offer will be commenced within 10 working days and is expected to close in June 2007.

The Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw team is led by EU & Competition partner Frances Murphy, assisted by Clare Brown and Ilaria Filippi. Davis Polk & Wardwell, is advising AstraZeneca on the corporate and US HSR aspects to the transaction. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer provided corporate assistance to Davis Polk.

MedImmune is advised by Dewey Ballantine LLP.

04-23-2007

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Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps, LLP

California's Premier Land Use Group Joins Luce Forward
Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP has added California’s premier group of land use attorneys to its statewide real estate practice. Timothy Tosta, a prominent and highly regarded Bay Area land use attorney, leads the group, which also includes Steve Atkinson, John Truxaw, Jennifer Renk, and Joseph Ferrucci. The five attorneys will be based in the firm’s San Francisco office.

“Luce Forward is committed to providing full service to real estate and land use clients throughout California and to the continued growth of our thriving San Francisco office,” said Allan E. Low, partner in charge of Luce Forward’s San Francisco office, and a member of the real estate group. “By acquiring an attorney of Tim’s stature supported by such a preeminent group of attorneys, we have solidified our position as a top California real estate and land use firm. We are excited to welcome these important new additions to our firm.”

“I am thrilled to join Luce Forward,” said Tosta. “By combining two leading statewide practices, we have created a ‘right-sized’ regional practice that is a real estate powerhouse with capabilities that surpass the competition. The strength of Luce Forward’s real estate and land use practice, coupled with a strong and growing California economy and real estate industry, means that we are well positioned to be the ‘go-to’ firm for real estate and land use matters statewide.”

Timothy A. Tosta has successfully procured land use entitlements for some of California's most complex and controversial development projects in some of the state's most treacherous political environments. He also fully defends, in court, the entitlements that he has procured. He has successfully argued before the California Supreme Court in one of California's most influential Environmental Quality Act cases. He specializes in the development of innovative strategic plans for "nondeveloper" clients that find themselves in traditional developer roles.

Luce Forward represents developers, owners and lenders in major commercial and residential real estate developments throughout California and across the nation. The firm’s San Francisco real estate practice has grown significantly over the last several years. The group has been involved in high profile Northern California matters, including the acquisition, development and sale of a 700,000 square foot shopping center and a 600,000 square foot business park in Sacramento, as well as the financing, DRE and construction work for One Rincon Hill, a luxury high-rise condominium project in San Francisco.

“Our experience with complex projects, such as the LA Live mixed use project, combined with the extensive land use experience of Tim’s group make us uniquely positioned to represent developers of diverse and multi-faceted projects,” added Bob Bell, the managing partner of Luce Forward.

“It was important to me to join a law firm that fosters teamwork, balance, and individual growth,” Tosta added. “Luce Forward is a progressive, humanistic firm that recognizes that its capital is in its people. I look forward to a partnership with such an accomplished team of attorneys.”

A frequent lecturer and speaker on land use and environmental law issues, and prominently featured in numerous publications, Tosta will be presenting at the California State Bar Real Property Section 26th Annual Retreat in Napa, Calif. He holds a B.A. (with honors) from Princeton University, the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Administration and International Affairs and a J.D. from the University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law. Prior to joining Luce Forward, Tosta was a shareholder of Steefel, Levitt & Weiss. Tosta was previously Chair of the California Land & Resources Practice Group at Baker & McKenzie and, prior to that, he managed his own firm, which was recognized by the American Lawyer as one of the nation's "great specialty firms" in the field of real estate.

In addition to Tosta, a talented team of seasoned attorneys with diverse real estate and land use backgrounds join Luce Forward. Their combined experience further enhances the firm’s growing real estate practice. The attorneys include:

Steve Atkinson – Partner – Real Estate
Atkinson specializes in land use and development law, including issues under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local and state and federal development entitlements. Atkinson has successfully represented developers of residential, office, hotel and retail projects, and continues to advise clients on hazardous substance contamination issues. Atkinson served as a shareholder in the Real Estate Group at Steefel, Levitt & Weiss and was previously a member of the California Land and Resources Group at Baker & McKenzie, and an attorney with the Law Offices of Timothy Tosta, respectively. Atkinson also served as an attorney for the EPA in Washington, D.C., specializing in toxic substances, and hazardous substances remediation. He was active in the development of the EPA's new chemical review program under the Toxic Substances Control Act and in development of the EPA's Super fund program. Atkinson holds a B.A. from Michigan State University and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

John Truxaw – Partner – Real Estate
Truxaw’s practice focuses on land use, environmental, and entitlement issues, including waterfront/coastal development, as well as public sector and municipal law. He has substantial experience with issues involving the Subdivision Map Act, the California Coastal Act, CEQA/land use, California Planning and Zoning Law and Title 24. Truxaw has also served as city attorney for the cities of Sonoma, Half Moon Bay, Sausalito and Tiburon, and as deputy city attorney for Oakland and Walnut Creek. He has extensive experience appearing before public bodies and has presented land use updates to the League of California Cities and has provided training to fellow attorneys and public officials pertaining to land use regulatory process and procedures. He has successfully negotiated the resolution of seemingly intractable disputes between local agencies, developers and concerned and affected residents pertaining to land use and entitlement issues. Truxaw holds an A.B. from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California, Davis, School of Law.

Jennifer Renk – Associate – Real Estate
Renk's practice focuses on land use and environmental law. Prior to attending law school, Jennifer worked as District Director for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, and she also worked for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer as a Staff Assistant, spearheading the Senator's judicial nomination process and resolving constituent disputes with federal agencies. Renk holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and a J.D. from the Santa Clara University School of Law.

Joseph Ferrucci – Associate – Real Estate
Ferrucci holds a B.A., cum laude, from Yale University, a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law where he was a member of the Hastings West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law & Policy. He also spent six years at a San Francisco-based planning firm. Atkinson, Truxaw, Renk and Ferrucci join Luce Forward from Steefel, Levitt & Weiss.

Atkinson, Truxaw, Renk and Ferrucci join Luce Forward from Steefel, Levitt & Weiss.

04-23-2007

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Schwartz, Cooper, Greenberger & Krauss, Chtd.

Buried Assets: It Can Take Creditors Years to Recover Money That Debtors Have Hidden Overseas
Rick Rein was quoted in the April 22, 2007 issue of the St. Petersburg Times. The article highlights the practice of international asset recovery as part of a report on music promoter Lou Pearlman and notes that Mr. Rein is one of a growing number of lawyers specializing in foreign asset recovery. According to Mr. Rein, his practice is "like putting a puzzle together." He says that for some debtors, separating other people from their money is a game. Once they've got it, "the game is now outsmarting people to hide assets."

04-21-2007

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Cox & Smith Incorporated

Cox Smith Matthews Shareholder Keith E. Kaiser Dies
Cox Smith Matthews today announced with great sadness that longtime firm shareholder and nationally renowned litigator Keith E. Kaiser has died at age 63 after an extended bout with cancer.

“Keith’s contributions to this firm, his colleagues, his clients, and his friends are immeasurable. This is a very sad day for Cox Smith Matthews, for everyone whose life Keith has touched, and particularly for his family,” said Jamie Smith, Managing Director of Cox Smith Matthews. “Professionally, Keith’s accomplishments were many. He advised clients on antitrust, securities and complex business litigation matters, and he was passionate in representing their interests. He was also devoted to the lawyers and staff he worked with, serving as a mentor and teacher to many of the firm’s lawyers over his long career. Without question Keith’s influence will continue to be felt for many years.”

Raised in Midland, Texas, Keith graduated from Texas Tech University in 1966, then spent two years fulfilling his military duty (including a year as a field artillery officer in Vietnam). He attended St. Mary’s University School of Law, graduating in 1971, and was hired by Cox & Smith’s co-founder and name partner Burley Smith as the firm’s first law clerk. Keith joined Cox & Smith (now known as Cox Smith Matthews) upon his graduation from law school, and spent his entire legal career with the firm, most recently serving as the firm’s general counsel and overseeing its legal matters, in addition to maintaining an active litigation practice. Keith also served on the firm’s Management Committee for many years.

As a young attorney, Keith argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in a nationally covered lawsuit alleging that 18 independent pharmaceutical companies were price-fixing pre-paid prescriptions for drug insurance. Another career highlight was his involvement in the drafting of the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act and testifying before the Senate Jurisprudence Committee prior to passage of the Act.

Regularly recognized as one of the city’s and nation’s top litigators, Keith also found time to author numerous articles and papers on antitrust law, securities law and commercial litigation. He was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1992, whose membership can never be more than one percent of the total lawyer population of any state. According to the ACTL, membership is invitation-only, to experienced trial lawyers whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

Keith was a former adjunct professor of federal antitrust law and trade regulation at St. Mary’s University School of Law, former vice president of the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, former director of the San Antonio Bar Association, former director of the Defense Counsel of San Antonio, former director of the State Bar of Texas - Antitrust and Business Litigation Section and past chair and former member of the bar’s Governing Council, sustaining life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, past president and former member of the board of directors of St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association, and member of the American Bar Association.

04-21-2007

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Frilot, Partridge, Kohnke & Clements, L.C.

Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication in Musicians’ Village
members of Frilot Partridge joined in the celebration of a new home for Michael Harris and his family. Following Hurricane Katrina,Frilot Partridge partnered with Save Nola (www.savenolanow.com) to raise money to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Through the sales of t-shirts and sportswear and Frilot Partridge’s generous donations, Save Nola raised the needed funds for Mr. Harris to have a home in Habitat for Humanity’s Musician’s Village.

Michael Harris is a talented musician who has performed in many countries around the world. His home in the Lower 9th Ward was only 5 blocks from where the levee broke. Now with a new home for himself and his son, he says, “I am truly looking forward to the rest of my life….In so many ways it feels like it is just getting started. Let the music play.

04-21-2007

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Hahn, Loeser & Parks, L.L.P.

Scott Oldham helps 16-year-old obtain patent, "Entrepreneur Shoots for Stars."
Scott Oldham helped 16-year-old Adrian Lindsey obtain a patent to protect his invention, All Net, a nylon backpack basketball carrier. Scott also assisted him by putting him in touch with others who helped to launch his product.

04-21-2007

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