Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Alston & Bird LLP

Kipp Coddington Quoted in The Washington Times Article on Greenhouse Gas "Cap and Trade"
Kipp Coddington was quoted in The Washington Times on April 16th in an article titled "Court ruling on greenhouse gases boosts 'cap and trade.'" Kipp noted that “Momentum is building among certain segments of corporate America for carbon caps, but, as always, the devil is in the details…. What you are seeing is companies behaving as rational economic actors, as one would expect.

04-16-2007

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Venable Baetjer & Howard

Derick Berlage Brings Experience in Public-Private Partnerships to Venable's Rockville Office
Venable LLP announced that attorney Derick P. Berlage, an experienced player in high profile public-private partnerships and most recently the Chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has joined the firm’s Rockville, Maryland office. He is a partner in the State and Local Government Practice group.

Mr. Berlage, 50, will counsel the firm’s public and private-sector clients on complex public-private partnerships in urban redevelopment, sports/recreation, transportation, and other development projects. He will also bring his longtime public-sector experience to advise clients on their dealings with government officials, agencies, and lawmakers, as well as on general legislative and regulatory matters.

As Chairman, from 2002 to 2006, of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission—which guides and regulates all land development in Montgomery County—Mr. Berlage oversaw 990 employees, an annual budget of $107 million, and the county’s acclaimed 32,000-acre park system.

Mr. Berlage helped guide some of the region’s most successful public-private partnerships—including the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring, MD into an award-winning town center, as well as the development of the North Bethesda Conference Center, Silver Spring Transit Center, and Germantown Soccerplex.

Mr. Berlage lists the Silver Spring project as one of the highlights of his public service in Maryland. “When I came into office, the downtown area was starting to see crack houses,” he said. “Now Silver Spring is home to a remarkable array of commercial, governmental, cultural, and educational interests, and the area is still growing. This ongoing project exemplifies perfectly what public-private partnerships are supposed to be about—commercially successful development that also meets important community needs,” he added.

Silver Spring now hosts such entities as Discovery Communications, the American Film Institute's Silver Theater and Culture Center, as well as a diverse variety of retail stores, restaurants, schools, and places of worship. Downtown Silver Spring is also home to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, parent organization of the National Weather Service.

According to David Edgerley, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, “Derick Berlage has a distinguished record of community service and integrity. As he takes on this new role, I'm sure Venable's clients will be well served by Derick's extensive experience and expertise. ”

“Derick has a profound understanding of how to bring public and private parties together," said Brock Landry, Co-Chair of Venable's Government Division. "His ability to advance their respective development, legislative and land-use interests in a way that ultimately enhances the community makes him someone you definitely want on your team.”

“Bridging that gap between public and private sector development has indeed become one of my prime skill sets,” Mr. Berlage responded. “It is one that I have found to be particularly rewarding because of my deep roots in Maryland. The key, I think, is in realizing that public and private interests, despite good intentions, don’t always communicate well. Having an experienced facilitator who can make and maintain that connection is often that critical link which allows such projects to succeed.”

He added, “I’m looking forward to continuing to play an active role in large-scale public development, for both public and private-sector clients, at a firm with Venable’s reputation for excellence and integrity, commitment to public service, and eminence in real estate, finance, and environmental law. The firm’s longstanding ties to Maryland were another obvious draw for me.”

Prior to his tenure at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Mr. Berlage was elected three times (serving as President in 1994-1995) to the Montgomery County Council, a legislature that oversees a $3 billion budget, enacts land use and zoning laws, and approves other municipal ordinances. Montgomery County is Maryland’s largest and most affluent county. It is also home to many leading corporations in hospitality, defense, and technology/bio-tech, including Marriott, Lockheed Martin and MedImmune.

Mr. Berlage has also served as Chairman of Montgomery County’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee and was a member of the county’s Committee on Transportation and Environment.

During his seven years at the National Capital Transportation Planning Board (as Chairman in 1997), Mr. Berlage represented Montgomery County on the regional body charged with transportation planning for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He reviewed and approved major road and transit projects, including the completion and expansion of the Metro system; the expansion and improvement of the I-270 corridor; and other improvements to traffic management.

Mr. Berlage also brings to Venable a strong background in litigation and appellate law. Earlier in his career, he was a litigator at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Harold H. Greene, United States District Judge in Washington, DC.

On the political front, Mr. Berlage recently assisted the transition team of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; participated in many successful political campaigns in Maryland; and was the legislative author of Montgomery County’s Economic Development Fund.

Mr. Berlage received his J.D., cum laude, from the New York University School of Law in 1985, where he was Projects Editor of the New York University Law Review, and his B.A. from Princeton University in 1978. His publication credits include Quorum Magazine and Region Magazine. He has testified before Congress, the Maryland General Assembly, and many other government bodies. He lectures frequently on land use, housing and transportation issues.

04-16-2007

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Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP

Thacher Proffitt Included on New York Maritime's Board of Directors
Thacher Proffitt was mentioned in the "Last Word" section in Lloyd's List announcing the first annual symposium on the conduct of international arbitration, to be held on June 1, featuring leading international arbitrators and practitioners from North America and Europe. Noting that many international arbitrations concern maritime matters, the magazine states that the brand new New York Maritime organization's board of directors is comprised of nearly all lawyers, including those from Thacher Proffitt.

04-16-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Simpson Thacher Represents Banks in U.S.$1.2 Billion Bridge Loan to Braskem S.A.
The Firm recently advised ABN AMRO, Calyon and Citigroup in connection with a U.S.$1.2 billion bridge loan to Brazilian petrochemical company Braskem S.A. to finance its acquisition of petrochemical assets of the Ipiranga Group and a portion of the minority interests in Copesul—Companhia Petroquímica do Sul. Braskem is participating in this acquisition together with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., the Brazilian national oil company, and Ultrapar Participaço?s S.A., a Brazilian LPG and fuel distribution company.

Braskem is the leading petrochemical company in Latin America and one of the largest industrial companies in Brazil.

The Simpson Thacher team for the transaction included George Miller, Glenn M. Reiter and Sebastian Cucullu.

04-16-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Firm Represents DoubleClick and its Majority Shareholder in Sale to Google
Simpson Thacher is representing DoubleClick Inc. and its majority stockholder Hellman & Friedman in connection with the proposed sale of DoubleClick to Google Inc. for $3.1 billion in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

DoubleClick Inc. is a provider of digital marketing technology and services.

The Simpson Thacher team includes David Sorkin, Peter Malloy, Stephen Ballas, Patrick Dowd, Felton Booker, Will Guthrie and Lane Sanders (M&A), Steve Todrys and Helena Wolin (Tax), Lori Lesser and Kirstie Howard (Intellectual Property), Brian Robbins, Jamin Koslowe, Rachel Berry and Michael Richman (Executive Compensation), Kevin Arquit, Peter Thomas and Hillary Mintz (Antitrust).

04-16-2007

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Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Seyfarth Shaw Builds Upon Real Estate Practice with Addition of Carl E. Westmoreland, JR. as Partner in Atlanta
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America’s leading full service law firms, announced that Carl E. Westmoreland, Jr. has joined the firm as partner in the real estate practice group in the Atlanta office. Formerly, Westmoreland was a partner with Powell Goldstein LLP.

Westmoreland concentrates on real estate and development matters with particular attention to zoning and land use issues. Since the mid 1980's, his emphasis has been on local government work, primarily representing real estate developers in land use and rezoning matters. Westmoreland is a recognized authority on land use issues and is asked to speak before many legal and business groups regarding development, re-zoning and urban growth and has been a guest lecturer on land use matters at Emory and Georgia State University Law Schools, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

“Carl is a terrific addition to Seyfarth Shaw because his extensive zoning and land use expertise further enhances our ability to better serve our real estate clients regionally as well as nationally,” stated J. Kelly Bufton, chair of Seyfarth Shaw’s Real Estate Group. “We are pleased he has chosen to join Seyfarth Shaw.”

With more than 100 real estate attorneys across the United States - 23 in the Atlanta office - Seyfarth Shaw’s real estate attorneys counsel individuals, corporations and other business entities to maximize the value and return on their real estate investments and assets. The firm’s national coverage, extensive business and legal networks, and broad array of legal services, results in comprehensive legal advice and assistance that help clients identify emerging opportunities and challenges, and develop forward-looking strategies that meet their short- and long-term goals. Seyfarth Shaw’s attorneys comprise one of the country’s leading practice groups offering sophisticated counsel to lenders engaged in the full range of real estate transactions. Working with the lending and capital markets groups of a diverse array of financial institutions and companies, they structure and negotiate loans and other credit facilities, handle loan administration and servicing issues and represent the interests of their clients in loan defaults, workouts, foreclosures, and borrower bankruptcies.

“Based on his significant experience and knowledge, Carl is an asset to Atlanta and the national real estate group,” noted Paul P. Mattingly, managing partner of the Firm’s Atlanta office. “Carl is recognized as one of the leading land use lawyers in the Atlanta market and is extremely well regarded in both the legal community and the general business community of Atlanta. I am delighted to welcome him to the firm.”

Westmoreland received a B.A. from the University of Georgia and earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in GA and is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, Real Property Section and the State Bar of Georgia, Local Government Section and Real Property Section. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral of St. Philip, the Governing Board of the Capital City Club and is Co-Chairman of the Big Head Society for Children's Healthcare.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join Seyfarth Shaw,” stated Westmoreland. “The firm’s strong and growing national real estate practice is a major incentive to join the partnership and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Atlanta and throughout the firm to expand our collective practice.

04-16-2007

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Proskauer & Rose, LLP

Securities Litigation Veteran Ronald Wood Joins Proskauer Rose in Los Angeles
Proskauer Rose LLP, an international law firm with over 700 lawyers worldwide, announced that Ronald Wood has joined the firm as senior counsel in its Los Angeles office. Mr. Wood brings a wealth of experience to Proskauer's growing Los Angeles office and its securities litigation and financial services practices, including 10 years with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. Wood's wide-ranging legal career includes six years at Morgan Stanley, where he was an Executive Director in the firm's Law Division, managing its Southern California legal staff. In this position, he was responsible for advising and defending the firm on legal and regulatory matters arising out of retail sales practices and broker-dealer compliance. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was an attorney in the SEC's Division of Enforcement, where he supervised and directed enforcement investigations and follow-up proceedings in matters involving insider trading, market manipulation, fraudulent stock offerings, false financial reporting, and disclosure violations by investment advisers, mutual fund directors, and municipal entities.

According to Louis M. Solomon, co-chair of Proskauer's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department, Mr. Wood's diverse experience will bolster the firm's already significant capabilities in matters related to securities regulation, compliance and enforcement.

"Ron adds tremendous breadth and depth to our practice, which will complement the full range of our securities-related capabilities," said Mr. Solomon.

Proskauer's Los Angeles office has experienced significant growth in recent months with the addition of Eric Remensperger, who joined as partner and head of the West Coast Real Estate Department, and Raj Tanden, who joined as a partner in the Tax Department.

Added Bert Deixler, head of the firm's Los Angeles office: "The addition of Ron to our team continues the dynamic growth of our West Coast presence. We look forward to working with him."

Mr. Wood joins Proskauer from litigation boutique The Wood Group, where he was the principal and handled securities litigation, arbitration, and regulatory matters at the federal, state and industry levels. At Morgan Stanley, he conducted internal investigations and reviewed firm procedures concerning suspected money laundering, fraudulent trading by a family of hedge funds, questionable mutual fund sales practices, allocation and distribution of initial public offerings, and supervision of self-directed accounts by affiliated Trust Bank, among many other matters. At the SEC, Mr. Wood received the Supervisory Excellence Award while serving as Assistant Director of the Pacific Regional Office's enforcement staff.

Prior to joining the SEC, Mr. Wood worked in the litigation practice of McCutchen, Doyle, Brown and Enersen. He received his J.D. and B.A. from Howard University and served three years on the California State Bar's Minority Relations Committee.

Mr. Wood is the latest former SEC lawyer to come to Proskauer, joining Thomas Sjoblom, a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office with extensive litigation experience at the SEC and in private practice.

Proskauer's Securities Litigation and Enforcement practice has decades of experience defending corporations, executives, and corporate boards in complex, broad-based securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits, SEC enforcement and other regulatory and criminal investigations and prosecutions, and back office litigation. The firm's insight into securities regulation and enforcement is founded upon its attorneys' prior experience in the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC and various U.S. Attorneys' offices.

04-16-2007

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