Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Firm Represents Blackstone in Acquisition of Majority Stake in RGIS Holdings
The firm is representing The Blackstone Group in its announced acquisition of a majority stake in RGIS Holdings, LLC ("RGIS"), the world's leading provider of inventory auditing services. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Goldman Sachs is providing financing for the transaction, including through a minority equity stake in RGIS. RGIS counts and verifies inventory for retailers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc., CVC Corp. and Home Depot Inc., and has a workforce of more than 40,000, with approximately 400 offices in North America, South America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

The Simpson Thacher team working on this deal includes: Bill Dougherty, Anthony King and David Cohen (M&A); Alden Millard and Vanessa Bressler (Credit); Gary Mandel, Noah Beck and Kurt Dudas (Tax); Greg Grogan, Andrew O'Brien and Carl Berry (Employee Benefits); Robyn Rahbar and Mark Solomon (Intellectual Property); Sas Mehrara, Julia Noone and Heesun Kang (Real Estate); and Fagie Hartman and Jacquie Rosenblum (Labor).

03-29-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Simpson Thacher Represents Wyeth in $2.5 Billion Notes Offering
The Firm represented Wyeth in connection with its offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.450% notes due 2017 and $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.950% notes due 2037. Wyeth is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, distribution and sale of a diversified line of products in its three primary businesses, Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health. Citigroup and JPMorgan acted as joint book-running managers of the notes offering.

The Simpson Thacher team included Joe Kaufman, Sandra Treusdell and Jon Farkas (Capital Markets), Jonathan Cantor and Jonathan Talansky (Tax) and Mark Lab (Blue Sky). Paralegal Katie White also provided valuable assistance to the deal team.

03-29-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Simpson Thacher Obtains Dismissal of Securities Class Action on Behalf of JPMorgan Chase
U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein of the Southern District of New York granted JPMorgan Chase’s motion to dismiss with prejudice a securities class action complaint filed on behalf of the bank’s shareholders. Plaintiffs claimed that JPMorgan Chase misstated its financial exposure arising from transactions it had entered into with Enron, which transactions, according to Plaintiffs, were intended to help perpetuate Enron’s fraud. In particular, Plaintiffs alleged that the bank’s involvement in various prepaid forward oil and gas transactions provided Enron with off-the-books structured finance loans, which loans were disguised to look like trades instead of debt.

A consolidated amended class action complaint was originally filed in September of 2002, alleging that JPMorgan Chase and several of its officers violated Sections 10(b), 11, 14(A), 15 and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, along with Rules 14(a)-9 and 10b-5. STB subsequently filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of JPMorgan Chase and the individual defendants named in the complaint. After considering the parties’ submissions, on March 28, 2005, Judge Stein found that the majority of Plaintiffs’ allegations failed to plead scienter with the particularity required to satisfy the heightened pleading standards set out in the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (“PSLRA”). Judge Stein did find that Plaintiffs adequately pleaded scienter in connection with JPMorgan Chase’s characterization of the prepay transactions as trading assets rather than loans, but ruled that this distinction by itself was not material to investors. As a result, he ordered that the complaint be dismissed with leave to replead.

A second amended class action complaint was filed on May 13, 2005. STB again filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of JPMorgan Chase and the individual defendants named in the Amended complaint arguing that Plaintiffs additional allegations still failed to state a claim. Judge Stein agreed, dismissing the case with prejudice and holding that Plaintiffs once again failed to plead scienter with respect to all claims except their claim that JPMorgan Chase improperly accounted for the prepay transactions, but that Plaintiffs failed to establish materiality with respect to that claim.

The Simpson Thacher team representing JPMorgan Chase in this matter included Bruce Angiolillo, Tom Rice, George Wang, Ronnell Wilson, Marcia Griffith, and Amanda Hector.

03-29-2007

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Loeb & Loeb, LLP

Corporate and IP Attorney Ira Schreger Joins New York Office
Loeb & Loeb LLP announced today that Ira Schreger has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Corporate Group. Schreger joins from Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in New York where he was a corporate partner also practicing in its intellectual property and technologies, Israel market, life sciences, and patent areas.

Schreger represents a wide array of both U.S. and non-U.S. public and private companies involved in diverse business operations, and counsels their respective management in a broad range of their business and legal affair issues, including license and technology transfer agreements; development, production, distribution and marketing arrangements; trans-national joint ventures, collaborations and technology alliances; mergers and acquisitions; financings; insurance; internal compliance and corporate governance issues; and other matters of strategic and tactical importance.

While Schreger’s experience includes such diverse industries as aerospace; fashion; entertainment and media; power generation; automotive; and consumer goods, he has developed extensive experience representing start-ups to public multi-national pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have someone with Ira’s vast experience and expertise join us as we have been steadily investing in building out our resources in the technology sector as well as biotech, nanotech and pharmaceutical industries,” said Michael Beck, Loeb & Loeb Co-Chair in New York.

Los Angeles based Co-Chair John Frankenheimer added, “Ira’s life sciences and tech background in addition to his broad intellectual property case experience make him the ideal addition to a number of our national practice groups and we are delighted that he has elected to join us.”

The hiring of Ira Schreger follows other additions in intellectual property, particularly patent, in 2007. In February, a patent litigation team of three partners, Jordan Sigale, Edward Rice and Marina Saito, joined Loeb & Loeb’s Chicago office and Laura Wytsma, also an experienced patent litigator, will join Loeb & Loeb’s Los Angeles office as a partner in April. All of the new patent partners are from Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.

“This was an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to reunite with my former colleagues who are an incredibly talented and creative group of patent litigators, and to continue to grow a multidisciplinary technology focused practice at Loeb & Loeb, a firm with an unwavering commitment of excellence, integrity and dedication to its clients,” said Schreger.

Previously, Schreger served as Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary of Sequa Corporation, a $2 billion NYSE manufacturing conglomerate with principal interests in aerospace, propulsion systems, specialty chemicals, and machinery, metal coatings, automotive and building products.

He earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School (1975) and his B.S.B.A. from Boston University (1972).

03-29-2007

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Howrey, LLP

CONO CARRANO REJOINS HOWREY
"Howrey LLP announced today that Cono Carrano has rejoined its Intellectual Property practice as a partner. Mr. Carrano was formerly the co-chair of the IP Litigation Practice Group at Dewey Ballantine.

Robert F. Ruyak, Chairman CEO of Howrey noted that Cono Carrano started his IP career at Howrey in 1996. “We are thrilled to have you back, Cono,” Mr Ruyak wrote in a message to the firm, noting that during his career, Mr., Carrano had forged excellent relationships with his client base.

Cono Carrano is a registered patent attorney, specializing in complex patent litigation. primarily involving semiconductor, electronics, software, wireless and optics technology. He has represented clients before the U.S. district courts, International Trade Commission and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Mr. Carrano represents clients in matters involving a broad range of intellectual property issues. He has also worked extensively with patent trial counsel in various European and Asian countries.
Alan Grimaldi, co chair of Howrey’s IP, said, “Cono rejoins Howrey at an exciting time for us. Our IP practice, year over year, enjoys tremendous success. This year IP will account for more than 40% of firm revenue. We have grown both in the US and in Europe, where we are also adding extraordinary IP lawyers to our team.“

Mr. Carrano holds a J.D., 1994, from Hofstra University School of Law; an M.S., Electrical Engineering, 1988, from Polytechnic University and a B.E., Electrical Engineering, 1984, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia; New York; the United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia; the Federal Circuit United States District Court, District of Columbia and the United States Patent and Trademark Office."

03-29-2007

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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP

Gibson Dunn Adds Corporate Partner in Los Angeles
"Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that J. Keith Biancamano is joining the firm as a partner in the Los Angeles office. Previously a partner with Fulbright & Jaworski, Biancamano practices in the areas of mergers & acquisitions and corporate securities.

""Keith will be a great addition to the firm,"" said Ken Doran, Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. ""Keith has a strong reputation and a practice that is complementary to our corporate practice in Los Angeles and elsewhere. In addition, he has worked on a number of cross-border transactions that fit well with our M&A focus in Europe.""

""We welcome Keith to the firm,"" said Peter Ziegler, Co-Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn’s Los Angeles office. ""He has tremendous energy and enthusiasm, and his experience, particularly with venture-backed companies, will be a benefit to the firm and our clients.""

""I am extremely excited to be joining Gibson Dunn,"" Biancamano said. ""Gibson Dunn’s broad international platform will provide me with significant opportunities to continue to expand my practice both domestically and abroad. ""

About Keith Biancamano

Biancamano has broad experience in mergers and acquisitions and corporate securities, domestically and internationally. He represents both public and private companies, including venture backed companies and, in particular, companies in the energy, marketing, advertising, and direct sales industries. His clients have included Yukos International, Acco Engineered Systems, Houlihan Lokey, Petroval S.A., and Adknowledge, among others.

Prior to joining the firm, Biancamano practiced with Fulbright & Jaworski. He is a 1991 graduate of UCLA School of Law. He earned his B.A. from Cornell University in 1988."

03-29-2007

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Dykema Gossett PLLC

Dykema Elects New Members
"Claire S. Harrison, Employment Practice Group, regularly advises clients regarding the day-to-day application of federal and state employment statutes and regulations, and represents clients in employment litigation cases, such as wrongful discharge, sexual harassment and discrimination. Ms. Harrison assists clients in the development and drafting of employment contracts and non-competition agreements. She also counsels clients in union avoidance and in the development and application of employment policies. Ms. Harrison represents clients in both state and federal courts, as well as in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies such as the EEOC, MDCR and NLRB.

A resident of Saline, Michigan, Ms. Harrison received her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania and her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan.

Bloomfield Hills Office:

Stephen L. Tupper, Corporate Finance Practice Group, is a co-leader of the firm's information technology team, where his practice focuses on electronic commerce, technology development and licensing, software licensing, domestic and international security and privacy, and outsourcing. He also participates in mergers, acquisitions, and finance transactions involving technology-focused enterprises. He is the chairman of the Computer Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and is listed in Best Lawyers in America in the Information Technology Law category. He is also a pilot and handles aviation and aerospace-related transactions. He came to the law after ten years in commercial banking and information technology services.

A resident of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Mr. Tupper received his B.A. from Albion College, his M.B.A. from Western Michigan University, and his J.D., cum laude, from Wayne State University. He is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified in Financial Management (CFM).

Chicago Office:

Peter J. Schmidt, Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group, concentrates his practice on representing lenders, secured and unsecured creditors and trustees in bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization proceedings, and represents clients in commercial litigation concerning fraud, contract-related issues and successor liability. Mr. Schmidt focuses his practice in the bankruptcy and federal courts, and has significant experience in handling appellate matters in the United States federal courts. Mr. Schmidt has authored various materials relating to bankruptcy and insolvency and has spoken on business-related issues.

A resident of Skokie, Illinois, Mr. Schmidt received his B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D., with highest honors, from DePaul University.

Detroit Office:

Lisa A. Brown, Litigation Practice Group, concentrates on general litigation with a focus on commercial law, and contract and other business disputes. She has handled numerous complex litigation matters in federal and state courts across the country. Ms. Brown has also participated as trial counsel in various cases and helped obtain a jury verdict for a commercial law plaintiff in excess of two million dollars.

A resident of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Ms. Brown received her B.A., with highest distinction, from the University of Michigan and her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin.

Brian T. Smith, Litigation Practice Group, focuses on general civil litigation, with an emphasis on product liability defense. He has handled numerous product liability cases involving catastrophic injury and death, consumer product class action claims, and a variety of commercial and contract disputes. He has defended numerous automotive and other product manufacturers in high stakes litigation across the country, including in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, California, Florida, Texas, Nevada, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Several of these manufacturers have asked Mr. Smith to present at in-house seminars on a variety of topics including rollover accidents, forklift litigation, and Michigan procedural requirements.

A resident of Shelby Township, Michigan, Mr. Smith received his B.A., summa cum laude, and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Dante A. Stella, Litigation Practice Group, specializes in complex, high-exposure commercial litigation. Although his work touches on all aspects of business disputes, he has developed specialized expertise at the trial and appellate stages in business torts (trade secret, tortious interference, and raiding claims), land issues (CERCLA, state environmental, commercial landlord/tenant, and construction disputes), and mass toxic torts. He also has developed considerable experience in responding to regulatory investigations. Through prior work in case management, Mr. Stella is familiar with the products liability laws of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Rhode Island and Ohio. He is experienced in successfully resolving disputes in federal and state courts, in arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association, the National Association of Securities Dealers and before private mediators. Mr. Stella has extensive experience and success in issues of electronic discovery and data management.

A resident of Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Stella received his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan; a special language degree from L’Università Italiana per Stranieri, Perugia, Italy; and his J.D. from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Stella is a trustee of the International Institute Foundation, a nonprofit funding the immigration services of the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit. He also serves on the board of the Detroit Artists Market, a nonprofit organization supporting emerging artists.

Lansing Office:

Theodore W. Seitz, Litigation Practice Group, focuses on complex litigation. He has experience representing public and mid-market corporations in various commercial disputes, including contract, UCC, trade secret, tax and licensing matters in state and federal courts. In addition, Mr. Seitz has extensive experience in class action matters, including defending insurance and financial institutions in matters throughout the United States. He also has experience litigating securities class action cases, high-exposure wrongful death/personal injury actions, and white-collar criminal defense matters.

A resident of East Lansing, Michigan, Mr. Seitz received his B.A. and B.S. from Michigan State University (James Madison College and Lyman Briggs School) and his J.D. from Washington University.

Los Angeles Office:

K. Lynn Finateri, Litigation Practice Group, focuses on product liability, warranty and general liability matters, including construction and commercial litigation. She has represented American, German, Japanese, Mexican and South Korean manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in a wide variety of matters in both state and federal courts. Although her primary practice is in California and Nevada, Ms. Finateri has assisted in the defense of cases in Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. She has extensive experience in automotive, aviation and industrial equipment-related product litigation.

A resident of Los Angeles, California, Ms. Finateri received her B.S. from Arizona State University and her J.D. from Loyola Law School-Los Angeles.

Washington, D.C. Office:

Adesh Bhargava, Intellectual Property Practice Group, concentrates his practice in domestic and foreign patent procurement, patentability, infringement and licensing issues, intellectual property litigation, and related client counseling. His prosecution practice includes the preparation of patent, trademark, and copyright applications; patentability, patent infringement, and patent validity opinions; and trademark registrability and clearance opinions. Mr. Bhargava’s patent prosecution experience focuses on the electrical, electro-mechanical, and mechanical arts, and he has specific experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in a wide variety of technologies including automotive (structural, electrical, mechanical, exhaust and suspension systems), business methods, spray and pump dispensers, mechanical actuators, RFID technology, printing machines and medical devices.

A resident of Springfield, Virginia, Mr. Bhargava received his B.S., magna cum laude, and his M.S., magna cum laude, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and his J.D. from George Washington University.

Christopher D. Menconi, Corporate Finance Practice Group, concentrates on the regulation of investment companies and investment advisers, and related issues affecting broker-dealers and transfer agents. He also advises insurance companies on regulatory matters relating to variable insurance products. He also has served as counsel to the boards of directors of various mutual funds. Mr. Menconi counsels clients on a wide variety of regulatory and transactional matters, including the development of new products and services; federal and state registration and compliance issues; mergers and acquisitions involving investment companies and investment advisers; interpretive and ""no-action"" letter requests; SEC exemptive orders; and related matters. Mr. Menconi is an adjunct professor of law at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law where he teaches an upper-level course on investment management regulation.

A resident of Potomac, Maryland, Mr. Menconi received his B.A., cum laude, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Catholic University of America."

03-29-2007

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