Law Firm News

---

Law Firm News

Firm Name

News Title

News

News Date

25383 matches |  9157-9163 displayed

1  1306 1307 1308 1309 1310  3627

---

Osha & May L.L.P.

Osha · Liang Recognized as Top 100 Patent Firm
The March 2007 issue of Intellectual Property Today ranks Osha · Liang, LLP as one of the top 100 Patent Firms in the United States, based on the number of 2006 patent issuances.

03-08-2007

---

Goodkind, Labaton, Rudoff & Sucharow, L.L.P.

LABATON SUCHAROW & RUDOFF LLP FILES AMENDED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS, Inc.
Labaton Sucharow & Rudoff LLP filed an amended class action lawsuit on March 14, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, on behalf of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded securities of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“HCC” or the “Company”) (NYSE: HCC) between May 3, 2005 and November 17, 2006, and shareholders of record on April 3, 2006, (the “Class Period”). The lawsuit was filed against HCC, Edward H. Ellis Jr. (CFO), Stephen L. Way (former CEO), Chris L. Martin (former General Counsel) and Walter J. Lack (former Chairman of the Compensation Committee) (“Defendants”). The amended complaint was filed to reflect the fact that Mr. Ellis is still serving as the Company’s CFO. The original complaint identified him as a former CFO.

If you are a member of this class you can view a copy of the complaint and join this class action online at http://www.labaton.com/en/cases/Newly-Filed-Cases.cfm

The complaint alleges that Defendants violated Sections 10(b), 20(a) and 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5, and Rule 14(a)-1 to 14(a)-9 promulgated thereunder. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Defendants: (1) backdated stock option grants, such that the description of the Company’s granting practices in the Company’s financial reports were untrue; (2) the Company’s reported earnings and shareholders’ equity was artificially inflated in each of its financial reports during the Class Period due to understated compensation expenses; and, (3) the Company’s financial reports were not presented in accordance with GAAP and were artificially inflated and did not accurately present the Company’s actual performance.

On November 16, 2006, after the market closed, HCC announced that it had backdated option grant dates from 1997 through 2006 and that it would restate financial reports previously filed with the SEC and disseminated to investors in press releases. In response to this announcement, the price of HCC stock dropped materially falling from a close of $31.64 on November 17, 2006, to a low of $28.81 on November 20, 2006 (the next trading day), representing a one-day share price decline of 9% on volume of 6.6 million shares.

Plaintiffs are represented by the law firm of Labaton Sucharow & Rudoff LLP. Labaton Sucharow is one of the country’s premier national law firms that represent individual and institutional investors in class action, complex securities and corporate governance litigation. The firm has been a champion of investor rights for over 40 years and has been recognized for its reputation for excellence by the courts. If you bought HCC securities between May 3, 2005 and November 17, 2006, and shareholders of record on April 3, 2006, you may qualify to serve as Lead Plaintiff. Lead Plaintiff papers must be filed with the court no later than May 7, 2007.

03-08-2007

---

Gardner, Carton & Douglas, L.L.P.

Drinker Biddle Lawyers Successfully Defend Client’s Patent For a Better Mouse Trap
When you build a better mouse trap, not only will the world beat Articles Nexis path to your door, so will your competitors in the form of imitations. Just ask manufacturer AgriZap, Inc., whose “Rat Zapper” electronic rodent trap was at the heart of a two-week patent infringement case tried here in federal court. A jury late Wednesday awarded $2.7 million in damages to AgriZap, represented by lawyers from Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, in its lawsuit against Woodstream Corporation, based in Lititz, Pa.

Drinker Biddle partner Gregory J. Lavorgna led AgriZap’s team of lawyers, which also included partners Mary E. Kohart and David J. Kessler. They argued successfully in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that Woodstream infringed AgriZap’s patent for the Rat Zapper and that Woodstream committed fraud when it claimed to have sent the Rat Zapper to China for “costing” when, in fact, the device was sent overseas to be copied and mass produced.

“The jury recognized that, despite Woodstream’s argument that its traps were ‘computer controlled’ and ‘smart,’ Woodstream had done nothing more than copy the Rat Zapper,” said Lavorgna. “The jury agreed with AgriZap that, just because they used a microprocessor to control the operation of the products, Woodstream’s traps were no different from the patented product.”

Testimony in the case revealed that in 2000, AgriZap -- then a small, start-up company, was approached by Woodstream, a much larger competitor, about the possibility of “partnering” to distribute AgriZap’s Rat Zapper, for which AgriZap had received a patent in 1998. At the time, the Woodstream was best known for its Victor® branded mouse traps – the traditional wire snap trap – but the company did not have an electronic trap of its own. AgriZap agreed to a private label arrangement to sell Victor® branded RatZappers and viewed the deal as an opportunity to expand distribution.

According to the testimony, AgriZap later discovered that Woodstream had sent the Rat Zapper to China to be reverse engineered and copied. Concerned about possible infringement, AgriZap asked Woodstream for assurances that none of its proprietary technology would be copied. Testimony in the case showed, and the jury agreed, that Woodstream fraudulently misrepresented to AgriZap that it had sent the product overseas solely for a cost evaluation to see how the product could be made more cheaply and not to copy the device. The jury concluded that, in reality, Woodstream sent the Rat Zapper overseas not just for a cost evaluation but also to develop a new but similar device they could market themselves so that they would no longer have to buy from AgriZap.

Ultimately, Woodstream launched its own versions of electronic rat and mouse traps. This led to AgriZap’s lawsuit and claims at trial of patent infringement and fraudulent misrepresentation. Woodstream’s counterclaims that the patent is invalid and unenforceable were rejected by the jury. The success of Drinker Biddle’s lawyers on behalf of their client was all the more impressive because they were not contacted by AgriZap until last December, and had only two months to prepare for and try the case, an unusually short amount of time.
The successful trial team also was a model blend of lawyers from two of Drinker Biddle’s largest practice groups: intellectual property and commercial litigation. “One of our greatest strengths at Drinker Biddle is the depth of cross-disciplinary experience and knowledge that enables us to take on cases like this one on short notice and achieve Articles Nexis successful result for our client,” said Lavorgna.

03-08-2007

---

Briggs and Morgan, Professional Association

Briggs Attorneys Honored as Notable Alumni by U of M College of Liberal Arts
John M. Degnan and Ann Huntrods of Briggs and Morgan, Professional Association, have been named “Alumni of Notable Achievement” by the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. Degnan and Huntrods were recognized with other recipients at an award dinner March 7.

According to the university, the College of Liberal Arts Alumni of Notable Achievement (ANA) initiative was created in 1994. Of 110,000 living graduates, only 1,200 have been selected for the distinction. All members are nominated by other alumni or faculty and staff. Degnan and Huntrods were highlighted for their individual accomplishments and leadership in the legal field, and for their continuing commitment to civil justice.

03-08-2007

---

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P.

SQUIRE SANDERS EXPANDS PHOENIX CORPORATE PRACTICE
Corporate lawyers Frank M. Placenti and Joseph P. Richardson have joined the Phoenix office of global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. in a move that creates one of the largest and most experienced corporate practices in Arizona.

“Frank and Joe provide additional depth to the Phoenix office’s strong corporate and securities practices, which have grown steadily over the past decade,” said Chairman R. Thomas Stanton. “We are excited about this powerful team’s potential.”

“This is a personal reunion of sorts, as Frank and Joe are former longtime colleagues of many of our Phoenix lawyers,” said Gregory R. Hall, Phoenix office managing partner. Hall said the team’s relationships translate into immediate and smooth integration of resources. “We are delighted to work with them again and look forward to bringing them into the firm’s global corporate practice.”

Placenti said he and Richardson were attracted to Squire Sanders by the firm’s global reach.

“Squire Sanders has one of the broadest legal services platforms in the world, a well-developed presence in Asia and continuing growth in Europe and Latin America. This gives us tremendous opportunity to more effectively help our clients achieve their global business goals,” he said.

Placenti has been recognized nationally for his work in corporate governance, mergers, acquisitions and private equity. He is a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership and chair of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation board of directors. Placenti previously served as chair of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors of the Greater Phoenix Boys and Girls Club, as well as many other civic and charitable organizations and projects.

He also serves as lead director of Lipid Science, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company based in Pleasanton, Calif. He is listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers in Business, Best Lawyers in America and Who’s Who in Corporate Governance. He is also listed by Dragonlaw 500 as one of the top 500 lawyers in the United States.

Richardson is recognized as one of Arizona’s leading securities regulation experts and has extensive experience in aircraft leasing and finance. He serves on the allocation panel for the Valley of the Sun United Way and on the board of directors of Kids at Hope and is active in Boy Scouts of America and other community programs. Richardson is listed in Chambers USA:America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and Best Lawyers in America.

03-07-2007

---

Hill Wallack LLP

HILL WALLACK PARTNER APPOINTED MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE
Edward H. Herman, a partner with the Princeton law firm of Hill Wallack LLP has been re-appointed Municipal Court Judge in the Borough of Spotswood in Middlesex County. Mr. Herman is a member of the firm’s Litigation Division and partner-in-charge of the Workers’ Compensation and Automotive Dealers Business & Liability Practice Groups. His principal area of practice is in the representation of major self-insured corporations, insurance companies and clients of third-party administrators in the defense of workers’ compensation claims, as well as defense of tort liability and environmental litigation.

Mr. Herman has been practicing law for more than 30 years. He is a recognized authority throughout New Jersey on the law and the practice of workers’ compensation matters. He has presided as Municipal Court Judge in Spotswood since 1987 and also serves as Municipal Court Judge in the Boroughs of Plainsboro, Cranbury and Highland Park and the Middlesex County Jail.

03-07-2007

---

Piper Rudnick, L.L.P.

Armey, Gephardt commend formation of Bipartisan Policy Center
Two former House Majority Leaders, Richard Armey (R-TX) and Richard Gephardt (D-MO) announced their strong support for the Bipartisan Policy Center, an initiative created by four former Senate Majority Leaders aimed at putting aside partisan politics and offering solutions to the major issues confronting the nation.

Armey and Gephardt, who are now both with the global law firm DLA Piper, saluted the commitment to bipartisanship of their colleague, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-ME), who serves as Chairman of the Global Board of DLA Piper.

Senator Mitchell joined on March 6 with former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker (R-TN), Tom Daschle (D-SD), and Bob Dole (R-KS) to announce the launching of the new bipartisan organization, which seeks to forge national consensus on such key issues as national security, energy and agriculture, taking the best ideas from both political parties.

After their retirement from the Senate, Senators Mitchell and Dole worked together at the law firm of Verner Liipfert Bernhard McPherson and Hand, which has since joined forces with DLA Piper.

Armey and Gephardt, who serve as Senior Policy Advisor and Senior Counsel, respectively, at DLA Piper, stressed the importance of a bipartisan approach to problem-solving.

Said Armey: “I’ve never been shy about fighting the good fight when it comes to the battle of ideas. But I’ve also learned that you can be strong on principle but still work with those who don’t necessarily come to the table with the same ideas. I wish the Bipartisan Policy Center well in its efforts to promote constructive cooperation between people who don’t always agree on everything.”

Added Gephardt: “Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn had two bits of advice for new Members of Congress: ‘Learn to disagree without being disagreeable,’ and ‘Don’t turn political differences into personal differences.’ I hope the Bipartisan Policy Center can point the way toward productive policy making based on that simple, enduring wisdom.

03-07-2007

---

25383 matches |  9157-9163 displayed

1  1306 1307 1308 1309 1310  3627