Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, LLP

Firm Advises Aeolus Re on $800 Million Capital Raise
Aeolus Ltd. announced that its parent holding company, Aeolus L.P., has increased its capital base to over $1 billion via an investment from a group of investors led by Warburg Pincus and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity. The company's founders also participated in the capital infusion. Aeolus Ltd., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aeolus Re Ltd., operates as an unrated reinsurance platform initially targeting the property catastrophe segment of the worldwide reinsurance market. Since its inception in July 2006, Aeolus Re has been an active provider of fully collateralized property catastrophe protection to insurers and reinsurers on both an ultimate net loss and industry loss warranty basis. Last July, Willkie represented Warburg as lead investor in connection with the formation and $500 million capitalization of Aeolus Ltd. and Aeolus Re Ltd. The current transaction was handled by partners William Gump, Henry Cohn and Christopher Peters, and associate Russell Leaf.

01-05-2007

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Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, LLP

Firm Wins High-Profile Pro Bono Habeas Case
After serving 15 years in prison for murder despite having a credible alibi, Willkie client Jose Garcia has been ordered freed in 60 days unless the state elects to retry him within that time. In Garcia v. Portuondo, Judge Lewis Kaplan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted Willkie’s request for a writ of habeas corpus. Calling this an “exceptionally troubling case,” Judge Kaplan said that Mr. Garcia was convicted because his original representation “was well below minimal standards of competence.” Willkie lawyers took on Mr. Garcia’s case as a pro bono matter. The judge agreed with Willkie that the 1993 trial, which rested on the testimony of one witness who claimed to have seen the shooting, was completely botched. The judge credited Mr. Garcia with a strong alibi, including documentation that would prove he was out of the country at the time of the murder in question. He said that the jury “heard almost nothing of this alibi.” Judge Kaplan said it was “highly doubtful” that prosecutors could win a new trial should the Bronx District Attorney choose to retry Mr. Garcia. Judge Kaplan also said that Willkie’s pro bono effort, which was handled by partners Martin Klotz and associates Matthew Bosher and Stephen Vogel, “was in the highest tradition of the Bar.

01-05-2007

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Stoel Rives, LLP

Stoel Rives Announces Nine New Principals
Stoel Rives is pleased to announce the promotion of nine new principals in the firm’s Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Sacramento, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah offices, effective January 1, 2007. The new principals are Barbara Brenner (Sacramento), Jennie Bricker (Portland), Duff Bryant (Seattle), Keelin Curran (Seattle), John Kauffman (Seattle), David Mortensen (Salt Lake City), Cherise Oram (Seattle), Beverly Pearman (Portland) and Deirdre Runnette (Seattle). Their substantial and wide-ranging experience is described below.

Barbara Brenner represents clients in environmental compliance and litigation. Her practice focuses on water resources, water quality and related regulatory matters involving water rights, the Endangered Species Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act. Brenner regularly represents clients before state and federal regulatory agencies, and she assists energy clients with water-related siting issues. She also has extensive litigation experience. Brenner earned her LL.M. in environmental law from Pace University School of Law (1993), her J.D. from McGeorge School of Law (1987) and her B.A. from Sonoma State University (1984).

Jennie Bricker practices natural resources law, with a focus on water law and waterways. She assists clients with real estate transactions; gas, oil and mining transactions; and the administration and interpretation of utility mortgage indentures. Recognized as one of the state’s experts on navigability for title, Bricker advises riparian property owners about their rights to submerged and submersible lands on Oregon waterways. She continues to guide several clients through the administrative process of establishing their water rights in the complex Klamath Basin adjudication. In 2001, Bricker received the Burton Award for legal achievement. She is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College (J.D. magna cum laude, 1997), the University of Oregon (M.A., 1988) and the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College (B.A. with honors, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1986).

Duff Bryant is a member of the firm’s Corporate practice group. His practice focuses on corporate, finance and general business matters for private companies in a wide range of industries and at various stages of growth. Bryant has represented clients in connection with domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and joint ventures. He has advised and assisted numerous clients in forming, capitalizing and maintaining corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships in the United States and abroad. Bryant also has extensive experience in secured and unsecured financings. He has been named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics and was included in Chambers USA’s America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2006). He earned his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law (1999) and his B.A. from the University of Washington (1996).

Keelin Curran advises employers on a range of complex employment issues, such as internal investigations, disability accommodation and family leave issues, union strategy issues, employment issues in mergers and acquisitions, noncompetition and executive agreements, terminations and reductions in force. She also provides training on appropriate workplace conduct and other workplace issues. She represents employers in agency charges, labor arbitrations and employment litigation. Curran has practiced in this area since 1986. She holds a J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley (1986) and a B.A. from the City University of New York (summa cum laude, 1981).

John Kauffman is a member of the firm’s Corporate practice group. He has represented investors, entrepreneurs and corporate management in a variety of business and strategic matters. His work includes start-up formation and growth, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, commercial and other private financings, public securities offerings, and public company reporting and compliance. Kauffman has been named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics, and he is the chief author of “Business Law Practice” in the Washington Lawyers’ Practice Manual. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School (J.D., 1999) and the College of William and Mary (B.A. summa cum laude, 1996).

David Mortensen handles complex business litigation with an emphasis in intellectual property, antitrust, securities and real property matters. He has represented individual and business clients in appellate and trial disputes involving the protection of intellectual property, as well as in securities and antitrust disputes. His commercial litigation experience also encompasses business torts, bankruptcy, environmental contamination, federal Indian law and product liability. Mortensen earned his J.D. from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1998) and his B.A. from Brigham Young University (1995).

Cherise Oram practices federal environmental and natural resources law with an emphasis on endangered species and hydropower dam relicensing issues. She has represented a variety of public and private interests including utilities, ports, oil and gas interests, commercial fisheries, and the forestry industry in complex permitting matters. Oram advises clients on issues arising under the Endangered Species Act, Federal Power Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. She holds an LL.M. in law and marine affairs from the University of Washington School of Law (1998); a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law (1997); and a B.A. from the University of Washington (1993).

Beverly Pearman is a trial attorney who focuses on complex business litigation and environmental and natural resources litigation. She also has experience with tribal law matters. She has represented individuals, corporate clients and a tribal government in state and federal court, administrative proceedings, and arbitration. Her commercial litigation experience has primarily encompassed complex business disputes involving business torts, securities claims, noncompetition agreements and shareholder disputes. In addition, Pearman has experience with environmental contamination cases as well as citizen suits and related claims under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. with honors, 1999) and Furman University (B.A., 1992).

Deirdre Runnette focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation. She has extensive experience with class-action lawsuits, particularly those involving securities issues. Runnette also has experience in litigation involving banking, Consumer Protection Act claims, trade secrets, land use and contract claims. She has been named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics (2004-05). She earned her J.D. with honors from the University of Montana School of Law (1997) and her B.A. cum laude from Washington State University (1991).

01-05-2007

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Ross, Dixon & Bell, LLP

Ross, Dixon & Bell, LLP Announces Five New Partners, Three New Of Counsel
Ross, Dixon & Bell, LLP is pleased to announce the election of five associates to the partnership and three as Of Counsel, effective January 1, 2007. “We are very fortunate to have so many talented attorneys who have through their hard work and dedication earned this recognition,” said Ross, Dixon & Bell managing partner David Gische.

RDB’s newly elected partners and Of Counsel are as follows:

Partners
• Julie L. Burgener – Chicago
• Daniel J. Cross – San Diego
• Erik M. Pritchard – Orange County
• Christopher L. Walters – San Diego
• Rebecca Woods – Washington, D.C.

Of Counsel
• David F. Cutter – Chicago
• Monique M. Fuentes – Washington, D.C.
• Peter D. Lindau – Chicago

Julie Burgener, 36, works in the firm’s Chicago office. She joined the firm in 2000 and focuses her practice on complex insurance coverage litigation and client counseling, with an emphasis on long-tail exposure, environmental, and mass tort matters. Ms.Burgener graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1999 and received her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University. She is admitted to the Illinois Bar.

Daniel Cross, 41, practices in the firm’s San Diego, California office. He joined the firm in 1999 and focuses his practice on corporate, business, and real estate transactions. Mr. Cross received his law degree from University of San Diego School of Law and his undergraduate degree from San Diego State University. He is a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Order of the Coif, the California Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, and Volunteers in Parole, and the California Restaurant Association.

Erik Pritchard, 35, practices in the firm’s Orange County, California office. He is admitted to practice in California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. After joining the firm in 1999, Mr. Pritchard has maintained a diverse civil litigation practice in state and federal courts. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law & Politics. Mr. Pritchard received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Riverside.

Christopher Walters, 33, joined the firm’s San Diego office in 2000 after receiving his law degree from the University of Southern California Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Walters’ practice includes complex civil litigation, commercial litigation involving contract, lease, and other business disputes, employment and labor, unfair competition, and defense of federal civil rights actions. He is active in the firm’s pro bono program and the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. Mr. Walters is admitted to practice in California and is a member of the California Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the San Diego County Bar Association.

Rebecca Woods, 34, joined the firm’s Washington, DC office in 2004. She previously practiced at Covington & Burling. Ms. Woods focuses her practice on complex civil litigation. She received her law degree, with honors, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she was editor-in-chief of The Ohio State Law Journal and elected to the Order of the Coif. She received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University. Ms. Woods is admitted to the Bar of the District of Columbia.

David Cutter, 39, joined the firm’s Chicago office in 2005. He focuses his practice on insurance coverage matters and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, he practiced with Winston & Strawn, Hogan & Hartson, and Mayer, Brown, Rowe, and Maw. He received his law degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1995, where he was executive editor for the Catholic University Law Review, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1989. Mr. Cutter is admitted to the Bar of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Illinois.

Monique Fuentes, 32, joined the firm in 1999 and practices in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Ms. Fuentes focuses her practice on insurance and commercial litigation and has experience representing corporations and executives, real estate developers, and some of the nation’s largest insurance companies in disputes involving commercial contracts, employment matters, business torts and insurance coverage issues. Ms. Fuentes received her law degree from the University of Southern California Law School in 1999, where she was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program. She received her undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, summa cum laude, in 1996. She is admitted to practice in California and her application to the Bar of the District of Columbia is currently pending.

Peter Lindau, 43, practices in the firm’s Chicago office. His practice includes a broad range of insurance coverage, bad faith, professional liability, and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Lindau wrote and produced television news for The Wall Street Journal. He received his law degree from Boston College School of Law, where he was selected to the National Moot Court Team. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1985. He is admitted to practice law in Illinois.

01-05-2007

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Pepper Hamilton, L.L.P.

Pepper Hamilton Hosts Mayor of Milan for Luncheon and Broad-Ranging Discussion
Pepper Hamilton LLP recently hosted a luncheon for Letizia Moratti, Mayor of Milan and a former Italian Minister of Education, during her two-day trip to the United States to meet with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Pepper Hamilton hosted Mayor Moratti and her delegation on December 13, 2006, at its new offices in New York City.

The meeting focused on ways to foster relationships among high-tech businesses in Italy and the United States. The group of Italian officials, Pepper lawyers and others interested in Italian affairs also discussed plans for a conference on international private equity and venture capital to be hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy in March 2007, the possibility of having Milan host the World Expo in 2015, and the importance of expanding educational bridges between Italy and the United States.

Ms. Moratti is the first female mayor of Milan. She is an influential figure in Italian politics and a former entrepreneur in the insurance, finance and media fields. She was chair of the Italian state television company RAI before serving a five-year term as Minister of Education, University and Research in the Berlusconi Administration.

The Mayor and her delegation were visiting the United States to foster relationships between Italy and the United States in the high-tech sector. The trip followed several other missions to North America aimed at strengthening business relations between U.S. and Italian high-tech companies and research groups.

At the luncheon, Pepper Hamilton agreed to be involved with a conference on international private equity and venture capital to be hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy in March 2007 in Milan. Members of the firm are working on the organization of the conference and will participate as program speakers.

The Mayor also spoke about Milan’s candidacy for hosting the World Expo in 2015. She noted that the city of Milan is proposing to focus on the issue of sustainable development, in particular, to insure healthy and high-quality nutrition on a global scale.

In addition, the Mayor discussed the importance of continuing to expand educational bridges between Italy and the United States. The group talked about ongoing initiatives by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and ALMA – the Italian LL.M. Association. ALMA provides logistical support and networking opportunities to Italians pursuing a legal education in the United States. Pepper Hamilton is a founding sponsor of ALMA, and the firm’s Italian Practice Group promotes top-performing Italian lawyers who have received LL.M. (Masters in Law) degrees from major U.S. law schools by offering them training positions at the firm. Paolo Strino, a visiting attorney at Pepper who received his LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, currently is president of ALMA.

Among those attending the luncheon with Mayor Moratti were:

* Joseph V. Del Raso, a partner in the Commercial Department of Pepper Hamilton, head of the firm’s Investment Management Practice group, a member of Pepper’s Executive Committee and executive vice president of NIAF
* James D. Rosener, an international corporate partner with Pepper Hamilton, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and head of the New York office
* Simona Augi, a visiting attorney in the Italian Practice Group of Pepper Hamilton
* Paolo Strino, a visiting attorney in the Italian Practice Group of Pepper Hamilton and president of ALMA
* Paolo Glisenti, Director of Institutional Relations for Mayor Moratti’s office
* Andrea Vento, Director of International Relations for Mayor Moratti’s office
* Gaetano Castellini, International Relations Officer with Mayor Moratti’s office
* Valentina Corti, International Relations Officer with Mayor Moratti’s office
* Filippo De Bortoli, Mayor Moratti’s spokesman
* Paola Munzi, Deputy Counsel General at the Italian Consulate in New York
* Michael Zampardi, Senior Managing Director of Bear Stearns, Asset Management Inc., and regional vice president of NIAF for the Greater New York region
* Giuliana Ridolfi Cardillo, chairman of Italian affairs at the Columbus Citizen Foundation.

The luncheon was held under the patronage of NIAF, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent. NIAF also serves as a liaison between the Italian-American community and U.S. Congress, the White House and government agencies, while promoting cultural, educational, economic and political cooperation.

01-05-2007

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Odin, Feldman & Pittleman PC

Super Lawyers Recognizes Two OF&P Attorneys as Rising Stars
Two Odin, Feldman & Pittleman attorneys are included on Virginia Super Lawyer's list of "Rising Stars". Jonathan Frieden and Craig Franco, principals with the firm's Litigation Practice, are included on the list published in January by Law & Politics and Richmond Magazine. The list honors the state's best up-and-coming attorneys age 40 and under, or in practice 10 years or less.

01-05-2007

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Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

James Valbrun Joins Nelson Mullins in Atlanta
James K. Valbrun has joined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as an associate in litigation and will practice in Atlanta.

Mr. Valbrun is engaged in multiple areas of civil litigation, including product liability, toxic torts, and pharmaceutical and medical device litigation. He previously worked at another law firm in Atlanta and has clerked for the Honorable Victoria A. Roberts, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

He is admitted to practice in Georgia, the Northern District of Georgia, and the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association.

Mr. Valbrun earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2002. While in law school, he was active in moot court, winning the 2001 National Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition as well as serving as a moot court coach on Georgetown's Barrister's Counsel. In 1999, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

01-05-2007

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