Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Piper Rudnick, L.L.P.

DLA Piper Scotland advises on £125m Asco Group deal
Scotland - DLA Piper Scotland LLP has advised the management team on the Phoenix Equity Partners £125m buy-in of Aberdeen based oil and gas services company, Asco Group plc.
The deal is said to be one of the largest buy-out deals in Scotland this year. Phoenix Equity Partners focus on investing in and supporting outstanding private UK companies. This is the third investment from Phoenix's £375m fund raised in April.

Asco is a provider of supply chain management services and solutions to the international oil and gas sector and related industries. Key services encompass logistics, fuels and lubricants, environmental services, freight forwarding and personnel services. Asco operates primarily in the UK and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Trinidad and Eastern Canada.

As a result of the deal Pheonix Equity Partners are revamping the management team, bringing in Billy Allan as executive chairman. Allan was formerly chief executive of Stiell Group which he built up before selling on to Alfred McAlpine.

Paul Pignatelli, DLA Piper Scotland corporate partner commented: "This is one of, if not the, biggest management deal in Scotland this year. It marks a tremendous opportunity for the management and employees in an oil and gas market which is strong and continuing to show encouraging signs."

Partners Greg Morris, Mark Burgess and Simon Rae were also involved in this deal and were assisted by associate Brian Campbell, solicitors Christine Kerr and Iain Skinner and trainee solicitor, Gemma Hamilton.

11-03-2006

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Kaye Scholer LLP

Kaye Scholer is Recipient of Prominent Diversity Award
Kaye Scholer was the recipient of the 2006 "Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association Law Firm Diversity Award" at the 26th Annual Conference of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA). The award was accepted by Stanley Pierre-Louis, co-chair of Kaye Scholer's Entertainment and Media Law Department.

The "Conference Chairs' Welcome," published in the "Conference Journal" distributed to all attendees, said about Kaye Scholer:

"Our Law Firm Diversity Award recipient this year is the law firm of Kaye Scholer, LLP. With offices from New York to Shanghai, and points in between, this firm has made significant contributions to the entertainment legal community. We acknowledge Kaye Scholer for being a consistent supporter of BESLA and its programs, a corporate sponsor of BESLA's conferences, and for its continuous efforts in the areas of diversification by recruiting and hiring qualified minority professionals, including in particular, members of this organization."

At the conference, Mr. Pierre-Louis moderated a panel entitled "Music, TV & Film: So You Won Grokster. Now What?" Peter Haviland, co-chair of Kaye Scholer's Entertainment and Media Law Department and a member of BESLA's Board of Directors, was a panelist on a panel entitled "Top 10 Entertainment Litigation Pitfalls." Rhonda Trotter, a senior Kaye Scholer entertainment litigator in Los Angeles, also attended the conference.

11-03-2006

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Jones Day, P.C.

Jones Day Expands Outsourcing Practice in London with Partner Hire from Simmons & Simmons
International law firm Jones Day announces Jonathon Little, a leading IT and outsourcing lawyer, will join the London office as a Partner on 6th November.

Little, previously a partner at international firm Simmons & Simmons, has over 13 years experience advising customers and service providers in business process outsourcing and technology transactions. His breadth of experience, contacts, and stature within the industry provide tremendous opportunities for Jones Day to continue the global expansion of its outsourcing practice. Little's arrival underscores Jones Day's understanding of the increasingly complex demands of this industry and its commitment to meeting client demands.

Little’s arrival is the second significant boost for the practice in recent months. In September Mark Taylor, an expert on outsourcing and TUPE, joined the firm from Lovells.

David Guedry, leader of Jones Day’s global outsourcing practice commented, "Adding to our global depth an industry leader such as Jonathon in a market as critical as London puts Jones Day's outsourcing capabilities in an elite group. His arrival is another important step in building one of the very top global outsourcing teams.

11-03-2006

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Jenner & Block LLP

Attorneys Share Positive Experiences and Strategic Advice About Successful Reduced Hours Schedules
On October 3, the Jenner & Block Women's Forum and the Work Life Balance Affinity Group co-hosted a panel discussion targeted to offer strategies for working a successful reduced hours schedule. Margaret Simpson and Erin Schrantz, who co-chaired this program, viewed the event as an opportunity not only to inform attorneys about the availability of reduced schedules for family care, but also to share strategic advice on how to make those work arrangements succeed in practice. The level of interest in this topic was evident from the large turn-out. Nearly 80 attorneys -- partners and associates, men and women -- attended the luncheon program in the Chicago office and several more attorneys from the Washington D.C., New York, and Dallas offices participated by video-conference and telephone.

The panel-led discussion featured diverse perspectives from both partners and associates:

Partner Margaret J. Simpson, who worked a reduced schedule for more than five years, emphasized that many of the strategies that make a successful reduced schedule apply equally to any schedule. For example, "developing an area of expertise improves your value to the team and your confidence." Whether your expertise is in particular area of law, performing a certain litigation task, or being a key member of a firm committee, developing an expertise makes attorneys more valuable to the Firm and clients even when attorneys may be working fewer billable hours.

Associate Erin R. Schrantz, who has worked an 80% billable schedule for the last two years, recommended that associates "think strategically" about the assignments they work on and activities they pursue. In order to stick to her reduced schedule, Ms. Schrantz takes fewer cases, but does not take a lesser role on cases. Instead, she recommended that associates "make sure you pick assignments that continue to develop your skills as an attorney and advance your career objectives."

Partner Charlotte L. Wager, the Firm’s Director of Professional Development, emphasized the importance of communication. Ms. Wager, who worked for many years on a reduced schedule and became a partner at Jenner & Block while working a reduced schedule, explained that modern technology permits attorneys to be away from the office, yet still available in a pinch. “Always continue to meet clients’ needs – just make sure you keep them apprised of your availability." Partner Craig C. Martin, Co- Chair of the Firm's Work Life Balance Affinity Group, also emphasized the importance of good communication between attorneys working on reduced schedules and their supervising attorneys and other team members. Mr. Martin added that while working a reduced schedule, associates can continue to refine their legal skills and progress toward partnership.

A policy like Jenner & Block’s allows associates to work within their family schedule, said Associate Martina E. Vandenberg, who began working a reduced schedule after the birth of her child. Due to the increased flexibility in her schedule, Ms. Vandenberg said she could consistently leave the office in time to spend quality time with her children.

The Firm’s policy, however, is not limited to child-rearing situations and has been available for associates who need time to care for an ailing family member. “This Firm will work with you in whatever extraneous family situation that may arise,” panelists advised. “Know what your limitations are in those situations and don’t try to balance everything alone .”

Pictured (top, from left): Ms. Simpson, Ms. Schrantz, former Associate Erin M. O'Connell and Ms. Wager.

Pictured (bottom, from left): Jenner & Block Partner Craig C. Martin, who serves as Chair of the Firm’s Work Life Balance Affinity Group, and Ms. Vandenberg.

11-03-2006

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Jenner & Block LLP

Gallopoulos Speaks at Illinois CPA Society Webcast on Professional Services Firm Management
Jenner & Block Managing Partner Gregory S. Gallopoulos participated in an Illinois CPA Society and Center for Corporate Financial Leadership webcast entitled, “Best Practices in Professional Services Firm Management,” held October 31 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST. The webcast addressed key aspects of management in professional services firms, including law firms, accounting firms and consulting firms. Topics included industry trends, the importance of strategy and focus, factors that impact a firm’s bottom line, and how management, planning and professional vales can drive profits.

Joining Mr. Gallopoulos was Dennis D. Bartolucci, CPA, Partner in the Chicago Office and U.S. Leader of the Internal Audit Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Gallopoulos and Mr. Bartolucci compared and contrasted law firm management and accounting firm management. In their discussions, they noted that adherence to the highest standard of quality and excellence in client service is the bedrock of both types of professional services.

Participants in the webcast included management and accounting and finance personnel of law firm and public accounting firms.

Pictured above is Mr. Gallopoulos (left) and Mr. Bartolucci presenting at the webcast, which was broadcast from the offices of the Illinois CPA Society at 550 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago.

11-03-2006

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Dykema Gossett PLLC

Dykema Attorney Named Volunteer Of The Month
Wayne D. Roberts, Of Counsel with the Dykema Taxation and Estates Department, was recently named December Volunteer of the Month by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce for his long-standing, exceptional service to the Chamber. Mr. Roberts serves on the following Chamber committees: The Public Policy Committee with Legislators, the Tax and Regulatory Affairs Committee and the MBAT Drafting Committee.

Mr. Roberts is a tax attorney, and his practice includes all aspects of federal and state tax planning and litigation. Mr. Roberts has represented both closely held and Fortune 1000 companies in tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, the Michigan Department of Treasury, and revenue departments in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, New York, California, and numerous other state and local taxing jurisdictions.

Mr. Roberts also has experience with corporate, LLC, and partnership law matters, financial accounting matters, bankruptcy matters involving both creditors and debtors, estate and family wealth succession planning and tax return review and analysis.

11-03-2006

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Adams & Reese LLP

Adams and Reese Among Sponsors of the Third National Conference on the Impact of Race and Ethnicity
Adams and Reese is proud to be among the sponsors of the Third National Conference on the Impact of Race and Ethnicity hosted in New Orleans by the American Bar Association (ABA) Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice. This year's conference titled Making the Invisible Visible: A Dialogue About the Lessons Learned in the Aftermath of Katrina will be held from November 3-5, 2006 at the Marriott New Orleans Convention Center. The ABA anticipates nearly 300 participants including judges, lawyers, legislators, community leaders, health care workers, social workers and law students.

Adams and Reese, along with Shell Oil Company, will host a welcome reception, HERITAGE TO LEGACY: An Evening of Fun Featuring the Culture and Creativity of New Orleans, on Friday evening. Lee Butler, co-chair of Adams and Reese Diversity Task Force, will offer guests his remarks.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this historical conference and the events surrounding it,” says Butler. “By being a part of this conference, our firm hopes to demonstrate our support of post-Katrina recovery efforts, and to help highlight the rich diversity and culture found within New Orleans and the Gulf South Region.”

Adams and Reese attorneys Virginia Boulet and Janis van Meerveld will also participate in the weekend’s events. Ms. Boulet, who serves as Special Counsel in the Transactions and Corporate Advisory Services Practice Group, will participate in the Revitalization & Revisioning panel discussion. Having challenged incumbent Ray Nagin during the April 2006 race for Mayor, she drafted a comprehensive plan for the City's recovery, including plans for repopulation and housing, economic development, health care, emergency preparedness. Ms. van Meerveld is a partner with the firm’s Special Business Services Group, and will participate in the Child Advocacy panel discussion. For the past several years, Ms. van Meerveld has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Boys Hope Girls Hope of New Orleans, where she also works as a volunteer and mentor, helping the at-risk children in the program reach their fullest academic potential.

11-03-2006

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