Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Renaissance Initiative Launched to Enhance Associate Development
As a result of its commitment to associate development, Nelson Mullins is launching a unique framework designed to assure that young lawyers can tap every Firm resource and opportunity to grow.

The initiative, called ""Renaissance,"" is an intensive, holistic and transparent approach to the selection and development of young lawyers that will mark Nelson Mullins as the first choice for lawyers seeking a better way to practice law. Renaissance recognizes the pivotal role that associates play in the ability of Nelson Mullins to provide elite client service now and in the future.

Attorney Robert Brunson""Developing young talent is central to the mission of the Firm,"" said Robert Brunson, who chairs the Associates Committee. ""Renaissance places the development of the associate as a lawyer at the very forefront of the law firm culture and puts into place the incentives and processes needed to take a quantum leap forward in shaping the future of our lawyers.""

Renaissance builds on and replaces the Lawyers Evaluation and Assessment Program (LEAP), begun in 2003, to better focus skill development. While an associate’s year will continue to begin and end with the evaluation process, it will also end with a Renaissance Plan, a carefully tailored individual development plan. Each plan will include goals and target areas for accelerated development and will connect associates with specific training and development opportunities.

""Renaissance provides associates with highly challenging training and development opportunities in the craft of being a lawyer in the 21st century,"" Brunson said.

Steps in the Renaissance process include:

* Honest Assessment: Beginning with the associate’s introspective analysis, incorporating a full and interactive discussion with the team, the Renaissance evaluation process is a detailed, honest appraisal of where the associate stands.
* Apprenticeships: Associates will be paired with partners with proven rainmaking skills, outside skills coaches, and formal mentors to help new associates learn the ropes.
* Academia: Law school is over, but the education is only just beginning. Informal coaching with real time feedback on daily projects is the best form of training. There also will be lunchtime seminars taught by our best legal minds and some of the top instructors from the legal industry.
* Learning to Lead: Each office will place an associate each year with local or state community leadership training and networking programs.
* Diversity: Renaissance includes a continued deep respect for racial and gender differences. Nelson Mullins is a place for all people who have a passion for excellence and an appreciation for opposites.
* Renaissance Council: A vision for the future requires an understanding of the past and the present. Firm leadership will meet at least once a year with the associates specifically to talk about the Firm partnership, the strategy for the future and whatever is on the minds of the associates. The Renaissance Council will be a regular part of the Firm Retreat.

11-01-2006

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Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morgan Lewis Ranks Among the Best Say Summer Associates: American Lawyer 2006 Summer Associate Survey Results
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked 7th out of 172 firms in the 2006 Summer Associate Survey, as reported in the November 2006 issue of American Lawyer. Morgan Lewis was recognized as being the most-improved firm in the nation, having jumped from number 122 to number 7 in just one year. Twenty-three of the ranked firms were classified as national firms. Morgan Lewis was the top-ranked national firm, the top-ranked San Francisco firm, and a top 10 finisher in every city where we were ranked.

“We are excited that our enthusiasm for our firm and its practice is shared by our summer associates,” said Eric Kraeutler, Chair of the Firmwide Professional Recruiting Committee. “Every year, we are increasingly impressed by the talent pool of law students, and this year was no exception. To be rated so highly and so consistently across our offices by such an extraordinary group of students is especially gratifying.”

Almost 90% of the nearly 100 Morgan Lewis summer associates responded to the American Lawyer survey, resulting in an impressive consensus among all the summer associates across all the offices.

11-01-2006

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Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt Recognized For Its Efforts To Increase Awareness Of Domestic Violence
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, the national law and consulting firm, announced today that it received the Pro Bono Service Award from California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) for its devotion of time and expertise to increasing awareness of domestic violence.

As the first legal organization in California solely dedicated to addressing the unique legal needs of women and girls, CWLC focuses on gender discrimination, violence against women, women’s health and reproductive justice.

“We are honored to be recognized in our efforts to better serve the community by increasing awareness of a critical issue that affects women in California, and around the world,” said Paul H. Irving, Manatt’s Chief Executive and Managing Partner.

Manatt’s involvement with CWLC projects was extensive this year and included assisting in the development of a legal manual for directors and managers of domestic violence shelters. In addition, in partnership with CWLC, the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison and the University of Southern California Gould School of Law’s Post-Conviction Justice Project and Family Violence Clinic, more than 20 Manatt professionals dedicated over 3,000 hours of time seeking habeas relief for a pro bono client under a law that was enacted after her conviction for the murder of her abusive husband.

Finally, a team of Manatt attorneys conducted research and analyzed potential legal theories relative to law enforcement’s response to domestic violence issues, with the goal of encouraging responses that would protect domestic violence survivors rather than causing additional suffering through the law enforcement process.

In addition to the CWLC award, Manatt was awarded certificates of recognition from several governmental bodies, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Assembly for its work combating domestic violence.

11-01-2006

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Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, LLP

Advising Today's Board of Directors: Lessons Learned from the History of Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Partner Ken Kopelman authored a chapter entitled "Advising Today's Board of Directors: Lessons Learned from the History of Corporate Governance Law" which appears in the book Understanding Corporate Governance Laws & Regulations published in 2006 by Aspatore Books.

11-01-2006

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Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, LLP

Kramer Levin Successfully Represents RiskMetrics in Acquisition of ISS
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is pleased to announce its representation of RiskMetrics Group in the acquisition of Institutional Shareholder Services. RiskMetrics participated in a competitive auction process in which its bid was selected. The merger agreement was signed on October 31 and the transaction is expected to close around year-end.

RiskMetrics is a New York-based closely held risk-management firm spun off by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in 1998. The combined company will generate more than $200 million in annual revenue and have more than 800 employees in 23 offices worldwide.

The following attorneys are working on the deal from Kramer Levin’s New York office: Howard T. Spilko (partner, Corporate), Adam Karasik (associate, Corporate), Chatchada Chiamprasert (associate, Corporate), Michael Brooks (associate, Corporate), Fabien Carruzzo (associate, Corporate), Barry Herzog (partner, Tax), Michael Seaton (associate, Tax), Avram Cahn (associate, Employee Benefits), Aviva Grossman (special counsel, Financial Services), Kevin Moss (counsel, Intellectual Property) and Theodore (Ted) Ruthizer (partner, Business Immigration).

11-01-2006

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Jenner & Block LLP

Jenner & Block Helps Brown Jordan International, Inc. Complete its Financial Restructuring
Jenner & Block client Brown Jordan International, Inc. (“BJI”) today announced the completion of restructuring of its financial affairs.

As part of the restructuring, BJI, the Florida-based business engaged in the design, marketing, manufacturing and distribution of indoor and outdoor furniture, has obtained (a) a $50,000,000 cash (equity) infusion, and (b) new senior revolving, term and second lien facilities that are expected to lower BJI’s financing costs substantially. In addition, virtually all of BJI’s $105,000,000 in senior subordinated notes have been exchanged for cash or equity. With the support of its key stakeholders, BJI completed these restructuring transactions on a fully consensual basis without any disruption to business operations.

BJI’s legal team included Jenner & Block Partners Jeff J. Marwil, Paul V. Possinger, Teri A. Lindquist, Edward J. Neveril, Michael T. Wolf and Geoffrey M. Davis. Its financial advisors are Thane Carlston and Tom Carlson of Jefferies & Co.

""We are very excited to have completed our financial restructuring,"" Gene Moriarty, BJI's CEO, said. ""We believe that the restructuring will provide us greater financial flexibility that will enable us to achieve strong growth, product enhancements and continued profitability.""

Company counsel, Jeff J. Marwil of Jenner & Block said, ""As a result of strong team effort among the company's management and professionals, plus the overwhelming support of the senior subordinated noteholders, BJI was able to complete its restructuring out-of-court, without the need for Chapter 11 relief.""

The core of BJI’s restructuring is a $50,000,000 equity investment that has been provided by certain holders of the senior subordinated notes, in exchange for a controlling equity interest. Holders of BJI’s senior subordinated notes received a minority equity interest in exchange for their notes. A group of financial institutions led by LaSalle Bank National Association has funded a credit facility in the aggregate amount of $200,000,000, consisting of a senior revolver, a senior term loan facility and a second lien term facility. With the proceeds of these financing sources, holders of BJI’s prior senior secured financing facilities, including its senior second lien notes, were paid in full, with interest. Trade creditors were not affected by the restructuring, and BJI expects that it will continue to pay them in the ordinary course of business. BJI expects to realize substantial savings as a result of the improved terms of its new financing.

BJI has maintained and will continue to foster positive relationships with its customers, suppliers, lenders and employees. BJI will continue to operate its facilities in the ordinary course of business and believes it has more than adequate liquidity and inventory to support its customers’ needs. Gene Moriarty remains as BJI’s Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Tortorici remains as BJI’s Chief Accounting Officer and the current senior management team in each of BJI’s businesses also remains in place.

11-01-2006

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Jackson & Campbell, P.C.

Nick McConnell and Jim Schaller Named Among DC Area’s Best Lawyers
In the October 1st issue of The Washington Post Magazine, Nicholas S. McConnell and James P. Schaller of Jackson & Campbell, P.C. were listed among others as the Washington DC Area’s Best Lawyers.

Nick was selected for his expert representation in the Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury Litigation practice areas. Previously recognized by Washingtonian magazine as a top trial lawyer, Nick has more than 30 years’ experience in health care, corporate and business matters and as a trial attorney. He is an elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and past-President of the Bar Association of Washington, DC.

Jim was selected for his leadership in Commercial Litigation, as well as his expertise in Insurance Coverage, Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility, and Professional Liability matters. He has tried a great variety of cases, including those involving medical malpractice, real estate, commercial, toxic and environmental insurance coverage. Jim is currently President and managing director at Jackson & Campbell. He is also a Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and twice chaired the DC Court of Appeals Committee on Unauthorized Practice.

11-01-2006

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