Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Allen & Overy LLP

Allen & Overy announces profits and bonuses are up
Allen & Overy today announces its financial results for the year ended 30 April 2006.
Highlights are as follows:

turnover up 11 per cent at £736 million
profit per equity partner up 20 per cent to £788,000
employee bonus pool up 33 per cent; equates to eight weeks' salary per employee
Guy Beringer, Senior Partner of Allen & Overy, said: ""Our improved performance reflects the generally favourable economic conditions in most of the countries where we operate. Total income at £736 million was up by 11 per cent, whilst total costs were up by only 6 per cent.

“The combined effect was that our profit per equity partner at £788,000 was up by 20 per cent on the prior year. This result reflects the buoyancy of our core markets of M&A, finance and litigation around the world, the strength of our international network and improved business efficiencies.

“Our finance practice continued to thrive in meeting the demands of an increasingly complex global market. Additionally we were responsible for some of the most groundbreaking and high profile corporate and litigation work. A few highlights include the role of our London office in the Equitable Life litigation and the acquisition of Manchester United by the Glazer family; the role of our Hong Kong and Beijing offices on the Bank of China IPO, the largest in China this year; the role of our Paris office on the €4 billion privatisation of the motorway operator, Sanef, and the role of our new York office in advising GE Healthcare on the US$1.2 billion acquisition of IDX, the US healthcare IT company.

“We are committed to sharing success with our people and through everyone's hard work the bonus pool has increased by 33 per cent from last year. This allows us to reward each employee with an annual bonus payment equal to eight weeks' salary.""

Looking forward

We have made an encouraging start to the new financial year and have been busier in the last two months than in the same period last year. Although it is too early to predict how the year will evolve we expect to see continued growth in our key markets globally. We recognise the risk posed by a downturn in the business cycle, but we believe that our strong international restructuring practice will enable us to cope well with this eventuality.

“In the well developed markets in which we operate we will continue to build deep relationships with clients, working with them to achieve their business goals. We invest significant time in understanding their businesses so that we are well positioned to assist them as the economic landscape changes and their businesses develop. Overall we will concentrate on what makes Allen & Overy special – providing a quality service to our clients and bringing the best out of all of our people.

07-06-2006

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Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP

Thacher Proffitt Announces Six New Partners
Thacher Proffitt, announced today that the Firm has elected five associates and one counsel to the partnership, effective July 1, 2006: Patrick Boyle, in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group; Christian Chandler, in the Compensation and Benefits Practice Group; and Christopher Lewis, Peter Morgan, Robert Olin, and Scott Swerdloff, all members of the Structured Finance Practice Group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Patrick, Christian, Christopher, Peter, Rob and Scott into the partnership,” said Paul D. Tvetenstrand, managing partner of Thacher Proffitt. “All have contributed greatly to the success of the Firm, and I look forward to their continued success.”

About Patrick Boyle
Patrick’s practice focuses on all aspects of civil litigation in New York and New Jersey State and Federal courts, including wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases, tractor trailer accidents, construction and environmental cases, lender liability, real estate, insurance coverage, maritime vessel casualty and complex commercial and financial cases. Last year he represented, pro bono, five New York City police officers who were alleged to have violated plaintiff’s civil rights and obtained a complete defense verdict on 24 counts following a three week federal jury trial.

Patrick received his JD from St. John's University School of Law, magna cum laude, and was editor of the St. John's Law Review. He received his BA from Adelphi University, cum laude. He is admitted to the New York and New Jersey bars, as well as the U.S. District Courts, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.

About Christian Chandler
Christian represents public and private companies including numerous financial institutions on their employee benefits and compensation programs, including drafting and advising on tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and ESOPs; plan investment issues, including fiduciary issues and prohibited transactions; and issues related to stock option plans, restricted stock plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, excess benefit plans, severance arrangements and employment agreements. Christian has also advised clients on securities issues relating to employee benefit plans, such as insider trading issues and disclosure of compensation arrangements in securities filings.

Christian received his JD from Boston College Law School, cum laude, and received his BA from Duke University in English and Cultural Anthropology, cum laude. He is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

About Christopher Lewis
Christopher’s practice includes asset-backed securities, structured finance, derivatives and cross-border securities, including cash and synthetic CDOs, credit-linked notes, credit derivatives referencing ABS and synthetic mortgage-related reinsurance capital markets transactions, and he advises clients on issues relating to securities regulation by the SEC. He also is a member of the team that is responsible for reviewing and developing the firm's positions on legal issues arising from, and legal opinions delivered or received, regarding all structured finance transactions.

Christopher received his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and his BA from College of William and Mary. He is admitted to the NY bar.

About Peter Morgan
Peter’s practice includes the representation of financial institutions, issuers, borrowers and trustees in securitizations and other secured transactions (for both private and public transactions), lease financings, workout negotiations and asset acquisitions/dispositions for a variety of assets, including leases, loans, timeshare mortgages, receivables and equipment. Mr. Morgan's practice also includes representing borrowers, investment funds, distressed debt investors and financial institutions in second-lien financings, mezzanine financings and high-yield debt issuances.

Peter received his JD from Hofstra University School of Law and his BS in Accounting from New York University - Stern School of Business. He is admitted to the New York and New Jersey bars.

About Robert Olin
Rob represents issuers, underwriters and servicers in public and private offerings of residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities with a variety of credit support structures. He also assists sellers, purchasers and servicers in connection with the sale, purchase and servicing of whole loan mortgages.

Rob received his JD from The University of Michigan Law School, where he was a contributing editor of the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform. He received his AB from Brown University. He is admitted to the New York bar.

About Scott Swerdloff
Scott represents issuers and underwriters in public and private offerings of residential and commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as purchasers and sellers in connection with the sale and financing of whole loan mortgages.

Scott received his JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his BA from University of Michigan. He is admitted to the New York bar.

07-06-2006

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Winston & Strawn, LLP

Winston & Strawn Attracts Top West Coast Energy Lawyers - Team of Jerry Bloom, Joseph Karp and Lisa Cottle Join the Firm
Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that the firm has hired the prominent energy law group of Jerry R. Bloom, Joseph M. Karp and Lisa A. Cottle. The new partners, all from White & Case, will establish a West Coast presence for the firm’s thriving energy practice. Bloom will reside in Los Angeles, while Karp, Cottle and associates Karen E. Bowen and Jina Chung will reside in Winston's San Francisco office.

“Our energy practice has always been a significant source of strength for the firm,” said Thomas P. Fitzgerald, Winston & Strawn's managing partner-elect. “We are thrilled with the addition of this group, especially as it comes on the heels of the hiring an extremely accomplished group with complimentary practices in our East Coast offices,” referring to the recent hiring of Alex Zakupowsky and James Atkinson in the firm's Washington, D.C. office and Greg Pavin in the firm's New York office.

Winston & Strawn’s energy practice is consistently ranked among the strongest in the country by Chambers and Partners, a U.K.-based legal research and publishing organization.

“Hiring this group is a significant milestone in the growth of our West Coast offices,” said Laura R. Petroff, managing partner of Winston & Strawn’s Los Angeles office. “We are delighted to welcome these accomplished lawyers to the firm and anticipate the opportunity of providing our energy clients enhanced representation.”

Bloom, who chaired White & Case’s energy sector practice, is widely regarded as one of the most prominent energy lawyers in the country. His comprehensive regulatory, infrastructure and finance law practice emphasizes independent energy development, operation, restructuring and privatization. Bloom’s clients range from developers to lenders and foreign governments, and he regularly appears on their behalf before local, state and federal regulatory bodies. He is frequently retained to resolve disputes between utilities and independent power suppliers and represents clients in the purchase, sale and restructuring of energy projects and assets. Bloom was influential in helping the industry recover from its recent statewide energy crisis, and he co-chaired the creditors’ committee in Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Bloom is a prolific speaker and author and frequent commentator about issues facing the country’s energy industry. Chambers U.S.A. guide “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” has consistently awarded him Tier One status. Bloom earned his juris doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and both his bachelor's and master of arts degrees from George Washington University.

Karp’s practice encompasses regulatory, transactional, project development and operational aspects, including both domestic and international gas and electricity legal issues. He represents both end users and generators, including developers and buyers of renewable power such as wind, solar, biomass, landfill gas and geothermal. Karp has been awarded Tier Two status in Chambers U.S.A.’s “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.” He graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and Phi Beta Kappa from State University of New York at Binghamton.

Cottle focuses on regulatory and transactional issues, representing clients before administrative agencies and in complex energy-related transactions. Her experience includes development, operation and financing of independent power projects, acquisition and sale of power plants and natural gas facilities, and the purchase and sale of electricity, gas and thermal energy. Cottle earned her juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School after graduating cum laude from Colgate University.

Bowen earned her juris doctor magna cum laude from University of Notre Dame Law School, where she was a member of the law review and won a Moot Court Best Speaker award and an AmJur award in European Union Law. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Chung earned her juris doctor from University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was managing editor of the Journal of International Economic Law. She received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.

07-05-2006

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Fowler, White, Boggs & Banker, Attorneys At Law

Sarah Lahlou-Amine joins Fowler White Boggs Banker as an associate.
Sarah Lahlou-Amine has joined the law firm of Fowler White Boggs Banker as an associate.

Ms. Lahlou-Amine will practice in the firm’s Securities, Financial Services and White Collar Practice Group and the firm’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group where she will concentrate her practice in the area of insurance coverage, coverage litigation and first party litigation, including property, auto, arson, theft, fraud and bad faith litigation. Ms. Lahlou-Amine received her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from the University of South Florida and her law degree cum laude from Stetson University College of Law. Prior to joining Fowler White Boggs Banker, Ms. Lahlou-Amine was a law clerk with Harllee & Bald, P.A. in Bradenton, Florida.

Fowler White Boggs Banker is one of Florida’s oldest and largest law firms with more than 230 attorneys in ten offices throughout Florida in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers, Tallahassee, Orlando, Naples, West Palm Beach, Bonita Springs, Jacksonville and Boca Raton. For more information, visit www.fowlerwhite.com.

07-05-2006

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Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Jennifer Hinton Joins Calfee
Calfee welcomes Jennifer Hinton as a senior attorney with the firm's Intellectual Property group. She earned her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, her M.S. from the University of Dayton and her B.S. from the University of Cincinnati.

07-05-2006

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Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.

Bernard H. Booth Joins Jones Walker
The law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P. is pleased to announce that Bernard H. Booth has joined the Lafayette office as an associate. Mr. Booth’s practice includes labor relations, admiralty, military justice investigations and ethics, general commercial litigation, and energy law.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Booth served as an attorney in the judge advocate general corps in the U.S. Navy. His experience also includes acting as legal advisor for the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), advising the Navy on matters of international law, and serving as defense counsel in courts-martial.

Jones Walker is extremely fortunate to have Bernard join the firm,"" said Norman E. Anseman, III, head of the firm’s Lafayette office. ""His unique experience and diverse background add depth to the litigation practice and provide our clients an international dimension to representations.

Mr. Booth received his B.S. in Geology from Millsaps College in 1995 and his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2000, graduating cum laude.

07-05-2006

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Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Secures Defense Victory for Osram
In a major case that will have significant implications for the lighting industry, Kirkland & Ellis LLP scored a significant defense victory for Osram Sylvania, Inc. in a complex patent infringement matter. In a 41-page opinion issued on June 28, 2006, a Northern District of Illinois judge ruled that all 11 patents - relating to electronic ballasts and compact fluorescent lamps - in the suit were unenforceable due to inequitable conduct by the Plaintiff Ole K. Nilssen, a well-known and litigious inventor. Mr. Nilssen alleged that Osram infringed his patents and sought more than $100 million in damages.

The suit, originally filed in the District Court of Delaware in August 2000, accused Osram and Osram Sylvania Products, Inc., of infringing 26 Nilssen patents. Kirkland & Ellis successfully had the case transferred to the Northern District of Illinois in May 2001. Osram then denied all allegations and filed counterclaims asserting non-infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability due to inequitable conduct. Over the next few years, the parties engaged in fact and expert discovery during which Nilssen withdrew 15 of his patents from the case.

Kirkland convinced the Court to hold an early bench trial on the issue of inequitable conduct as to the remaining 11 patents. Kirkland explained to the Court that such a trial could resolve the dispute in its entirety and eliminate the need for a lengthy trial on infringement and validity.

On Feb. 6, 2006, a Kirkland team led by Brian D. Sieve, P.C., and Garret A. Leach began a 10-day bench trial on inequitable conduct. The other members of the Kirkland team were Kal K. Shah, Adam J. Gill, Serena Gondek and Michael I. Cohen.

At trial, the Kirkland team presented five theories of inequitable conduct: (1) Nilssen submitted false and misleading affidavits; (2) Nilssen intentionally misclaimed small entity status; (3) Nilssen improperly claimed priority; (4) Nilssen failed to disclose related litigation; and (5) Nilssen intentionally withheld material references. Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox of Washington, D.C. assisted the Kirkland team in developing these defenses.

In his opinion, District Court Judge John W. Darrah found that Osram had presented clear and convincing evidence that “Nilssen intended to mislead the PTO (Patent Trademark Office),” and characterized Mr. Nilssen’s testimony at the trial as “not credible.” The Court declared all 11 of the patents remaining in suit unenforceable on one or more grounds.

This case is the first of its kind in the lighting industry and perhaps in patent law. It represents the most significant and successful defense against Mr. Nilssen, who has filed more than 20 lawsuits relating to his patents to date. Nilssen was represented by Jenner & Block LLP.

For a copy of the published opinion, please click here.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,100-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, corporate, restructuring, tax and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

07-05-2006

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