Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

Former SAG Exec Joins Morgan Lewis: Gregory Hessinger Now with Labor and Employment Law Practice Group
Gregory J. Hessinger, formerly the Executive Director of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and prior to that the Executive Director of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), has joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP as Of Counsel in its Labor and Employment Law Practice Group. In his roles at SAG and AFTRA, Mr. Hessinger helped lead negotiations for many of the major collective bargaining agreements in the movie, television, music, videogame and advertising industries. In addition to his successful negotiating track record, Mr. Hessinger also frequently testified on Capitol Hill on issues of piracy, digital distribution rights and other matters of importance to the entertainment industry. He is also highly respected throughout the industry for his work as a trustee on SAG and AFTRA pension and health funds.

""This is a great development for our clients and for our firm,"" said Morgan Lewis' Mike Curley, who works out of New York and who leads the firm's entertainment industry labor and employment sub-practice initiative. ""Greg's experience, his relationships, and his knowledge of the collective bargaining agreements and the health and retirement funds in the various entertainment industry sectors all add significantly to our already strong nationwide entertainment industry labor and employment law practice.""

Mr. Hessinger added, ""I am honored and excited to be teaming with some of the most talented employment lawyers in the country to help our entertainment industry clients confront the difficult challenges ahead. The dramatic technological changes taking place in the production and distribution of content are already having a profound impact on basic business models. I believe that my background on both sides of the table will give me unique insight that can help the industry adapt to these changes.""

In order to meet the needs of the bicoastal entertainment community, Mr. Hessinger will divide his time between the east and west coasts. He will be based in the firm's Philadelphia office.

Prior to joining AFTRA in 1998, Mr. Hessinger worked for four years at CBS and Westinghouse Broadcasting. Hessinger received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law in 1990 and his B.A. from Lebanon Valley College in 1987.

Morgan Lewis' Labor and Employment Law Practice Group was recently honored by The American Lawyer as the 2006 Labor and Employment Litigation Department of the Year. Also, the firm was recently ranked as one of the top three labor and employment law practices by Corporate Counsel magazine's ""Who Represents America's Biggest Companies."" The firm has more than 250 labor and employment law attorneys in the United States and Europe.

06-26-2006

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Thelen, Reid, Brown, Raysman & Steiner, LLP

Top OSHA Lawyer Joins Thelen Reid’s Labor and Employment Practice in Washington, DC
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP announced today that leading occupational safety and health (OSHA) attorney Stephen C. Yohay has joined the firm's Labor and Employment Department as a partner in the Washington, DC office.

Mr. Yohay is widely recognized as one of the premier OSHA attorneys in the U.S., especially on behalf of the energy, utilities, construction, manufacturing, and chemical industries. In 2005, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business named Mr. Yohay “the top OSHA lawyer in the country for utility matters” and, in 2006, noted that Mr. Yohay is “highly respected both in the industry and with federal agencies.”

“Steve is a welcome addition to Thelen Reid and the Washington office,” said DC managing partner Andrew Ness. “His experience assisting clients in resolving OSHA disputes will be a valuable resource for our many construction and energy clients.”

Mr. Yohay represents major employers nationwide in OSHA inspections and citation contests, as well as industry associations in OSHA rulemaking proceedings. He has significant experience in defending OSHA and related criminal investigations and litigation following major industrial accidents and advises clients on accident contingency plans, including preparing for OSHA inspections. He also advises on 'whistleblower' claims, including under Sarbanes-Oxley.

“Steve’s extensive experience with clients and federal agencies in regard to employee health and safety issues adds depth to our Labor and Employment practice—and will allow us to bring new resources to clients in a very important area,” said Linda Husar, chair of the Labor and Employment practice at Thelen Reid.

“I look forward to joining my new colleagues at Thelen Reid,” said Mr. Yohay. “The firm’s strong client base and leading Labor and Employment practice is an excellent platform for growing my practice.”

Mr. Yohay holds an L.L.M. in Labor Law from George Washington University, a J.D. with honors from the Georgetown University Law Center, and a B.A. from Union College. He is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. Mr. Yohay has also written and spoken widely on issues of safety and health regulation and is a member of the Editorial Board and a regular contributor to Occupational Hazards Magazine.

06-26-2006

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Mayer Brown LLP

Andrew Frey named One of \"Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America\"
The National Law Journal has named Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP partner Andrew Frey to its list of the ""Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.""

The National Law Journal noted Mr. Frey "" has argued more than 60 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court,"" before 11 federal courts of appeals and in 11 state high courts; ""represented the Clinton administration in its dispute with the Whitewater independent counsel over attorney-client privilege; an expert on punitive damages defense; served for 14 years in the Office of the Solicitor General, primarily as deputy in charge of the government's criminal litigation before the Supreme Court.""

The newspaper also cited Mr. Frey as ""a prominent defender of the Bush administration's authority to shield legal memoranda written by Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. while a legal aide to the White House.""

In compiling its list, the National Law Journal said it reviewed nominations from readers and conducted its own research, looking for attorneys ""with the clout to make big things happen. We were looking for lawyers who had a national impact in their fields and beyond, especially over the past five years-lawyers who have the power to shape public affairs, launch industries, shake things up and get things done.

06-26-2006

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King & Spalding

John Hinchey Wins ABA Construction Forum’s Highest Honor
John W. Hinchey, head of the construction practice of King & Spalding, a leading international law firm, has been awarded the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Industry’s highest honor, the 2006 Cornerstone Award. The ABA award is presented annually to a member of its construction-law group for distinguished service to the construction industry.

The American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry is the largest organization of construction lawyers in the United States and abroad. Its 6,000 members are drawn from all areas of practice: large law firms, small firms, solo practitioners, government lawyers and corporate in-house counsel. Members represent all segments of the construction industry: owners, design professionals, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, suppliers, insurers and sureties. The forum’s mission is to serve the construction industry through education and leadership.

Hinchey focuses his practice on national and international construction arbitration and dispute resolution. He represents clients across a broad spectrum of construction, contracting and procurement activities. He divides his time between King & Spalding’s Atlanta and London offices.

06-26-2006

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Jenner & Block LLP

Factor Leads Panel on Best Practices of General Counsel
Jenner & Block Partner Jill Sugar Factor recently led a panel featuring Caroline H. Clift, Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Health Care Service Corporation (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois); Sara L. Hays, General Counsel, Wrightwood Capital; and attorney Robert Walner in a discussion about the best practices concerning in-house counsel at a program sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), Jenner & Block and the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) Alliance for Women.

Ms. Factor, a former Executive Vice President and General Counsel of UNext, outlined the evening’s agenda of “hot-button” issues faced by general counsel including the selection and management of outside counsel who promote diversity, work and life balance programs, and the transition from the legal department to the business side of a corporation.

Ms. Clift recommended that general counsel promote their companies’ commitment to diversity to their outside counsel through a three-step strategy. By communicating a commitment to diversity, demanding that diversity standards are met by outside counsel, and enforcing “accountability” if the outside counsel fail to meet the standards, said Ms. Clift, a company can effectively influence law firms to encourage diversity in the legal profession.

Ms. Hays said that one method for attracting and retaining talented attorneys, especially those who have families, is by offering a “work and life balance program,” which allows more flexible work options such as telecommuting and off-peak work schedules to accommodate personal and family needs. A company which shows appreciation for their employees’ personal well-being through such programs can improve their “effectiveness at work,” she said.

Mr. Walner advised those interested in moving to the business side of their corporation to overcome the perception of being a legal “technician” or “deal-killer” by participating in key business meetings and by offering “creative input.” During this transition, an attorney must maintain high-standards with their legal work in order to retain their credibility, he added.

Pictured above, from left to right: Ms. Factor; Mr. Walner; Keri Sheinfeld, President, CBA Alliance for Women; Ms. Hays; Dawn Hagighi, President, Chicago Chapter of the ACC; Ms. Clift; Michael Booden, member of the Chicago Chapter of the ACC Board of Directors.

06-26-2006

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Holland & Knight, L.L.P.

Martha Barnett of Holland & Knight Named One of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America
Holland & Knight is proud to announce that the National Law Journal has named Martha Barnett, a partner in the firm's Tallahassee office, one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.” This prestigious list represents those attorneys who have made a national impact in their fields both currently and over the past five years.

Barnett is a member of Holland & Knight’s Government Section and specializes in the areas of public policy and administrative and governmental law. Her many legal victories include leading the lobbying effort to provide compensation for survivors of the 1923 Rosewood, Florida, massacre through the Florida Legislature.

She was the first woman to ever hold the position of chair of the American Bar Association House of Delegates, and she served as American Bar Association President in 2000 – 2001. Barnett also was the first woman lawyer hired by Holland & Knight in 1973, and she now serves as chair of the firm’s Directors' Committee.

“This honor reflects a remarkable career during which Martha has served as a true pioneer while establishing herself as an influential leader in Florida and on the national stage,” said Holland & Knight Managing Partner Howell W. Melton, Jr. “She embodies the firm’s spirit of client service and service to the community.

06-26-2006

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Godfrey & Kahn

GODFREY & KAHN PRACTICE AREAS, ATTORNEYS EARN TOP RANKINGS IN STATE
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. is pleased to announce that the firm’s Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Litigation/General Commercial practices and attorneys are ranked among the top statewide, according to a listing of ""America’s Leading Business Lawyers 2006"" compiled by Chambers & Partners.

Leading Corporate/M&A attorneys are Christopher B. Noyes, John A. Dickens, Peter M. Sommerhauser and Nicholas P. Wahl of the firms’ Milwaukee office and Michael E. Skindrud of the firm’s Madison office, LaFollette Godfrey & Kahn:

Noyes is the Team Leader of the Firm’s Corporate Practice Group. According to Chambers, ""Noyes has unparalleled knowledge of securities and corporate finance law.""

Dickens represents closely held businesses, venture funds, and institutional investors. According to Chambers, ""Dickens gets the deal done and never loses track of the greater objective.""

Sommerhauser focuses his practice in the manufacturing, service and retail sectors and advises on acquisitions and sales of private and public companies. According to Chambers, ""Sommerhauser possesses a commanding presence in the local market and is widely acclaimed for his negotiating skills.""

Wahl has an active practice in the venture capital area. He has been noted for his unique mixture of business and real estate law.

Skindrud’s practice focuses on corporate finance, health law and securities. He counsels a wide range of clients from small, emerging technology companies to large integrated healthcare systems.

The leading commercial litigation lawyer is William H. Levit, Jr. of the firm’s Milwaukee office. According to Chambers, ""Levit fights hard for his client and has done so successfully for decades. He is a litigator and arbitrator who gets things done with the minimum of fuss.""

Leading real estate attorneys are Michael J. Dwyer and Stephen L. Chernof of the firm’s Milwaukee office:

Dwyer is head of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. According to Chambers, ""He is one of the most seasoned real estate lawyers in the state. Clients appreciate his commercial shrewdness and reasonable personality.""

Chernof advises on a wide variety of matters for developers and others engaged in the subsidized and tax credit housing market. According to Chambers, ""Chernof is respected for his thorough and practical approach.""

""We’re proud of the reputation Godfrey & Kahn has established for helping our clients build their businesses,"" said Rick Bliss, managing partner of Godfrey & Kahn. ""We commend our attorneys whose experience and capabilities were recognized by Chambers.""

Chambers & Partners publishes the Chambers USA Directory and other widely recognized guides to the legal profession. For the current U.S. directory, over 10,000 in-depth interviews were conducted with clients and attorneys across the U.S. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. For more information, visit www.chambersandpartners.com.

Founded in 1957, Godfrey & Kahn maintains offices in Milwaukee, Madison (La Follette Godfrey & Kahn), Appleton, Green Bay, and Waukesha, WI and Shanghai, PRC. With more than 190 attorneys, Godfrey & Kahn provides legal and business advice to clients ranging from small businesses and governmental entities to large privately and publicly held national and international companies.

06-26-2006

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