Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel, LLP

Naftalis and Mayer Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers; Neveloff Named to Lawdragon 500 Dealmakers in America, Finalist for Leading Lawyers
Litigation Partner Gary Naftalis and Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Partner Tom Mayer were named to Lawdragon 500’s 3rd annual Leading Lawyers in America Guide. Real Estate Partner Jay Neveloff was named to Lawdragon’s Leading Dealmakers in America list, receiving a five dragon rating - the highest rating available, and a finalist in the Leading Lawyers guide.

Lawdragon is a legal media company that uses reviews submitted by clients, peers and jurors, as well as their own research to rank lawyers and judges.

09-17-2007

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Jenner & Block LLP

Firm Secures Appellate Victory in Bankruptcy Case for First American Bank
In a victory for Jenner & Block client First American Bank, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida summarily affirmed a bankruptcy court’s prior disallowance of an opponent creditor’s claim. The district court decision cites the bankruptcy court’s “well reasoned” order and states that the "factual findings contained in the [bankruptcy court's] order were supported by the evidence.”

When Titan Cruise Lines filed for Chapter 11 relief in August 2005, First American Bank asserted a timely secured claim against the debtor’s estate. Subsequently, the opponent filed an untimely unsecured claim for an alleged personal injury that was the subject of a state court lawsuit.

In early 2006, the bankruptcy court permitted the opponent’s unsecured claim and also approved a sale of “substantially all” the debtor’s property. As negotiated by the parties, the sale order provided that a portion of the sale proceeds would be carved out from the Bank’s lien for the estate’s unsecured creditors, while the remainder of the proceeds would be placed in an account for secured creditors.

At issue in this dispute was a second claim filed by the opponent after the property transaction closed, which recharacterized his original unsecured claim as a secured lien “that took priority over the Bank’s ship mortgage and over the Bank’s interest in the account for secured creditors.” According to the Firm’s brief, the claim was “not grounded in fact,” but was a “bait-and-switch” borne out of “cynical opportunism” that would prejudice both the Bank and the other parties involved in the debtor’s reorganization.

Evaluating the opponent’s secured claim under factors set forth in United States v. International Horizons, Inc. (11th Cir. 1985), the bankruptcy court agreed that the Bank relied to its detriment on the unsecured status of the opponent’s claim and that the reliance was justified under the circumstances. The bankruptcy court disallowed the claim and the federal court affirmed the ruling in favor of First American Bank.

Partners Ronald R. Peterson and Terence G. Banich led the Jenner & Block team representing First American Bank in this matter. According to Mr. Peterson, “this decision properly gives effect to the parties’ complex set of compromises that took place prior to the sale of the debtor’s vessels.

09-17-2007

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Jenner & Block LLP

HRC Gives Jenner & Block a Perfect Rating for Third Year in a Row
Jenner & Block earned a perfect rating for the third year in a row in the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2007 “Corporate Equality Index” survey. The survey is a tool used to rate American businesses on how they are treating LGBT employees. In 2005, the Firm was the first Chicago-headquartered law firm and only the fourth nationwide to receive the HRC’s 100% rating.

“We are pleased to once again be recognized for our commitment to diversity in the workplace,” said Managing Partner Gregory S. Gallopoulos.

The 2007 equality index ratings were based on six bellwether categories that assess such things as health insurance offerings to same-sex couples, diversity training that includes sexual orientation and/or gender identity, firm-supported LGBT employee resource group or firm-wide diversity council that includes LGBT issues, and marketing and support to the LGBT community.

“More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a statement.

The HRC Workplace Project advises employees and employers on the value of workplace diversity. It collects, analyzes and disseminates information to assist employees and employers in implementing policies and procedures aimed at treating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workers equally. The HRC is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBT equality.

09-17-2007

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Jenner & Block LLP

Jenner & Block Attorneys Participate in Lavender Law Conference
The 2007 Lavender Law conference of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA) was held recently in Chicago and featured two dozen workshops on cutting-edge legal issues affecting LGBT individuals and the community.

Jenner & Block Partner Paul M. Smith moderated a panel discussion entitled, “The Right and its Efforts to Unravel the Weave of Nondiscrimination Policies,” about conflicts between the First Amendment rights of Christian student groups and the policies of schools and universities barring discrimination against LGBT students. Panelists at the session included Mark Agrast, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress in DC; Professor Chai Feldblum of Georgetown Law; Professor Adam Koppelman of Northwestern University; and Professor Jennifer L. Levi of Western New England College School of Law.

Mr. Smith began the session explaining that certain Christian-affiliated student groups in the U.S. are barring the admission of LGBT individuals into their organizations. According to Mr. Smith, the decision university officials are facing is whether to continue supporting these groups because of their First Amendment right to the freedom of religion, or whether they should consider withdrawing funding from such groups unless they amend their regulations for allowing LGBT (or any other individual) from becoming a member.

The panelists reviewed several cases involving the Christian Legal Society (CLS) and private, religious-affiliated schools. According to the panelists, the CLS has filed a series of lawsuits against public universities claiming exemptions from non-discrimination rules that include sexual orientation provisions.

Jenner & Block also participated in the Lavender Law career fair held the first day of the conference. Partner Jorge M. Leon and Associate Scott B. Wilkens represented the Firm at the career fair which over 450 LGBT students attended.

“The Lavender Law career fair is a great way to support diversity in the legal profession and continue the Firm’s efforts to recruit diverse talent,” Mr. Leon said.

Jenner & Block was a sponsor of this year’s Lavender Law conference. The Firm has been a supporter of the NLGLA and the Lavender Law conference for many years, and through this partnership has enabled law schools to send students to attend the conference. In addition, the Firm’s Washington, DC office provides office space to the NLGLA at no cost to the organization.

09-17-2007

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Jenner & Block LLP

Jenner & Block Attorneys Recognized in Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Dealmakers
Four Jenner & Block Partners were included in Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Dealmakers,” a list “encompassing lawyers at the top of the corporate worlds, from M&As and IPOs to project financings and real estate deals,” according to the magazine.

Partner Joseph P. Gromacki, Chair of the Firm’s Corporate Practice and member of the Firm’s Policy Committee, was recognized in the magazine for his representation of J.P Morgan Securities in its role as financial advisor to WPS Resources in connection to WPS Resources’ merger with Peoples Energy. The magazine also noted his representation of the Chicago Board of Trade in its restructuring and demutualization into a stock, for-profit company in a transaction involving a public offering of securities to CBOT members.

Partner Thaddeus J. Malik, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, was cited as being a “seasoned” attorney in handling mergers, joint ventures and strategic investments across Europe, Australia, and China such as his work for CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, in its acquisition of tax software company, ATX/Kleinrock and its agreement to acquire TaxWise Corporation.

Partner Ronald R. Peterson, a member of the Firm’s Bankruptcy, Workout and Corporate Reorganization Practice, was recognized for his “crucial” work representing the creditors’ committees of Anicom Inc., Handy Andy Home Centers and Keystone Consolidated Industries.

Partner Donald I. Resnick, Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Practice and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Securities Practice, was also recognized by the magazine for his significant experience in national and local real estate transactions, financing, development and construction, and corporate real estate services. Lawdragon also noted his “rock-solid advice” on Tax Increment Financing or tax-exempt bond financing matters.

According to Lawdragon, the list was created through a proprietary review process that incorporates CV analysis, client and peer evaluations and interviews. The dealmakers represent 152 law firms and were nominated by their peers, clients or law firms, while others were found in interviews with practice leaders.

Lawdragon is an online and print legal-services information company headed by a group of renowned legal journalists and lawyers. In addition to its quarterly magazine, first published in October 2005, the company offers a searchable database of the nation’s lawyers and other interactive online services.

09-17-2007

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Holland & Knight, L.L.P.

Holland & Knight LLP Receives Highest Rating in Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for 2008
Holland & Knight LLP is pleased to announce that the firm received a rating of 100 - the highest possible rating – in the Human Rights Campaign's sixth annual Corporate Equality Index.

The Corporate Equality Index, which this year rates 519 businesses, measures the extent to which employers protect their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees. The Index rates employers on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of GLBT employees, consumers and investors. Ratings are based on factors like non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees.

"Holland & Knight is proud to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index with its highest possible rating," said Managing Partner Howell W. Melton, Jr. "Diversity is a core value at Holland & Knight. It is our goal to be a diversity leader and a firm reflective of the clients and the communities we serve."

“More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “More importantly, these employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately hurt their ability to compete in the global marketplace.”

Holland & Knight, along with other employers that received a 100 rating, will be honored at an awards reception in New York City to be held on October 17.

09-17-2007

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Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Ranked Tops in Nation for Mining Law
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has received the highest ranking in the nation in Mining Law from Best Lawyers®, a respected peer-review publication. Seven Dinsmore & Shohl LLP attorneys received individual Best Lawyers' recognition in Mining Law - the most of any law firm in the United States.

“It is an honor to be recognized by our peers in Best Lawyers,” said Chauncey S.R. Curtz, partner and chair of the firm’s Natural Resources Practice Group. “As a group, our Natural Resources attorneys have literally hundreds of years of experience in every aspect of the mining industry - one of the most heavily regulated and scrutinized industries in our economy today. We are proud of our nationwide reputation in the area of mineral law.”

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Natural Resources Practice Group helps mining clients in every aspect of their business. They routinely negotiate, draft, and, when necessary - litigate, every type of contractual agreement common to the industry, from coal supply contracts, to financing arrangements, to the purchase and sale of mining operations and real property interests. They also provide unmatched experience in negotiating the maze of safety, permitting and environmental regulations faced by mining operations, as well as the unique labor and employment issues encountered by both union and non-union mines.

“We offer our clients an unparalleled scope of experience and services in dealing with the problems and issues faced by the coal mining and related industries. As a regional firm, we are able to provide the resources of a number of experienced lawyers in a wide range of practice areas to address any legal matter our mining clients might face . This makes Dinsmore & Shohl a truly full-service firm,” Curtz added.

In the past 10 years, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has expanded its practice in the Natural Resources area, focusing on the coal industry. It was the first firm representing the industry with offices in the four principal Eastern coal-mining states - West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The individual Dinsmore & Shohl LLP attorneys selected as Best Lawyers in Mining Law are Chauncey S.R. Curtz, Anna M. Dailey, W. Henry Jernigan Jr., Christopher B. Power, Thomas C. Reed, John R. Rhorer and Forrest H. Roles. In total, 75 individual Dinsmore & Shohl LLP attorneys were selected as Best Lawyers for 2008.

Best Lawyers is the oldest and one of the most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. The publication’s staff compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.

09-17-2007

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