Jason Dearen

April 14, 2003 | Law.com

Constitutional issues during wartime, high security costs and a budget crisis have created a legal juggling act for David Miller, general counsel for the past 25 years to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District. Miller and his staff in the public agency group at San Francisco's Hanson, Bridgett, Marcus, Vlahos & Rudy oversee collective bargaining, a massive earthquake retrofitting effort, the district's bus and ferry system, liability issues from suicides, and more.

By Jason Dearen

8 minute read

December 26, 2002 | Law.com

For Mary Hoppe, retirement was merely an excuse for a career change. Instead of working on her golf swing, Hoppe spent her newfound time earning her law degree. Now she practices law -- exclusively pro bono -- in the East Bay. After spending about 30 years importing antique furniture from Europe, Hoppe now splits her time working with the homeless and mentally ill at the Homeless Action Center, and with children at the Contra Costa Bar Association's Guardianship Clinic.

By Jason Dearen

5 minute read

April 16, 2003 | Law.com

The Marin County district attorney's office is challenging a motion to recuse DA Paula Kamena from a case involving two Mill Valley residents who were indicted on theft and bad-check charges. "These allegations are pure fantasy and speculation," said Deputy DA Judith Brown. "Zero plus zero plus zero still equals zero."

By Jason Dearen

4 minute read

September 11, 2002 | Law.com

The World Trade Center disaster altered the playing field for many lawyers, but perhaps most markedly for immigration specialists. As laws continue to change in the post-Sept. 11 climate, Bay Area immigration lawyers say they face the complicated task of adjusting to new laws. In addition to much slower visa processing, the INS has also been cracking down on technicalities in deportation cases and impeding those whose work it is to bring overseas talent to the U.S.

By Jason Dearen

4 minute read

November 14, 2002 | Law.com

San Jose's Brocade Communications Systems Inc. has acquired Fremont's Rhapsody Networks in an all-stock deal. The deal is valued at approximately $175 million, based on Brocade's stock price the day the transaction was announced. Lawyers in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati represented Brocade in the transaction. Attorneys in the San Francisco office of Cooley Godward represented Rhapsody.

By Jason Dearen

2 minute read

November 21, 2002 | The Recorder

InterTrust Technologies Corp., a Santa Clara company that licenses intellectual property for digital rights management, has agreed to a definitive merger with Fidelio Acquisition Co., which was formed by Sony Corp. of America and Royal Philips Electronics. The proposed deal is worth $453 million. Attorneys in the Palo Alto offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom represented InterTrust in the acquisition. Lawyers in the East Palo Alto office of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison represented Philips.

By Jason Dearen

3 minute read

January 06, 2003 | Law.com

Townsend and Townsend and Crew has elevated eight attorneys to partner -- the largest incoming class in firm history -- bringing the total to 64 partners in five offices. "Our continued growth is not just concentrated in one geographic area, it is across all offices and practice groups," said firm Chairman James Gilliland Jr. in a press release.

By Jason Dearen

3 minute read

August 29, 2002 | Law.com

Lawyers in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati's Palo Alto office represented Network Associates Inc. in its takeover of McAfee.com Corp., while the San Francisco and Palo Alto offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom represented McAfee.com Corp. Although it wasn't a hostile deal in the traditional sense, it did share some traits with such transactions, said Kenton King, lead partner on the deal for Skadden.

By Jason Dearen

3 minute read

September 06, 2002 | Law.com

James Frolik, a veteran San Francisco attorney and law professor, died at home Aug. 30. He was 81. In addition to a distinguished legal career, Frolik was also a serious tennis player. He twice played in the Wimbledon tennis tournament and was on the Stanford University and Oxford University tennis teams. He continued to be a ranked senior tennis player in Northern California well into his seventies.

By Jason Dearen

3 minute read

March 19, 2003 | Law.com

John Hauser, a senior partner at Bingham McCutchen, died at home Saturday after months of illness related to a stroke. He was 75.

By Jason Dearen

3 minute read