Staff Reporter

October 29, 2008 | National Law Journal

In an effort to cut costs in a down economy, New York-based Chadbourne & Parke has instituted a hiring freeze on lateral associates and legal staff. Managing partner Charles O'Neill informed the firm of the freeze in a memo on Tuesday, which said that attorneys may temporarily be shifted from slow practices to help out in busy practice areas since no additional attorneys will be hired in the immediate future.

By Karen Sloan / Staff reporter

2 minute read

May 09, 2007 | National Law Journal

More law firms have joined the ranks in announcing plans to raise their first-year associate salaries in California. Latham & Watkins, Paul Hastings, Susman Godfrey, Gibson Dunn, O'Melveny & Myers and Morrison & Foerster are all raising their starting pay to $160,000.

By Amanda Bronstad/Staff reporter

2 minute read

October 31, 2008 | The American Lawyer

Heller Ehrman chairman Matthew L. Larrabee has joined the San Francisco office of Dechert. Larrabee has represented companies in the financial services, software, pharmaceutical and health care industries. He has handled consumer class actions, antitrust cases, false claim act disputes and other commercial litigation.

By Amanda Bronstad / Staff reporter

2 minute read

November 03, 2008 | National Law Journal

Natural foods supermarket chain Whole Foods Market Inc. has blasted the Federal Trade Commission for proposed changes to rules governing the agency's administrative complaint for all types of cases, such as complaints about anti-competitive mergers, and has called for other companies to join a committee opposing the changes.

By Sheri Qualters / Staff reporter

3 minute read

December 21, 2007 | National Law Journal

A federal judge in Los Angeles rejected a request by Melvyn Weiss to transfer the government's criminal case against him and his firm, Milberg Weiss, to New York. In October, Weiss had urged the judge to move the case to the Southern District of New York, arguing that dozens of potential witnesses live in New York, where the firm is based. Weiss has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges.

By Amanda Bronstad / Staff reporter

3 minute read

February 10, 2009 | National Law Journal

Hogan & Hartson is the latest firm looking to trim its legal staff, but it hasn't enacted layoffs. Instead, the Washington-based firm offered buyouts on Monday to about 240 of its legal secretaries and word processors. Staff and associate layoffs have become commonplace at law firms in the past six months, but Hogan & Hartson is among the first to encourage staffers to leave voluntarily.

By Karen Sloan / Staff reporter

2 minute read

January 17, 2008 | National Law Journal

A Miami federal courthouse will officially be named after a popular deceased judge known for his rulings desegregating Miami schools and championing the rights of homeless people and Cuban and Haitian boat people. The building will be officially renamed the C. Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse at a ceremony Jan. 28.

By Julie Kay / Staff reporter

3 minute read

October 08, 2007 | National Law Journal

Some attorneys who represent corporate policyholders in lawsuits against insurance companies say that firms are edging out their practice groups to cater to more lucrative insurer business. Attorneys who have left large Chicago firms during the past two years say they felt an exit was necessary in order to build their policyholder practices in the face of rising firm preferences for insurance company work.

By Lynne Marek / Staff reporter

4 minute read

September 09, 2008 | National Law Journal

Yet another hurricane has disrupted court operations in Florida, even though the storm turned away over the weekend and is now heading for the Gulf Coast. Friday, when it appeared that Hurricane Ike — a potentially serious Category 3 or 4 hurricane — was headed for the Florida Keys, the federal courthouse in Key West was closed for Monday and Tuesday

By Julie Kay / Staff reporter

1 minute read

February 07, 2008 | National Law Journal

Reed Smith has added four lawyers in Los Angeles: Mark Litvack, Henry Wang, Kate O'Brien and Wendy Albers. With the additions, Reed Smith has added more than 50 new partners in California since January 2005.

By Amanda Bronstad / Staff reporter

2 minute read