Conventional wisdom is that law firms aren’t hiring right now, but Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton doesn’t seem to have received the memo.
The Los Angeles-based firm has brought aboard several attorneys from bigger law firms in recent weeks. On Monday, the firm announced the addition of corporate partner Brian D. Weimer from Latham & Watkins and real estate partner Pamela L. Westhoff from DLA Piper. Earlier this month, it lured corporate partner Todd Bissett from the Beijing office of O’Melveny & Myers. Westhoff will work from Sheppard Mullin’s Los Angeles office in the real estate, land use and environmental practice group.
“Pam’s addition to the firm is a great step toward achieving our strategic goal of continuing to grow our Los Angeles office and the firm as a whole by adding marquee partners and groups,” said Sheppard Mullin Chairman Guy Halgren in a written statement.
Westhoff said she was drawn to Sheppard Mullin, in part because its real estate practice has a dominant presence throughout California. Her transactional real estate practice focuses on acquisitions, dispositions, commercial leasing and technology issues affecting real estate. She also has experience in a variety of lending transactions, including workouts, restructures and joint ventures. Westhoff has represented owners and providers in connection with telecommunications issues affecting commercial and retail properties, as well as university campuses. She joined DLA Piper in 2003, and received her J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 1986.
Weimer, who previously was counsel to Latham & Watkins, is moving to Sheppard Mullin’s Washington office, where he will be a partner in the corporate practice group and a member of the communication team. Weimer has wide-ranging experience in communications issues with a focus on the satellite, broadcasting and wireless industries.
“His expertise in telecommunications matters, which encompasses both regulatory and transactional work, will be of great value to clients,” Halgren said.
Weimer has represented a broad array of clients, including satellite companies seeking licenses from the Federal Communications Commission and private equity groups and investors seeking to buy satellite companies. Additionally, he has represented major television networks before the FCC in enforcement and rule-making proceedings. Weimer has assisted clients in the sale of radio and television stations, including structuring transactions and drafting and negotiating sale documents.
Ed Schiff, managing partner of Sheppard Mullin’s Washington office, said Weimer’s regulatory experience will complement the firm’s existing communications team, which is currently focused on litigation. Weimer joined Latham & Watkins in 2006. Prior to that, he was at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1995.
Bissett has joined Sheppard Mullin’s corporate practice group as a partner in the Shanghai office. He was previously counsel with O’Melveny & Myers.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Sheppard Mullin in recent months, however. In late February, the firm confirmed that it had laid off 25 attorneys since the start of 2009. Those cuts were a combination of economic-fueled layoffs and performance-related reductions, the firm said at the time.
