10/10/06 Law Firm Staff News

10/10/06

Steptoe & Johnson purchases LexisNexis Market Intelligence

West Virginia-based Steptoe & Johnson bought LexisNexis Market Intelligence, an information resource, from LexisNexis US. LexisNexis Market Intelligence will help the firm swiftly respond to its clients' litigation requirements and also assist in its overall business development strategies. The move comes as the firm aims to improve service to clients by utilizing a more cost-effective approach, which will provide the firm with competitive leverage. The market information solution provides law firms with precise data applicable to business and court record-based litigation, as well as comprehensive news that helps law firms take quick actions on targeting and cross-selling issues. More than 50 leading law firms are already using LexisNexis Market Intelligence.

McDermott boosts Chicago IP practice
Bolstering its intellectual property practice in Chicago, McDermott, Will & Emery announced the addition of eight intellectual property attorneys to its intellectual property, media, and technology department. Daniel Christus, Matthew Gryzlo, Brent Hawkins, Jeffrey Gargano, and Peter Siavelis have been named partners; Monique Morneault has been appointed as counsel; and Brett Bachtell and Alissa Misun have been hired as associates. The additions have increased the firm's number of Chicago office intellectual property lawyers to almost 30. McDermott, Will & Emery's intellectual property, media, and technology department employs more than 215 attorneys and patent agents.

Prominent civil rights lawyer joins K&LNG
Well-known civil rights attorney Paul Hancock, who served the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice for more than 20 years, has partnered with leading mortgage banking law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham. Hancock will lead the firm's Miami office, along with Managing Partner Dan Casey, and will be primarily advising lenders, a task at which he excels. For the past three years, he provided counsel on regulatory work for Hogan & Hartson, LLP. The announcement comes as the firm is considering a merger with Preston, Gates & Ellis, LLP. The union would create a firm with 1,400 lawyers based in offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Reed Smith to continue Jordan as Managing Partner
International law firm Reed Smith, LLP, declared that Gregory B. Jordan will continue as Managing Partner for a third consecutive term, from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. Jordan was reelected to the top post by the partners, who voted on the decision. He was the youngest person to take the post when he was appointed Managing Partner of Reed Smith in January 2001. Over the six years he has led the firm, Reed Smith has seen considerable expansion. The firm, which had 500 lawyers and nine offices in January 2001, now has nearly 1,400 lawyers and operates 20 offices.

Levy appointed to the Judicial Conference Advisory
Director of Kilpatrick Stockton's appellate advocacy group Mark Levy has been appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts to serve on the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure for a second three-year term. Levy was first appointed to the committee, which sits twice a year to consider changes to the federal appellate rules, in 2003. Levy has been with the firm's Washington, DC, office since January 2004 and has been involved in arguing a number of Supreme Court cases.

Feldman to lead Goodwin Procter's West Coast bid
Following Goodwin Procter's establishment of new offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, real estate expert Lewis G. Feldman will lead the firm's Los Angeles office; two additional partners will work in Los Angeles, and six will work in San Francisco. The opening of the new offices marks the completion of the firm's West Coast expansion program, which began in April. The move to expand toward the most prestigious business and entertainment district follows the firm's premeditated plan to not only consolidate its West Coast presence, but to also become a national-level player and up its ante in the international market. Goodwin Procter will place more emphasis on its public finance, real estate/real estate capital markets, and litigation practices in its new offices. It also aims to expand its reach in the areas of technology and life sciences, private equity, and intellectual property in the national arena. Boston-based Goodwin Procter's strong team of attorneys in five offices supports the firm's core practice areas of corporate law, litigation, and real estate, including the areas of financial services, private equity, technology, REITs and real estate capital markets, intellectual property, and products liability.

Cooley Godward and Kronish Lieb tie the knot
Intellectual property and biotech expert Cooley Godward and disputes specialist Kronish, Lieb, Weiner & Hellman have merged to operate as one entity with the moniker Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cooley Godward Stephen Neal will head the combined firm, while his counterpart, Alan Levine, Managing Partner of Kronish Lieb, will head the New York office. The move will help the firms expand their national presences. The new firm, Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP, will employ 550 attorneys adept at litigation practice and boast an extensive reach in the areas of corporate, tax, and bankruptcy law. The firm represents a diverse clientele from a broad range of dynamic industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, financial services, retail, and energy.

Kirkland on promotion spree
Kirkland & Ellis witnessed a firm-wide promotion extravaganza, the largest ever seen by a centrally integrated American partnership. The firm promoted 64 associates to partners, a move it expects will boost its national and global operations. Kirkland's office in Chicago saw 27 promotions, its New York office saw 15 promotions, and its Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, offices witnessed eight, six, and five promotions respectively. The firm has also bolstered its partner strength in its European offices, especially in London, with the inclusion of 22 new partners.

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