It appears the malpractice suit brought against Wiley Rein by Blackwater Security Consulting is finally, truly finished. The $30 million case against Wiley was dismissed on summary judgment by D.C. Superior Court Judge Jennifer Anderson in December. That was the second time the case, filed in January 2008, had been thrown out. Ultimately, it seems Blackwater has given up. The 30-day period to file an appeal expired last Thursday, and Blackwater’s lawyer, Barry Nace of Paulson & Nace, did not appeal.
Posts on ‘February 4th, 2009’
Home Depot Fraud Case Grows With Two More Managers Targeted
Federal prosecutors have expanded their investigation of kickbacks that enriched Home Depot managers at the company’s expense to include two more former managers. Evidence developed in the course of the investigation prompted federal prosecutors last week to seek the seizure of two Georgia homes, one of them worth $2.5 million. The investigation has already resulted in guilty pleas by former Home Depot managers Anthony M. Tesvich, James P. Robinson and Ronald K. Johnston.
Akin Revenues Up as More Partners Depart
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld saw revenue increase 3.8 percent last year despite heavy partner losses in 2008. The firm reported earning $780.5 million in 2008. Profits per partner climbed 16.7 percent to $1.41 million. The firm shed 59 partners in 2008, more than any other firm that didn’t dissolve. But Chairman R. Bruce McClean said many of those partners were not the contributors some thought they were. “Just because someone says … they’re a rainmaker, doesn’t mean they’re making rain. Sometimes it’s more like fog.”
Florida Judge Who Sued Over Jail Overcrowding Faces Reprimand
A Florida judge who filed a lawsuit to change how county officials handled jail overcrowding has been disciplined by the state’s high court. The Supreme Court of Florida ordered a public reprimand for St. Lucie County Court Judge Clifford Barnes, finding he violated the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct. The court determined Barnes ran afoul of the rules regarding impartiality and committed acts that caused disrepute to the judiciary. “I was too hopeful for a better outcome,” Barnes said.
Will New SG Lead to Sharp Turn at the Supreme Court?
It is an unquestioned tradition that because of the solicitor general’s special relationship with the Supreme Court, the arrival of a new administration of a different party does not mean a sudden shift in positions before the Court. But Elena Kagan, President Barack Obama’s pick as the next SG, may find herself more torn than recent predecessors between past and future government positions on key legal issues — most visibly on policies toward detainees and wartime powers.
McDermott, Will & Emery Lays Off 60 Attorneys, 89 Staffers
The law firm McDermott, Will & Emery has laid off 60 lawyers and 89 staff employees, citing a slowdown in clients’ business and a resulting impact on the firm. “We are not immune to the continued deterioration in market conditions,” firm Chairman Harvey Freishtat said in a memo to employees. “The business of our clients has slowed and this has affected our own levels of activity, particularly in the transactional area.”
Dewey to Shutter San Francisco Office, Keep Silicon Valley Presence
Dewey & LeBoeuf said Tuesday it is transferring all of its San Francisco attorneys and their staff to its East Palo Alto, Calif., office to “centralize” its Bay Area presence of about 30 lawyers. No jobs will be eliminated, a spokesman said. If the firm is going to eliminate a Bay Area office, it makes sense to shutter San Francisco, said one recruiter. “If you are going to say you are an international law firm that gets technology, it’s awfully hard to explain why you don’t have a presence in Silicon Valley.”