Firm Information - Mid-Atlantic - Page 5

learnedmano · 09-12-2003, 06:06 PM

Any additional scoop? Philadelphia office, I presume. Numbers? Practice groups? Ostensible rationale(s)?

In other news, today's PGH Biz Times advises that Duane Morris has snagged another partner from Pepper for its new Pittsburgh office (Joseph Moran, who was at Reed Smith before Pepper, and who is a technology lawyer). Sheldon Bonovitz said that the goal is to be up to 25 lawyers by the end of the year (!) -- by my count, that means there are at least 20 more lawyers at other firms in Pittsburgh who are being courted as we speak.

Elsewhere, the Biz Times mentions that the Pittsburgh office of Schnader added two new partners (don't know whether those are internal promotions or laterals). Maybe things are improving there?

Alex_de_Large · 09-16-2003, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by learnedmano
Any additional scoop? Philadelphia office, I presume. Numbers? Practice groups? Ostensible rationale(s)?

Yes, the Philadelphia office, some in labor, some in lit. I am still following up, and will post as soon as I hear something.

SM

Alex_de_Large · 09-16-2003, 07:09 PM

So, how many thousands of dollars have been spent complying with the bona fide office requirement that was recently shelved (subscription required) for the next three years?

learnedmano · 09-19-2003, 11:32 AM

From the 9/17 Intelligencer:

Duane Morris Expands Pittsburgh Office

Duane Morris has once again raided Pepper Hamilton's and Buchanan Ingersoll's talent pool to expand its recently established Pittsburgh office. The firm announced the addition of Pepper Hamilton litigation partner Joseph T. Moran and Buchanan Ingersoll bankruptcy partners Joel M. Walker and Philip J. Uher. Two associates, D. Troy Blair and Bradley J. Walent, are also joining the Pittsburgh office.

"Joe, Joel and Phil offer strong experience in areas of complex litigation and bankruptcy that complement our national practices in these areas," Duane Morris chairman Sheldon Bonovitz said in a statement. "Their addition also helps us to provide a greater array of legal services here in Pittsburgh."

Duane Morris announced the official opening of its Pittsburgh office in early August, with the original group consisting of former Pepper Hamilton litigators George M. Medved, James P. Hollihan and David A. Scotti and Buchanan Ingersoll corporate partner A. Bruce Bowden. All four entered Duane Morris as partners.

At the time the office opened, Bonovitz said the firm would quickly expand the Pittsburgh office to as many as 25 attorneys by the end of the year. Sources familiar with the situation said Duane Morris has been exceptionally aggressive in seeking other partner candidates from various firms in Pittsburgh. In addition, Bonovitz said the firm would be adding several associates as well as two government affairs professionals, the latter under the leadership of former Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Singel, a principal in the firm's government affairs affiliate, Public Affairs Management.

Moran focuses his practice on commercial and technology-based litigation, First Amendment/media law and technology/Internet counseling (e-commerce, IT contracts, privacy, identity theft, and Web and workplace technology planning and policy work).

Moran is a 1986 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Uher concentrates his practice in bankruptcy and creditors' rights issues, including workouts and restructurings. He has represented both debtors and creditors, including secured lenders, lessors and creditors' committees in matters related to plans of reorganization, asset purchases, prosecution of claims and avoidance actions. The 1991 University of Pittsburgh School of Law graduate has played a significant role in commercial bankruptcies such as those involving the Pittsburgh Penguins and Forman Enterprises.

Walker's practice focuses on creditors' rights and business law. His bankruptcy and workout practice encompasses a wide variety of issues. Additionally, the 1977 University of Pittsburgh School of Law graduate serves as general outside counsel for several emerging businesses, providing legal advice and business counseling.

baltassoc · 09-22-2003, 11:28 AM

This is just weird:

Alcoa has outsourced its IP department to Eckert. Apparently Eckert has made offers to all of Alcoa's IP attorneys, who will continue to work in Alcoa's offices (along with two other Eckert attorneys).

Alcoa claims it will save them 25% a year in costs related to the department, but I'm not sure I see how.

Alcoa turns IP legal unit over to Eckert
http://www.bizjournals.com/industrie...gh_story4.html

(may require free registration)

learnedmano · 09-22-2003, 01:46 PM

Weird, in one sense -- many firms seem to be scaling back their IP these days, because of profitability concerns (preferring to focus on IP litigation), and Eckert seems to be headed in the other direction. On the other hand, perhaps not so weird -- Alcoa seems to like this "outsourcing" model. It did the same thing a number of years ago with litigation, which is how LeBeouf Lamb's Pittsburgh office started. And perhaps Eckert views this as an opportunity to position itself to do Alcoa's IP litigation.

learnedmano · 09-23-2003, 11:00 AM

From BI's website:

Newlin Leaves Firm for Opportunity at Dick's Sporting Goods Tue Sep 23, 2003

Pittsburgh, PA, September 23, 2003 - William R. Newlin, Chairman and CEO of Buchanan Ingersoll, announced today that he is leaving the law firm to join Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Newlin, who has led Buchanan Ingersoll since the 1980's, said, "I am very excited about working with Dick's management to assist them as they continue their impressive growth. At the same time, I will miss the people at Buchanan who have worked so hard in helping to build it into one of the premier law firms in the nation."

Thomas L. VanKirk, the firm's Chief Operating Officer since 1985, said that Mr. Newlin would be missed. "Bill and I have worked side-by-side for many years and it has been a tremendous experience," he said.

VanKirk said the firm has a strong board of directors and Executive Committee that will continue into the foreseeable future. "We have a powerful management team, and we intend to continue the momentum that Bill and the rest of us have built up as we move forward."

Newlin said he was proud to be leaving the firm in such competent hands and at a time when it is financially sound and staffed with top quality talent. "The firm has the benefit of a good board of directors and Executive Committee, and Tom VanKirk's nearly 20 years of experience as Chief Operating Officer. With that level of talent and leadership, Buchanan Ingersoll will undoubtedly continue to prosper."

About the Firm

Buchanan Ingersoll (www.buchananingersoll.com) is one of the largest 110 law firms in the United States. The firm's domestic offices are in the principal cities of Pittsburgh, New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Princeton, Miami, Tampa, Wilmington and San Diego.

Alex_de_Large · 09-23-2003, 11:52 AM

Wow, the wheels really are coming off that place...

baltassoc · 09-29-2003, 11:17 AM

Interesting article in the Business Journal:

Miles & Stockbridge decides to stay downtown
http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/573719

It's interesting that Miles decided to stay put, but not really that surprising they stayed downtown. I don't think they were really looking to Piper as a model, since Piper's move to Mt. Washington has been followed be a shift in power away from Baltimore.

I thought it was also interesting that the article characterized Piper as having only the second largest number of Baltimore area attorneys, behind Venable. I was also surprised that Whiteford was ahead of Miles.

Does anyone have access to the Business Journal's latest Book of Lists data on Baltimore firms?

learnedmano · 10-01-2003, 09:34 AM

Interesting interview with Thomas VanKirk, Buchanan Ingersoll's new CEO, in this morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- much harder-hitting than the typical softball stuff you see in the legal press (props to Patricia Sabatini, the P-G reporter, for asking tough questions, including one that included the phrase "rats fleeing a sinking ship" -- ouch). Here's the headline and intro, and then a link to the full story:

New Buchanan CEO fights rumors

Former COO VanKirk says law firm not in turmoil but strong and intent on growth

Wednesday, October 01, 2003

By Patricia Sabatini, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The sudden departure of Bill Newlin last week as head of Buchanan Ingersoll fueled talk that the city's third-largest law firm was in turmoil, possibly on the verge of breaking up.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03274/227471.stm

Alex_de_Large · 10-01-2003, 12:25 PM

Interesting. However, I think he doth protest too much.

Baltattny · 10-04-2003, 11:48 AM

How much stock should some one put in the Am Law Associate survey? The Daily Record reported that Miles & Stockbridge was named the number 10 best law firm to work in the country and number 4 of midsized firms. Any thoughts?

"Volume: 4 Number: 79_law October 2, 2003

American Lawyer praises local firms
By ALISA BRALOVE
Daily Record Legal Affairs Writer

Miles & Stockbridge has been named number 10 on The American Lawyer’s annual list of the best places to work, up from its number 64 spot last year. In addition to its high-scoring spot on the list of 159 firms, the 181-attorney firm also came in at number four on the list of the nation’s top 10 midsize firms.
- Alisa Bralove"

merged into main thread by baltassoc

baltassoc · 10-04-2003, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baltattny
How much stock should some one put in the Am Law Associate survey? The Daily Record reported that Miles & Stockbridge was named the number 10 best law firm to work in the country and number 4 of midsized firms. Any thoughts?

While I understand the Am Law survey is subject to some distortion due to sometimes small sample sizes and allegations of ballot stuffing.

Nonetheless, this doesn't really surprise me. The folks I know at Miles seem generally pretty happy there. The pay isn't quite the same as Venable and Piper, but the work level seems much less as well.

I know several attorneys there that share time between two offices -usually downtown and whichever one is nearest their house. This is true even of attorneys whose practice doesn't tie them to the regional office (i.e. they don't have local clients). So I can see where the results come from.

Alex_de_Large · 10-06-2003, 12:30 PM

the Biz Journal (subscription required) reports that applications to Philadelphia-area law schools has remained high. No doubt this is a reaction to the abismal job market. For the sake of those in school (as well as everyone else, really)I hope it improves soon.

10-08-2003, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
the Biz Journal (subscription required) reports that applications to Philadelphia-area law schools has remained high. No doubt this is a reaction to the abismal job market. For the sake of those in school (as well as everyone else, really)I hope it improves soon.

A recession is a good time to BE in school, though not a good time to go to school. I think that people applying now, or starting now assuming the stats are trailing for the class entering this fall, won't graduate until 2007. We could go through a whole boom-bust cycle in that time, with some unlucky graduates who get offers in '05 for summer positions during a putative boom of '06 getting their F/T offers revoked after graduation (knock wood that it doesn't turn out that way, but it easily could).

Not to mention that I think going $100k in debt is a bad way to respond to a down economy...