Around the Firms

Despite Unexpected Losses, Broad and Cassel Strives to Develop Litigation Department

One firm that is has seen some recent departures is Broad and Cassel. Less than a week after being named Miami chief litigatior, Dan Small left the firm along with two other attorneys; all three joined Duane Morris' Miami office. The other two lawyers are Joanne Erde and D. Michael Bitz, respectively the health care practice's co-chair and a former orthopedic surgeon who turned to health care law.

It seems that Broad has been experiencing a lot of turnover as well as management difficulties, with former federal prosecutor Small having been Miami's third litigation head in less than a year's time. However, new Miami managing partner Michael A. Dribin stated that while Broad is concerned about its situation, the firm is concentrating on building its litigation department. Houston-based legal recruitment firm the Alexander Group has been hired to find several new lawyers, and also to recruit a litigation chief.

Dribin said that he did not conceal from the three former attorneys his unhappiness regarding their departures. In an interview, Erde, who has been with the firm since 1999, said that although she was happy at Broad, she could not resist the offer given to her by Philadelphia-based Duane Morris, which is trying to increase its health care practice and is exploring Miami and other cities. The addition of the three attorneys has given Duane Morris 31 lawyers in Miami. Broad, which has an Orlando administration and seven Florida offices, now has 15 Miami attorneys. The firm has been around for close to 60 years, and has experienced a decrease in its Miami presence since changing concentration in recent years from South to Central Florida. Dribin stressed that the firm's endeavor to establish its litigation department is a team effort, not one that is based on a select few.

Lots of Deals Means Lots of Work for Silicon Valley Firms

It's busy times for Silicon Valley's deal lawyers. Richard Climan, head of the Palo Alto, CA-based Cooley Godward's mergers and acquisitions practice, has acknowledged that the outpouring of deals is reminiscent of several years ago. However, Climan cited differences between the workload of today and that of 2000. Today, the deals are concentrated on cash and are more difficult. Buyers, on the other hand, proceed with more care. Some mergers and acquisitions attorneys think that these aspects may give the client advantage to those New York firms that are experienced in handling the more difficult dealings. However, the bottom line is that hiring is active in Silicon Valley.

RIAA Attorney Joins Jenner & Block

Matthew Oppenheim, an attorney who had joined the Recording Industry Association of America 6 years ago and was integral in the attempt to fight unauthorized music downloading, is now the association's former senior vice president for business and legal affairs. In Mid-March, Oppenheim became a partner in the Washington, DC office of Chicago-based Jenner & Block. He is now part of the firm's new practice dealing with entertainment and new media, and he will continue his representation of the association and its members. Oppenheim's practice is being expanded, and he now will represent those who own movies, book, and software games.

Steptoe is Stepping Up

Another DC firm, Steptoe & Johnson, has experienced changes as of late. J.A. “Lon” Bouknight is no longer chairman but still serves as a partner. He has served the maximum time allowed under the agreement, three 2-year terms. Bouknight feels that he is leaving his position during a successful time for Steptoe, with expanding practices, high morale, and a new collection of strong attorneys. Succeeding him are Steptoe's litigation group leader, Roger Warin, and the firm's vice chairman, Douglas Green, who took his post March 1 and followed partner F. Michael Kail. Warin is enthused that the firm will grow both in the United States and overseas. Recently, Steptoe acquired an office from Minneapolis' Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly. Located in Brussels, Belgium and home to seven attorneys – three partners, one counsel, and three associates – this office will handle regulatory assignments. Its areas of concern will be international trade, environment, and antitrust. Prior to the acquisition, partner Kees Kuilwijk was Steptoe's only Brussels attorney.

Hogan Continues Overseas Growth

Hogan & Hartson's new office in Munich marks the firm's second in Germany. In all, Hogan has nine European locations. Chairman J. Warren Gorrell says that client demand, both in the media and entertainment industries, led to the Munich office's establishment. Two partners staff the locale, along with three Berlin associates and Steven Ballew, a partner from the Washington, DC, office. The attorneys in Munich concentrate on media, telecom, and entertainment clients that have interests in Germany, handling such areas as antitrust, intellectual property, and security. It also has been announced that Hogan will welcome Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO) to the fold after finishing his current term in the House of Representatives.

Despite Unexpected Losses, Broad and Cassel Strives to Develop Litigation Department

One firm that is has seen some recent departures is Broad and Cassel. Less than a week after being named Miami chief litigatior, Dan Small left the firm along with two other attorneys; all three joined Duane Morris' Miami office. The other two lawyers are Joanne Erde and D. Michael Bitz, respectively the health care practice's co-chair and a former orthopedic surgeon who turned to health care law.

It seems that Broad has been experiencing a lot of turnover as well as management difficulties, with former federal prosecutor Small having been Miami's third litigation head in less than a year's time. However, new Miami managing partner Michael A. Dribin stated that while Broad is concerned about its situation, the firm is concentrating on building its litigation department. Houston-based legal recruitment firm the Alexander Group has been hired to find several new lawyers, and also to recruit a litigation chief.

Dribin said that he did not conceal from the three former attorneys his unhappiness regarding their departures. In an interview, Erde, who has been with the firm since 1999, said that although she was happy at Broad, she could not resist the offer given to her by Philadelphia-based Duane Morris, which is trying to increase its health care practice and is exploring Miami and other cities. The addition of the three attorneys has given Duane Morris 31 lawyers in Miami. Broad, which has an Orlando administration and seven Florida offices, now has 15 Miami attorneys. The firm has been around for close to 60 years, and has experienced a decrease in its Miami presence since changing concentration in recent years from South to Central Florida. Dribin stressed that the firm's endeavor to establish its litigation department is a team effort, not one that is based on a select few.

Lots of Deals Means Lots of Work for Silicon Valley Firms

It's busy times for Silicon Valley's deal lawyers. Richard Climan, head of the Palo Alto, CA-based Cooley Godward's mergers and acquisitions practice, has acknowledged that the outpouring of deals is reminiscent of several years ago. However, Climan cited differences between the workload of today and that of 2000. Today, the deals are concentrated on cash and are more difficult. Buyers, on the other hand, proceed with more care. Some mergers and acquisitions attorneys think that these aspects may give the client advantage to those New York firms that are experienced in handling the more difficult dealings. However, the bottom line is that hiring is active in Silicon Valley.

RIAA Attorney Joins Jenner & Block

Matthew Oppenheim, an attorney who had joined the Recording Industry Association of America 6 years ago and was integral in the attempt to fight unauthorized music downloading, is now the association's former senior vice president for business and legal affairs. In Mid-March, Oppenheim became a partner in the Washington, DC office of Chicago-based Jenner & Block. He is now part of the firm's new practice dealing with entertainment and new media, and he will continue his representation of the association and its members. Oppenheim's practice is being expanded, and he now will represent those who own movies, book, and software games.

Steptoe is Stepping Up

Another DC firm, Steptoe & Johnson, has experienced changes as of late. J.A. “Lon” Bouknight is no longer chairman but still serves as a partner. He has served the maximum time allowed under the agreement, three 2-year terms. Bouknight feels that he is leaving his position during a successful time for Steptoe, with expanding practices, high morale, and a new collection of strong attorneys. Succeeding him are Steptoe's litigation group leader, Roger Warin, and the firm's vice chairman, Douglas Green, who took his post March 1 and followed partner F. Michael Kail. Warin is enthused that the firm will grow both in the United States and overseas. Recently, Steptoe acquired an office from Minneapolis' Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly. Located in Brussels, Belgium and home to seven attorneys – three partners, one counsel, and three associates – this office will handle regulatory assignments. Its areas of concern will be international trade, environment, and antitrust. Prior to the acquisition, partner Kees Kuilwijk was Steptoe's only Brussels attorney.

Hogan Continues Overseas Growth

Hogan & Hartson's new office in Munich marks the firm's second in Germany. In all, Hogan has nine European locations. Chairman J. Warren Gorrell says that client demand, both in the media and entertainment industries, led to the Munich office's establishment. Two partners staff the locale, along with three Berlin associates and Steven Ballew, a partner from the Washington, DC, office. The attorneys in Munich concentrate on media, telecom, and entertainment clients that have interests in Germany, handling such areas as antitrust, intellectual property, and security. It also has been announced that Hogan will welcome Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO) to the fold after finishing his current term in the House of Representatives.