Archive for February 2009

University of Chicago Law School Dean To Step Down

By Kashmir Hill

dean university of chicago saul levmore above the law.jpgHello, job seekers. There will soon be an opening at the University of Chicago Law School. Dean Saul Levmore circulated an e-mail to the school yesterday announcing his decision to step down. Here’s an excerpt from the e-mail (which is reprinted in full, after the jump):

I have long said that eight years is about the longest a dean should serve, and I am now in that eighth year. Consequently, President Zimmer will soon ask a faculty committee at the Law School to begin the search process for a new Dean.

Chicago joins a host of law schools currently searching for deans, as we noted recently in our post on Dean Harold Koh possibly leaving Yale. Dean Levmore says he plans to “resume life as a full-time member of the faculty” (of which his wife, Julie Roin, is a part).

Dean Levmore’s departure is completely voluntary, according to one Chicago source with a favorable view of Levmore’s tenure. As for his successor, a few U of C alums we spoke with are hoping for a prominent conservative from the outside with strong Chicago ties (e.g., prior service on the faculty).

Since we can’t predict the future, let’s take a moment to look back on some of Levmore’s past appearances on Above The Law:

  • He dumped wireless in the classroom.
  • He held onto U of C’s (rather confusing) grading system, resisting the pass-fail grade reform trend that swept through other top law schools.
  • Perhaps most importantly, back in 2006, he was a nominee for Law School Dean Hotties (noting that Dean Levmore “rocks the chrome dome,” and referring to him as “a solar-powered love machine”). Unfortunately, he came in second to last in the B Bracket.

    • What else do you consider to be part of the Levmore legacy at the University of Chicago? Feel free to discuss in the comments.

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    Nationwide Pay Freeze Watch: Lexis Parties Like It’s 2008

    By Marin

    Lexis.jpgLexis employees who Shepardize “Lexis salaries” may now find a red stop sign attached to their search results. Last Tuesday, the powers that be at Lexis sent around a company-wide email announcing that 2009 salaries would be frozen at 2008 levels for all employees:

    In order to address what is shaping up to be a more challenging 2009, the senior LexisNexis management team, which includes the leaders of all business and functional units, has had to make some difficult decisions. These decisions include freezing salaries at 2008 levels across all of LexisNexis Group…Except for a promotion or when an increase is required by local law, no one in LexisNexis Group will receive an increase in 2009.

    Salary freezes these day are as common as HPV, but a tipster reports that Lexis’ freeze is actually surprising given an earlier announcement:

    This is after they announced on a company-wide call in December that there would be a 2% pool for raises.

    What’s Locke Lord Bisell got to do with it, after the jump.

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    The Asia Chronicles: State of the US Associate Lateral Hiring Market for Asia and Middle East

    By Kinney Recruiting

    2.17 re.JPGAsia Chronicles logo.jpg[Ed. note: This post is authored by Evan Jowers and Robert Kinney of Kinney Recruiting--sponsor of the Asia Chronicles. Kinney has made more placements of U.S. associates and partners in Asia than any other firm in the past two years. You can reach them by email: asia at kinneyrecruiting dot com.]

    Evan here. Today’s post covers (in a very basic way) a) the current poor state of the short-term lateral hiring market in Asia and the Middle East; and b) the strong possibility remains that qualified US associate candidates, who are focused on settling down in Asia, can still land there at top firms in the next 3 to 18 months (it is more unpredictable in Middle East, but also possible). As always, please feel free to comment and I will reply to all (please note, however, that these posts are not memos and I am simply too busy to spend more than thirty minutes or so writing them, so no need to point out spelling and grammar errors).

    Before we get started, here are two unique and interesting urgent needs we have:

    PE / M&A senior associate in Dubai at major US firm – UK qualified is strongly preferred

    Mid-level to senior corporate associate in Eastern Europe at major US firm – specific type of corporate experience not required, Russian language fluency preferred, willingness to work and live in less than fully modernized city required (ok, it is not Asia, but we work Eastern Europe and Russia markets too, thanks to efforts of my colleague, Yuliya Vinokurova.

    As mentioned in prior posts and / or comments, the global downturn, while affecting US market lateral hiring since late ’07, started to affect lateral hiring in Asia significantly in late ’08. In the first three quarters of ’08, lateral hiring in Asia was down from the record breaking ’07, but not nearly as significantly so as in the US markets. However, starting in October ’08, we started to notice a more severe drop off in lateral hiring in Asia. In the Middle East, we have noticed a drop off in lateral hiring since late summer of ’08 and, unlike in HK / China (but similar to Japan), there has been only a very small amount of US associate hiring since then (HK / China lateral hiring is substantially down, but not as much as Dubai, for example).

    More after the jump…

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    Michael Best Clarification

    By Marin

    Last night, we briefly (and accidentally) posted a story regarding the rumored dissolution of Milwaukee-based law firm, Michael Best. The post was not intended to be published at that time; it was a draft that we were holding pending comment from the firm itself.

    This morning, we heard from the firm’s MP, David Krutz, who described rumors of dissolution as “absolutely false.” Krutz stated that he had sent a firm-wide email to Michael Best personnel denying ATL’s story. On the phone, he noted that the firm was poised for a strong year in 2009.

    Hidey Ho, Winslows

    By Marin

    marincounty3.gifGreetings! Marin here.

    Some of you may know me as Elie’s foil from the Pls Hndle Thx advice column. Others may know me from the ATL Idol competition. Still others may know me from Miss Michelle’s Dance Studio in New Jersey, where I excelled in jazz and tap dancing as a child.

    I’m a lawyer and a freelance writer. And while Elie’s on vacation, I’ll be your guest editor for the week. Elie’s a tough act to follow, but I’m up for the challenge and hope to deliver the same high quality material that you’ve come to expect here. As always, tip your editors at tips@abovethelaw.com.

    We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

    Morning Docket 02.17.09

    By Kashmir Hill

    Thumbnail image for Facebook logo MySpace Friendster Abovethelaw Above the Law blog.jpg* Facebook owns you. Or at least all of your content, even after you close your account due to a recent change in its Terms of Use. But what’s the legality of Facebook’s stealth changes to its consumer contracts? [Litigation & Trial via Wall Street Journal]

    * The Pennsylvania judges who sent lots of little kiddies to juvenile detention for minor offenses in exchange for $2.6 million in kickbacks from privately run detention centers are now facing class action suits from hundreds of children and parents. [Courthouse News Service]

    * These days, there is more in the news about the misdeeds of the prosecutors in the corruption case of Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens than the defendant. The problems are so serious that the government apparently worked on a holiday. The Justice Department filed a notice with the court yesterday announcing the replacement of the original team of attorneys (from the Department’s Public Integrity Section) due to “litigation relating to allegations of misconduct in this matter.” [Anchorage Daily News]

    * President Obama has promised that the government will be more open under his watch, but the Justice Department is not entirely on board with that policy. [Associated Press]

    * As we reported in January, Linklaters is saying “See you later” to 100 of its attorneys in London. Legal Week has more details on the practice groups that will be shrinking. [Legal Week]

    * The Supreme Court case of Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal is like a John Grisham novel come to life, says USA Today. It’s also “Exhibit A in the debate over how high-dollar state judicial elections can raise questions about the fairness of some rulings.” [USA Today]

    Bong Hits 4 Jesus Michael Phelps
    (And no criminal charges, either.)

    By David Lat

    Michael Phelps pot marijuana bong.jpgThis just in, from the AP:

    A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.

    Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said he couldn’t ignore the photo but defended his investigation. “Michael Phelps is truly an American hero … but even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state,” Lott said.

    The photo showed Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe at a party in November when he visited the University of South Carolina.

    Earlier this month, through a spokesperson, Sheriff Lott sang a different tune:

    “The bottom line is, if he broke the law, and he did it in Richland County, he’s going to be charged,” [spokesman Chris] Cowan said. “And there’s no difference between Michael Phelps and several other people that we arrest for the same type of a charge everyday.”

    Perhaps Sheriff Lott was deterred by talk that going after Phelps would have constituted a selective prosecution?

    A reader poll and the opportunity to comment, after the jump.

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    (And no criminal charges, either.)”

    If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands… Or take our poll

    By Kashmir Hill

    happy lawyers.jpgThe American Bar Foundation has been tracking the careers of almost 5,000 law grads for a project called After The JD. The $1.8 million study keeps the lab rats law grads from the class of 2000 under a microscope for 12 years after graduation to track the development of their careers, relationships, and basic ability to run the maze that is life in the law.

    The ABA Journal reports that a survey of the group found that a whopping 76% were “either extremely or moderately satisfied with their decision to become an attorney.”

    That’s a good amount of satisfaction. But does it mean that one in four is miserable about having become an attorney? And the ABA Journal says the interviews for the survey were conducted in 2007. With the recent turmoil in the industry, we wonder if those results hold up. How’s your satisfaction these days?

    View results.

    More intel on the class of 2000 (and the migration away from Biglaw), after the jump.

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    Morning Docket 02.16.09

    By Kashmir Hill

    presidents day rushmore.jpgHappy Presidents’ Day! Or Washington and Lincoln Day. Or George Washington Day for Virginians. Or Washington and Jefferson Day if you’re in Alabama. Whatever you call it, we hope you have it off; we do. In honor of the executive branch, ATL will be on a reduced publication schedule today.

    * Adam Cohen asks, “Is the Supreme Court About to Kill Off the Exclusionary Rule?” [New York Times]

    * A Facebook status update for Quinn Emmanuel might say “Whoops.” A firm PR newsletter bragged about the $65 million that its client ConnectU got out of Facebook… in a confidential settlement. [Los Angeles Times]

    * Good news for those looking for work: U.S. Attorneys’ offices in New York have vacancies. Bad news: they may not have the money to fill the empty spots. [Newsday]

    * Open-government advocates want PACER to be as easy to use as Google, and free. [New York Times]

    * Lawsuit of the Day: iFart Mobile vs. Pull My Finger. [VentureBeat]

    • 13 Feb 2009 at 6:54 PM
    • K&L Gates

    K&L Gates Battens Down the Hatches: Salary Freezes, Delayed Start Dates (But good news: no layoffs. For now.)

    By David Lat

    KL Gates logo.JPGEarlier today, associates at K&L Gates attended a town hall meeting with Peter Kalis, chairman and global managing partner. Kalis provided an overview of where the firm stands and announced steps that will be taken to deal with the recession (in addition to skimping on toilet paper).

    Several sources sent us reports of the proceedings. Here are highlights:

    Possible layoffs: No associate layoffs — yet. At the end of February, management will evaluate how things stand at that point, and there may be a reduction in headcount after that.

    Salary freeze: Salaries will be frozen for all associates. This decision will be reviewed at the July Management Committee meeting (so think “slurpee freeze”). According to Kalis, clients were asking him why K&L Gates hadn’t frozen salaries, in response to the freezes of other firms.

    Delayed start dates: Incoming first-year associates will have their start date deferred to January 4, 2010. They will get health care prior to that. But Kalis did not say anything about a stipend (a point several sources noticed). The First-Year Academy (training for new associates) and the Associates Symposium have been canceled.

    Billing rates: The firm will be raising billing rates (interesting, in light of the salary freeze — pay associates the same, but charge clients more for their services). According to Kalis, rates at K&L Gates are currently lower than those of peer firms, so this is a chance to catch up.

    Firm finances: K&L Gates is one of only two Am Law 100 firms with no debt, per Kalis.

    That’s the hard news. Colorful quotes and fun stuff, after the jump.

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    Vacation Memo

    By Elie Mystal

    The Venetian Vacation large.JPGTO: ATL Readers, Commenters, Tipsters

    CC: The General Public, The Grammar Police, NYPD, LVPD

    FROM: Elie Mystal

    SUBJECT: Whereabouts and Other Sundries

    I will be out of the office from right about now until Monday, February 23rd.

    I have not been fired (so far as I am aware). My performance is not under review. I’m not having a heart attack. Nobody took my stapler. I’m not stuck at “the Sizzler” waiting for the jaws of life to pry me out of the door. I’m just taking a little vacation.

    Above the Law won’t miss a beat. Lat and Kash will both be around as always, breaking news, providing insight, and keeping all of the readers in the loop.

    But, for extra help during these crazy times, we’re bringing in a guest editor.

    You know her, you love her, many of you voted for her six months ago: Marin will be girl-in-the-know next week on Above the Law. I trust that everybody will treat her with the same kindness and respect that I’ve come to so thoroughly enjoy.

    I’ll not be checking email or voice mail, nor will I be scanning the sky for smoke signals. Carrier pigeons and other messenger fowl will be shot on sight.

    Please send all of your tips, questions, concerns, hot documents, and non-sequitur ideas to tips@abovethelaw.com, so that Lat, Kash, and Marin know what you want to read about.

    And if you happen to be in Vegas this weekend, feel free to stop by and say hi. I’ll be the loudest guy at Venetian, the broke guy in the Bellagio poker room, or the mentally unstable, homeless-looking person taking money from people with no understanding of European history at Excalibur.

    What ever happened to that Yale gals / AK47 / AutoAdmit thing?

    By Kashmir Hill

    autoadmit.JPGBack in 2007, two female Yale Law School students filed a lawsuit over allegedly defamatory and threatening comments written about them on AutoAdmit.com. The stuff written went way beyond lobsters and buttcheeks, and the women said the resulting Google hits on their names did serious damage to their job prospects.

    The case was near and dear to ATL readers’ hearts in its challenge to the culture of anonymous online commentary, as the YLS students sought to out their unknown assailants (including the incongruously-named :D and more appropriately-named AK47) through the course of litigation. We covered the various twists and turns of the case, but hadn’t heard anything since last summer.

    The newest issue of Portfolio Magazine has the case on its cover. In Slimed Online, David Margolick identifies the YLS plaintiffs as Brittan Heller and Heide Iravani and explores the legal ramifications for cyber bullying.

    The article is a great read, and we’d advise checking it out. We’re a big fan of the writer: Margolick covered the O.J. Simpson trial as the New York Times national legal correspondent in the 90s, and was one of Kash’s favorite journalism professors last semester.

    For the lazy among you, we have chosen some highlights, including the “where are they now” grafs (hint: hello, Cleary). Find out whether job prospects were really damaged, after the jump.

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    Dealing with the Downturn: Simpson Thacher’s Public Service Program

    By David Lat

    SimpsonThacher.gifHow should law firms respond to the recession? As reflected in the dramatic events of yesterday, which will go down in Biglaw history as the Valentine’s Day Massacre of 2009, lawyer layoffs are a common route.

    But there are other options. We recently wrote about how unemployed (or underemployed) lawyers can do pro bono work — a way of enhancing their skills, while serving the public. Now one leading law firm is taking this idea and running with it.

    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett recently announced a new program of public interest fellowships for their associates. From the memo:

    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is pleased to announce a Public Service Fellowship Program which offers associates the opportunity to spend one year working on a public service project of their choosing, supported by a stipend from the Firm, with the option to return to the firm at the Fellowship’s conclusion. The Fellowship Program is designed to enable associates to provide greatly needed assistance, on a full-time basis, to organizations, communities, or individuals in the United States or abroad; encourage associates’ commitment to public service; and advance associates’ own vision of social justice.

    One associate is pleased and proud:

    I think it’s a creative, win-win solution for the firm, as well as for those of us — meaning, anyone with a paycheck and a pulse — who live in dread of layoffs. The firm saves $100k+ a year and doesn’t have either the spectre of layoffs or gaps in its associate classes when business turns around. It also sends a strong, morale-boosting signal to the associates that the firm is looking to do all it can to avoid laying off attorneys — and is actually willing to spend money to that effect (while, of course, also saving a good deal of money).

    The reference to saving money while spending money refers to the stipend. Fellowship recipients receive a lump-sum stipend of $60,000, paid in advance. Yes, this is an upfront expenditure for the firm; but it’s less than the going rate for a first-, second-, or third-year associate.

    More details, plus the full memo, after the jump.

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    Nationwide Layoff Watch: Stealth Layoffs at Kelley Drye?

    By David Lat & Elie Mystal

    Kelley Drye.JPGThere was one more firm we’ve heard a lot about recently, but the firm would not respond to ATL’s multiple requests for comment.

    In the past week or so, we’ve received a number of credible tips about layoffs at Kelley Drye. Because the firm will not comment, we don’t know the overall numbers. But multiple tipsters independently report that there were layoffs at Kelley Drye:

    A handful of other associates, including first years, got the ax…. Everyone fired was in the transactional group; firm was clear that it was solely for economic reasons.

    Another tipster reports:

    Layoffs at Kelly Drye. All class years affected including four class of 2008 in New York.

    And from a third:

    Kelley Drye New Jersey office a ghost town.

    But we’ve also received conflicting reports that there have been no layoffs at Kelley Drye. Many of the litigators we talked with report no layoffs. Then again, if the layoffs were focused in the transactional group, how would litigators know?

    But the other question is this: why wouldn’t Kelley Drye announce layoffs yesterday when the entire industry was vomiting jobs? Wouldn’t the firm want to get its bad news out yesterday?

    If there were layoffs.

    But if there weren’t layoffs, why wouldn’t Kelley Drye spokespeople knock the rumors down when we asked?

    If you have any more information about Kelley Drye, please send it in to tips.

    Job of the Week: Facebook is Hiring!

    By Elie Mystal

    Job of the Week Lateral Link ATL logo.gifSpending more time writing on your wall than writing a legal brief? Looking for a job where spending time on Facebook is your job? Now your social networking and legal skills can go hand-in-hand. Because of Lateral Link’s outstanding reputation with legal recruiters, Lateral Link members have a significant advantage when seeking a new position. Membership in Lateral Link is free and you can apply at www.laterallink.com.

    Position #1: Patent Counsel

    Location: Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, CA)

    Description: Seeking a mid to senior level Patent Counsel with 3-9 years of patent prosecution experience (in-house experience a plus). Responsibilities include: Manage in-house patent prosecution program; identify strategic areas for patenting and patentable inventions; evaluate potential acquisitions; educate employees on patent law issues; improve internal processes.

    Position #2: Corporate Counsel, Transactions

    Location: Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, CA)

    Description: Seeking a Corporate Counsel to support transactions functions. The position will report to the Associate General Counsel, Commercial Transactions. Need a strong transactional background, with at least 3 years of legal experience at a top-tier law firm and experience working with advertising sales agreements strongly desired (In-house experience at a technology or internet company a plus). Responsibilities include: Contract drafting, negotiation and advisory responsibilities for business development, advertising sales and marketing groups; participate in structuring, negotiating and drafting general business and commercial transactions; administration and resolution of legal issues that arise in existing commercial relationships.

    For more information about these position or to apply, please see Position 10355 and Position 10356 on Lateral Link. Current members can also contact their personal search consultant directly to discuss this position. Membership in Lateral Link is free and you can apply at www.laterallink.com.

    Profits Per Partner Down At O’Melveny

    By Elie Mystal

    omelveny logo.JPGO’Melveney & Myers paid out Skadden level bonuses for everybody — that was not in New York and billed at least 1950. Unlike Orrick, O’Melveny actually paid these bonuses, instead of just talking about them.

    Maybe that is why their profits per partner took such a significant hit?

    Yesterday, AmLaw Daily reported a sharp decline in PPP at OMM:

    O’Melveny & Myers reported a small decline in revenues and a more substantial drop in profits per partner as the firm grappled with the impact of the economic downturn. The Los Angeles-based firm reported this morning that profits per partner were down more than 7 percent to $1.5 million. Gross revenues for 2008 were $908 million, an almost 3 percent drop from the prior year.

    A lot of associates will be happy with this news. The firm has avoided that mass layoffs that happened at Morrison & Foerster and didn’t freeze salaries like Latham.

    And despite the drop, partners still pulled down $1.5 million dollars.

    THE AM LAW 100: Revenues, Profits Drop at O’Melveny & Myers [AmLaw Daily]

    Earlier: Associate Bonus Watch: O’Melveny Makes It Rain, Baby (At least outside New York. For 1950+ hours.)

    What is Going On With Orrick’s Bonuses?

    By Elie Mystal

    orrick logo.gifLet’s pretend for a moment that yesterday didn’t happen and associates were A) employed, and B) expected to be compensated.

    Everybody with me? Okay.

    You might remember that Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe announced its 2008 bonus structure way back in March of 2008. Once the market collapsed, people started wondering if Orrick would keep its word. But at the end of October, Orrick stated that they would keep bonuses at Skadden levels:

    Today, Orrick assured us that the firm would not look to change their bonus plan. A firm spokesperson put the issue succinctly:

    “We are committed to using the previously announced bonus schedule.”

    But something happened on the way to actually making good on that promise. Details after the jump — and an update from the firm.

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    Morning Docket 2.13.09

    By Eliza Gray

    depression.jpg

    * Mississippi Circuit Judge Bobby Delaughter, known for prosecuting a white supremacist, pleaded not guilty. He was accused of ruling in favor of Tobacco attorney Dickie Scruggs (Trent Lott’s brother in law) in exchange for a seat on the federal bench. [The Associated Press]

    * Damn, I miss the 90′s (and not just because I loved Pauly Shore movies). yesterday. [Bloomberg]

    * Will there be more? Yes. $*%&$. [The National Law Journal]

    * Meanwhile — two Pennsylvania judges were caught getting $2.6 million in kick backs for sending innocent teenagers to two private juvenile detention facilities. [Reuters]

    * A special federal court of three judges or “special masters” (is this a video game?) decided that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine does not cause autism. [Los Angeles Times]

    *Madoff’s defense attorney Ira Sorkin may have a conflict of interest because his parents invested with Madoff. [Bloomberg]

    And There’s Gonna Be Hell to Pay, At The End Of The Day…

    By Elie Mystal

    Les Miserables Les Miz.jpg[Ed. note: Non-Sequiturs will return tomorrow at its regularly scheduled time]

    * Jesus Tapdancing Christ.

    * What the hell just happened?

    * I’ll be starting my drinking at Black & White (East 10th St. bet. 3rd & 4th) and I’ll probably end up at Professor Thom’s (14th & 2nd) in case anybody wants some company.

    * Here’s a direct quote from today: “I’m panicked I’m going to lose my job — and I don’t even f*****g have a job.”

    * Here’s a second, from a federal judicial clerk: “I know the federal budget is set, but this almost makes me want to chain myself to my desk so they can’t make me leave. People at firms must be quaking in their Manolos.”

    * And a third quote summing up the carnage: “I love ATL, but I almost threw up when I read today’s posts. IT’S ARMAGEDDON! EVERYONE SAVE YOURSELLLLLLLLLVES!!!!”

    * Whenever people talk about the end of The Godfather, they always talk about it from Michael’s perspective. But I think I have a whole new understanding for the tragic life of Mo Green.

    * Tomorrow really will be the day after tomorrow.

    * Keep hope alive.

    Holland & Knight Confirms 243 Layoffs

    By Elie Mystal

    Holland & Knight logo.JPGAs we mentioned in an update to our earlier post about Holland & Knight, the firm is now confirming layoffs. From the list of restructuring measures that the firm is undertaking:

    • Reducing the total number of lawyers and staff, with approximately 70 lawyers and 173 support staff positions eliminated in the firm’s 21 offices.

    The firm also notes that lawyers are being reassigned from slow practice areas.

    AmLaw Daily notes that the firm saw a 3 percent decrease in profits per partner last year.

    Check out the full statement after the jump.

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