We weren't sure we'd do a follow-up to yesterday's post on the firm-wide meeting at Jenner & Block. But since there was a fair amount of speculation in the comments, as well as requests for updates, we thought we'd close the loop.

Based on what we've heard from our own sources at the firm, we can confirm the accuracy of this comment:

The conference room was packed- five deep along the walls. Everyone was there right on time. Levy introduces herself. Tells us not to worry about the issues on wall st- they will not adversely affect Jenner's bottom line. Jenner is having a great year and bonus are expected to be as good or better than last year. Litigation is doing great. Keep up the good work. blah, blah. No merger, or layoffs, no LA office, no moving to Chile. All is good.

Another source described the meeting as follows:

It was basically a hand-holding pep talk -- a "don't worry that there will be an all-associates meeting to announce layoffs" meeting.

When your firm schedules a firm-wide or all-associates meeting, do feel free to drop us a line. Thanks.

Remember the mystery meeting held last month at Covington & Burling? It seems that Jenner & Block is following in Covington's footsteps, announcing an "all associates" meeting for 5 p.m. today that has set tongues wagging.

In times of high anxiety, firm-wide meetings make people nervous. It's a little early for bonus discussion, so what might be in the cards? A merger? Layoffs?

We reached out to the firm for comment. Jonathan Groner, a Jenner spokesperson, described the upcoming event as simply a regular meeting with associates, held in the ordinary course. He declined to discuss the agenda for the meeting, citing its internal nature.

Should Jenner associates be worried? Probably not. What we're hearing is that the meeting will bring good news. Word on the street is that it's being held to tell everyone -- in the wake of Heller Ehrman's collapse, and general economic turmoil -- that Jenner is doing just fine. Managing partner Susan Levy will offer words of reassurance to all assembled. [FN1]

So the meeting is expected to be a non-event. But if it turns out to be more momentous, we will let you know.

[FN1] With respect to Susan Levy, one tipster tells us: "Yay to Jenner for selecting a female managing partner. She may not be able to see Russia from her office in Chicago, but she was ready to lead from Day 1."

(By the way, speaking of Jenner and gender, the firm was recently honored by Working Mother as one of the best law firms for women.)

We're entering the second half of the Vault 100. This is part of a series of open threads to discuss the firms considered to be the profession's most prestigious. Because we know you love prestige. And the opportunity for "TTT" accusations. [FN1]

Here's the next bunch of firms, with prestige scores in parentheses:

51. Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (5.851)
52. Dechert LLP (5.838)
53. Vinson & Elkins LLP (5.822)
54. Goodwin Procter LLP (5.815)
55. Jenner & Block LLP (5.778)
56. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (5.728)
57. Alston & Bird LLP (5.715)
58. Fish & Richardson P.C. (5.706)
59. Cooley Godward LLP (5.692)
60. Irell & Manella LLP (5.635)

Vault notes that attorneys at Pillsbury are treated to "freshly baked cookies." But they also have to put up with being referred to as "Pillsburians" by Vault.

Compare, contrast, discuss... and if you're at Pillsbury, have a chocolate chip cookie for us.

Earlier: Vault 100 Open Threads - 2009

[FN1] We periodically get e-mails asking for the definition of "TTT," which appears so often in comment threads. As the uninitiated have surely gathered, it's a derogatory term. Likely originating on AutoAdmit, it stands for "third tier toilet." For more, see Urban Dictionary.

Last year, Viacom filed a $1 billion suit against Google-owned YouTube, asserting widespread copyright infringement. We predicted a smackdown, and that day has come.

Viacom filed an amended complaint [PDF] last month, saying it had found over 150,000 unauthorized clips of copyrighted material on YouTube. In its answer [PDF], Google says YouTube responds properly when made aware of copyrighted content, and said Viacom's suit threatens our way of life... pretty much. From the Associated Press:

A $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit challenging YouTube's ability to keep copyrighted material off its popular video-sharing site threatens how hundreds of millions of people exchange all kinds of information on the Internet, YouTube owner Google Inc. said.

Google's lawyers made the claim in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan as the company responded to Viacom Inc.'s latest lawsuit alleging that the Internet has led to "an explosion of copyright infringement" by YouTube and others.

The back-and-forth between the companies has intensified since Viacom brought its lawsuit last year, saying it was owed damages for the unauthorized viewing of its programming from MTV, Comedy Central and other networks, including such hits as "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

It's sad that MTV no longer has the spirit of rock-and-roll rebellion and has officially become The Man.

In Google's corner are Wilson Sonsini, Mayer Brown, and Bartlit Beck. In Viacom's corner are Jenner & Block and Shearman & Sterling.

Google vows not to settle, saying it will take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary. Let the law firms rejoice!

Google: Viacom's YouTube suit threatens freedom [Associated Press]
Google's Answer To Complaint [PDF] [IP Democracy via Paid Content]
Google vows to keep fighting Viacom [Business Week]
Google Case Spells Windfall For Lawyers [Forbes]

Earlier: Coming Attractions: Viacom - YouTube - Google Smackdown

Here's your daily dose of schadenfreude. Associates aren't the only ones suffering in the economic downturn; partners are getting axed too. From the Chicago Tribune:

Jenner & Block, a top Chicago law firm best known for its trial attorneys, has downsized its partnership for the second time in two years.

At least 10 partners have been told in recent weeks they will have to give up their equity in the firm, with some being asked to leave, according to people familiar with the discussions....

"We periodically review how each of our partners and associates are doing and act on those reviews," [firm chairman Anton] Valukas said. "It's nothing different this year than we've done in other years."

Guys at his high school got de-equitized all the time. It was no big deal.

Jenner & Block law firm cuts several partners [Chicago Tribune]

Sadly, the music-loving law firm of Nixon Peabody is not on this afternoon's list of five Vault 100 firms to talk about. And don't hold your breath -- we won't reach NP until we hit the 70's.

Here are the firms that are on the table:

51. Jenner & Block LLP (5.940)
52. LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP (5.925)
53. Allen & Overy LLP (5.922)
54. DLA Piper (5.913)
55. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP (5.913)

We note the presence of Cahill Gordon on this list. Even though Cahill routinely lands near the top of the profits per partner rankings of the American Lawyer -- in 2006, they were #6, with PPP of $2.575 million -- the firm's prestige seems to lag behind its profits. Any thoughts on why?

Please chatter away about these five firms in the comments. Thanks.

The Vault Top 100 Law Firms [Vault]

Earlier: Vault 1-5; Vault 6-10; Vault 11-15; Vault 16-20; Vault 21-25; Vault 26-30; Vault 31-35; Vault 36-40; Vault 41-45; Vault 46-50

This from a source:

Jenner has gone to $160,000 for first years in its Chicago, DC, and Dallas offices. The NY office will remain at $160,000. More senior classes will be determined and communicated individually. The raise was communicated this morning by individual memoranda and is effective August 1, 2007.

Earlier: Prior ATL Jenner & Block Coverage

Yesterday we declared ourselves "all Jenner-ed out." But based on the comments and emails we've received, it seems people are still interested in hearing about Jenner & Block.

We have a little more to offer you. A second source confirms what we previously reported:

Your post about yesterday's meeting was accurate. [Managing partner Gregory Gallopoulos] went through 3 areas: (1) associate compensation (expect a raise announcement later this week), (2) financial health of the firm (doing great, regardless of the temporary slowdown in litigation), and (3) the partner de-equitizations (no further waves of de-equitizations are expected).

And we're pleased to report that rumors of an Above the Law shout-out are apparently true:

Greg mentioned that since so many people have sent him links to ATL, he's become somewhat of an ATL aficionado.

For those of you who are still interested -- maybe there are a handful of you -- there's a little more after the jump.

Yes, there was a big associates' meeting at Jenner & Block earlier today. Here's what happened, according to a source:

1. We're going up this week. No word on whether there will be compression or whether it will be retro to a certain date. The delay was apparently due to the fact that (a) clients get pissed (they don't want rate bumps and can't compete for their own in-house recruits -- if solely the former then I'm concerned about our client base), (b) we have a "diffuse" management system (sold as a positive in that not just two people run the firm), and (c) they are running the numbers mid-year. It will NOT be accompanied by any billable increase and no other form of comp will raise.

2. We're apparently stronger than ever -- living on cash (as opposed to loans -- apparently most firms run negative in the beginning of the year), litigation is indeed slow, but this is apparently a nation-wide phenomenon and our transactional practices are booming.

3. Partner de-equitizations were "pruning" of old remnants. Still no mention of the fact that this was motivated by the desire to drive up PPP.

He also mentioned that there will be some big lateral additions to the NYC office soon.

All in all, a positive meeting, but it's still strange that they have taken so much longer than other firms.

Okay, we're all Jenner-ed out now. Do you work at a Biglaw shop and have some interesting dirt about your workplace to share? If so, please email us.

Earlier: Jenner & Block: From the Associate's Perspective

According to rumor, the law firm of Jenner & Block -- one of the largest and most prominent shops that hasn't raised starting salaries to $160K yet -- is holding a big associates' meeting today. We're following up with our sources and will keep you posted. If you have info to share, please email us (subject line: "Jenner and Block").

Recently we wrote about the partner demotions at Jenner. In that post, we promised you a later post "focused on the plight of associates rather than partners." Now we deliver on that promise (although perhaps this information will be superseded soon by the meeting).

Get the scuttlebutt on Jenner, after the jump.

On the list of law firms that have moved their associates up to the $160K pay scale, one of the most conspicuous omissions is Jenner & Block. As we wondered in a prior post: "What's Up With Jenner & Block?"

As it turns out, "About twenty equity partners. Toe-up." From today's National Law Journal:

Jenner & Block, a litigation-focused firm, is shifting between 15 and 20 of its equity partners to nonequity status this year with some being asked to leave the firm and a smaller number moving voluntarily toward retirement, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The firm's management last month began to move forward with the plan to cut some of the equity partners during the next year or two, the sources said.

Jenner has never before taken such a step that affected so many equity partners, they said. The firm has 185 equity partners, according to a list of the highest-grossing law firms published last month by The American Lawyer, an NLJ affiliate.

Lots of Jenner associates have been clamoring for a pay raise. But in light of the partner de-equitizations, is this a case of "Be careful for what you wish for, you might just get it"? Could raising associate salaries exacerbate the problems that led Jenner to steal a page from the Mayer Brown playbook?

On the other hand, the partner purge could be viewed more charitably. Is Jenner & Block dumping deadweight partners to pave the way financially for raising associate salaries? In a recent memo, the firm hinted at "changes in our associate compensation structure."

We'll have more about Jenner in a subsequent post, focused on the plight of associates rather than partners. If you have anything you'd like to contribute, please email us (subject line: "Jenner and Block"). Thanks.

Jenner & Block Will De-Equitize Partners [National Law Journal via Law.com]

Earlier: Nationwide Pay Raise Watch: What's Up With Jenner & Block?
Nationwide Pay Raise Watch: A Jenner & Block Memo

Here is a memo -- yes, a memo, not THE memo -- that went out to Jenner & Block associates over the weekend:

Associate Compensation
Gallopoulos, Gregory S
To: #All Attorneys - All Offices

The Firm is currently giving consideration to our associate compensation structure in light of recent market changes. The Firm remains committed to maintaining a competitive compensation structure and a superior working environment. We anticipate that we will be making changes in our associate compensation structure, and as soon as we have concluded our review and consideration we will be announcing those changes. In the meantime, if anyone has questions or comments, please feel free to call me.

Gregory S. Gallopoulos
Managing Partner
Jenner & Block LLP

Our source is optimistic about the chances of a raise:

We have no doubt that Jenner will raise to $160K, but the partners in charge will do it as slowly as possible so they can tell Jenner's clients (who, like all law firm clients, hate these raises because they don't pay for any extra talent or skills and because they follow so closely on the heels of 2 other raises in the last year and a half) that they had no choice -- every other firm raised as well. That will keep clients as happy as possible, and since the raises will almost certainly be made retroactive to May 1 or June 1, associates won't care about the delay.

But we've also heard from some tipsters who are less sanguine. These sources suggest that maybe Jenner isn't in the best position to be raising salaries right now.

We'll have more in a subsequent post (because we have contacted the firm and are waiting to hear back from them). If you have any Jenner gossip to pass along, please email us (subject line: "Jenner and Block"). Thanks.

Earlier: Nationwide Pay Raise Watch: What's Up With Jenner & Block?

Some of you have been clamoring for a post discussing why Jenner & Block has been dragging its feet on associate pay raises. Pretty much all of Jenner's traditional peer firms have already bumped to the $160K pay scale in Chicago and Washington, DC. Why hasn't Jenner?

We've heard some interesting theories floated to explain Jenner's slowness. But we're not in a position to share these rumors until we have more corroboration.

Can you help us out? If you have actual knowledge about what's going on with Jenner, please email us (subject line: "Jenner & Block"). Thanks.

A few more confirmed announcements of associate pay raises have rolled in. We collect and reprint them after the jump, where you should also feel free to continue the discussion from yesterday's open thread. Thanks.

Update: If you read the earliest version of the post, please note that we have added quite a bit of new material to it since we first published it. Refresh your browser to see the latest additions.

At the White House:

* On the heels of Christopher Oprison and Cheryl Stanton, former Wilmer Hale partner Paul Eckert joins the White House Counsel's Office.

Lateral Moves:

* Nicholas H. Politan, to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (NY), from Bingham McCutchen, where he served as co-head of the project and structured finance group.

(Wild guess: He's the son of former federal judge Nicholas H. Politan (D.N.J.).)

* IP litigator Duane David-Hough, to Fish & Richardson, from Ropes & Gray (NY).

A few more moves, plus links, after the jump.

New Partners:

* Sullivan & Cromwell: Jeffrey Chapman, Michael Escue, Hydee Feldstein, Stacey Friedman, Brian Hamilton, Julia Jordan, Eric Kadel, Jr. and Juan Rodriguez.

The partnership promotions will be effective January 1, 2007. Congratulations, kids!

Like many other top New York firms, Sullivan still has a single-tier partnership structure. All partners are equity partners.

And all S&C partners are doing very well for themselves. In 2005, the firm enjoyed average profits-per-partner of $2.4 million. See here (subscription required).

Lateral Moves:

* Private equity lawyer Stephen Culhane, to Linklaters (10 points -- Magic Circle!!!), from King & Spalding.

Government to Private Sector:

* Harry Sandick, to Jenner & Block, from the venerable S.D.N.Y. U.S. Attorney's Office (where he served as deputy chief appellate attorney and, before that, as acting chief of the violent crimes unit).

* Hawyood Haywood Gilliam, to Bingham McCutchen, from the well-regarded San Francisco U.S. Attorney's Office (N.D. Cal.).

[Ed. note: See this comment, and this juicy article. It appears that the office has slipped in the past few years.]

Haywood Gilliam headed the securities fraud section of the U.S.A.O. and worked on various stock options backdating cases. His move to private practice is timely, given the explosion of backdating scandals in Silicon Valley. But Gilliam will presumably be conflicted out of a bunch of cases that he worked on while at the U.S. Attorney's Office.

UK Firm Adds Another NY Partner [NYLawyer.com]
Former Federal Prosecutor Joins Firm in NY [NYLawyer.com]
In Timely Hire, Firm Grabs Backdating Prosecutor [NYLawyer.com]

A few moves to report today:

Lateral Moves:

* Antitrust attorney Jeffrey Brennan, to Dechert (DC), from the FTC (where he was Associate Director of the Bureau of Competition and Assistant Director of the Bureau’s Health Care Services and Products Division).

* Capital markets lawyer Rachel Coan, to Morrison & Foerster (NY), from LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae.

* White-collar and securities litigator Stephen Ascher, to Jenner & Block (NY), from Kronish Lieb.

On The Move [Antitrust Review]
Federal Trade Commission Associate Director Jeffrey W. Brennan Joins Dechert LLP [Dechert]
NY Capital Markets Partner Switches Firms [NYLawyer.com]
NY Partner Leaves Merging Firm [NYLawyer.com]

The latest crop of entries in the Wall Street Journal's ongoing Summer Associate Diary (subscription) are pretty boring. If you don't have a subscription, don't worry; you're not missing much. Here's our executive summary:

Marc Allon (Jenner & Block/University of Michigan): "Mr. Allon has mixed feelings about heading back to school. At Jenner & Block, he liked the feeling of getting things done. 'I found that I really liked offering [my services] to a client.'" Insert lawyers-and-prostitutes joke here.

Carolyn Gleason Sanchez (Quintana Law Group/University of Maryland): "In law school, you complain if you have a week to do an assignment, but in the real world you have to do it right away." Yeah, it kinda sucks, doesn't it?

Matthew Duke (Burr & Forman/University of Alabama): Wants to improve as a writer. Don't we all.

Andrew Meyerson (Dorsey & Whitney/NYU): "Working at Dorsey has further convinced him that transactional law, not litigation, is what he's suited for." In other words: "My summer experience has taught me I'm even more boring than I thought I was."

YAWN. If anyone has salacious summer associate stories from this past summer, please send 'em our way (by email).

2006 Summer Associate Diary (Aug. 2, 2006) [WSJ via WSJ Law Blog]