Barnes & Thornburg

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 07.16.18

* A White House spokeswoman claims that Judge Brett Kavanaugh "had never heard any allegations of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment" made against Judge Alex Kozinski prior to last year when everyone else found out, and an extern who worked in Kozinski's chambers while Kavanaugh clerked is backing him up. [Washington Times] * The art of the deal don't: United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May says that President Trump told her she should sue the European Union instead of negotiating when it comes to Brexit options. There's no real cause of action, so she says that won't be happening -- not like that's something that has ever stopped Trump before. [Vox] * President Trump leaned heavily on Biglaw partners for his latest nominations to the federal judicary. Perkins Coie, K&L Gates, and Barnes & Thornburg could soon see representation on the Ninth Circuit, the Western District of Washington, the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Northern District of Indiana. [The Recorder] * After months of debate, a panel has finally recommended that Florida State rename the law school building via legislative action. It currently recognizes former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice B.K. Roberts., a " staunch segregationist" who once tried to deny a black student's admission to U. Florida's law school. [Tallahassee Democrat] * "For better or worse, I have become an agent for hope for those that are opposing this president." Michael Avenatti is famous for being President Trump's biggest critic, but he's "using that platform for good." In addition to Stormy Daniels, he now represents parents whose children were separated from them at the border. [AP]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 11.11.15

* A person of interest in the shooting of Texas Judge Julie Kocurek has been apprehended and arrested -- not for the shooting, mind you, but for a completely unrelated crime. Judge Kocurek continues her steady recovery after being seriously injured not by a bullet, but by shrapnel and glass. [Austin American-Statesman] * Barnes & Thornburg partner Vincent “Trace” Schmeltz may be sanctioned for tweeting pictures that he took of the evidence that was presented during a trial. He claims he didn't see the huge sign outside the courtroom prohibiting “photographing, recording or broadcasting." [Chicago Tribune via ABA Journal] * Schneiderman, Schneiderman! Bans sports-betting wherever he can! New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a cease-and-desist order against DraftKings and FanDuel, saying the daily fantasy sites constituted illegal gambling. [New York Times] * Dentons finally formalized its merger with Dacheng Law Offices yesterday, thus making it the official largest law firm in the world. At 6,600 lawyers strong, just think about how many scandals we'll be able to cover in 2016. [Big Law Business / Bloomberg BNA] * According to the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, more women are being welcomed into the ranks of partnership at major firms. Out of 118 firms, women made up 34.4 percent of new partner classes. Let's celebrate that less-than-50-percent benchmark! [WSJ Law Blog] * Fred Auston Wortman III, the Tennessee attorney who tried to murder his estranged wife, Staci, by lacing her toothpaste with poison, and later hired an inmate to do the deed after his plan failed, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. [Commercial Appeal] * Here are three ways you can balance your law school applications with your college responsibilities, but to be honest, if you're having trouble balancing these things, then perhaps you don't belong in law school. [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News]

By Staci Zaretsky
Bankruptcy

Morning Docket: 05.29.14

* Barnes & Thornburg’s managing partner is planning to step down after almost two decades in the firm’s top leadership role. His tenure ends on a high note: 2013′s gross revenue was up by 12% and PPP was up by 8.2%. [Am Law Daily] * “To terminate Jones Day at that point is an incredibly bad idea. I hope the mayor hears me.” Judge Steven Rhodes politely called Detroit’s mayor a moron after the city official declared he’d fire Jones Day in September. [Detroit Free Press] * “When you’re giving anything to a judge, you try to be careful about it.” In 2012, law schools paid federal judges almost $2M to teach and lecture. A useful way to spend tuition dollars? [National Law Journal] * San Diego Law School, a branch of San Francisco Law School, is open for business. It’s being marketed as a “fresh start” — if you failed out at another law school, come join the party here! [Daily Transcript] * If you weren’t aware, Mindy Kaling gave a commencement speech at Harvard Law this week. She praised the graduates’ dedication to tedium, and kindly reminded some that they were evil. [Boston.com]

By Staci Zaretsky
Biglaw

Law Firm Merger Mania: Edwards Angell Merges With Wildman Harrold

What results from the coupling of an angel and a wild man? One might think: angel + wild man = air traffic nightmare. In the law firm context, however, the result is quite different. Edwards Angell is merging with Wildman Harrold, to form Edwards Wildman Palmer. What else do we know about Edwards Wildman Palmer? And what might be motivating this merger?

By David Lat
Akin Gump

Non-Sequiturs: 02.25.11

* One of my favorite parts of the judicial nomination process is the financial voyeurism it makes possible. Check out the income and net worth numbers for two S.D.N.Y. nominees named Paul: Paul Engelmayer, recognized by ATL as a top partner to work for, and Paul Oetken, who would become the first openly gay man […]

By David Lat