Vinson & Elkins

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 10.18.18

* Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is the subject of no fewer than 14 separate corruption investigations. So he fired the inspector general managing the probes and replaced him with a political appointee. [Outside] * Meanwhile, a Treasury official who blew the whistle on actual criminal activity was arrested. Good to see we've got our priorities straight. [Law360] * While we've been talking about global firms invading the Houston market, V&E is looking to expand to New York, DC, and London. [Texas Lawyer] * Former West Virginia Supreme Court justice found guilty. [American Lawyer] * Why are all the bigots going into baking? [Courthouse News Service] * White & Case has a plan to grow like gangbusters over the next two years. Meghan Tribe talks with the firm about this vision. [American Lawyer]

By Joe Patrice
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 03.22.17

* "When anyone criticizes the honesty, integrity, the motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening. I find that demoralizing, because I know the truth." During the tail end of the second day of his marathon confirmation hearing, Judge Neil Gorsuch let it be known for the first time publicly that he wasn't pleased with President Trump's attacks on his judicial colleagues. [CNN] * While the legal world was preoccupied with Judge Gorsuch's confirmation hearing yesterday, SCOTUS was still on the job, with the justices busy putting the kibosh on some presidential appointment powers. In the future, a person will be unable to serve as the acting head of a federal agency once the president nominates him to permanently serve in the role if it is a position that requires Senate confirmation. [Reuters] * After four years, Dean Jay Conison of the beleaguered Charlotte School of Law has stepped down. The for-profit school had seen some of its worst days under his leadership, including its graduates' plummeting bar exam passage rates and its students' loss of access to the federal loan program this past December. While loans seem to have been restored for students this semester, the school may yet close. [Charlotte Observer] * This could explain the firm's humungous national bonuses: Vinson & Elkins had its best year ever in 2016, posting record gross revenue, net income, revenue per lawyer and profits per partner. Now that the firm is playing with the big boys, it's paying like the big boys. As noted previously, V&E has officially committed to paying the new, Cravath-inspired $180K starting salary in every market where it has an office. [Texas Lawyer] * "It truly is an embarrassment." Philadelphia DA Seth Williams has been indicted on corruption and bribery-related charges. He stands accused of accepting a trip to Punta Cana, a Jaguar convertible, a custom sofa, and other gifts in exchange for fixing cases for friends. The City Law Department was paying an attorney from Morgan Lewis to represent Williams, but now refuses to continue to do so. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

By Staci Zaretsky