News

Minnesota's top personal injury firm implements BigHand3

Leading personal injury law firm Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben has implemented the BigHand3 digital dictation workflow system. The software, which is provided by Bloomington, MN-based Loffler Companies, Inc., enables lawyers to quickly send dictated case notes to legal assistants, regardless of whether or not they are in the office. Because it has implemented the BigHand3 system, the law firm now processes 99% of its data within one week. The software, which was designed for lawyers, ensures fast delivery of documents to the firm's clients. It also allows the firm to avoid paying for tape costs and servicing calls. Minnesota's largest personal injury law firm, Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben has 17 lawyers working in almost all areas of personal injury law.

Mayer Brown restructures its partnership ranks

1,500-lawyer Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, LLP, which recently recorded revenues of more than $1 million per partner for the first time, has restructured its management by purging 45 partners. Comprising almost 10% of the firm's total number of partners, the outgoing lawyers were either de-equitized or terminated. Explaining the move, the firm contended it was not suffering from a crisis but that it was looking to enhance its position among leading global law firms. Such measures have historically been witnessed at law firms seeking to retain rainmakers and add fresh talent. The financially strong Chicago-based law firm saw its revenues grow by 11%—to $1.1 billion—in 2006.

Prominent litigators open new law firm

Well-known litigators from Drinker, Biddle & Reath Thomas M. Moore and Ronald Labriola have left the law firm to pursue their own venture. The two products-liability and class action-defense lawyers have launched Moore Labriola, LLP. Located in Newport Beach, CA, the new firm will primarily represent plaintiffs in complex litigation cases, work on mass tort proceedings, and deal with consumer fraud and false advertising actions. Lawyers in the firm will also provide counsel on risk management and alternative claims resolution. Moore joined Drinker Biddle in 2001, when the firm opened its Los Angeles office. Labriola, who has been working with Moore since 1999, joined Drinker Biddle along with him.

North Carolina firm opens office in Charlotte

Leading North Carolina law firm Smith Moore, LLP, has opened a new office in Charlotte. The new workplace, which is expected to see an influx of the firm's top attorneys, will house lawyers practicing in the areas of business litigation, real estate, corporate law, tax law, and wealth management. Prominent litigator Larry Sitton will join the Charlotte office as senior litigator. Along with Sitton, commercial litigators Rob Marcus, Jon Heyl, and Heather White will relocate from the firm's Greensboro office to the new Charlotte branch. The office's corporate law practice will be headed by Rich Drake and Lynn Chandler, who have joined the firm from the former Charlotte office of Morris, Manning & Martin. With a strong foothold in the Southeast, Smith Moore represents clients in areas including litigation, business, healthcare, and labor and employment.

McKee Nelson adds business litigation practice

McKee Nelson, LLP, has announced its creation of a business litigation practice in New York. To spearhead the new venture, the firm has hired six prominent lawyers from the New York office of King & Spalding: Jeffrey Q. Smith, Steven G. Brody, Susan F. DiCicco, Scott E. Eckas, Michael M. Gordon, and Jennifer Hurley McGay. McKee Nelson intends to expand the group to employ 25 attorneys. Established in 1999, McKee Nelson has offices in New York and Washington, DC, and serves clients participating in the U.S. capital markets. It represents large companies in financial, compliance, tax, and white-collar criminal matters.

Steptoe & Johnson bolsters its employee benefits practice

Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, has strengthened its labor and employment practice by adding Stephanie J. Quincy as a partner and Robert Vaught as of counsel in the firm's Phoenix office. The duo will work on the firm's ERISA, labor, and employment matters. Quincy, a former partner at Sherman & Howard, LLC, has experience representing employers in complex employment litigation, as well as in counseling and conducting training programs on employment law-related matters. Vaught, who has expertise in healthcare and employment litigation, was formerly Of Counsel for Sherman & Howard. Upbeat about the development, Paul J. Ondrasik, head of Steptoe's ERISA, labor, and employment practice, anticipates that the new additions will enhance the firm's national labor and employment capabilities. With offices in Washington, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Century City, London, and Brussels, Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, is an international firm employing 450 attorneys.

Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee rejoins Akin Gump

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld has announced that former Chairman of the Republican National Committee Ken Mehlman will rejoin the law firm. Mehlman will focus his practice on legislative, regulatory, corporate, and public-relations matters. Mehlman joined Akin Gump in 1991 as an associate and left the firm to pursue a career in politics. He also served as campaign manager for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney during the 2004 presidential election. 900-lawyer Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld is among the world's top law firms.

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