Law Firm Shuffle

Plano schools reach undisclosed settlement with custodian over employment lawsuit

2009-08-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

PLANO - The school district has reached a settlement with a middle school custodian who complained last year about nooses he found in management offices including one around the neck of a toy monkey.

Robert Johnson filed a federal lawsuit against the school district in May saying district officials responded inadequately to his complaints. Today his attorney, Paula Johnson Kelly, confirmed that Johnson had reached a settlement in the case, but declined to discuss the details, said Weinberg Law Firm, Plano Employment Lawyer.

Deciding Donte' Stallworth's LA DUI penalty

2009-08-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Stallworth may have gotten special treatment from the Florida judge because of his stature, and a bank account that allowed him to compensate the victim's family. But Vick appears to have defenders simply because he was a superstar quarterback, while Stallworth was, at best, a second-string wide receiver. If we're talking about double standards, let's keep that one in mind, too, said Michael Bialys, LA DUI defense lawyer.

Lawyers File Wrongful Death Action

2009-08-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

John Q. Kelly, New York wrongful death attorney.

Will Obama Keep His Promise to Federal Whistleblowers?

2009-08-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

Bunnatine "Bunny" Greenhouse, a whistleblower lawyer Los Angeles, alleged the Halliburton contracting firm illegally obtained billions in government contracts related to its operations in Iraq during the Iraq War. Greenhouse told members of Congress the Halliburton contracts were "the most blatant and improper contract abuse I have witnessed during the course of my professional career." She was later demoted and had her security clearance revoked. Greenhouse refused to resign and is now focused on a stronger federal protection for whistleblowers.

Chicago Business Corus Bankshares Inc. on cusp of crisis

2009-08-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

FDIC may seize 'critically undercapitalized' Chicago-based lender
By Becky Yerak | Tribune reporter
August 2, 2009

"The majority of the interest has been voiced by real-estate-related entities," said Michael Goldsmith, managing director and commercial real estate head for BBK, a business consulting firm. "I heard Lubert Adler was looking at it, and they're very sophisticated real estate investors." At least one Chicago-area banker, who asked not to be identified, believes the more-likely scenario will have the FDIC arranging for a traditional bank to buy Corus' deposits and branches, and non-banks to acquire the assets, including loans and foreclosed properties.

"They're enormous loans and very complicated, and I don't think any bank wants to take them on even with FDIC guarantees," the Chicago small business lawyer said.

Glassport man faces prison time after 10th DUI arrest

2009-08-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A 10th DUI could force a Glassport man to spend more than 11 years in prison.

John C. Joseph, 54, pleaded guilty to his ninth and 10th DUIs in April, after arrests last year while his license was suspended. He was sentenced yesterday by Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman to serve from 5 years 71?2 months to 11 years 3 months in prison.

Mr. Joseph's fines added up to $7,500.

DUI lawyer pittsburgh

LA Railroad Injury Law Firm Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP

2009-07-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

California personal injury attorneys Ringler Kearney Alavarez LLP have established themselves as a premier law firm by providing clients with consistently excellent service. They pride themselves on their intellect, creativity and tenacity.

These Los Angeles catastophic personal injury lawyers have achieved victories in over 100 trials with total verdicts in excess of $250 million.

Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP achieves their verdicts by utilizing their substantial financial resources to obtain the best result possible for each of their clients. This LA train accident specialist law firm fights tirelessly for their clients, no matter the cost and no matter the foe.

John Q. Kelly Launches New Website

2009-01-08T16:49:00.001-08:00

New York Brain Injury Attorney John Q. Kelly is pleased to announce the launch of his new website for The Kelly Group P.C.

The website can be viewed at www.kellygrouppc.com and features notable cases and clients of Mr. Kelly.

About John Q. Kelly
One of the most renowned litigators in the country, Mr. Kelly has a proven track record in complex civil and corporate litigation nationwide.

His clients include some of the most widely publicized victims in recent times, including:

- Estate of Nicole Brown Simpson
- Parents of Natalee Holloway
- Estate of Kathleen Savio, ex-wife of Drew Peterson
- Estate of Heiress Anne Scripps Douglas
- Former Yankee great Joe Pepitone

Train Crash Lawyer Jerome Ringler

2008-09-18T12:17:00.003-07:00

Special Message for Victims of Chatsworth Metrolink Disaster

On September 12, 2008, an unprecedented tragedy occurred in Chatsworth, California when Metrolink Train #111 struck a Union Pacific freight train which was traveling on the same tracks. Our hearts go out to the victims. But this tragedy should not have happened. It happened because of human error on the part of Metrolink employees. Unfortunately, as the lawyers of RKA know well, human error by railroad engineers is not at all unique as a cause of commuter rail disasters.

Jerome L. Ringler has greater experience in representing victims of commuter rail and freight train disasters than any other lawyer in the State of California, if not the country. He has served as lead counsel in every one of the largest commuter rail disasters which have occurred in Southern California in the past 10 years.

In the Placentia Commuter Rail Disaster of 2003, Mr. Ringler was appointed by the Court as lead counsel for all of the Plaintiffs. He was requested by all of the lawyers representing individuals injured or killed in that incident to try the first case. That case resulted in the largest verdict for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ever rendered by a jury in the United States. That verdict, which was for $9 million, is detailed below in the multimedia section.

In the Burbank Commuter Rail Disaster, which also occurred in 2003, Mr. Ringler was again appointed by the Court to serve as lead counsel. In that capacity he was given the responsibility to try the entire liability (i.e., fault) case for all of the victims. In other words, every one of the dozens of lawyers who represented individual victims in that disaster trusted Mr. Ringler to try the liability phase for them, knowing that their clients would only recover if Mr. Ringler was successful. He was. In fact, Mr. Ringler not only obtained a favorable verdict for all of the plaintiffs, he obtained a $12 million verdict for his own client as well. This verdict was the largest in the State of California for a person with the type of injuries Mr. Ringler's client had suffered. This verdict is detailed below in the multimedia section.

Mr. Ringler is currently lead counsel for all plaintiffs in the Glendale Metrolink Derailment Disaster of 2005. This incident was, before September 12, 2008, the largest Metrolink disaster in history. Interestingly, in that case (which involves 11 deaths and dozens of serious injuries), Mr. Ringler has, against all odds, developed testimony proving that, even though a mentally-ill person placed a jeep across the tracks that the Metrolink train was traveling upon, human error on the part of the Metrolink engineer prevented him from stopping the train before hitting the jeep, which caused the train to derail. In other words, while the jeep certainly never should have been on the tracks, the Metrolink engineer would have been able to stop the train before ever striking the jeep had he only been paying proper attention. That case is scheduled to go to trial on June 8, 2009, with Mr. Ringler as lead counsel.

The verdicts detailed on this page all relate to railroad litigation. However, Mr. Ringler has achieved enormous, record-breaking monetary awards across California in a variety of complex areas. Those accomplishments are detailed elsewhere in this website. To see them, click here.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury or death as a result of the horrific Chatsworth Metrolink Disaster, we are available to discuss your rights with you confidentially and at no charge.

Please feel free to contact us at your convenience. Ask for Mr. Ringler,or any of his partners, at (213) 473-1900.

Train Accident Attorneys

FOX 11 Interviews Jerome Ringler about Metrolink Train Crash

2008-09-18T12:17:00.001-07:00

Train Accident Attorneys

Breaking Legal News Names Roth Law Featured Firm

2008-06-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

The Roth Law Group has been named a Breaking Legal News Featured Law Firm for its outstanding achievements in Business law and contract law in the Chicago area. Below is a little bit about the firm.

About Roth Law:
Business owners know that it takes hard work and dedication to make it in today's competitive marketplace. And choosing a law firm that understands the needs of small business is essential if you want to get a leg-up on the competition. You expect that your law firm will provide you with practical solutions and attentive individualized service. At the Chicago-based business law firm of the Roth Law Group, that's what you get.

At the Roth Law Group, we understand the concerns of small business owners like you and we have experience working in industries ranging from construction to chemical manufacturing. Our lawyers know that you need to remain focused on business and legal issues often detract from this goal. When the Roth Law Group represents you, we concentrate our efforts on resolving matters efficiently and economically and seek to reach the best business outcome in the least amount of time whenever practical. From contract negotiations to commercial litigation, we offer a full-range of business legal services specifically tailored to meet your needs.

If your small business is in the market for business legal services in Cook County or throughout Illinois, contact the Chicago-based Roth Law Group for a Free Initial Consultation. We offer practical solutions to your small business legal challenges at affordable rates.

A Few Representative Matters

-Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of an Italian-based Manufacturer of wood veneer products in a breach of contract action against U.S. based distributor.

-Obtained judgment in favor of a Commercial Landscaping Contractor involving breach of contract.

-Negotiated nuisance value settlement on behalf of a Multi-Media Company sued for violation of Non-Compete Agreement, thus avoiding business interruption and an injunction.

-Successfully prosecuted foreclosure and other actions on behalf of a Colorado-based Mortgage Company.

www.rothlawgroup.com

Clyde & Co Strengthens Middle Eastern Partner Team

2008-05-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Leading international law firm, Clyde & Co., today announced key internal and lateral partner appointments to its regional partner team that will take effect from 1st May, 2008, taking the number of partners in the region to 19. These additions will further strengthen Clyde & Co.’s presence in the Middle East and its commitment to providing its clients with the highest quality of legal services and solutions.

Clyde & Co. currently employs over 100 lawyers and paralegals in offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha making it the largest international law firm in the GCC. The firm plans to further increase its number of partners from 19 to 25 and will recruit a further 50 associates within the next 12 months.

Rob Deans has been promoted from Associate to the position of Equity Partner, and heads up the firm’s intellectual property practice. Rob joined the team, which is now widely regarded as the leading IP practice in the region, in 2003. His practice covers all aspects of IP, both contentious and non-contentious, with the range of work covered by the team extending to registration work relating to trade marks, patents and copyright, brand enforcement and anti-piracy, high technology work (particularly in relation to life-sciences and pharmaceuticals) and the commercial exploitation of IP (particularly in the fields of sports and media). Rob is ranked as a 'leading lawyer' in the Chambers Global (2008) legal directory.

Alexis Waller has also been appointed to Equity Partner, from Associate, in Clyde & Co’s real estate & property division. Alexis joined Clyde & Co in 2003, and relocated to the Dubai office in 2005. She handles a wide range of commercial property work including acquisition, management and sales of development sites, investment acquisitions and disposals, hotel development, retail and industrial leasing and commercial property transfers. Alexis is also ranked as a 'leading lawyer' in Chambers Global.

Hamish Walton* has been laterally appointed to join Clyde & Co.’s corporate and finance teams. Hamish joins the Dubai office from Baker & McKenzie where he was a partner based in Melbourne, Australia. Recent deals for Hamish have included acting as lead partner for DaimlerChrysler on the Australian aspect of the sale of the Chrysler business; acting as lead partner on the complete restructuring of the Trans-urban Group of Companies, Australia’s largest toll road operator and owner with a market capitalization of approximately AU$7 billion; and acting as lead partner for Macquarie Bank, Australia’s largest investment bank, on a number of significant capital market transactions. (*The title of partner for Hamish Walton is subject to registration as a foreign lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This process is currently underway.)

James O'Shea has transferred to Dubai from Clyde & Co’s London office where he is chair of Clyde & Co.'s regulatory group and is a prominent partner in Clyde & Co.'s corporate insurance practice. He has extensive experience of corporate and commercial transactions of all types involving both public and private companies. Recent deals James has advised on include GMAC Insurance on its £170m acquisition of Provident Insurance; Mutability Operations on its £1.6billion insurance cover arrangements for one of the world's biggest rental car fleets; and on the first cash demutualisation/MBO of a UK friendly society. James is also one of the authors of 'Demutualisation' in the Sweet and Maxwell 'Law and Tax' series.

Michael Grose has been promoted from Equity Partner to Senior Equity Partner. Michael heads Clyde & Co’s projects, infrastructure and construction across the Middle East. He has been based in Clyde & Co.'s Dubai office for 10 years, prior to which he spent 5 years as a construction lawyer in the UK. Michael is involved in many of the regions' largest projects, including the Burj Dubai and Dubai World Central, a new six runway airport city on the outskirts of Dubai. Michael is ranked as a 'leading lawyer' in the Chambers Global (2008) legal directory.

Kaye Scholer Adds Chicago Partner Eric H. Sussman

2008-05-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

Kaye Scholer announced today that Eric H. Sussman, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief of the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Section in the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, will join the firm as partner in its Chicago office, effective June 1, 2008.

Mr. Sussman will join the firm as Kaye Scholer’s Chicago head of Regulatory Enforcement and White Collar Litigation. The firm’s Regulatory Enforcement and White Collar Litigation practice represents clients in a wide range of areas, including securities fraud, criminal antitrust, food and drug compliance, environmental crimes, defense procurement and other federal agency fraud, foreign corrupt practices, tax evasion and bank fraud, as well as nuclear regulatory, national security and election law violations.

As Deputy Chief of the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Section, Mr. Sussman supervised approximately ten federal prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of a wide array of crimes, including complex fraud, regulatory, money laundering, tax and computer-related investigations and prosecutions. Mr. Sussman was also the Food & Drug Administration Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he worked with officials at the FDA and USDA to investigate and prosecute numerous criminal enforcement actions. He served as the lead prosecutor for a broad range of complex corporate fraud and regulatory investigations involving securities violations, corporate tax offenses, violations of food-safety laws and workplace-safety laws. Mr. Sussman tried 29 federal trials, serving as first-chair in 23 of them, and has briefed and argued multiple appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Among the cases that Mr. Sussman handled personally were the successful corporate securities and tax fraud prosecution of Conrad Black and other top executives of Hollinger International relating to the embezzlement of millions of dollars from the corporation; the successful prosecution of one of the largest electrical contracting companies in the country for willfully violating OSHA regulations; the successful prosecution of the largest food storage warehouse company in the Midwest and its president for fraud and food safety violations for their storing of tons of adulterated food products; and the successful prosecution of the former Chicago Police Department’s chief of detectives and other organized crime associates who were convicted of operating a multi-million dollar jewelry theft ring.

“I am thrilled to be joining Kaye Scholer’s pre-eminent Regulatory Enforcement and White Collar Litigation practice,” said Eric Sussman. “I look forward to working with my fellow litigators throughout the United States in representing our clients and to further develop our practice.”

“We are pleased that the Deputy Chief of the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Section for the Northern District of Illinois has agreed to join Kaye Scholer,” said Chicago office Managing Partner Michael B. Solow. “Eric’s experience in the United States. Attorney's Office has distinguished him as a first-class litigator with special insight into the field of white collar representation.”

Kaye Scholer’s White Collar Litigation practice includes Daniel R. Alonso, former Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, as well as the Chief of the Criminal Division; Arthur Brown, former Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney's office; Paul J. Curran, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who also served as Special Counsel to the United States Department of Justice (appointed by the Attorney General); William Hoffman, former Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Jane W. Parver, former Executive Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as well as Chief of the Public Corruption Unit and Chief of the Major Crimes Unit; Michael Rogoff, former Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and Gregory J. Wallance, former Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and a member of the ABSCAM prosecution team.

Mr. Sussman, who currently serves on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, is a graduate of Amherst College (B.A., magna cum laude), and the University of Chicago Law School (J.D. with Honors) where he was a John Woodruff Simpson Law Fellow.

About Kaye Scholer

Kaye Scholer refers to Kaye Scholer LLP and its affiliates, with offices in Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, New York, Shanghai, Washington, DC, and West Palm Beach. Founded in New York City in 1917, Kaye Scholer now includes more than 500 attorneys and represents public and private companies, governmental entities, financial institutions, and other organizations in matters around the world. Additional information is available on the firm’s website: www.kayescholer.com.

Reed Smith Expands Corporate & Securities Group

2008-05-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

Reed Smith LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, today announced the addition of Allen Z. Sussman as a partner in the Corporate & Securities Group, effective immediately.

Mr. Sussman had been a partner in the Los Angeles office of Morrison & Foerster LLP since 2001, where his practice focused on securities, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.

“Allen brings senior level experience in public offerings and SEC related matters, and he furthers our ongoing efforts to grow our public offering and capital markets practice globally,” said John Iino, Reed Smith’s firmwide head of the Corporate & Securities Group. “He also strengthens our emerging growth company and venture capital practice in California, where the demand for these services remains strong and steady.”

Mr. Sussman represents public and private issuers, banks, broker-dealers, and underwriters in securities matters and has extensive public offering experience on both the company and underwriter side. His clients include emerging growth companies and investors in the technology and media sectors.

Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster, Mr. Sussman was a corporate and securities lawyer at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison during that firm’s prominence in technology transactions. Mr. Sussman’s move to Reed Smith reunites him with two former colleagues from Brobeck, David Halbreich and Doug Rawles who recently joined Reed Smith’s growing Insurance Recovery Group in Los Angeles.

Prior to entering private law practice, Mr. Sussman served as an enforcement attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., where he handled significant cases involving auditors, attorneys, and insiders of failed banks. He also served two years as counsel in the Office of Thrift Supervision in San Francisco.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to continue building my practice with technology and life science companies," said Mr. Sussman. "I find Reed Smith attractive for many reasons, including its dynamic growth and energy, strong specialties and global reach. I believe the firm's recent expansion into Asia also provides a valuable asset for my clients, many of which have strategic interests in Asia. Reed Smith offers a great fit for my practice."

A 1988 graduate of Boston University School of Law, Mr. Sussman lectures frequently on topics related to securities and M&A matters, venture capital transactions and strategic and other business transactions, including programs sponsored by the Directors Roundtable, Bank Director Conference, and the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show. He has also appeared as a guest commentator on CNBC’s “PowerLunch” program.

Mr. Sussman earned recognition in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as a Best Lawyer in America in the field of Corporate Law. For five years from 1998 to 2003, he was ranked within the Top 100 IPO lawyers nationwide by the IPO Lawyer Yearbook. He is admitted to practice in California and the District of Columbia.

About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com

McGuire Woods Announces Managing Partner

2008-05-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

McGuireWoods LLP announced it has appointed Philip Goldstein to be the managing partner of the firm’s New York City office.

Goldstein’s practice focuses on mass tort, products liability and complex commercial litigation. He spearheads McGuireWoods’ national counsel representation in asbestos litigation across the country and defends clients in asbestos cases throughout New York State. He is recognized in both “Best Lawyers in America” and by Law & Politics magazine for being a “New York Super Lawyer.”

“Phil has a great background for this important role. He is bright, enthusiastic and has shown strong leadership qualities,” said Richard Cullen, chairman of McGuireWoods. “The New York office is very important to McGuireWoods and we plan to substantially expand our presence there. I am confident the New York office will continue to flourish and grow under Phil’s leadership.”

Goldstein succeeds William Newman and John Pellegrini, who had served as co-managing partners of McGuireWoods’ New York office.

McGuireWoods LLP is a full-service law firm with approximately 900 lawyers in 17 offices in the United States, Europe and Central Asia providing legal counsel to clients around the world. The firm's New York office is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas. For more information, visit www.mcguirewoods.com.

Robert B. Hopkins Appointed to Baltimore City Planning Commission

2008-04-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ober|Kaler is pleased to announce that Robert B. Hopkins, a principal in the firm's Litigation and Admiralty practices, has been appointed by Mayor Sheila Dixon to the Baltimore City Planning Commission. The appointment became effective on RobeApril 11, and Mr. Hopkins will serve a 4-year term.

The nine-member commission provides vision and direction in the city's urban
and strategic planning, historical and architectural preservation, zoning,
design, development, and capital budgeting to promote sustained economic,
social and community development.

Active in both civic and professional organizations, Mr. Hopkins was also
recently appointed to the board of the Admiralty Law Institute and serves as
a Vice President of American Maritime Cases. He is active in the American and
Maryland State Bar Associations and is also a Proctor in the Maritime Law
Association of the United States. He also serves on the Stewardship
Committee of Saint David's Episcopal Church and is a member of Friends of
Clifton Mansion.

Mr. Hopkins is a graduate of Trinity College (B.A., 1985) and the University of
Maryland School of Law (J.D., 1988). He resides in Homeland.