The Legal Intelligencer Blog

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Wednesday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

Today’s top story is Duane Morris picking up 16 lawyers from Dewey & LeBoeuf’s New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., offices. As reporter Gina Passarella writes, the team of nine partners, three counsel and four associates is led by New York-based corporate partner Elizabeth W. Powers.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that the defense opened Tuesday in the trial of Monsignor William J. Lynn, with a focus on Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua’s control.

In more Regional News on Page 3, Amaris Elliott-Engel writes about a new Philadelphia Traffic Court rule that aims to prevent lengthy jailings.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sister publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In this week’s GC Mid-Atlantic column on Page 5, James A. Matthews III writes the first part in a series on attorney-client privilege within the client organization.

In a Commentary on Page 7, Judi Cohen writes about mindfulness and stress and handling the demands of being a lawyer.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to email any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Tuesday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer, which also includes this week’s edition of Pennsylvania Law Weekly. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

The top story in today’s Legal is an analysis of the suspension of state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. As reporters Zack Needles and Ben Present write, observers say that the suspension creates a less effective bench.

Also above the fold on Page 1, reporter Gina Passarella writes that Pennsylvania firms are raising rates more than any other region in the country, but aren’t raising revenue, according to a flash report by Citi Private Bank Law Firm Group.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that a federal judge has ruled that a waiver of underinsured motorist benefits carries forward to vehicles added to an existing policy.

In more Regional News on Page 3, Gina Passarella writes that class action firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll has reopened in Philadelphia with a qui tam group and the hire of three Berger & Montague attorneys.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sibling publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In a Litigation column on Page 5, Charles F. Forer writes about illusory arbitration agreements.

In a Bankruptcy Update on Page 7, Rudolph J. Di Massa Jr. and Aaron J. Margolis writes that the justices are split over cramdown plans precluding credit bidding.

Today’s lead story in PLW is a look at state Supreme Court Justice Thomas G. Saylor’s disposition for dissent. As Ben Present writes, Saylor is the court’s most frequent dissenter by a wide margin.

Below the fold on Page 1, Zack Needles writes that the high court will mull the scope of the state Board of Claims’ jurisdiction.

On Page 3, Zack Needles writes that the Commonwealth Court has ruled that the operation of a compressor station falls within the definition of “gas production.”

There’s much more inside this week’s PLW, including Samuel C. Stretton’s Ethics Forum, in which he writes about lawyers maintaining copies of clients’ wills; Daniel E. Cummins’ Litigation column, in which he writes about five common mistakes to avoid during deposition; and David Mandelbaum’s Environmental Law column, in which he wonders where environmental justice currently stands.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to e-mail any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Friday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

The top story this morning is Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney acquiring seven-lawyer litigation boutique Manion McDonough & Lucas in Pittsburgh. As reporter Gina Passarella writes, Buchanan Ingersoll said the group’s addition brings the firm’s litigation practice to about 115 attorneys, or about one quarter of its total headcount.

Also above the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that the co-defendants in the Catholic Archdiocese sex-abuse trial have been acquitted of one conspiracy charge.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Zack Needles writes that Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott has announced Heidi B. Hamman Shakely as the new chair of its board of directors, the first time in the firm’s 54-year history that a woman has led the board.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that a federal judge has overruled objections to a plan to repay victims of a Ponzi scheme.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sister publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In a Litigation column on Page 5, Judy Weintraub and Harrie Samaras write about how to approach a preliminary meeting.

In a Commentary on Page 7, Douglas S. Lavine writes about the perils of overidentifying with your client’s emotions.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to e-mail any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Stradley Ronon, Blank Rome Growing in D.C.; Blank Rome Expands in Florida

By Gina Passarella
Of the Legal Staff

While the country’s firms scramble over Dewey & LeBoeuf lateral groups, some area firms have been focused elsewhere to find some high-profile additions.

Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young and Blank Rome have expanded their Washington, D.C., offices in the last few weeks and Blank Rome has looked even further south to grow its Boca Raton and new Tampa, Fla. offices.

Stradley Ronon said Monday that it added the former co-chairman of SNR Denton’s securities and public companies group. Thomas L. Hanley joined the firm along with corporate attorney Erin Troy Clinton. Hanley and Chilton focus their practice on representing public and private companies on capital-raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, SEC compliance and corporate litigation. Their addition continues a concerted effort by Stradley Ronon to grow its Washington office with laterals from a number of Am Law 100 firms.

“We continue to look for experienced practitioners who have established reputations for providing sophisticated legal services and who may be handicapped by big-firm billing rates, lawyer turnover and a focus on global expansion that is unrelated to client needs,” Stradley Ronon Chairman William R. Sasso said in a statement. “We’re confident that our strong culture, lower cost structure, streamlined staffing model and more palatable billing rates will continue to attract attorneys of Tom and Erin’s caliber whose clients are also seeking a firm with these very attributes.”

Blank Rome added four attorneys in Washington April 30 from a white-collar litigation boutique, including two of the name partners. Henry F. Schuelke III and Lawrence H. Wechsler joined as partners from Janis, Schuelke & Wechsler Law Firm, which they helped create more than 30 years ago. William B. Shields joined as counsel and Ariel S. Glasner as an associate.

The team brought to Blank Rome experience in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, FCPA, antitrust, corporate internal investigations and compliance, fraud and abuse, health care fraud, and environmental matters.

Blank Rome grew its Boca Raton office May 8 with the addition of partner Michael A. Rodriguez to the firm’s consumer finance litigation group. He joined from Florida law firm Greenspoon Marder.

Separately, Blank Rome hired three associates in that practice area. Two now work in the Boca Raton office and one in the new Tampa location, which opened May 1.

The consumer finance litigation team has grown significantly at Blank Rome since it hired a seven-lawyer team from Dilworth Paxson led by Wayne Streibich in February 2011.

Gina Passarella is the senior reporter for The Legal. She can be contacted by e-mail at gpassarella@alm.com or phone at 215-557-2494. Follow her on Twitter at @GPassarellaTLI.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Wednesday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

Today’s top story is Morgan, Lewis & Bockius adding a total of 65 attorneys from the troubled firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf. As reporter Gina Passarella writes, Tuesday brought official news that Morgan acquired Dewey’s Moscow and Almaty, Kazakhstan, offices.

Also above the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that Conrad O’Brien co-founder and skilled trial lawyer William J. “Billy” O’Brien has died.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Zack Needles writes that a Bucks County firm and former shareholder have sued each other over the firm’s succession plan. The leader of the firm formerly known as Mellon Webster & Shelly was diagnosed with a serious illness, leading to the questions about succession.

Also below the fold on Page 1, Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that Jeffrey B. Rotwitt filed an answer Tuesday that said former state Senator Vincent J. Fumo blocked an alternate family courthouse site.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Ben Present writes that the state Supreme Court justices mulled a 19-year-old H&R Block class action during oral arguments Tuesday in Harrisburg.

Also on Page 3, Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that lawyers in the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia sex-abuse trial argued yesterday over the deposition of a priest’s alleged supervisors.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sister publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In this week’s GC Mid-Atlantic column on Page 5, Mark Harris writes about managing risk with an “austerity workforce.”

In an Employment Law column on Page 7, James W. Cushing writes about further development of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to email any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Tuesday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer, which also includes this week’s edition of Pennsylvania Law Weekly. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

The Intellectual Property supplement is also inside today’s paper, so be sure to give that a read.

The top story in today’s Legal is a look at the new markets opening up for Pennsylvania firms in the wake of Dewey & LeBoeuf’s slide. Reporter Gina Passarella writes that the attorneys leaving Dewey have allowed area firms to open offices in Dubai, Los Angeles and potentially Moscow and Kazakhstan.

Also above the fold on Page 1, Gina Passarella writes that Kansas City, Mo.-based Shook Hardy & Bacon is finalizing plans to open a Philadelphia office with the hire of Dechert partner Sean Wajert to its litigation group.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled that a bankruptcy court must first grant leave before a trustee can be sued in another venue.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Zack Needles writes that the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case in which it’s been asked to hear whether an insurer can be ordered to pay a medical provider’s attorney fees even if the employer properly employed the peer review process before denying coverage.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes about Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr.’s new role at the helm of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Youth and the law top the new president’s agenda.

Also on Page 3, Zack Needles writes that a class action has been filed over NHL Winter Classic tickets that the Flyers did not give to season ticketholders.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sibling publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In an Eastern District column on Page 5, Peter F. Vaira writes that two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have raised troublesome plea bargain issues.

In a Law Office Technology column on Page 7, Morgan C. Smith writes about using iPads to make compelling presentations at trials.

Today’s lead story in PLW is the state Supreme Court justices asserting their control over the definition of the constitutional phrase “purely public charity,” as reporter Ben Present writes.

Below the fold on Page 1, Ben Present writes that the Supreme Court has dialed back the independent source doctrine.

On Page 3, Ben Present writes a preview of Supreme Court oral arguments set to open in Harrisburg today, in which the justices will hear the H&R Block class action case for the third time.

There’s much more inside this week’s PLW, including Samuel C. Stretton’s Ethics Forum, in which he writes that an increase in technological savvy should not overshadow the basic tenets of good lawyering; Matthew T. Mangino’s Criminal Pratice column, in which he writes that disparity again pervades federal sentencing; a ruling that a landlord must know of danger to incur liability for a dog biting a person; and Jonathan Hoffman’s Family Law commentary, in which he writes about securing your client’s future with insurance.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to e-mail any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Reed Smith Picks Up Dechert Life Sciences Partner

By Gina Passarella
Of the Legal Staff

Reed Smith has hired former Dechert partner Stephen J. McConnell to the firm’s life sciences and health industry group in Philadelphia.

McConnell’s practice focuses on the representation of pharmaceutical and medical device companies, including involvement in recent mass tort litigations regarding antipsychotics and diet drugs. He has also handled matters relating to tobacco trials, sales and advertising liability, and shareholder derivative litigation.

“Steve is one of Philadelphia’s pre-eminent life science and health care attorneys,” Mike Scott, a partner in Reed Smith's LSHI group, said in a statement. “He has earned a reputation as a top litigator in the pharmaceutical world and elsewhere, and is often sought after to take over important cases for trial. We have admired his work and results for some time and share several common clients.”

After graduating law school and finishing a clerkship, McConnell became an assistant U.S. attorney in the Central District of California in Los Angeles in 1992. During his tenure there, he investigated and prosecuted criminal cases in the major frauds section involving savings and loan frauds, violations of the securities laws, wire and mail frauds, and money laundering.

He also served as counsel to the Christopher Commission, an independent body that investigated the Los Angeles Police Department in 1991, and as deputy general counsel to the Kolts Commission, an independent body that investigated the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1992.

McConnell has worked extensively in the area of liability for marketing practices and he is a member of the advisory board of Villanova University's Center for Marketing and Public Policy.

Some of his representative clients have included Philip Morris Inc. and Wyeth.

Dechert declined to comment on the move.

Gina Passarella is the senior reporter for The Legal. She can be contacted by e-mail at gpassarella@alm.com or phone at 215-557-2494. Follow her on Twitter at @GPassarellaTLI.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Wednesday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

Today’s top story is Saul Ewing opening a Pittsburgh office by bringing on four attorneys from Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis. As reporter Gina Passarella writes, the office will fit into a market that has become sought after not just because of the Marcellus Shale and work relating to it, but because of all the shale play brings with it.

Also above the fold on Page 1, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Chief Judge Theodore McKee said that a limit on lengthy briefs announced in January is working.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Zack Needles writes that a worked injured in a wall collapse has settled his lawsuit for $2.6 million with the general contractor, a subcontractor and the site owner.

Also below the fold on Page 1, Saranac Hale Spencer writes that the ACLU is seeking to block the state voter ID law.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that as savings are stagnating, the First Judicial District has asked for more funding during a lengthy round of Philadelphia City Council budget hearings.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sister publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In this week’s GC Mid-Atlantic column on Page 5, Gina Ameci writes about the challenging personalities to be encountered during employee performance reviews.

In an Intellectual Property column on Page 7, Anthony S. Volpe and Carey Kulp write about improving the likelihood that you own the IP rights to a property.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to email any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Tuesday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer, which also includes this week’s edition of Pennsylvania Law Weekly. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

The top story in today’s Legal is Morgan Lewis and Pepper Hamilton beefing up their bicoastal financial practices with lateral hires from New York-based Dewey & LeBoeuf. As reporter Zack Needles writes, Pepper Hamilton plans to open a Los Angeles office with Gary Apfel, former co-chairman of Dewey’s consumer financial services group. Morgan Lewis brought aboard a five-lawyer finance group led by Marshall Stoddard.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that a federal judge denied SAP’s motion for summary judgment in a patent infringement suit against the software giant in which, he stated in his opinion, there could be a billion dollars at stake.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Gina Passarella writes that a defense attorney for accused priest James J. Brennan questioned canonical trial procedures yesterday in the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia sex-abuse trial.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Ben Present has an analysis of the legal work that will be done in the deal for Philadelphia Gas Works, which attorneys said will not be a run-of-the-mill deal.

Also on Page 3, Saranac Hale Spencer writes that the ACLU has announced a challenge to the Pennsylvania voter ID mandate.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sibling publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In a Litigation column on Page 5, William E. Harris writes about the decision to hire or not hire an expert on damages.

In a Business of Law column on Page 7, Frank Michael D’Amore asks if a fear of success is holding back your professional development.

Today’s lead story in PLW is Ben Present’s look at the state Supreme Court’s work in 2011, a year in which the court increased its published opinions.

Below the fold on Page 1, Zack Needles writes that a judge has rejected a settlement between Monroeville, Pa.-based Parkvale Financial corp. and its shareholders, saying the agreement would benefit no one but the defendant Parkvale directors and the plaintiffs’ attorneys.

On Page 3, Ben Present writes that a judge has tested in loco parentis against the new Child Custody Act.

There’s much more inside this week’s PLW, including Samuel C. Stretton’s Ethics Forum, in which he says Pennsylvania is experiencing an indigent defense crisis; Brandon Swartz’s Personal Injury commentary, in which he writes about cross-examining defense vocational experts; a ruling that left a resident with no place to appeal a zoning decision; and David Mandelbaum’s Environmental Law commentary, in which he writes about pre-emption and natural gas development.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to e-mail any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.

Fresh Ink: Inside Today's Legal

Welcome to your Monday morning round-up of stories in today’s edition of The Legal Intelligencer. All of the links below will take you directly to today’s stories, or you can head straight over to The Legal’s homepage. (Some stories may require registration or a paid subscription.)

The top story this morning is a look at Pennsylvania firms and how they fared in the latest Am Law 100 rankings. As reporter Gina Passarella writes, the same nine firms appeared as did last year, and none were able to move up the list. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Reed Smith were the only Pa. firms to maintain their rankings, while the other seven slipped down the charts.

Also above the fold on Page 1, reporter Ben Present writes that a request for proposal is schedule to go online today giving lawyers the opportunity to bid on a deal potentially worth $1.85 billion that would privatize Philadelphia Gas Works. PGW is one of the last municipally owned utilities in the country and the largest of its kind, with more than half a million customers.

Below the fold on Page 1, Gina Passarella writes that a federal judge has denied a motion for sanctions a former Elliott Greenleaf partner filed against the firm for alleging in a complaint that he misused escrow funds. This is the latest chapter in the ongoing battle between Elliott Greenleaf and Stevens & Lee, the firm the partner, William R. Balaban, moved to.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that the Nutter administration has agreed to pay counsel fees directly, as per the First Judicial District’s request.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Zack Needles writes that a West Virginia firm, Jackson Kelly, has merged with Western Pennsylvania energy boutique Gormly Gormly & Yuhas.

Also on Page 3, a judge has trimmed the claims in an egg price-fixing class action suit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

As always, our People in the News section is on Page 2, and the top stories from our sister publications across the country make up the Page 4 National News section.

In the Law Technology page, social media can give firms an inside voice and LexisNexis has debuted e-book software for law libraries.

In a Family Law column on Page 7, Andrew D. Taylor writes about the relocation provision of the new Child Custody Act and how it will be handled going forward.

If you have questions or comments about any of today's stories, or our coverage as a whole, we invite you to e-mail any of the reporters directly. We hope you'll enjoy today's Legal.