The Legal Intelligencer Blog

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 lawyers making closing arguments in the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia priest sex-abuse trial. As reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes, a prosecutor charged that Monsignor William J. Lynn lied to an investigating grand jury and on the stand. The trial is expected to go to jury today.

Also above the fold on Page 1, reporter Gina Passarella writes that Pepper Hamilton has continued its leadership changes by naming a new managing partner. Thomas J. Cole Jr. will be the new MP, effective Jan. 1, 2013, the firm announced Thursday.

Below the fold on Page 1, Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that a Philadelphia jury has awarded $4.2 million for a one-third ownership stake in a granite and marble company with disputed ownership.

In more Regional News on Page 3, Gina Passarella looks at how Pennsylvania firms fared in the Am Law 200 rankings released yesterday. Despite most of the five Pa.-based firms in the second hundred having increases in gross revenue, it was tough sledding to move up the list.

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, including the First Circuit ruling DOMA is unconstitutional.

In a Law Firm Management column on Page 5, Edwin B. Reeser writes about the economic benefits of three different types of lateral hires.

In an Intellectual Property column on Page 7, Lewis R. Clayton writes that trademark owners have gained leverage in keyword ad wars.

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 Thursday 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 Saul Ewing’s firm financials. As reporter Zack Needles writes, the firm’s revenue inched up, about 0.8 percent, and its profits per partner dipped 3 percent last year.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Gina Passarella writes that Dechert has opened a Chicago office with a trio of securities lawyers from Katten Muchin.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that Monsignor William J. Lynn took the stand in his own defense yesterday. Lynn is charged with endangering two men who testified they were sexually abused by two priests as youths.

In more Regional News on Page 3, Zack Needles writes that Penn State has announced Stephen S. Dunham as its new general counsel. Dunham has been vice president and general counsel of Johns Hopkins University.

Also on Page 3, reporter Ben Present writes that the state Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that exposure to one fiber of asbestos is not tantamount to a lot.

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 Bankruptcy Update on Page 5, Andrew C. Kassner and Joseph N. Argentina Jr. write about avoidance actions against seller void purchased bankruptcy claims.

In this week’s Young Lawyer column on Page 7, Susan Morse writes about the perils of overlawyering and underlawyering.

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 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 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 the next in our series of firm financials, this time taking a look at Fox Rothschild. As reporter Zack Needles writes, the firm increased revenue by 7.3 percent and profits per equity partner by 3.5 percent.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that the state Supreme Court directed excess class action funds to the IOLTA board. As such, Pennsylvania will become the sixth state in the country to require cy pres funds left over from settlements to be used for legal aid providers or other nonprofits.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Ben Present writes that the Pennsylvania Bar Association has created a task force to take a closer look at the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct.

In more Regional News on Page 3, Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that a Lehigh County jury has awarded a man and his wife $2 million in noneconomic damages because the man has double vision and other eye injuries in the aftermath of a sinus surgery gone wrong.

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 an Insight on Diversity column on Page 5, Elisa N. Bramble writes about establishing lasting connections for diverse law students.

On the Law Technology News page are two articles: How to build a better webinar presentation and an e-discovery course that offers “in the trenches” lessons for students.

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.)

Today’s top story is Drinker Biddle’s profits per equity partner going up 7.7 percent last year and revenue rising 2.4 percent. As reporter Zack Needles writes, the firm did well by maintaining a balanced practice comprised of 50 percent litigation and 50 percent business.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes about dueling sanctions motions filed over a letter written by a defense attorney in the underlying malpractice case of Sutch v. Roxborough Memorial Hospital to the general counsel’s office for a plaintiff expert’s place of business. The letter said that the expert, Dr. Stefanie B. Porges, “has clearly overlooked the well-established concept of hand-off to an accepting inpatient team and I thought you might want to know that, if this is her position, and plaintiff’s attorneys become aware of it, it could expose the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to significant liability.”

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Gina Passarella writes that the state Superior Court has upheld a $1.6 million malicious prosecution claim brought against TV personality and producer Nancy Glass by her ex-husband.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that the assignment of third-party claims to plaintiffs under a tortfeasor release agreement were ruled valid by a federal judge in the case of a York County law firm’s alleged 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 Real Estate column on Page 5, Harper J. Dimmerman and James M. Lammendola write that the Superior and Commonwealth courts are getting aligned on the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

In a Commercial Litigation column on Page 7, Jeffrey G. Weil and Brian Kint write about Rule 23(f) class certification appeals and whether it has been a useful change or slowed down the process of litigation.

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.)

Today’s top story is Ballard Spahr growing its gross revenue 4.2 percent last year. Reporter Gina Passarella takes a look at the firm’s financials, noting that the headcount also grew from 6.1 percent from 446 attorneys to 473, causing a decrease in the firm’s revenue per lawyer of 1.6 percent.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Zack Needles writes that a divided state Supreme Court has ruled that homeless sex offenders are not exempt under the previous version of Megan’s Law. Under that law, sex offenders are required to notify state police of their current or intended residences.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Saranac Hale Spencer writes that a federal judge has ruled that GlaxoSmithKline’s “nerve center” is in Delaware, disagreeing with two of his colleagues in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania who had previously ruled that the nerve center was in Pennsylvania. The decision means that the drug products liability litigation against the company will remain in federal court.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Ben Present writes that former state Supreme Court Justice Frank J. Montemuro Jr., who died last week at age 86, will be remembered as a “pioneer” for Italian-Americans in and outside the legal profession and a jurist who worked until he was forced to stop.

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 Family Law column on Page 5, James W. Cushing writes about new amendments to Pennsylvania’s adoption statutes regarding post-adoption contact.

In an Intellectual Property column on Page 7, Paul F. Prestia writes about the recent Mayo v. Prometheus decision and the potential for disincentivizing research and collaboration.

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 a look at Cozen O’Connor’s firm financials. As reporter Gina Passarella writes, the firm grew revenue 6 percent and profits per equity partner 8.3 percent in 2011, marking historic highs for the firm. The firm also saw its profit margin jump three percentage points to 33 percent.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Sandra Mazer Moss said an appeal by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals of her decision not to dismiss digestive drug products liability claims against the drugmaker at the preliminary objections stage should be quashed.

In more Regional News on Page 3, reporter Jeff Mordock writes that the Delaware Chancery Court’s criticism of two separate chief executive offers in recent opinions represents a lesson that might be missed: the court’s willingness to let the shareholders determine a merger’s fate when no rival bidder emerges.

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 an Asset Management column on Page 5, Mark L. Silow writes about planning for some proposed changes in the tax code.

In a Bankruptcy Update on Page 7, Francis J. Lawall and Evelyn J. Meltzer write about arbitrating bankruptcy disputes, noting that unless they are pursued in a timely fashion, you run the risk of losing your rights.

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 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 a continuation of our series on firm financials, this time taking a look at Duane Morris, which grew revenue and saw profits per equity partner rise 3.2 percent in 2011. As reporter Zack Needles writes, the firm’s growth largely came from its active practice areas, particularly a broad-based intellectual property practice.

Below the fold on Page 1, reporter Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia asserted its attorney-client privilege regarding 12 documents that Monsignor William J. Lynn wants to subpoena in the criminal case against him. Attorneys for the archdiocese had said in January that it might assert attorney-client privilege that can’t be waived, even if Lynn waives his own privilege.

Also below the fold on Page 1, reporter Gina Passarella writes about a survey taken by Altman Weil that shows managing partners find their practice group leadership to be lagging.

In more Regional News on Page 3, Amaris Elliott-Engel writes that several mortgage lenders are appealing a ruling in a trio of cases that their foreclosure notices were deficient, and are now seeking reargument. A three-judge panel said in all three cases that the lenders failed to comply with the Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Act.

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.

As it is Wednesday, this week’s GC Mid-Atlantic column is on Page 5, as Madeline M. Sherry and Stephen J. Finley Jr. write about the long and winding road of Pennsylvania privilege law, and how best to navigate through recent decisions declaring privilege a “two-way street” in the state.

In an Employment Law column on Page 7, Michael P. Maslanka of Legal affiliate Texas Lawyer writes about 10 lessons learned from 30 years working in the legal profession.

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.