Law Firm News

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Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P.

LEGAL 500 EMEA LAUDS SQUIRE SANDERS’ EUROPEAN OFFICES
The 2007 edition of leading international legal directory Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) recommends seven of the European offices of global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

Legal 500 EMEA is a guide to commercial law firms that evaluates lawyers and firms by researching each market through interviews with lawyers and clients and the analysis of deals or other legal representations.

In Belgium, Squire Sanders’ Brussels office managing partner Brian N. Hartnett was cited for “providing added value in his opinions” for clients’ competition issues, and the competition practice was commended for its “remarkably high value” in state aid representation. The office’s customs, trade, World Trade Organization (WTO) and anti-dumping practice is recommended, as well as the European Union energy regulatory practice.

In the Czech Republic, the directory recommends the work of Squire Sanders lawyers in the banking, finance and capital markets practice as well as the corporate and commercial and dispute resolution practices. Legal 500 EMEA noted the dispute resolution practice earned “considerable praise for its disputes work.” The Prague office’s real estate team is described as “professional and highly skilled.” The directory also recommends the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) practice.

In Hungary, where clients praised the corporate and commercial practice for its depth, breadth and speedy responses, the firm is recommended in eight additional practices including banking and finance, capital markets, competition, dispute resolution, energy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), real estate and TMT.

The firm’s office in Poland is recommended in corporate and M&A, real estate, and projects, energy and natural resources. In Russia, the firm is ranked in corporate and M&A and TMT.

Legal 500 EMEA noted that Squire Sanders continues to be a “major player” in Slovakia, where the firm was the first US law firm to open an office. The Bratislava office is recommended in corporate and commercial, including M&A. The directory noted that Kevin T. Connor, managing partner of the Bratislava office, “acts for major global clients doing transactions in the country.” The banking, finance and capital markets practice is also recommended.

The firm’s London office is recommended among firms with 25-50 fee earners with dual US/UK law capability. The directory, which cites the M&A and TMT practices, noted the office’s significant expansion in 2006.

05-09-2007

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Shearman & Sterling LLP

Shearman & Sterling Advises on Capital Increase of MorphoSys
Shearman & Sterling represented MorphoSys AG in connection with the placement of 652,188 shares with institutional investors in Europe and North-America. The gross proceeds from the capital increase amounted to €32.6 million.

Société Générale and WestLB AG acted as joint lead managers in this transaction, joined by Janney Montgomery Scott acting as selling agent in the USA. The new shares are traded at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of May 9, 2007. The proceeds from the capital increase will be used to further expand the research antibody segment and to increase the flexibility for future growth of the MorphoSys-Group.

The following Shearman & Sterling lawyers advised MorphoSys AG on the transaction: Stephan Hutter (partner, Capital Markets, Frankfurt), Katja Kaulamo (associate, Capital Markets, Frankfurt) and Alexander Veith (associate, Corporate Law, Munich).

05-09-2007

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Piper Rudnick, L.L.P.

DLA PIPER advises Klockner Pentaplast on its acquisition by Blackstone
DLA Piper, the major international legal services organisation, advises the Klöckner Pentaplast Group ("Klöckner Pentaplast"), headquartered in Montabaur, in relation to its acquisition by the US private equity investor Blackstone. The sale is subject to approval by various regulatory authorities.

European private equity firm Cinven and its minority partner CCMP LLC, sold Klöckner Pentaplast, which they acquired in 2001, for a reported purchase price of €1.3 billion. The management of the Klöckner Pentaplast Group will remain in place.

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group, the world's leading producer of films for pharmaceutical, medical device, food, electronics, and general-purpose thermoform packaging, as well as printing and specialty applications, has sales of over €1.2 billion and employs more than 3,400 people worldwide.

DLA Piper advised The Klöckner Pentaplast Group on several transactions in the recent past, among other things on the sale of the "flexible film" business to the Wihuri Group as well as the acquisition of the "PVC film" business of Supreme Industries Limited in India.

DLA Piper Corporate partner Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout said: "This is a very interesting deal because of the number of jurisdictions involved and resources which had to be pulled together to make it work on short notice."

The DLA Piper team in Cologne was led by partner Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout (Corporate) and comprised associates Dr Katia Niemann (Corporate), Jens-Peter Eickhoff (Corporate), Dr Tobias Kruse (Corporate), Dr Fabian Hinrichs (Real Estate), Julia Hardeweg (Employment), Dr Markus Kamp (Employment), Saskia Lais (TMC) and Dr Kai Tumbrägel (TMC) an. In addition DLA Piper and DLA Piper Group lawyers in Australia, China, England and Wales, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Russian Federation, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Thailand, as well as six associated law firms were involved in the transaction.

05-09-2007

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Piper Rudnick, L.L.P.

DLA Piper advises EDS on US$ 1 Billion IT-Outsourcing deal from Karstadtquelle
DLA Piper advises the leading global technology services company EDS Deutschland GmbH on the US$ 1 billion IT-outsourcing from KarstadtQuelle, Europe's leading retail and tourism group.

KarstadtQuelle AG sold 74.9% of the shares in its IT subsidiary Itellium Systems & Services GmbH to EDS Deutschland GmbH. It is understood that the transaction is subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities. Itellium will continue to provide comprehensive IT services for KarstadtQuelle group. The outsourcing agreement between Itellium and KarstadtQuelle covers IT operations, further development and modernisation of the KarstadtQuelle IT application landscape; and focuses on the heavily increasing online business. OTC Retail (Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH) and the Primondo Group (Mail Order) will particularly benefit from the partnership.

The transaction was led by the EDS general counsel for EMEA Central, Thomas Burkhart, with support from Sven Kullmann and Simone Wenner.

The DLA Piper team in Frankfurt consisted of the partners Michael Magotsch (lead partner, Employment, Benefits and Pensions), Dr Kirsten Girnth (Corporate, M&A, IT) and Michael Ghaffar (Antitrust) and comprised associates Jens Tiede (Corporate), Dr Rolf Kinner (Corporate) and Pascal Kremp (Employment, Benefits and Pensions).

05-09-2007

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Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

George Cauthen To Receive S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center 2007 Advocate of the Year
The South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center will hold its 2007 Advocate of the Year reception honoring George Cauthen on Wednesday, May 16, 2007. This award is given each year to honor an individual who works to achieve SC Appleseed’s mission to provide and promote access to justice for all South Carolinians.

"George Cauthen embodies our belief that a fair and just society is what protects us all, regardless of economic status in life," the organization said in naming Mr. Cauthen. "Throughout his career he has defined what it means to be a pro bono attorney and has been instrumental in developing pro bono programs in South Carolina and the nation. Mr. Cauthen’s compassion for those in need is unwavering and is what makes him truly deserving of SC Appleseed’s Advocate of the Year award."

A partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Mr. Cauthen practices in the area of creditor bankruptcy law. He has held numerous positions of leadership, including chair of the American College of Bankruptcy’s Pro Bono Committee and Chair of the South Carolina Bar’s Pro Bono Program. Most recently Mr. Cauthen’s efforts have seen the creation the S.C. Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission.

05-09-2007

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Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.

Kern Joins Jones Walker’s New Orleans Office
The law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P. is pleased to announce that Tracy E. Kern has joined the firm as special counsel in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. She will practice from the firm’s New Orleans office.

Prior to joining Jones Walker, Ms. Kern was a partner and co-chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Area at Frilot Partridge, L.C. Her practice spans all aspects of employment litigation, including both state and federal claims, and individual and class action suits. Her experience includes successfully litigating cases on a national basis in more than 35 jurisdictions, as well as general employment consulting work for a wide range of industries.

Ms. Kern received her J.D. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University in 1990 and her B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1986. She is a native of Austin, Texas.

05-09-2007

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Holland & Knight, L.L.P.

Holland & Knight's Government Contracts Practice Expands West Coast Presence With Arrival of Seasoned Procurement Lawyer
Holland & Knight grows the firm's West Coast Government Contracts practice with the addition of former U.S. Air Force judge advocate and litigation attorney Alan Dickson. Dickson, who joins the firm's Los Angeles office as partner, is nationally regarded for his expertise in government contracting, particularly in the areas of teaming agreements for offerors on new projects, contract claims, bid protests, problem recognition and avoidance and "organizational conflicts of interest" – the latter often posing a difficult hurdle in the wake of defense industry consolidation. He brings more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of government, commercial and construction contracting issues and related litigation.

"Alan is a preeminent lawyer with impressive credentials and deep experience," said Dick Duvall, who heads the firm's Litigation Section. "He will play an important role in the expansion on the West Coast of our well-established government contracts practice."

Dickson represents public and private sector clients across multiple industries, from software and computer products and heavy equipment manufacturing to strategic defense studies, engineering and environmental services, construction, aerospace, health care and research and development. His work also encompasses assisting and representing clients undergoing civil and criminal government investigations, security clearance inquiries and suspension and debarment proceedings.

Prior to entering private practice, Dickson was on active duty for more than six years with the Air Force as an attorney specializing in contract law issues and criminal proceedings, and thereafter rose to the grade of Colonel during his tenure with the Judge Advocate General's Department Reserve. Most recently, he was with Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.

"There is tremendous opportunity in the government contracts sector on the West Coast, and in Los Angeles in particular," said Jerry Levine, executive partner of the firm's Los Angeles office. "Alan has the experience and track record to serve our clients well, and we are pleased he has decided to join us."

Dickson is a Fellow, a Certified Professional Contracts Manager and a former president of two local chapters of the National Contract Management Association, and is a member of the American Bar Association's Litigation Section and Section of Public Contract Law. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1968. He also holds an LL.M. in government procurement law, with highest honors, from George Washington University (1972), and a bachelor's degree, with distinction, from Yale University (1965).

05-09-2007

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