Law Firm News

---

Law Firm News

Firm Name

News Title

News

News Date

25383 matches |  13679-13685 displayed

1  1951 1952 1953 1954 1955  3627

---

Butzel Long

Daniel B. Tukel publishes article in national publication
Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Daniel B. Tukel has published an article in Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin, a national publication of LexisNexis/Mathew Bender. The article is entitled, "Testing Accommodation: Is A 'Level Playing Field' Unfair?" The article addresses accommodation issues in testing, both in the employment and higher education context under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The article was also published in Bender's California Labor & Employment Bulletin.

Mr. Tukel is Chair of Butzel Long's Labor and Employment Law Department. His practice is devoted to representing both public and private employers and institutions of higher education in state and federal discrimination and wrongful discharge litigation, as well as traditional labor matters such as collective bargaining and union organizational drives. He regularly counsels employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, in statutory compliance, and in creating, implementing and administering employee handbooks and other personnel policies and practices.

He has represented employers before state and federal trial and appellate courts, and various administrative agencies including the National Labor Relations Board, National Mediation Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Michigan Department of Civil Rights; Federal and Michigan Departments of Labor; Michigan Employment Relations Commission, and Michigan Employment Security Commission.

Mr. Tukel has published many articles on various aspects of labor and employment law, including: "To Arbitrate or Not to Arbitrate Discrimination Claims: That Is Now The Question for Michigan Employers," September, 2000, Michigan Bar Journal (Publication of the State Bar of Michigan), Volume 79, No. 9; "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Amendment To Michigan Handicap Act Prohibits Use Of Genetic Information In Employment," Summer 2000 Labor And Employment Lawnotes (Publication of the Labor and Employment Law Section - State Bar of Michigan), Volume 10, No. 2; "Sticks And Stones May Break Your Bones, But That May Not Constitute A 'Disability'," Fall 1999 Labor And Employment Lawnotes, Volume 9, No. 3; "Student Versus Student: School District Liability for Peer Sexual Harassment," November 1996 Michigan Bar Journal, Volume 75, No. 11.

He has lectured on a wide range of employment and labor issues including serving on the faculty of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and as a private arbitrator and private facilitator in employment matters. He is a Fellow of the State Bar of Michigan Foundation, a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Detroit Bar Association, the Oakland County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the National Association of College and University Attorneys, and the Michigan Council of School Attorneys.

Mr. Tukel is an honors graduate of the University of Michigan Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1982). He also earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (A.B. with high honors and high distinction, 1979).

12-08-2006

---

Leonard, Street and Deinard

Jill Weber and Becky Bickett quoted in Finance and Commerce article
Jill Weber, Chief Marketing Officer, and Becky Bickett, Marketing Manager, were quoted in a front-page article, “It’s a brand new world,” published on November 11 in Finance and Commerce and reprinted in Minnesota Lawyer. The article discussed trends in legal marketing and the Annual “Your Honor Awards” sponsored by the Legal Marketing Association-Minnesota. In the article, Bickett, chair of the Your Honor Awards Committee, discussed LMA judging standards while Weber commented on the strategy behind Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Client Covenant ad campaign entry, which was awarded second place.

12-08-2006

---

Jorden Burt LLP

Revenue Sharing Lawsuit Filed Against Nationwide
On November 15, 2006, a purported nationwide class action was filed against Nationwide Life Insurance Co. and certain affiliates in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The complaint alleges that Nationwide's receipt and retention of revenue sharing fees constitutes breaches of Nationwide's common law fiduciary duties to the 457 plans and unjust enrichment.

12-08-2006

---

Jenner & Block LLP

Court Dismisses New York's Suit Against H&R Block
In a victory for Jenner & Block client H&R Block, Inc., a New York trial court granted the Firm's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the State of New York and its Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, that alleged the company had fraudulently sold its Express IRA retirement savings plans.

In granting the motion to dismiss for H&R Block Inc., the Supreme Court of the State of New York held that the New York Attorney General lacked jurisdiction over H&R Block, as it is a holding company based in Missouri. The court further held that the Attorney General had failed to allege any unlawful conduct against H&R Block Financial Advisors, an H&R Block subsidiary also named in the case, and dismissed the claims asserted against it on the merits.

The court left open the possibility for the New York Attorney General to replead his claims, but only if he can show that H&R Block Inc. is somehow present in the State through a subsidiary agent, and if he can show unlawful conduct “specifically attributable” to HRBFA.

Jenner & Block is acting as national coordinating counsel to H&R Block in this matter and approximately 20 other private class action cases filed throughout the U.S. involving the Express IRA product. The Jenner & Block team on this matter includes Partners Matthew M. Neumeier, Molly J. Moran, and Richard P. Steinken, and Associates Bethany K. Biesenthal, Shahid U. Haque, Stephanie L. Reinhart and Erinn L. Wehrman.

12-08-2006

---

Jenner & Block LLP

Firm Helps Restore Adoption Benefits to Pro Bono Client
Jenner & Block Associate Hanna L. Stotland recently helped an adopted child regain lost government benefits after challenging a provision in New York law that withdrew benefits for adoptees over the age of 18 whose adopted parents had died. As a result of the Firm’s actions in the matter and other pressures, the state enacted a new law amending the regulations.

When the client’s adoptive parent passed away in April 2005, her monthly adoption benefits were suspended by the state without notice. According to Ms. Stotland, the Firm’s client then dropped out of college to work at a Manhattan sandwich shop.

Typically, adopted children in New York are entitled to receive benefits until they turn 21. In the event a parent or legal guardian dies, adoption benefits may be transferred to another legal guardian. However, there was no legal mechanism at the time for adoptees over 18 years old to obtain a legal guardian, as the state considered them adults, and thus no benefits could be transferred.

In need of assistance, the Firm’s client approached Ms. Stotland’s sister, Eve Stotland, an attorney who worked for The Door, a local legal assistance agency. The two attorney siblings agreed to take on the case and sued the state to restore the monthly subsidy as well as win back lost benefits.

After a September 2005 hearing, an administrative judge ruled that the state adoption agency’s decision to suspend benefits was correct according to state law, although he noted that the client’s situation was "truly unfortunate" and urged the state legislature to amend he adoption regulations.

In their lawsuit against the state, the two attorneys charged that the adoption regulations at issue in the client’s case violated the federal and state constitutions' equal protection clauses, because the state’s contradictory rules for adopted children in such circumstances lacked any rational basis.

The New York State legislature subsequently passed new legislation that ensured adopted children over 18 do not lose benefits upon the death of a parent. New York Governor George E. Pataki signed the provision into law on August 16, 2006.

Following the enactment of the new law, the client’s monthly benefits were restored and she was awarded $17,000 in lost benefits.

12-08-2006

---

Jenner & Block LLP

Firm Obtains Summary Judgment for Client Pharmacia Corporation
In a victory for Jenner & Block client Pharmacia Corporation (a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.), an Iowa court granted summary judgment for Pharmacia Corporation in a lawsuit brought by Fisher Controls International, LLC, a manufacturer of industrial control valves and regulators. The case involved a dispute over which successor company was responsible for various litigation liabilities including thousands of asbestos claims arising out of the business of the former Fisher Governor Corporation.

In granting summary judgment to Pharmacia, the court ruled that Fisher Controls owned all of the liabilities of Fisher Governor, with two exceptions, and none of the liabilities at issue in the case belonged to Pharmacia.

Jenner & Block Partner Stephanie A. Scharf, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Products Liability and Mass Tort Defense Practice, represented Pharmacia in this case, along with Partner Sarah R. Marmor. Former Associates Chad Brooker and Omar Akbar also assisted in this matter.

12-08-2006

---

Hogan & Hartson LLP

Hogan & Hartson Enters Into Consulting Arrangement With Distinguished Japanese Law Professor
Hogan & Hartson LLP announced today that it has entered into a non-exclusive cooperation agreement with preeminent Japanese antitrust and trade law authority, Professor Mitsuo Matsushita.

Under the cooperation agreement, Professor Matsushita will consult on international trade law and antitrust law. In addition, he will advise the firm on Japanese law and procedures.

Professor Matsushita is professor of law at Seikei University, Tokyo, in addition to being professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and visiting professor at the College of Europe. He has been a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, Michigan Law School, and Columbia Law School.

Professor Matsushita has been a member of various councils with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Telecommunications, and other components of the Japanese government, with a focus on competition, telecommunications, customs and tariffs, export and import transactions, and industrial property.

He is a member of the Industrial Structure Council attached to the Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry and a member of the Special Grievance Resolution Council, attached to Office of Trade and Investment Ombudsman. Professor Matsushita is also a member of the advisory board attached to the Academy of the World Intellectual Property Organization and served as a founding member of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (1995 - 2000).

Professor Matsushita was awarded his doctorate (D. Jur.) from the University of Tokyo and his Ph.D. from Tulane University. He is admitted to practice by the Tokyo Bar.

12-08-2006

---

25383 matches |  13679-13685 displayed

1  1951 1952 1953 1954 1955  3627