Law Firm News

---

Law Firm News

Firm Name

News Title

News

News Date

25383 matches |  14309-14315 displayed

1  2041 2042 2043 2044 2045  3627

---

Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, L.L.P.

Leading Brazilian Cable TV Company in $150 Million Guaranteed Perpetual Bond Offering
Cleary Gottlieb represented Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. as initial purchaser in Net Serviços de Comunicação’s ("Net") offering of $150 million of 9.25% guaranteed perpetual bonds. The bonds are unconditionally guaranteed by all of Net’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The deal closed on November 28.

Net is the largest cable television operator in Brazil and one of the largest pay-television operators in Latin America.

11-28-2006

---

Clausen Miller PC

Clausen Miller Listed in National Law Journal's Top 250 Law Firms
Clausen Miller P.C. was listed in the National Law Journal's Top 250 Law Firms Survey.

11-28-2006

---

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

California Senator Martha Escutia Joins Manatt
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, the national law and consulting firm, announced today that California State Senator Martha M. Escutia will join the firm’s California Government & Regulatory Division as a partner. Senator Escutia, known as an innovative leader and consensus builder, will be based in Los Angeles, and plans to serve clients in Manatt’s offices in California, Washington, D.C., New York and Mexico.

Representing California’s 30th Senate District, Senator Escutia has served in the California State Senate since 1998, and has served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, and Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Global Environment. A leading Democrat, Senator Escutia worked closely with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on a number of key legislative initiatives. Senator Escutia previously served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and as Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Senator Escutia’s leadership as Chair of the Judiciary Committee has been widely recognized. “The entire California judiciary is deeply indebted to Senator Martha Escutia for her great contributions to improving the administration of justice in our state,” said Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. “Martha is a real lawyer, whereas I’m just licensed to practice law. She was an impressive Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and her meticulous work product set the bar high for future Senators,” said John Burton, former President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate.

Senator Escutia has been actively involved in matters relating to Latin America, participating in major conferences in Mexico, and leading a California trade and business delegation to Argentina. She has served as an Advisory Board Member of the U.S.-Mexico Binational Education Initiative, and as a Board member of the California Latino Caucus Institute.

From 1992 to 1998, Senator Escutia served as a member of the California State Assembly from the 50th Assembly District. As a member of the Assembly, she served as Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, and Chair of the Assembly Committee on the Alameda Corridor.

Senator Escutia received her B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Southern California in 1979, and her J.D. from Georgetown University in 1982. She did graduate work in foreign trade and investment, receiving a certificate from Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City in 1981, and a certificate from The World Court at The Hague in 1986.

In addition to previous experience in private law practice, Senator Escutia served as Vice President and Counsel of United Way of Los Angeles, and as Supervising Research Attorney for the Los Angeles County Superior Court. She has served as a lecturer and faculty member of the University of Southern California School of Policy Planning & Development, and East Los Angeles Community College.

A prolific writer and speaker, Senator Escutia has been counted among the top 100 lawyers in Los Angeles County and in the State of California by The Daily Journal, and has received numerous awards and commendations from organizations ranging from The California League of Conservation Voters to The Sierra Club to Good Housekeeping Magazine.

“No one better understands California’s unique political balance or has a better appreciation of what it takes to get things done in this state,” said George D. Kieffer, Manatt’s California Government & Regulatory Chair. “She’s an exceptional lawyer, as well as an exceptional person. We are fortunate to have her join us.”

“Martha Escutia is a strategic thinker and problem solver,” said Paul H. Irving, Manatt’s Chief Executive and Managing Partner. “She will become an important resource for clients throughout California, across the country and internationally who seek to build bridges, enhance relationships and expand their businesses.”

“I am grateful for my experiences in public service, and I’m excited to be moving to the next chapter in my career,” Senator Escutia added. “Manatt is focused on the intersection of business and public policy, and it is known for its emphasis on excellence, and for extraordinary client service. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continuing growth and prosperity.

11-28-2006

---

Lewis and Roca LLP

Garrett D. Gordon Joins Lewis and Roca as an Associate
Lewis and Roca is pleased to announce that Garrett D. Gordon has joined the firm’s growing Reno office.

Mr. Gordon, an Associate, will be a member of the Real Estate, Zoning, Planning and Land Use, and Government Relations Practice Groups. He concentrates his practice in residential and commercial real estate development, land use entitlements, and real property sales and purchases. Prior to joining Lewis and Roca, Mr. Gordon was an associate with Lionel Sawyer & Collins. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Mr. Gordon served as a law clerk in the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the Delaware Attorney General’s Office and as a legal intern in the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office in Rockville, Maryland. He also served as a legal research and policy honors extern to the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Gordon received his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and his B.S. in Urban Planning from the University of Utah.

11-28-2006

---

Holland & Knight, L.L.P.

New Survey Ranks Holland & Knight Among Nation's Top 3 Law Firms for Superior Client Service
A new survey of more than 250 corporate counsel at Fortune 1000 companies ranks Holland & Knight LLP as one of the nation's top three law firms for delivery of superior client service. Contributing to Holland & Knight's ranking was the firm's rating in advising clients on business issues and its commitment to helping clients, according to The BTI Consulting Group, Inc., which conducts the annual Survey of Client Service Performance for Law Firms.

Survey results are compiled through interviews in which corporate counsel rate firms on 17 attributes of client service, such as client focus, value for the dollar, keeping clients informed, breadth of services, and unprompted communication. The final survey results this year contain details on 238 firms.

This is the fifth year that Holland & Knight has been named to BTI's list of Top 30 law firms for client service – a distinction held by just four other firms. This year, Holland & Knight ranks Best of the Best in the categories Best Performing Overall and Advising on Business Issues, and Leader of the Best in Breadth of Services, Bringing Together National Resources, Client Focus, Commitment to Help, Handling Problems, Providing Value for the Dollar, and Regional Reputation. Overall, Holland & Knight is included in top rankings (Best of the Best, Leader of the Best and Honor Roll) in every category.

"Providing extraordinary client service is at the core of everything we do at Holland & Knight," said Managing Partner Howell W. Melton, Jr. "The strength of our client relationships are the principal measurement of our success. It is gratifying to know that our valued clients recognize our commitment to providing exceptional client service."

11-28-2006

---

Cooley Godward Kronish LLP

Real Estate Practice Closes On Aruba Marriott, Among Largest Deals in Caribbean Lodging History
The Real Estate practice group of Cooley Godward Kronish LLP has acted as counsel on one of the largest deals in Caribbean lodging history. Cooley attorneys represented Caribbean Real Estate Opportunity Fund 2005, L.P. in its acquisition of the 413-room Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino in Aruba. The acquisition closed on November 14, 2006.

The heavily structured transaction involved significant negotiation and coordination with seller’s counsel, as well as with local advisors to the Fund on legal and structuring issues covering U.S., Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba law.

Marriott will continue to manage the property under a long-term management agreement with the new owners. The resort features 20 suites with direct ocean views, a 17,000-square-foot casino, and 11,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. The new owners plan to renovate and reposition the property.

“This significant transaction is another example of the market leadership our real estate practice has developed in the Caribbean and Central America region,” said Gary M. Kravetz, Partner in the Real Estate practice at Cooley Godward Kronish. The group previously led the largest real property transaction in the history of Puerto Rico and is active in various additional property and development initiatives throughout the region.

The Cooley Godward Kronish team consisted of Mr. Kravetz and associates Donna Corrigan and Lesley Kroupa.

11-28-2006

---

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Bracewell & Giuliani Attorneys Win Two Patent Infringement Cases, Save Clients a Combined $95 Million
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP recently won two patent infringement cases in the span of one week, saving the firm's clients a combined total of $95 million.

In the first case, VAE Nortrak North America, Inc. v. Progress Rail Services Corporation, partners John F. Luman III, Glenn A. Ballard Jr. and Albert B. Kimball Jr., along with associates Andrew W. Zeve and Christopher L. Dodson, obtained a complete summary judgment victory. They defended Progress Rail against patent infringement claims pertaining to railroad track devices used to assist trains in switching tracks. In addition, they filed antitrust counterclaims on behalf of Progress Rail. The plaintiff sought damages for alleged willful infringement totaling $70 million, plus an injunction. The court dismissed all patent infringement claims against Progress Rail. In addition, the court ruled that the plaintiff’s patent was unenforceable and allowed Progress Rail to proceed with its antitrust claims against the plaintiff.

Five days later Bracewell's Intellectual Property Practice learned that a summary judgment was granted in favor of the firm's client Overstock.com. On Oct. 30, 2006, in Furnace Brook LLC vs. Overstock.com, Inc., the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted summary judgment that Overstock.com did not infringe US Patent No. 5,721,832 as a matter of law. Bracewell partners John H. Barr, Jr., Mr. Luman and associate Chris Shield defended Overstock.com. Furnace Brook filed suit against Overstock.com in New York in 2005, shortly after Overstock.com sued Furnace Brook in Utah for a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of a patent purchased by Furnace Brook at a bankruptcy auction in 2003. Overstock.com filed its suit against Furnace Brook in response to demands by Furnace Brook that Overstock.com purchase a license to the disputed patent.

Furnace Brook sought approximately $25 million for alleged willful infringement, claiming that its patent titled "Method and Apparatus for an Interactive Computerized Catalog System" applied to retailers selling products over the Internet. Furnace Brook contended that its patent covered Internet shopping involving both computers and Internet-enabled cellular telephones. Overstock.com vigorously litigated the case rather than pay any license fees.

“As a high profile internet retailer, Overstock.com has been the target of this type of claim before,” said Jonathan Johnson, Overstock.com's senior vice president of legal. “Overstock.com will never be bullied into purchasing licenses of patents that it does not infringe and will vigorously defend itself from any unfounded allegations of patent infringement.

11-28-2006

---

25383 matches |  14309-14315 displayed

1  2041 2042 2043 2044 2045  3627