Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Gardner, Carton & Douglas, L.L.P.

Thinking Outside the Box to Put Law School in a Box
Some aspire to comedy, others have comedic opportunities thrust upon them. John Cascarano, who recently joined the Real Estate Practice Group as an associate, got the opportunity to have a little fun with his chosen profession when two college buddies called upon him to create “Law School In A Box” for Mental_Floss magazine.

John had been practicing law in Atlanta for almost a year when Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur approached him about he and his wife summing up the knowledge they acquired in law school so that it would fit neatly into a “handsome metal box.”

“The timing of it all was just perfect,” said John. “We were in Atlanta, getting ready to move to Philadelphia. So we finished the book, packed up and made the move.”

“Law School in Box” contains a mini, 96-page textbook with chapters such as “Supreme Wisdom: Some Fancy-Shmancy Legal Quotes to Keep On Hand,” and a section of the best and worst legal movies titled, “Lights, Cameras, Lawyers: Movies to Watch.” The kit also includes 10 “Heroes of the Courtroom” trading cards, 10 extra credit “You Be the Judge” cards, which include such historically relevant case law as Kyllo v. U.S., in which the Supreme Court decided that the police could not search a residence using a thermal imager because, as Justice Scalia noted, “[t]he Agema Thermovision 210 might disclose, for example, at what hour each night the lady of the house takes her daily sauna and bath – a detail that many would consider intimate.”

There is also a bar exam, a mini bar exam and a diploma, written in both English and Latin, giving you everything you need to be a lawyer at a fraction of the cost of law school. The side of the box even provides a handy cost comparison.

John’s wife, Jacquelyn Ona Cascarano, was a semester behind John when they met at the University of Michigan Law School. She had just finished taking the bar when he came to her with the idea of writing this product. “When I told my wife she said, ‘Okay,’ ” he said slowly with his eyebrows raised. Then he smiled, “I don’t think you can really capture her reaction.”

Jacquelyn, an associate at the Philadelphia law firm Margolis Edelstein, was an editor of the Michigan Journal of Race and Law, so while she had writing and editing experience, she wasn’t as practiced in parody as her husband. John was a contributing writer for Mental_Floss before attending law school. However, he noted, the couple shared both the writing and researching.

“We did a decent amount of research for the project,” John said. “We used our law school books and outlines and researched on the Internet. There are a lot of good legal sites out there.”

While John has no immediate plans to work on another, similar project, he has spoken with his friend Mangesh about the two of them writing a book together. “Probably a novel. Maybe with a protagonist that is a midlevel, commercial real estate associate,” he said with a smile.”

08-08-2007

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Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery

New Book Features Contributions by Two Fitch Even Partners
Karl Fink and Steve Parmelee contributed two chapters of the recently published book Business Power – Creating New Wealth From IP Assets, which is the result of collaborative effort of several members of the National Knowledge and Intellectual Property Management Taskforce. This book presents a series of essays that are framed and intended to assist and inform both the experienced and those who are new to the nuances of intellectual property as it relates to business strategies and value.

The chapter authored by Mr. Fink, entitled “Value-Added Litigation,” addresses patent litigation decision making as a component of normal business strategy and explains how patent enforcement can dramatically strengthen and also protect a company’s market position. Mr. Fink identifies several factors that are central to the development of effective enforcement strategies, while emphasizing that patent litigation is not a layman’s game or something to be done on the cheap.

Mr. Parmelee’s contribution, entitled “How to Turn White Space Dark for Fun and Profit,” discusses the business benefits of a patent portfolio that leaves no “white space” (holes) in the protective blanket. It explains how white spaces represent a vulnerability and business threat which, if not repaired, can create disruptive patenting opportunities for competitors. This chapter goes on to provide instructions and tips on how to prepare for, conduct, and profit from white space patenting activities. Mr. Parmelee reveals a process, built over decades of experience, by which a proactive enterprise can successfully capitalize on white space inventing opportunities while avoiding the pitfalls that frequently frustrate such initiatives.

Other authors address topics such as the impact of intellectual property on corporate financial management, gaining competitive power through integrated intellectual property strategy, capturing the value of trade secrets, and defining brand and reputational value.

Business Power – Creating New Wealth From IP Assets is published by John Wiley & Sons and is available through various booksellers including Amazon and the Practicing Law Institute.

08-08-2007

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

Goldman Sachs in $850 Million Refinancing of One Liberty Plaza
Cleary Gottlieb represented Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company (GSMC) in its origination of an $850 million mortgage loan to a Brookfield Properties affiliate. The loan, secured by One Liberty Plaza in lower Manhattan, home to Cleary Gottlieb's New York office, funded on August 8.

GSMC is the commercial mortgage lending affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. Brookfield Properties is an office property corporation that owns, develops, and operates premier assets in the downtown cores of high-growth North American cities.

08-08-2007

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McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

MBHB Partner Paul H. Berghoff discusses KSR v. Teleflex
Paul Berghoff joined Scott Draughon on August 8, 2007 to discuss the amicus brief filed by the Intellectual Property Owners Association in the KSR v. Teleflex case.

08-08-2007

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Balch & Bingham LLP

Southern Lenders Voluntarily Drops Suit Against Tidwell DeWitt
"In Fulton County Superior Court, Southern Lenders Mortgage Company voluntarily dropped its suit against Tidwell DeWitt without prejudice in a filing August 3.

Southern Lenders had alleged that Tidwell DeWitt and two of its auditors, Chuck Johnson and Renee Day, should have discovered an approximately $4 million bank fraud committed by Southern Lenders over a 5-year time period. Both Southern Lenders and its former vice president Joe White have pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud charges.

White acknowledged in an affidavit that Southern Lenders management intentionally misled Tidwell DeWitt and state auditors. White also acknowledged that, “In my opinion, there is no way the state auditors or our auditors could have uncovered our misappropriation of the warehouse line funds.""

“We are very pleased that this matter has wilted in the light of day,” said Mitch Poole, chief operating officer and Atlanta managing member of Tidwell DeWitt. “Our representation at Balch & Bingham truly guided us through this time. We knew this case was without merit and this action clearly vindicates the firm and its people.” "

08-08-2007

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Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP

Aiken, Kramer & Cummings Joins Wendel Rosen
Law firm Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP, headquartered in downtown Oakland and founded in 1909, will combine with another deeply rooted Oakland law firm, Aiken, Kramer & Cummings, Inc., effective Oct. 1, 2007. Established in 1896, Aiken Kramer brings a wealth of construction and business law experience and additional real estate capabilities that trace back to the firm’s early history on notable projects such as the Carquinez Bridge and Hearst Castle.

Joining Wendel Rosen as partners are Aiken Kramer’s managing director and principal Steven J. Cramer, who has more than 20 years of business and transactional experience; 40-year legal veteran John A. Harkavy, also a business and transactional attorney; experienced construction litigators Matthew F. Graham and Richard A. Sipos; and Elizabeth M. Engh, who focuses on estate planning, probate and trusts.

"The depth of experience – particularly in the construction and business arena – that the Aiken Kramer team brings to the firm is tremendous," said Howard Lind, managing partner for Wendel Rosen. "We expect that in addition to providing a significant increase in our business, Steve, John, Matt, Richard and Elizabeth will deliver additional expertise and capacity in providing legal services to our existing clients and will contribute to our firm leadership. Wendel Rosen will support these fine attorneys with a deep bench on which they can draw to meet and exceed their clients' expectations."

“When we first considered joining with another firm, we were committed to remaining in Oakland, and it would be impossible not to look long and hard at Wendel Rosen in surveying the East Bay legal landscape,” said Cramer. “That look proved that Wendel Rosen attorneys, who sit only nine floors above us, are a like-minded bunch that value longevity in client relationships and active participation within the community, as well as outstanding legal work delivered efficiently.”

Cramer has practiced with Aiken Kramer since 1983. He focuses on commercial and real estate transactional matters, representing both buyers and sellers in public and private merger and acquisition transactions. Cramer also works with clients, from international corporations to smaller, local enterprises, in an array of business transactional matters, including those impacted by federal and state corporate, securities and banking laws. He received his J.D from the University of California, Los Angeles (1983) and his B.S. from the University of Santa Clara (1980). Cramer is also member of both the State Bar of California and the Alameda County Bar Association.

Harkavy joined Aiken Kramer in 1969 and developed an extensive practice focused on acquisitions and other reorganization transactions, as well as complex business, commercial, financial, contractual and other transactional matters and related intellectual property and real estate law. His experience in cross-border acquisitions and other business transactions includes work in Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Canada and Australia. Harkavy is also particularly adept in acting as the de facto general counsel to numerous mid-size

businesses involved in manufacturing, distribution, software, waste management, wine and professional or commercial services. He also serves as a litigation consultant on complex business matters. Harkavy holds a J.D. from University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (1967) and his B.A. from Bucknell University (1964). Harkavy is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California for the U.S. District Courts, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court. He is also a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.
With Aiken Kramer since 1985, Graham focuses on construction and environmental litigation. He received his J.D from the University of San Francisco School of Law (1980) and his B.A. from the University of San Francisco (1977). Graham is a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society, Alameda County Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association and American Bar Association.

Sipos joined Aiken Kramer in 1991 and focuses on construction and real estate law, as well as complex business litigation. He has authored multiple articles and is a member of the board of directors for the Beard Land and Improvement Company, Del Este Properties and the Modesto & Empire Traction Company. Sipos also serves as a mediator for the Alameda County Superior Court and the U.S. District Court, Northern District. He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University (1986) and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (1983).

Engh, a certified specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law, joined Aiken Kramer in 1980. She is a lecturer for the Continuing Education of the Bar, a former committee chair for the Alameda County Bar Estate Planning, Trust and Probate section, and a member of the California State Bar Estate Planning Section. Engh received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (1977) and her B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (1973).

08-08-2007

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Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP

Smith Moore Adds to its Real Estate Practice in Wilmington
Smith Moore LLP continues the expansion of its Wilmington office with the addition of its fourth attorney since June. Aimee Ezzell joins the real estate development practice, becoming the 25th attorney overall to join the firm this year.

Michael Lee, a partner in Smith Moore's Wilmington office, says Ezzell's addition reflects fast-changing developments in both the firm and the region. "The rapid growth in the commercial real estate market necessitates that we expand our capacity to serve this region," Lee says. "There are already several major corporations and developers who have, or are looking to, bring their business to this region of the state and beyond. We are increasing our own capabilities in order to position ourselves as an asset to development needs in Wilmington's real estate landscape, as well as across the Southeast."

Ezzell's practice will focus on real estate development and corporate law. She joins Smith Moore after pursuing a varied practice across the country, including a clerkship with the United States Court of Appeals, practice with Keker & Van Nest, LLP in San Francisco, and most recently, practice in the Wilmington office of Fletcher, Ray and Satterfield, LLP. "I'm looking forward to being a part of the Smith Moore team," said Ezzell. "Smith Moore is well known for its real estate capabilities and I'm eager to help continue the growth and success of that practice in Wilmington."

Ezzell is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the Yale Law School. She is a member of the American Bar Association and state bar associations of New York, California and North Carolina.

08-08-2007

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