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Palmer & Dodge LLP

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Litigation Attorney Cathy Fleming Installed as President of the National Association of Women Lawyers
Cathy Fleming, a Partner in the Litigation Department in the New York and New Jersey offices of the 500-attorney national law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, has been sworn-in as President of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). The investiture took place at noon on July 18, 2006 at the organization’s annual meeting at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City where 1,000 people attended. The National Association of Women Lawyers is a national voluntary legal professional organization boasting thousands of individual members and dozens of law firm and law school members. Founded in 1899, NAWL is the oldest organization of women lawyers in the United States.

Fleming, who is the firm’s first chair of its white collar/corporate integrity group, is an accomplished trial lawyer who has particular expertise in complex civil litigation, white collar criminal cases, money laundering, international extraditions, securities, employment, antitrust and environmental law. A 2006 New York Super Lawyer, Fleming has tried more than 50 cases to verdict, most of which have been in federal courts, including in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois and California. Many of Fleming’s cases have been high profile, significant matters.

A frequent speaker and published author, Fleming teaches regularly at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and at other legal symposia. Fleming serves as Trustee to the Historical Society of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. A resident of Closter, NJ she is admitted to the New Jersey Bar and the New York Bar. She received her J.D. degree from Columbia University School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College. Fleming is the proud mother of son Daniel, 21, and daughter Caitlin, 18. She has been married to Steven John Abrams, also a lawyer, since 1980.

The National Association of Women Lawyers enjoys a widely diverse membership from all 50 states. NAWL is a national, voluntary legal professional organization committed to advancing women in the profession. NAWL historically and currently serves as an education forum and provides an active voice for the concerns of women in the profession and women worldwide. For more information, visit www.nawl.org.

07-18-2006

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O'Melveny & Myers, LLP

O'Melveny Wins Asylum for Venezuelan Man
O'Melveny & Myers recently won political asylum in the United States for ""Diego"" (not his real name), a Venezuelan man who was routinely harassed and detained by the Venezuelan state police because of his sexual orientation and was often discriminated against because he is HIV positive.

New York counsel Matthew Merrick represented Diego, with the assistance of associate Monte Albers de Leon and law clerk Samuel Zajarias. Associate Arlene Delgado and legal assistant Lamia Azize also provided valuable support, while partner Howard Heiss provided overall supervision on the case. Immigration Equality referred the case to O'Melveny and provided helpful advice and guidance throughout the representation.

Diego is a 45-year-old, homosexual man who tested HIV positive in 1994. From the time he was a child, he was harassed and abused by classmates and other children in his neighborhood because of his effeminate nature. As an adult, he was subjected to police harassment and brutality, as the Venezuelan police often raided establishments frequented by homosexuals.

After he learned that he was HIV positive, Diego lost his job because the public health clinic where he was tested informed Diego's employer of his HIV positive diagnosis. After that , it became difficult for Diego to obtain any employment besides contract work since employers in Venezuela routinely test new employees for HIV without their consent and then refuse to hire those who test positive. Diego also tragically lost his partner to AIDS in 1996, and since that time has had to struggle to obtain effective medical treatment for himself.

In the last few years, the amount of harassment by police against homosexuals in Venezuela has increased and, despite efforts to be discrete about his sexual orientation, Diego and his current partner repeatedly were harassed and detained by police — sometimes for hours at a time. Typically, the police would extort money from them by threatening to arrest them and inform their employers about their sexual orientation. Diego also witnessed other homosexual men being severely beaten and raped by police officers and feared that would happen to him.

In March 2005, after yet another episode of police harassment, detention and extortion, Diego visited the United States, where he learned about the possibility of obtaining asylum based on one's HIV status and sexual orientation.

O'Melveny took Diego's case on a pro bono basis in September 2005. After several interviews with Diego, the O'Melveny team submitted Diego's I 589 asylum application, including: (1) a Declaration from Diego describing the struggles and police harassment he has endured throughout his life because of his sexual orientation and HIV positive diagnosis; (2) an affidavit of Diego's partner corroborating the police harassment and extortion; (3) medical documents demonstrating Diego's HIV status; and (4) a country report documenting the treatment of homosexuals in Venezuela.

The bases for Diego's application were: (1) that he had suffered persecution in the past because of his membership in two particular social groups, homosexuals, and persons diagnosed with HIV; and (2) that he had a well founded fear that he would suffer persecution in the future if he were to return to Venezuela.

On June 19, 2006, Diego was interviewed for nearly two hours by an asylum officer, who scrutinized many details of Diego's personal life. Two weeks later, the New York asylum office issued a noticed to Diego indicating Recommended Approval for asylum from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (U.S. C.I.S.). Diego is expected to receive Final Approval of his asylum status in several months, after the U.S. C.I.S. completes a routine investigation of his background and identity.

""Diego is thrilled with the outcome and the fact that he now has the opportunity to rebuild his life here in the United States,"" Matthew Merrick said, adding, ""Assisting Diego in fleeing horrific persecution and getting the chance to start a new life here has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, personally.

07-18-2006

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Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo P.C.

Mintz Levin Represents Viceroy Acquisition Corporation in Its Listing on the London Stock Exchange
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. announced it represented Viceroy Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company (""SPAC""), in its listing on AIM, a market of the London Stock Exchange plc. Viceroy Acquisition Corporation, which is seeking to invest in the rapidly growing biofuels market in the United States, commenced trading of its common shares and warrants on AIM on July 12, 2006.

Viceroy Acquisition Corporation has raised approximately $180 million (before expenses) through a successful placing of 22,500,000 units, each unit comprising one share and one warrant, at $8 per unit. The lead placing agent was CRT Capital LLC.

Viceroy Acquisition Corporation has been established to pursue acquisitions initially only in certain segments of the oil and gas industry including: the refining, storage, transportation and marketing of alternative fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol; the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products; and the exploration, development, extraction, production, storage, transportation and marketing of natural gas and crude oil.

Mintz Levin's London office and New York office collaborated on advising the Viceroy Acquisition Corporation. The New York team was comprised of members Kenneth Koch and Jeffrey Schultz and associates Federica Bisone and Raoul Duggal. The London team included of counsel Lena Hodge and associate Jemma Atkins.

Mintz Levin is an AmLaw 100 law firm with offices in the US and the UK. The firm has exceptional depth in a broad range of practice areas, but our clients recognize that what sets us apart from other law firms is our industry focus. By truly understanding business drivers and industry trends, we are able to provide our clients with more than just legal advice. We provide legal solutions to our clients' business issues. Since 1933, our lawyers have represented entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, government agencies, and leaders in primary industries that include Life Sciences/Biotechnology; Technology & Communications; Financial Services & Insurance; Healthcare; Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction; and Retail & Consumer Products. Our practical knowledge combined with our industry expertise enables us to provide our clients with enterprise legal advice that gives their business a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

07-18-2006

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McDermott Will & Emery

MICHAEL POPE NAMED CHAIR OF NEW ACTL COMMITTEE
Michael A. Pope, a partner in McDermott Will & Emery's Chicago Trial Department, has been appointed the inaugural chair of the Courageous Jurist Award Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). The mission of the committee is to honor judges throughout the country who have performed their duties under very difficult or dangerous circumstances.

Mr. Pope is a fellow of the ACTL and serves on its special committee on the Administration of Justice. ACTL is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the ACTL is extended by invitation only and only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. The College strives to improve and elevate the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the trial profession. For more information visit www.actl.com/.

As head of McDermott's product liability practice, Mr. Pope has a national practice in product liability matters, including the defense of class action lawsuits. He also has extensive experience in handling reinsurance disputes, in the interpretation of excess and umbrella liability insurance policies, and in professional liability and complex business litigation.

Mr. Pope is the immediate past president of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association. He is a former chairman of the board of trustees of the National Judicial College in Nevada. He heads the Defense Research Institute’s Task Force on Mass Torts, and is a past president of Lawyers for Civil Justice, a national coalition of corporations and trial lawyers interested in improvements in the civil justice system. He has served as president of the International Association of Defense Counsel. He is also a fellow of the International Society of Barristers and of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Since 1996, he has been a member of the American Law Institute. Mr. Pope is a member of the Chicago Bar Association (Board of Managers, 1987-1990), the Illinois State Bar Association (Chair, Special Committee on Discovery Reform, 1994-1995), the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute (Board of Directors, 1993-1995), and the Product Liability Advisory Council.

07-18-2006

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McCarter & English, Attorneys At Law

McCarter Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers, a comprehensive and diverse guide to outstanding attorneys published by Law & Politics, has recognized the following McCarter & English attorneys as New York Super Lawyers for 2006:
Stephen Fields - Business/Corporate
James Frankel - Construction/Surety
Ralph Miles - Real Estate
Richard O'Leary - Personal Injury Defense: Products
David Richards - Real Estate
Eugene Scheiman - Construction Litigation

07-18-2006

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Kilpatrick Stockton LLP

KILPATRICK STOCKTON ADDS PROMINENT PARTNER TO LEAD NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS TEAM
Kilpatrick Stockton announced today the addition of prominent attorney Keith Harper to lead the firm’s Native American Affairs Team. Mr. Harper is joining the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Litigation Department. His practice will focus on litigation, property and infrastructure development opportunities, and the area of financing.

“Keith Harper is a significant addition to Kilpatrick Stockton,” said Bill Brewster, Managing Partner, Kilpatrick Stockton. “We are excited to have one the country’s leading Native American Affairs attorneys join the firm. Keith’s depth of experience will only enhance an already outstanding and well-recognized team.”

The Native American Affairs Team includes partners Bill Austin, Bill Dorris, Elliott Levitas, Mark Levy, David Smith, Earle Taylor and David Zacks.
“Keith has been an instrumental force in representing over a half a million Native Americans in our landmark case -- Cobell v. Kempthorne,” said Elouise Cobell, Plaintiff and member of the Blackfeet Nation. “Keith’s hard work in this great struggle since the day it was filed over 10 years ago is a testament to his commitment and dedication. I look forward to continuing to work with him as part of Kilpatrick Stockton’s team.”

Cobell v. Kempthorne (formerly known as Cobell v. Norton) is a class-action lawsuit filed on June 10, 1996, in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. to force the federal government to account for billions of dollars belonging to approximately 500,000 American Indians and their heirs, and held in trust since the late 19th century. Kilpatrick Stockton has been involved in the representation of Cobell since 1996.

Mr. Harper is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He received a B.A. in sociology and psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from New York University (NYU) School of Law. While at NYU, Mr. Harper was a Root-Tilden-Snow Scholar, a Fellow at the Center for International Studies, a Graduate & Professional Opportunity Fellow and Articles & Notes Editor for the Journal of International Law & Politics. In addition, he served as Chair of the Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) and on the National NALSA Board.

Following law school, Mr. Harper worked in private practice at Davis, Polk & Wardwell and then served as law clerk to the Honorable Lawrence W. Pierce of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Subsequent to the judicial clerkship, Mr. Harper was granted a Skadden Arps Fellowship to join the Native American Rights Fund, where he remained as a staff attorney until joining Kilpatrick Stockton. It is here, in addition to other cases, that Mr. Harper became class counsel in the Cobell case.

Mr. Harper is the past President of the Native American Bar Association of Washington, DC and is a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s NGL Fellowship. He taught ""Federal Indian Law"" at Catholic University Columbus School of Law and American University Washington College of Law. Since January 2001, Mr. Harper has served as Appellate Judge on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court.

07-18-2006

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Jackson Walker L.L.P.

Joel Heydenburk Elected Treasurer of the Fort Worth - Tarrant County Young Lawyer's Association
Joel Heydenburk was elected Treasurer of the Fort Worth - Tarrant County Young Lawyer's Association. The association is "a voluntary Bar organization for young lawyers living or working in Tarrant County. FW-TCYLA is a local affiliate of the Texas Young Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division.

07-18-2006

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