Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Morrison & Foerster, LLP

Class Action Filed Challenging Government’s Mistreatment of Returning Veterans Suffering From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Attorneys at Morrison & Foerster LLP have filed an unprecedented national class action lawsuit alleging “shameful failures” by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and other government institutions to care for those veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and are now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). The firm is handling the case on a pro bono basis.

The action was brought on behalf of veterans and their families seeking or receiving death or disability compensation for PTSD, as well as those who have pending claims or who have applied for VA medical benefits based upon the disorder. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

Morrison & Foerster estimates the class size as between 320,000 and 800,000 veterans, by multiplying the number of military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan (1.6 million) by the estimated percentage of PTSD amongst the returning troops (20% to 50%). The non-profit Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth are among the plaintiffs.

Defendants include R. James Nicholson, Secretary of the VA (who resigned on July 17, effective later this year); Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States, Dr. Michael Kussman, Under Secretary of the Veterans Health Administration; Daniel L. Cooper, Under Secretary for the Veterans Benefits Administration, Pritz K. Navara, Veterans Service Center Manager, VA Oakland Regional Office, and various other government officials.

07-23-2007

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Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, P.L.C.

Miller Canfield Attorney Appointed to Board of Directors 555 Gallery
Lisa M. Berden, an associate in the Detroit office of Miller Canfield, was recently appointed to the board of directors of 555 Gallery/Studio in Detroit, a charitable organization.

The core mission of 555 Gallery/Studio is to further enrich and diversify cultural life in the greater metro Detroit area. In support of this mission, 555 engages in community outreach and youth art programs. It also facilitates the development of emerging artists by offering 555 exhibition/installation space, leading and collaborating in the development of programs for the visual and performing arts, and providing workspace for practicing artists.

At Miller Canfield, Berden practices federal tax law, including significant work with nonprofit and charitable organizations.

She is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Women Lawyers of Michigan, and the Urban Land Institute's Young Leaders Group.

She received her J.D. from Wayne State University where she was an assistant editor of the Law Review, and served on the Student Board of Governors. She received her B.A. from Michigan State University where she majored in English and Political Science. She also received a provisional teaching certificate from Central Michigan University and taught high school before becoming an attorney.

She resides in Madison Heights.

The law firm of Miller Canfield was established in Detroit in 1852 and employs more than 800 in offices in Michigan, Massachusetts, Florida, New York, Canada and Poland.

07-23-2007

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Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, P.L.C.

Miller Canfield Attorney Appointed to Board of Directors of Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance
Richard A. Walawender, a principal at the law firm of Miller Canfield and head of the firm's Automotive Group and Corporate and Securities Group, was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, internationally recognized as one of the most prestigious shows of exotic and valuable classic automobiles in the world. As a member of the board, he is involved in this year’s event on Sunday, August 5, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester.

At Miller Canfield, Walawender’s practice specializes in automotive commercial transactions and industry issues, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, licensing, dispute resolution, and international transactions.

He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He was also a M.A. candidate in the Center for Russian and Eastern European Studies at the University of Michigan, and received his B.A., with high distinction, from U of M, majoring in political science, Russian and Eastern European Studies. He also attended the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, International Bar Association, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Madonna University, where he is chairman of the board of trustees. In 2006 he was appointed to the Oakland County Planning and Economic Development, Business Roundtable Committee.

He resides in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Now in its 29th year, the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance takes place the first weekend in August every year on the lush grounds of historic Meadow Brook Hall. The Sunday Concours is the culmination of a week of spectacular events that celebrate The Art that Move Us - The Power and Beauty of the Automobile.

The law firm of Miller Canfield was established in Detroit in 1852 and employs more than 800 in offices in Michigan, Massachusetts, Florida, New York, Canada and Poland.

07-23-2007

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McDermott Will & Emery

Prominent Estate Planning Attorney Joins New York Office
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is delighted to announce that premier estate planning attorney Henry “Terry” Christensen III will join on August 1, as partner in the New York office. Mr. Christensen’s arrival establishes a private client practice in New York to add to the Firm’s 40+ private client lawyers.

Mr. Christensen is one of the most prominent private client attorneys in New York and is especially well known in the area of international estate planning. He represents some of the wealthiest individuals and families in the United States and around the world. He advises families and their closely held businesses on such legal matters as U.S. and foreign tax planning and disputes, wealth transfers, company structure, charitable foundations, the merging and selling of private companies, and trust and estate matters, including fiduciaries and individuals in disputes.

Mr. Christensen said, “Joining the McDermott team is a unique and exciting opportunity for me. McDermott has the finest private client practice in the country based in its Chicago office, but has lacked a New York and international private client presence. The Firm’s very strong lawyers in tax, litigation and other practices will be able to serve my clients well. I am pleased to head the New York and international private client practice, and I look forward to building this practice in future years.”

“There is no better attorney than Terry to develop and lead our New York Private Client Group, as well as our International Estate Planning Practice,” commented Carol Harrington, head of the Firm’s Private Client Department. “We have been looking for a senior person with a first rate reputation and practice, and we have found that in Terry. He is a great fit with our existing group.”

Mr. Christensen has more than 35 years experience in private client and estate planning work. He focuses on international estate planning and conducts an active Surrogate’s Court and Tax Court litigation practice. His practice also includes tax, tax controversy, tax exempt organizations, corporate, litigation and cross-border work. He joins McDermott from the New York office of Sullivan & Cromwell, where he has been the senior partner in the firm’s Estates and Personal Clients Group, and served as the administrative head from 1986 to 1995. He has been a partner of Sullivan & Cromwell for the past 30 years.

“Terry has built a premier international and domestic private client practice,” commented Peter Sacripanti, head of the Firm’s New York office. “His arrival will establish this important practice in our New York office while building on our existing premier estate planning practice.”

Mr. Christensen is president-elect of the International Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel, a member of Board of Regents of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC), the author of the treatise, International Estate Planning, and an adjunct faculty member of NYU Law School and the University of Miami Law School, teaching international estate planning. In addition, Mr. Christensen represents many charitable entities and educational organizations. Mr. Christensen earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Yale University.

07-23-2007

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McDermott Will & Emery

McDermott Will & Emery Advise on Thessaloniki Tunnel Syndication Launch
The international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery advised on the syndication of the €150 million senior debt tranche backing the Thessaloniki Submerged Tunnel PPP (Public Private Partnership) project which has just been launched.

The deal is a 30-year Design Build Finance Operate concession scheme to construct a by-pass to Thessaloniki. 3.4km of the by-pass is tunnel with 1.24km of the tunnel being immersed below the seabed. The tunnel will carry six lanes of traffic in total.

Our Banking and Finance team, led by project finance partner Andrew Watson, acted for the Project’s Sponsors, Elliniki Technodomiki TEB A.E., Boskalis International B.V. and Archirodon Group N.V., in relation to this (approximately) €477 million project since bid stage. He was assisted by a multi-disciplinary team including Cam Brockie, Kate Geraghty, Rashpaul Bahia, Charlotte Doerr, Juan Gutiérrez and Lara Kuehl.

This is the first of the current round of Greek transport infrastructure PPP projects to reach syndication having a combined value of approximately €7 billion.

The Mandated Lead Arrangers were advised by Allen & Overy and the European Investment Bank was advised by Freshfields.

07-23-2007

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Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Robin Kennedy and Michael Polentz to Join Firm's Palo Alto Office
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, the national law and consulting firm, announced today that Robin Kennedy and Michael Polentz have joined the firm as partners in the Real Estate and Land Use practice group, and will be located in the Palo Alto office. The pair make the move from Miller Starr Regalia. The addition of Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Polentz is significant as it represents the continued expansion of Manatt's real estate and land use practice, and increases Manatt's presence in the Bay Area.

"Robin Kennedy will play a key role in expanding our practice throughout the Bay Area," said Keith Allen-Niesen, co-chair of Manatt's Real Estate and Land Use practice group. "Robin is a superb real estate and land use lawyer, and our Northern California practice will benefit by the quality of her knowledge and professionalism. The addition of Michael Polentz and his depth of experience in leasing, construction, acquisitions and other real estate transactions will also contribute to our division's strength and growth. We are thrilled these extraordinary attorneys have come on board at Manatt."

"Robin and Michael will broaden our Palo Alto office's range of services to our clients," added David Herbst, administrative partner of the firm's Palo Alto office. "We look forward to adding these superb lawyers to our team, and increasing our real estate capabilities."

Ms. Kennedy's rich background as a real estate attorney includes having been the former Associate University Counsel of Stanford University (where she also received her J.D.). "Manatt's multidisciplinary range of practice areas gives me an opportunity to both enhance the services I can provide to my existing clients, and in kind, further serve Manatt's clients involved in real estate transactions," said Ms. Kennedy, who also has expertise in resolving easement, subdivision, and title issues. "I am further delighted my colleague of many years, Michael Polentz, and I will continue to work together at Manatt. We are both looking forward to joining the Manatt real estate team."

Ms. Kennedy's all-inclusive real estate practice covers transactions involving land use issues, CEQA compliance, ground leasing, commercial leasing, acquisitions, and purchase and sale agreements for both commercial and residential projects. She has represented Stanford University, the National Park Service at the Presidio in San Francisco, NASA-Ames, and California State University. Ms. Kennedy received her J.D. from Stanford Law School, an M.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley, and her A.B. degree, with great distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, in Political Science from Stanford University.

Mr. Polentz focuses his practice on real estate transactions covering commercial leasing, acquisition, disposition, construction and development of properties representing buyers, sellers, contractors, developers and hospitality clients. He also represents developers in land use, CEQA, redevelopment, zoning, subdivision, and other real estate development matters. Mr. Polentz has a general business and commercial law practice, as well, and is involved in the formation and financing (debt and equity) of corporate entities, and counseling clients on corporate compliance issues and responsibility. He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of San Diego.

07-23-2007

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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Expands Intellectual Property Litigation Practice.
"Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, today announced that it has hired Stefani Shanberg as a partner in its intellectual property litigation practice. Earlier in her career, Shanberg has been an associate at the firm.

""We are delighted to welcome Stefani back,"" said partner Mike Ladra. ""Her exceptional skills and experience as a litigator, her vast knowledge of a broad range of technology and consumer-product sectors, and her passion for her work make Stefani a great addition to our IP litigation team.""

Shanberg has extensive experience in patent, trade secret, trademark, and copyright law, and specializes in intellectual property litigation before the International Trade Commission (ITC), as well as the Federal Circuit Court of Appeal and several federal district courts. Her clients range from large, multinational corporations to start-ups in such fields as software, the Internet, semiconductors, product design, and consumer products. She joins the firm from Perkins Coie, where she focused on IP litigation. Prior to that, she was an associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto and, earlier, at Cox & Smith in San Antonio. Shanberg received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and earned her B.A., with high honors, from the University of Texas.

Shanberg, who will be based in the firm's Palo Alto office, joins an expanding team of ITC experts at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, including former ITC Administrative Law Judge Sidney Harris, who joined the firm earlier this month."

07-23-2007

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