Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Dykema Gossett PLLC

Viola Joins Dykema’s Litigation Practice In Los Angeles
Dykema today announced the addition of John Viola to its Litigation practice. Viola, joining the firm from Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP, will be a member in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

"John’s addition to the firm is exemplary of how we continue to deepen our already leading Litigation practice with the best talent in the industry," said Rex Schlaybaugh, Dykema’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "His considerable class action, trial and appellate experience will be valuable in assisting our clients’ needs, both regionally and nationally."

Viola practices in the area of commercial and complex litigation and employment litigation. He has an extensive trial practice in state and federal courts on matters including securities, ERISA, employment, life insurance, real estate, insurance bad faith claims, professional liability and insurance coverage disputes. He has significant class action experience and appellate practice, representing clients before Federal and State appellate courts throughout the United States.

"John brings over 25 years of experience and leadership to the firm," said Craig N. Hentschel, managing member of the firm’s Los Angeles office. "He is an outstanding attorney and we are proud to welcome him to our growing California team."

Viola’s arrival comes after Dykema welcomed Allan Gabriel to the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice group from Thelen Reid in May. Gabriel is also a member in Dykema’s Los Angeles office.

In his new role at Dykema, Viola will continue to be involved in commercial litigation ranging from administrative actions to complex multi-state matters. He will handle disputes pertaining to commercial and business issues, contracts, insurance, ERISA, employment, securities, real estate and many other matters.

He received an A.B. from Columbia University and a J.D. from New York University.

07-17-2007

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Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Bracewell & Giuliani Launches New Web site
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP announced the launch of its restructured Web site at www.bgllp.com.

The site’s home page prominently features information on its top practice areas, including energy, financial restructuring and bankruptcy, white collar criminal defense, private investment funds, banks and financial institutions, and environmental strategies.

Additionally, improved navigation and content organization tools enable easier access to information on firm professionals and practices, news and highlights, event and newsletter registration, and RSS and blog feeds.

“It was vitally important to redevelop the Web site to more closely align our online brand identity with our demonstrated expertise as well as enhance the site’s functionality, ensuring an optimal experience for external visitors and clients," said Ms. Wendy Horn, director of marketing and client relations.

07-17-2007

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Hancock, Rothert & Bunshoft, L.L.P.

Medical Malpractice Defense Judgement
In a two-day jury trial where the plaintiff alleged right ankle injuries resulting from a fall from a physical therapy trampoline, Sean P. Byrne, Esq. and Daniel M. Kincheloe, Esq. convinced the trial judge to grant a Motion to Strike and dismiss the case. While the plaintiff was jumping on a mini-trampoline as part of her physical therapy regimen, the trampoline gave way and the plaintiff fell. The plaintiff alleged that the trampoline was defective due to improper inspection and maintenance and that the defect caused her fall. She further alleged that as a result of the fall, she sustained severe right foot and ankle problems that necessitated significant medical treatment and eventual surgery. Prior to trial, Mr. Byrne and Mr. Kincheloe prevented the plaintiff from increasing her damages sought from $50,000 to $300,000 on a Motion to Amend filed six weeks before trial. At trial, counsel successfully argued that the plaintiff’s liability and causation experts were not properly designated or qualified to offer opinions at trial and their testimony was excluded. At the close of the plaintiff’s evidence, Mr. Byrne and Mr. Kincheloe persuaded the trial judge that the plaintiff had failed to present evidence that the trampoline was defective or that the defendant had knowledge of any alleged defect. The trial judge granted the Motion to Strike and dismissed the case before it was given to the jury for decision.

07-16-2007

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Gide, Loyrette & Nouel, PC

Gide Loyrette Nouel Casablanca advised the ONA group in the context of its withdrawal from AXA Assurance Maroc (AXA Insurance Morocco):
The Casablanca office of Gide Loyrette Nouel advised the ONA group in the context of the withdrawal of its 49% shareholding in the capital of AXA-ONA, holding and controlling company of AXA Assurance Maroc (AXA Insurance Morocco).

The transaction was carried out on the basis of a valorisation of the capital of AXA-ONA of nearly 6 billion dirham (approximately € 530 million) and was locally financed.

This transaction comes within the framework of the recent strategic orientations of ONA and enables AXA Assurance Maroc (AXA Insurance Morocco) to strengthen its integration within the AXA group, which now has a 100% control over it.

Gide Loyrette Nouel’s legal team who assisted ONA (Florence Hyacinthe, Head of the Legal Department) on this transaction comprised Hicham Naciri, partner, and Julien David. AXA was advised by Norton Rose (Alain Malek, partner and Anne-Laure Bernard Bouissières).

07-16-2007

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Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, LLP

Curtis serves as conflicts counsel to Calpine Corp.
Curtis serves as conflicts counsel to Calpine Corp., and its affiliated debtor and non-debtor entities in its chapter 11 bankruptcy cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Calpine is the world’s largest producer of geothermal electricity and operates the largest fleet of natural gas-fired plants in North America. Calpine’s chapter 11 bankruptcy cases are the largest and most complex reorganizations that have been filed under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. On June 20, 2007, with the assistance of Curtis, Calpine filed its Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization. The filing of a Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization is a significant milestone in Calpine’s reorganization efforts. Calpine hopes to have its Plan of Reorganization confirmed during the 4th Quarter of 2007. The Curtis team working on the Calpine bankruptcy cases is led by partners Steven Reisman, Dan Lenihan, Mike Moscato and Theresa Foudy.

07-16-2007

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Cravath, Swaine & Moore, LLP

CRAVATH REPRESENTS STRATEGY COMMITTEE OF APPLEBEE'S IN ACQUISITION BY IHOP
Cravath represented the Strategy Committee of Applebee's International, Inc. in Applebee's acquisition by IHOP Corp. for approximately $2.1 billion. The lawyers involved in this matter are partners Philip A. Gelston and Ronald Cami and associates Christopher S. Harrison, Elizabeth A. Morgan and Raffi Melkonian on corporate matters, and associate Lori Diamond Goodman on executive compensation and benefits matters. The deal was announced on July 16, 2007.

07-16-2007

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Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP

Laura J. Cutler Joins Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel’s Real Estate Practice
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, LLP today announced that Laura J. Cutler has joined the firm’s Real Estate Group, where she will focus on transactions involving real estate and construction, and on business and commercial transactions.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Cutler served as in-house General Counsel for the Danco Group, a California real estate construction and development company. Cutler brings extensive experience in business dealings and transactions, and in real estate development. In addition to her experience with Danco Group, Ms. Cutler has worked as a transactional attorney in the corporate finance department of Debevoise & Plimpton, in New York, and with the Walt Disney Corporation in California, where she drafted and negotiated talent contracts and project financing agreements. Her experience includes representing entities in formation and dissolution; advising buyers and sellers in commercial and residential property acquisitions and sales; and representing owners, developers and contracts in negotiating and drafting contracts for construction, construction management and design services.

“We are very pleased to add Laura Cutler to our expanding real estate practice,” said Gary Slovin, managing partner at Goodsill. “Her solid experience in this area and in the related area of business and commercial transactions will bring added value to our clients and add depth to the high level of service we provide.”

Ms. Cutler received her JD, cum laude, from the Cardozo School of Law in New York, and her BA from Yale University. She is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and California State Bar Association.

Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP traces its roots to 1878 and currently has more than 70 full-time attorneys. Always keeping pace with client needs, Goodsill attorneys practice in all areas of civil law, extending personal, boutique-quality legal services with cutting-edge resources that can only be found at a large firm.

07-16-2007

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