Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP

Environmental Law Case Resolved in U.S. District Court
Gentry Locke’s environmental lawyers successfully represented Advanced Metal Finishing of Roanoke, Inc. and its top officers against the charge of knowingly discharging pollutants in violation of applicable laws. The trial was held in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

Charles L. Williams of Gentry Locke was lead counsel for the corporation and persuasively argued for leniency in the case. The two corporate officers and owners who were charged received sentences which included probation and fines, rather than a possible three years in prison and $50,000 fines per day of violation.

A team of chemists, engineers, and other consultants established that the industrial wastewater had not been discharged in the manner alleged and was not as toxic as claimed. The federal court found that the industrial waste did little environmental harm.

06-21-2007

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Frost, Brown & Todd, L.L.C.

22 Frost Brown Todd Attorneys Named Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars
Frost Brown Todd, one of the largest law firms in the region, announced today that Law & Politics Magazine has named twenty-two of its Ohio attorneys as “Rising Stars.”

Attorneys and their primary practices named as 2007 Rising Stars are:

Matthew C. Blickensderfer
Michael J. O’Grady
Kasey Bond
Christina M. Sprecher
Deanne E. Clarke
Kevin S. Sprecher
Kevin L. Cooney
Jeffrey Teeters
Monica L. Dias
David W. Walulik
Joanne Wissman Glass
Steven M. Wesloh
Christopher S. Habel
Nicolette R. Hudson
John S. Higgins
Jeffrey G. Rupert
Bernard L. McKay
Noel C. Shepard
Jill P. Meyer
Kevin T. Shook
Katherine Cook Morgan
Stephen P. Withee

To select Rising Stars, Law & Politics Magazine mails ballots to the top 5% of attorneys in Ohio. The Super Lawyers balloting and selection process begins with a general survey to attorneys who have been licensed in the state for five years or more, as well as extensive independent credentials research, a blue ribbon panel review process and a final review and check of good standing by the research department.

In addition to the general survey, the attorney-led research team reviews the credentials of potential Rising Stars candidates and assigns points based on a set of defined evaluation criteria. The point totals from the general survey and research process are then added to arrive at a final tally. The lawyers are ranked by point totals and approximately 2.5 percent of the best up-and-coming attorneys in the state are named to the Rising Stars list.

06-21-2007

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Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Fredrikson & Byron Hires Five Energy Attorneys and Opens New Bismarck, North Dakota Office
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. announced today that five attorneys have joined the firm, establishing a new Bismarck, North Dakota office. The new attorneys are Lawrence Bender, Timothy Kingstad, William Pearce, Jeffrey Glynn, and Kerrie Farrell. All but Kingstad are former members of the Pearce & Durick firm in Bismarck. The five attorneys bring an established energy practice and are joined by three staff members.

Bender will head Fredrikson’s Bismarck office, which focuses primarily on representing clients in the Energy industry. Attorneys in the office will combine their expertise with that of the attorneys in Fredrikson & Byron’s Minneapolis office to represent electric utilities, independent power producers, gas and oil pipeline companies, oil and gas exploration companies, wind developers, ethanol and biodiesel producers, and other participants in the energy sector. The group has substantial experience in managing the development, financing, acquisition, and divestiture of large energy assets.

As the sixth largest energy producer in the country, North Dakota has a strong presence within the industry, and having an office in the state provides Fredrikson’s clients with immediate access to important connections and developments. “Fredrikson & Byron’s expansion into North Dakota with this team of attorneys is a strong addition to our existing energy practice,” said John Koneck, President of Fredrikson & Byron. “We are pleased to have someone of Lawrence’s caliber, with strong industry connections, join us to expand this key area. Our energy clients will benefit from their knowledge and experience, and their clients will benefit from our broader platform of services.”

Fredrikson & Byron is a sponsor of the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) and was the recipient of the North Dakota Trade Office’s 2006 International Business Resources Award. The firm was selected for its continued commitment to North Dakota’s exporters via the NDTO. Through our work with the NDTO and the state’s business community, we are helping to grow the state’s economy through export.

Lawrence Bender heads the Bismarck office. Lawrence has deep roots in his home state of North Dakota and the Energy industry, and has focused his practice on the oil and gas industry throughout his career. He has served as Assistant Attorney General of the State of North Dakota and as Counsel for the North Dakota Industrial Commission, Oil & Gas Division, and the North Dakota Board of University & School Lands. This experience has given him first-hand knowledge of the regulation of oil and gas companies in the state and the region. Lawrence is admitted to practice in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Bender is joined by the following attorneys:

Timothy Kingstad joins the firm as of counsel. Kingstad is a 1980 University of Minnesota Law School graduate who has practiced in North Dakota throughout his legal career. He has a broad background in the energy industry, including oil and gas drilling, division order, mortgage and acquisition title opinions covering fee, federal and state lands in North Dakota, drafting of deeds, mineral deeds, lease and overriding royalty assignments, stipulations and other curative documents. Tim served as the North Dakota State Land Commissioner in Bismarck, North Dakota from 1985 to 1993, and is admitted to practice in North Dakota, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota.

William Pearce, of counsel, brings over 35 years of experience to the North Dakota office. William has been engaged in the private practice of law in Bismarck since 1971, specializing in natural resources law and taxation and public utility law. He is the author of “Surface Damages and the Oil and Gas Operator in North Dakota,” 58 N.D.L.Rev. 457 (1982), and from 1983-1993 and 2007 to present has served as adjunct professor of oil and gas law for the University of North Dakota School of Law.

Two associates have joined the North Dakota office: Jeffrey Glynn is a 2006 Creighton University Law School graduate, admitted to practice in North Dakota. Jeffrey practices in the areas of oil and gas law and real estate. Kerrie Farrell is a 2006 University of North Dakota Law School graduate, admitted to practice in North Dakota. Kerrie also practices in the areas of oil and gas law and real estate.

06-21-2007

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Ford & Harrison LLP

Ford & Harrison Partner Launches “Employer Helpcast”
Helene Wasserman, a partner in Ford & Harrison’s Los Angeles office, has launched a web site entitled “Employer Helpcast.” The site features podcasts in which Wasserman and other Ford & Harrison experts discuss issues related to the latest trends in labor and employment law.

The podcasts are geared towards employers and HR professionals, offering advice on how to confront and protect against the many labor and employment issues that businesses often face.

“Through these podcasts, we offer listeners a strong foundational understanding of the most relevant developments in labor and employment law,” Wasserman said. “I believe this is an excellent medium to deliver quality information to busy people. Rather than coordinating schedules and traveling to meetings, employers and HR managers can listen to a podcast at home, in their car or wherever and whenever is convenient for them.”

Wasserman has currently posted seven episodes and expects to continue regularly updating the site at least once a week. In just a few weeks, over 350 people have already downloaded full podcasts.

“The feedback has been overwhelming, with many people emailing us to find out when the next podcast will become available,” Wasserman added.

One listener, Monte Debel, the Division Legal Counsel Ethics Officer with L-3 Communications Titan Corporation, intends to make “Employer Helpcast” required listening for his HR department as well as relevant supervisors and managers. He describes the podcasts as “a wealth of knowledge intended to keep you out of trouble in the minefield that is employment law.”

Another fan of the site, Kerry Lewis, a consultant with over 23 years of experience in the credit union industry, raved about “Employer Helpcasts’” topical relevancy. “I have seen my management teams wrestle through all of these issues in the past few years and waste many hours in discussion with inadequate information. These simple, direct Helpcasts are the right answer!”

Wasserman will tackle issues pertaining to sexual harassment, drug testing and disaster preparedness in her upcoming three episode series entitled “Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll.” The first podcast is already available for download, while the others are expected to be accessible sometime this week.

06-21-2007

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Dickstein Shapiro LLP

Former FEC Chairman Scott Thomas Testifies Before U.S. Senate on Public Funding of Senate Campaigns
Scott Thomas, head of Dickstein Shapiro LLP’s Political Law Practice, testified at a hearing Wednesday, June 20, before the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration regarding the “Fair Elections Now Act” (S. 1285). Mr. Thomas focused his testimony on practical considerations regarding implementation of the bill, areas of the bill for further review, and potential legal and economic concerns.

“The bill currently is the product of a lot of hard work and good intentions,” said Mr. Thomas. “My experience in trying to implement such a law leads me to offer constructive criticism in the hope that Congress and others will be open to improvements and new ideas along the way.”

In his testimony, Mr. Thomas encouraged the Committee to fully assess the budgetary and agency personnel demands the Act would place on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Federal Communications Commission, and suggested that a reasonable time frame for implementation be included in any mandate. With respect to the funding of the Senate Fair Elections Fund provisions of the bill, Mr. Thomas recommended that the Committee consider alternative funding mechanisms, such as biennial appropriations, based on need rather than a reliance on the proceeds from the auction of federal airwaves spectrum and the tax on broadcaster advertising revenues. Mr. Thomas also cautioned the Committee to consider the potential of unintended consequences, of the ‘fringe’ candidate factor and opposition funds, and the practical and legal consideration of the Act’s requirements on broadcasters.

Prior to his leadership of the Political Law Practice at Dickstein Shapiro, Mr. Thomas served for 19 years as a commissioner of the FEC, including four terms as Chairman. Prior to serving as a commissioner, Mr. Thomas served as the Executive Assistant to former FEC Commissioner

Tom Harris, Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement at the FEC, and staff attorney at the FEC.

Dickstein Shapiro’s Political Law Practice is committed to keeping clients in compliance with current lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics rules. With an increased focus on enforcing these requirements, the Political Law Practice gives clients guidance that will assure that their interaction with government officials is handled properly.

06-21-2007

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Dickstein Shapiro LLP

Brian E. Finch Appointed to Homeland Security & Defense Business Council
Dickstein Shapiro LLP is pleased to announce that Brian E. Finch, head of the firm’s Homeland Security Practice, has been appointed the Senior Advisor for Science and Technology Policy to the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council.

With an extensive professional background in homeland security, Mr. Finch is uniquely suited to advise the Council on policy matters related to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as topics including the development of emerging technologies and the implementation of the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act).

“With the addition of Brian Finch as Senior Advisor, the Council is taking yet another positive step to gathering the acknowledged thought leaders in the homeland security field under one organization in order to have the most constructive dialogue possible,” said Council Executive Director Michael Meldon.

Formed in 2003, the Council is a non-partisan, not-for-profit activities-based organization comprising leading companies focused on helping DHS achieve its mission. The Council works with both the public and private sectors and facilitates dialogue among the federal agencies that are responsible for homeland security and defense, the legislative branch, state and federal governments, and the civilian sector.

“I look forward to working alongside an impressive Council membership that includes senior executives from across a wide range of companies who are dedicated to addressing and overcoming terrorism,” said Mr. Finch.

Mr. Finch served as a Senior Fellow at George Washington University’s Homeland Security Policy Institute, where he regularly interacted with Congressional and DHS leaders to provide research and advise on homeland security issues. He also was a member of the Heritage Foundation/Center for Strategic and International Studies Task Force for examining the roles, missions, and organization of DHS. The Task Force’s “DHS 2.0” report was a significant influence on the major reorganization of DHS in the summer of 2005. Recognized as a leading authority on these matters, Mr. Finch speaks and writes extensively on homeland security and terrorism, as well as other public affairs issues.

Dickstein Shapiro’s Homeland Security Practice provides clients with guidance in navigating complex issues, particularly in the legislative and regulatory affairs, immigration, and government contracts areas. The firm provides legislative, contractual, administrative, and regulatory assistance for any company dealing with the DHS. This assistance demands significant political resources and the ability to manage the new set of challenges and opportunities presented by the Homeland Security Act.

06-21-2007

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Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Lione, P.C.

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione Moves to New Offices In Salt Lake City
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., today announced that it is moving from its current offices in the Wells Fargo Center, 299 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, to its new location in the historic Ken Garff Building at 405 S. Main Street, by July 1, 2007. The phone number will remain the same, (801) 355-7900.

“We are pleased to say that we have expanded so quickly that we have outgrown our current space,” said Steven P. Shurtz, managing partner of Brinks’ Salt Lake City office. “Our new offices in the Garff Building will provide 6,300 square feet with ample room to grow in the future. It’s important for our clients to know that we are committed to providing uninterrupted attention to superior legal counsel and client service.”

Built in 1955, the 12-story Ken Garff Building, formerly named the First Security Building, is recognized by historians as the first “international-style” skyscraper built west of the Mississippi River. In 2005, Wasatch Property Management spent more than $12.5 million to restore and renovate this downtown Salt Lake City architectural treasure.

Brinks will inhabit the offices in the Ken Garff Building until the completion of construction of the 21-story, state-of-the-art high-rise to be located at 222 S. Main Street in the heart of the Salt Lake City business district, which is scheduled to break ground this summer and be completed in 2009. The 222 building will be the first high-rise to be constructed in downtown Salt Lake City in more than 10 years and is part of the $1.5 billion in investments committed to the development of downtown Salt Lake City.

06-21-2007

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