Comings and Goings
Miller Nash Graham & Dunn: The firm’s intellectual property practice is expanding, with six attorneys joining Miller Nash Graham & Dunn from Marger Johnson. Joining are Alex Johnson, Sean O’Brien, Julie Reed, Kevin Ross, Justin Wagner, and Marie Weiskopf. “"We’re thrilled to help grow Miller Nash Graham & Dunn’s intellectual property services for clients,” Julie Reed, president of the firm joining Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, said in a release. “Joining a larger firm allows us to add value for our clients by helping them consolidate and streamline their outside legal services, including litigation, tax, contracting, and employment to name a few.”
The new and expanded practice will include a range of IP services, including “IP procurement, enforcement, licensing, dispute resolution, portfolio management, and technology transfer,” as written in the release.
Baker McKenzie: The global law firm, with offices in 47 countries, announced the promotion of 67 new partners, bringing the firm’s total number of partners up to 1,600. Of the newly promoted partners, 40 percent are women, a significant figure in an industry dominated at the top level by men. According to a press release put out by Baker, the new positions will mostly fill the tax and mergers and acquisitions practices.
“Congratulations to all of our new Partners - and welcome to the Firm,” Paul Rawlinson, the firm’s global chair, said in the release. “In a recent voluntary engagement survey of our 13,000 people worldwide, we scored highly on: pride in our Firm, our commitment to client-service and the Firm's commitment to D&I. This year's partner promotions shows that this is getting results: 40% of our new partners globally are women and 40% of our new full equity partners are women. We have a long way to go but I wanted to mark this achievement and the commitment of our people to being a truly diverse Firm.”
Jones Day: Two new partners will join the firm’s London office in its banking, finance, and securities practice. Lee Federman and Ewen Scot, the two new hires, follow Ben Fox and Dr. Michael Fischer, both of whom joined the practice this year in the firm’s Amsterdam and Frankfurt offices. "Adding Lee and Ewen, along with Ben and Michael, to our global team sends a very strong message that Jones Day remains committed to providing our clients access to experienced, effective talent in Europe," Giles Elliott, the co-leader of Jones Day’s banking and finance practice, said in a press release.
Awards and Honors
Bodman: Damali Sahu, a University of Michigan Law School graduate and member of the firm’s banking practice, was one of 30 to join Michigan Lawyers Weekly in the “Women in the Law” Class of 2018. Along with her work in the firm, Sahu has volunteered with VIP Mentoring in Detroit and served on the board of University YES Academy. “Damali is an important member of Bodman’s Banking Practice Group and Executive Committee” Ralph McDowell, the chairman of the firm’s Executive Committee, said in a press release August 8. “Damali does a tremendous job representing clients; she has extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and documenting secured and unsecured commercial loans to borrowers in a variety of industries. In addition, she makes many positive contributions to Firm life.”
Industry News
True Guarnieri Ayer: J. Guthrie True, a personal injury litigator and criminal defense attorney, is representing the family of a boy born with severe brain damage. The parents of the child, Ezra Claycomb, are suing to block the passage of a new Kentucky law, which they argue is unconstitutional and delays their access to the court.
The law, passed by Kentucky’s Republican legislature, requires that such malpractice cases be vetted by a medical board prior to trial. Those favoring the ruling, like the Kentucky governor’s attorney Matthew Kuhn, argue that the review board—when implemented correctly—ought to speed up the trial process, not delay it. True, and the Claycomb family, disagree.
"This is a modern day version of the poll tax," True said in the lawsuit, quoted by the San Antonio Express-News. "This has one purpose, and that is to obstruct the courthouse door."
True spoke before the court August 8 and a ruling has not yet been issued.
