The Am Law Daily
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Amid Spy Scandal, Russia Boots Baker & McKenzie Lawyer
By Brian Baxter, May 21, 2013
As the U.S. and Russian governments trade accusations over espionage activities and human rights abuses, Baker & McKenzie of counsel Thomas Firestone, a former Justice Department official and liaison to the U.S. embassy in Moscow, has been expelled from the country.
The Churn: Lateral Moves in The Am Law 200
By Diane Jeantet, May 21, 2013
K&L Gates hires two renewable energy partners in Portland; King & Spalding poaches from Bird & Bird to establish a London trade practice; and a fourth Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft lawyer leaves the firm for O'Melveny & Myers. The Churn is constant. Please send all announcements to thechurn@alm.com.
Pandit Redux: Ex-Citi Boss Taps Davis Polk for Comeback
By Brian Baxter, May 20, 2013
Davis Polk & Wardwell is advising former Citigroup boss Vikram Pandit, who was forced out as head of the global banking giant last year, on his return to the financial services industry through his investment in India's JM Financial Group.
Simpson Helps Yahoo, Tumblr Connect
By Tom Huddleston Jr., May 20, 2013
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is advising Yahoo in connection with its largest acquisition in a decade: the $1.1 billion cash purchase of blogging and social media platform Tumblr. Tumblr, meanwhile, is represented by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian.
Three Deals Add Up to More M&A Work for Kirkland
By Brian Baxter, May 20, 2013
Kirkland & Ellis is advising longtime private equity client Vista Equity Partners on its nearly $1 billion purchase of cybersecurity software maker Websense, while fellow private equity firm Landmark Partners is relying on the firm to handle a $425 million secondary acquisition of a legacy energy portfolio owned by HM Capital. Kirkland is also advising the world's largest consulting firm, Accenture, on its $316 million buy of digital marketing startup Acquity Group.
Latham, Davis Polk Lead as Actavis Buys Generic Rival
By Tom Huddleston Jr., May 20, 2013
Generic drug maker Actavis has agreed to pay $5 billion in stock and assumed $3.5 billion in debt to acquire Irish rival Warner Chilcott. The deal comes less than a month after the collapse of a tentative deal that would have seen Actavis sold to Valeant Pharmaceuticals for $13 billion.
Kasowitz Launches in L.A. with Insurance Vet Oshinsky
By Sara Randazzo, May 20, 2013
In a year that has seen Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman falter in Northern California, the litigation shop is building out its insurance coverage practice with a pair of hires in Los Angeles from Jenner & Block, including Jerold Oshinsky, who has helped shape legal theories benefiting insurance policyholders.
Continental Breakfast: Adam Shutkever, Riverview Law
By Chris Johnson, May 19, 2013
American Lawyer chief European correspondent Chris Johnson meets regularly with senior legal sector figures at their favorite breakfast joints to chew over the industry's tastiest talking points. This week, Adam Shutkever, COO of DLA Piper-backed fixed-fee legal services company Riverview Law, discusses the firm's alliance with U.K. law firm DMH Stallard and the company's forthcoming conversion to an Alternative Business Structure.
The Score: Dentons Partner Doubles as Fantasy Sports Pro
By Brian Baxter, May 17, 2013
Like many lawyers, Glenn Colton is a baseball fan. But the Dentons white-collar and government investigations practice head has taken his love for America's national pastime to the next level, scoring his own fantasy baseball column and SiriusXM radio show. In June, Colton will be inducted into the Fantasy Sports Trade Association's Hall of Fame. Also: Covington advises the U.S. Open on a new $770 million TV deal with ESPN and Bracewell & Giuliani and Loeb & Loeb get involved in two high-profile memorabilia fights in our regular look at sports and the law.
Editor's Picks
The 2013 Am Law 100
In fiscal 2012, The Am Law 100—which has a new leader in gross revenue this year—posted modest gains on all our key metrics. Read the complete package.
