Law.com's weekly US Briefing brings you the pick of this week’s news, analysis and comment from the States
Legal consequences uncertain for Spitzer in wake of call-girl revelations
New York Law Journal
Based on publicly reported information about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's involvement in a call-girl ring, former prosecutors and white-collar defense specialists said Tuesday they're sceptical he could be charged with structuring or prosecuted under the Mann Act. Other lawyers said Spitzer will certainly face scrutiny from a discipline committee if he took part in the prostitution ring. They disagreed as to whether Spitzer's position as the state's best-known lawyer will subject him to harsher treatment.
Howrey tells clients it's getting off the troll road
The Recorder
In an overt example of choosing sides in the patent troll debate, Howrey proclaims in a new brochure for clients that it absolutely won't represent trolls - and criticises firms that do. "We decided it was madness to work both sides of the street," said Howrey's Henry Bunsow. While several IP lawyers chided Howrey for its in-your-face marketing, most acknowledged that the issue is being actively debated by the in-house crowd, with some companies asking up front if a firm does work for patent trolls.
Corporate raiders invade Silicon Valley
The Recorder
With all the hostile takeovers and proxy fights, Silicon Valley looks more like Wall Street - and some say the new attitude is here to stay. The question is whether tech companies and their lawyers can handle the more combative culture. Even clients that have long relied on Valley firms have been giving high-stakes takeover work to New Yorkers. Observers say it's no surprise that local companies turn to Wall Street firms with more hostile deal experience.
Does a recession mean lay-offs - or a time to snag laterals?
The American Lawyer
A funny thing happened on the way to the recession: anxiety isn't evenly apportioned within the legal profession. The American Lawyer interviewed partners, associates, consultants and recruiters in threatened practices. No-one denied there are storm-clouds on the horizon, but an interesting pattern emerged in how much of a soaking they expect. "The need for our services doesn't go away simply because the economy is less robust," says Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe chief executive Ralph Baxter. But among associates, anxiety is high.
Law firms set up 'pipeline' for minority talent
The National Law Journal
With the numbers of some minority groups still low at law firms and with competition for minority candidates intense, law firms are putting their resources toward "pipeline" projects, with the goal of grooming college and high school students to become attorneys. "We began to ask ourselves whether we should reach back further to increase the opportunities for diverse students to succeed in college," says Kirkland & Ellis partner Kevin Evanich, whose firm helps provide scholarships and workshops.
Binding national rules adopted for handling judicial misconduct complaints
Legal Times
The Judicial Conference on Tuesday adopted the first-ever binding nationwide procedures for handling complaints of judicial misconduct. The conference, the policy-making body of the federal judiciary, adopted the new rules unanimously to end gaps and inconsistencies between circuits in how complaints of judicial wrongdoing are handled. The conference's action marks a major milestone in the judiciary's efforts to improve its self-regulation, first launched in 2004 by then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
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