State Justices Overturn Another Death Sentence
February 4, 2012
For the fourth time in a little more than two months, the California Supreme Court has overturned a death sentence. Because the jury couldn’t reach a verdict on a second special circumstances charge of torture, the high court said it was forced to reverse the sentence.
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State Justices Overturn Another Death Sentence
FINRA and Schwab Lock Horns Over Arbitration Agreements with Brokerage Customers
February 4, 2012
In the wake of a complaint by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Charles Schwab has lawyered up and gone to court to seek an unprecedented declaratory judgment, asking a federal district court to block the agency’s action and to rule that its class-action waiver agreements are enforceable.
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FINRA and Schwab Lock Horns Over Arbitration Agreements with Brokerage Customers
The Am Law 100, the Early Numbers: Weil’s Profits Jump 8 Percent
February 4, 2012
Weil, Gotshal & Manges is on the rebound. After seeing revenues and profits slip in 2010, the firm enjoyed moderate growth in 2011, with all financial metrics ahead of where they were in 2009. Litigation stemming from fallout over the financial crisis remained a strong spot.
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The Am Law 100, the Early Numbers: Weil’s Profits Jump 8 Percent
The Am Law 100, the Early Numbers: Bryan Cave Comes Into Latest Tie-Up with Revenue on the Rise
February 4, 2012
Bryan Cave is coming into its latest big merger from a position of strength. The firm, which absorbed Holme Roberts & Owen on Jan. 1, saw steady growth across financial categories last year and nearly achieved a double-digit bump in profits per equity partner for a second straight year, according to The American Lawyer.
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The Am Law 100, the Early Numbers: Bryan Cave Comes Into Latest Tie-Up with Revenue on the Rise
O’Melveny Beats Back Sucessor Liability Claim Against BofA in Countrywide MBS Suit
February 4, 2012
In the face of the most comprehensive effort yet to keep Bank of America on the hook for alleged fraud in a Countrywide mortgage-backed securities case, a California federal district court judge has rejected Allstate’s successor liability claim against BofA.
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O’Melveny Beats Back Sucessor Liability Claim Against BofA in Countrywide MBS Suit
Herbert Smith Confirms Merger Discussions with Freehills
February 4, 2012
U.K. firm Herbert Smith has confirmed that it is in merger talks with Australian firm Freehills. A tie-up between the two firms would create an international giant with nearly 2,000 lawyers and give Freehills an opening into Asian markets.
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Herbert Smith Confirms Merger Discussions with Freehills
Legal Sector Added 1,000 Jobs in January
February 4, 2012
The legal sector kicked off 2012 on an upbeat note by adding 1,000 jobs in January, according to the preliminary employment report released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The gains mark a near-complete reversal from December 2011, when legal employers cut 1,100 positions.
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Legal Sector Added 1,000 Jobs in January
Tracing the Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Political Donations
February 4, 2012
As millions of dollars flow from corporations and individuals into presidential campaigns, money also continues to influence members of Congress. In a recent two-year time frame, contributions to current House members from individuals and PACs connected to the oil and gas industry totaled nearly $12 million.
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Tracing the Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Political Donations
Weathering the Storm
February 4, 2012
A rising tide may lift all boats, but not all law firms rose with the swells in 2011′s choppy waters. A few California-centric firms saw large gains in revenues or profits in 2011, while at the other end, firms like Orrick and Pillsbury spent the year mostly treading water.
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Weathering the Storm
A.G. Sues Banks Over Their Use of MERS Electronic ‘End-Around’
February 4, 2012
In his latest broadside against the banking industry, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is alleging that the nation’s largest banks use the Mortgage Electronic Registration System to evade public filings, shortchange localities of $2 billion in fees and compromise homeowners’ interests. A complaint filed on Friday describes MERS, a Virginia-based digital mortgage tracking service, as “a shell company” established as a stealth mortgagee for banks, particularly JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
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A.G. Sues Banks Over Their Use of MERS Electronic ‘End-Around’
