Legally Speaking - Legal Recruiter Blog

Job #5104-MH1054
Job Title: Real Estate/Capital Markets/Tax Associate
Location: New York, NY

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Real Estate/Capital Markets/Tax Associate

Finance group seeks a mid-level associate with at least 3 years of experience working on matters related to REITs, real estate fund work and joint ventures by tax exempts.  The candidate must have excellent written communication skills and a strong academic background.  

Job #5080-MH1054
Job Title: Investment Associate
Location: New York, NY

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Investment Associate – All Levels

Firm seeks associates with strong private equity, hedge fund and/or Investment Company Act/Investment Advisors Act experience.  Stellar academics and top law firm experience required.

The NLJ 250 is out. 

The National Law Journal’s annual survey of the country’s largest law firms shows (no surprise) that hiring slowed significantly in 2008.  Seven large firms announced layoffs this year and two major firms on the list, Heller Ehrman and Thelen, dissolved, affecting about 1200 attorneys.  DLA Piper stayed at the top of the list and K&L Gates climbed into the top ten firms

Among the findings:

Growth is down.  The top 250 firms increased attorney ranks by 4.3%, compared to 5.6% in 2007. 

16 firms entered or left the list with several firms from the south and east entering the list and several from the Midwest leaving.

K&L Gates grew significantly, becoming one of the ten largest firms for the first time through mergers and lateral hires.

The credit crisis led to layoffs at several large law firms.  Seven large firms announced layoffs totaling more than 200 attorneys.  Hundreds more lost jobs with the dissolution of Heller Ehrman and Thelen.

Job #5090-MH1054
Job Title: IP Associate
Location: Menlo Park, CA

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IP Associate

Seeking top quality intellectual property litigation associates with experience in representing plaintiffs and defendants in all phases of intellectual property disputes, including jury and bench trials, arbitrations, mediations and appeals.  Securities litigation experience a plus.

Job #5073-MH1054
Job Title: Mid – Level Securities Associate
Location: New York, NY

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Mid – Level Securities Associate

International firm seeks mid-level associates with top drawer experience in public and private offerings, 1933 and 1934 Act reporting, and Sarbanes Oxley issues.  Desired candidates have superior writing, negotiating and research abilities, superlative academic credentials, desire responsibility, have demonstrated leadership qualities and are interested in exhibiting those talents by mentoring and training more junior lawyers.  Admission to the New York Bar is required. 

Job #5072-MH1054
Job Title: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Associate
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Associate

Premier law firm seeks highly skilled, mid-level Benefits associate for its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group. All interested candidates should have a minimum of 2 years’ employee benefits experience at a large law firm, consulting firm or governmental agency.

It may come as a surprise to many to know that, in most states, disbarred attorneys are permitted to work as paralegals.  Only Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Wisconsin have a total ban against disbarred and suspended attorneys working as paralegals.

A lot of the work that is performed by paralegals is also practiced by attorneys.  This means that there is a potential for disbarred and/or suspended attorneys to cross the line into the illegal practice of law.  Allowing disbarred and suspended attorneys to practice as paralegals condones unethical behavior, puts the public at risk and creates further negative perceptions of the legal profession.  Allowing disbarred and suspended attorneys to work as paralegals minimizes the severity of the act that caused their disbarment and/or suspension

Those in favor of allowing suspended attorneys to work as paralegals or law clerks argue that working in the legal profession will allow the attorney to maintain legal skills and competency while addressing the issues that caused his/her suspension or disbarment.  When someone applies for reinstatement, the testimony of an attorney employer can be persuasive.

The role of a paralegal has evolved over time from glorified secretary to quasi-lawyer.  Paralegal duties include drafting pleadings and discovery documents, conducting legal research, interacting with various courts and court personnel and heavy client contact.  A paralegal is placed in a role of trust both with the employer and the public.  That trust is jeopardized when the “paralegal” is a suspended or disbarred attorney.

Would you want a disbarred attorney working on your case in any capacity?

The latest litigation trends report is based on responses from 358 participating companies — including company officials who serve as general or deputy-general counsels for their firms. Of that pool, 251 respondents were U.S.-based firms.

The top ten areas most rip for lawsuits were labor and employment matters, contract disputes and personal injury cases, product liability, intellectual property/patents, insurance, environmental-toxic tort, regulatory, class actions and professional services.

A summary of some of the findings:

Jones Day announced yesterday that 15 Heller Ehrman partners would be joining its offices in San Francisco, New York and Washington.  The firm has also hired some Heller associates, but did not disclose the number other than to say that the firm would likely end up with the same number of associates as partners.

Job #5032-MH1054
Job Title: Lateral Associates
Location: Washington, DC

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Lateral Associates

DC-based law firm with well-established practice in a broad range of areas seeks experienced attorneys with excellent academic credentials and strong writing skills.