Discussion of Firms and Life in SF/SV

Unabomber Wants His Bomb Back

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Convicted Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski wants the U.S. government to return a pipe bomb and other items seized from his Montana cabin so that they can be used for "research," according to court papers made public on Monday..........

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by TexLex
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Convicted Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski wants the U.S. government to return a pipe bomb and other items seized from his Montana cabin so that they can be used for "research," according to court papers made public on Monday..........

And today's award for long-shot motion goes to......

What does the case law say about physical evidence held by the government after termination of proceedings? Is it "taking" under the U.S. constitution? or just simply a breach of bailment? What does Ted think?

[c2ed]

Whew- only 135 candidates in the race, should Gov. Davis be recalled.

For the record, I'm appalled by the recall, and will vote against it, but this is an interesting "populist" sort of election. I still cringe at how many votes will be (IMO) wasted by asshoops voting for Gary Coleman or Angelyne.

The Candidates range from the ridiculous to the sublime. And then some. While I hate all the idiots who decided to run just because they have nothing else to do, I must admit to have smiled when I saw that Jack Grisham, frontman of TSOL, is running.

C(we might die today, or at least on Oct. 7)deuced

[SlaveNoMore]

c2ed
The Candidates range from the ridiculous to the sublime. And then some. While I hate all the idiots who decided to run just because they have nothing else to do, I must admit to have smiled when I saw that Jack Grisham, frontman of TSOL, is running.

I am very upset that Father Guido Sarducci was ultimately disqualified for having incomplete signatures.

not7y(finda the gov'nor inna da pizza)S

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
I am very upset that Father Guido Sarducci was ultimately disqualified for having incomplete signatures.

not7y(finda the gov'nor inna da pizza)S

No!!!! That's terrible news. He makes more sense than virtually any other candidate.

I particularly liked his views on international relations back in the Reagan era. In response to Reagan's comment that "Nicaragua is closer to the US than Texas is to Washington DC," he pointed out that we should really worry about Canada: "After all, iss so big! An' Canada issa closer to US than Manhattan issa to Brooklyn!"

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
I particularly liked his views on international relations back in the Reagan era. In response to Reagan's comment that "Nicaragua is closer to the US than Texas is to Washington DC," he pointed out that we should really worry about Canada: "After all, iss so big! An' Canada issa closer to US than Manhattan issa to Brooklyn!"

Not to mention that those Canadians are wily.

[The Big Toe]

I am considering lateraling to Latham's corporate group in Menlo Park. Thus, I'd be very appreciative if anyone could offer any insights into the office culture or a general sense of job security? Thanks

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by The Big Toe
I am considering lateraling to Latham's corporate group in Menlo Park. Thus, I'd be very appreciative if anyone could offer any insights into the office culture or a general sense of job security? Thanks

I've heard good things about Latham office culture in general, especially if you are the kind of person that thrives in a fraternity/sorority setting.

[Seven of Nine]

Originally posted by sgtclub
I've heard good things about Latham office culture in general, especially if you are the kind of person that thrives in a fraternity/sorority setting.

In college, I was an ace at both frosh paddling and keg standing. Does that make me a shoe-in for a job at Latham?

Seven

:beer: :beer::beer::beer:
CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Seven of Nine

In college, I was an ace at both frosh paddling and keg standing. Does that make me a shoe-in for a job at Latham?

Seven

:beer: :beer::beer::beer:
CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!

You are two thirds of the way there. The third part of the trifecta is to swear an oath to only date people in the office.

Bingham Mccutchen Picks Up Cooley Finance Veterans

Brenda Sandburg
The Recorder
08-27-2003


Bingham McCutchen has snagged two veteran finance partners from Cooley Godward and a seventh-year associate who will join the firm as a partner.

Pamela Martinson, who has spent her 14-year legal career at Cooley, and Peter Carson, who has been with the firm 16 years, said they were drawn to Bingham's national and international financing practice. While Cooley has 11 lawyers in its credit finance group, Bingham has about 250 attorneys in its entire finance area, representing about one-third of the firm's 850 attorneys.

"I was looking for a firm with finance at its core, as a primary focus," Martinson said. "Bingham has one of the best practices around in that area of any firm."

Carson compared his move to Bingham to that of someone who would join Cooley to do venture capital work.

"Just as venture capital and life science and representation of emerging companies is at the heart of what Cooley does on the business side, finance is at the heart of Bingham," he said.

Martinson and Carson said a date had not been set for their departure from Cooley but that they would be leaving soon. Seventh-year associate Bradley Crawford will also be joining Bingham. When they leave, Cooley will have one partner in its credit finance practice.

Edwin Smith, the chair of Bingham's finance area, said the three Cooley lawyers would help the firm build a strong finance practice on the West Coast. He said Bingham took the first step when it hired former Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison partner George Hisert in February. Smith said he and Hisert then sought out Carson, Martinson and Crawford independently of each other.

Hisert had been friends with Carson for many years and had been one of Crawford's lawyers when Crawford was a banker at Chase Manhattan. And Smith had Martinson as a student when he taught a class at Harvard Law School.

"It's like having some old friends join," Smith said. "We think they are quality people and highly regarded in their field."

Carson represents foreign and domestic banks, commercial finance lenders, debt funds and other institutional lenders, as well as company and private equity clients. He obtained his law degree from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1985, and after a two-year stint with a bankruptcy boutique, joined Cooley.

Martinson represents institutional and other lenders and borrowers in financial transactions ranging from bank lines of credit to private placements of debt securities. Prior to law school, Martinson spent 10 years as a commercial banker and lender. She joined Cooley in 1989 after graduating from Harvard Law School.

Martinson and Carson said their decision to leave Cooley had nothing to do with the collapse of Cooley's recent merger discussions with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and that Cooley had tried to retain them.

Mark Pitchford, Cooley's chief operating officer, declined to comment on the departures. But he said Cooley is "firmly and fully committed to that practice" and client needs would continue to be met.

[Sidd Finch]

A good source -- i.e., a friend who pays for drinks if I'm willing to listen to him yammer for awhile -- tells me that MoFo is acquiring, or merging with, or just living with for awhile to see if it works out, VLG.

All the usual caveats. Let's not rush out to buy VLG stock on the inside info.

[Flinty_McFlint]

I drive by OMM's Silicon Valley office (next to Orrick's) everyday on the way to work. Today, the parking lot was empty, and the shades were all drawn and dark. What's up? Firm retreat? Moving? Taking over the world? Why don't I get a Thursday off? Anyone have the scoop?

Flinty

VLG snubs Orricks for Heller Ehrman deal

Palo Alto boutique The Venture Law Group (VLG) has rebuffed a proposed merger with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe to agree a tie up with San Francisco’s Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe.

On Tuesday (2 September) VLG announced the Heller Ehrman deal, although the proposal is set to go to both firms’ partnerships on 9 September for final approval.

The agreement brings to an end a frantic period of merger talks for the highly-respected technology boutique, which has been hit hard by the two-year collapse in California’s technology and venture capital market.

VLG was already being wooed by Orricks before Legal Week revealed in July that the Palo Alto firm was also in talks with Heller Ehrman and Morrison & Foerster of San Francisco.

VLG's chairman Graig Johnson said: "Our combination with Heller Ehrman represents the next chapter in the evolution of [our firm]."

Heller Ehrman has around 660 lawyers while VLG has a little more than 60. The combined firm will unite under the Heller Ehrman brand.

Heller Ehrman chairman Barry Levin said: "[The combined firms] will be a world leader in serving both early stage and established life sciences and technology companies."

The merger signals the end of another of California’s celebrated technology specialists after Brobeck Phleger & Harrison in January announced that it was to dissolve amid partner defections and mounting firm debts.

Click on ‘e-mail news’ at www.legalweek.net to be alerted to breaking news stories.



Author: Richard Tromans
Source: Legal Week
Start Date: 02/09/2003 00:00
End Date: 07/09/2003 00:00