BCG News - 12/08/03
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius steps in and acquires several Pennie & Edmonds partners before the Jones Day


Ashurst Morris Crisp re-branding itself with a one name title
In an effort to seem less provincial to potential international clients, Ashurst Morris Crisp is changing its name to simply Ashurst. The top-10 London firm made the move in part because of a desire to appeal to different European countries. The firm is commonly referred to as Ashurts, but that name was rejected in favor of Ashurst, which was deemed easies to pronounce for Europeans. Legal Week, 12/08/03
Morgan Lewis to close its McLean office
On the heels of major additions to its West Coast practice, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has announced that it will be closing its Northern Virginia office recently. The McLean office was designed to serve the burgeoning tech economy in the area when it was first introduced, and was initially launched with the idea of housing more than 50 attorneys. Many firms that initially set up branch offices in the area are now choosing to withdraw from the area, and with only six attorneys left after peaking with 22 attorneys, Morgan Lewis is following suit. Several key departures from this office have also been key factors in this decision. New York Lawyer, 12/08/03
Clifford Chance

With three intellectual property partners recently defecting to Kaye Scholer, including practice group head Leora Ben-Ami, Clifford Chance was probably hoping not to have to endure another such situation anytime soon. Hogan & Hartson, however, announced last Monday that Eric J. Lobenfeld and Ira J. Schaefer, both IP partners with Clifford Chance, have joined its IP practice. The two lawyers will be working in New York and both will focus on dispute resolution in patent, trademark and copyright protection. Firm Press Release, 12/01/03
Large labor & employment firm opens its first Metro New York office
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C

Baker & McKenzie

Baker & McKenzie, America's largest firm with 3,210 attorneys and 66 offices in 36 countries, was the recipient of the 2003 Pro Bono Initiative Award from the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) during an awards ceremony last week. Baker's Partner to Serve program, in which Baker & McKenzie attorneys assist corporate legal department in developing in house pro bono programs and then works with them to help indigent community members, is being rewarded for the innovative approach to pro bono work. A full time position was recently established at Baker to oversee the firm's pro bono work in the United States. Firm Press Release,
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