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Reed Smith Picks Up Three From Thelen
The Recorder
December 03, 2008
Reed Smith continues to scoop up lawyers from collapsed Thelen, announcing Tuesday it had brought on two more from Thelen's energy group and a technology transactions lawyer from its Los Angeles office.
This is on top of several other laterals from the energy and labor and employment practices who were already known to be joining Reed Smith from Thelen, which announced its recent dissolution in late October.
Partner Rauer Meyer, joining the firm in L.A., brings with him extensive connections in Silicon Valley and clients that include Quantum, Seagate, E-Trade and AT&T.
He said he was attracted to Reed Smith's international presence, particularly in Europe and China, where he's done work with Western technology companies that need to protect their intellectual property. Meyer had worked at Thelen since 1988, starting in the L.A. office, then moving to San Francisco in 1996. In 2006, he moved back to Los Angeles to work more closely with the entertainment industry.
The two additional partners from Thelen's energy group are Phillip Lookadoo, who specializes in transactions and regulation and is joining Reed Smith's Washington, D.C., office, and corporate partner Eulalia Mack, who is joining the New York office.
The two will boost a fetch of 13 energy lawyers, led by Thelen partner Ellen Bastier, whose moves were announced in November.
With a new administration in Washington, many are expecting more activity in energy and environmental regulation.
"As we've seen, the energy industry is continuing to grow despite the downturn in the economy. Some people say it's recession-proof. We are bullish on the sector, and that's why we were fortunate to bring on the Thelen team," said John Iino, co-chair of Reed Smith's corporate and securities practice.
The collapse of Thelen and Heller Ehrman has flooded the pool for lateral partners. And some firms are taking advantage of the down economy to bolster their partner ranks.
"In this market just about anyone who has enough business to keep himself or herself busy is marketable," said recruiter Avis Caravello.
Meyer said he was impressed with how smoothly Reed Smith acquired Oakland's Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May in 2003. He also asked about Reed Smith's financial situation: "They are meeting their budget for '08, even though the economy is falling off a cliff, and many firms can't say that."
