Law.com
  • News
    • Newswire
    • Supreme Court
    • International
    • Legal Blog Watch
    • The Hot Seat
    • Video
  • Publications
    • The American Lawyer
    • Corporate Counsel
    • Law Technology News
    • The National Law Journal
    • New York Law Journal
    • New Jersey Law Journal
    • Connecticut Law Tribune
    • The Legal Intelligencer (PA)
    • Daily Business Review (FL)
    • Delaware Law Weekly
    • Daily Report (GA)
    • The Recorder (CA)
    • Texas Lawyer
    • Publication E-Alerts
    • More Publication Sites
  • Legal Research & Directories
    • Books Online
    • Smart Litigator
    • ALM Experts
    • Verdict Search
    • Court Reporters
    • Legal Dictionary
    • LegalTech® Directory
    • Newsletters
    • More Directories
  • Surveys, Lists & Rankings
    • Amlaw 100
    • NLJ 250
    • Global 100
    • The A-List
    • ALM Legal Intelligence
    • Surveys
    • More Lists & Rankings
  • Special Reports
  • lawjobs.com
  • LawCatalog Store
  • CLE & Events
    • CLE Center
    • ALM Events
    • LegalTech
    • Virtual LegalTech
    • Insight Legal Events
    • Webinars
Home
 
Article
Twitter LinkedIn RSS
Sign Up for Newsletters

Law.com Home > Report: Locke Lord to Hire Bulk of Morgan & Finnegan

Font Size: increase font decrease font

Report: Locke Lord to Hire Bulk of Morgan & Finnegan

By Nate Raymond All Articles 

The American Lawyer

January 26, 2009

  •    
  •    
  •    
  •      
 

Related Items

  • Sealed Document Reveals Morgan & Finnegan's Defection Woes
  • Kasowitz: Former IP Head Was Fired for Inappropriate Conduct

Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell on Friday extended offers to the bulk of the partnership at New York intellectual property boutique Morgan & Finnegan, documents obtained by the blog Above the Law show.

The blog posted two offer letters to senior partners John Sweeney and James Gould Monday morning. The letters say seven Morgan & Finnegan lawyers will join as equity partners. Another six will join as income partners. Together, the group is expected to bill $28 million in 2009, the letters say.

The departures likely spell the end for the boutique, which was founded in 1896 and represented companies such as IBM, Procter & Gamble, and Bristol-Meyers Squibb. It was unclear what would happen to the 27 associates and 11 of counsel listed on the firm's Web site.

"We're excited about the possibility of the lawyers from Morgan & Finnegan joining Locke Lord, but it's premature to make any announcements at this time because details have not been finalized," Locke Lord spokeswoman Julie Gilbert says.

Sweeney, Morgan & Finnegan's senior partner, was not immediately available for comment.

For at least the last two years, Morgan & Finnegan watched as partner after partner departed for general practice firms. Morgan & Finnegan had 31 partners in mid-2007; today, its Web site lists only 17. Former partners have gone to firms including Goodwin Procter, King & Spalding, Covington & Burling, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, and Dickstein Shapiro.

Documents in a sealed lawsuit brought by one of the Cadwalader laterals, Christopher Hughes, revealed that Morgan & Finnegan looked for ways to "protect the firm including exploring ways to discourage departure from the firm." Morgan & Finnegan said in court filings it amended its partnership agreement before Hughes left to create financial disincentives for partners to leave.

By most accounts, Sweeney was seen as the most prominent lawyer at the firm. At Locke Lord, Sweeney will earn $1.6 million and become deputy managing partner for the New York office, the letters say. Gould will become co-head of intellectual property and bank $1 million.

They will join by Feb. 2, the letters say.

This article first appeared on The Am Law Daily blog on AmericanLawyer.com.



Subscribe to The American Lawyer

Find similar content

Firms mentioned

    
  • Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
  • Covington & Burling
  • Dickstein Shapiro
  • Goodwin Procter
  • Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell
  • King & Spalding

Companies, agencies mentioned

    
  • Sweeney, Morgan & Finnegan
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Goodwin Procter, King & Spalding
  • Burling, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft

Key categories

    
  • Law Firm Management

Most viewed stories

    
  1. Court Officials Seek to Reform Process of Naming Acting Justices
    •      
  2. The 2013 Am Law 100
    •      
  3. Harvard Law Opens Applications to Juniors
    •      
  4. Prolific ADA Plaintiff Faces Nemesis in Harassment Suit
    •      
  5. Lawyers Sanctioned Over Porn Lawsuits File Appeal
    •      
lawjobs.com

TOP JOBS

MORE JOBS

POST A JOB

From the Law.com Network

EEOC Gets Tough With Companies on Genetic Privacy

Retailers Facing Employment Law Vulnerabilities

Ex-Dewey Partners Face New Foe in Firm's Bankruptcy

S&C Adds Linklaters Restructuring Partner in London
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Contrite Companies Can Win Forgiveness in Bribery Cases
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Plaintiffs Want to See Toyota's 'Crown Jewels'
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Cisco E-Book Delivers Ethics on the Go

Collaboration Is Key to Defending Cyberattacks

Prolific ADA Plaintiff Faces Nemesis in Harassment Suit

Ullyot Exit Closes Chapter for Facebook

Fla. Attorneys Lead Force-Placed Insurance Fight

Lawsuit Names Missing Fla. Attorney for Alleged Fraud
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Loaner Judges Helping Essex Cope With Persistent Vacancies
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Surrogate Faces Suspension for Political Activity, Drunken Driving
  •      
    • Subscription Required

The Affordable State-Specific Practice Solution
Available in NY, NJ, PA and CT editions - research, draft and prepare even the most complex cases with ease.

Circuit Reinstates Lawsuit by Inmate Over Cell Conditions
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Custody Ruling in Bitter Fight May Turn on 11-Year-Old's Wish
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Castille Testifies in Favor of 'Civil Gideon' Funding

Workers' Comp Judges Can't Fight Rescinded Raise
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Law Schools Are Looking Beyond LSATs, Says Mich. Dean

Is Freezing Your Eggs the Solution?

Advising Clients on Weather and the Workplace
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Texas Sues BP, Others Over Deepwater Oil Spill Disaster
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Filing Blunder To Cost $142,600
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Court: Injured College Student Can't Sue State
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Corporate Bribery Case Part Of National Trend
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Court Continues To Grant Lawyers Fraud Immunity
  •      
    • Subscription Required

  • About |
  • ALM Properties |
  • ALM Reprints |
  • Customer Support |
  • Privacy Policy |
  • Terms & Conditions |
  • ALM User License Agreement
ALM Media