amp strawn

More

Major US law firms call on law schools to condemn ‘antisemitism, Islamophobia’

  • November 5, 2023
Sullivan Cromwell <a href=law firm“/

Sullivan Cromwell law firm in New York City, U.S., July 27, 2022. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Nov 2 (Reuters) – More than two dozen major U.S. law firms sent a letter on Wednesday to the deans of the nation’s top-ranked law schools expressing concern over a wave of antisemitism and intimidation on university campuses amid the latest fighting between Israel and Hamas.

The 27 firms urged 14 of the top-ranked law schools in the U.S. to take a “unequivocal stance” against discrimination and harassment and said they “look forward” to learning from law schools how they are addressing the situation on their own campuses.

“There is no room for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism or any other form of violence, hatred or bigotry on your campuses, in our workplaces or our communities,” reads the firms’ letter, which cites reports of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and rallies calling for the elimination of Israel on college campuses.

A Sullivan & Cromwell spokesperson said on Thursday that senior chair Joseph Shenker spearheaded the letter to the law schools known in the legal industry as the “T-14,” as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Other signatories include some on the nation’s biggest and most profitable law firms, including Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Latham & Watkins; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

University of California, Berkeley law dean Erwin Chemerinsky said on Thursday that he welcomes the firms’ statement condemning antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism but was unclear on next steps.

“I am unsure what the law firms are asking law schools to do, but it is certainly our role to protect the freedom of speech of all of our students, while also ensuring that there is a conducive learning environment and preparing students

Read the rest
More

Law firm Winston re-hires tax partner as private equity, funds groups grow

  • May 14, 2023

(Reuters) – U.S. law firm Winston & Strawn on Monday said it has added its second new partner in the space of a week, rehiring a New York-based tax specialist who left for Lowenstein Sandler two years ago.

Rachel Ingwer was part of a team of Winston lawyers who joined Lowenstein in March 2021. Ingwer said Winston reached out to her after its private equity and funds groups had record years working with larger clients on transactions, creating demand for her tax expertise.

“We know you’re a good fit, please come back,” is how Ingwer summarized the firm’s pitch.

Ingwer is rejoining the firm without her mentor Edmund Cohen, who practiced at Winston for 15 years before he came with her to Lowenstein, but she said they may still work together on some matters.

“There are some clients that want to continue working with both of us,” Ingwer said, adding that she expects some clients will move over with her completely. She declined to identify any clients by name.

Winston has hired several partners in 2023, including last week, when the Chicago-founded firm added a blockchain-focused deal maker in Miami.

The firm has also hired a pair of structured finance partners from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, the general counsel of Groupon Inc, and a real estate lawyer in Florida.

A Lowenstein spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read More:

Law firm Winston & Strawn adds blockchain deal maker in Miami

Cadwalader structured finance partners jump to Winston in NY, Dallas

Winston launches Miami real estate practice with partner hire

Reporting by David Thomas

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Read the rest