DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Elite law firms send a messageWith universities across the United States grappling with a rise in antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, elite law firms are putting schools on notice. In a letter to some of the nation’s top law schools obtained by DealBook, about two dozen major Wall Street firms warned that what happens on campus could have corporate consequences. The letter follows a series of recent antisemitic episodes at universities. Kathy Hochul of New York sought this week to reassure Jewish students at Cornell after online posts threatening violence against them. Students at other schools have said they feel increasingly unsafe amid rallies and other acts that, in some instances, have become violent.

Persons: Moore Debevoise, Plimpton Kirkland, Ellis Paul, Weiss, Garrison Simpson Thacher, Bartlett Skadden Wachtell, Lipton, Davis Polk, Israel, Kathy Hochul Organizations: DealBook, Rosen, Katz, Wardwell, Gov, New York, Cornell Locations: United States, Israel, Rifkind, Wharton, New

☆ Top law firms call out antisemitism on college campuses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Some of the nation’s most powerful law firms are warning America’s elite universities to crack down on antisemitism on campus – or the schools and their students will face real consequences. “Over the last several weeks, we have been alarmed at reports of anti-Semitic harassment, vandalism and assaults on college campuses, including rallies calling for the death of Jews and the elimination of the State of Israel,” more than two dozen law firms wrote in a letter obtained by CNN. The letter campaign was spearheaded by Joe Shenker, senior chair of Sullivan & Cromwell, according to the New York-based law firm. “One would hope that by the twenty-first century, antisemitism would have been relegated to the dustbin of history,” Columbia University leaders said in a statement. Last month, a Columbia student hanging up posters on campus in support of Israel was assaulted.

Persons: Moore, Ellis, Paul, Weiss, Wachtell, Lipton, Katz, Joe Shenker, Sullivan, Cromwell, Ryna Workman, Israel “, ”, Strawn, Workman, “, ” Workman, they’ve, Liz Magill, ” Magill, ” Gillian Lester Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Debevoise, Plimpton, Kirkland, Garrison, Rosen, Yale, Harvard, University of Virginia, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, University of Michigan, University of Michigan , New York University, Stanford, NYU Student Bar Association, Winston, NYU, Columbia University, ” Columbia University, Columbia Law School, Cornell University Locations: New York, Israel, ”, Rifkind, Wharton, Slate, Columbia, Georgetown, University of Michigan , New, Penn, New York City

Qualcomm has denied any wrongdoing and had asked the judge to reject the consumers' claims. The consumers' case was in Corley's court following a 9th Circuit ruling in 2021 that struck down an order certifying a nationwide consumer class action. In January, Corley dismissed core antitrust elements of the plaintiffs' claims but let the case move forward. The consumers' lawyers told Corley that "Qualcomm turns a blind eye to the massive evidentiary record" backing the consumers' allegations of exclusive dealing. The case is In re: Qualcomm Antitrust Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Joseph Cotchett, Kalpana Srinivasan, Susman Godfrey, Robert Van, Van, Gary Bornstein, Richard Taffet, Morgan, Lewis, Bockius Read, Mike Scarcella, Leigh Jones Organizations: Qualcomm, REUTERS, Tuesday, U.S, Apple, U.S . Federal, Circuit, Qualcomm Antitrust Litigation, Court, Northern District of, McCarthy, Thomson Locations: California, San Francisco, San Diego, Northern District, Northern District of California, Cotchett, Pitre, U.S

☆ Cisco beefs up cybersecurity play with $28 bln Splunk deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of networking gear maker Cisco Systems Inc is seen during GSMA's 2022 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Nacho Doce Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Cisco Systems (CSCO.O) on Thursday agreed to acquire cybersecurity company Splunk (SPLK.O) for about $28 billion, in its biggest acquisition ever that would bolster its network security business. "Combined, Cisco and Splunk will become one of the world's largest software companies and will accelerate Cisco's business transformation to more recurring revenue," the companies said in a joint statement. Cisco shares were down nearly 5% in premarket, while trading in Splunk stock was halted. The deal, which was unanimously approved by the boards of both Cisco and Splunk, is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2024 subject to regulatory approvals.

Persons: Simpson Thacher, Moore, Morgan Stanley, Flom, Splunk, Yuvraj Malik, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Cisco Systems Inc, Congress, REUTERS, Cisco Systems, Splunk's, Cisco, Splunk, Tidal Partners, Bartlett, Qatalyst Partners, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, premarket, Cravath, Slate, Bengaluru

☆ Cisco acquiring cybersecurity company Splunk in cash deal worth $28 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

(Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Cisco is acquiring cybersecurity software company Splunk for $157 a share in a cash deal worth about $28 billion, the company said Thursday. The acquisition is one of Cisco's largest, and continues an acquisition streak which has built out the company's cybersecurity offerings. Splunk is a cybersecurity company that helps enterprises monitor and analyze their data to minimize the risk of hacks and resolve technical issues faster. If Cisco backs out of the deal or is forced to do so because of regulatory intervention, it will pay Splunk a termination fee of $1.48 billion, according to a regulatory filing. If Splunk backs out of the deal for any reason, it will pay a $1 billion breakup fee to Cisco.

Persons: Jakub Porzycki, Chuck Robbins, Robbins, Simpson Thacher, Moore, Morgan Stanley, Flom, Splunk Organizations: Getty Images, Cisco, Tidal Partners, Qatalyst Partners Locations: Krakow, Poland, Slate

☆ Meet the Morgan Stanley rainmaker tapped to chair the M&A division of law firm Paul Weiss as fears of investor activism grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Kaja Whitehouse | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Morgan Stanley rainmaker Robert Kindler is leaving the investment bank for law firm Paul Weiss. Kindler, global chair of mergers and acquisitions at Morgan Stanley, has been named global chair of M&A at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. "Paul, Weiss has the premier franchise for M&A and activism defense and I am excited to become a part of it." Last year, Paul Weiss represented the board of McDonald's in its proxy fight with activist investor Carl Icahn. In 2000, he joined JPMorgan, where he was named global head of M&A before joining Morgan Stanley in 2006.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Robert Kindler, Paul Weiss, Weiss, Garrison, Kindler, Paul, Carl Icahn, Leon Black's, Jeffrey Epstein, Goldman Sachs, John Waldron, Waldron, Scott Barshay, Brad Karp, Moore, Morgan, Eaton Vance, James Gorman Organizations: Morning, Paul, Apollo, NFL, Barshay, JPMorgan, Time Warner, Labor Locations: Rifkind, Wharton, Cravath, ETrade, Kindler

☆ Veteran Morgan Stanley dealmaker Rob Kindler to join law firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 6 (Reuters) - Rob Kindler, a top executive at Morgan Stanley (MS.N), is leaving the investment bank after a 17-year stint to join a major law firm. The veteran dealmaker will join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as the global chair of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the law firm said on Tuesday. A New Yorker, Kindler began his legal practice at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, another major law firm where he spent nearly two decades. "I am delighted to once again have him as my partner," said Barshay, who is the chair of the Paul, Weiss' corporate department. Kindler's return to legal practice coincides with a challenging period for the industry, which like investment banks, has been navigating a dreary environment for dealmaking.

Persons: Rob Kindler, Morgan Stanley, dealmaker, Paul, Weiss, Kindler, Moore, Kindler's, Scott Barshay, Barshay, Cooley, Goodwin Procter, Niket, Maju Samuel, Chris Reese Organizations: Garrison, Yorker, JPMorgan, Comcast, AT, T Broadband, Dow, IHS, Wall Street, Apollo Global, Arconic, WWE, Endeavor Group, UFC, Thomson Locations: Rifkind, Wharton, New York, Cravath, Bengaluru

CompaniesCompanies Law Firms Grail Inc FollowIllumina Inc Follow(Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday said it will accelerate reviewing Illumina Inc's challenge to a federal agency order requiring the biotechnology company to divest cancer diagnostic test maker Grail LLC. The agency said Illumina had not shown why the appeals court needed to speed up its consideration of the antitrust dispute. San Diego-based Illumina, which specializes in gene sequencing, is appealing an April 3 FTC order that said the company's $7.1 billion acquisition of Grail will curb competition in the cancer-testing market. The FTC in 2021 sued Illumina over its bid for Grail, a former subsidiary of the company. The case is Illumina Inc and Grail Inc v. Federal Trade Commission, 5th U.S.

Law Firms Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP FollowApril 18 (Reuters) - New York's Senate on Tuesday easily confirmed Governor Kathy Hochul’s nominee to lead the state’s highest court, elevating a judge favored by liberal lawmakers. Rowan Wilson was approved by a vote of 40 to 19 as chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. Wilson will be the first Black judge in the role, which also oversees the state's court system. Wilson dissented from prominent decisions by former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, including a ruling last year that maps of the state’s congressional districts redrawn by Democratic lawmakers violated the state’s constitution. Wilson's swift confirmation comes after Hochul’s first nominee for the post, appellate Judge Hector LaSalle, was rejected by the state Senate amid criticism from Democratic lawmakers about his record on abortion and labor issues.

☆ Warmer Reaction for Kathy Hochul’s New Chief Judge Pick
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jimmy Vielkind | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Judge Rowan Wilson was a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP before his appointment to the New York State Court of Appeals. Photo: Court of Appeals, State of New York

Rowan Wilson, an associate judge on the Court of Appeals, was named as chief judge of the same court, overseeing the state's sprawling state judicial system. If confirmed, Wilson would be the first Black judge in the post, replacing Janet DiFiore who stepped down in August. "Judge Wilson's sterling record of upholding justice and fairness makes him well-suited to lead the court at this critical time," Hochul said in a statement. Hochul nominated Caitlin Halligan, a former New York solicitor general and current partner at law firm Selendy Gay Elsberg, to fill Wilson's current role. Wilson was nominated to the Court of Appeals by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, in 2017.

☆ Inside a shake-up at the world's 'most feared law firm'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Casey Sullivan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

It's been a tumultuous period for Quinn and the storied law firm he built over the past 37 years — now the world's largest litigation firm with hourly rates that can be north of $2,000. But behind the scenes, a shift at QE has been the talk of elite law firm circles. Indeed, the firm – known as a singular, even freewheeling, institution that brands itself as the "#1 Most Feared Law Firm in the World" — may appear to be less in the image of its founder as a generational shift brings changes. "We all thought it was important that the world understands this is not a one generation law firm." One former firm partner in California says he believes Quinn's inner circle generally got better deals.

☆ Silvergate shutting down operations and liquidating bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Silvergate Capital announced on Wednesday that it will wind down operations and liquidate Silvergate Bank. The other is the New York-based Signature Bank which has more than $114 billion dollars in total assets. "In light of recent industry and regulatory developments, Silvergate believes that an orderly wind down of Bank operations and a voluntary liquidation of the Bank is the best path forward," the company said in a statement. After the market close on March 3, Silvergate suspended its payments platform known as the Silvergate Exchange Network, or SEN, which was considered to be one of its core offerings. Crypto companies like Coinbase and Galaxy Digital raced to cut ties with Silvergate last week after the bank warned that it was unsure whether it had the ability to stay in business.

☆ Former Goldman Sachs partners represent the powerful allies and formidable foes the bank has across the Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In many ways, it's easier to become a brain surgeon than a Goldman partner (doctors, please spare me your hate mail). Unlike other esteemed white-collar groups — the partners at law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, for example — turnover is somewhat common within the Goldman partnership. Insider's Carter Johnson and Dakin Campbell took a look at how many partners have left the bank since CEO David Solomon took over in 2018. In many ways, it's demonstrative of the allies the bank has across the Street. Former Goldman partners can be like missionaries for the bank, spreading the good word to anyone who will listen (and paying their fees).

This is why we have seen less activity," said Dirk Albersmeier, co-head of global M&A at JPMorgan. In the fourth quarter, there has been a 56% contraction in global M&A to $641.2 billion, partly caused by a 66% drop in private equity activity. Top rainmakers expect a pickup in cross-border M&A activity. Going forward, private equity funds are expected to kickstart the recovery as they seek assets at a discount. We were probably more optimistic a year ago," said David DeNunzio, global head of M&A at Wells Fargo.

☆ How Big Law fumbled its own Rooney rule on diversity
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Elizabeth Olson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Several law firms adopted the Mansfield rule in 2017, which aims to increase diversity in leadership. It's effectively the NFL's two-decade-old Rooney rule: a requirement that nonwhite candidates be considered when teams hire for coaching and front-office jobs. Law firms followed professional football in 2017 with its version of the Rooney rule, called the Mansfield rule. At first, the Rooney rule seemed to catch on when teams started to hire more coaches of color and a dozen general managers of color when that position was added to the Rooney rule. "For the Rooney rule to work," he said, "there has to be a true commitment from the owners.

☆ Elizabeth Holmes has asked for 18 months of house arrest to avoid going to jail for her Theranos fraud convictions, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elizabeth Holmes has asked for a lenient 18-month sentence at home before her sentencing next week. Lawyers said prison was not necessary because Holmes had already been "mocked and vilified" enough. Holmes faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the four fraud charges she was convicted of. An 82-page filing seen by The Associated Press and Bloomberg reportedly shows that she asked for a lenient sentence under house arrest, which came alongside more than 130 letters from Holmes' friends, family, Theranos investors and former employees, who lawyers said showcased "the real Elizabeth Holmes." Sunny Balwani, her former partner, was separately convicted in July on all 12 counts of investor and patient fraud with which he was originally charged.

☆ Dubai courier firm Aramex buys Florida e-commerce company MyUS for $265 mln
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Dubai-listed courier firm Aramex (ARMX.DU) said on Wednesday it had bought Florida-based e-commerce company Access USA Shipping LLC (MyUS) for about $265 million in an all-cash deal. Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ holds a 22.32% stake in Aramex, transferred to ADQ-owned Abu Dhabi Ports in January. Abu Dhabi Ports made its stock market debut in February, raising 4 billion dirhams ($1.09 billion). Citi was financial adviser and Cravath, Swaine & Moore legal adviser to Aramex. UBS was financial adviser and King & Spalding legal adviser to all sellers, including an affiliate of Palm Beach Capital, a Florida-based private equity firm, Aramex said.

☆ Get ready for 'stealth layoffs' at Big Law firms as the economy slows
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Jack Newsham | Peter Coutu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But at Big Law firms, "managing out" is common, with lawyers quietly directed to look for work elsewhere. O's story stands to become more common as the economy cools and Big Law firms seek to quietly cut costs without technically laying people off. Here's how Big Law firms let people go. Most Big Law firms operate under an "up or out" system, where lawyers are either expected to make partner or leave. Big Law lets more people go and slows down hiring in tough economic timesOne point of agreement is that stealth layoffs rise in economic downturns.

☆ Staffers say Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon has asked them to help with his DJ account
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Lisa Ryan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

David Solomon is working hard to build up David Solomon. On a Friday in late July, the Goldman Sachs CEO boarded the company's Gulfstream G650 for Chicago. And that's the latest in a string of actions showing the intertwining interests of David Solomon the CEO and chairman and the interests of Goldman Sachs itself, my colleague Dakin Campbell reports. Staffers say they've been asked to help with his DJ account and they've noted a new emphasis on sports endorsements. Millennium Management tapped Goldman Sachs alum Olga Naumovich to build out its Miami tech hub.

☆ Ex-Cravath lawyer Andy Klein wants to raise $5 million for his new startup. Here's his pitch to get the Big Law lawyers who use his company's tech to also invest.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

His company Reynen Court is now looking to raise $5 million using a provision of the JOBS Act. More recently, Klein, who lives in Amsterdam, has been growing Reynen Court. The company launched in 2018 with financial backing from a consortium of large law firms, including Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance. Klein said Reynen Court really took off once he was able to persuade 20 of the world's largest law firms to begin using the platform. If the offering succeeds, Reynen Court expects to go forward with a series B fundraising next year, Klein said.

☆ From Jay-Z to Elon Musk: Inside the rise of Quinn Emanuel partner Alex Spiro, one of the lawyers helping the billionaire break out of his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Elon Musk has fired many lawyers but hired Alex Spiro for at least five cases, with a mixed record. But there's at least one lawyer who Musk seems to get along with: Alex Spiro. Spiro had been working behind the scenes for the billionaire when he was trying to buy Twitter. But they are hardly the "hardcore street fighters" Musk wants in a lawyer, according to a recent tweet of his. It's not clear how Spiro and Musk connected in the first place, but they seem to operate on the same wavelength.

Search resuls for: "Cravath"

22 mentions found