A little birdie tells us that Fennemore Craig is indeed the destination for many partners of the soon-to-be former Lionel Sawyer & Collins. It looks like LSC will be dissolving and FC (the firm that took in Jones Vargas) is picking and choosing which pieces to pick up. Supposedly, Sam Lionel will be going downstairs as a figurehead. (Actually, we haven’t heard yet if FC is moving upstairs or LSC is moving downstairs-anyone know? Also, we haven’t heard what will become of the Reno office.) We also hear rumor that the entire transactional department is making the move. As for the litigation and gaming law departments–well, you’ve already seen that they are scrambling. We suspect you’ll probably see a lot of the more established golf-playing partners make the move while younger partners are given the old heave-ho. The buzz has this all taking place officially in the near future, but we have yet to hear a date certain. We’ll continue to follow this breaking news story…
For those LSC refugees looking to hang a shingle and who want to stay downtown at minimum cost, consider checking out this new co-working space on the 2nd floor of the Fed-Ex building. [www.theoffice.vegas]
Lots of plea deals in the World Cup betting scheme the FBI uncovered this summer. [RJ]
Preparations are under way for the Court of Appeals and Governor Sandoval could announce his appointed judges before the end of the week. [Fox5Vegas]
The US Supreme Court ruled that Amazon employees don’t have to be compensated for the time it takes them to get through security checks. [Las Vegas Sun]
Why would FC want to take on dead weight partners from LSC who don't make it rain? More likely they would want the younger partners who have books of business or actually can do the work. This would be a perfect time to cut the dead weight who don't have books unless they want to make them "of counsel" instead of shareholders.
Anyway, what's the new name going to be – Fennemore Craig Jones Vargas Lionel Sawyer Collins? Or maybe the Jones Vargas agreement expired and it'll be "Fennemore Craig Lionel Sawyer Collins" until 2017, and then it will just be "Fennemore Craig."
They don't want to give the impression that they're a sinking ship. By keeping around the rock stars from the 80s they make it seem like all is still right in their world.
I'm sure guys like Senator Bryan and Dean Morgan will be fine.
Guest
Anonymous
December 10, 2014 7:49 pm
I just looked at a list of the attorneys wokring out of Fennemore Craig's Las Vegas office… one female associate. Please tell me the website is incomplete!
And only three associates in that office, and they want to take on even more partners? Can someone explain why this is a good idea? (Seriously, I don't know anything about the business side of law firms)
At the firm I'm at, only the most junior partners still write anything on a regular basis. Most partners manage work, communicate with clients, and show up at important events/meetings/hearings. So the FC associate count is puzzling. Also, at billable hour firms, partners make money through leverage, further making the FC model confusing.
Yes, the FC model makes no sense. I hear the partners hoard work and there is no training culture for the few associates they do have. But, who am I to argue with success? FC swallowed two of the most illustrious old Vegas firms. Something works.
What I heard with JV (though not from anyone who you'd expect would be authoritative, so this is just repeated gossip) was that they agreed to bring on all of the stockholders (why does FC call them 'Directors' anyway?) with a 2 year guarantee. I assume that means that after 2 years, anybody who was still mostly playing golf would be out the door or taking significant pay cuts. JV was also very partner heavy and one of the complaints I got from a guy who worked there at the time of the dissolution was that they had NO culture of associate training.
What I don't get is that they've got very few associates in NV, and 1 Paralegal. How do you get away with doing almost all client work at partner rates? Wouldn't clients balk?
11:49 AM here: My concern wasn't so much with the associate count (although troubling also), but the ONE FEMALE in the entire office situation, its like we're in the 60's again. Geez!
I like to wear a V-neck sweater that showcases my chest hair! You know the ones that are from the John Denver area, with the arm pockets where I can place my corn cob pipe.
Anybody got any matches?
I've actually never been to LSC, but I'm picking up the serious Ron Burgandy vibe from these posts. “It is anchorman, not anchorlady. And that is a scientific fact.”
Not anymore. Does FC have a watch maker on staff to fix Hemo's pocket watch??
Guest
Anonymous
December 11, 2014 9:21 pm
I want to know who's going to light Hemo's pipe when he parachutes out to FC, while the LSC plane crashes into a mountain. Will FC tolerate douchebaggery?
Guest
Anonymous
December 11, 2014 9:57 pm
a friend who works at lsc told me that its final; doors closing on Dec 31, plenty of people out of work
Guest
Anonymous
December 12, 2014 12:35 am
Anyone have an idea of how many LSC attorneys are going over to FC? And what about support staff?
Guest
Anonymous
December 12, 2014 2:15 am
4:35pm except for a few select secretaries most of the support staff is on the street dec 31
Guest
Anonymous
December 12, 2014 6:49 pm
12-11-14 @ 1:21 pm, yes FC will tolerate douchebaggery, do you need the list of JV attorneys that they still employ? A couple are good and a couple will fit right in with the new crowd of LSC.
Justice Hardesty referred to Judge Johnson as "Justice Johnson" at the Inns of Court meeting last night. A premonition of things to come…..?
Probably not, since a court of appeals would still be a "judge" and not a "justice."
Good point! I wasn't sure what they would be called.
Ellsworth goes by Justice.
Call her Judge.
That cracks me up!
Hope so
Why would FC want to take on dead weight partners from LSC who don't make it rain? More likely they would want the younger partners who have books of business or actually can do the work. This would be a perfect time to cut the dead weight who don't have books unless they want to make them "of counsel" instead of shareholders.
Anyway, what's the new name going to be – Fennemore Craig Jones Vargas Lionel Sawyer Collins? Or maybe the Jones Vargas agreement expired and it'll be "Fennemore Craig Lionel Sawyer Collins" until 2017, and then it will just be "Fennemore Craig."
They don't want to give the impression that they're a sinking ship. By keeping around the rock stars from the 80s they make it seem like all is still right in their world.
Or is it the rockstars from the 70s?
I'm sure guys like Senator Bryan and Dean Morgan will be fine.
I just looked at a list of the attorneys wokring out of Fennemore Craig's Las Vegas office… one female associate. Please tell me the website is incomplete!
And only three associates in that office, and they want to take on even more partners? Can someone explain why this is a good idea? (Seriously, I don't know anything about the business side of law firms)
At the firm I'm at, only the most junior partners still write anything on a regular basis. Most partners manage work, communicate with clients, and show up at important events/meetings/hearings. So the FC associate count is puzzling. Also, at billable hour firms, partners make money through leverage, further making the FC model confusing.
Yes, the FC model makes no sense. I hear the partners hoard work and there is no training culture for the few associates they do have. But, who am I to argue with success? FC swallowed two of the most illustrious old Vegas firms. Something works.
Maybe they make most of their money from their larger offices.
What I heard with JV (though not from anyone who you'd expect would be authoritative, so this is just repeated gossip) was that they agreed to bring on all of the stockholders (why does FC call them 'Directors' anyway?) with a 2 year guarantee. I assume that means that after 2 years, anybody who was still mostly playing golf would be out the door or taking significant pay cuts. JV was also very partner heavy and one of the complaints I got from a guy who worked there at the time of the dissolution was that they had NO culture of associate training.
What I don't get is that they've got very few associates in NV, and 1 Paralegal. How do you get away with doing almost all client work at partner rates? Wouldn't clients balk?
This sounds like taking in strays. Long time partners more of a liability than a revenue producers.
I would rather take in the unwanted animals.
Hmm, vaguely familiar?? Reminds me of the business model of Lewis and Roca.
11:49 AM here: My concern wasn't so much with the associate count (although troubling also), but the ONE FEMALE in the entire office situation, its like we're in the 60's again. Geez!
4:19 – then LSC people should fit right in – many things at LSC are like the 60s. I worked there so feel qualified to opine.
The office decor at LSC is straight out of the 60's. I usually forget to bring my smoking jacket when I visit.
A smoking jacket is nice, but I generally wear my corduroy suit with the vest when I have a depo there.
Are you Eric Taylor or Kevin Helm?
Couldn't be Kevin – "suit" and "depo" do not go in the same sentence when referring to him.
I like to wear a V-neck sweater that showcases my chest hair! You know the ones that are from the John Denver area, with the arm pockets where I can place my corn cob pipe.
Anybody got any matches?
I've actually never been to LSC, but I'm picking up the serious Ron Burgandy vibe from these posts. “It is anchorman, not anchorlady. And that is a scientific fact.”
Is LSC the law firm that would pick up there summer associates in limos after they were done with the bar exam?
Wow, those days are long gone!
@12:19 PM LSC's offices definitely have many leather-bound books and smell of rich mahogany.
Not anymore. Does FC have a watch maker on staff to fix Hemo's pocket watch??
I want to know who's going to light Hemo's pipe when he parachutes out to FC, while the LSC plane crashes into a mountain. Will FC tolerate douchebaggery?
a friend who works at lsc told me that its final; doors closing on Dec 31, plenty of people out of work
Anyone have an idea of how many LSC attorneys are going over to FC? And what about support staff?
4:35pm except for a few select secretaries most of the support staff is on the street dec 31
12-11-14 @ 1:21 pm, yes FC will tolerate douchebaggery, do you need the list of JV attorneys that they still employ? A couple are good and a couple will fit right in with the new crowd of LSC.
You might be qualified to get a free $1,000 Amazon Gift Card.