Wake Up Call: Saudi Arabia Raises Local Lawyer Quota for Firms

Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.

• Law firms with offices in Saudi Arabia are under growing pressure from the country’s government to hire more of its citizens as they try to cash in on a boom in business in the region. Firms already face tough competition from the Kingdom’s state-owned companies, which are using free MBA courses, school fees, and other lavish benefits to poach talent from elite firms. (The Telegraph)
• Aaron Spolin, founder of Spolin & Dukes, is facing 18 disciplinary charges from California’s State Bar for repeatedly charging inmates and their families to file resentencing requests, even though they did not meet criteria outlined by the Los Angeles and Orange County district attorneys. (CBS News)
• An Indiana Supreme Court commission recommended the state address an attorney shortage in underserved communities through law student scholarships, approving allied professionals for representation, and loan-repayment assistance. (ABA Journal)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Jon Dean joined Sidley Austin as a partner in its commercial litigation and disputes practice in Los Angeles. He joins from McDermott Will & Emery.
• William Pao joined Cooley as a partner in its securities litigation and enforcement group in Los Angeles. He joins from O’Melveny & Myers.
• Kevin Stanek rejoined Barnes & Thornburg as of counsel in its government services and finance department.
• Francisco Cabada joined Kaufman Dolowich as a partner in its labor and employment group in Los Angeles. He joins from Cabada & Hameed.
• Jason Loring joined Jones Walker as a partner in the corporate practice group in Atlanta.