Wake Up Call: Elite Colleges Target Lawyers in Antitrust Fight

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

• Elite US universities defending an antitrust lawsuit over alleged favoritism toward wealthy applicants are challenging the adequacy of plaintiffs’ counsel Gilbert Litigators & Counselors, citing its use of third-party litigation funding. The schools say GLC may have misled the court about its financial risk, while the firm says its limited funding—covering less than half its own fees—was properly disclosed and does not undermine its commitment or adequacy. (Reuters)
• Bryan Freedman—actor Justin Baldoni’s attorney in his fight against “It Ends With Us” costar Blake Lively—is now facing a civil suit as well as a state bar complaint over his handling of a different legal matter involving Baldoni. The claims stem from Freedman’s prior representation of late writer Travis Flores, who accused Baldoni of copying his cystic fibrosis-themed script for “Five Feet Apart.” Flores’ husband alleges that Freedman betrayed his client by later representing Baldoni, then defamed Flores and violated attorney-client privilege after his death. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Bruce Cutler, a New York criminal defense lawyer who won acquittals three times for mob boss John J. Gotti, died at 77. Known for his aggressive style in the courtroom, Cutler’s combative cross-examinations were dubbed “Brucifications,” and his clashes with judges and prosecutors made him a legal celebrity. (The New York Times)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Desiree Grace joined McCarter & English as a litigation partner in Newark, NJ.
• Mark Bussey joined Polsinelli as a shareholder in its corporate mergers and acquisitions practice in Denver. He joins from Davis Graham & Stubbs.
• John Martin joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in the corporate department in Chicago. He joins from Chapman and Cutler.