Wake Up Call: Ex-Mayer Brown Lawyer Set to Be German Chancellor

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

• Friedrich Merz, having led his party to victory in Germany’s national election, is poised to become the country’s next chancellor. Before his political resurgence, Merz built a notable legal career. After leaving the Bundestag in 2009, he joined Mayer Brown as a senior counsel, advising clients on corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, banking, and finance, according to the firm. (The Washington Post)
• Chicago rail system Metra hired McGuireWoods for an internal investigation into its police department for nearly $1.57 million but has refused to release the findings, citing attorney-client privilege. The probe has drawn criticism of the agency’s decision to rely on a private firm instead of the state inspector general. Metra has since hired another consultant to assist in assessing department culture. (The Chicago Tribune)
• Simmons & Simmons is setting a target to have 20% of its partners come from lower socio-economic backgrounds by 2029. Despite a broader decline in social mobility within law, the firm plans on using recruitment tools and social mobility programs to increase diversity. It will measure progress using standards set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Social Mobility Commission. (The Times)
• Reed Smith opened a new office in Denver with a 20-lawyer team, including 11 partners, three counsel, and six associates. The office is their 20th in the United States and 33rd globally. The office’s opening follows the launch of the firm’s new Atlanta location, which opened in January with 37 lawyers. (Reed Smith)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Julie Kearney joined DLA Piper as a partner in its telecommunications practice and co-chair of its space exploration and innovation practice in Washington. She joins from the Federal Communications Commission, where she was chief of the Space Bureau.
• Sarah Gagan joined Paul Hastings as a partner and co-chair of its technology transactions practice in Boston. She joins from Latham & Watkins.
• Mellissa Campbell Duru joined Gibson Dunn as a partner in its securities regulation and corporate governance practice group in Washington. She joins from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Ryan Lapine joined Steptoe as a partner in its commercial litigation practice in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He joins from Venable.
• Kristopher Stark joined Polsinelli as a shareholder in its real estate practice.
• Sasha Belinkie joined White & Case as a partner in its global mergers and acquisitions practice and employment, compensation, and benefits practice.
• Kate Goodrich joined Holland & Knight as a senior policy advisor and member of its Texas government advocacy team in Austin.
• S. Preston Ricardo joined Vedder Price as a shareholder in its litigation practice in New York.
• Adam Heasley joined Alston & Bird as a partner in its finance group.
• Leif Cervantes de Reinstein joined O’Melveny & Myers as a partner in its entertainment, sports, and media industry group in Century City, Calif. He joins from Sheppard Mullin.
• Trevor Bannister joined Eckert Seamans as a member in its intellectual property practice in Pittsburgh. He joins from KDW Firm.
• Sara Olschewske rejoined Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder. She joins from Instacart, where she was senior labor and employment counsel.
• Christopher Cowles and Richard Emmons joined Day Pitney as partners in its intellectual property and technology practice group in Boston.