Wake Up Call: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Merger Goes Live

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

• The merger between Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin, now Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, went live. The newly combined firm said it will focus on growth and investments, particularly in private equity, bankruptcy, disputes, real estate, and securitization, as well as a broader transactional offering, and on building its regulatory and technology practices centered around Washington and Silicon Valley. (HSF Kramer)
  
• Lawyers in Delaware corporate cases are frequently earning up to 10 times their standard rates—far more frequently than in federal courts—prompting backlash from venture capitalists and calls for companies to move out of the state. This surge in legal fee “multipliers,” driven mostly by two judges, has intensified scrutiny following the voiding of Elon Musk’s Tesla pay package and has contributed to a growing “DExit” movement, with firms such as Meta, Walmart, and Pershing Square considering reincorporation in states including Texas and Nevada. (Fortune)
  
• H. Lee Godfrey, a founder of Susman Godfrey, died after a long illness June 2. Known for his charisma, intellect, and courtroom presence, Godfrey played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s success and mentoring generations of lawyers, including his daughter Lindsay Godfrey Eccles, currently a partner at the firm. (Susman Godfrey)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Jesse Neil, Brent Bowman, and Jon Gaston joined Foley & Lardner as partners in its health-care and life sciences and manufacturing practices in its new Nashville office. They join from Holland & Knight.
• Iliana Karaoglan joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a partner in its mergers and acquisitions practice in New York. She joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
• Rich Stieglitz joined Mayer Brown as a partner and co-leader of its restructuring practice in New York. He joins from Cahill Gordon & Reindel.
• Chelsea Pizzola joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner in its asset management department and digital works practice in Washington. She joins from DRW.
• Kate Pennartz joined Holland & Knight as a partner in its real estate practice in Dallas. She joins from Squire Patton Boggs.
• Evan Sherwood joined Dentons as a partner in its government contracts practice in Washington.
• Liza Cotter rejoined Weil, Gotshal & Manges as a partner in its privacy and cybersecurity practice in Boston and New York. She joins from Cooley.
• Patrick Lyons and Jennifer Rees joined Baker Botts as partners in its capital markets group in London. They join from Dechert.
• Skye Smith joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld as a partner in its investment management practice in Abu Dhabi. She joins from DLA Piper.
• Sarah Gogan joined Brown Rudnick as a partner in its global litigation and brand and reputation management team in London.
• Howard Goldwasser and Skanthan Vivekananda joined O’Melveny & Myers as partners in its corporate finance practice group in New York and Los Angeles. They join from Orrick.
• Jill Lebowitz joined McCarter & English as a partner in its tax, employee benefits, trusts, estates, and private clients practice group in Newark, N.J. She joins from Coughlin Midlige & Garland.
• Emily Harbison joined Fisher Phillips as regional managing partner in Houston. She joins from Reed Smith.
• Gregory Hendershott joined Fisher Phillips as a partner in Seattle.
• Erin Sweeney joined Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder in Portland, Ore. She joins from Littler Mendelson.
• Jessica Mitchell and Landon Sullivan joined BakerHostetler as partners in its business practice group in Seattle. Mitchell joins from Summit Law Group. Sullivan joins from K&L Gates.
• Joseph Mahoney and Erick Palmer joined Honigman as partners in its intellectual property litigation practice group in Chicago.
• Robert Salame joined Vedder Price as a shareholder in its real estate practice in New York. He joins from K&L Gates.
• Luis Salazar and Jose Ceide joined Cole Schotz as members in its new Miami office. They join from Salazar Law.
• Jeffrey Fickes and Christopher DePizzo joined Akerman as partners in its corporate practice group. They join from Blank Rome.