Wake Up Call: Judge Slams DOJ Lawyers in Federal Workers Case

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

• Judge William Alsup rebuked Justice Department lawyers for lying to the court and attempting to evade legal scrutiny in a case over the Trump Administration’s mass firing of federal employees. He condemned their tactics, including presenting a sworn declaration while refusing cross-examination and then withdrawing it when challenged. Alsup called the administration’s strategy a “sham” designed to circumvent the law and deprive workers of their rights. (Balls and Strikes)
  
• Tony Buzbee is being sued by a former client, who alleges that Buzbee’s firm misappropriated settlement funds and distributed them to him as a high-interest loan. The client, who received less than $190,000 from a $700,000 settlement, claims Buzbee prioritized financial gain over his client’s welfare. Buzbee denies the allegations, asserting that the settlement was signed under oath and accusing Jay-Z and Roc Nation of orchestrating lawsuits against him. (Houston Public Media)
  
• Goodwin Procter is in talks to relocate from Midtown to 200 Fifth Avenue in Midtown South, potentially leasing up to 336,096 square feet in the landmarked building across from Madison Square Park. The firm, currently based in The New York Times Building, has been seeking 250,000 square feet ahead of its 2028 lease expiration. (Commercial Observer)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Valerie Ho rejoined Greenberg Traurig as a shareholder in its intellectual property and technology practice in Los Angeles. She joins from SHEIN, where she was general counsel for the Americas.
• Chris Ryan joined Bitcoin Depot as chief legal officer. He joins from MoneyGram International, where he was deputy general counsel.
• Audrey Scott joined McDermott Will & Emery as a partner in its private client practice group in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
• Todd Merrill was promoted to executive vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary of Taylor Morrison Home Corp.
• Frank Pigott joined B. Riley Securities as general counsel. He joins from the Securities and Exchange Commission, where he was senior special counsel in the trading and markets division.