Wake Up Call: Judges Say Government Is Harming DOJ Lawyers’ Work

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

• Federal judges overseeing immigration cases are increasingly criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of immigration cases, saying rank-and-file Justice Department lawyers are being put in difficult positions as they defend the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies. Judges have stressed that many line attorneys appear in court without key information from ICE, struggle to meet deadlines, and cannot get timely answers from government agencies or political leadership. (Politico)
• Baker Botts is stepping up efforts to integrate its growing London office, including hosting partner-free dinners for junior lawyers to strengthen relationships between teams. The initiative comes after a major hiring push that added 15 lawyers in London last year, including seven partners, expanding the UK partnership from 14 to 21. (FN London)
• Michael C. Richman, longtime lawyer for basketball stars Wilt Chamberlain and Sonny Hill, died after a brief illness in Boca Raton, Fla. He earned his law degree at Temple University, and was appointed as Montgomery County district justice in 1984 and served in the role until 2003. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Niket Rele rejoined Reed Smith as a partner in its global corporate group in Miami. He joins from Arnold & Porter.
• Gina Marek joined Orrick as a partner in its technology transactions team in Silicon Valley. She joins from Gunderson Dettmer.
• Sarah Streicker joined Jenner & Block as a partner in its investigations, compliance, and defense practice in Chicago. She joins from the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
• Steven Przesmicki joined Sidley Austin as a partner in its corporate and securities practice in San Diego. He joins from Cooley.
• Nathan Fahrer and Valerie Johnston joined Morgan Lewis as partners in its real estate practice. They join from Perkins Coie.
• Steve Wright joined Foley Hoag in Boston as a partner and chair of its insurance recovery practice.
• Gary Leung and Jodi Lopez joined McGuireWoods as partners in its securities enforcement and regulatory counseling practice in Los Angeles. Leung joins from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lopez joins from Sidley Austin.
• Galen Mason joined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough as a partner in its corporate practice group in Chicago. He joins from Michael Best & Friedrich.
• William R. Halaby III joined Greenberg Traurig as a shareholder in its corporate practice in Miami. He joins from Morrison Foerster.