Wake Up Call: Latham & Watkins Partners Set for 17% Pay Boost

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

• Latham & Watkins is set to increase partner compensation by around 17% this year after a strong performance last year. The boost comes after a challenging period, in which the firm reported an average profit per equity partner of $5.5 million, trailing behind its rivals. However, with a strong showing last year, the firm could expect to see an average profit per equity partner of around $6.4 million. (FN London)
• Federal prosecutors are seeking a 16-month prison sentence for lawyer Kellye SoRelle, who pleaded guilty to felony charges related to the Jan. 6 US Capitol riot. SoRelle, the former general counsel for the Oath Keepers militia and a former Republican candidate for the Texas House, was implicated in urging militia members to destroy evidence of their involvement in the riot, including deleting incriminating messages. (WUSA9)
• Nearly five years after Blue Cross Blue Shield agreed to a $2.7 billion antitrust settlement, a dispute has erupted over attorney fees, with several small law firms accusing Louisiana’s Pendley, Baudin & Coffin of withholding their share of a $667 million fee award. The case, which resolved claims that Blue Cross overcharged subscribers, saw the settlement approved in 2020, with the Supreme Court dismissing any remaining objections in June. (Reuters)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Jennifer Csik Hutchens joined Dechert as a partner in its corporate and securities practice in Charlotte, N.C.
• Kevin Lanouette was named senior vice president and general counsel at iRobot. He joins from OutsideGC.
• Gabe Racz joined Clark Hill as a member in its environmental and natural resources group in Boulder, Colo.
• Åsa Thunman was appointed general counsel and executive vice president of Skanska Group. She joins from Sandvik, where she was general counsel.
• Stephanie Monaco joined Sullivan & Worcester as a partner in its investment management practice group. She joins from Mayer Brown.