Wake Up Call: Lawyer Gearing Up to Fight Andrew Tate Has No Fear

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

• Dani Pinter, senior legal counsel at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, is leading the legal fight against influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate on behalf of a US-based accuser who alleges she was manipulated, trafficked, and coerced into performing online sex work. (Cosmopolitan)
• After a strong financial year in 2024, law firm leaders foresee opportunities in the tumult of geopolitical and regulatory changes because they may drive demand for legal services. Firms like Hogan Lovells and Paul Weiss anticipate strong deal activity despite economic uncertainties, while consultants predict a robust legal market for 2025. (Reuters)
• Former BNP Paribas lawyer Benedict Foster was fined £31,000 after a disciplinary tribunal found he used offensive and inappropriate nicknames for colleagues, including “Pol Pot” and “Jabba the Hutt.” Foster, who apologized and cited pandemic-related stress, faced internal investigation before the bank reported him to regulators. (LegalCheek)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Sean Conway rejoined Akin as a partner in its telecom, media, and technology practice in Washington. Conway joins from the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, where he was deputy chief counsel.
• Christopher Neumann joined Barnes & Noble Education as general counsel and corporate secretary. He joins from Six Flags, where he was general counsel.
• Ben Kozinn and Lauren Troeller joined McDermott Will & Emery as partners in its transactions practice group in New York.
• William Yoon was promoted to chief legal officer at Dropbox.
• Christa Ketchum joined Jones Walker as special counsel in its tax practice group and tax credit finance team in Birmingham, Ala.
• Michael Treisman joined Charlesbank Capital Partners as managing director, general counsel, and chief compliance officer. He joins from Bain Capital.
• Carol Rooney joined Hinshaw & Culbertson as a partner in its appellate team in Tampa. She joins from Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig.
• Alidad Vakili joined Womble Bond Dickinson as a partner in its corporate and securities practice group in San Francisco. He joins from Foley & Lardner.