Wake Up Call: Lemon Hires Shegerian in Musk, X Show Deal Suit

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

• Former CNN anchor Don Lemon hired Los Angeles trial lawyer Carney Shegerian in his lawsuit against Elon Musk and X, arguing that Musk refused to pay him after a content deal with the social platform was canceled. Musk agreed to pay Lemon $1.5 million annually to produce videos exclusively on X, but canceled the deal following a March interview for the show where Lemon asked about Musk’s drug use and politics. (The New York Times)
• Spencer Fane has expanded into Sante Fe, N.M., following a merger with 11-lawyer Montgomery & Andrews. The merger adds at least $5 million to the firm’s revenue, along with the addition of seven partners, two counsel, and two associates. (Law.com)
• Sidley opened a new office in San Diego, its fifth in California. The firm currently has offices in Century City, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and San Francisco. The new San Diego location expands its global finance, life sciences, and technology capabilities. (Sidley)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman joined Skadden as a partner in the mergers and acquisitions group and head of shareholder engagement and activism. She joins from Olshan Frome Wolosky.
• Stacie Hartman joined Morgan Lewis as a litigator in the firm’s investment management and disputes practices in Chicago.
• Philip Radlanski joined Greenberg Traurig Germany as a partner in the data protection practice. He joins from Morrison Foerster.
• Jeremy Leggate joined Paul Weiss as an investment funds partner in its UK office. He joins from Kirkland & Ellis.
• Brian Israel joined Paul Hastings as a partner and co-head of the firm’s environmental litigation practice. He joins from Arnold & Porter.
• Kelly Terribile joined K&L Gates as a partner in the corporate practice. She joins from Greenberg Traurig.
• Brian Carey and Erik Schulwolf joined Hogan Lovells as part of the health team. They both join from Foley Hoag.
• Amanda Kujda joined Phelps as a partner working with energy and casualty insurers in Houston.