Wake Up Call: Meet the Lawyer, Part-Time Pastor Who Beat Meta

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

• Plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier moonlights as a preacher and Bible study teacher when he’s not winning major verdicts against some of the world’s most powerful corporations. Known for using simple visuals to explain complex legal arguments to juries, including cupcakes to illustrate social media’s effects on teens, he has built both a reputation and a fortune taking on corporate giants. He recently won a landmark case against Meta and Google, finding the companies negligent in how they designed their products. (The Wall Street Journal)
• A survey by the Utah State Bar shows widespread threats and violence against attorneys in the state, with hundreds reporting intimidation and at least 58 experiencing physical assaults. Lawyers described extreme incidents ranging from death threats to sabotage and courtroom attacks, with many participants saying they’re glad they’re retiring soon because they’re getting more threats than before. (Utah News Dispatch)
• Attorney Megan Thomas turned a rejected ad into a major win after suing Syracuse airport officials who had told her to “tone down” messaging promoting her sexual harassment law firm. The dispute ended in a settlement that allowed Thomas not only to run the original ad, but to display it prominently across large sections of the airport. (Syracuse.com)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Eric Kristiansen, Ryan Pittman, and Cleve Glenn joined Eversheds Sutherland as partners in Houston. They join from BakerHostetler.
• Robert Reyes Landicho joined Steptoe as a partner in its international disputes practice in Houston. He joins from Vinson & Elkins.
• Miroslav Tomo joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner in its private equity practice in London. He joins from Kirkland & Ellis.
• Mohammed Alammar and Anmar Algharifi joined Reed Smith as partners in its corporate practice in Riyadh. They join from AlAmmar Law.
• Douglas Lionberger joined O’Melveny as a partner in its capital markets practice in Houston. He joins from Holland & Knight.
• Christopher Ward joined Lowenstein Sandler as a partner in its bankruptcy and restructuring practice in Wilmington. He joins from Polsinelli.
• Shane McDonald joined Cahill Gordon & Reindel as a partner in its European finance practice in London.
• Peter Siegal joined Bracewell as a partner in its appellate practice in Washington. He joins from Norton Rose Fulbright.