Wake Up Call: Wisconsin US Attorney Landed Job With Bondi Text

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

• Once Brad Schimel realized the traditional method of nominating a US attorney for eastern Wisconsin was derailed, he said he texted an old friend, Pam Bondi, for help. Bondi and Schimel had worked together when they were both attorneys general for Florida and Wisconsin, respectively. Weeks after reaching out, Bondi appointed Schimel to interim US attorney for eastern Wisconsin. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Simon Leaf’s work as a sports lawyer spans life-changing player issues and high-stakes football disputes. Early in his career, he helped a footballer cope with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, guiding him through medical, contractual, and safety implications—a reminder that the job can involve far more than money. Leaf now handles everything from billion-pound deals and late-night transfer negotiations to pro bono support for academy families and women in football facing discrimination. (The Guardian)
• Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown’s former law firm, Pacifica Law Group, is simultaneously serving as a special assistant attorney general on multiple state contracts. Pacifica has received more than $7 million in state agency contracts since 2022 and has previously defended the state in high-profile cases, including COVID-19 mandate litigation. (The Center Square)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Gregory Morris joined Proskauer as a partner in its intellectual property and patent law groups in New York.
• Kyra Bromley joined Latham & Watkins as a partner in its antitrust and competition practice in New York. She joins from Debevoise & Plimpton.
• John Carroll rejoined King & Spalding as a partner in its antitrust practice in Washington. He joins from Sheppard Mullin.
• Chris Puckett joined Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder and co-chair in its aviation industry group in Atlanta. He joins from Delta.
• Laura Brank joined BCLP as a partner in its corporate transactions practice in Washington. She joins from Dechert.
• Joe Donovan joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in its energy practice in Washington.
• Margot Laporte joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in its white collar team. She joins from Dorsey & Whitney.