Wake Up Call: Fani Willis Ordered to Pay Fees in Trump Case

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

• Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was ordered to pay over $54,000 in attorney’s fees within a month for violating Georgia’s Open Records Act. The order stems from a dispute with defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who previously sought to disqualify Willis from prosecuting Donald Trump’s election interference case. (Fox5 Atlanta)
  
• Minnesota criminal defense lawyers have coordinated efforts to help undocumented immigrants avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehension, according to leaked emails. Attorneys suggested strategies to keep defendants out of court, including requesting Zoom hearings and avoiding direct mentions of immigration concerns in filings, with some judges proactively supporting virtual appearances due to ICE presence. (Latin Times)
  
• Beth Lockhart, a New York family court lawyer, has filed a $22.5 million federal lawsuit against the county sheriff’s office and a deputy, alleging her rights were violated when her guns were seized under an extreme risk protection order. The order was issued after she allegedly threatened to shoot Judge Julie Cerio, though Lockhart claims the application for her pistol license revocation was based on misrepresented threats. (Syracuse.com)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Carleigh Rodriguez joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a partner and co-head of its environmental practice in Washington. She joins from Kirkland & Ellis.
• Loyaan Egal joined Morgan Lewis as a partner in its telecommunications, media, and technology practice in Washington. He joins from the Federal Communications Commission.
• Daniel Porter, Matthew McCullough, and James Durling joined Pillsbury as partners in its international trade practice in Washington. They join from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle.
• Chris Howard and Presley Warner joined Gibson Dunn as partners in its business restructuring and reorganization practice group in London.
• Michael Saliba joined Gibson Dunn as a partner in its capital markets practice group in New York.
• Frank Voon joined Jones Day as a partner in its corporate practice in Hong Kong. He joins from K&L Gates.
• Clarissa Howley Mills joined Haynes Boone as a partner in its environmental practice group in Dallas. She joins from the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Tim McInturf joined Littler Mendelson as a shareholder in its Houston office.
• Dabney O’Riordan joined Fried Frank as a partner in its litigation department and asset management practice in Washington. She joins from Quinn Emanuel.
• Oliver Currall joined Fried Frank as a partner in its tax department in London. He joins from Sidley Austin.
• Jennifer Cornejo rejoined Vinson & Elkins as a partner in its environmental practice in Denver. She joins from Kirkland & Ellis.
• Stéphane Frank rejoined O’Melveny & Myers as a partner in its antitrust and competition group in Brussels. He joins from Gibson Dunn.
• Helen Biggin joined Vedder Price as a partner and leader of its UK litigation practice.
• Derek Lacarrubba joined K&L Gates as a partner in its asset management and investment funds practice in New York. He joins from Schulte Roth & Zabel.
• Alison Flowers joined Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder in San Francisco. She joins from Aleshire & Wynder.
• Charles Callahan III joined Bradley as a partner in its tax and trusts and estates practice groups in Tampa, Fla. He joins from Hill Ward Henderson.
• Jeremy Curtis joined Edwin Coe as a partner in its private client team. He joins from Cripps.