Fall 2010 Baker&Hostetler Llp

LEAP Summers in Our Cities Interesting Work, Engaging People, Enjoyable Events New York Summer Associates (left to Houston Summer Associates and Washington, D.C., Summer Associate right) Dan Curtin, Serine Consolino, others from the Houston office Robert Vega enjoys sailing with this Caitlin Plummer and Juvaria Khan provided community service for year’s Summer Associate class. in front of the New York Stock Habitat for Humanity. Exchange. (Back row, left to right) Partner Greg Ulmer, Blake Hotzel (fiancé of Associate Morgan Tarlton), Partner Doug D’Arche, Summer Associate Thomas Donaho, Associate Chris James, Summer Associate Bryan Acklin. (Front row, left to right) Associate Ameena Ashfaq, Summer Associate Jordan Sinclair, Associate Morgan Tarlton and Recruiting Coordinator Liz Turney. Summer Associates come to Baker Hostetler to learn about the Firm and to get a sense of what it would be like to practice law here. We want our Summer Associates to be challenged by their work, enjoy their interaction with our lawyers and clients, and to be confident that they made the right decision in beginning their legal careers with us. We also recognize that it is equally important to listen and learn from our Summer Associates, who are an indispensable source of new and different insights into the Firm. We asked our Summer Associates across the country to tell us about their experiences. So here, in their own words, is an inside look at life at Baker Hostetler. See page 8-9 for additional event photos. Baker&Hostetler LLP Fall 2010 Baker&Hostetler LLP Cleveland Like any other 2L, I researched firms until my eyes hurt. I knew I wanted to be near family and I had designs on high-level work as early in my career as possible. I also knew enough of myself to realize I performed best in collegial and—dare I say it?—heart-felt environments. Baker advertised all of the above. But I found even better reasons once I arrived. I’ve always tried to tow the line between a productive and nourishing life. And as I’m sure any professional knows, the balance is terribly delicate, but the attorneys here appear to have struck it precisely. While my days are industrious, because I can also rest from work each phase is delightful. I’ve never felt quite so invigorated and—now that I’ve experienced it—I’d rather be here than anywhere else. The work is equally energizing. I’ve had many opportunities to col- laborate with high-level partners on challenging projects, and that, of course, is invaluable, no matter the subject matter. A summer Summer Associate Adam Brown (center associate and I spent a number of days at trial, tracking the de- right) with Summer Associates (clockwise) velopment of a federal corruption case. We observed testimony, Meera Patel, Nicole Brown, Darren Crook, cross-examination and closing arguments. It was a hint of the Emmett Robinson, Tim Neal and Stan Ball. grit of courtroom practice—its complexity, emotion, (tedium) and brilliance. Afterward we were responsible for helping our team- mates process the decision’s implications for our client. Challenging, for sure, but altogether rewarding. If you want to enjoy your work, I can’t imagine a better choice. Marvelously humane and uncompromisingly skillful. That surely is the highest compliment I know. —Adam R. Brown, Cleveland Summer Associate, Harvard University Columbus Coming into my summer at Baker I had high expectations—I was not disappointed. The work assigned to summer associates is interesting, challenging and meaningful. Every couple of days I tackled a new issue or dove into a new area of law. More impor- tantly, the people at Baker are first-class. Associates and partners alike are always willing to answer questions, give direction or just discuss their practices. Other firms may have good summer programs, but Baker’s is the best by far. It’s truly Summer Associate Jeremy Hart (second from left) with difficult to imagine a better summer associate (left to right) Office Managing Partner Dan Gunsett, experience than the one I had this summer at Baker. Jeremy’s wife Erica Hart, with baby Ella, Cassia —Jeremiah L. Hart, Columbus Summer Associate, Townsend, Summer Associate Thad Townsend’s wife, The Ohio State University Thad Townsend, Summer Associate Josh Cepluch, friend of the Firm Caitlin Kirgis and Partner Tom Long. (continued on page 4) -2- LEAP Leah Watson of Harvard Law is First Recipient of Baker Hostetler Diversity Fellowship Leah Watson, a Harvard Law School student and summer associate in Baker Hostetler’s Washington, D.C., office, is the first person to receive the Firm’s recently established Diversity Fellowship. Her academic performance and significant personal achievements, along with her strong community involvement, make Leah the ideal Diversity Fellowship recipient. While at Harvard Law, where she is a candidate for her J.D. in 2011, Leah has served as Outreach Director of the Tenant Advocacy Project, Orientation Chair of the Black Law Stu- dents Association and External Vice-President of the Black Law Students Association. Prior to en- tering Harvard Law, she earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University, where she was active in the Andrew Jackson Boys and Girls Clubs, the Undergraduate Honor Council and the First Amendment Center. Leah has always been interested in and involved with education and civil rights. She has worked Summer Associates (left to right) Leah Watson; Emily with the Education Pioneers in Boston, the Behl; Ellen Wong; Washington, D.C., Hiring Partner Breakthrough Program and Teach for America in Ambassador Tom McDonald; Summer Associates Sally Atlanta, and the Center for Investigative Report- Qin and Robert Vega. ing in Washington, D.C. In addition to her academic, civic and professional accomplishments, Leah was a finalist for MTV’s “Miss Seventeen” and was voted runner up Miss Tennessee, U.S.A. If somehow she does find time to relax, she enjoys reading, films and travel. Working at Baker has been an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to go to Capitol Hill during my first week and have worked on significant projects that are relevant to current events. The work is substantively intriguing in an environment where everyone is open and welcoming. —Leah M. Watson, Washington, D.C., Summer Associate and Diversity Fellow, Harvard University About the Baker Hostetler Diversity Fellowship Program Baker Hostetler actively recruits qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to foster an inclusive workplace. As part of this long-standing commitment to diversity and attracting top candidates with diverse backgrounds, the Firm has established the Baker Hostetler Diversity Fellowship Program. Open to any second-year law student, successful applicants to the program will receive up to a $25,000 award as well as a position in the Baker Hostetler 2011 summer associate program. The amount of $10,000 will be paid within the first 30 days of starting in a summer associate position with the Firm and the remaining $15,000 is contingent upon receiving and accepting a full-time offer with the Firm, to be paid within 30 days of joining the Firm as a full-time associate. For more information, please visit www.bakerlaw.com/diversityfellowshipprogram. -3- Baker&Hostetler LLP Houston The prospects of working and learning directly from nationally recognized attorneys was an opportunity that I could not turn down. Baker Hostetler was able to offer the resources and knowledge of a national firm, while maintaining a comfortable and intimate work environment. Although many of my projects focused on litigation, I have additionally received projects in the areas of Healthcare, Employment and Labor and Oil and Gas. I was also fortunate enough to attend a client meeting and to sit in on a telephone deposition. The breadth of legal areas has made my time with Baker Hostetler especially rewarding. The harmony of significant legal work, amicable social interaction and the extensive practice areas distinguishes Baker Hostetler as an exemplary place Summer Associate and 2010 Paul D. White Scholar to grow as an aspiring attorney. Bryan Acklin (top left) with (clockwise) Summer Associates Thomas Donaho, Jordan Sinclair and —Bryan V. Acklin, Houston Summer Associate and Brittany Sakowitz. 2010 Paul D. White Scholar, University of Texas Denver Returning for a second summer with Baker Hostetler, all of my expectations have once again been exceeded. I continue to have the opportunity to do meaningful, “real” work that is substantive and hands-on. I have drafted agreements, filed motions with the court, coordinated closing documents for an asset purchase agreement and attended client meetings. Baker is very unique in that as a prestigious national firm it offers the opportunity to do challenging work and to get a lot of practical experience, but at the same time maintains a small firm culture where partners’ doors are always open and associates are more than happy to give feedback and advice. Baker is truly committed to developing young attorneys and I could not be happier with my experience here. Summer Associate Stephanie Wong (right) with (left —Stephanie Wong, Denver Summer Associate and to right) Summer Associate and 2010 Paul D. White 2009 Paul D. White Scholar, University of Denver Scholar Natalie Gray; Partners Laurin Quiat and (continued on page 6) Rebecca Alexander. -4- LEAP An Interview with Irving Picard, Madoff Trustee A profile of New York Partner Irving Picard was featured as the cover story for the July/August 2010 edition of FRAUD Magazine. Picard was profiled for his role as the court-appointed trustee under SIPA in the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, as he “tries to balance the needs of investors and creditors as he unravels the fallout from the largest-ever Ponzi scheme.” According to the article: “Irving H.

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