Federal regulators will focus more resources on special purpose acquisition companies seeking to go public because the increased frequency of so-called de-SPACing could lead to a jump in improper accounting, financial misstatements and even fraud. That’s according to Rebecca Fike, who spent the past 10 years at the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office prosecuting violators of accounting and financial fraud, who said cryptocurrency, corporate governance and de-SPACing are “ripe for potential securities issues” to be investigated by the federal agency.
Yetter Coleman Nabs Partner from Kirkland
Houston litigation boutique Yetter Coleman announced Tuesday that it has hired a complex commercial litigator from Kirkland. The new partner also has significant restructuring trial experience.
Chris Pace Joins Winston & Strawn’s Dallas Litigation Practice from Jones Day in Miami
Pace, who clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, is a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
Michael Piazza, Advisor for the Oaks, Jumps to Gibson Dunn
For the second time in less than a week, a top corporate partner in Willkie Farr’s Houston office is joining a competitor.
Veteran Deal Lawyer Bruce Herzog Heads to Latham
Herzog, who has been 32 years in the private equity trenches, was a partner at Vinson & Elkins before joining Willkie Farr & Gallagher in 2008.
Anne Johnson: The Lawyer ‘No One Wants’ on ‘the Other Side of an Appeal’
Anne Johnson has accomplished much in her legal career. The UK-born lawyer has won numerous difficult appeals, served on Haynes and Boone’s management committee and tried a multi-month case while six months pregnant. On Tuesday, Johnson made a move in her career that is both a big transition and another accomplishment: She joined a boutique law firm as a name partner.
The Lawbook details Johnson’s life and career and the magnitude of her lateral move.
Anne Johnson & Jeff Tillotson Join Forces
After 27 years at Haynes and Boone, prominent appellate lawyer Anne Johnson is joining forces with respected Dallas trial lawyer Jeff Tillotson. The move puts Johnson’s name on the door as well as another lawyer at the firm. The Texas Lawbook has the scoop.
Dallas Dealmaker Don McDermett Jumps to Winston & Strawn
The former Baker Botts senior partner, who recently guided Dallas-based Zix through its $860 million sale, said it was the “right opportunity at the right time.”
MoFo Opens in Austin
San Francisco-founded Morrison & Foerster announced Monday that it is opening its first Texas office in Austin. Known in legal circles as MoFo, the corporate law firm announced that it has hired two intellectual property litigation partners – one from Pillsbury and one from DLA Piper – and a corporate M&A partner from Pillsbury, and that “further additions to the Austin office are anticipated in the weeks and months ahead.”
Mayer Brown Expands Houston Litigation Practice
In the last three months Mayer Brown has added litigation partners from Locke Lord and Jones Day.