Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.
- Shipping and trade lawyers are bracing for a wave of disputes after major maritime insurers pulled war-risk coverage for vessels in the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. War-risk premiums have spiked, voyages have been suspended, and about 200 tankers are reportedly stranded in the Gulf, with lawyers expecting conflicts over insurance coverage, charterparties, bills of lading, and financing agreements. (gasworld)
- Ice Miller partner Michael Stroud withdrew from representing Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick just days before a scheduled public House Ethics Committee hearing. The development could signal internal trouble for Cherfilus-McCormick, who is being federally prosecuted on charges that she funneled $5 million in taxpayer funds to her congressional campaign. (Axios)
- Florida State University College of Law Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor announced plans to step down from her leadership role. O’Connor became the first woman to hold the role when she became dean in 2016. (Tallahasee Democrat)
Laterals, Moves, In-House
- Jennifer Gasser joined Paul Weiss as a partner in its mergers and acquisitions practice in Houston. She joins from Kirkland & Ellis.
- Keith Harden joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a partner in its capital markets practice in New York. He joins from Dechert.
- Jeffrey Steinfeld joined White & Case as a partner in its global litigation practice in Los Angeles.
- Josh Redelman joined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough as a partner in its employment law practice in Houston. He joins from Clark Hill.
- James Brown joined O’Melveny as a partner in its capital markets practice in Houston. He joins from Holland & Knight.
- Rhett McPhie and Nathan Pusey joined Fried Frank as partners in its M&A and private equity practice. McPhie joins from Kirkland & Ellis. Pusey joins from Morgan Lewis.
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