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4 Jul 2008
Online counterfeit goods market worth £800m

'E-fencing', the sale of counterfeit and illegal goods via online auction sites, is on the increase according to new research from global legal services organisation, DLA Piper. Figures compiled by DLA Piper and online intellectual property infringement specialists, ComSec International(i), show that the estimated value of counterfeit goods passing through online shopping sites in the UK each year totals £800m – double the amount over the last 3 years.

For every £100 spent at online auction sites, the research reveals an estimated £5 is spent on counterfeit items. The sorts of products most at risk of infringement and typically removed from online sites include fashion and cosmetic items, consumer electronics, motor equipment and sports goods. In addition to fake brands and trademark infringements, the research also warns online auction sites are a second home for ‘grey market’ trading, in particular the sale of imported manufactured goods at highly inflated prices.

The growth in online shopping, in particular internet auction sites, means that counterfeiters now have more direct and discreet channels to reach consumers. Many fraudulent sellers can earn as much as £20,000 a month trading bootlegged or counterfeit goods with some UK sellers topping the million mark in annualised earnings.

Simon Levine, joint global head of DLA Piper's technology, media and commercial group commented: "Counterfeit goods dilute the value of brands, undermine the integrity of auction sites and ultimately cost the UK economy millions of pounds in lost income. But this is not just about protecting brand owners – it's for the consumer's benefit also. If you invest your trust and money in a brand you want to know you're getting the real thing, whether that's make up and cosmetics or domestic appliances and children's toys. Buyers most certainly need to beware – you may think you are getting a bargain, but you could be funding organised crime or buying faulty or dangerous goods in the process."

"Equally, this is not just a problem for the auction sites to address alone. Consumers need to report illegal or counterfeit trading and copyright owners need to work together with their legal representatives to take more active steps to police their brands online."

Over the last 2 years ComSec International has recovered its clients £25 million in stolen or counterfeit goods, but it fears its efforts only reveal a fraction of the overall problem.

James Ramm, Director, ComSec International added "E-fencing poses a significant threat to brands and is a false economy for buyers. We use the very latest software to track the infringement of brands online scanning both image and text descriptions, but our data is still only the tip of the iceberg - the full extent of counterfeit trading online may never be known and will continue to thrive unless consumers and brands alike, as well as the sites in question, take action against illegal traders."

About the research:

 

All estimates are based on data retrieved from ComSec International’s bespoke Watchdog software programme, an internet and online auction house monitoring tool which protects brands and products from online counterfeit sales. The system constantly monitors online auction sites for key terms specified by a given client and then determines whether they fall foul of parameters established in conjunction with that client. Should an item fall outside of what is deemed to be acceptable, the system will inform the site that this item needs to be removed. Analysis is conducted on specified targets only rather than on a brand or product-wide basis.

 


 

2 Jul 2008
DLA Piper’s Hospitality and Leisure Group wins high marks from Chambers

(Chicago) – DLA Piper recently won the Chambers Award for Excellence in Real Estate including Hospitality & Leisure. The award was announced in New York City on June 12th. In addition to the Award for Excellence, Chambers and Partners, the leading international research firm, recognized 17 members of the US Hospitality and Leisure Group, including Global Co-Chair Sandra Kellman.

“We are proud that Chambers has once again highlighted the leadership and dedication put forth by Sandra and the entire Hospitality and Leisure practice group,” said Jay Epstien, Chair of the US Real Estate Practice Group.

Kellman concentrates her practice on all aspects of complex commercial real estate development and finance, with particular focus on acquisition, disposition, development, management and financing of hotels and mixed use projects, representing owners and brands in single property and complex multi-state portfolio transactions.

According to Chambers, Kellman is “practical, pragmatic and effective.” She works on projects throughout the United States and abroad, including projects in the Middle East and Central America. She is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants.

Additionally, members of the Hospitality and Leisure practice group recognized by Chambers include Michael Bedke in Tampa, Eric Berg in Chicago, Linda J. Bozung in Los Angeles, Stephen Cowan in San Francisco, John Dienelt in Washington, DC, Ann Ford in Washington, DC, Ross Green in Chicago, Ann Hurwitz in Dallas, Jeffrey R. Keitelman in Washington, DC, Frederick L. Klein in Washington, DC, Bret Lowell in Northern Virginia, Adrianne C. Mazura in Chicago, Richard Mendelson in California, Portia Owen Morrison in Chicago, Martin D. Polevoy in New York, and Caryl Welborn in San Francisco.

Nationwide, 120 DLA Piper attorneys were ranked as leaders in their fields in the new edition of Chambers USA, and the firm itself was ranked in several practice areas.

The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

2 Jul 2008
Chambers ranks 20 DLA Piper Washington, DC and Northern Virginia attorneys as leaders in business law

(Washington, DC) – DLA Piper today announced that 20 attorneys in the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia offices have been ranked by their peers and clients as leaders in their fields in the newly published Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Beyond individual attorneys, the firm’s Washington, DC office’s Real Estate practice garnered a top-tier ranking. The firm’s national Franchising practice, with a large percentage of attorneys based in the Washington area, also received a top-tier ranking. DLA Piper’s Environment practice, based in the Washington, DC office, and the Tax practice, with several attorneys based in the Washington, DC office, was also recognized by Chambers. Additionally, the Washington, DC office’s Corporate/M&A and Private Equity practice was ranked highly in the publication. The firm’s Northern Virginia office’s Corporate/M&A practice was also recognized by Chambers.

DLA Piper’s leading lawyers are:


“We are proud that Chambers has again recognized the firm’s extraordinary attorneys in the Washington area,” said Ann Ford, co-managing partner of DLA Piper’s Washington, DC office. “The honor is a prime example of this office’s hard work and continued commitment to our clients’ needs both regionally and nationally. I congratulate everyone on this much-deserved distinction.”

“The large percentage of attorneys in the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia offices honored this year highlights the dedication and top-flight service we continue to offer to our clients,” added Dale Lazar, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Northern Virginia office. “Congratulations to all on earning this prestigious honor.”

The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

Nationwide, 120 DLA Piper attorneys were ranked as leaders in their fields in the new edition of Chambers USA, and the firm itself was ranked in several practice areas.

1 Jul 2008
DLA Piper’s Franchising practice group named leader by Chambers

(Washington, DC) – For the second consecutive year, DLA Piper’s Franchising practice group garnered a top-tier ranking in the newly published, prestigious Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

“We are pleased that Chambers has once again ranked DLA Piper’s Franchising practice group as a leader in its field on a national level,” said Dennis Wieczorek, chair of DLA Piper’s Franchise and Distribution practice group. “This distinction is a prime example of the hard work and dedication our talented franchise attorneys put forth to provide the highest-quality service to our clients.”

DLA Piper’s leading Franchising lawyers are:


Nationwide, 120 DLA Piper attorneys were ranked as leaders in their fields in the new edition of Chambers USA, and the firm itself was ranked in several practice areas.

The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

In 2008, DLA Piper ranked in the first tier in 13 regional and national areas of practice, including:

DLA Piper ranked in the second tier in:

The firm ranked in the third tier in:

DLA Piper ranked in the fourth tier in:

And DLA Piper ranked in the fifth tier in:

27 Jun 2008
DLA Piper appoints senior banking expert in Russia

Moscow - DLA Piper has appointed Vyacheslav Khorovskiy as a partner in its Finance & Projects group to lead the banking practice in Russia.

Vyacheslav has over 13 years of experience in banking law and specialises in syndications, trade and property finance, and debt capital markets. He advises banks and financial institutions, as well as major Russian and international companies.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Vyacheslav was a counsel in Allen & Overy's banking department since 2005 and also headed the Russian banking practice at Lovells CIS. In addition to his private practice experience Vyacheslav spent three years working as a senior lawyer at Mosnarbank, a Russian subsidiary of Moscow Narodny Bank Limited (UK).

Constantine Lusignan-Rizhinashvili, DLA Piper Regional Managing Partner in the CIS, said: "The arrival of Vyacheslav Khorovskiy is a tremendous boost to our Finance & Projects group and the banking team specifically. Vyacheslav is an upcoming individual of high calibre and I am delighted to welcome him to the team."

"Russia is a country where we see a lot of activity and we want to increase our finance capabilities in the market. Vyacheslav will be key to our plans to expand our banking practice. I look forward to working with him," said Stefan Eder, DLA Piper's EMEA Group Head of Finance & Projects.

Vyacheslav Khorovskiy graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Faculty of International Law in 1995. He also holds an LLM from University College London, University of London (2003).

Vyacheslav has started at DLA Piper.

24 Jun 2008
Chambers ranks 11 DLA Piper lawyers in Boston among leaders in Business Law

More than one third of all Partners in Boston are ranked in Chambers; Firm also wins National Award for Real Estate

(Boston) – Eleven lawyers in the Boston office of DLA Piper have been ranked as leaders in their fields in the newly published Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. More than a third of DLA Piper partners in Boston are ranked, the Boston Real Estate practice was ranked in the first tier, and the firm tied for the most Massachusetts real estate lawyers ranked by the prestigious guide. Chambers also honored DLA Piper’s national Real Estate Team with the 2008 Award for Excellence, which recognizes the top Real Estate team in the country.

“We are pleased that Chambers has once again recognized our Real Estate practice in Massachusetts, and that more than one third of our lawyers are recognized as leading attorneys in their respective areas,” said DLA Piper’s Boston Managing Partner Elliot M. Surkin. “It highlights the breadth of the team’s capabilities, as well as the hard work and dedication our lawyers put forth both on a regional and national level. I congratulate everyone on this much-deserved honor.”

DLA Piper’s leading Boston lawyers include:


The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

Nationwide, 120 DLA Piper attorneys were ranked as leaders in their fields in the new edition of Chambers USA, and the firm itself was ranked in several practice areas.

In 2008, DLA Piper ranked in the first tier in 13 regional and national areas of practice, including:

DLA Piper ranked in the second tier in:

The firm ranked in the third tier in:

DLA Piper ranked in the fourth tier in:

And DLA Piper ranked in the fifth tier in:

24 Jun 2008
Chambers ranks 120 DLA Piper lawyers and the firm as leaders in business law

Firm receives Chambers Award for Excellence in Real Estate

(New York) - DLA Piper today announced that 120 of its lawyers have been ranked by their peers and clients as leaders in their respective fields in the newly published sixth annual Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The publication ranks 120 DLA Piper lawyers in 2008, up from 105 lawyers named in the 2007 edition. DLA Piper also was honored with Chambers’ national Award for Excellence in Real Estate and Hospitality & Leisure. Coupled with the numerous other awards that the group has received, the Chambers award confirms once again the pre-eminent position of DLA Piper’s national Real Estate practice.

“Chambers’ continued and substantial recognition of DLA Piper each year is indicative of the extraordinary group of lawyers at our firm,” said Francis B. Burch, Jr., Joint Chief Executive Officer of DLA Piper. “We are proud that Chambers has once again recognized such a significant amount of our lawyers and practice groups, and we congratulate everyone on these honors.”

The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

In 2008, DLA Piper ranked in the first tier in 13 regional and national areas of practice, including:


DLA Piper ranked in the second tier in:

The firm ranked in the third tier in:

DLA Piper ranked in the fourth tier in:

And DLA Piper ranked in the fifth tier in:

Individual Lawyers

The 120 DLA Piper lawyers cited by Chambers are listed below, along with the regions and areas of law for which they were selected. In addition to their selections, several received additional recognition from Chambers ("senior statesman," “star performer,” “one to watch” or "up and coming"), which is noted next to their names.

National
James J. Blanchard, Government: Government Relations
Thomas M. Boyd, Privacy & Data Security
Lawrence Brandes, Insurance: Reinsurance
Michael G. Brennan, Franchising
John F. Dienelt, Franchising
Ross Green, Investment Funds: REITs
James J. Halpert, Privacy & Data Security
Ann Hurwitz, Franchising
Sandra Y. Kellman, Leisure & Hospitality
Leslie H. Loffman, Investment Funds: REITs
Bret Lowell, Franchising
Brad S. Markoff, Investment Funds: REITs
John A. Merrigan, Government: Government Relations
Richard Rector, Government: Government Contracts
Tony Rickert, Investment Funds: Private Equity: Buyouts
Vincent Sanchez, Outsourcing
Amy Schulman, Products Liability
Joseph W. Sheyka, Franchising
Carl Lee Vacketta, Government: Government Contracts
Dennis E. Wieczorek, Franchising
Philip F. Zeidman, Franchising

Arizona
Greg R. Hall, Corporate/M&A
Steven D. Pidgeon, Corporate/M&A

California
John Allcock, Intellectual Property: Patent
Linda J. Bozung, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Stephen Cowan, Real Estate
Diane H. Frankle, Corporate/M&A: Northern California
Henry Lesser, Corporate/M&A: Northern California
Richard C. Mendelson, Real Estate
Michael E. Meyer, Real Estate
Amy G. Nefouse, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Mark F. Radcliffe, IT & IT Outsourcing
Jay Rains, Corporate/M&A: Southern California
Shirli Fabbri Weiss, Litigation: Securities
Caryl Welborn, Real Estate

District of Columbia
Jay Epstien, Real Estate
Ann K. Ford, Intellectual Property
Alan Winston Granwell, Tax
Deborah Jennings, Environment
Jeffrey R. Keitelman, Real Estate
Frederick Klein, Real Estate
Stephen L. Owen, Tax
Earl Silbert, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Senior Statesman

Florida
Michael Bedke, Real Estate

Georgia
Robert L. Crewdson, Construction
Shawn T. Lanier, Real Estate – Up and coming

Illinois
Ross Altman, Construction
James Beard, Real Estate
Eric Berg, Construction
Mark Berkoff, Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Daniel Brennan, Construction
Louis Cohen, Real Estate
Charles L. Edwards, Real Estate – Senior Statesman
Mark I. Feldman, Intellectual Property
David Glickstein, Real Estate
Richard F. Klawiter, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Stephen A. Landsman, Corporate/M&A
Ty D. Laurie, Construction
Adrianne Mazura, Labor & Employment
Andrew W. McCune, Corporate/M&A: Private Equity
David Mendelsohn, Insurance: Transactional & Regulatory
David Missner, Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Senior Statesman
Portia Owen Morrison, Real Estate – Senior Statesman
Steven V. Napolitano, Corporate/M&A: Private Equity
Theodore Novak, Real Estate; Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Harold B. Pomerantz, Real Estate
David L. Reifman, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Vincent Sanchez, Technology & IT Outsourcing
Stephen W. Schwab, Insurance: Reinsurance Litigation; Insurance: Transactional & Regulatory
David B. Sickle, Real Estate
Christopher Townsend, Energy & Natural Resources: Regulatory

Maryland
Wm. David Chalk, Corporate/M&A
Neil Dilloff, Litigation: General Commercial
Guy E. Flynn, Real Estate
Russell H. Gardner, Labor & Employment
Richard J. Hafets, Labor & Employment
Jason C. Harmon, Corporate/M&A
Brett Ingerman, Litigation
John E. Kratz Jr., Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Edward J. Levin, Real Estate
Richard E. Levine, Real Estate
Jack Machen, Real Estate
Linda Marotta Thomas, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Robert J. Mathias, Litigation: General Commercial
Emmett F. McGee Jr., Labor & Employment
Mark Muedeking, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Anthony J. Rosso, Corporate/M&A – Up and coming
Charles P. Scheeler, Litigation: General Commercial
Larry Seegull, Labor & Employment
Robert W. Smith Jr., Corporate/M&A
Jane A. Wilson, Real Estate

Massachusetts
Joseph J. Christian, Real Estate
Geoffrey A. Howell, Real Estate
Joseph A. Hugg, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Cara J. Nelson, Real Estate – Associate to Watch
Stephen Nolan, Real Estate
John Rattigan, Real Estate
Richard Rudman, Real Estate
John L. Sullivan, Real Estate
Elliot Surkin, Real Estate
Barbara A. Trachtenberg, Real Estate
Lawrence E. Uchill, Real Estate

Nevada
Joanna S. Kishner, Labor & Employment

New York
Lawrence Brandes, Insurance: Dispute Resolution
Joseph G. Finnerty III, Insurance: Dispute Resolution
Richard S. Fries, Real Estate: Finance
Martin D. Polevoy, Real Estate
Kenneth C. H. Willig, Projects

Pennsylvania
Ronald P. Schiller, Litigation: General Commercial

Texas
John M. Guaragna, Intellectual Property
Jay Hailey, Real Estate
Paul E. Hurdlow, Technology: Corporate & Commercial
Jack J. Langlois, Energy & Natural Resources
Philip Russell, Technology: Corporate & Commercial – Up and coming
Philip D. Weller, Real Estate
Sam Zabaneh, Technology: Corporate & Commercial – Up and coming

Virginia
Dale Lazar, Intellectual Property: Northern Virginia
Jeffrey K. Lehrer, Corporate/M&A: Northern Virginia

Washington State
Mark F. Hoffman, Corporate/Commercial
Stellman Keehnel, Litigation: General Commercial
John M. Steel, Corporate/Commercial – Star performer
Steven R. Yentzer, Corporate/Commercial

24 Jun 2008
DLA Piper advises Republic Services on $6B merger with Allied Waste

DLA Piper is representing Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) in its $6.07 billion proposed merger with Allied Waste Industries. Under the terms, Allied shareholders will receive 0.45 shares of Republic common stock valued at $14.04 for each share of Allied they hold. The deal will join the second- and third-largest players in the disposal industry. The combined company, which will go by Republic Services, will have a total market cap of about $12 billion and will generate annual revenue of about $9 billion.

DLA Piper is advising Republic Services with respect to the antitrust regulatory review of the proposed merger. Edward B. Schwartz, and Kenneth G. Starling (both Washington, DC) lead the antitrust team with additional assistance from Dimitri J. Nionakis, Deana L. Cairo, Nikki Wood, Alexandra Marzelli, and Rubina Uzzaman (all Washington, DC). Harold Pomerantz (Chicago) is the relationship partner for Republic Services.

24 Jun 2008
Five DLA Piper practice groups named best in Maryland

Chambers recognizes 20 lawyers as leaders in Business Law

(Baltimore) – DLA Piper’s Baltimore office has once again been recognized as the Maryland leader in several areas of legal practice in the newly published, prestigious Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Individually, 20 lawyers in the firm’s Baltimore office were recognized by the publication. DLA Piper also was honored with Chambers’ national Award for Excellence in Real Estate and Hospitality & Leisure. Coupled with the numerous other awards that the group has received, the Chambers award confirms once again the pre-eminent position of DLA Piper’s national Real Estate practice.

Based on extensive peer and client research, Chambers recognized DLA Piper’s Corporate/M&A, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial and Real Estate groups as top tier practices in Maryland. Nationwide, 120 DLA Piper attorneys were ranked as leaders in their fields in the new edition of Chambers USA, and the firm itself was ranked in several practice areas.

“We are pleased that Chambers has once again recognized the extraordinary lawyers in our Baltimore office and placed five practice groups within the top tier in Maryland,” said Paul A. Tiburzi, managing partner of the firm’s Baltimore office. “All of us in the Baltimore office congratulate our colleagues whose commitment to our clients has earned them this honor. Client service always comes first at DLA Piper.”

DLA Piper’s leading Baltimore lawyers include:


The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

17 Jun 2008
Chambers Names DLA Piper Top US Real Estate Practice

(CHICAGO) With the Award of Excellence, Chambers & Partners, the leading international research firm, recognized DLA Piper’s Real Estate practice group as the leading Real Estate practice in the US. The Award of Excellence was announced in New York City on June 12th. Coupled with the numerous other awards that the group has received, the Chambers award confirms once again the pre-eminent position of the DLA Piper Real Estate practice.

“We are thrilled that Chambers has affirmed DLA Piper’s position as the foremost real estate practice in the US and that the award also highlights our leading practice in the hospitality and leisure sector,” said Jay Epstien, Chair of the US group. “This award highlights the outstanding service we provide to our clients across a variety of sectors as well as the continued success of our practice which is led by a diverse team of extraordinary lawyers.”

In the newly released Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 47 DLA Piper lawyers throughout the country were also identified as leading real estate, zoning/land use and construction lawyers. In addition, the firm garnered top tier rankings for its California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington, DC real estate practices. The New York, Texas and Florida real estate groups were also highly ranked.

The complete list of DLA Piper real estate attorneys in the 2008 edition of Chambers includes:


Of those 47 lawyers, 9 were ranked in the Chamber’s first tier.

Nationwide, 120 DLA Piper attorneys were ranked as leaders in their fields in the new edition of Chambers USA, and the firm itself was ranked in several practice areas.

The Chambers rankings are based on extensive research conducted by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers, a highly respected English publisher of renowned directories assessing and ranking the world’s leading lawyers. Unlike other publishers that allow firms to purchase a mention or ranking, Chambers’ listings are based solely on outside evaluations of merit. Its researchers investigate law firms and lawyers in each US state through an exhaustive process of interviewing clients and competitors in major areas of business law.

In 2008, DLA Piper ranked in the first tier in 13 regional and national areas of practice, including:

DLA Piper ranked in the second tier in:

The firm ranked in the third tier in:

DLA Piper ranked in the fourth tier in:

And DLA Piper ranked in the fifth tier in:

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