Media Mentions
2012
“Condoms to Sunscreen Bought in $30 Billion McKesson Contract”
Bloomberg News, February 2, 2012
Stephen Ryan said that government agency purchases of items from a vendor that are not covered by the vendor’s contract can raise “a hint that maybe this is a favoritism issue, maybe it’s more than inadvertence and modest incompetence.” In such instances, Mr. Ryan added, the purchases may increase the costs for taxpayers and reduce opportunities for other vendors.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Farm Bill Process Kicks Off in Mid-February”
The Packer, February 2, 2012
Kam Quarles discussed initial Congressional action to renew the 2008 Farm Bill, which expires in September. Mr. Quarles said it would be challenging for Congress to reach agreement on renewal in an election year, but added that it would be best to do so before the scheduled start of automatic budget cuts in 2013. “Every year as you walk out you are dealing with fewer dollars,” he noted.
W. Kam Quarles, Federal Legislative Matters, Government Strategies
“Solyndra Payday for Former Massachusetts Governor”
Washington Times, January 5, 2012
William Weld, Stephen Ryan and David Ransom were noted for their work on behalf of Solyndra LLC.
David Ransom, Stephen M. Ryan, William F. Weld, Government Strategies
2011
“While Consumer Bureau Had Rough Launch, Other Agencies Hit Their Stride”
National Law Journal, December 26, 2011
Stephen Ryan called the delays in nominating and confirming a director of the new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “the most awkward liftoff I’ve ever seen of a new agency.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Corzine’s ‘Intent’ Was to Head Off Possible Claims, Lawyers Say”
Bloomberg News, December 22, 2011
Stephen Ryan said that the testimony given in Congress by Jon Corzine, a former U.S. senator and New Jersey governor before becoming CEO of the MF Global firm that since filed for bankruptcy, conveyed information “clearly, precisely” and in a way “not subject to misinterpretation.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Political Panel: ‘This Has Become the Chicken Little Congress’”
New England Cable Network, December 19, 2011
Daniel Haley conducted a wide-ranging TV interview about current politics and said that the controversy over a possible January 1 payroll tax increase and cut-off of extended unemployment benefits involved “an artificial deadline – a game of political chicken.” He predicted that Congress would successfully resolve both issues. Mr. Haley, previously Deputy Legal Counsel to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, said he expected that Republicans are “ultimately going to settle down with Mitt” as their presidential nominee.
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“People on the Move”
Congressional Quarterly, December 14, 2011
Stephen Ryan, head of McDermott’s government strategies group, was appointed to the board of directors of Operation HOPE, a campaign to reduce poverty.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Ryan’s Still Got HOPE”
POLITICO, December 12, 2011
Stephen Ryan’s appointment to the national board of directors of Operation HOPE was noted.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“McDermott’s Ryan Appointed to National Nonprofit Board”
Blog of Legal Times, December 12, 2011
Stephen Ryan, founding chair of Operation HOPE’s Mid-Atlantic board, has been appointed to the national board of directors for the Los Angeles-based organization. Citing the group’s work to provide financial literacy and economic empowerment services to underserved neighborhoods, Mr. Ryan added, “Anything I can do to drive that would be wonderful.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Corzine’s ‘Intent’ at Hearing Was to Head Off Possible Claims, Lawyers Say”
Bloomberg News, December 9, 2011
Stephen Ryan, speaking of the careful language that former MF Global Holdings CEO Jon Corzine used in Congressional testimony about the firm’s bankruptcy, noted of Corzine that, “A decisive figure like a former and governor and senior Goldman Sachs official says things clearly, precisely and is not subject to misinterpretation.” Mr. Ryan added, “In every witness’s day in the congressional dock, there are probably phrases he wished he hadn’t uttered.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Shady Campaign Gifts Earn Boston Developer $1.6M Fine”
Law360, November 30, 2011
Mark Pearlstein and Daniel Haley were noted as counsel to the company behind a Boston development project that received a fine and probation for improper political contributions.
Daniel P. Haley, Mark W. Pearlstein, Government Strategies, White-Collar & Securities Defense
“Court Mismatch Makes OUI Justice Elusive”
Boston Globe, November 13, 2011
Daniel Haley, who as deputy legal counsel to then-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney wrote legislation to stiffen state drunk driving penalties, noted that a provision added by defense lawyers serving in the state legislature enabled drivers to challenge breathalyzer tests. “It caught people’s attention that there were OUI defense attorneys in the House who were essentially doing everything they could to gut the [bill],’’ Mr. Haley said. “There is still an incentive for drunk drivers, particularly serial drunk drivers … to refuse a breathalyzer. And it’s a huge incentive.’’
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“Pushing (Successfully) for Potatoes”
Legal Bisnow, November 8, 2011
Kam Quarles was pictured and profiled for his successful lobbying work representing the National Potato Council in blocking an administration proposal to reduce starches in school lunches, a result he achieved by demonstrating it would cost the government $6 billion over five years and greatly increase waste of starch substitutes. Mr. Quarles defined lobbying as “acting as a translator” between the government and the farming clients he represents, but added that because changing agricultural regulations is as difficult as pushing an aircraft carrier, the main challenge is to keep nudging.
W. Kam Quarles, Agribusiness - Food & Drug, Government Strategies
“Power Circuit”
Washingtonian.com, November 3, 2011
Edward “Teddy” Eynon, Peggy Binzer, Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker were noted as new additions to McDermott’s Government Strategies practice in Washington.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“D.C. Moves”
National Law Journal, October 31, 2011
Edward Eynon, Peggy Binzer, Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker were noted as bringing their previous legal and policy advisory experience to their new roles as lobbyists in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. Government Strategies Group.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“Bottom Line”
The Hill, October 31, 2011
Edward Eynon and Erica Stocker, new members of the Firm’s Government Strategies Group, were selected as lobbying counsel for a manufacturer of a fuel tank fire suppression system for military and law enforcement use.
Teddy Eynon, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“Lobbying World”
The Hill, October 25, 2011
Partners Edward Eynon and Peggy Binzer, and advisors Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker joined the Firm’s Government Strategies practice in Washington, each with significant experience as senior staff members to U.S. Congressmen or Senators.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“Movers and Shakers”
Deal Pipeline, October 25, 2011
Edward Eynon, Peggy Binzer, Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker were noted as new lobbyist advisors in the Government Strategies practice of McDermott’s Washington office.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“People on the Move”
Congressional Quarterly Today, October 24, 2011
Edward Eynon, Peggy Binzer, Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker were focused upon as new members of the Firm’s Government Strategies group in Washington, DC. Mr. Eynon and Ms. Binzer are partners, Mr. Harkins and Ms. Stocker are professional advisers, and all four bring extensive public policy backgrounds that encompass law and consulting firms and congressional staff assignments.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“MW&E Snags Four”
Politico.com, October 20, 2011
Edward “Teddy” Eynon and Peggy Binzer joined McDermott’s Government Strategies group in the Washington office as partners and Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker as professional advisors. All four lobbyists have senior staff experience on Capitol Hill.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“McDermott Will & Emery Hires Four, Defends Spuds”
National Journal, October 20, 2011
Edward “Teddy” Eynon, Peggy Binzer, Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker joined the Firm’s Washington Government Strategies group as lobbyist advisors, coinciding with McDermott’s successful lead lobbyist representation of the National Potato Council in turning aside an effort by the Obama Administration to limit the amount of potatoes in school lunches.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“Scott Brown Snags McDermott Will Lawyer for GC Post”
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, October 20, 2011
Daniel Haley, who as this article noted has been named one of the 10 most influential Republicans in Massachusetts, has accepted an assignment to be general counsel to Senator Scott Brown and assist in his re-election campaign. Mr. Haley said that his role will be to “minimize unforced errors and maximize awareness of [Brown’s] detractors,’” adding that in a heated campaign “nobody’s allowed an innocent mistake.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“McDermott Picks Up Four Lobbyists from Edwards Wildman Palmer”
Blog of Legal Times, October 19, 2011
Edward Eynon, Peggy Binzer, Mark Harkins and Erica Stocker have left another major firm to join the government strategies practice of McDermott’s Washington, DC office. Mr. Eynon and Ms. Binzer join as partners, while Mr. Harkins and Ms. Stocker are professional advisers. All four have done legislative advocacy for businesses in the health care sector, and all have Capitol Hill experience, either as senior staff members, committee counsel or policy advisors.
Peggy Binzer, Teddy Eynon, Mark B. Harkins, Erica Stocker, Government Strategies
“Little Outright Fraud in Government Contracting”
Federal News Radio, October 13, 2011
Stephen Ryan stated in this interview that “outright fraud … is not a large issue numerically in government contracting. There are significant controls with the government. So … a criminal act … has to be very well thought-out in order to escape eventual detection.” He noted one problem “is that we often confuse fraud, waste and abuse allegations with contracting disputes and cost discharges as if they are the same type of [cases] … I'm concerned ... that the way people label or mis-label government-contract fraud would lead the public to believe that there's more fraud than there actually is…Catching outright criminal fraud is something we ought to be good at in the government, and I think we are.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Solyndra Seeks Lawyers in Criminal Probe”
Hispanic Business, September 30, 2011
William Weld has been hired represent Solyndra, California solar company, in connection with investigations of the company in Congress.
William F. Weld, Government Strategies
“Solyndra’s Lawyers Major Obama, Democratic Donors”
The Daily Caller, September 30, 2011
William Weld, Stephen Ryan, David Ransom, Eugene Litvinoff and Jon Decker have been hired to advise Solyndra during the ongoing Congressional investigation from the House Energy and Commerce committee. They, along with many McDermott employees, donated generous amounts to Democrats and President Obama’s campaigns.
Jon Decker, Eugene S. Litvinoff, David Ransom, Stephen M. Ryan, William F. Weld, Government Strategies, White-Collar & Securities Defense
“A Conversation with Kam Quarles, Agricultural Policy Executive”
The Atlantic, September 27, 2011
Kam Quarles, McDermott’s director of legislative affairs, singled out “the gigantic amount of risk that farmers endure in bringing [their] crops to market, and the policy impacts that result” as something that more people should understand about the agricultural sector. “Weather, pests, and diseases, lack of adequate labor, exchange rate fluctuations, futures volatility, spikes in input prices … any of these variables can make or break a farmer's year,” he explained. “To the people who think there are easy answers to these issues for producers or policymakers, they need to spend some time on a farm.”
W. Kam Quarles, Government Strategies
“High-Priced Law Firm Gets OK to Represent Solyndra”
The Washington Times, September 27, 2011
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware ruled that Solyndra may retain McDermott Will & Emery as its counsel. Stephen Ryan, William Weld, and David Ransom are representing the company.
David Ransom, Stephen M. Ryan, William F. Weld, Government Strategies
"McDermott Tapped to Represent Solyndra"
The Washington Post, September 25, 2011
McDermott partners Stephen Ryan, William Weld, David Ransom and advisor Jon Decker have been hired to advise Solyndra, a California solar company that filed for bankruptcy this month, in a government investigation.
Jon Decker, David Ransom, Stephen M. Ryan, William F. Weld, Government Strategies
Embattled Solar Company Solyndra Hires McDermott
Blog of LegalTimes, September 19, 2011
William Weld, Stephen Ryan, David Ransom, Eugene Litvinoff and Jon Decker have been hired to represent Solyndra, a California solar-energy company under scrutiny for a $535 million federal loan guarantee.
Jon Decker, Eugene S. Litvinoff, David Ransom, Stephen M. Ryan, William F. Weld, Government Strategies, White-Collar & Securities Defense
“Decker Gets POTUS Radio Series”
Mediabistro.com, September 15, 2011
Jon Decker was noted as host of a new radio interview series on Sirius XM POTUS, “White House Insider.” The series will feature Mr. Decker and his guests offering behind-the-scenes discussion of presidential politics as the 2012 election approaches.
Jon Decker, Government Strategies
“Poll Numbers Add to Evidence of a Downturn for Mitt Romney”
NECN-TV “Broadside,” August 30, 2011
Daniel Haley, who formerly served as Assistant Chief of Staff to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, evaluated Romney’s campaign style, saying that “there’s a distinction to be made between attacking and engaging” the other Republican presidential candidates. To assertions that Romney is not a colorful candidate, Mr. Haley noted that while “personality absolutely does matter … you can only go so far with personality.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“Federal Debt Law Could Speed Farm Bill”
The Packer, August 4, 2011
Kam Quarles said that because the current federal farm bill expires in 2012 and mandatory program cuts are scheduled for 2013, it “will be very challenging for the House and Senate agriculture committees in writing a new farm bill with this overhang of spending cut targets.” He added that the choice of members for the new joint deficit reduction committee could be pivotal to the direction of agricultural spending cuts.
W. Kam Quarles, Government Strategies
“Power Circuit: A Journalist Joins McDermott Will & Emery”
Washingtonian, August 3, 2011
Jon Decker, who most recently was White House correspondent for Reuters Television, joined McDermott’s government strategies group in the Washington, D.C. office as a senior professional advisor.
Jon Decker, Government Strategies
“Analyzing Obama and the Debt Legislation”
New England Cable News (NECN), August 3, 2011
Daniel Haley, in a discussion of the debt-ceiling impasse, said that President Obama “hasn’t exhibited much leadership and has done damage to himself in that regard.” Mr. Haley pointed out that the spur to the current conflict was that the Obama administration “submitted a budget that did nothing to address entitlements, raised taxes and increased spending.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“How Contractors Can Prepare in Uncertain Budget Times”
Federal News Radio, July 19, 2011
Stephen Ryan, speaking about the trend in Congress to approve brief continuing budget resolutions rather than a full budget, urged contractors to “get your Rolaids out” because such resolutions “leave the agencies absolutely in limbo” if they want to start any new programs. “That’s no way to run a government,” Mr. Ryan added about the resolutions. “There are tremendous long-term costs and inefficiency by doing this.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Lawyers Who Are Legislators Face Conflicts”
Boston Globe, July 4, 2011
Daniel Haley, who when in Massachusetts government helped draft the state’s tough drunken driving law, said of a key legislator: “There’s something a little off about a practicing criminal defense lawyer having utter control over what bills get out of committee … because that person’s professional life outside the Legislature will be affected, one way or another, by what bills ultimately become law.’’ He added that such situations raise questions “of whether legislators are representing their constituents or their clients in any given decision,’’ particularly since “legislators [can] convince themselves that there’s total separation between their two lives.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“Hackers Might Face Stiffer Sentences in U.S.”
Reuters, June 18, 2011
Stephen Ryan said that a proposal to double or triple the sentence for hacking federal government computer systems will likely not do as much to deter cybercrime as would actual arrest and trial. “There may be people who fully deserve a sentence of more than five years. The key to deterrence is prosecution and conviction,” Mr. Ryan noted.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“House 2012 Budget Draft Cuts Research Funds”
The Packer, May 24, 2011
W. Kam Quarles warned that the 2010 agriculture appropriations bill contains significant cuts to agricultural research programs. “Everybody respects the budget situation but the difficult part of this is that with the research programs you are not talking about smoke and mirrors,” Mr. Quarles said. “Those are real dollars going to real programs that will be heavily impacted by the loss of federal partnership.”
W. Kam Quarles, Government Strategies
“Rebuke of Ensign Was Unusual for Ethics”
Roll Call, May 16, 2011
Stephen Ryan stated his belief that, although the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee’s report on a former senator was highly critical, “it’s easy when a guy has left for them to look tough on the ethics” because “you’re not doing it with a sitting Senator, you’re not disrupting the body.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“U.S. Scrutinized Ensign, But Senate Dug Deeper”
New York Times, May 13, 2011
Stephen Ryan said that the Senate Ethics Committee’s investigation of alleged impropriety by a former senator was more thorough than that of the Department of Justice, and expressed his view that the Department, “has fallen on hard times if this case has no appeal to them. It’s pretty easy to get a single count of obstruction or a false statement here.” Mr. Ryan added that, “If I were the attorney general, I would have some serious questions about the judgment that the [Justice Department] people applied.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Legally Speaking: Bobby Burchfield”
Washingtonian, May 3, 2011
Bobby Burchfield was profiled concerning his experience managing legal issues related to election fundraising and advertising, including his work on the 2000 Bush-Gore recount. Mr. Burchfield observed of the Washington scene that “most organizations -- including this law firm -- try to be nonpartisan. We try to host events for candidates on both sides of the aisle.” He added his belief that, so long as legal requirements are observed, political fundraising is “a good thing for law firms to do, both because we are running into officeholders all the time and we have a government relations practice here. And it’s a good thing to do for democracy, because elections cost money.”
Bobby R. Burchfield, Government Strategies, Trial
“Lobbying World”
The Hill, March 31, 2011
Andrea Bergman was noted as McDermott new senior director of legislation and health policy in the Washington, DC office. Ms. Bergman previously was a lobbyist for two major corporations and a trade association in the health care sector, and was also a senior legislative and policy adviser to Sen. Mike Crapo.
Andrea M. Bergman, Government Strategies, Health
“Most Influential Lawyers”
National Law Journal, March 28, 2011
Eric Zimmerman was one of just 34 influential lawyers singled out by readers and researchers as among those who “have clout … to shape the world and the way it works.” The NLJ called him “an expert in Medicare” who is “often at the top of their list” for hospitals and drug companies needing help in Congress. Mr. Zimmerman “was involved in shaping half a dozen targeted provisions” of the 2010 health care reform act according to the NLJ, and he himself added about the act’s impact that “it’s just the beginning, like Medicare in 1965.”
Eric Zimmerman, Government Strategies, Health
“Marriage of Lobby Shops and Law Firms Is Uneasy but Lucrative”
Washington Post, March 4, 2011
Stephen Ryan noted that law firms sometimes “struggle” to incorporate non-lawyer lobbyists into their practices. Mr. Ryan, head of the Firm’s government strategies group, said that “McDermott is a wonderful law firm of more than a thousand lawyers, but running a government strategies group is different than that and requires a different set of skills.” He added that his group’s lobbying work is now on an upswing.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Budget Efforts ‘An Absolute Train Wreck’”
Federal News Radio, February 16, 2011
Stephen Ryan warned that the current “train wreck” stalemate between the Administration and Congress to agree on a budget and avoid a government shutdown is “more profound” than the last such impasse in 1994-95 because “the stakes are much higher for the country” given our weak economy and the rise of other national economies. Mr. Ryan admitted that “the ingredients for gridlock and failure are there,” yet added that “the important issue we should be looking at is whether all of our expenditures are necessary… There are real places where savings can be made in the budget – people are just unwilling to do it.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“YLD Symposium Looks at the Composition of the JNCs”
The Florida Bar News, February 15, 2011
Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez spoke at a Florida Bar panel discussion of the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Ms. Rodriguez, former general counsel to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, said that the JNC’s creation “was a great way to try to bring some rationality to the process of appointing judges” in the state. She also spoke in support of a Florida constitutional amendment proposing that county or circuit court judges have 10 years of Florida Bar experience rather than the current five, calling 10 years “a very reasonable time to have somebody truly become an expert in their field.”
“White House Favors New Food Safety Fees”
The Packer, February 15, 2011
Kam Quarles observed that the Obama Administration FY 2012 budget’s preservation of full funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) to promote U.S. agricultural exports “is recognition that if we are going to move forward on the National Export initiative, it is fundamental [for] programs like MAP to counter foreign government spending in those valuable export markets.”
W. Kam Quarles, Government Strategies
“Agenda Unknown”
National Law Journal, February 7, 2011
Stephen Ryan called the Obama Administration’s failure to nominate a full-time head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created by the Dodd-Frank Act “the most awkward liftoff I’ve ever seen of a new agency.” He noted that Elizabeth Warren, who President Obama asked to oversee the agency’s startup, “is setting policies for a successor who in all likelihood will not be her … It’s like putting rocks in your pocket. It’s already hard enough to stand up. There’s a fractured agency structure to begin with.” Mr. Ryan expressed hope that the agency’s future focus will be on “notice, education and transparency, rather than telling people they can’t do something.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
“Regulatory Relief on the Horizon?”
CFO.com, January 21, 2011
Stephen Ryan said of President Obama’s Executive Order that all federal agencies regularly review and cull their rules, “No one knows what it means. Clearly the Administration has a game plan, but they haven’t made that public yet.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Federal Legislative Matters, Government Strategies
“Immigration Reform Goals Appear to Be Downsized”
The Packer, January 20, 2011
Kam Quarles predicted about immigration law reform that “in this environment” of current economic and political developments, “an incremental approach probably has more legs than a comprehensive effort.”
W. Kam Quarles, Government Strategies
“Mexico Extends ‘Olive Branch’ on Truck Issue”
The Packer, January 12, 2011
Kam Quarles said that Mexico’s decision not to add or change the list of U.S. goods subject to import penalties, which were enacted after the U.S. banned Mexican truckers from entry and operation, “appears to be a reasonable step by the Mexican authorities to extend an olive branch and work toward a resolution” of the controversy between the two countries.
W. Kam Quarles, Government Strategies
2010
“Lawyers’ Numbers Dwindle in Legislature”
Boston Globe, December 27, 2010
Daniel Haley observed that defense lawyers who served in the Massachusetts legislature have been viewed as blocking increased funding and criminal sanctions that were requested by prosecutors. “They are defense attorneys and they look at these issues through that prism, and it’s a very natural thing,” Mr. Haley commented. “But in my view, they’re not representing their constituents. They’re representing their clients, and that’s a big problem.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
“Power Circuit”
Washingtonian.com, December 15, 2010
Matthew Leland (complex litigation and political law), Christina Ondrick (intellectual property litigation) and David Ransom (regulatory and government) have all been elected to McDermott’s partnership from the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
Matthew M. Leland, Christina A. Ondrick, David Ransom, Energy Advisory, Government Strategies, IP Litigation, Trial
Excerpt from “Infrastructure in India: Building the Legal and Regulatory Framework”
Lex Witness, November 2010
Andrea Kramer told an interviewer that companies pursuing concession or license agreements with host governments should protect themselves by seeking waiver of sovereign immunity and economic stabilization provisions in case the host government’s laws change. Ms. Kramer said that lawyers negotiating such agreements must “understand the interplay between governing law, choice of law and dispute resolution provisions” in order to “assure their clients that all of the individual agreements that make up the complete set of project documents – as a whole – fit together correctly.”
Andrea S. Kramer, Government Strategies, International Arbitration
Shelia Walcoff was mentioned by The Hill (June 21) as new lobbyist for the Diabetes Access to Care Coalition with regard to the Medicare medical equipment supplies competitive bidding program.
, Government Strategies, Health
Stephen Ryan commented for Law360 on May 26 regarding an Interior Department report that government regulators overseeing offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico had accepted gifts from oil and gas companies. Mr. Ryan noted that such gifts are “always a delicate call” because the issue “doesn’t measure up to being meaningful” in a public corruption sense. He added, however, that the companies accused of the gift-giving may be investigated because “the government may be interested in creating deterrence on the corporate side as well as the government side” if the companies “had an intended policy to do what they allegedly did.” So far as the regulators, Mr. Ryan asserted that “the important issue here is that these people need to be totally retrained, and given a zero-tolerance policy.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was interviewed April 16 by Nightly Business Report concerning the Security & Exchange Commission’s civil fraud charges against Goldman Sachs for allegedly withholding key facts when issuing an investment product tied to subprime mortgages. Mr. Ryan, a former federal prosecutor, said that he expected Goldman Sachs to “argue very strongly that people hedging is part of what happens on Wall Street, and that you can’t disclose all of that.” However, he added, if Goldman is found liable, “even though it’s a civil case, it could have profound impact on them because their integrity as a broker-dealer would then be at stake.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Cecilia Showalter used her experience in McDermott’s Legal Crisis Strategies Group to tell Legal Bisnow (March 22) the best way to approach an apology in a crisis situation. Ms. Showalter advised that a good apology starts with a timely response, directly acknowledges what the egregious behavior was, and takes visible steps to correct the offense. The idea, she said, is to come out of the crisis doing better than before.
Cecilia R. Showalter, Government Strategies, Legal Crises Strategies, Trial
W. Kam Quarles was featured in articles by Citybizlist Washington DC (March 11), JD Journal (March 15), The Blog of Legal Times (March 15) and The Hill (March 16) discussing his move to McDermott as Director of Legislative Affairs in the Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Quarles was formerly the vice president for government relations and legislative affairs at the United Fresh Produce Association. At McDermott he will focus on a broad range of legislative and executive branch issues, including agricultural production and marketing, food safety, sustainability, environmental, international trade/supply chain, and animal and plant health (phytosanitary) issues.
W. Kam Quarles, Federal Legislative Matters, Government Strategies, State Legislative Matters
Stephen Ryan is noted by Law.com in its March 5 summary of an important decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Ryan had appeared before the court representing the Free File Alliance (FFA), a group of leading nationwide tax preparers. In its decision on class action litigation brought against the FFA, the Third Circuit ruled that the fees charged by FFA members for electronic filing of federal tax returns are not illegal, and the FFA’s agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to charge those fees does not violate antitrust laws.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies, Trial
Daniel Haley was quoted in a March 3 Boston Herald story on questions raised about whether a group of corporate executives, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, should be considered lobbyists under the state’s tough new lobbying law. While not commenting on the group itself, Mr. Haley noted that the controversy illustrated “the law’s enormous gray areas,” citing the issue of whether a chief executive’s corporate salary should be counted as a “lobbying payment.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Kam Quarles was featured in a March 3 story on ThePacker.com that covered his move from the Washington, DC-based United Fresh Produce Association to McDermott’s Government Strategies Group. Mr. Quarles was VP of government relations and legislative affairs for the Association (which said he will be “hard to replace”), and will add to the strong agricultural component of the Firm’s Government Strategies team. Noting that “I’m really not going very far,” he will be involved in many of the same governmental issues at McDermott.
W. Kam Quarles, Federal Legislative Matters, Government Strategies, State Legislative Matters
Daniel Haley was quoted in a March 2010 Massachusetts Lawyers Journal story about the increased lawyer interest in the state’s Republican Party following Republican Scott Brown’s election to the U.S. Senate. Mr. Haley, who has long been active in state politics and government as a Republican, cited the new level of interest, saying “The most frequent comment I’m hearing at meetings now is, ‘We’re seeing a lot of new names.’ … Excitement is building. It’s more fun and interesting when you have a chance to win.” Mr. Haley added about his political involvement that, “My firm has been very, very supportive of me. … It’s a civic-minded firm. But you don’t let your client work suffer.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was interviewed on February 10 by Federal News Radio concerning the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. “The United States has been the leading country in the world to criminalize the conduct of its own companies,” he noted, calling some of the penalties imposed by the Department of Justice “eye-catching” and “astonishing.” Mr. Ryan said that FCPA matters encompass both “serious lapses” in corporate conduct and “overzealousness and abuse” in some government prosecutions. He added: “Usually in the United States we indict corrupt government officials and use corporations as witnesses against them. In FCPA matters the foreign officials are corrupt but we can’t reach them with our laws, so we indict the companies as the bad guys.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies, International Government Relations
Daniel Haley was quoted on January 22 in the MetroWest Daily News concerning political prospects for the 2010 U.S. elections. A former Deputy Legal Counsel and Assistant Chief of Staff to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Mr. Haley said he believes it “will absolutely be the case” that formerly safe Democratic congressional seats will be up for grabs. He added that he sees Republicans “building on a very impressive coalition that Scott Brown [recently elected U.S. Senator from Massachusetts] created that sweeps up Republicans, unenrolled voters and quite a lot of Democrats.” Mr. Haley currently is treasurer of Republican Charlie Baker’s Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign.
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Eric Zimmerman was quoted by BNA's Medicare Report (January 2010) concerning the impact that the current lack of a permanent administrator at the CMS will have as health care reform legislation is implemented. "The administration is going to have a lot at stake with the implementation [of reform], which will be almost as important politically as enacting reform in the first place," he said. "It is in the administration's interests that the implementation go smoothly, that deadlines be met, and that Congress be satisfied. That is a tall order without a permanent administrator." Zimmerman also noted as a key 2010 Medicare issue the outcome of a number of budget neutrality adjustment appeals regarding reimbursement, which are currently pending before the Provider Reimbursement Review Board. Click here to view the full article.
Eric Zimmerman, Government Strategies, Health
Daniel Haley was quoted in the Boston Business Journal (January 11) and the Denver Business Journal (January 8) in a story about a new Massachusetts law that greatly expands the definition of lobbying in that state, requiring many more persons who interact with government officials to register as lobbyists. The law is intended to curb ethics scandals, but Mr. Haley said that “[a]rguably it makes things worse. It captures the behavior of potentially thousands of people who have no thought of breaking the law but could find themselves violating the law simply by engaging in public life in some limited way.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Daniel Haley was mentioned in the January 8 Massachusetts State House News Service Weekly Roundup story. It cited Mr. Haley’s earlier interview in the Boston Business Journal about the new law governing legislative advocacy in Massachusetts and called him a “potential future attorney general” for the state. Mr. Haley has held several positions in the Massachusetts Governor’s Office and is active in state politics.
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Daniel Haley was mentioned by the Manchester, MA Wicked Local in a January 8 recap of his earlier interview in the Boston Business Journal about the new law governing legislative advocacy in Massachusetts. As the recap notes, Mr. Haley pointed out that the new law may require thousands of people to legally register as lobbyists if they have any interaction with legislators or other government officials in the state.
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Daniel Haley was interviewed January 1 on WBZ radio’s “Nightside” program by host Dan Rea, concerning new laws that go into effect in Massachusetts in 2010. Mr. Haley is active in state politics and formerly held several positions in the Office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
2009
Stephen Ryan addressed in a December 4 Associated Press story whether the uninvited couple that breached security at a White House state dinner could be prosecuted for their actions. Although he thought criminal prosecution was unlikely, Mr. Ryan said that the government could bring felony charges against the couple for making false statements to the Secret Service, which could bring a maximum sentence of five years in prison. “It would seem to me that could cover this event,” Mr. Ryan said of the possible charge, adding that whether it could be brought would depend heavily on what the couple told the screeners at the White House the night of the dinner. The article also noted that Mr. Ryan, when an Assistant U.S. Attorney, once prosecuted a White House fence jumper.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan spoke to FederalNewsRadio.com on December 3 concerning new rules that require senior Department of Defense officials to get written approval from a Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) before taking a job with a defense contractor within two years after leaving government service. Speaking of these approvals, Mr. Ryan noted that “some of the people who write them do a terrific job and there's very good, practical guidance to people. However, we've seen a lot of those ethics opinions that it's not real clear. The guidance isn't terribly refined and it leaves the person confused about what it is.” He urged any official needing an ethics ruling to get a private sector opinion to go along with a DAEO opinion. As a provider of such opinions, Mr. Ryan said, “we try and sharpen up that analysis if the designated agency ethics officer didn't do that in the first instance.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Contracts and Public Procurement, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was included in a November 2 story that appeared on Johnhopebryant.com concerning a dinner held by the Australian ambassador to the U.S. in honor of philanthropic entrepreneur John Hope Bryant and his Operation HOPE program to advance financial literacy. Mr. Ryan is a former Mid-Atlantic board chairman for Operation HOPE.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Hugh Nineham was recognized in a number of media outlets for his appointment to head McDermott’s London office. Covering the announcement on October 9 were “The Churn” feature of AmLaw Daily, Law and More and The Lawyer.
Hugh Nineham, Corporate, Government Strategies, London
Shelia Walcoff is quoted in a September 30 Genomeweb.com story concerning a California bill seeking to legally set apart consumer genomics firms from clinical laboratories. Ms. Walcoff believes that the language in SB 420 could have implications for the bioinformatics field. As she noted, consumer genomics “is a new industry, and should California statutorily define and regulate it in a new or different manner, it could, at least at the state level, have an unanticipated impact on the regulatory requirements for the broader bioinformatics industry.”
, Government Strategies, Life Sciences & Medical Products
Stephen Ryan commented for the McClatchy-Tribune News Service (June 29) on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that states can enforce their own banking laws on discrimination and predatory lending, even if that crosses into areas under federal regulation. Mr. Ryan declared that the decision “will have a significant, negative impact on the ability of a national bank to offer financial products uniformly throughout the country.” He predicted “a crazy quilt of conflicting legal instructions” and a “confusing situation of shared enforcement responsibilities for financial services."
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in a June 19 Reuters video report on the federal charges that Texas billionaire Allen Stanford orchestrated a massive fraud through his Antigua bank that bilked investors out of billions of dollars. Mr. Ryan, a former federal prosecutor, said of the charges that “generally, if it’s a Ponzi scheme, it is an easy case for the government to win.” He added that, although Stanford claims innocence, the Bernard Madoff conviction creates a difficult situation for him. “Mr. Stanford is very unlucky that a person like Madoff preceded him and created public resentment,” Mr. Ryan said. “That’s a very difficult problem for him when and if he goes to trial.”
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies, Trial
William Weld's appointment as an international business advisor on political and government relations for Ivanhoe Capital Corporation was noted by Yahoo! Finance Canada on June 2. Ivanhoe Capital is a private company specializing in venture capital and project financing from bases in Singapore and Beijing. Ivanhoe Capital cited Mr. Weld's extensive experience in law and government, and success as a trade group leader.
William F. Weld, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in The National Journal on April 11 concerning the dismissal of charges brought by the U.S. Justice Department against former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. Mr. Ryan said the dismissal means that Justice Department prosecutors "will be subjected to more adult supervision and will face greater scrutiny" as they prepare cases for trial. He also stated that the flaws in the prosecutors' handling of the case will make defense lawyers more aggressive, adding, "The defense in the Stevens case offers a textbook example for other lawyers on how to find a procedural flaw that gets you a get-out-of-jail-free card for your client."
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies, Trial
T. Reed Stephens was quoted in a March 30 story in The National Law Journal concerning letters about marketing practices sent by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to pharmaceutical companies. State attorneys general increasingly use the letters to sue those companies for false advertising. Mr. Stephens urged companies who receive such letters to assess their marketing practices for compliance problems, adding that "[w]hen you get this type of regulatory action from the FDA that's public, you do need to take proactive measures to better understand what's going on under the hood of your car."
T. Reed Stephens, Government Strategies, Health, Life Sciences & Medical Products, Life Sciences - Health
Steve Ryan was interviewed on March 10 by FederalNewsRadio regarding President Barack Obama's measure to reform the government procurement process. Mr. Ryan said that this measure could go either way, "It could be quite meaningful if it's carried out to fruition….On the other hand, there's not much guidance on what it really means." President Obama called for an end to no bid contracts, and called for greater competition for contracts. Mr. Ryan said that this is the opposite of many of the procurement reforms made in the 1990s. To hear the entire interview click here.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Contracts and Public Procurement, Government Strategies
2008
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted on December 11 by GovernmentExecutive.com in an article regarding the House's election of Representative Edolphus Towns as leader of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Despite the change in leadership, Mr. Ryan believes that the panel will continue to focus on overseeing federal contracting. "Contracting and procurement are the bread, butter and soul of this committee. These would be a very important part of the agenda, no matter who were chairman and ranking member."
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted extensively in the November 30 issue of The Am Law Daily in an interview regarding whether the United Nations or another international organization should govern the internet or whether policy decisions about who gets IP addresses and the role of the government should be left to individual countries and regional organizations. "Well, in a UN-type system, China has a seat on the UN Security Counsel and has one-fifth or one-quarter of the world's population. So the question is: 'If the UN takes over, will we have a system that looks more like the system in China or the free, democratic approach we use in North America?' I think our freedom is greater now than it would be under a UN system," said Mr. Ryan.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
New York partner William Weld was interviewed live on the Morning Joe program which aired on MNBC on November 25. Mr. Weld, former Governor of Massachusetts, discussed the recently announced Obama economic team. Mr. Weld commented, "We love the rollout. Not just Larry Summers who is known as a centrist, but Christina Romer has written a lot about the negative impacts big tax hikes have on the economy. I think the President [elect] is right to focus on job creation and make this spending package, and we are all in need of an investment." To hear Mr. Welds thoughts on his republican beliefs, the automotive industry and his advice for President-Elect Barack Obama click here.
William F. Weld, Government Strategies
Stephen M. Ryan was interviewed on November 20 by Federal News Radio. Mr. Ryan spoke with the radio station about Representative Henry Waxman's move to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the subsequent vacancy of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chair position.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
William F. Weld was quoted on November 7 by the Dow Jones Newswires in an article regarding ethanol companies' hope that Barack Obama's administration will provide financial assistance to an ethanol industry suffering from the financial crisis. Obama's platform calls for phasing 60 billion gallons of advanced biofuels in to the fuel supply by 2030 and for the establishment of a low-carbon fuel standard. The low-carbon fuel standard, however, could disadvantage corn-based ethanol if a movement to consider the effects of diverting food to fuel gains momentum. "As long as it's not corn. If it's corn-based ethanol, there's an issue about food supply and food prices, and I think Sen. Obama might be sensitive to that issue, so I would expect him to lean to the side of cellulosic ethanol," said Mr. Weld.
William F. Weld, Energy Advisory, Government Strategies
William F. Weld was quoted on November 4 by Law360 in an article regarding Barack Obama's energy plan. Mr. Weld, former Republican governor of Massachusetts, noted that Obama's energy plan was one of the reasons why he supported Obama in the closing days of the campaign. "I took a pretty good look at the energy policies of the candidates, and I think that Sen. Obama has a more thorough canvassing of what needs to be done," he said. Mr. Weld noted that Obama will likely be aggressive on his cap-and-trade policies and may try to gain the support of China and India on greenhouse gas reductions so as to avoid "economic suicide." He added that Obama's Smart Grid idea is "a much more integrated, comprehensive approach" than seen from other political leaders.
William F. Weld, Energy Advisory, Government Strategies
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted in the September 8 issue of the Washington Business Journal and the September 9 issue of the Baltimore Business Journal in articles regarding the effect the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have on businesses in the Washington, D.C. area. Mr. Ryan noted that companies paid to lobby the government are likely to lose business. "I don't think the government receivers are going to have any interest in paying for lobbying. There are certain law firms, strategic advisers and [public relations] firms whose meal ticket just ended, in so far as they depend on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as clients," he said. Mr. Ryan added that there are also questions about how creditors will be paid. "The first duty of any lawyer is to get paid for the work they do. And I think people will be very interested in finding out if the government intends to do that."
Stephen M. Ryan, Corporate, Government Strategies
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted in the August 1 issue of the Washington Business Journal in an article regarding a July 30 federal housing law that makes explicit the government's backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and creates the Federal Housing Finance Authority to regulate government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs. Mr. Ryan noted that while the new law makes important changes, it leaves many questions unanswered. "It's untenable to have an incomplete answer to the question: What is the relationship between the GSEs and the government? I don't think this bill answers that. It was just a Band-Aid over the implicit guarantee," he said. Mr. Ryan also responded to the call by many for Fannie and Freddie to become either fully private or fully public institutions. "They will always be hybrids, just more clearly defined hybrids," he said.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
David Ransom was mentioned in the July 29 issue of Politico in an article regarding his move to McDermott. Mr. Ransom noted that the move is "a matter of professional development" and that he looks forward to going from "one client" to many.
David Ransom, Government Strategies
David Ransom was mentioned in the July 22 issue of The Hill and The Blog of the Legal Times in articles regarding his move to McDermott. Prior to joining McDermott, Mr. Ransom worked as senior communications and policy adviser to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
David Ransom, Government Strategies
Sheila Walcoff was mentioned in The Washington Post and Congressional Quarterly Daily regarding her recent move to McDermott’s Health Law department and life sciences government strategies practice group in Washington, D.C.
Link to: Sheila Walcoff, Health, Life Sciences – Health, Government Strategies
Government Strategies, Health, Life Sciences - Health
Sheila Walcoff was mentioned in the May 29 Legal Times blog regarding her recent move to McDermott’s Health Law department in Washington, D.C.
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted in a February 15 article published by Newsday regarding the potential federal investigation into whether Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee committed perjury, witness tampering and obstruction of justice at a recent congressional hearing. As a partner in McDermott’s Government Strategies Practice Group, Mr. Ryan discussed the likelihood that federal prosecutors would initiate investigations into incidents that allegedly occurred in their jurisdictions. "It was the equivalent of a nuclear explosion going off; [a prosecutor] can't look away," he said. Mr. Ryan noted that while Clemens' decision to testify was a mistake, it may be hard to criticize the baseball player's need to clear his name. "You're not Roger Clemens, and you have not won seven Cy Young Awards," he said.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in a January 11 article published by PR Newswire regarding Free File Alliance's launch of its 2008 free tax preparation services for Americans. As the Alliance's lawyer, Mr. Ryan commented on the benefits of the Alliance's public-private partnership with the Internal Revenue Service which has allowed the Alliance to provide six years of free tax preparation services for Americans with low and moderate incomes. "This unique partnership between government and private sector companies provides very real and significant benefits to poor and disadvantaged taxpayers. It also keeps government out of tax preparation, protecting taxpayer privacy and promoting private sector innovation and competition," Mr. Ryan said.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
David Marx was quoted in the January 7 issue of Modern Healthcare in an article regarding Mercy Medical Center's claim that the Aultman Health Foundation has sought to eliminate competition and to attain monopoly power over hospital care in Stark County, Ohio. Mr. Marx, an antitrust lawyer, commented on vertical integration and its effect on competition in the hospital care market. "Particularly in concentrated markets with relatively few players, it is somewhat of a minefield to compete in all segments of the market, both delivery and insurance," he said. "The critical issue will be whether (Mercy) is being foreclosed from so much of the potential marketplace that it will be (unable to compete). That's a pretty high burden to meet," Mr. Marx added.
David Marx Jr., Government Strategies
Arthur G. Sapper, Robert C. Gombar, and James A. Lastowka were mentioned in the January 2008 issue of Occupational Hazards regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission's re-examination of a 1993 precedent allowing OSHA to issue citations for recordkeeping violations that are more than 6 months old. Volks Constructors, with a friend of the court brief from the National Federation of Independent Business, is challenging the precedent. Mr. Sapper, Mr. Gombar, and Mr. Lastowka are on the brief submitted to the Commission on Volks Constructors' behalf.
James A. Lastowka, Arthur G. Sapper, Government Strategies
2007
Stephen M. Ryan was mentioned in a November 1 article published by The New York Times regarding Blackwater Wordwide's hiring of some of the top Washington, D.C. lawyers in order to mount an aggressive legal, political and public relations counterstrike. Mr. Ryan is one of Blackwater's lawyers due to his reputation as being one of the top white collar defense lawyers as well as his experience as a former general counsel of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies, Trial, White-Collar & Securities Defense
William Diaz was quoted in an October 31, 2007 article published by Competition Law360 regarding Google Inc.'s $3 billion takeover of DoubleClick Inc., an internet advertising firm. As a partner in McDermott's Antitrust and Competition Practice Group, Mr. Diaz stated that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's decision to approve the merger would be taken into consideration by the European Union and the United States, but that E.U. and U.S. regulators would likely face opposition to the merger. "It's certainly a positive step, but I would say that it's still too early to tell. At the end of the day, it still depends on what's happening in their own domestic boundaries," he said. "If they have competitors complaining or customers complaining, it will still be an issue and Google will have to start all over again," he added.
William Diaz, Antitrust & Competition, Government Strategies
Paul M. Thompson was quoted in an October 17 article published by Roll Call regarding attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey's confirmation hearings over whether he would enforce contempt of Congress citations that could still be issued in the U.S. attorneys investigation. As a former Republican Judiciary Committee counsel, Mr. Thompson commented on the hearing regarding the extent to which Congress will assert itself over the executive branch. "The question will be for certain members of the Judiciary Committee whether they won their political victory when Attorney General Gonzales resigned and whether they feel pursuing this has some political value to them," Mr. Thompson said.
Paul M. Thompson, Government Strategies, Trial, White-Collar & Securities Defense
Daniel Haley was quoted in a September/October 2007 Boston Bar Journal story that referenced his work as a member of the Boston Bar Association’s Legislative Advisory Committee and as former holder of several positions in the Office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He emphasized in the story that “legislation often has the potential to impact individual civil rights in ways that might not be immediately apparent even to attorneys,” and added that “lawyer legislators play an important role in looking past the politics of the moment to determine how a given change in the law might have unanticipated consequences when put into practice.”
Daniel P. Haley, Government Strategies
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted in a September 26 article published by the Washington Post regarding Rep. Henry A. Waxman's allegation that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is interfering with a House committee investigation into the Iraqi government and the activities of the Blackwater security firm. Mr. Ryan, an attorney for Blackwater, has been working on a separate hearing in which he directed the company "not to disclose any information" regarding its Iraq security contract without prior department authorization in writing. "This contractual direction from the DOS is unambiguous," Mr. Ryan said.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Contracts and Public Procurement, Government Strategies
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted in a September 26 article published by the Los Angeles Times regarding the State Department's decision to intercede in the Blackwater probe. Mr. Ryan commented on the letter sent to a senior Blackwater executive ordering the company "to make no disclosure of the documents or information" regarding its work in Iraq without permission. "In the fluid setting of a congressional hearing it may become difficult, if not impossible, for Blackwater personnel to meet the terms of the State Department finding," Mr. Ryan said.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Contracts and Public Procurement, Government Strategies
Marc Sorini was quoted on August 13-15 in various articles and broadcasts such as the Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, The Miami Herald, and CBS13 etc. covering a California Board of Equalization vote on the taxation of flavored malt beverage products in an attempt to control underage drinking. Mr. Sorini represents malt beverage producers & distributors in these proceedings, where malt beverages are treated as distilled spirits as opposed to beer. "What we're talking about here...are social policy issues, certainly not something one would expect the tax board to be leading policy-making on. This is something frankly the Legislature out to be doing," Mr. Sorini said.
Marc E. Sorini, Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution, Excise Taxation - Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution, Government Strategies, Regulatory Development - Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution
Stephen M. Ryan was quoted in an August 11 article published by The National Journal regarding the current surge of federal investigations into allegations of public corruption by members of Congress and other officials. Stephen commented on the media attention that has helped to build the momentum behind this trend. "I think the current crop of cases is a reflection that you have to follow the evidence when the evidence is on the front pages of the newspapers," Mr. Ryan said.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies, White-Collar & Securities Defense
Veronica Pinotti was mentioned in the July issue of Il Mondo regarding her arrival to McDermott's Rome office.
Stephen Ryan was quoted on May 21 and May 28 in Information Week regarding the impending Internet address shortage. "Unless action is taken now, a quiet technical crisis will occur, not unlike Y2K in its complications, but without a fixed date or high level public attention."
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in the April 30 Federal Times on the Justice Department lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Arkansas against Accenture, Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Bernstein was mentioned in the April 13 edition of Government Health IT on American Health Information Community's apparent considering of applying HIPAA to Regional Health Information Organizations and questioning the appropriateness of such an extension. "It might be difficult to determine which portions of the HIPAA rules apply, given the variations among exchange organizations," Mr. Bernstein said.
Stephen W. Bernstein, Government Strategies, Health, HIPAA
Stephen Ryan appeared on NPR's All Things Considered on March 23 to discuss the relationship between the IRS and commercial tax preparation software providers.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was named as one of Government Technology Magazine's "Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers" in the March 2007 issue.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in the Star Tribune on February 23 regarding the Rochester Coalition and Mayo Clinic's lawsuit requesting copies of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad's financial records from the Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration under the Freedom of Information Act. Mr. Ryan was also quoted on this topic in Kiegers Notebook - Rochester Post Bulletin, Platts and Progressive Railroading.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in the February 12 issue of Roll Call regarding The United Transportation Union's addition to a coalition opposing a proposed expansion project for the Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railroad. "The organizations opposed now demonstrate an ideological range - from a key AFL-CIO railroad union whose worker's safety is at stake to groups like Citizen's Against Government Waste and the Frontiers of Freedom Foundation," he said. "Stay tuned for a very large uptick in Members from every area of the country who will be joining the coalition."
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in the February 7 issue of The Boston Globe regarding the widow of a Navy pilot's suit against Raytheon.
Stephen M. Ryan, Government Strategies
Stephen Ryan was quoted in Government Computer News (GCN) on February 5 regarding the Defense Department receiving its Ipv6 addresses from the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). "When an existing customer has an IPv4 agreement, all they have to do is request v6 addresses and pay for the service. There is no need for a new agreement." He also notes "When people pay for this, they are paying for a service, DOD or anyone else will not own the numbers, but have the right to use them for as long as the contract remains in force and the department needs them."
Stephen M. Ryan, e-Business, Government Strategies
2005
M. Miller Baker was quoted in the May 2 issue of Roll Call in an article entitled "Full Circuit to Hear CAA Cases Jointly." The article discusses a surprise move that could lay the groundwork for review by the Supreme Court. The federal appeals court, which is now hearing two lawsuits against Members of Congress has decided to hear both cases together in front of the entire circuit, rather than in separate hearings. Mr. Baker said in regard to the Supreme Court hearing the two lawsuits together that "it's highly, highly unusual. Put another way, it's extraordinary." He continued to say that perhaps the last time a full circuit court took a case "as an original matter" was in Bush v. Gore in 2000, when the full 11th Circuit decided to hear the lawsuit directly from the trial court.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Government Strategies, Trial
Bill Boies was mentioned in the February 18 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in regard to representing the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation in Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation v. Filan, 2004 App. Lexis 26792 (7th Cir., Dec. 22). The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a decision that an Illinois statute requiring the foundations to contribute $125 million of its edowment to the state constituted taking a private property for public use without just compensation and was therefore unconstitutional.
Wilber H. Boies PC, Government Strategies, Trial
2004
Bill Boies was mentioned in the December 23 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in regard to his representation of the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF). The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the state would be violating the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on taking private property for public use without just compensation if it took $125 million from the ICECF, and rejected the notion that the foundation's assets belong to the state. This decision by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was also reported by the Chicago Tribune on December 23.
Wilber H. Boies PC, Government Strategies, Trial
James Riedy was quoted in the November 2004 issue of Trade & Forfeiting Review in an article regarding the new corporate-tax bill and its containment of significant international tax reform provisions. The bill does away with the tax benefits for exporters, Mr. Riedy explains. "But what Congress has replaced these benefits with is a general tax reduction applicable to all manufacturing activities whether that product is exported or consumed in the United States."
James A. Riedy PC, Government Strategies, Tax
Joseph Winterscheid was quoted in the November 1 issue of Global Competition Review in regard to the impact the presidential election will have on antitrust regulation. "Election outcomes continue to be relevant, but much less so than in decades past. A change in administration is unlikely to bring about any sea change — any changes will indeed be at the margins. The 'swinging pendulum' analogy was apt 20 years ago, but now it's more akin to changing watch batteries — you may notice some difference in performance of the second-hand, but it won't be profound," commented Mr. Winterscheid.
Joseph F. Winterscheid, Antitrust & Competition, Government Strategies
On October 6, 2004, Miller Baker testified before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on the Judiciary - Subcommittee on the Constitution at an Oversight Hearing regarding "The Presidential Succession Act of 1947" and the future considerations for changes to presidential succession. Mr. Baker's testimony was quoted in Roll Call on October 7, 2004, which reported his statement that "Suffice it to say here that the 1947 act is almost certainly the most dangerous statute to be found in the United States Code." Roll Call agreed with Mr. Baker's testimony that the current succession law "threatens to deprive the United States of clear executive authority at the precise moment" when the need for it would be most urgent was echoed by the other panelists. To view the entire testimony, visit http://www.house.gov/judiciary/baker100604.pdf.
M. Miller Baker, Elections & Political Law, Government Strategies, Trial
Bill Boies was mentioned in the August issue of Corporate Legal Times in regard to representing the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF). The ICECF was ordered to pay the state of Illinois $125 million after the Illinois legislature amended the state utilities act and directed the private foundations to hand over the money to help close the state's huge budget gap. The foundation immediately sought a declaratory judgment in federal court that the state's action was an unconstitutional taking of property without compensation and a violation of due process. In April 2004, federal district court Judge Amy St. Eve agreed with ICECF and rejected the state's argument that the $ 125 million belonged to the state and that the foundation was a public entity. She agreed with the foundation that the state was attempting to take private property without compensation, in clear violation of Fifth Amendment rights.
Wilber H. Boies PC, Government Strategies, Trial
In an article in the July 2004 issue of Chicago Lawyer, Bill Boies and M. Miller Baker were mentioned in regard to successfully overturning legislation passed in 2003 to force the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to contribute $125 million to state coffers.
M. Miller Baker, Wilber H. Boies PC, Government Strategies, Trial
2002
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the October 4 issue of El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rico's most broadly circulated newspaper. The Firm's Legislative Practice Group's success in lobbying Congress on behalf of the Puerto Rico Hospital Association was highlighted.
