The London office of international law firm, Orrick just recently came out with news that it has transformed itself into a limited liability partnership – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP.

This new LLP will help conjoin the many operations of Orrick’s London, Paris and Italian offices under one solitary limited liability structure.   In Germany and Moscow, the European operations are already operating as limited liability entities.

“This change in status reflects the increased size and importance of the European business of Orrick and will further help to integrate the European business in a modern and efficient legal and management structure” said London Managing Partner, Martin Bartlam.

Since it’s original opening in London in 1998, Orrick had successfully grown its operations to somewhere in the numbers of 350 lawyers in Europe, and has opened and greatly extended offices in Paris, Milan, Rome, Moscow, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt, in addition to its significant growth in London.

About Orrick

Orrick is an international legal practice, comprising Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP and its affiliated undertakings. Orrick has more than 1,100 lawyers in North America, Europe and Asia. The firm focuses on litigation, complex and novel finance and innovative corporate transactions. Orrick clients include FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, major industrial and financial corporations, commercial and investment banks, high-growth companies, governmental entities, start-ups and individuals. Orrick’s 21 offices are located in Beijing, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Moscow, New York, Orange County, Pacific Northwest, Paris, Rome, Sacramento, San Francisco, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Taipei, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.

An article released by the Associated Press recently tells us that the number of DUI cases seen in the courts around the nation is increasing.  What do they attribute this statistic to?

Increasing numbers of women are being arrested for DUI and alcohol related charges, while the numbers for men are decreasing.  They attribute the perceived increased freedoms associated with the modern liberation of being a woman.  The article also cites the decrease in leniancy towards woman by police officers: yet another sign of the new age of gender neutrality.

“There’s the impression out there that drunk driving is strictly a male issue, and it is certainly not the case,” said Rae Tyson, spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “There are a number of parts of the country where, in fact, the majority of impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes are female.”

Read the AP article here

The supreme court has just confirmed Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court.  Sotomayor is the first hispanic to be graced with the honor of Supreme Court Justice.

They ended the vote 68-31 in favor of Sotomayor.  Sotomayor’s past has come under fire recently, specifically for her own personal views.  The democratic senate majority approved Sotomayor into the supreme court despite heavy republican opposition to her confirmation.

Republicans fear that as a Justice, Sotomayor will bring a liberal bias, clouding her judgement with her own personal views.  Democrats counter saying that her record speaks for itself, and shows no evidence of bias towards her personal opinions.

Many senate republicans bring up her views on the second amendment, among other key republican issues, while others have come out openly in support of Sotomayor’s confirmation.

“”Judge Sotomayor’s decisions, while not always the decision I would render, are not outside the legal mainstream and do not indicate an obvious desire to legislate from the bench,” remarks Senator George Voinovich of Ohio.

Continue to AP story.

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DUI Precautionary Steps

Being arrested for driving under the influence can be a life changing event that should be taken seriously.  If handled properly, you can severly mitigate the affect this event has on your life.  There are several things to take into consideration, and that one should do if arrested for a San Diego DUI.

• Police officers will try to intimidate you into doing whatever it is that they want you to do.  Specifically field sobriety tests.  Contact your local DUI attorney on advice on whether taking these tests is advisable.  If you were pulled over for something small, like a broken tail light, they will be looking for reasons to incriminate you for driving under the influence.   Often times, refusal of field sobriety tests, and keeping quiet until you can speak to your attorney is one of the best things you can choose to do.  Without an admittance on your behalf, and no field sobriety tests, they have no evidence to support their claim that you were in fact driving under the influence.  You may lose your license, but you will not be charged with driving under the influence.
• A suspended license for refusal of a field sobriety test is better than a criminal record.  If you are convicted, you will have your license suspended in addition to facing criminal charges, possible jail time, community service, and substance abuse courses.
• Immediately contact an attorney to discuss your unique DUI case.  The laws in San Diego regarding DUI cases are such that they require the assistance of a qualified attorney.
• Often times, there are ways to prove that the arresting officer is unqualified to administer the field sobriety tests, or if it is within the statistical margin of error, you may have your case dismissed.

In any case, remain calm.  If you are convicted, make sure that you take care of all of your obligations as soon as possible.  Pay your fines on time, and do NOT drive with a suspended license.  If arrested, a judge will not be leniant, as that is seen as an aggravated offense (whereas he may be more forgiving on the initial DUI charge understanding that you may not have realized you were over the legal limit).

The fine people at the Maze Law group in Detroit, Michigan have come up with an article relating to OWI and DUI in the state of Michigan.  It’s not the normal advice you would assume you’d get.   For instance, most people wouldn’t assume that refusal to obey the arresting officer when they request a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) would be appropriate.  Is it?   You’d have to visit his site to find out.

There are many DUI lawyers all claiming to focus on drunk driving cases, but go with a trusted lawyer.  The Maze Law Group wants to assure you that your arrest is nothing to be ashamed of, and they will work hard to clear your name and get you the treatment and fair hearing you deserve.

Visit the Maze Law Group’s website.