BOSTON– LAWFUEL – Law News, Law Jobs –In response to relentless, s…

BOSTON– LAWFUEL – Law News, Law Jobs –In response to relentless, shameful attacks on the defense bar and its constitutional function, the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers today released the following statement:

The Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers objects to statements made in the current campaign for governor suggesting that persons who perform the constitutionally mandated role of attorney for the defense in criminal cases are unfit for or disqualified from public office.

John Adams, our second president, and Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, were each proud of their service as criminal defense lawyers. They properly understood it and revered it as an important contribution to the public good.

No one in 1796, 1860 or 2006 can claim that such service in any way disqualified Adams or Lincoln from holding our highest office. An assertion that today’s criminal defense counsel have acted contrary to the public interest and should not be trusted to serve in government is un-American and demonstrates either a profound contempt for, or ignorance of, our system of governance.

The right to jury trial, the only right twice guaranteed in our Constitution, is the purest form of democracy – the people, as a jury, govern. Our jury system requires zealous prosecution and defense, confident that citizen jurors will do their human best to arrive at a just verdict.

Attempts to smear a candidate for past service in our justice system are dangerous – they are a direct assault on our basic Constitutional safeguards. To persist in such attempts for crass political gain is demagoguery.

The Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) is a statewide organization of more than 700 lawyers whose primary area of practice is the defense of criminal cases both at the trial and appellate level in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts. It is an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.


Fifth partner hire within days continues growth of New York office…

Fifth partner hire within days continues growth of New York office

LAWFUEL – Law News – Law Jobs – Linklaters announces that it has elected Stephen Culhane as a partner in its investment management practice in New York. The appointment, which immediately follows the firm’s hire of a four-partner US litigation team from White & Case, further strengthens Linklaters’ New York-based team and its ability to provide top-level advice and service to sponsors of private equity, real estate, special situation, hedge and other alternative investment funds – both in the US market and for clients worldwide.

Stephen has been a partner in the New York office of King & Spalding in the Private Equity & Investment Funds Group since 2004. He led the New York private funds and asset management practice, focusing primarily on representing sponsors of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge funds and funds of funds in connection with the structuring, establishment and operation of such fund products. He also represents clients with respect to the regulatory aspects of forming and investing in private funds.

Prior to joining King & Spalding, he was a member of the Goldman, Sachs & Co. Legal Department from 1997. In that capacity he supported Goldman Sachs’ Investment Management Division, focusing on Goldmans’ direct hedge funds, private equity fund of funds and fiduciary businesses. Stephen was a Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Goldman and also served as Legal Director to Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Private Equity Group, which is today the world’s largest private equity fund of funds complex. Before joining Goldman Sachs, he was an associate with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Coudert Brothers.

Tim Shipton, global head of Linklaters’ investment management group, said:

“Stephen Culhane’s election will help reinforce our unique ability to offer a truly integrated private equity and alternative investment funds practice on both sides of the Atlantic. The US investment management market remains a critical part of our overall strategy to offer market-leading, multi-faceted and multi-jurisdictional service to our premium global clients.”

Paul Wickes, US managing partner, said:

“Stephen’s election, coming just after those of four US litigation partners, brings our New York team to around 130 lawyers, reflecting our commitment to building a powerful presence in this market. Stephen will be a tremendous asset to our firm and we are looking forward to working with him as we continue to expand our presence in the US.”

Linklaters’ US investment management practice was established in February 2005, with the appointment of partner Scott Bowie from Latham & Watkins. From the outset, the practice has been working with high profile clients on market-leading transactions.

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