BOSTON—February 13, 2003—The law firm Hale and Dorr LLP today announced that it will assume operations of its joint venture offices in London, Munich and Oxford. The three European offices will operate as Hale and Dorr LLP. This announcement reflects Hale and Dorr’s commitment to support and build a significant technology, life sciences and intellectual property practice in Europe and follows Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, Hale and Dorr’s joint venture partner, announcing its dissolution.
“Hale and Dorr has always had a strong commitment to investing and expanding in our key target markets,” said William F. Lee, managing partner, Hale and Dorr LLP. “In 2002, our revenue increased to record levels. Our London, Munich and Oxford offices are integral to Hale and Dorr’s position as a leading technology, life sciences and intellectual property law firm in both the U.S. and Europe.”
Nearly 50 lawyers serve technology and life sciences clients from Hale and Dorr’s European offices—26 U.K.-qualified, 10 U.S.-qualified and 10 German-qualified—primarily in international and domestic transactions. The European offices’ practice areas include corporate representation, intellectual property, strategic alliances and joint ventures, licensing, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, information technology, employment and human resources, employee benefits, executive compensation and tax.
Joe Pillman will serve as partner-in-charge of Hale and Dorr's European offices. Tom Kellerman, who served as the joint venture firm’s managing partner since April 1999, stands down as managing partner with immediate effect. Explaining his decision, Tom Kellerman said, “It has always been my intention to eventually return to practice in California and we have all agreed that, in view of the change in ownership of the joint venture, this is an ideal time for me to move towards doing so. I am very happy to hand over the management responsibilities to Joe whose vision and insight will stand him in very good stead for heading the European offices.” Mr. Kellerman will remain as a partner until later in the year.
William F. Lee paid tribute to Tom Kellerman's contribution as managing partner of the joint venture. "During the last four years, Tom has opened two new offices in the key technology cities of Oxford and Munich and has grown the breadth and depth of the practice, as recognized by two prestigious awards from the London press. We will miss him and wish him well.”
“During this transition, our clients should expect continued seamless service,” said Joe Pillman, partner-in-charge, Hale and Dorr’s European offices. “One of Hale and Dorr’s finest strengths is its ability to collaborate with colleagues across offices and practice areas. Now, clients will be able to benefit from the tremendous resources of our combined U.S. and European offices.”
In 2001, the team of lawyers in Hale and Dorr’s London office was recognized as both the U.K. Technology Law Firm of the Year and the Best U.S. Law Firm in London. The London office opened in 1990, followed by Oxford in July 2000 and Munich in January 2001.