Month: January 2015

W&D Firm Awards Announced

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W&D Firm is pleased to announce the recognition of several attorneys and practice groups for their continued excellence in client service, litigation performance, and professional leadership. These awards reflect the firm’s long-standing commitment to legal excellence and dedication to achieving strong results for clients.

The firm extends its appreciation to all attorneys and staff whose hard work and professionalism contributed to this recognition.

Campus Safety and Legal Frameworks for Sexual Assault Response

Many colleges and universities have established Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with local law enforcement agencies covering a range of operational areas. Recent discussions with campus administrators, campus police, and law enforcement officials have highlighted the need for enhanced tools and strategies specifically tailored to addressing sexual assault cases on campus.

These efforts emphasize the importance of survivor-centered approaches and improved coordination between institutions and law enforcement to ensure effective response, support services, and investigative procedures.

Firm History: Ungaretti & Harris

Ungaretti & Harris was established in 1974. The firm’s co-founders included veteran litigator Michael Coffield and real estate attorney Richard Ungaretti, who graduated from DePaul University College of Law four years prior to founding the firm. Alton Harris, a co-founder with a focus on financial industry matters, remains associated with the firm. Coffield departed the firm in the 1990s and passed away in 2012.

The firm developed a strong reputation in litigation, real estate, and financial services over several decades of practice.

Judicial Oversight in Municipal Bankruptcy Proceedings

Following Detroit’s bankruptcy filing in July 2013, Judge Steven Rhodes issued detailed guidance regarding the management of legal fees, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and discouraging unnecessary expenses such as first-class travel, non-essential entertainment, or excessive billing practices.

In the course of the proceedings, several law firms adjusted their billing practices to reduce costs and improve efficiency. In one instance, counsel for retirees significantly reduced fees while assisting clients through complex claims and voting processes.

The case has been widely cited for its impact on municipal bankruptcy practice and legal billing standards.

Legal Education Trends

The American Bar Association reported that the 204 approved law schools enrolled a total of 119,775 Juris Doctor students in 2014. This represented a decline of 6.9 percent from 2013 and a 17.5 percent decrease from the 2010 peak. It marked the lowest enrollment level since 1982.

The trend reflects broader shifts in legal education, employment demand, and applicant interest in law school programs.

Continuing Legal Education: Tax Law Update

Paralegal Kay M. Sowa will present a live video CLE program on interpreting individual income tax returns, sponsored by the Federal Bar Association in Washington, D.C. on November 19, 2014.

The program will cover fundamental topics in individual taxation, including Medicare tax, net investment income tax, alternative minimum tax, and common tax credits such as child and dependent care and education credits. It will also address methods for calculating adjusted gross income and interpreting key tax return components.

A Chat With HumanInc’s Lawyer

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Posted by Dexter Admin | January 29, 2015

In a recent conversation, HumanInc’s legal counsel discussed developments surrounding one of the week’s most closely watched sports and leadership announcements: the University of Michigan’s decision to appoint a new head coach following a period of underperformance for its football program.

The appointment has drawn significant public attention, not only for its implications on the field but also for the broader leadership expectations placed on high-profile collegiate athletic programs. According to legal observers familiar with the situation, the hiring process reflects the increasing complexity of governance, contract structuring, and compliance considerations in modern collegiate athletics.

Legal and Institutional Context

Sports leadership transitions at major universities often involve detailed contractual negotiations, performance benchmarks, and institutional oversight requirements. Legal counsel plays an important role in ensuring that employment agreements, compensation structures, and compliance obligations are clearly defined and enforceable.

HumanInc’s lawyer noted that such appointments are rarely limited to athletic considerations alone. They often intersect with issues of institutional branding, regulatory compliance, and long-term financial planning.

Broader Legal Landscape

This discussion took place against the backdrop of broader developments in the legal industry, including evolving standards for public-sector legal billing, increased scrutiny of professional fee structures, and ongoing changes in legal education enrollment trends across the United States.

Municipal and institutional governance matters—such as those seen in large-scale bankruptcy proceedings and public administration cases—continue to influence how legal services are structured and delivered.

Continuing Legal Education and Professional Practice

Legal professionals continue to engage in ongoing education to stay current with developments in taxation, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting standards. Recent programs have addressed topics such as individual income tax interpretation, alternative minimum tax calculations, and applicable federal credits.

These educational initiatives support practitioners in providing accurate, compliant, and effective counsel to clients across industries

Detroit’s Lawyers Defend Billing

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Overview of Fee Dispute in Municipal Bankruptcy Proceedings

In court filings related to Detroit’s historic municipal bankruptcy, lead counsel Jones Day, along with other firms involved in the restructuring, defended the reasonableness of their legal fees and billing practices. The submissions were made at the direction of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes as part of ongoing court review of professional compensation.

Jones Day reported that it had already reduced its total billing by approximately $17.7 million and justified final fees of approximately $53.7 million for roughly 17 months of work on the matter.

Judicial Oversight of Legal Fees

Throughout the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings, the court issued detailed guidance regarding appropriate billing practices for legal counsel representing the city.

Judge Rhodes emphasized that legal services provided to financially distressed public entities must be reasonable, necessary, and fully justified. This included scrutiny of expenses and billing practices to ensure that costs remained appropriate given the city’s financial condition.

Legal Representation in Complex Municipal Proceedings

The Detroit bankruptcy involved multiple law firms representing various stakeholders, including the city, retirees, and creditors. These firms were required to balance efficient legal representation with the complexity of a large-scale municipal restructuring.

Some legal teams reported implementing internal cost controls and reducing overall billing in response to judicial expectations and public scrutiny.

Broader Industry Impact

The case has been widely referenced within the legal industry as an example of increased judicial oversight in large public-sector restructuring matters, particularly regarding attorney compensation and billing transparency.

It has also contributed to ongoing discussions about legal fee structures in complex municipal and financial litigation.

Legal and Financial Context

Municipal bankruptcy proceedings of this scale involve significant legal, financial, and administrative coordination. Courts continue to play an active role in ensuring that professional services rendered in such cases remain proportionate and appropriately documented.

Real estate attorney Bill Kuehling

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Overview

Bill Kuehling advises developers, nonprofit organizations, and public entities on a wide range of real estate transactions and infrastructure finance matters. He brings more than 20 years of experience in real estate development, public-private partnerships, land use planning, and municipal law.

His practice focuses on guiding clients through complex redevelopment projects and financing structures that support long-term growth and community development.

Practice Focus

Mr. Kuehling regularly assists clients with:

  • Commercial and residential real estate development
  • Public-private partnership (PPP) projects
  • Land use planning and zoning matters
  • Municipal and redevelopment law
  • Infrastructure financing and project structuring
  • Tax abatements and incentive-based development programs
  • Tax increment financing (TIF) arrangements

Experience

He has served as a trusted advisor to national and regional developers seeking to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and secure public financing incentives for redevelopment projects across the St. Louis region and beyond.

His work often involves coordinating with governmental agencies, financial institutions, and private stakeholders to structure legally sound and commercially viable real estate transactions.

Professional Approach

Bill Kuehling is known for providing practical, solution-oriented legal advice tailored to the needs of developers and public entities. He focuses on aligning legal strategy with economic development goals while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

For Foreign Law Firms in Australia

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Overview of International Law Firm Strategy
The global legal market continues to evolve as firms reassess their international presence and strategic positioning across key jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Recent developments highlight both expansion and consolidation trends among major international law firms as they respond to shifting client demands, regulatory environments, and market opportunities.
Global Expansion and Market Realignment
Several prominent U.S. and global law firms have recently adjusted their international footprint. Some firms have elected to withdraw from certain Asian markets, while others have pursued expansion through mergers and strategic alliances.
These movements reflect broader changes in global legal services, where firms are increasingly focused on aligning geographic presence with long-term commercial strategy and client needs.
Key Market Trends
Current trends impacting foreign law firms operating in the UK and globally include:
  • Expansion through cross-border mergers and strategic partnerships
  • Rationalization of underperforming international offices
  • Increased competition in key financial and commercial hubs
  • Growing importance of regulatory compliance across jurisdictions
  • Rising client demand for integrated global legal services
The UK Legal Market Perspective
The United Kingdom remains a central hub for international legal practice, particularly in areas such as:
  • International arbitration
  • Financial services regulation
  • Cross-border mergers and acquisitions
  • Corporate restructuring
  • Capital markets transactions
Foreign law firms operating in the UK must navigate a complex regulatory and professional environment while maintaining alignment with global operational strategies.
Industry Outlook
The global legal sector is expected to continue evolving through consolidation, technology adoption, and increased specialization. Firms that successfully adapt to changing market conditions and client expectations are better positioned for sustainable international growth.