Pfingst Mulls Re-Election, Still Gets Nod From D.A.’s Investigators Association
Apparently the economic slowdown that is causing some area companies to cut their work force has affected the legal field as well.
Nonetheless, one local firm said there would be no layoffs. Instead, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP implemented a voluntary time-off program for attorneys who choose to use it.
“Like any other law firm, compensation is one the largest expenses to a firm’s bottom line,” said Allan Whitescarver, a Brobeck spokesman. “Layoffs are not on the table.”
The attorneys who would participate in the program could either take an unpaid sabbatical or choose to work part-time. The program allows the attorneys to have more free time, retain their health insurance and other benefits, and cut costs.
“We have maintained from day one that we will not undertake any economic layoffs during the current slowdown in the financial markets,” said Tower C. Snow, Brobeck’s chairman. “We are blessed with great talent, and we intend to protect it.
“This is really a win-win situation. Those who elect to take advantage of this voluntary opportunity will get more free time, and correspondingly, the firm will benefit from reduced compensation costs during the current market slowdown.”
Under the unpaid sabbatical program, attorneys can take up to three months off, provided the sabbatical ends by Dec. 31. Under the reduced work schedule program, attorneys can work as few as three days a week.
Whitescarver said about 35 partners and associates are taking part in the program firmwide.
In the San Diego office, one partner has chosen to take the unpaid sabbatical until the end of the year due to a death in the family. Two associates are said to be considering the part-time work schedule option, but the decisions have not been finalized.
Brobeck has a high concentration of technology and new-economy clients. The firm has 950 attorneys in 14 offices, including Austin, Dallas, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Reston, Va., San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and San Diego.
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Campaign Trail:
San Diego District Attorney Paul Pfingst, who is up for re-election next year, received the endorsement of the San Diego District Attorney’s Investigators Association.
The endorsement followed a vote of the association’s membership, which includes more than 125 sworn peace officers who handle all investigative duties for the district attorney.
Association president Carlos Gonzalez credited Pfingst with lowering the crime rate by more than 48 percent during his tenure and having the state’s second highest conviction rate.
Pfingst has held the office for eight years, and has yet to decide if he will seek a third term.
Candidates have until Dec. 7 to file papers to run for the office. The primary election is scheduled for March 5.
Expansion:
The San Diego office of Foley & Lardner recently expanded its office space and work force.
Earlier this month, the firm announced the addition of four attorneys from the San Diego office of Washington, D.C.-based Zevnik Horton, including the heads of the firm’s local tax and corporate law departments.
The firm also announced its move to a new office in the Del Mar area.
Kenneth D. Polin, Peter J. Elias, Richard J. Moskitis, and Rebecca Perez-Serrano joined the firm July 1 from Zevnik Horton.
On July 20, the firm opened an office at 11250 El Camino Real in Del Mar. The new office employs 40 people, including 14 attorneys, two patent agents and one scientific adviser.
The new office management team includes Richard Warburg, who joined the firm this year from Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison; Steve Reiter, who recently joined the firm from Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich; and Michael Scarano, a principal in the firm’s business law department.
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Now Open:
The family law practice of Robert J. Baumer has opened an office in the Miramar area.
Baumer founded the firm 29 years ago in what was then Uptown San Diego. The firm has a staff of 10, including four attorneys, and specializes in divorce, child and spousal support, paternity and other family law issues.
The new office is located at 9636 Tierra Grande, near Miramar Road and Kearny Villa Road, just west of Interstate 15.
The deadline for the next Law Column is Thursday, Sept. 6. Send related items to dward@sdbj.com.
