Herbert Smith has made up a record 18 associates to the partnership and a third of them are women.

The bulk of the promotions were made around the firm's international network with just eight of the 18 based in the London office. As last year, when the firm made up a total of 10, the corporate practice gained the highest number of new partners at seven. Litigation and arbitration has gained five new partners while finance and real estate will receive two new partners apiece and employment and competition each gain one.

Senior partner David Gold said the geographic and departmental splits had been very deliberate. "This year's promotions will support two of our key strategic priorities, namely strengthening our international capability and further developing the distinctive breadth and balance of our practice," he added. "Both are pivotal to our ability to support clients and maintain high activity levels across the range of economic cycles."

In terms of offices, after London, Paris has gained four new partners while Hong Kong and Tokyo have each gained two and Beijing and Brussels have gained one each. This is a big shift in strategy from last year's promotions when Hong Kong received one internal promotion with the remaining nine going to the London office.

The White House yesterday announced that Diana Sen (NY Litigation) has been selected as one of 97 Regional Finalists across the country for the White House Fellows Program. Founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the program offers exceptional men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable professional achievement early in one’s career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the Federal government.

During March and April 2008, Regional Finalists participate in a rigorous interview process. Based on the results of the interviews, approximately thirty candidates will be named National Finalists. The President’s Commission on White House Fellowships will interview the National Finalists in June 2008 and then recommend candidates to President George W. Bush for a one year appointment as White House Fellows.

Throughout its history, the program has fostered leaders in many fields including Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, United Nations Foundation President and Former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator Samuel Brownback and Marshall Carter, Chairman, New York Stock Exchange.

Chicago – Sidley Austin LLP announced that sixlawyers will join the firm in Chicago in the private equity practice.These lawyers, S. Michael (Sy) Peck, Jeffrey Smith, Roger Wilen, DirkAndringa, Alexis Cooper and Nancy Kasko, will integrate theirsignificant experience representing private equity sponsors and theirportfolio companies with Sidley’s well established M&A andsecurities practices and expanding private equity practice.

“Theseare six exceptionally talented and successful lawyers in the privateequity arena and they will make valuable contributions to our privateequity team,” said Fred Lowinger, co-head of the firm’s M&A andPrivate Equity practice. “Our new colleagues will be an integral partof our efforts to expand the scope and depth of our services to theprivate equity community.”

“Sidley offers us the idealplatform to grow our practice in all areas of private equity,” saidPeck. “Sidley is already recognized as global leader in so many areas,including M&A, capital markets, financing, corporate governance andhedge funds. Their global private equity practice is extremely activeand we are thrilled to not only be a part of this, but to add a newdimension of experience to an already substantial practice.”

Thesesix new private equity lawyers have extensive experience in a widerange of complex corporate transactions, including LBOs, equityinvestments, add-on acquisitions, divestitures, public offerings,recapitalizations and restructurings.

Z. Mae Jimison, the first black woman to serve as a judge on the Marion Superior Court, died today. She was 64.
 
Jimison was an appointed judge from 1988 to 1990. She was on the City-County Council from 1992-95 and ran as a Democratic candidate for mayor in 1995, losing to Republican Stephen Goldsmith.

Jimison was elected to the bench in 1996, but lost her bid for reelection six years later. Her office had become known for missing records and mistakes. At one point, then-Prosecutor Scott Newman said her court had run “off the rails.”

Jimison is credited with creating the Marion County Drug Court.

Marion Superior Judge Cynthia Ayers today paid tribute to Jimison.

“As the first black woman appointed to the Superior Court of Marion County, she crossed a historic barrier and opened doors for other qualified women to become part of the judiciary in this state,” Ayers said in a statement.

“Her insistence on fairness and impartiality for all litigants, her dedication to justice, and her exemplary service to the court will long be remembered by all.”

Jimison was hopeful as she prepared to leave office in 2002.

“I always believe I should let God order my steps,” she said in a Star interview.

“I also believe that when he closes a door, he always opens a window. I am looking for my windows.”

Cynthia Baldwin, who served as a justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 2006 until January, has joined law firm Duane Morris LLP's Pittsburgh office as a partner in the trial practice group and appellate litigation sub practice group.

Prior to her appointment to the commonwealth's highest court, Baldwin spent 16 years as a judge in various divisions of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Duane Morris, based in Philadelphia, opened its Pittsburgh office in 2003.

Logan lawyer has been appointed to the 1st District Court by Gov. Jon Huntsman. Kevin Allen is currently the senior partner in the firm Allen and Ericson in Logan. He must be confirmed by the state Senate.

Allen will succeed Judge Gordon J. Low. "Kevin has a genuine desire to serve the people of our great state and his distinguished previous experience proves he will carry on the admirable service of Judge Gordon Low," Huntsman said in a statement announcing the appointment Monday.

Allen also has been a partner with Barrett and Daines in Logan and was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navys Judge Advocate General Corps.