Looking to resolve lawsuits involving Heller Ehrman LLP, a San Francisco law firm that dissolved in September 2008, a federal judge has ruled that firms who hired away Heller's partners must fork over profits generated by work that partners started at their old law firm, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali said yesterday that four law firms—Jones Day, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Foley & Lardner LLP and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP—owe Heller's estate for the profits they made on work that originated at Heller before its demise. Judge Montali's ruling, which didn't specify how much the firms owe Heller, is likely to be appealed.
