MLA In The News
Partner Tom Lemmer comments on the recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decision affecting Lockheed Martin's contract to develop the F-22 fighter aircraft.
MLA's Employee Benefits team hosted a webinar on June 16, 2010 on the health care reform and how it impacts employers and plan sponsors.
Paul McHale is quoted regarding the Justice Department's lack of preparation for addressing a weapon of mass destruction attack.
With the Senate having passed financial reform legislation, and as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. contemplates prospects for hundreds of troubled banks, Managing Director Brian Olasov considers what purpose capital standards serve and how we might handle remaining banking problems effectively and with minimal market disruption.
“It’s great news for us,” said Eric Tanenblatt, head of McKenna’s national government affairs practice. “Mark has built relations across the country and internationally. A lot of his clients that he has in his consulting firm we hope will come to McKenna. We can both grow together.”
Paul McHale, the Pentagon's former assistant secretary for homeland defense, said the U.S. needs to be able to assimilate large amounts of data far more quickly, through the use of more sophisticated computer programs. "The challenge is identifying threat patterns within that data in a way that is sufficiently timely to prevent an attack," said McHale, now a member of McKenna Long & Aldridge law firm in Washington.
The McKenna lawyers who worked on the deal are partners Ann-Marie McGaughey and David Brown, and associate Kristen Beystehner.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. has reopened its Atlanta lending office for commercial mortgage-backed securities — a sign the dormant market for CMBS might be coming back to life.
Paul McHale is quoted regarding the murder of a prominent Arizona rancher which has intensified an election-year debate about border security, with Republicans stepping up calls for National Guard deployments.
Experts debate whether the unexpected demise of the "death tax" will breathe new life into the 1031 exchange market in 2010. MLA partner J. Timothy Scott, for one, doesn't see the zero estate tax goosing exchanges.
Talk has revived that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is putting in place a plan to securitize assets from the failed banks that it currently holds on its books. Last October, the agency indicated that such a plan was under consideration; more recently similar comments have been made. Managing Director Brian Olasov is quoted.
Stefan Passantino, Partner, McKenna Long and Aldridge LLP, and Head of the Political Law practice, responds in a blog of The National Law Journal to President Obama’s recent State of the Union address in which he laid out further restrictions on lobbyists.
The Congressional Oversight Panel is widening its inquiry into the souring commercial loan market as part of its review of a federal bailout program. Brian Olasov, a managing director at law firm McKenna Long Aldridge, spoke at the Panel's hearing in Atlanta.
MLA Political Law practice chair, Stefan Passantino, discusses the impact the Citizens United v. FEC ruling will likely have on state pay to play laws.
Michael Boucher is quoted regarding EPA's announced plans to take a closer look at those chemical identities claimed as confidential in TSCA section 8(e) filings, which are submitted when a company discovers a chemical may pose a substantial risk.
California Real Estate Journal selected the Malibu City Hall transaction, represented by McKenna Long & Aldridge partners Tony Canzoneri and Geoffrey Mitchell, as one its top Deals of 2009.
Peter Gray is quoted regarding the significance of a toxic tort case.
MLA Partner Sharon Gay is quoted discussing the governor’s plan for special tax districts used to fund road and rail projects.
Michael Boucher is quoted regarding a recent analysis by the Environmental Working Group saying confidential business information (CBI) protections in the U.S. keep crucial chemical information from the public and even from EPA personnel.
Senior Counsel, C. Stanley Dees is quoted discussing the new appointment of Daniel Gordon the new head of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).
Washington DC associates, Jason Silverman and Jason Workmaster were both named to the McKenna Long & Aldridge partnership in the Washington DC office as of January 1, 2010.
Ethics attorneys, including MLA Partner Stefan Passantino, are finding ways to help clients respond to the growing number of restrictions on registered lobbyists
MLA partner and chair of the Global Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership team, Frank Rapoport, comments on the government's struggle to keep up with maintaining aging infrastructure and explains why they should be turning to private investments.
Patrick McGeehan discusses the importance of understanding that buying distressed mortgage debt is not the same as buying the real estate collateral.
Georgia had a record number of bank failures in 2009, and 2010 could be as bad or worse.
The FDIC recently closed its 22nd, 23rd and 24th banks in Georgia this year — more than any other state in the country. The populist response to these banking failures — and the broader financial crisis — has been to lump financial services firms together indiscriminately and rail against excessive bonuses, risk-taking and “bail out” money many of these firms received under the TARP program. In this op-ed, Brian Olasov discusses why Georgia's economic recovery hinges on the outlook for Georgia’s banks.
During the December 15 edition of The Hayes Advantage on Bloomberg Radio, Peter Gray discusses the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen as well as the chances of passage of a climate change bill.
During a December 15 interview with Fox Business Network, Peter Gray discusses what has been happening in Copenhagen and how the talks there could change the way companies do business in the US.
Brian Olasov, a former Wall Street executive who consults on banking and finance for McKenna Long & Aldridge, said he's doubtful bankers will fall in line with the White House.
Alison Doyle is quoted regarding a Freedom of Information Act request is an act of public disclosure under the False Claims Act.
As one of the most contentious issues in the international climate negotiations, climate finance is expected to be a major focus in Copenhagen. During today's OnPoint, Jon Sohn explains the climate finance issue and discusses U.S. and European pledges for international aid to developing nations.
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving a global climate change agreement is a fundamental difference between how developed and developing economies would set carbon-emission goals. The big developed economies prefer absolute emissions targets while emerging markets want “carbon intensity” cuts based on the rate of a country’s GDP growth.
Partners Bill Pham and Tony Canzoneri were quoted in Real Estate Southern California magazine, which wanted to know how Southern California's most prominent real estate lawyers saw the most pressing legal issues of the day—and what they are doing to survive.
Stefan Passantino discusses the ethical issues and prevalence of legal defense funds, and the increase of these funds on the state level.
Following a recent speaking engagement at the Wharton School, Brian Olasov joined Dr. Sam Chandan to discuss the TALF and PPIP programs and the outlook for the private-public interface in 2010.
In an ominous sign for the recovery, bank loans are drying up faster than ever. "There are people with legitimate projects out there who cannot get loans, and we can't sustain a real recovery without access to credit," said Brian Olasov.
Joann Jones, a partner in the Real Estate practice, has been named as the Atlanta Office Managing Partner.
MLA Chairman, Jeff Haidet is a featured speaker at the new leadership program offered by the Terry College of Business at its Buckhead campus.
Cal/EPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) hosted its fifth nanotechnology symposium, “Nanotechnology Initiative Symposium V: An Industry Perspective” in Sacramento on November 16, 2009. The symposium focused on the benefits, risks, potential health and environmental impacts of the emerging nanotechnology industry.
Federal regulators haven’t put enough pressure on banks to unload poorly performing commercial real estate loans, according to a panel of industry leaders convened by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. “Investors don’t feel the (banks) are under real regulatory pressure to liquidate,” said Brian Olasov.
Duke Realty Corp. has taken a $50 million write-down on the value of its 3630 Peachtree project in Buckhead, another sign of the worsening commercial real estate mess. “Atlanta has always been a developers’ market,” said Brian Olasov, a managing director with the law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP. “To that extent, banks are going to suffer disproportionately in Atlanta.”
Commercial real estate has more rough water ahead of it as the economy recovers, though some bright spots exist in the market, according to Brian Olasov and other panelists who spoke at the 15th annual FSU Real Estate Trends & Networking Conference.
The Commerce Department released GDP figures that showed a 3.5% growth in Q3 – the fastest pace in two years, but the real estate industry is taking little solace from the numbers.
Lisa Oberg comments on the San Francisco County Superior Court’s efforts to create a single asbestos department where all discovery, law and motion, and case management matters will be heard.
Scotty Greenwood's article discussing the importance of the arts in a culture’s diplomatic efforts and reputation.
Mark Meagher, office managing partner of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP's Denver office, discusses government contracts law.
Partner Mick Cochran is quoted in an article about private equity firms eager to enter banking.
New Orleans is considering privatizing Louis Armstrong International Airport next year despite the failed $2.5 billion transaction for Chicago's Midway Airport over the summer. Frank M. Rapoport, Senior Partner and Chair of the Global Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnerships practice, is quoted on the likelihood investors and operators will consider bidding on Armstrong International.
MLA Chairman Jeff Haidet, and Chief Recruiting Officer Jennifer Queen are quoted regarding the firm's hiring and growth in the current economic climate.
Corporate partner Ann-Marie McGaughey is quoted on the cooperation and team work between the U.S. and Canada in the government bailouts for the auto industry.
Scotty Greenwood comments on the honor and importance of Ambassador David Jacobson’s post as ambassador to Canada in Canada.
The postmortem reports on many of Georgia's failed banks have blistered directors and management for their actions, but they have also characterized the watchdogs of the industry as being asleep at the switch, observers say. Brian Olasov comments.
Peter Gray, Partner with the firm's Environment, Energy & Product Regulation practice, weighs in on climate change from a corporate perspective.
Gail Zirkelbach, a government-contracts attorney, has rejoined the firm as a partner.
Scotty Greenwood discusses the issues the new U.S. Ambassador to Canada will face upon arrival, as well as the knowledge he has gained from working in Washington, D.C. before reporting to his new post.
Dan Beale weighs in on the legality, and possible implications, of employers mandating the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine.
Robert Bohn, a senior associate in the government contracts practice group in McKenna Long & Aldridge's Los Angeles office, believes that treating yourself as just an employee won't get you far.
Scotty Greenwood is quoted discussing the honor of David Jacobson’s new role as ambassador to Canada.
Partner Bill Ide is mentioned in this article on the recently released report on executive pay by The Conference Board Task Force on Executive Compensation.
U.S. bank regulators are considering tapping a line of credit with the U.S. Treasury Department and may explore other lesser-known options to replenish the dwindling fund that safeguards bank deposits. Brian Olasov says "there are a few options available to the fund - none of them very palatable."
Tony Canzoneri is recognized for making Real Estate deals possible in 2009.
Regarding 1031 tax-deferred exchanges in the real estate downturn, Tim Scott illustrates an individuals' tax basis and paying gains on losses.
On Sept. 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers became the largest company by a factor of three to file for bankruptcy protection in U.S. history. In this op-ed, Brian Olasov considers the hard-earned lessons from this past year.
Partner Mick Cochran is quoted in an article about the role private equity deals may play in the Georgia banking sector comeback.
Washington Mutual is long gone, but its lax lending could haunt us for years. Brian Olasov comments on the uncertainty ahead.
Banks face a possible liquidity crunch if the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation goes ahead with plans to drop a loan guarantee program. Brian Olasov, managing director at McKenna Long & Aldridge, said the FDIC's pullback from the loan guarantee program had been a long-anticipated step that ultimately shows the strength of the slowly recuperating financial system.
Tony Canzoneri, partner in the law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge, believes the regulators learned a lot from the earlier crash.
With commercial mortgage defaults rising and increased regulatory pressure on banks, private equity investors see a potential flood of opportunities for distressed assets in the near future. Brian Olasov discusses the marketplace.
Maggie Joslin is recognized in the Law & Accounting “Who’s Who” section of the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Tom Abbott is quoted regarding McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP's lease at One California Plaza.
Partner Mick Cochran is quoted in an article about a troubled banking company looking to explore private equity options.
The number of "problem banks" in the United States reached a 15 year high, while 28.3% were unprofitable, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which delivered a litany of painful quarterly data from the lending industry. Brian Olasov comments.
Brian Olasov comments on the FDIC's announcement Thursday there are no immediate plans to borrow money from the government to bolster its insurance fund, which has shrunk under the weight of collapsing banks.
Brian Olasov comments on the Fed's extension of the commercial mortgage-backed securities portion of the TALF program.
Many communities have been laid low by the financial crisis and housing bust, but in Malibu, Calif., it has presented a golden opportunity. Tony Canzoneri is quoted.
The Deal highlights McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP's addition of David Pollak to the firm's government affairs practice.
Three Gwinnett County CIDs are making the case for the addition of five tax allocation districts, to foster economic development in the county.
Penny Cobey is quoted regarding the new Fourth Avenue Underpass in Tuscon and the a previously undisclosed development cost of $46 million.
Steve Sorett, partner with McKenna Long & Aldridge's Government Contracts practice, is quoted regarding security risks associated with peer-to-peer software.
The FDIC is considering lowering the capital ratios that bidders for failed financial institutions would need to retain, experts told Markets Media. Brian Olasov is quoted.
Earle Taylor and the Kilpatrick public finance team left the firm and joined McKenna Long & Aldridge’s corporate practice group.
Jeff Haidet, MLA Chairman and Mike Rizzo, MLA Hiring and Professional Development Partner are quoted discussing the value of the firms merit-based promotion system for associates.