CHICAGO, August 4, 2008 (LAWFUEL) – The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) today announced that Richard A. Devine, Cook County State’s Attorney, will be joining the firm as a partner in the Chicago office upon the completion of his final term in the position. Devine will lead the litigation group in the Chicago office and will practice with the White Collar Defense & Investigations, Securities Litigation & Enforcement, Class Action and Commercial Litigation Groups.
Bryan Cave’s Chicago office employs nearly 60 attorneys. The office represents clients in the areas of banking, finance and real estate, class actions, commercial litigation, labor and employment litigation, health care, product liability, corporate governance and corporate transactions, commercial bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors’ rights, tax and international trade.
“The addition of Dick Devine to our Chicago office highlights the excellent reputation we have developed in the city and the opportunities we provide to attorneys looking to expand their practice with an international firm,” said Don Lents, chairman of Bryan Cave.
“We are looking to Dick to lead our litigation practice in Chicago and to oversee its continued growth. Dick also intends to actively try cases, and his stature and experience as a trial lawyer will greatly contribute to the depth and expertise of our office’s litigation practice,” said Jeff Morof, managing partner of Bryan Cave’s Chicago office. “Our office often represents clients in all aspects of litigation, and by bolstering our practice through the addition of Dick, an attorney with an esteemed reputation, current and prospective clients can be assured they are receiving the highest-quality legal counsel in our market.”
Devine has more than 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer handling all types of civil and criminal cases. After spending more than two decades in private practice in Chicago, he was elected as Cook County State’s Attorney in 1996 and was re-elected to four-year terms in 2000 and 2004. Prior to being elected State’s Attorney, Devine worked as an aide to Mayor Richard J. Daley and then served as first assistant to then-State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley. He also served as President of the Chicago Park District from 1990 – 1993.
As State’s Attorney, Devine has many notable accomplishments. He established his office’s acclaimed Domestic Violence Unit and led Illinois prosecutors in supporting reforms to the state’s death penalty system. His work included the development of a Capital Case Committee to review every capital case and determine whether the death penalty could be sought. Devine also made strides in recruiting women and minorities to work in the prosecutor’s office.
In addition to his work at Bryan Cave, starting in the spring of 2009, Devine will serve as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola University of Chicago teaching Criminal Law. Devine is excited about returning to his alma mater, a university rooted in values of social justice and service to the community.
Devine received his J.D., cum laude, in 1968 from Northwestern University School of Law and served as Managing Editor of the Law Review. He received his B.A., cum laude, in 1966 from Loyola University of Chicago. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is active in a number of professional and bar association activities.
Bryan Cave LLP has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. Subsidiaries Bryan Cave International Trade and Bryan Cave Strategies LLC provide trade and customs consultancy and government relations and strategic counsel, respectively. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave’s more than 1,000 lawyers and other consulting professionals in 23 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia efficiently serve clients’ needs in the world’s leading business and financial markets.
For more information, contact:
Meghan Clinton, (212) 576-2700 ext. 245
mclinton@goodmanmedia.com
