Denver-based law firm Holme Roberts & Owen LLP said Friday it is opening a London office in partnership with two British attorneys. HRO said that the London firm Grant Dawe LLP -- formed in 2006 by Tony Grant and Jonathan Dawe -- and HRO attorney Paul Thompson will form a London-based partnership as HRO Grant Dawe LLP.

The Denver firm has often worked with Grant and Dawe in the past.

The partnership "will combine Grant Dawe's successful niche corporate practice in the UK with a major U.S. law firm with a significant presence in the United States and a strong international emphasis," HRO said Friday in a statement. HRO already has an office in Munich.

HRO, founded in 1898, is one of Denver's oldest and largest law firms, with about 150 lawyers locally and 250 worldwide.

Besides Denver, London and Munich, the firm has offices in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

http://www.hro.com

Donna D. Jones has been named the 2008 chair of the Downtown San DiegoPartnership.  Jonesis a partner in the Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental practice group ofSheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton's San Diego office. 

The Downtown San Diego Partnership is a nonprofit businessassociation, comprised of 320 local business and property owners, dedicated toadvocating and educating for development and planning on behalf of downtownbusinesses and residents. Jones and theboard were officially installed by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders at the Partnership'sannual installation meeting on Jan. 15. 

"Between working with stakeholders tosupport completion of the C Street Master Plan, selection of the developer forthe Civic Center public/private partnership, approval of the Lane Field projecton the waterfront and helping to implement The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness by selecting alocation in the Downtown region for a Central Intake Facility for thehomeless, as well as implementing our Business Attraction program to bring morebusinesses downtown, we at the Downtown San Diego Partnership lookforward to meeting the challenges and opportunities of 2008," commentedJones.

As a land use attorney and registered lobbyist, Jones focuses oncompliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), permitting andentitlement issues. She has entitledmaster-planned communities; urban infill, multi-family and mixed-usedevelopments; shopping centers; municipal solid waste landfill expansions;peaker power plants and more.

Since 1994, Jones has represented Black Mountain Ranch in developmentof the Santaluz and Del Sur communities in the city of San Diego. This representation has included obtainingentitlements for a transit-oriented, "smart growth" community of morethan 3,000 dwelling units, a resort hotel, two golf courses, and commercial andinstitutional development. Jones'representation included negotiating development agreements as well as alldevelopment permits, maps and associated entitlements, and assuring CEQAcompliance for all discretionary actions. In addition, she worked with the developer andhis team in crafting a ballot measure voters ultimately approved to redesignatethe property and allow a significant increase in density.

In addition, Jones worked on CEQA and entitlement issues on the Padres'downtown Petco Park as well as the East Village Square Master Plan and otherancillary development; entitlements for expansion of the Ritz-Carlton LagunaNigel; lobbying and land use advice on numerous residential and mixed useprojects in downtown San Diego; entitlements for expansion of the La JollaYMCA, conversion of a golf driving range to a condominium project for SheaHomes, and negotiations with the resource agencies and local government onzoning, habitat and other land planning and entitlement issues for a21,000-acre property in the county of San Diego, among other projects.

Jonesearned a J.D., with high honors as a member of Order of the Coif and as GrandChancellor, from the University of Texas in 1990 and a B.A. in journalism, withhonors, from Texas A&M University in 1981.

About Sheppard Mullin Richter &Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 520attorneys in 10 offices located throughout California and in New York,Washington, D.C. and Shanghai.  Thefirm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, SantaBarbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego.  Founded in 1927 onthe principle that the firm would succeed only if its attorneys deliveredprompt, high quality and cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullinprovides legal counsel to U.S. and international clients.  Companies turn toSheppard Mullin to handle a full range of corporate and technology matters,high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions.  In the U.S., the firm's clients include morethan half of the Fortune 100 companies.  Formore information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.

Cushman & Wakefield represented Crowell & Moring in its space evaluation and lease negotiation. The team was led by executive vice presidents Jonathan Serko, Mitchell Barnett and Mark Minich, and director David Malawer. The ownership, Edward J. Minskoff Equities Inc., was represented in-house by EVP Jeffrey Sussman.

According to Serko, a relocation to 590 Madison Ave. offers the law firm several benefits over comparable alternatives. The building is centrally located, modern and highly efficient, Serko explains. It also immediately accommodates the firm’s expansion requirements while allowing the flexibility for future growth.

“For Crowell & Moring, 590 Madison was the most practical and economical option,” Serko says. “As corporate tenants move further west to Sixth and Seventh avenues and beyond, Madison Avenue offers a central location in close proximity to clients in a wide range of industries. In addition, the space is already built and furnished, which reduces the typical expenses associated with expansions and relocations.”

http://www.crowell.com

W. Bruce Shirk hasjoined the Washington, D.C. office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLPin the firm's Government Contracts practice group.  Shirk most recently led Powell Goldstein'sGovernment Contracts practice in Washington, D.C. 

Shirkfocuses his practice in the areas of government and construction contract lawand litigation, including cost accounting issues, defense and aerospacecontracting, Medicare and Medicaid contracting and related areas of lawincluding Medicare coordination of benefits and data sharing requirements.

"We are thrilledto welcome Bruce to the office," said Ed Schiff, managing partner of thefirm's Washington, D.C. office.  "Hisbackground is a perfect fit for our formidable Government Contracts group." 

"With close tofour decades of experience, Bruce brings with him a wealth of governmentcontracting knowledge and expertise in resolving a variety of disputes,"commented John Chierichella, a senior lawyer in the firm's D.C. GovernmentContracts practice.  "He will be agreat asset to our clients, as we continue to grow our robust practice."

CommentedShirk, "I look forward to working closely with John and the top-notchgroup of attorneys in the D.C. practice. I am greatly impressed by Sheppard Mullin and its reputation as a'go-to' firm for government contracting clients."

Shirk'slitigation experience includes the conduct of trials and appeals, including bidprotests and other complex litigation and related discovery proceedings, beforeBoards of Contract Appeals, various federal administrative tribunals and statecourts, Federal District courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S.Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He has represented both state and federalgovernment entities in litigation and has served as an arbitrator in a numberof construction arbitration proceedings under the rules of the AmericanArbitration Association.

Shirk'sexperience as a counselor includes review of contracts and provision of adviceto clients in both the public and private sectors in negotiation andadministration of contracts and grants; administrative prosecution of claimsagainst the government and defense of civil claims and criminal proceedingsbrought or instituted by the government, including claims arising under theMedicare statutes and regulations; defense of claims against public sectorentities; conduct of internal inquiries related to contract and regulatorycompliance, the latter including government claims for reimbursement ofMedicare payments.

Shirkhas conducted assessments of the practical impact of the law on the conduct ofbusiness with the government for clients, working closely with experts inrelated fields such as cost accounting and data analysis to formulaterecommendations for managers responsible for corporate decision-making andresolution of disputes; the establishment of compliance programs and advice andcounsel to clients regarding pricing and cost accounting issues. He has a special interest in the principlesand implementation of internal controls in the context of performance ofgovernment contracts and grants.

Shirkearned a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1969 and received a B.A., cum laude,from Harvard College in 1962.  He servedin the U.S. Marine Corps on active duty as a lieutenant from 1962 to 1966.

About Sheppard Mullin Richter &Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 520 attorneysin 10 offices located throughout California and in New York, Washington, D.C.and Shanghai.  The firm's Californiaoffices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Century City,Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Founded in 1927 on the principle that the firmwould succeed only if its attorneys delivered prompt, high quality andcost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullin provides legal counsel toU.S. and international clients.  Companies turn to Sheppard Mullin to handle a full range ofcorporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financialtransactions.  In the U.S., the firm'sclients include more than half of the Fortune 100 companies.  For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.

Margaret M. Mann hasjoined the San Diego office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP aspartner in the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group.  Mann most recently led Heller Ehrman'sRestructuring and Insolvency practice and was the firm’s National Hiring Chair. 

Mann has significantexperience in large, complex domestic and international insolvency proceedingson behalf of creditors, fiduciaries, borrowers and other interested parties,with expertise in the franchise and tax credit syndication industries. She is skilled in negotiating, documenting andlitigating complicated financial transactions, particularly in the technologyfield and in regard to financial contracts such as swaps, repo agreements andforward contracts.

"Margaret is oneof the preeminent bankruptcy attorneys in San Diego and is well known inbankruptcy circles nationally.  She issmart, affable and industrious," said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm. "The timing of Margaret joining us isperfect, as San Diego partner Laura Taylor was recently appointed to the U.S.Bankruptcy Court." 

"With more than25 years of experience, Margaret adds significantly to our bankruptcy practice,"commented Alan Martin, the head of the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practicegroup.  "In the current businessclimate where restructurings and insolvencies are on the upswing, Margaret'scommercial litigation and bankruptcy expertise is of even greater value toclients." 

Commented Mann, "SheppardMullin occupies a strategic position in California and beyond, and offers thesupport needed to handle sophisticated bankruptcy matters. I am greatly impressed by the firm'sdedication to client service and its reputation as a 'go-to' firm for bankingand restructuring clients."

Mann's recent, representative matters include: In re First Magnus(represented agent for syndicate on $100 million repurchase facility), WashingtonMutual Capital Corporation (represented in repurchase trades), enforcedrights for major tax credit syndicator in In re 500 West Broadway and Inre St Casimir Development LLP, In re Magis Networks (debtor's counsel inwireless video Chapter 11 with technology sold in 45 days), In re PinnFund (representedpreference recipient and obtained $4 million summary judgment), CommercialMoney Center (creditor counsel in $400 million failed pooled investmentfund), and In re Cimm’s, Inc. Consolidated Case (debtors’ counsel in$100 million franchise case, successfully reorganized in one year).

Sheppard Mullin has 80attorneys based in its San Diego offices. The firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group includes more than 70attorneys firmwide.

Mannearned a J.D. from the University of Southern California School of Law in 1981and was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program. She received a B.A. in finance, withdistinction, from University of Illinois in 1978.  Mann is a fellow in the American College ofbankruptcy.

About Sheppard Mullin Richter &Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 520attorneys in 10 offices located throughout California and in New York,Washington, D.C. and Shanghai.  Thefirm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, SantaBarbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego.  Founded in 1927 onthe principle that the firm would succeed only if its attorneys deliveredprompt, high quality and cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullinprovides legal counsel to U.S. and international clients.  Companies turn toSheppard Mullin to handle a full range of corporate and technology matters,high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions.  In the U.S., the firm's clients include morethan half of the Fortune 100 companies.  Formore information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.