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Law Blog Talks to Michael Hausfeld, ?Expelled? Cohen Milstein Partner

By Dan Slater

As noted earlier today, after 37 years with Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, name partner Michael Hausfeld (Brooklyn College, George Washington Law) was, according to an e-mail he sent, “expelled” from the firm in an “abrupt and unceremonious” fashion.

We spoke to Hausfeld this afternoon.

Hi Michael, thanks for calling back. We’d love to have a conversation about both your departure from Cohen Milstein and your plans for the future.

I’d like to focus on my plans for the future.

Ok. We understand you’re currently using office space at Venable, in D.C.

Yes, through the graciousness of the firm I’ve been provided office space so we could begin operations literally the day after the separation. There are about 20 lawyers from the old firm that are joining us domestically.

So you’ll have international offices as well?

We’ll have an office in London.

Today we got news that 70 lawyers from White & Case, a major international firm, have been laid off. Might those lawyers submit applications?

Absolutely. We are a wide open a firm with an incredible future. We’ll be focusing on competition matters — cartels and abuses of monopoly power. We’ll be continuing our work in international human rights, environmental disasters, product liability, civil rights (particularly outside the U.S.) and securities litigation.

Is it difficult to launch a law firm in this climate?

We’ve been getting increasing inquires by clients that have been injured by cartels and who are seeking to have us represent them in recoveries, not just in the United States, but in Europe, Asia, parts of Africa and Latin America. It’s an extremely exciting time. We’re pushing the limits of the law in terms of private enforcement and mass redress.

Have any of your clients from Cohen Milstein indicated an intent to stick with you.

Only 95% of the clients have instructed us that they wish to continue their representation through my new firm.

Only?

I haven’t had a chance to make all the calls yet.

Alright, Michael. Best of luck with the new firm.

OK, thanks.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on November 11, 2008 (boomark / email).