—Robert J. Miller, Former Chair of New York Litigation Group, Reed Smith LLP
Case Studies
Breaking News: Goldstein Decision
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court ruled that the Securities and Exchange Commission could not require registration of hedge funds. I called key reporters and alerted them to an attorney who could comment on the significance of the decision from the perspective of his hedge fund clients. James McCarroll, partner at Reed Smith, spoke with The New York Times and Pensions & Investments that day and later with BusinessWeek.
Be In A Reporter’s Rolodex: Analysis of SEC Open Meetings
The Securities and Exchange Commission holds periodic Open Meetings. An attorney in the Corporate & Securities group had served in a management position at the SEC immediately prior to joining law firm Reed Smith. A few days before the announced meeting, I would speak with him, get his view on the agenda issues and prepare a statement. Then, I would share his perspective and phone number with the SEC reporters at the newswires and financial publications. He was quoted often and frequently provided background insight to reporters.
Your Announcement: Pro Bono Case
“It’s not easy to get on the front page of The New York Law Journal, and it’s usually for something bad. Here, we are on the front page and it’s for doing good! Thank you, Janet.”
— Robert J. Miller, Former Chair of New York Litigation Group at Reed Smith LLP
It was agreed that all law firms handling cases related to the attacks on the World Trade Center would do so on a pro bono basis. A young man died on September 11 and his estate was awarded $2.1 million. Suddenly, the father who had abandoned the family more than 20 years earlier showed up to claim a share. The mother filed a lawsuit to have him disqualified. Reporters from four New York City daily newspapers and three local television stations were at Brooklyn Surrogate Court for the hearing. Attorney Paul Bschorr was quoted in all the media coverage.
Your Announcement: Holiday Card
At my suggestion, the Staten Island Historical Society produced a holiday card to raise awareness of Historic Richmond Town, New York City’s only historic village. A woman in late 19th Century dress posed next to a Victorian-style Christmas tree. Inside was a 17th Century recipe for candied fruit. On the back was printed the standard description of Historic Richmond Town with address, phone and URL. The experience of admiring the unusual photo and reading the recipe transported the recipient to Staten Island’s past. The card was mailed in 2003 to business, community and political leaders of Staten Island and paved the way for improved communication and stronger relationships.
