Bloomberg LP, a long-standing client of Willkie Farr & Gallgher, just hired 5 partners from its outside counsel along with a majority of the associates in their group.  Willkie has served as Bloomberg's primary outside counsel since 1987, with a small group of lawyers working almost exclusively for the company.  The move will take place on January 1, 2012. The 5 departing partners are:  Dick DeScherer, Dan Grossman, David Levine, Carol Mascera, Sarah Osborn.  DeScherer will be Bloomberg's Chief Legal Officer.  The exact number of 'of counsel and associate' lawyers is not known at this time. Willkie issued a statement saying it looked forward to developing a working relationship with its former partners, who now are clients.   [C-I Note: It also provides Willkie an opportunity to promote some well-deserved associates into the partnership - a plus.] Bloomberg LP issued the following press release - a statement from Bloomberg LP CEO Daniel Doctorof:

Bloomberg LP announced today that five partners from Willkie Farr & Gallagher will be coming to Bloomberg as full-time employees to join the existing Bloomberg legal team, effective January 1, 2012.  The newly constituted internal legal team will include Dick DeScherer, Dan Grossman, David Levine, Carol Mascera and Sarah Osborn from Willkie. DeScherer will become Chief Legal Officer… “As a growing company operating in almost 200 locations around the world, we are finding unprecedented opportunities for growth in our customer base, our product offerings and our local partners. Bloomberg will benefit greatly from a ramp-up of both the number and range of expertise of in-house legal staff to ensure we are much more efficient and nimble as we seek to take advantage of these global opportunities.” [Thomson Reuters, 10/28/11]