[ by Howard Haykin ]

Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Iason, Anello & Bohrer, a prominent white-collar criminal defense law firm, lost a "name partner" plus 2 of his associates.  Partner Barry Bohrer along with Lisa Prager and Lara Covington - resigned this week from to join Schulte, Roth & Zabel.  It was about 10 years ago that Mr. Bohrer's name was added to the firm's moniker.

Mr. Bohrer, a former federal prosecutor, joined the firm in 1987, Mr. Bohrer is currently handling docket of prominent matters.  Among his clients, Mr. Bohrer represents Steven Davis, former chairman of Dewey & LeBoeuf, whom the Manhattan D.A. is investigating for allegations of wrongdoing.   He also has ties to the message case involving former Jefferies mortgage trader, Jesse Litvak, who indicted Monday on charges that he defrauded institutional customers.  Mr. Litvak switched lawyers midway through the government's investigation and now is represented by Patrick Smith of DLA Piper.

Schulte has been looking to beef up its criminal defense practice in New York, where the 370-lawyer firm is based.  For decades, such representations were considered downmarket - but today, every big corporate law firm has a white-collar criminal defense practice.

Departures Follow Robert Morvillo's Death.  The departures come a little more than a year after the death of Robert Morvillo, and 9 months after 3 of Mr. Morvillo's sons - Scott, Gregory, Robert  - left Morvillo Abramowitz to set up a boutique firm, Morvillo LLP - along with In their uncle, Richard Morvillo, who is a former partner at Schulte Roth.  A 4th son of the late Mr. Morvillo - Christopher - is a partner at Clifford Chance. 

A spokesperson for the firm said that Mr. Bohrer's departure was unrelated to Mr. Morvillo's death and the new law firm started by his children.  Morvillo Abramowitz, now with 44 lawyers, is one of the biggest names in the tight-knit white-collar criminal defense bar.  Mr. Morvillo and his partner, Elkan Abramowitz, helped pioneer the business of representing businessmen and political officials in trouble with the law.

For further details, go to:   [ Dealbook, 1/31/13 ].