Jones Day appoints DC partner to target global litigation domination

According to The Lawyer’s global litigation report last October (18 October 2010), Jones Day’s global disputes practice generated $668m in 2009, making it the third-largest litigation practice in the world behind Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom ($879.8m) and Sidley Austin ($714.7m).

However, a recent practice review at Jones Day has concluded that the firm should be promoting its global reach and international platform to clients more effectively. It also highlighted a need to add depth to its liitgation and arbitration capabilities.

Cullen, a trial lawyer and the current head of the firm’s worldwide trial practice, has now been tasked with spearheading that initiative.

In a related move, Jones Day is to formally merge its product liability and general litigation practices.

“The groups have pretty much run as a single practice but this will further help the co-ordination across the firm’s US network, which is an important feature of multi-state litigation,” commented one Jones Day partner.

As a result of his move to concentrate on growing Jones Day’s international litigation capabilities, Cullen will step down as head of the firm’s trial practice. He will continue as one of Jones Day’s 10-member partnership committee.

The Lawyer’s 2011 global litigation report will be published on 5 December.