Jump to full article: Business Insider, 2010-01-22
Author: Erin Geiger Smith
Intro: If Philip Morris wants to follow the much-touted trend of companies keeping more work in house, they'll have a superstar litigator to turn to.
Kirkland & Ellis announced today that litigation departmatment co-head David Bernick is leaving to join Philip Morris as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective March 31, 2010.
Above The Law has firm announcement.
Bernick's departure will be a huge loss for Kirkland -- he is one of their stars and carries a bio a mile long. He recently represented Apple in its victory over plaintiffs claiming hearing loss from using the iPod and won an acquittal for W.R. Grace in a long-running asbestos case. (Just this week, in fact, we named him to our top litigators list.)
From the official firm statement: "I have spent my entire career at Kirkland & Ellis and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of one of the top law firms," Bernick said. "I will remain close to my many friends and colleagues at the Firm, but I look forward to pursuing new challenges during the next phase of my career with Philip Morris."
This will not be just a move across town -- Berdick will be leaving New York for the hills of Switzerland.
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