Commenting at Heller Highwater

Well folks, despite my best efforts to create a place where people could comfortably discuss issues about the Plan of Liquidation, Settlement or any other issues related to the demise of Heller Ehrman LLP, I’ve seen a definite up tick in comments that are not only crude, cruel, personal attacks and outright lies as part of a disinformation campaign.

Bloggers hate to stifle speech let alone moderate and edit comments.  But I won’t tolerate the posting of what someone purports to be a fact in the comments when I know from personal knowledge that it is untrue.  This is not a matter of opinion or view on an issue – this is when someone descends into rumor mongering disguised as fact in order to intimidate or sway opinions.

For now, heavy moderation of comments will take place.  I’d hate to turn off comments all together but that’s a consideration.  I highly suggest to those who want to turn this site into one of anarchy rather than one looking for solutions and providing assistance, to set up your own blog.  It is simple, takes less than five minutes and really, anyone can do it.

Over and out.

© 2009, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Open Thread – Proposed Settlement

We haven’t done an Open Thread post here before but I really think that it is needed in light of the recent comments on the Joint Statement, the Class Action Settlement and the proposed Plan of Liquidation.

Please post your comments as you see fit but I think we could all benefit from the following:

• How would you do things differently in this entire process? Meaning, would you have organized a class action group? Would you have taken some alternative route? Would you have handled representation on the Unsecured Creditors Committee differently?

• Please keep the comments civil and away from personal attacks.  We can all agree to disagree and overall I believe most of the comments have been constructive and at least for me, have caused me to look at some issues from different perspectives.

• Be honest.  I know I am and I would expect nothing less from Heller employees.  If you want to state opinions, state them.  If you want to state facts, make sure you can back them up.

Photos from October 9, 2009 Heller SF Reunion

Thanks go out to Nancy Bagwell for the great photos she’s posted over on her Flickr account.  And to everyone who stopped by – we had roughly 100 people during the course of the evening and it was a great get-together!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/megablasto2000/

Updates on Settlement and Plan of Liquidation

Just a quick note to say that I will be working with Blum Collins and the feedback from others to try and develop an FAQ posting or section about the settlement.

There are lots questions which must be answered, both for those who have signed on with Blum Collins and those who are uncertain as to whether or not they should opt out during the class certification process.

I just ask for your patience since I want to make certain that the information is as comprehensive as possible as well as accurate.

My goal is to have this information available by Tuesday or Wednesday this week.

Over and out.

© 2009, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Former Heller Ehrman Shareholder Craig Johnson Dead At 62

We’ve just received news via The Recorder and other news outlets that former Heller Ehrman shareholder and Venture Law Group founder Craig Johnson has passed away.  See the links to articles below.

Please keep Craig’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Craig Johnson, Prominent Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist, Dies at 62 (via The Wall Street Journal)

Law Blog Obituary: Silicon Valley Heavyweight Lawyer, Craig Johnson (via The Wall Street Journal Law Blog)

Lawyer Craig Johnson Dies, Co-Founded Virtual Law Partners (via ABA Journal)

Lawyer, Entrepreneur Craig Johnson Dies (via San Francisco Business Times)

More on Craig Johnson, the Man Behind Venture Law Group (via The Wall Street Journal Law Blog)

Prominent Silicon Valley Attorney and Venture Capitalist Craig Johnson Dies (via Silicon Valley Mercury News)

Silicon Valley Attorney, VC Craig Johnson Dies (via SFGate)

Silicon Valley’s Top Startup Lawyer Dies (via The Business Insider Law Review)

Valley Veteran Craig Johnson, 62, Dies (via Cal Law)

Venture Law Group Founder Craig Johnson Dies At 62 (via The AmLawDaily)

VLG Founder Craig Johnson Dies At 62 (via LegalPad)

© 2009, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Reminder – Heller Get-Together Oct 9, 2009

Announcing a get-together for all San Francisco/Silicon Valley ex-Heller employees:

Friday, October 9, 2009
5:00 pm – ?
Chevy’s Embarcadero – 2 Embarcadero
San Francisco

As an added bonus, yours truly- Heller Drone – will be in attendance!

I hope to see you there!

© 2009, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Office Sharing Opportunity

A small consulting company (with small related legal practice) in San Francisco is looking to share its furnished office space with other small businesses or individuals needing shared space.  The office currently has one occupant.  I am looking to share the space with 1-3 other professionals.  I will consider subletting the entire space with or without most of the current furnishings.  (Alternately, the space could be organized so that a number of individuals work from the space.  There is sufficient space to set up a number of cubicles.  Individuals may be able to “space share” a particular work space.  There is flexibility as to how the space is shared.)

Office Features

 The office has 1,124 sq. ft., and contains two very large work spaces (which can be configured in any number of ways).  Additionally, there are two standard-sized, enclosed, and furnished offices, plus an electronics room.  One of the two large spaces was intended as an enclosed conference room, but could be configured in a number of different ways.  The other large space was intended as a very large reception area, but has ample room for additional work stations.  (The two standard offices and the reception area are fully furnished.  The space intended as a conference room is not fully furnished.)

The suite has a high end copier/printer/fax machine, file cabinets, computer storage devices, and wired high speed internet is available.  A secured wireless router can also be set up.  Additional phone lines can be added to the current phone system, or existing lines may be shared, depending on the circumstances.  Other administrative services can also be available or shared as needed.  The firm has Westlaw, which could be expanded to include more users and practice areas.

Building Features

The suite is in a Class A building, located in Sutter Plaza, at 1388 Sutter Street (between Franklin and Van Ness Street).  There is easy access to public transportation; the Civic Center station is the nearest BART station.  If you drive, garage parking in the building is $165 per month with a contract (a limited number of contracted spaces are available) or, without a contract, $17 per day as a worker in the building.  The building has onsite security guards 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.  Contracted parking is accessible 24 hours per day.  Building management is onsite.  Utilities and janitorial services are provided by management; the cost in included in the rent.

A conference room in the building is available for tenant use.

Rent

Rent will be a based on the amount of space occupied, whether the space is furnished, and what services are used. The lease is a 3-year lease, with an option to renew.  The lease has roughly 2½ years remaining; the space could be shared for a shorter timeframe.  Please contact me regarding your particular space needs; I can give you an estimate of costs on that basis.

Contact: secomp@comcast.net

READ THIS FIRST

This post will remain at the top of the blog for the time being – please scroll down for newer updates.

Proof of Claims: if you have not yet filed a Proof of Claim, please wait until we gather all necessary information on filling out the form.  The deadline is April 27, 2009 and filing first does not mean you get paid first. There is no rush in filing if it means having to file an amended claim later on.

If you’ve already files a Proof of Claim, then stay tuned and check here to see if you need to file an amended claim before the deadline.

Getting Your Name on the Verified List of Secured Creditors: we’ve been instructed to email Carol Budinger a carol.budinger@hellerehrman.com requesting that they add our names to a pending update list of creditors. Many have complained that they do not receive a response. Update:  readers who send an email to Carol are getting an auto-response that she is not the person handling updates to the Verified List of Secured Creditors.  So, despite Heller’s reassurances that they will consult the latest employee lists, it is better to send me your contact info (see below) and I’ll monitor progress on any updates filed with the bankruptcy court.

As a backup, if you are not on the Redacted Verified List of Creditors, please email your contact information (name and address) to me at hellerdrone@gmail.com. I will maintain a database and match it up with any updated list filed with the bankruptcy court.

 

Time Off: How To Put It To Best Use

Keep in mind that many of us have not had soft landings – we are still out there looking for work, sending out resumes, interviewing etc.  Having your job – no, your entire firm – eliminated is much like having a bed sheet pulled taut: all of a sudden you are thrown up in the air and wonder how and where you’ll land.

I am fortunate in that I’ve managed to sock away some savings and I can be added to my partner’s health care benefits at American Express.  Many of us are in similar situations where we are taking some time off to evaluate our situation and consider all our options.  If this sounds like you but you have trouble getting started or adding some structure to your time off, consider these options:

Volunteer

Right now many non-profit groups, especially community-based organizations are looking for people to help out.  Consider volunteering your skills and services with an agency that might help you find work such as a neighborhood chamber of commerce or your city’s visitors and convention bureau.  You’ll most likely work in an office atmosphere and be able to network with a variety of people and companies.

Part-Time Work

Also consider seeking out the companies that manage major conventions in your city.  Very often for large conventions such as MacWorld they need extra hands on a part-time basis.  Seek out conventions that are in your line of work or interest.  Besides picking up some needed cash, you’ll have the credentials so that you can attend the convention on your off time and visit the vendor booths.  One tip: change into your business attire before heading out on the convention floor on your own time – it will make a better impression and show you are serious about networking.

Brush Up Those Life Skills

Have you ever wanted to learn how to type? Cook? Drive a stick shift?  In a post earlier this summer entitled 50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do, you’ll find a huge collection of links on how to wisely spend your time off learning the things you always wanted to.  Such as:

Build a Fire
Operate a Computer
Use Google Effectively
Perform CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver
Drive a Manual Transmission Vehicle
Do Basic Cooking
Tell a Story that Captivates People’s Attention
Win or Avoid a Fistfight
Deliver Bad News
Change a Tire
Handle a Job Interview
Manage Time
Speed Read
Remember Names
Relocate Living Spaces
Travel Light
Handle the Police
Give Driving Directions
Perform Basic First Aid
Swim
Parallel Park
Recognize Personal Alcohol Limits
Select Good Produce
Handle a Hammer, Axe or Handsaw
Make a Simple Budget
Speak at Least Two Common Languages
Do Push-Ups and Sit-Ups Properly
Give a Compliment
Negotiate
Listen Carefully to Others
Recite Basic Geography
Paint a Room
Make a Short, Informative Public Speech
Smile for the Camera
Flirt Without Looking Ridiculous
Take Useful Notes
Be a Respectful House Guest
Make a Good First Impression
Navigate with a Map and Compass
Sew a Button onto Clothing
Hook Up a Basic Home Theater System
Type
Protect Personal Identity Information
Implement Basic Computer Security Best Practices
Detect a Lie
End a Date Politely Without Making Promises
Remove a Stain
Keep a Clean House
Hold a Baby
Jump Start a Car

The Fate of the Incoming Associates . . .

seems to have been decided.  According to Heller No More, a blog set up for the former incoming associates at Heller Ehrman, a letter has been sent out stating that they will not be reimbursed for expenses or paid any stipend monies as promised previously.  Surprised?  Not me.

The creator and author of Heller No More also announced that the blog has had its last post which is a bit sad but understandable.  I hate to see any fellow blogger throw in the towel but some blogs are meant to have a limited run especially one which catered to a group of people who were not quite yet Heller attorneys despite being handed a long list of promises and assurances.

While getting such a group that hasn’t even had a communal work experience organized enough to file a lawsuit or take action is difficult, I commend HNM for the good information put out over the past few weeks.

Keep these people in your thoughts and if you are in contact with any of them, let them know we’re thinking about them.

Over and out.

Heller Drone
Cruise Director