Squadron, Ellenoff, Plesent & Sheinfeld
Encyclopedia
Squadron, Ellenoff, Plesent & Sheinfeld was a New York City-based law firm
that practiced from 1970 to 2002 when it merged with Washington, D.C.-based Hogan & Hartson. The Squadron Ellenoff name was discontinued at that time. Squadron Ellenoff was a prominent mid-sized firm in New York City that was founded by well known Jewish lawyers and civic leaders, Howard Squadron, a litigator educated at Columbia Law School
and Theodore Ellenoff, a Harvard Law School
-educated corporate attorney and alumnus of Shea & Gould
. Squadron was President of the American Jewish Congress
from 1978-1984 and from 1980-1982, President of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Ellenoff was an active member of the American Jewish Committee
and served as its President in 1984.
At its height, Squadron Ellenoff employed nearly 200 attorneys with offices on New York City's Fifth Avenue and in Los Angeles. The firm was particularly known for its well-regarded First Amendment
practice and its work for media clients in its Los Angeles office.
in which a firm client, defense contractor the Wedtech Corporation and many of its officers, were indicted for securities fraud, racketeering and influence peddling when it was discovered that the company was not in fact Minority owned as it had consistently claimed in order to qualify for no-bid contracts with the Department of Defense under a Small Business Administration
program. Squadron Ellenoff attorneys were called as witnesses and named partner Howard Squadron claimed to have only 'vague' knowledge of the scheme to conceal Wedtech's true (non-minority) owners. Another attorney admitted being aware of the plan in which the Puerto Rican executive would purchase the shares of the company to then default on the payments, leaving control in the hands of non-minority executives, though senior partners at Squadron Ellenoff claimed to have no knowledge of this plan.
The firm is also known to have advised Rupert Murdoch
on his many media acquisitions that would form the empire known as News Corp, including the New York Post
.
. Since that time, the group has departed White & Case for Linklaters
.
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
that practiced from 1970 to 2002 when it merged with Washington, D.C.-based Hogan & Hartson. The Squadron Ellenoff name was discontinued at that time. Squadron Ellenoff was a prominent mid-sized firm in New York City that was founded by well known Jewish lawyers and civic leaders, Howard Squadron, a litigator educated at Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
and Theodore Ellenoff, a Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
-educated corporate attorney and alumnus of Shea & Gould
Shea & Gould
Shea & Gould was one of New York's best-known law firms. It was established as a result of a merger in 1964 between Manning, Hollinger & Shea and Gallup, Climenko & Gould. The firm acquired several smaller niche practices in antitrust and other areas during the 1970s. The firm dissolved in 1994...
. Squadron was President of the American Jewish Congress
American Jewish Congress
The American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
from 1978-1984 and from 1980-1982, President of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Ellenoff was an active member of the American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Committee
The American Jewish Committee was "founded in 1906 with the aim of rallying all sections of American Jewry to defend the rights of Jews all over the world...
and served as its President in 1984.
At its height, Squadron Ellenoff employed nearly 200 attorneys with offices on New York City's Fifth Avenue and in Los Angeles. The firm was particularly known for its well-regarded First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
practice and its work for media clients in its Los Angeles office.
In the media
Squadron Ellenoff achieved national notoriety in late 1980s with the Wedtech scandalWedtech scandal
The Wedtech Scandal was the name of an American political scandal that came to light in the late 1980s involving the Wedtech Corporation.The company had been founded in Bronx County, New York by a Puerto Rican immigrant named John Mariotta, and originally manufactured baby carriages...
in which a firm client, defense contractor the Wedtech Corporation and many of its officers, were indicted for securities fraud, racketeering and influence peddling when it was discovered that the company was not in fact Minority owned as it had consistently claimed in order to qualify for no-bid contracts with the Department of Defense under a Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
program. Squadron Ellenoff attorneys were called as witnesses and named partner Howard Squadron claimed to have only 'vague' knowledge of the scheme to conceal Wedtech's true (non-minority) owners. Another attorney admitted being aware of the plan in which the Puerto Rican executive would purchase the shares of the company to then default on the payments, leaving control in the hands of non-minority executives, though senior partners at Squadron Ellenoff claimed to have no knowledge of this plan.
The firm is also known to have advised Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
on his many media acquisitions that would form the empire known as News Corp, including the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
.
Merger
Upon merging with Hogan & Hartson, a contingent of Squadron Ellenoff's litigation department was faced with a conflict of interest that would have precluded them from representing their clients from within the Hogan & Hartson partnership. Therefore, they joined White & CaseWhite & Case
White & Case was founded in New York in 1901 and has grown into one of the world's leading global law firms. The firm has since expanded, and has practice groups in emerging markets including Latin America, Central & Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as in Europe...
. Since that time, the group has departed White & Case for Linklaters
Linklaters
Linklaters LLP is a global law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom and a member of the 'Magic Circle' of leading UK law firms. Linklaters is the world's fourth largest global law firm by revenue. In 2009/10 it received total revenues of £1.18 billion and profits per equity partner of £1.2...
.