D.C. firm taps GOP's Rogan, Lungren to open L.A. office.

FORMER Rep. James Rogan, R-Glendale, is returning to Los Angeles to open the first West Coast office of Washington, D.C. law firm Venable LLP.

Rogan rejoined Venable in January after three years as director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property under President Bush.

"When I joined three years ago, after leaving Congress, my intention was to move home to California," said Rogan, a partner at the firm. "Then I got sidetracked by President Bush to serve in the administration. So I find myself in the same position as I was three years ago, wanting to come back to California."

James Shea, Venable's managing partner, said the firm expects to open the office in Los Angeles or Orange County by this summer. Eventually, it will have between 10 to 20 attorneys, depending on whether current talks with several law firms result in acquisitions, he said. He declined to specify which firms Venable is looking to acquire.

Former Rep. Dan Lungren, who represented the Long Beach area from 1979 to 1989 and served as California Attorney General until 1999, will join Rogan at the new office, although his term there may be short-lived. In March, he won the Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Sacramento and surrounding counties, and will face Democrat Gabe Castillo in the November election.

Taking a Gamble

A Los Angeles County resident who sued 12 Nevada hotels for violating the state's unfair business practices law won a partial victory on appeal this month.

Frank Snowney, who filed his lawsuit in February 2002, claims Harrah's Las Vegas billed him an energy surcharge of $3.25 for a one-night stay in the fall of 2001, said Eric Schreiber, a lawyer at Schreiber & Schreiber Inc. in Encino representing Snowney.

Snowney sued on behalf of all California patrons of the 12 Nevada hotels that charged guests for energy costs during a one-year period beginning in 2001, he said.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismissed Snowney's case, concluding the Nevada hotels are not subject to California law. But on March 11, a three-judge panel in 2nd Appellate District reversed part of the ruling, concluding the claims may apply to those defendants that actually own and operate Nevada hotels.

If not appealed to the state Supreme Court, Snowney's suit will go to trial, Schreiber said. Snowney is seeking class certification to obtain a $3.25 refund for each patron, plus interest.

Robert Fischer, a partner at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP representing the defendants, declined comment.

Real Departure

Four Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP lawyers have left to form a boutique real estate practice.

Nancy Kennerly, frormer vice chairwoman of Paul Hasting's real estate department, was joined by Matthew Lamishaw, Anthony Rossi and Robert Madok in forming Kennedy Lamishaw & Rossi LLP, last month.

Staff reporter Amanda Bronstad can be reached at [phone] ext. 225, or at [e-mail].