The American Lawyer

Paul Weiss Provided 'Irreconcilably Conflicted' Advice While Also Advising Tisch Family, Suit Alleges

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:39:10 EST

]]>A Paul Weiss representative said in a statement: “Fairstead's claims, asserted nearly four years after our representation ended, misrepresent basic facts, ignore binding court rulings and are baseless. We will vigorously contest them.

Law Firm Disrupted: The Chief Disruptor Resurfaces

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:54:38 EST

]]>The government's broadside has been characterized in retrospective terms since the EO fury subsided. For Diversity Lab, the impact is neither distant nor muted.

This Law Firm Continues Green-Lighting Mergers. What Would Make Them See Red?

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:22:50 EST

]]>The firm leader speaks with Law.com about getting contacted about private equity investments, his firm's merger strategy, and how firms outside the Am Law 100 can grow, without winning a financial "arms race" against other firms.

Latest Sanctions for AI Misuse Raise Stakes for Local Counsel Who File for Pro Hac Attorneys

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:43:13 EST

]]>“This case presents a prime example of the risk associated with serving as a rubber stamp when acting as local counsel, wrote Senior U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock of the Northern District of Mississippi.

Am Law 100 Firm Sheppard Mullin Signals London Expansion with Senior PE Hire

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:58:43 EST

]]>The hire, who becomes the firm's new London head, says he feels like a "kid in a toy shop".

Who Will Win the World Cup? Big Law Predictions From Around the World

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:33:18 EST

]]>Partners at the world's biggest law firms from across France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Netherlands and beyond put their sharp skills to good use & predict who will take home the 2026 World Cup.

Seyfarth Hires Former Firmwide Real Estate, Construction Chair From Baker Botts

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:39:48 EST

]]>Consuella (Connie) Simmons Taylor, who joined Seyfarth as a real estate partner in Houston, is the fifth lateral real estate partner the firm has hired this year.

PE Investment Might Be Novel for Law Firms, but the Spigot Is On for Legal-Adjacent Businesses

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:15:34 EST

]]>Legal tech companies, alternative legal service providers and law firm marketing and PR firms have been the subject of private equity interest for years, as investors eye the ever-expanding demand for legal services.

As IP Practice Sees an Increase in Client Demand, Greenberg Traurig Adds Seasoned Litigators to Its Roster

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:40:14 EST

]]>Scott Weingaertner and Stefan Mentzer join Greenberg Traurig from Goodwin Procter. The pair began working together nearly 25 years ago at White & Case and have tried numerous cases together.

Quantity, Quality and Quantum: Realizing Returns from AI Investments

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:59:59 EST

]]>AI investments are really a series of evolving bets, rather than one initial decision, Madhav Srinivasan writes.

More Than Half of 1Ls Say Early Recruiting Has Had a Negative Impact, New Survey Reveals

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:59:59 EST

]]>The Law School Admission Council partnered with the National Association for Law Placement to administer the 2025 LSAC Matriculants Survey to learn about 1Ls' reactions to Big Law early recruiting.

With 'Triple Bonus' Packages and More, Partner Pay Gets (Even) More Creative

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:28:58 EST

]]>Some firms are utilizing setups like a “triple bonus package for incoming equity partners, which can feature a signing bonus, a guarantee for hitting certain revenue targets, and access to the firm's broader, discretionary bonus pool.

What the Market Makes of the Associate Pay Discrepancy at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:55:27 EST

]]>U.S. associates will see pay parity but, once the merger completes on July 1, Cadwalader associates in London will earn around 15% more than their colleagues at Hogan Lovells.

OpenAI Leans on Longstanding Advisers in Wachtell, Cooley to Navigate IPO

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>Wachtell and Cooley had been advising OpenAI long before IPO prep came into the picture.

As Big Law Firms Mull Matching Milbank, Elite Boutiques Rush to Bump Associate Pay

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:37:56 EST

]]>More than half a dozen boutique and midsize law firms have chosen to match or exceed Milbank's 2026 associate salary raises.

Winston Taylor, Holland & Knight at the Center of Sorsby Litigation

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:15:36 EST

]]>The case of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby highlights how sports litigation could become big business for Big Law.

Latham, Skadden, Paul Weiss, DLA Piper Make Lateral Hires in DC

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:02:19 EST

]]>Latham & Watkins announced Wednesday that it has hired Cate Behles as counsel in its Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) & U.S. national security practice. Behles most recently served as senior counsel and CFIUS co-lead counsel at the Treasury Department.

Alli Brown Leads Kirkland's Philadelphia Office to Exponential Growth

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:18:59 EST

]]>Star defense litigator Alli Brown made waves when she launched Kirkland & Ellis' Philadelphia office at the start of 2025.

Meet the Cottage Industry Behind Big Law's Boutique Boom

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:53:34 EST

]]>Behind the scenes of Big Law spinoffs, these service providers are helping law firm partners launch their new firms.

Fox Rothschild and Weil Gotshal See Data Breaches Amid Ransomware Attacks Against Law Firms

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:46:59 EST

]]>The attack is part of a string of social engineering-based ransomware attacks that hit a group of law firms in late May, which the FBI has tied to a hacker group known as Silent Ransom Group or Luna Moth.

Texas Trial Firms Susman Godfrey, Ahmad Zavitsanos Raise Associate Salary Scales

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:51:05 EST

]]>Susman Godfrey adopted a associate salary scale that tops the market scale established by Milbank that starts at $235,000 for first-year lawyers.

Former DOJ Antitrust Section Leader Joins King & Spalding in New York

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:49:23 EST

]]>Ryan Tansey led the largest unit in the DOJ's antitrust divison—the Washington criminal section. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Alaska.

Taft Brings Aboard Three Former Stinson Partners in Denver

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:58:20 EST

]]>The three new attorneys said they were drawn to Taft's collaborative culture, energized environment and wide resources.

Jones Day Hires BCLP Finance Partner in Chicago

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:29:59 EST

]]>Braden Shaw's arrival coincides with expansion in Jones Day's leveraged finance practice.

Davis Polk Eyes Boston Opening Amid Wider US Expansion Strategy

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:55:48 EST

]]>"In addition to our decision to open in LA, we are actively evaluating markets where our firm could potentially expand," said a Davis Polk spokesperson.

Foley Adds Sidley Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation Group in Chicago

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:59:59 EST

]]>The trio of Sidley Austin lawyers was attracted to Foley & Lardner's "client-first" approach, its expertise in employee benefits and executive compensation, and its broad range of practices.

Diversity Lab is Gone, But Will Law Firms Carry Its Work Forward?

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>It will be up to law firm leaders “whether they continue to advance equal opportunity or whether they backtrack," noted David Glasgow, executive director of the NYU School of Law's Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

'Just a Matter of Time': More Law Firms Expected to Find the Pros of Private Equity Investment

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>With America's largest personal injury law firm possibly eyeing outside capital, industry experts say it's likely that the dominoes will continue to fall.

The 50 Largest Firms by UK Revenue: American Firms Growing at Twice the Rate of British Rivals

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:55 EST

]]>Paul Weiss, Sidley Austin, Gibson Dunn and Debevoise are the fastest-growing firms in the latest Law.com ranking of law firms by their U.K. revenues.

Sticking to What It Knows, Sullivan & Cromwell Carves Out a Profitable Niche in Australia

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:20:22 EST

]]>The firm now sees opportunity in Australia's giant pension sector.

Lateral Growth Aids Gibson Dunn's Work for Musk-Owned Companies

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:53:58 EST

]]>The upcoming SpaceX IPO is one of two major deals the firm performed for SpaceX this year after the 2024 arrival of George Sampas, who was recently joined by four more former Sullivan & Cromwell partners.

Deal Watch: M&A Value Surges in Q2, as S&C, Kirkland, Paul Weiss Among Top Ranked

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:13:25 EST

]]>Several New York firms benefited from the explosion in mega deals in the first five months of the year.

Why 3 Attorneys Left Goodwin to Start an ‘AI-Native' IP Firm

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:59:59 EST

]]>Antheros leverages gen AI tools to automate routine portions of IP practice and offer clients subscription-based billing.

Seyfarth Launches New Miami Office, Led by Ex-Littler Partner With Latin America Expertise

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:28:36 EST

]]>In addition to new office managing partner Juan Carlos Varela, the firm has hired two other Venezuelan-American attorneys to guide its efforts in Miami and support clients in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Law Firm Clients Reap Relationship Benefits at Knicks Game, as Gibson Dunn Wins Courtside Seats

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:07:45 EST

]]>Several New York firms, and firms with a large presence in New York, are taking their clients or giving their tickets to clients, in what could be viewed as a top client benefit of working with a big firm.

Paul Weiss Debt Finance Partner Returns to Cahill

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:39:04 EST

]]>Debt finance partner Marc Shepsman previously worked at Cahill from 2016 to 2023, when he joined Paul Weiss.

Big Law Insider Trading Indictments Should Prompt Law Firm Leaders to Look Inward

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:06:05 EST

]]>The profit surface around a single curious associate is wider than it was five years ago, Jason Milch and Edward Marshall write.

Clifford Chance Formalizes 'Local Partner' Role

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:13:35 EST

]]>The firm has handed seven of its lawyers the newly-formalized title.

Lockstep Isn't Quite Dead, but the Eulogy Has Begun

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>It was as much a social contract as a compensation system. The market decided it shouldn't survive.

Adam Sugarman Takes the Helm as Firmwide Managing Partner at Gordon Rees

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>Sugarman takes over the role of managing partner from longtime executive Dion Cominos, who will remain with Gordon Rees and continue to practice.

Gibson Dunn Hires Kirkland Litigator Matt Owen

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>The firm's litigation department is staying busy amid heightened scrutiny of technology firms from both sides of the political spectrum, said the chair of the firm's Washington, D.C., litigation department.

Big Law Needs More AI Failures

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 17:09:28 EST

]]>Can an industry that trades on trust convert AI woes into marketable know-how, asks The Global Lawyer.

With LMEs Primed for Growth, Will Consolidation Among Clients and Firms Come With Risk?

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:06:14 EST

]]>As Big Law and private capital consolidate, counterparties in contentious transactions are increasingly law firm clients as well.

Unlocking the Next Frontier: Revenue Strategies Beyond Traditional Profitability

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:59:59 EST

]]>The firms that succeed over the next decade will redefine how legal expertise integrates into the broader business value chain, Jeff Grossman and Rajesh Madabushi write.

Diversity Lab Closes After FTC Investigation

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:15:43 EST

]]>As part of the dissolution, Diversity Lab will shut down all its systems, including eliminating or destroying any client data it had stored on the hundreds of law firms and legal departments that it worked with.

Diversity Lab Is Ending. Its Impact Is Not

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:59:59 EST

]]>An open letter from Diversity Lab's founder, Caren Ulrich Stacy.

The New Shape of Partnership

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:03:37 EST

]]>What once looked like a pyramid, now looks more layered, more managed and less certain, writes a vice president at Major, Lindsey & Africa.

Dear Tokyo: Can Ambition and Tradition Coexist?

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:24:19 EST

]]>Japan's legal market, long defined by stability and continuity, is being pulled into a more volatile era of dealmaking, competition, and global firm entry.

Law Firm Disrupted: Boutiques Are Seizing Opportunities for Specialized Talent

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:22:35 EST

]]>“Boutiques are having an absolute moment in the sun, said one law firm recruiter.

Kilpatrick Debuts AI Lab Focused on Developing Custom Solutions for Staff, Clients

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:17:35 EST

]]>Kilpatrick Labs is currently piloting and developing over 15 custom AI tools that leverage Anthropic's Claude LLM in areas including patent and trademark prosecution and litigation monitoring, among others.

Law Firms' AI Investments, for Now, Are Failing to Fix Operational Inefficiencies

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:16:46 EST

]]>Revenue leakage is a real concern, but firms are escalating AI spending before correcting underlying fragmented systems, according to a new report from Law.com and legal industry technology provider Elite.

Kirkland and Palantir Launch AI-Led PE Fundraising Platform

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:09 EST

]]>The launch is the first in a series of AI rollouts and strategic partnerships planned as part of Kirkland's $500 million AI strategy.

Quinn Emanuel Next to Match Milbank's Associate Raises

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:41:54 EST

]]>The firm follows the scale announced by Milbank on Tuesday, in which first through fourth years are set to receive an increase of $10,000 to their salaries, while fifth years and above will earn an additional $20,000.

Cadwalader London Associates Set for Higher Pay Scale Than Hogan Lovells Colleagues Post-Merger

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:23:32 EST

]]>The soon-to-be merged firm is preparing to implement differing pay scales within its London associate cohort, with legacy Cadwalader London lawyers expected to remain on the 'Cravath scale', putting them on significantly higher base pay than their legacy Hogan Lovells colleagues.

A Tight Market for Top Talent Means Peers Will Fall in Line With Milbank's Associate Salary Increases

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>Despite the relative silence from the rest of the market on Wednesday, sources expect other top firms to eventually match Milbank's salary bump, although there is still the possibility that a competitor will look to set a new market standard.

Ex-Clients Sue V&E for $30M, Allege Negligent Advice on Contract Terms

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:03:33 EST

]]>The plaintiffs allege in a petition filed in state district court in Dallas that Vinson & Elkins "failed spectacularly" in the execution of its duties to them by presenting contracts that endangered their right to receive more than $30 million in future payments from the sellers.

Lender's Suit Alleges Pillsbury Partner Conspired in $145M Fraud Scheme

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:46:38 EST

]]>A representative for Pillsbury denied the allegations, stating, “The claims against Pillsbury and Mr. Karamali are frivolous and lack any merit. We will vigorously defend ourselves in court.

Ex-Morrison & Foerster Contract Attorney Revives Race Bias, Wrongful Termination Suit Against Firm

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:51:05 EST

]]>Junius J. Joyner III initially sued MoFo in 2019, alleging he was subject to racism and wrongfully terminated from the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Dentons Public Policy, Election Law Expert Ed Lindsey Moving to Atlanta Litigation Boutique

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:56:21 EST

]]>After a decade with the world's largest firm, the former state lawmaker said boutique Parks, Chesin & Walbert will allow him to blend his expertise in public policy with his background in litigation.

The 2026 NLJ 500: Top Five Cities

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:01:01 EST

]]>Be sure to check out this year's leading cities!

The 2026 NLJ 500: Ranked by Head Count

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:59:59 EST

]]>The NLJ 500 is the National Law Journal's survey of the 500 largest law firms in the United States covering the previous calendar year.

Head Count Growth Further Slowed For the NLJ 500, Amid Economic and Political Constraints

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:59:59 EST

]]>In 2025, the total number of attorneys at NLJ 500 firms rose 2.5% in 2025, compared with 5.5% in 2024.

There Are Fewer First-Year Associates—But Don't Blame AI (Yet)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:59:59 EST

]]>At the largest 100 firms in the country, the total number of first-year associates stayed essentially flat between 2024 and 2025, while the average size of first-year classes continued dipping. Observers credit rate pressure and overcapacity, and anticipate AI having a sharper impact in coming years.

Law Firms Keep Planting Flags in Texas. What's the Cost to the Market?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:59:59 EST

]]>Office openings by out-of-state firms grew at a much faster clip in Texas in 2025 than in the larger markets of New York and California.

As Top Partner Pay Eclipses $40M, Law Firms Increase Bonus Pools, Decrease Transparency

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>"There's more people than ever before earning those very high levels of income,” said Blane Prescott, managing shareholder at MesaFive, who counsels firms on compensation.

Cooley Recruits Energy, Real Estate Partner Duo From Kirkland

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>Partner Jacob Clark said Cooley's focus on space law and growing data center practice attracted him to the firm.

London's Quiet Advantage: Why European Private Credit Remains the Legal Practitioner's Most Dynamic Frontier

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:15:03 EST

]]>McDermott's London head explains why predictions of a private credit reckoning miss the growing sophistication and resilience of Europe's market.

Proskauer Invests in Finance Practice with Hunton Andrews Hire

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>The firm hired global finance attorney Bryon Mulligan from Hunton Andrews Kurth in Charlotte as it continues to bolster its finance capabilities.