The American Lawyer

Law Firm Disrupted: Do Most Clients Really Benefit After Lateral Moves?

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:37:40 EST

]]>While laterals often cite gains in client service when explaining their move to a new firm, the most immediate outcome for clients is often higher rates.

Law Firms Hone C-Suites as 'The Next Phase of Talent Strategy' Comes Into View

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:08:22 EST

]]>Big Law firms have been reordering their C-Suites this summer, hiring new leaders and creating new roles responsible for efficiency, growth and talent.

With a Foothold in 3 Texas Markets, Dechert Continues Hiring Away

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:40:28 EST

]]>Am Law 100 firm Dechert, which opened offices in Dallas and Houston this year, also wants to grow in Chicago and on the West Coast.

Am Law 100 Associates Are On the Front Lines of Legal AI Experimentation

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>Firms including Cooley, Fenwick, Sheppard and Pillsbury are all using associates to evaluate the benefits of AI tools for legal work and offering credits to do so.

King & Spalding's 13-Lawyer Raid of Proskauer Highlights Fund Finance Demand

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:33:04 EST

]]>The talent battle began when King & Spalding added a new U.S. global finance lead, Ron Franklin, this summer.

Training AI Tools on Client Data? Talk to Clients First

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:55:00 EST

]]>While clients are warming to law firms' use of their data to improve service delivery, many still have reservations about privacy and competition.

ABA Calls DOJ Law Firm Subpoenas 'Absurd' in Latest Filing

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:07:56 EST

]]>The American Bar Association is seeking to compel the Department of Justice to hand over Boris Epshteyn's communications regarding law firm deals with the administration last year, or else to produce a privilege log to help the ABA tailor its discovery requests.

Maritime Lawyers Ride Wave of Gulf Shipping Chaos

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:39:32 EST

]]>Clyde & Co, HFW, Stephenson Harwood and other firms with Middle East shipping practices have grown their headcount this year, putting them in a stronger position to handle the surge in complex work as the crisis over the Strait of Hormuz reshapes global shipping.

HSF Kramer Reports £1.8B Revenue and £1.5M PEP in First Post-Merger Year

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:52:26 EST

]]>It is the firm's first set of financial results since its June 2025 merger.

Differences in Partner Capital Contributions Driven by Battle for Talent and 'Brand Power'

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:53:04 EST

]]>About 30% of firms in the Am Law 100 segment made capital calls on their partners in 2025, according to Law.com data, versus about 15% in the lower-grossing firm segment.

Bracewell Hires SDNY Unit Chief As Part of Ongoing White Collar Defense Buildout

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>Bracewell, historically focused on energy and infrastructure, has been growing its government enforcement and investigations team in New York, London and Washington, D.C. for about five years.

Who is Not Using Harvey or Legora, and Why?

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:23:59 EST

]]>Some firms are finding that working directly with underlying models may offer similar power for less money. But control over technology also appeals to many—and may help them ensure their survival.

In Adopting Alternative Structures—and Capitalization—These Firms Still Lead the Pack

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:05:34 EST

]]>About one-third of the 150 firms licensed under Arizona's ABS program specialize in personal injury and mass torts. Fourteen of these firms have taken PE backing out of 17 overall ABS firms backed by PE.

Several Big Law Firms on Track for Record-Setting Year for Lobbying Income

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:42:05 EST

]]>Brownstein, Akin, K&L Gates and others saw their lobbying income climb in the second quarter of this year, compared to the first three months of this year, as clients prepare for the midterm elections this fall.

Litigation Firms Waiting to See if Georgia Tort Reform Law Will Affect Demand for Their Services

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:14:48 EST

]]>“Most of our clients are businesses or insurance carriers, and there's pretty broad awareness among the clients about this reform legislation," said Jennifer Adair of Freeman Mathis & Gary.

Clifford Chance Partner Profits Top £1B as PEP and Revenue Rise 9%

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:17:31 EST

]]>The firm saw 9% growth in the Americas, with CFO Daniel Burton and global managing partner Charles Adams discussing the latest set of figures with Law.com

NYLJ 100: Most Law Firms See Growth in NY, But Some Are Pulling Ahead

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:59:59 EST

]]>According to the latest NYLJ 100 analysis, the majority of the largest law firms in New York, from Wall Street stalwarts to regional boutiques, grew their attorney ranks in 2025.

Law Firms Continue Adding Dealmakers, With Clients 'More Comfortable in Uncertain Times'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:59:59 EST

]]>Private equity that's been on the sidelines, waiting for calmer waters, is now getting deployed, said Kessar Nashat, head of business practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. AI investment and consolidation across industries are also powering opportunities.

Thompson Hine Launches Energy Practice, Adds Laterals in 4 Offices

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>Thompson Hine's launch of a dedicated energy practice is one of several strategic moves the Midwest-based firm has deployed in 2026.

$1.2B Malpractice Suit Alleges Holland & Knight 'Eviscerated' Real Estate Brokerage

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:00:24 EST

]]>The plaintiff argues the firm failed to identify potential regulatory pitfalls in its $320 million property tech business.

Foley Litigator Meets Her Match on Jeopardy

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:27:05 EST

]]>Lea James, a litigation associate with Foley & Lardner in Boston, was selected on her first try to compete on the popular trivia game show Jeopardy.

Skadden's Deal with Trump and Work for Intel Deal Gets Scrutinized by Democratic Lawmakers

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:58:53 EST

]]>Several Democratic lawmakers sent a letter on Tuesday to Skadden, requesting the firm to respond to questions related to its work for Intel and apparent work for the Commerce Department following its deal with the Trump administration.

Gibson Dunn Hires ex-Blackstone, Simpson Thacher Partner

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:30:31 EST

]]>Angus Lennox has been added to the London office just under three years after he left Blackstone to join Simpson Thacher.

Linklaters Posts Double-Digit Profit Gains, Seeing Nearly 40% Growth in US Arm Profitability

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:59 EST

]]>Profit gains were concentrated in the U.S., which grew by nearly 40%, and in Asia, where profitability increased by 36%, according to the firm's figures.

Deal Watch: What's Next for Fund Formation Lawyers

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:49:25 EST

]]>"Fund formation lawyers now need to understand primary funds, co-investments, secondaries, fund finance, structured vehicles and other GP solutions to represent clients in a maturing industry," noted Marco Masotti, global head of private equity at Paul Weiss.

'Tip of the Strategic Spear': New HSF Kramer, Simpson Thacher Offices Fuel Competition in Luxembourg

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:59:59 EST

]]>The arrival of more top firms in the world's second-largest investment funds center has intensified the battle for talent, according to local partners.

DOJ's Extensive Subpoenas to 14 Law Firms Revealed

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:29:19 EST

]]>The subpoenas to 14 law firms go much further than previously believed, requesting that firms turn over any and all communications related to Trump's law firm executive orders or deals. The deadline passed last week. It's unclear if any firms have responded.

Combination With IP Boutique Gives Lathrop GPM Offices in NYC and London

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:59:59 EST

]]>Second Hundred firm Lathrop GPM is combining with IP boutique HG Law in a merger expected to add about $40 million to the firm's revenue and will also bolster the firm's California presence.

Elite Law Firms Build Scale in Data Center Practices, Riding 'Unique and Unparalleled' AI Boom

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:30:09 EST

]]>Latham, Kirkland and others boast of data center practices with massive scale, amid a “unique and unparalleled boom in digital infrastructure transactions that could further separate them from the pack.

US Growth Is More Tempting—and Challenging—Than Ever For UK-Founded Firms

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:51:11 EST

]]>With an intensifying talent market and a widening profitability gap, some U.S. departures at U.K.-founded firms may be accelerating.

Sheppard Hires 2 Partners to Launch White-Collar Investigation Practice in Chicago

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>Dan Collins and Levi Giovanetto practiced together at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath before moving to Katten in 2021.

Projected Revenue Outlook for Kirkland & Ellis: A Data Driven View of What the Next Five Years May Hold

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>A projection of future revenue potential, from Law.com Legal Intelligence Director James Willer, provides a forward-looking lens on how the firm's trajectory could evolve, highlighting the scale and direction of possible growth.

Chicago-Founded Firms Continue Flocking to Miami, Following Windy City Investment Giants

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:59:59 EST

]]>Katten Muchin Rosenman earlier this month became the sixth Am Law 200 firm with roots in Chicago to open in Miami in the last five years. Collectively, they view the Magic City as a finance and private wealth hub with key ties to Latin America.

DOJ Wants to Disqualify Susman Godfrey from ABA Suit

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:40:34 EST

]]>The government says Susman Godfrey cannot both serve as advocate and fact witness in the suit the American Bar Association filed against the Trump administration.

AI—Big Law Is Playing The Wrong Game

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:11:59 EST

]]>Many expect AI to create winners and losers—especially losers. But what if the real battle isn't lawyers versus AI at all?

Katten, Ex-Partner Hit With $100M Legal Malpractice Suit Over Trust Mismanagement

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:09:04 EST

]]>The law firm and former partner Matthew Sperry, who is now with Pillsbury, stand accused of legal malpractice in their handling of a family trust worth in excess of $100 million.

Foley & Lardner Is Latest Firm to Open or Move in Carolinas

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:15:31 EST

]]>Preparing for a new home in Raleigh, the Am Law 50 firm joins some of the nation's largest shops in banking on future growth in the fast-growing, two-state region.

White & Case and Honigman to Relocate DC Offices, Among Other Law Firm Office Deals in Q2

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:43:17 EST

]]>Steptoe, White & Case, Honigman and Wilkinson Barker Knauer all inked D.C. office deals in Q2 of 2026.

Beyond the Deal: HSF Kramer's Justin D'Agostino on Life After a Landmark Merger

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:16:28 EST

]]>In this week's episode, Legal Speak examines HSF Kramer's first year of operation, following its landmark transatlantic merger.

Culture Is the Only Strategy: Why Big Law's Obsession With Scale is a Mirage

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:59:59 EST

]]>It's time we have an honest conversation about what is threatening Big Law, Richard A. Rosenbaum writes.

Law Firm Disrupted: 'Usage Alone' Is No Longer the AI Question

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:32:56 EST

]]>"The operational side is far ahead of the strategic side,” outgoing COLPM president Chris Boyd told me, after Professor Richard Susskind's keynote remarks dazzled, challenged, amused—and occasionally scared the daylights out of us.

Are DOJ's Subpoenas to Big Law Firms a Breach of Trump Deals?

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:59:59 EST

]]>As a result of the murky nature of the Trump deals with law firms, experts were split as to whether DOJ's recent subpoenas may violate the terms of the law firm deals, if they were even formal to begin with.

Old and New Ways of Operating Prove Obstacles to Law Firms Addressing Mental Health Challenges

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:56:55 EST

]]>The billable hour hasn't gone anywhere, and the rise of AI is a fresh contributor to stress, according to mental health experts.

Data Center Boom Is Keeping Nuclear Energy Lawyers Busy

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:20:50 EST

]]>As the need for alternative power to fuel Big Tech's AI development grows, so does the demand for nuclear energy attorneys.

Simpson, Cleary Drive NYC Office Leasing Comeback

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:33:35 EST

]]>Others with large leases last quarter were Alston, McDermott and Baker McKenzie. The leasing activity continues a trend of Big Law firms expanding in the Big Apple.

K&L Gates Cuts 10% of Its Staff

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:31:59 EST

]]>“Following a comprehensive, multi-month review of our structure to better align with how our business operates today and support future growth, we made the decision to reduce our allied professional workforce, global managing partner Stacy Ackermann said in a statement.

Ropes & Gray Borrows 'World Cup' Format for AI Competition Pairing Summer & First Year Associates

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:21:11 EST

]]>The law students and early-career lawyers are collaborating to build artificial intelligence solutions that address real-world legal workflow problems. The winner for the knockout-style competition will be determined on Monday.

A&O Shearman Hones Profitability Amid Flat Revenue and 'Deliberate Reshaping'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:59:59 EST

]]>In a year of flat revenue and a smaller partnership, A&O Shearman's PEP was up about 12% year over year.