Hughes Hubbard & Reed is making a move into America’s heartland as of January 1 with the addition of a products liability litigation team from Kansas City-based Shook, Hardy & Bacon, the two firms confirmed Wednesday.
The surprising expansion for New York-based Hughes Hubbard comes as regulatory changes prompt tobacco companies to insist that their outside law firms cut ties to industry rivals. In adding a Shook group that totals between 20 and 25 lawyers, analysts, and staffers, Hughes Hubbard will also take over all of Shook’s work for Lorillard Tobacco in a transition expected to span several months, according to Shook chair John Murphy.
