So, for instance, when Supernus Pharmaceuticals decided to make a second public offering this past year, it hired Saul Ewing, despite having previously used 977-lawyer Boston firm Ropes & Gray for its initial public offering, according to Antzis.
"That was a big win for us," Antzis said.
Of course, the fact that Saul Ewing has been focused on bringing in more work from its existing clients has not precluded the firm from continuing to grow as well.
In May, the firm opened an office in Pittsburgh, bringing on four business attorneys from the Pittsburgh office of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis with an eye toward getting involved in the Marcellus and Utica natural gas shale plays.
While Antzis admitted that growth in that market was difficult initially, largely because the firm had until recently been renting temporary office space, the firm kicked off 2013 by hiring John P. Englert, an energy and environmental attorney, who joined as a partner from K&L Gates' Pittsburgh office.
Antzis said the firm will look to continue to grow in Western Pennsylvania, as well as in Boston, where the firm opened an office in 2011 with the acquisition of nearly all of Boston-based real estate boutique Dionne & Gass.
In terms of continued geographic expansion, Antzis said the firm is currently keeping an eye out for opportunities to open new locations in Ohio, Manhattan and Northern Virginia.
Antzis said he feels the firm is now strong enough to support significant growth in headcount as well, noting that the firm is currently looking for opportunities to acquire smaller shops.
Antzis said he believes Saul Ewing could expand to 350 or 400 lawyers without needing to make significant infrastructure upgrades.
While the post-recession challenges law firms continue to face are no secret, Antzis said the successful year his firm had in 2012 has given him a brighter outlook on 2013 than many of his firm leader colleagues may have.
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