Now may seem like an unlikely time for a firm to beef up its corporate practice, but with the addition of new partner Richard P. Jaffe, Philadelphia-based Duane Morris sees an opportunity to become a national leader in middle market private equity, an area the firm believes is about to heat up.

“For us, with an emphasis on private equity in the middle market, this is probably going to be our best year ever,” said Duane Morris Chairman John J. Soroko.