Rex Heinke says he was staring down a mandatory retirement policy at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld when he decided to make the move to boutique firm California Appellate Law Group.

At 70 years old, the former co-head of Akin Gump’s Supreme Court and appellate practice says he’s just hitting his stride. Heinke said he was attracted to the “young and growing firm” and its innovative business model.