Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith, based in New York, covers the business of law, including the ways law firms compete for clients and talent, M&A and corporate work, leadership and marketing innovation. Reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @nycpatrickd

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October 14, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Are Single-Tier Partnership Law Firms Fighting the Wind?

Recruiting and retaining senior associates—that gold mine of Big Law leverage—may now be more challenging to single-tier firms.

By Patrick Smith

6 minute read

October 10, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Cleary Creates Nonequity Partner Tier, Calling for 'Innovation and Adaptation'

"We are not doing it to create a different leverage model within the firm," said managing partner Michael Gerstenzang. "We are doing it to create more opportunities in promotion and development."

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

October 09, 2024 | National Law Journal

Assistant Solicitor General Heads to Paul Hastings to Co-Chair Appellate Practice

Ben Snyder joins the firm after five years at the Justice Department.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

October 08, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Gibson Dunn, Latham, Wachtell, Akin, Simpson, Ropes Advise on Big Deals as M&A Activity Climbs

Big firms are continuing to land on megadeals. Over the last nine days, there were at least three deals exceeding the $7 billion mark.

By Patrick Smith

9 minute read

October 07, 2024 | Law.com

Legal Speak at Women, Influence and Power Conference 2024 Award Recipient: Lisa Phelan

Legal Speak at the 2024 Women, Influence and Power Conference award ceremony in Chicago.

By Cedra Mayfield | Patrick Smith

1 minute read

October 07, 2024 | Law.com

Legal Speak at Women, Influence and Power Conference 2024 Award Recipient: Jo-Anne Kelly

Legal Speak at the 2024 Women, Influence and Power Conference award ceremony in Chicago.

By Cedra Mayfield | Patrick Smith

1 minute read

October 07, 2024 | Law.com

Legal Speak at Women, Influence and Power Conference 2024 Award Recipient: Shanon R. Stevenson

Legal Speak at the 2024 Women, Influence and Power Conference award ceremony in Chicago.

By Cedra Mayfield | Patrick Smith

1 minute read

October 07, 2024 | Law.com

Legal Speak at Women, Influence and Power Conference 2024 Award Recipient: Jacqueline Lee

Legal Speak at the 2024 Women, Influence and Power Conference award ceremony in Chicago.

By Cedra Mayfield | Patrick Smith

1 minute read

October 07, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Will Private Credit Produce Another Kirkland?

"If [law firms] don't have the right volume, the right connections, the right associates and the right knowledge management tools, they will burn out. The big players won't," said Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld's Ranesh Ramanathan.

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

October 04, 2024 | Law.com

Cravath's Len Teti on the Human Side of Tax Law

In this week's Legal Speak episode, Cravath, Swaine & Moore tax partner Len Teti discusses the firm's only podcast, "On Tax", which he hosts. Teti has now been doing the show for eight 'seasons', and the podcast has been a hit. Here, Teti explains its genesis, why he does it on top of his practice and why he feels it is an effective recruiting tool for the firm.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read