Michael Best & Friedrich has taken on six lawyers in Salt Lake City from Kruse Landa Maycock & Ricks, including three of the local firm's name partners.

The move is the latest expansion bid by Michael Best, the former home of ex-White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, as the Milwaukee-based firm seeks to outgrow its Am Law 200 peers in a tepid market for demand.

The new additions in Utah roughly equate to an outright acquisition of Kruse Landa, as among the five partners leaving for Michael Best are founders James Kruse, Ellen Maycock and Lyndon Ricks. Kruse Landa's Jennifer Falk and Kevin Timken are also joining Michael Best as partners, along with Betsy Voter, who comes aboard as senior counsel. Three paralegals and one support staffer are also making the move.