Acquiring lawyers with specialized knowledge and niche practices has been a popular strategic move among Pennsylvania’s large and midsize law firms this year. And it has continued into the final weeks of 2018.

Throughout the month of December, large firms including Greenberg Traurig, Ballard Spahr, and Cozen O’Connor have been picking up lateral hires in Philadelphia with specialized backgrounds in government or in targeted practice areas. Outside Philadelphia, midsize firms have made their own additions of both legal practitioners and business-side professionals.