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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April 15, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Orrick Lures Kramer Levin's Life Sciences Practice Head

"We see her as another game-changing addition to our growing national team handling cutting-edge cases," noted Alyssa Caridis, co-head of Orrick's IP business unit, about Irena Royzman.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read

April 11, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Boosted by Restructuring and Lit Practices, Brown Rudnick Sees 6% Revenue Gain

Profit growth slowed in 2023, as the firm's equity tier expanded by nearly 5% to 60 partners and Brown Rudnick's PEP inched up by 0.2% to $1.68 million.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

April 08, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Kirkland, Simpson, Latham, Cravath Lead $13B Endeavor Buy

At least nine large law firms got a share of the work from Silver Lake's buy of Endeavor Group. The deal is another example of megadeals that are in bloom this year.

By Patrick Smith

9 minute read

April 08, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Elite New York Law Firms Outperformed Market, as Firms Invested in Both Equity, Nonequity Tiers

Several New York law firms last year even bested their 2021 performance during the heyday of the deal market.

By Patrick Smith

19 minute read

April 05, 2024 | Law.com

As 'Social Inflation' Helps Fuel 'Nuclear' Verdicts, Insurers Address 'Legal System Abuse'

In this week's Legal Speak episode, James Whittle with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association dives into the impact of what the organization has dubbed "legal system abuse" as social inflation—the belief that large corporations are "bad actors with deep pockets"—helps fuel "nuclear" verdicts.

By Cedra Mayfield | Patrick Smith | Elana Ashanti Jefferson

1 minute read

April 04, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Cahill Drops 2.9% in Revenue as Firm Plans Long-Term Adjustments

Firm chair Herb Washer said Cahill is looking to diversify its practice mix to mitigate the highs and lows of a market-dependent practice.

By Patrick Smith

6 minute read

April 03, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Paul Weiss Plans Brussels Launch With Simpson Antitrust Partner

Brad Karp confirmed that having a "strong presence in Brussels" was a "strategic imperative" as the firm works on cross-border M&A work and consequential client matters.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read

April 03, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Paul Hastings Lures Weil Partner to Co-Chair Asset-Backed Finance Group

The two-lawyer move includes Weil attorneys Shawn Kodes and Matthew Nemeth, who both join Paul Hastings as partners.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

April 02, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Latham, Weil Lead Home Improvement Deal; Dealmakers Face Election Headwinds

While the previous few weeks have shown strong M&A volume, this past week underscores that nothing can be taken for granted about the deal market in 2024.

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

April 02, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Simpson Thacher's Banking and Credit Practice Sees Leadership Change

Patrick Ryan, who has run the practice for about 15 years, will step down as Alexandra Kaplan and Brian Steinhardt step in.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

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Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what’s happening in the legal industry.