Several firms are starting the new year with newly added executive compensation partners. Baker Botts, Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case each announced Monday a new lateral partner in the field, a practice that is a key part of mergers and acquisitions dealmaking.

In New York, Victoria Rosamond moved from Katten Muchin Rosenman to White & Case, and Robin Melman moved from Jones Day to Baker Botts. In Houston, Rob Fowler moved from Baker Botts to Kirkland & Ellis.

Ross Weil, a recruiter at Walker Associates, said it's "mission-critical" for law firms with strong M&A and private equity practices to have a strong executive compensation practice. Partners in the area "play a crucial role not only with the transaction, but also counseling the client," he said.