Buckley Taps MoFo's Financial Services Litigation Leader to Guide SF Office
James McGuire was the co-chair of the financial services litigation practice at Morrison & Foerster, where he had spent his entire 23-year legal career.
January 08, 2020 at 06:05 PM
3 minute read
James McGuire.
Washington, D.C.-based Am Law 200 firm Buckley has bulked up its presence in California, bringing on former Morrison & Foerster partner James McGuire to lead its San Francisco office.
McGuire was previously the co-chair of the financial services litigation practice at Morrison & Foerster, where he had spent his entire 23-year legal career.
"It's a great time to work in the financial services industry," McGuire said in an interview. "Buckley is chock full of lawyers who know the regulatory complexities and the ins and outs of the industry."
McGuire said he's excited to help build out the firm's San Francisco office, which he believes is located at "ground zero" for a lot of innovation in the financial industry.
Buckley leadership is looking forward to having a seasoned veteran on-site to foster that growth.
"James has earned his reputation as an outstanding litigator through repeated successes for financial services companies, and will be instrumental in anchoring our San Francisco office," Benjamin Klubes, Buckley's managing partner, said in a statement. "Our West Coast fintech and other financial services clients will benefit from his knowledge and experience."
McGuire has represented banks and financial services companies in complex litigation, with a focus on consumer class-action defense, according to a Buckley release. He has previously represented companies including Target and US Bank.
McGuire said he anticipates his existing client base will follow him, noting that there is hardly a financial services company in the United States that does not already work with Buckley in some manner.
"There is a lot of client overlap," he said.
McGuire and the firm declined to comment on whether additional Morrison & Foerster personnel will follow their former practice co-chair to his new firm.
"Buckley and I have a shared understanding of what our clients and the financial services industry need, and I am excited to join a team with such deep experience in regulatory and enforcement work," McGuire said in a statement. "The opportunity to help a firm with Buckley's reputation expand in San Francisco is unique and compelling."
Buckley, known for its prowess in financial services, litigation and government enforcement, has seen revenues decline since its peak of $155 million in 2014. The firm brought in $134 million in 2018.
With 130 total attorneys and profits per equity partner of $1.37 million, Buckley is decidedly smaller than McGuire's previous home. Morrison & Foerster has about 950 attorneys, although the partner compensation is similar, with Morrison & Foerster averaging about $1.43 million.
McGuire was an associate at Morrison & Foerster from 1997 through 2004 and partner from 2004 until his move to Buckley.
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