Steptoe & Johnson's offices in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photo)

Steptoe & Johnson is the latest firm aiming to strengthen its restructuring practice, bringing aboard new leader Jeffrey Reisner from McDermott Will & Emery.

Reisner, who will be based in Los Angeles and New York, spent less than a year as global co-head of McDemott's restructuring and insolvency practice. He joined that firm from Irell & Manella, where he worked for nearly two decades, in September.

"The economic impact of the pandemic has already dramatically increased the demand for bankruptcy and work-out services, and that demand is likely to continue to remain high for the foreseeable future," Steptoe chair Phil West said in a statement Thursday. "Jeff is the ideal person to lead and grow our insolvency and restructuring practice."

West added that the firm's Los Angeles office has now added three partners since January. The firm's website currently lists seven partners in LA.

Reisner has transactional experience in industries, including defense contracting, automotive and trucking, restaurants and hospitality, and entertainment, communications technology and sporting goods. He also leads board investigations in an array of areas, including alleged sexual misconduct and corporate and financial malfeasance. He was not immediately available to comment on his move Thursday.

McDermott began boosting its restructuring practice well in advance of the current pandemic-related recession, with global head Tim Walsh declaring last October that the economy was on the cusp of a downturn. At that time, the firm hired Felicia Perlman and Brad Giordano from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and King & Spalding, respectively. Perlman is another global co-head of the practice.

A spokeswoman for the firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.