Amanda O'Brien

Amanda O'Brien covers how law businesses are conducted throughout the state of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at [email protected].

Connect with this author

September 13, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

For Troutman Pepper and Ballard Spahr, the Path to Growth Points Outside of Phila.

Rising costs and a lukewarm local economy continue to push firms with roots in the City of Brotherly Love to seek growth elsewhere, but some firm leaders remain bullish on their home city.

By Amanda O'Brien

7 minute read

September 11, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Faegre Drinker Adds Three Former Federal Prosecutors From Greenberg Traurig

Partner Jessica Natali is based in Philadelphia, while partner Carolyn McNiven and associate Brittany Fisher are in San Francisco.

By Amanda O'Brien

4 minute read

September 11, 2024 | Pro Mid Market

Facing Increasing Overhead, Midsize Firms Embrace Rate Hikes, Expense Management

"Our size constrains how comfortable we are raising our rates. I don't want to raise rates more than 4 or 5%, because our clients come to us because we offer something different than those big firms," said Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel chairman David Nasatir.

By Amanda O'Brien

6 minute read

September 10, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Anapol Weiss Acquires Boutique Led by Star Litigator Alexandra Walsh

Walsh left Paul Weiss to found a trial boutique with partner Beth Wilkinson in 2016 before departing in 2020 to launch a plaintiffs-side practice.

By Amanda O'Brien

5 minute read

September 09, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Ballard Spahr to Merge With Seattle's Lane Powell

The tie-up will go into effect at the start of 2025, and the combined firm will have more than 750 attorneys in 18 U.S. offices.

By Amanda O'Brien

4 minute read

September 09, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Saxton & Stump Adds Health Care Litigator From White and Williams

Daniel Ferhat, whose work centers on medical malpractice defense, spent over two decades at White and Williams.

By Amanda O'Brien

3 minute read

September 06, 2024 | The American Lawyer

With Locke Lord, Troutman Pepper Merger OK'd, Firms Have Much to Decide Before January Launch

While Locke Lord and Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders are set to merge on Jan. 1, 2025, firm leaders remain focused on finishing 2024 strong.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | Amanda O'Brien

5 minute read

September 06, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Scientist, Scholar, Lawyer: Remembering Blank Rome's First General Counsel William Roberts

The Philadelphia lawyer died Aug. 30 at the age of 79 following a brief illness.

By Amanda O'Brien

4 minute read

September 05, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Troutman Pepper, Locke Lord Secure Merger With Partner Vote

The combined firm will be known as Troutman Pepper Locke.

By Amanda O'Brien

3 minute read

September 05, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Faegre Drinker Snags Buchanan COO, Aims to Advance in AI Efforts

"My ears are in listening mode right now," Nolan Kurtz said. "The best thing is to come in and actively listen to the partners, our lawyers, our consultants, our operations professionals and really learn from them."

By Amanda O'Brien

4 minute read

More from ALM

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