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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October 05, 2020 | The American Lawyer

'I Don't Think Money Is the Answer': How Firms Can Preserve Young Talent

Training. Transparency. Career development. Ownership. Community. Values. Firms have a lot of options when it comes to catering to the future. But they need to be intentional in how they use them if they are going to be effective.

By Patrick Smith

9 minute read

October 02, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis, Election Loom Large for M&A Work in Q4, but Not Too Large

While not dependent upon a strong market, deal work tends to slow in times of uncertainty, and things just got a lot more uncertain.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

October 01, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Your Firm's Marketing Department Is Most Likely Not Going to Be Outsourced ...Yet

Some firms have begun to trade in-house expertise for third-party vendors for certain elements, but the base functions of what the departments do doesn't seem to be going anywhere just yet, experts say.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

September 30, 2020 | The American Lawyer

New Blood in M&A Work: Freshfields, Latham Crack Top 5 for 2020, Overall Market Down 21%

The third quarter of 2020 saw worldwide M&A deals top $1 trillion, making an 80% jump from Q2, but overall deal value in the U.S. is at a seven-year low and worldwide activity continues to sputter.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

September 29, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Skadden, Kirkland, V&E, Jones Day and Cleary Guide Energy, Steel Deals

The two deals, worth roughly $13.5 billion in all, show oil and steel industries are continuing to drive M&A work for large law firms.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

September 28, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Law Firm Culture Will Determine Whether Younger Attorneys Sink, Swim or Simply Float Away

Changing power dynamics, entrenched ideals and the clarity of organizational values all impact how firms make decisions regarding their more junior attorneys. But the latter aren't powerless.

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

September 25, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: SPAC, TV and Energy Lead Larger Deals for the Week

Billion-dollar deals are on the way up and special purpose acquisition companies are starting to find their footing.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

September 24, 2020 | The American Lawyer

After Getting His Protest-Related Charges Dropped, Debevoise Lawyer Hopes to Help Others

In a Q&A, Justin Maffett talks about his experience being arrested while protesting racial and social injustice and how the legal system needs fixing.

By Patrick Smith

6 minute read