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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January 21, 2020 | The Legal Intelligencer

Former Phila. Prosecutor, Toll Brothers GC Rejoins Cozen O'Connor

"I went to law school to be a trial lawyer and I'm ready to get back in the courtroom," John McDonald said of his return to the firm.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

January 17, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: BlackRock's Decree, Visa's Big Buy, MGM's Vegas Sell-Off

What does BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's environmental pledge mean for other investment firms—and their lawyers?

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

January 16, 2020 | The Recorder

Morrison & Foerster Lands Seasoned Litigator From Venable in SF

New lateral partner Jessica Grant has represented Phillip Morris, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Univision.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

January 15, 2020 | The Recorder

Reed Smith Loses 2, Adds 1 in Corporate Partner Shuffle

Norton Rose Fulbright brought on William Veatch and Catherine Hagerty in San Francisco, while partner Craig Lily joined Reed Smith from Baker McKenzie in Silicon Valley.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

January 15, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Wiley Rein Drops 'Rein,' Adds New Look and Moves to .Law Domain

The firm is just the latest to shorten its marketing moniker, but it says it's the first Am Law 200 firm to migrate from the "overcrowded and unregulated" .com domain.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

January 14, 2020 | National Law Journal

Crowell Poaches Former Kirkland Partner to Boost Civil Litigation Practice

Andrew Pruitt has worked with clients including Tronox, British Petroleum, ABB AG, Accenture and student loan provider Navient.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

January 14, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Perkins Coie Hires Hogan Lovells, Big Four Alum as New CMO

Self-professed "marketing geek" Deborah Ruffins is the latest executive hire in a corner of the industry that has seen plenty of churn in recent years.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

January 13, 2020 | The American Lawyer

More Law Firm Leaders Wary of 2020 as Confidence Levels Dip

Respondents to a Citi Private Bank survey managed to combine macroeconomic jitters with faith in their own firms.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

January 10, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Wachtell Leads the Pack in Global M&A Value as Kirkland Keeps Its Volume Edge

Just 73 transactions accounted for $644 billion in deal value for Wachtell last year, while Kirkland handled a whopping 692 deals totaling $506 billion, according to Refinitiv.

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

January 09, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Chasing New Frontiers, Brownstein Expands in Nevada and Adds Wyoming Outpost

Already well established in federal lobbying, Brownstein is focusing on expanding its state-level government affairs and regulatory practices.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

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