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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November 08, 2024 | Law.com

Legal Speak: A Convicted Felon is Coming to the White House. What Happens Now?

In this week's episode, Joseph Moreno, who currently serves in the Army Office of General Counsel at the Pentagon, joins Legal Speak to discuss the implications of President-elect Donald Trump's win on his pending criminal cases.

By Patrick Smith

1 minute read

November 06, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Big Law Leaders, Dealmakers Optimistic About M&A Deal Flow Under Trump, With Caveats

"We expect to see a meaningful increase in M&A activity in 2025 with the change in administration," said Freshfields M&A partner Paul Tiger.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

November 05, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Simpson Hires M&A Partners From Jones Day, Kirkland

Firm chair Alden Millard said as "demand for high-end M&A services continues to increase," the firm wants as much "bench talent" as it can get as M&A work continues to grow.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

November 05, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Fewer Big Law Firms Give Full PTO This Election Day

Many law firms that were vocal in 2020 about giving attorneys and staff a full day of PTO on Election Day didn't issue similar statements this year.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

November 04, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Davis Polk, Wachtell Work Multiple Big Deals as Election Economics Become Focus for Dealmakers

In past presidential elections, in the year after Election Day, M&A and debt capital markets activity have diverged in their trajectories. But it's not clear if that will happen again.

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

November 04, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Freshfields, Paul Hastings, McDermott, Alston Hire in Core Practices, Amid Flurry of Q4 Lateral Moves

Freshfields and McDermott are hiring in the life sciences and health care space while Paul Hastings and Alston are deepening their finance and funds practices.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

November 01, 2024 | Law.com

Leveraging Partner Training To Recruit and Retain

In this week's Legal Speak episode, Jen Patton, the chief talent officer for Foley & Lardner in Houston, and Leigh Riley, a Milwaukee partner and member of the firm's management committee, speak with ALM senior business of law reporter Brenda Sapino Jeffreys about how the firm's new partner training program can help benefit lawyers throughout their careers.

By vtariyal | Patrick Smith | Cedra Mayfield

1 minute read

October 31, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Latham's New Academy Starts Associate Training on AI

The law firm will focus first on training first through fourth-year associates, but as the program expands, more attorneys, including partners, will participate.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

October 30, 2024 | The American Lawyer

White & Case Lures DLA Piper's Vice Chair for FDA Regulation

The FDA regulatory capabilities that Bethany Hills brings "are a crucial component to maintaining a top global life sciences offering," said Peter Carney, head of White & Case's life sciences and health care industry group.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read

October 28, 2024 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Dealmakers Brace for Impact of Presidential Election

The issues the presidential candidates are debating "will absolutely have a material, real-world effect on levels of deal flow going forward," said Katten's Derek Ladgenski.

By Patrick Smith

10 minute read

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