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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August 13, 2021 | The American Lawyer

When Law Firm and Client COVID-19 Policies Don't Match, What Happens to Meeting Up?

"This is especially important to people who have small kids. There are going to be breakthrough infections," one firm leader said.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

August 10, 2021 | The American Lawyer

Milbank Elects 2 New Executive Board Members to 5-Person Committee

The new committee members are based in New York and London.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read

August 09, 2021 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: 18 Billion-Plus Deals, No SPACs and a Record July

MGM Resorts was involved in $20 billion in deals, while year-to-date M&A activity through July has set (another) record.

By Patrick Smith

12 minute read

August 06, 2021 | The American Lawyer

As Law Firms Return to Office, Anger Over Unvaccinated Colleagues Could Boil Over

"I sense that we've just started to see the boiling, now that companies are starting to be much more specific on return-to-work plans," one law firm partner said.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

August 05, 2021 | The American Lawyer

Paul Weiss Delays Next Reopening Phase, Shuts Out Unvaccinated as Delta Rages

Chair Brad Karp said this will likely not be the last change in plans as the delta variant and high level of unvaccinated Americans spur a COVID-19 surge.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

August 03, 2021 | The American Lawyer

More Law Firms Announce Vaccine Mandates—Some More Limited Than Others

Akin Gump is taking a more hedged approach on vaccines mandates, while Goodwin said it would require vaccinations after FDA's full approval.

By Bruce Love | Patrick Smith

4 minute read

August 03, 2021 | New York Law Journal

Orrick Leans Further Into Capital Markets Work, Lands Longtime Akin Gump Partner

Hsu has been doing SPACs "before they were cool" and the firm is bullish on both her and capital markets work moving forward.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

August 02, 2021 | The American Lawyer

McDermott and Schiff Hardin Push Back Office Returns and Impose Vaccine Mandates

They are some of the first in Big Law to delay office return dates by several weeks, and they join a growing list of firms requiring vaccines to enter offices.

By Patrick Smith | Andrew Maloney

4 minute read