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
January 04, 2021 | The American Lawyer
Deal Watch: M&A Hits $2.3 Trillion Second Half, Davis Polk Takes 2020 Deal Value CrownPreliminary numbers from Refinitiv show a second consecutive quarter over $1 trillion, marking the largest half-year on record and nearly erasing the disaster that was the first half of the year.
By Patrick Smith
9 minute read
December 28, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Sherrilyn Ifill's Advocacy for Racial Justice Was More Urgent Than Ever in 2020As one of the country's foremost advocates for racial justice, Sherrilyn Ifill's work took center stage in a year roiled by injustice. She is one of The American Lawyer's Attorney of the Year finalists.
By Patrick Smith
7 minute read
December 27, 2020 | The American Lawyer
2021 Forecast: After So Much Uncertainty, Is a Banner Year in Store for M&A Practices?M&A practices are gearing up for a busy year ahead after a strong second half in 2020.
By Patrick Smith
4 minute read
December 16, 2020 | The American Lawyer
As Fintech Stays Hot, Reed Smith Hires Partner Who Led 2 Big Law Firms' Payment Tech PracticesThe hire falls right in line with the firm's strategy of bulking up practice areas expected to grow.
By Patrick Smith
4 minute read
December 16, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Benjamin Moore's 'Drastic' Move Reveals an Opportunity for Industry-Focused FirmsIf legal departments send more work to firms, "the firm needs to understand the industry right away," Rory Channer of McDermott, Will & Emery said.
By Patrick Smith
4 minute read
December 15, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Big Law Firms to Test New Recruiting Tool, Using Tech to Combat BiasSeveral Am Law 100 firms are turning to Suited's artificial intelligence-powered recruiting platform in hopes of getting more diverse hires.
By Patrick Smith
6 minute read
December 14, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Deal Watch: Wachtell's $60B WeekendThe fourth quarter has continued what the third quarter started, as M&A deal activity is in full swing as year-end approaches.
By Patrick Smith
6 minute read
December 14, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Why Law Firms Are Leaning More on LinkedIn for Marketing and BrandingThe B2B social network has seen a massive uptick in usage, both paid and unpaid, from law firms over the past year and especially over the last six months. Exactly what are firms using it for?
By Patrick Smith
5 minute read
December 12, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Freshfields, Wachtell and Macfarlanes Lead AstraZeneca's $39 Billion Buy of Alexion PharmaceuticalsThe deal is the largest acquisition of a U.S. target company in 2020 and comes amid AstraZeneca's race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
By Patrick Smith
3 minute read
December 10, 2020 | The Recorder
Latham Guides Airbnb in 2020's Biggest IPOAirbnb's offering, which beat both DoorDash and Snowflake, involved a deal team from Latham & Watkins, while Simpson Thacher & Bartlett represented the underwriters.
By Patrick Smith
2 minute read
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