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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December 07, 2020 | The American Lawyer

White & Case Nabs Ropes & Gray's Former Global Restructuring Co-Chair as Duo Makes Move

One of the few practice areas that saw a boost during the pandemic, new White & Case partners see a strong path forward even after the worst of the pandemic passes by.

By Patrick Smith

4 minute read

December 07, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: $9 Billion SPAC Deal Starts Week, Logistics Consolidation Mirrors E-Commerce Boom

SPACs are not only not going away, they keep getting bigger. And with brick-and-mortar businesses hurting because of the pandemic, logistics and transport companies are buying up competition to take advantage of increasing e-commerce demand.

By Patrick Smith

7 minute read

December 02, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Am Law 200 Firms Received $370 Million in PPP Loans, With Largest Firms Taking the Most

Newly released records show Big Law was happy to participate in the federal relief package, and the larger the firm, the more money they asked for.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

December 02, 2020 | The American Lawyer

The 7 Am Law 200 Firms That Received $10M Max in PPP Loans

A federal disclosure deadline for Dec. 1 revealed the amounts that businesses took in PPP loans, and several large law firms went after the $10 million max.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

December 02, 2020 | The American Lawyer

General Counsel's Simple Ask for Outside Counsel: Pick Up the Phone and Call

A new survey finds that while law firms have gotten creative in their outreach and content production, the simplicity of a personal, relevant message goes a long way.

By Patrick Smith

7 minute read

December 01, 2020 | The American Lawyer

In Salesforce's $27.7B Slack Acquisition, Wachtell, Morrison & Foerster, Goodwin and Latham Advised

The deal had been speculated on for a few days, and many are seeing it as an investment in the idea that working from home is here to stay.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

December 01, 2020 | The American Lawyer

Paul Hastings Changes Course, Issuing Associate Bonuses Early; Weil, Davis Polk Jump Into Bonus Season

After initially delaying payouts of the additional bonus, Paul Hastings decided it didn't want its associates to wait for the normal year-end bonus schedule in March to get that extra cash.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read