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
October 02, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis, Election Loom Large for M&A Work in Q4, but Not Too LargeWhile not dependent upon a strong market, deal work tends to slow in times of uncertainty, and things just got a lot more uncertain.
By Patrick Smith
3 minute read
October 01, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Your Firm's Marketing Department Is Most Likely Not Going to Be Outsourced ...YetSome firms have begun to trade in-house expertise for third-party vendors for certain elements, but the base functions of what the departments do doesn't seem to be going anywhere just yet, experts say.
By Patrick Smith
5 minute read
September 30, 2020 | The American Lawyer
New Blood in M&A Work: Freshfields, Latham Crack Top 5 for 2020, Overall Market Down 21%The third quarter of 2020 saw worldwide M&A deals top $1 trillion, making an 80% jump from Q2, but overall deal value in the U.S. is at a seven-year low and worldwide activity continues to sputter.
By Patrick Smith
5 minute read
September 29, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Deal Watch: Skadden, Kirkland, V&E, Jones Day and Cleary Guide Energy, Steel DealsThe two deals, worth roughly $13.5 billion in all, show oil and steel industries are continuing to drive M&A work for large law firms.
By Patrick Smith
3 minute read
September 28, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Law Firm Culture Will Determine Whether Younger Attorneys Sink, Swim or Simply Float AwayChanging power dynamics, entrenched ideals and the clarity of organizational values all impact how firms make decisions regarding their more junior attorneys. But the latter aren't powerless.
By Patrick Smith
8 minute read
September 25, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Deal Watch: SPAC, TV and Energy Lead Larger Deals for the WeekBillion-dollar deals are on the way up and special purpose acquisition companies are starting to find their footing.
By Patrick Smith
5 minute read
September 24, 2020 | The American Lawyer
After Getting His Protest-Related Charges Dropped, Debevoise Lawyer Hopes to Help OthersIn a Q&A, Justin Maffett talks about his experience being arrested while protesting racial and social injustice and how the legal system needs fixing.
By Patrick Smith
6 minute read
September 23, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Could Mergers Be a Solution to Big Law's Lack of Diversity?The ongoing struggle for a solution to Big Law's diversity issues may have an option not often explored: merging with women and minority owned firms.
By Patrick Smith
7 minute read
September 21, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Deal Watch: Cravath, Latham, Simpson, Skadden Usher in $15 Billion in Monday DealsMicrosoft and Illumina each announced acquisitions north of $7 billion as bigger deals make a comeback in a down 2020 market.
By Patrick Smith
3 minute read
September 21, 2020 | The American Lawyer
How Market Perception Fuels Leadership Behavior During a DownturnMarket perception, particularly PPP, is a big factor for many law firms. But should concerns over those perceptions impact a firm's long-term future?
By Patrick Smith
7 minute read
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