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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July 23, 2019 | The American Lawyer

Morrison & Foerster, Kirkland Deal Vets Land at McDermott

Ze'-ev Eiger and Patrick Rowe are joining McDermott amid a busy spring and summer for lateral activity at the firm.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

July 19, 2019 | The American Lawyer

How Kirkland Won a Rematch for Sanctioned Tennis Pro Anna Tatishvili

Tatishvili had her prize money from the 2019 French Open rescinded until partner Javier Rubenstein—a tennis player himself—mounted a successful appeal.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

July 19, 2019 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Alt-Legal Consolidation Heats Up

What's new in New Law? Plus: Big cannabis gets bigger for Curaleaf, Blackstone bets on Vungle, Gilead aims to go anti-viral, and other deals keeping big law firms busy.

By Patrick Smith

8 minute read

July 18, 2019 | Pro Mid Market

Here's How Sales Teams Add Value—If They Have Access

While utilization of sales and business development teams has become common at law firms, the level of involvement such teams have in client relationships varies from firm to firm. And how integral they are to the process of retaining and maintaining work is all over the map.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

July 17, 2019 | The American Lawyer

Can 'Virtual' Law Firms Help Close the Partner Gender Gap?

A Working Mother survey suggests law firms still have a long way to go to achieve gender parity—even up in the cloud.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

July 12, 2019 | The American Lawyer

Deal Watch: Midmarket Rankings, Self-Driving Trucks and the Race for Space

Goodwin Procter and Kirkland & Ellis lead Refinitiv's midmarket M&A league tables for the first half of 2019. Plus: VW and Ford eye automated transport, Sir Richard Branson takes space tourism public, and other deal highlights of the week.

By Patrick Smith

6 minute read

July 11, 2019 | Texas Lawyer

K&L Gates Extends Texas Hires With Houston, Austin Moves

The firm has added nearly a dozen faces in Texas since April, including five new lawyers this week.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

July 11, 2019 | Pro Mid Market

'One to Many' vs. 'One to One': Why Thinking Differently About Sales is Crucial

Marketing, sales and business development—while deeply intertwined—are all different jobs at law firms, even if they get lumped together when discussed in the legal industry.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read