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
April 03, 2020 | The American Lawyer
As US Unemployment Soars, Legal Industry Hopes to Avoid Widespread LayoffsLaw firm job losses will be unavoidable, but some see hopeful differences between the COVID-19 crisis and the Great Recession.
By Patrick Smith
6 minute read
April 02, 2020 | The American Lawyer
M&A Activity Fell Off in 2020's First Quarter—Even at KirklandTotal deal value dropped 28% year over year globally, and M&A stalwart Kirkland & Ellis was hit especially hard, with a 74% decline from the first quarter of 2019.
By Patrick Smith
7 minute read
March 31, 2020 | The American Lawyer
As Remote Work Brings Isolation, How Can Firms Keep Lawyers in the Fold?"The kind of interpersonal communication that people have on a coffee break or in the lunchroom is now gone," said one behavioral scientist who's also a Big Law alum. "Firms are going to have to work to keep their people committed and engaged."
By Patrick Smith
4 minute read
March 31, 2020 | The American Lawyer
With Pros and Olympics Delayed, Sports Lawyers Plot Out the Long Game for Their PracticesWhile some sports-related work will slow, lawyers will be called in to broker cooperation in rescheduling major athletic competitions.
By Patrick Smith
6 minute read
March 27, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Rethinking Law Firm Real Estate When the Office Is EmptyWill the sudden shift to remote working accelerate the trends that are transforming modern law offices?
By Patrick Smith
5 minute read
March 27, 2020 | The American Lawyer
How Big Law Shaped Private Equity and Rode the Wave to Record RevenueFacilitated by the innovative lawyers who designed creative tax vehicles, corporate structures and deal incentives as the industry blossomed, private equity has become a cycle of prosperity that has helped push Big Law forward.
By Patrick Smith
13 minute read
March 26, 2020 | The American Lawyer
Hogan Lovells Raids Emergency Supplies to Get N95 Masks to Health ProvidersThanks to a grassroots mobilization effort within the firm, internal supplies designed to be used in a terrorist attack or traditional natural disaster have found a new purpose.
By Patrick Smith
3 minute read
March 24, 2020 | New York Law Journal
Gibson Dunn Nabs Paul Hastings Private Equity Partner as Crisis Calls for Client 'Triage'"These are logistically challenging times, but it has been much easier than I thought," Stefan dePozsgay said of his move.
By Patrick Smith
4 minute read
March 23, 2020 | New York Law Journal
After 23 Years at Simpson Thacher, Veteran Tax Partner Picks Paul WeissRobert Holo is returning to Paul Weiss after more than two decades advising on deals with a New York rival.
By Patrick Smith
2 minute read
March 23, 2020 | National Law Journal
Ex-FDA Official Leaves Akin Gump for Arnold & Porter as Regulatory Questions SwirlHoward Sklamberg joined Arnold & Porter on Monday and was immediately placed on his new firm's COVID-19 task force.
By Patrick Smith
3 minute read
