As Delaware courts continue to see activity in corporate litigation and bankruptcy, Am Law 100 firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith has launched a presence in the state, bringing on the former head of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott's Wilmington office to take the lead.

Francis G.X. Pileggi joined Lewis Brisbois as managing partner of the new office May 1, the firm announced Thursday. Associate Chauna Abner made the move along with him, as well as his longtime administrative assistant.

While Los Angeles-founded Lewis Brisbois has over 1,600 lawyers in over 50 offices, it had "not one member of the Delaware bar" until now, Pileggi said. He had worked with the firm a number of times over the years as its Delaware counsel.

"They told me that having a Delaware office, which they did not have, would be a perfect fit," Pileggi said. While he was "very comfortable" at Eckert Seamans, "I just saw this as an opportunity that provided many more avenues for growth."

He said he has been approached by others at the associate and partner level about joining the new office, and he is in talks with those people.

Michael G. Platner, chair of Lewis Brisbois' corporate practice, said in a statement that adding Pileggi complements the firm's national corporate litigation and deals practice, as well as its directors and officers practice. "We are thrilled to open in Delaware with one of the state's leading corporate litigation practitioners," Platner said.

Pileggi said all of his longtime clients have agreed to make the move to Lewis Brisbois with him, and he expects his work for those clients to increase given his new firm's geographic footprint.

"I've always had enough of my own book of business to keep me busy," he said. His clients include outdoor recreation retailer Bass Pro Shops and its subsidiary, Cabelas, as well as Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America.

Pittsburgh-based Eckert Seamans brought Pileggi on in 2011, making him member-in-charge of its Wilmington office—partner Colleen Shields was appointed to that position in October. Before that, he was the founding partner of Philadelphia-based Fox Rothschild's Wilmington office.

Pileggi also served on Eckert Seamans' executive committee for several years, and he was on the firm's compensation committee before he departed, according to his biography on Eckert Seamans' website.

Pileggi acknowledged that "it's an unusual time to make a change," given the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns of many courts and law offices around the country. Many of the lawyers who have made lateral moves in recent weeks, all around the country, have noted that their transition happened remotely.

However, Pileggi said, because his new firm has so few people in Wilmington right now, they were able to get into the new office at 500 Delaware Avenue without violating the state's rules for stemming the spread of the virus.

"We can maintain social distancing, and we're wearing face masks," he said. Still, he noted that courts are operating differently—he has a trial next week that will be held remotely.

Despite the logistical and economical challenges posed by the pandemic, Pileggi said he has seen a continuous flow of work, and he has actually seek an uptick over the last few weeks. He said Delaware courts are accepting new filings, even though the courthouses are closed, and it's helpful that the Chancery Court doesn't do jury trials.

Steven Kruza, a Philadelphia-based legal recruiter who also works in the Delaware market, said many large firms have paused their recruiting efforts in all markets because of the pandemic. But others, particularly smaller firms headquartered in Delaware, are moving ahead with interviews.

"There are some firms that are nimble enough at the moment where they might be able to take advantage of some opportunities," Kruza said. He noted that Delaware seems to be "a little more insulated" from the economic effects of the virus, in part because bankruptcy, corporate litigation and intellectual property matters are so central to the local legal market.

Eckert Seamans did not respond to a request for comment on Pileggi's departure Thursday afternoon.

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