Phoenix-founded Snell & Wilmer added three former McDermott Will & Emery partners to its intellectual property and technology group this week, including one who led the trademark litigation practice at the much-larger McDermott.

John Dabney, Richard Kim and Mary Hallerman are each joining Snell as partners in Washington, D.C., becoming the firm's first full-time resident partners there. Dabney spent nearly 20 years at McDermott, where he led the trademark litigation practice for the past decade, he said. He has been lead counsel in more than 100 federal court actions, according to Snell.

Dabney has represented brands such as candy company Mars Inc., meat processor and marketer Tyson Foods, the AARP and multiple microbreweries, including Dogfish Head Brewery and Brooklyn Brewery, according to his McDermott biography.

He said the move happened quickly, especially compared to the multimonth process lateral moves often require.

"We had a friend at Snell who practices in our area, and he said how happy he was there," Dabney said. "We quickly got to meet the managing partner and some others and were blown away by them. The whole process took about four to six weeks."

John Dabney (from left), Richard Kim and Mary Hallerman, new partners at Snell & Wilmer. (Courtesy photos)

McDermott, which announced austerity measures last week to deal with economic fallout from COVID-19, is coming off a strong 2019 that saw the firm grow revenue by 11% to $1.17 billion while equity partner payouts passed the $2 million mark.

But Dabney said that, in the end, the firm's financial model was not a match for his and his team's practice.

"When you have to work at a rate of $1,200 or $1,300 per hour, every single minute of your day is highly scrutinized," Dabney said. "It is more enjoyable to work at a lower rate and be able to look your client in the eye when you tell them what [the rate] is."

He said the fees he'll be able to charge at Snell, a Second Hundred firm with revenues of about $270 million 2019, will allow his team to keep many existing clients as well as regain some they'd lost previously, which Dabney attributed to rate pressures.

"My compensation went up 25% this year," Dabney said. "But I wouldn't have stayed, even if they doubled it."

Kim, who also had been at McDermott for close to two decades, works on trademark prosecution, counseling, licensing and litigation matters, Snell said. Kim carved out a niche for himself in the alcoholic beverage industry, representing brands such as the Absolut Co, Malibu Rum, Kahlua, Chivas Brothers, Beefeater, Glenlivet, Plymouth Gin, Sapporo USA, Newcastle Brown Ale and Amstel Light, according to his former McDermott biography.

Hallerman, who was at McDermott for a little under 10 years, works on trademark, trade dress, false advertising and copyright litigation issues, according to Snell. She has represented confectioner Lotte Confectionery Co. and Lotte International America Corp., Oregon Brewery Co. and Mars Petcare, among others.

Snell saw modest growth in 2019, growing revenue by 3% and partner profits by 2%. While adding three partners in D.C., the firm lost one in Salt Lake City last week, as former partner Michael Gehret moved over to Armstrong Teasdale.

McDermott, for its part, added four former DLA Piper tax attorneys to its Miami office on April 7.

"The addition of John, Richard and Mary to our team greatly strengthens our capabilities and reach in the Washington, D.C., market," Howard Sobelman, co-chair of Snell's intellectual property and technology group, said in a statement. "Their extensive experience in IP litigation, prosecution and counseling adds a critical dimension to our firm's overall growth strategy in the intellectual property space."

In a statement, McDermott said the firm wishes the trio the best at their new firm.

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