Hogan Lovells started small in Philadelphia, with two lawyers in 2010, but it has grown to more than two dozen lawyers through a number of associate and lateral partner hires. Among them was corporate partner John Duke, who joined the firm in 2016 from Pepper Hamilton, and is now the Philadelphia office managing partner.

Duke, who took on the role Jan. 1, is taking over for white-collar defense partner Virginia “Ginny” Gibson, who has led the office since 2016. Gibson, a former federal prosecutor, will continue to practice within the firm's litigation group.

The Legal caught up with Duke as he takes on this new role to talk Philadelphia strategy, and why non-Pennsylvania-based firms are taking an interest in the market. (Duke's answers have been edited lightly for length.)