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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January 24, 2025 | Law.com

Was It Ever A Profession? A Look at the History of Law Firms as a Business with RJon Robins

In this week's Legal Speak episode, Patrick Smith talks with author and small-firm guru RJon Robbins about the history of law as a business, whether that has become more of a focus lately and whether, regardless of what attorneys say, the law has always been a business like any other.

By Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith

1 minute read

January 24, 2025 | The American Lawyer

Antitrust Partner Plans Move to Davis Polk From Fried Frank

Nathaniel Asker has been at Fried Frank for the last decade.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read

January 23, 2025 | The American Lawyer

'Ridiculously Busy': Several Law Firms Position Themselves as Go-To Experts on Trump’s Executive Orders

Akin, Wilmer, Brownstein and Hogan Lovells are creating programs and teams to help clients and stakeholders keep track of Trump's executive orders.

By Patrick Smith

5 minute read

January 22, 2025 | The American Lawyer

Paul Hastings, Recruiting From Davis Polk, Adds Capital Markets Attorney

Jeffrey Ramsay had been at Davis Polk for over 20 years but he said the time was right for a move.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read

January 21, 2025 | The American Lawyer

Paul Weiss Lands Exec Compensation Head From Sullivan & Cromwell

He has advised on many of the largest M&A deals of the past decade and a half, including AT&T’s buys of Time Warner ($109 billion) and DirectTV ($67 billion) and Kraft’s $60 billion merger with Heinz.

By Patrick Smith

2 minute read

January 21, 2025 | The American Lawyer

Cravath Hires Paul Weiss Antitrust Co-Chair

Andrew Finch is a rare lateral hire for Cravath from a rival firm.

By Patrick Smith and Christine Simmons

2 minute read

January 21, 2025 | New York Law Journal

SDNY Criminal Division Deputy Chief Returns to Debevoise

Debevoise has made a push over the last couple of years to grow its San Francisco office, which, according to the firm, has doubled in size since it opened in 2021.

By Patrick Smith

3 minute read