Newswatch · U.S. & Americas

The week in Big Law:
U.S. & Americas.

100 stories101 firms

Lateral moves29

Confirmed

Sullivan & Cromwell hires Kirkland & Ellis tax lawyer Vivek Ratnam as partner

Sullivan & Cromwell announced that Vivek Ratnam will join its Tax Group as a partner in New York, from Kirkland & Ellis. He advises private equity sponsors and corporations on the tax aspects of complex transactions. The firm cites its September 15 announcement of a private equity practice expansion.

SourceSullivan & Cromwell LLP (firm announcement)

Confirmed

Mintz adds Alexander Katznelson as Securities & Capital Markets partner in Toronto

Mintz welcomed Alexander Katznelson as a Partner in its Securities & Capital Markets Practice, based in Toronto. He was most recently a partner at Cozen O'Connor. He advises on cross-border corporate finance, securities and strategic transactions, with experience in digital infrastructure, data centers and natural resources.

  • Mintz
  • Cozen O'Connor
  • Alexander Katznelson
  • Bob Bodian
  • Toronto
  • Capital Markets

SourceMintz (firm press release)

Confirmed

Mewburn Ellis creates CTO role; Goodwin partner joins Omnilex as US managing partner

Mewburn Ellis promoted Andy Newland to the newly created CTO role, covering technology strategy and AI adoption. Leon Johnson, a private equity and growth equity partner at Goodwin in San Francisco, joined Zurich-based AI-native law firm Omnilex as managing partner to lead its US business. The roundup also covers Harvey, Litera and SCOREalytics appointments.

SourceLegal IT Insider

Confirmed

Buchalter adds Stephanie Nation and Charles Clark as partners in Orange County

Buchalter announced that Stephanie Nation and Charles Clark joined the firm as partners in its Orange County office. Nation joins the Real Estate Practice Group and Clark joins the Litigation Practice Group. Nation represents real estate developers; Clark handles civil litigation including real estate and commercial disputes.

  • Buchalter
  • Stephanie Nation
  • Charles Clark
  • Adam Bass
  • Mercedes Martin
  • Gabe Green
  • Orange County
  • Disputes

SourcesAttorney at Law MagazineLawFuel

Confirmed

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck adds former USDA deputy general counsel in Washington, D.C.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck announced that Caleb Crosswhite joined its Washington, D.C., office as a shareholder in the Government Relations Department. He most recently served as principal deputy general counsel at USDA and previously was chief counsel on the Senate Agriculture Committee staff.

SourceBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (firm news page)

Confirmed

Baker Donelson adds former White House information governance director as shareholder

Baker Donelson added Kenya Parrish-Dixon, previously director of White House Information Governance for the Executive Office of the President, as a shareholder in its Commercial Litigation Group. Her practice spans commercial litigation, cybersecurity, data privacy, information governance, crisis management and education matters.

SourceBaker Donelson (firm press release)

Confirmed

4-lawyer commodities and finance team moves from Hogan Lovells Cadwalader to Blank Rome in

A four-lawyer commodities and finance team has moved from Hogan Lovells Cadwalader to Blank Rome in New York. The team collectively represents commodity merchants, traders and the institutions that finance them across a range of transactions.

SourcesAttorney at Law MagazineLaw.com — The American LawyerBluesky — Big Law search

Confirmed

Massumi + Consoli expands in Dallas, adds Sheppard public equity and M&A partner

Massumi + Consoli, founded in Los Angeles, expands in Dallas and adds a public equity and M&A partner from Sheppard. The firm has been growing nationally, recruiting partners in the second half of the year from firms including Paul Weiss, Gibson Dunn and Goodwin Procter.

SourceLaw.com — Texas Lawyer

Confirmed

Ashurst Perkins Coie launches Houston office with two Bracewell partner hires

Ashurst Perkins Coie launched in Houston, hiring two partners from Bracewell. Thomas Tomlinson joins the project, energy, environment and resources group. Tamara McKinzie joins as a real estate partner specialising in energy and infrastructure.

SourcesLegal BusinessLawFuelThe Oath (Middle East)

Confirmed

Honigman adds Gene Magidenko as partner in Private Client Practice from ArentFox Schiff

Honigman LLP announced that Evgeny "Gene" Magidenko joined as a partner in the Private Client Practice Group of its Corporate Department. He comes from ArentFox Schiff, where he spent nearly a decade as a tax attorney. He will advise family offices and estate planning clients on corporate, partnership, estate and trust tax matters.

SourceAttorney at Law Magazine

Confirmed

Paul Hastings adds three complex litigation lawyers from Sheppard Mullin in California

Paul Hastings LLP announced the addition of complex litigation lawyers Craig Cardon, Abby Meyer and Jay Ramsey in California, joining from Sheppard Mullin. Global Managing Partner Sherrese Smith said the team strengthens its ability to represent companies in consumer class actions and mass arbitrations.

SourcesPaul Hastings LLP (firm press release)LawdragonLaw.com — The Recorder

Promotions2

Confirmed

Latham & Watkins elects 36 associates to partnership effective January 1, 2027

Latham & Watkins LLP announced 36 associates elected to the partnership effective January 1, 2027. With 22 counsel elected earlier this year, total new partners announced in 2026 is 58. Chair and Managing Partner Rich Trobman commented.

  • Latham & Watkins
  • Aaron Bradley
  • Jean-Baptiste Douchy
  • Corinna Freudenmacher
  • Philipp Hagenbuch
  • Michael Houlder
  • Anna-Maria Kuckerz
  • Harry Redford
  • Andrew Abokhair
  • Kyle Adams
  • Omar Ammash
  • Megan Ampe
  • Ted Bantle
  • Sarah Burack
  • London, Brussels, Munich, Hamburg, Austin, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles
  • M&A, Banking & Finance, Regulatory, EC/VC, Disputes

SourcesLaw.com — New York Law JournalPR Newswire — Personnel Announcements

Confirmed

White & Case promotes 47 lawyers to partner, effective January 1, 2027

White & Case promoted 47 lawyers to partnership effective January 1, 2027. The class spans 13 practices across 21 offices in 13 countries; US-based lawyers are 40 percent, its largest US class since 2022. Middle East new partners: Reem AlBakr (Riyadh) and Yannick Whorms (Dubai).

  • White & Case
  • Reem AlBakr
  • Yannick Whorms
  • Heather McDevitt
  • Constantin Teetzmann
  • James M. Turner
  • George Davie
  • Russell E. Deutsch
  • Gökçe Uluç
  • Ashley Chase
  • Julien Faure
  • Sven Hentschel
  • Varoon Sachdev
  • Nayomi Skinner
  • Ashleigh Tang
  • Andy LeGolvan
  • Jenny Jing Zhang
  • Callum Johnson
  • Mounia Larbaoui
  • Ed Pearson
  • Sebyul Chun
  • Masao Fujino
  • Veronica Gordon
  • Victoire Segard
  • Juliette Brasart
  • Claire Sardet
  • Séverin Robillard
  • Dubai, Riyadh, Berlin, London, New York, Istanbul, Paris, Hamburg, Miami, Sydney, Silicon Valley, Washington DC, Houston, Seoul, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Milan, Mexico City, Singapore, Chicago
  • M&A, Fund Formation, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Disputes, Project Finance/Energy & Infra

SourcesThe Oath (Middle East)Pulse 2.0 — LawLe Monde du Droit — Nominations

Offices3

Mergers & combinations3

Confirmed

Weil Gotshal & Manges reportedly pursuing merger with another law firm

Weil Gotshal & Manges is pursuing a merger with another law firm and is in discussions to secure the tie-up. Its leaders have told top partners. The other firm is not named.

SourcesBloomberg LawBluesky — Big Law searchLaw.com — The American LawyerLaw.com network — Legal News (FeedBlitz)Law.com network — Legal News (FeedBlitz)Bluesky — Big Law searchAbove the LawBluesky — Big Law searchLaw.com — The American LawyerLawFuelAbove the LawLegal CheekCity A.M.

Pay & bonuses6

Confirmed

Above the Law roundup: Kagan remarks, Hastings naming dispute, Robins Kaplan clerkship bonuses

Above the Law link roundup. Items include Robins Kaplan 'raises the bar' on clerkship bonuses, Elena Kagan saying the Supreme Court majority has 'blinded itself', the Supreme Court ending the Hastings law school naming battle, a Florida Bar ethics issue involving Damon Wilson II, and a parody of private equity law firm takeover plans.

SourceAbove the Law

Confirmed

Robins Kaplan raises clerkship bonuses to $150,000 or $175,000 for young lawyers

Robins Kaplan LLP announced it increased judicial clerkship bonuses to $150,000 for eligible lawyers completing one qualifying clerkship and $175,000 for those completing two or more. Chair and Managing Partner Anthony Froio commented. Bonuses are subject to the firm's eligibility requirements and applicable guidelines.

Read the full article →

SourcesBluesky — Big Law searchLawFuelBluesky — Big Law searchAbove the LawAbove the Law

Confirmed

Hueston Hennigan to offer $205,000 bonus for federal clerkships starting 2027

Above the Law reports, citing sources, that Hueston Hennigan will offer $205,000 for all federal clerkships beginning next year (2027). The firm raised its clerkship bonus to $180,000 in March 2025. Susman Godfrey and Munger Tolles & Olson offer $180,000 for one clerkship and $200,000 for multiple.

SourcesAbove the LawLaw360 — Legal IndustryBluesky — Big Law search

Confirmed

Milbank raises associate pay to $235,000–$455,000; Cravath unchanged, no 2026 year-end bonuses announced

Milbank announced raises of $10,000 to $20,000 effective 1 July 2026, setting base pay at $235,000 for first-years and $455,000 for eighth-years. McDermott Will & Schulte, Quinn Emanuel, Katten and Seward & Kissel were reported to have matched. Cravath's careers page still lists $225,000 to $420,000.

SourceLegal Desire

Confirmed

Haynes Boone London partner discusses London listings for Texas companies in Q&A with LSEG

The Texas Lawbook interviewed Chris Mayo, LSEG head of primary markets for the Americas, and Nick Davis, London-based Haynes Boone capital markets partner. Davis helped on the 1947 Oil & Gas $40 million London IPO and Fermi's Nasdaq and LSE dual listing. They discuss London's fit for smaller-cap Texas companies.

SourceThe Texas Lawbook

Confirmed

Cooley partner quoted on activists using AI strategies in campaigns

Sean Brownridge, partner and chair of Cooley's activism defense group, was quoted in The Deal. He said activist investors increasingly use companies' AI strategies as a basis for campaigns focused on cost reductions, operational improvements and M&A. Companies seen as falling behind may face pressure to pursue strategic transactions.

SourceCooley — media feed

Confirmed

Cooley's Susanne Grooms cited in WSJ on post-midterm congressional investigation preparations

Cooley partner Susanne Grooms, who leads the firm's bipartisan congressional investigations practice, was featured in a Wall Street Journal article on preparations for potential congressional investigations after the midterm elections. She said Cooley has seen an influx of corporate clients seeking advice on preparing for investigations and congressional scrutiny.

SourceCooley — media feed

Leadership6

Confirmed

McGinnis Lochridge hires Charles Gillis as Chief Operating Officer

McGinnis Lochridge, a Texas business law firm founded in 1927, hired Charles Gillis as COO. He will oversee finance, HR, technology and business growth, working with Managing Partner Carl Galant. He was most recently executive director of Platt Richmond PLLC in Dallas.

  • McGinnis Lochridge
  • Platt Richmond PLLC
  • GrayRobinson, P.A.
  • Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
  • Squire Patton Boggs
  • Brown & Hofmeister, L.L.P.
  • Charles Gillis
  • Carl Galant
  • Austin, Dallas

SourcePR Newswire — Personnel Announcements

Confirmed

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader partners with both Harvey and Legora in new AI strategy

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader announced an AI strategy that partners with both Harvey and Legora, continues internal AI development through ELTEMATE, and adds a new AI board. Paul Otto becomes managing partner for legal technology and AI. Oliver Campbell becomes chief transformation officer.

SourceLegal Cheek

Confirmed

Womble Bond Dickinson names Jamie Chou office managing partner for San Francisco and Walnut

Womble Bond Dickinson announced that partner Jamie Chou has been named office managing partner of its San Francisco and Walnut Creek offices, effective immediately. Chou joined the firm in 2022 through its combination with Cooper, White & Cooper LLP. She is a corporate and real estate attorney.

SourceAttorney at Law Magazine

Financials5

Rankings10

Also notable28

Confirmed

Court says US bankruptcy watchdog can seek clawback of Jackson Walker legal fees

A Texas bankruptcy court concluded the U.S. Trustee's Office has standing to pursue millions of dollars in fees paid to Jackson Walker LLP. The fees relate to cases assigned to a judge who was in an undisclosed romantic relationship with one of the firm's ex-partners.

SourcesBluesky — Big Law searchLaw360 — Legal EthicsLaw360 — Legal IndustryBluesky — Big Law searchBluesky — Big Law searchBluesky — Big Law searchBluesky — Big Law search

Confirmed

Lawdragon profiles Foley & Lardner partner Louis Lehot on startup practice

Louis Lehot is a Big Law partner at Foley & Lardner's Silicon Valley office in Palo Alto, California. He joined Foley in February 2021 from L2 Counsel. Earlier he worked at Shearman & Sterling, Simpson Thacher, Sheppard Mullin, Cooley and DLA Piper.

SourceLawdragon

Confirmed

Trump administration loses bid to disqualify Susman Godfrey from lawyer group's lawsuit

A federal judge rejected the Justice Department's bid to remove Susman Godfrey as lead counsel for the American Bar Association's lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of illegally intimidating law firms. The judge ruled the firm's lawyers are unlikely to be called as witnesses. The case could force discovery into White House communications with some of the country's largest firms.

SourcesBluesky — Big Law searchBluesky — Big Law searchThe Texas LawbookLaw360 — Legal EthicsLaw360 — Legal IndustryLaw.com — The American Lawyer

Confirmed items are announced by the firm or reported as fact by the cited outlets. Unconfirmed items are reports the firms have not confirmed. Every item links to its sources; we add nothing the sources do not say.

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