THE CHEETAH BRIEF – 15th Edition
In the post-pandemic legal hiring landscape, law firms have increasingly turned to predictive Al tools to evaluate candidates for 2L summer associate roles, replacing traditional on-campus interviews with direct applications and virtual assessments. Tools like Suited, Thine, and Pymetrics are now widely used to measure behavioral traits, cognitive abilities, and experiences that align with firm-specific definitions of success. Similarly, Parker Analytics uses resume and performance data to generate a "Parker Score" that quantifies a candidate's fit. While these tools allow firms to widen their talent pools and prioritize diversity, they are used in varied ways-some firms use scores as tiebreakers, while others may eliminate candidates with low scores. Al-backed assessments have become a significant, though not sole, factor in Big Law recruitment decisions.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
Akin adds DLA Piper investment management partner, Skye Smith, focusing on the Middle East market
Foley opens Nashville office, adding three Holland & Knight partners, including Jesse Neil, Brent Bowman, and Jon Gaston
O'Melveny hires bicoastal structured finance duo, Howard Goldwasser and Skanthan Vivekananda, both from Orrick
Dechert adds a four-lawyer Orrick finance team in London, including partners Sushila Nayak and James Jirtle, and two associates, while two capital market partners, Patrick Lyons and Jennifer Rees, depart.
FIRM SPOTLIGHT - FRIEDMAN KAPLAN SEILER ADELMAN & ROBBINS LLP
Founded by seven attorneys in 1986, Friedman Kaplan has grown into a leading boutique firm with nearly 50 lawyers practicing in both New York and New Jersey. Renowned for its litigation expertise, the firm also handles corporate and white collar matters. Its diverse client base includes major financial institutions and high-profile individuals. Notable representations include advising Wells Fargo and Wachovia in a multibillion-dollar dispute with Citigroup during the financial crisis, securing a $1.3 billion settlement for two hedge funds against the Republic of Argentina over defaulted bonds, and representing Chuck Blazer in investigations related to World Cup bribery allegations.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Big Law dealmaking in the last two weeks has been on the rise with Kirkland, Troutman Pepper Locke, and Gibson Dunn-led a private equity-backed energy deal worth over $11 billion, while Wachtell, Morrison & Forster, Latham, and Fenwick led Salesforce's buy of Informatica for $8 billion
Vacation time usage in improving slightly in Big Law in 2025, according to an Am Law survey, with roughly 36% planning on taking all their vacation time while 72% said they don't plan on fully disconnecting while on vacation. Over half of respondents said their manager encouraged time off while 47% said the opposite
There were more than 1.3 total million lawyers in the United States as of 2024, an increase of 3.2% over the last decade with most of the growth during the first 5 years according to the ABA
The number of American lawyers who reported having disabilities in 2023 remains small at about 2% with about 1.7% being partners and 2.4% being associates, according to the ABA
INDUSTRY NEWS
Atlanta Law Firms Show Strong Growth in 2024 Am Law Rankings
In the 2024 Am Law 200 rankings, ten Atlanta-founded law firms were included, all of which reported revenue growth, though at varying rates. King & Spalding remained the top-ranked Atlanta firm at No. 21, with $2.37 billion in revenue, despite dropping four spots. Arnall Golden Gregory and Freeman Mathis & Gary posted the fastest revenue growth among Atlanta firms, increasing by over 20%. Alston & Bird saw the biggest gains in profits per equity partner (PEP) and revenue per lawyer (RPL) among Am Law 100 firms, while Smith Gambrell & Russell led those metrics among Am Law 200 firms. Other notable performers included Troutman Pepper Locke, Kilpatrick Townsend, and Ogletree Deakins, all of which showed modest but steady growth. Overall, Atlanta-founded firms demonstrated strong financial performance, outpacing national averages in many cases.
King & Spalding Bolsters Mass Torts Practice Amid High-Profile Departures
King & Spalding has significantly expanded its product liability and mass torts practice in recent years, hiring high-profile laterals and securing major litigation wins. Despite a recent high-profile departure of about 20 lawyers-including 13 partners led by Kim Bueno-to Kirkland & Ellis, the firm maintains a strong bench with around 175 product liability lawyers and 130 toxic and environmental tort specialists. Recent victories include defending Boehringer Ingelheim in Zantac litigation and winning a trial for Terumo BCT over alleged toxic emissions. The practice's growth contributed to an 11% revenue increase in 2024, bolstered by new partner additions from firms like Butler Snow, Mayer Brown, and Hollingsworth. Chairman Robert Hays, a veteran product liability litigator, continues to shape the firm's strategic direction.
