THE CHEETAH BRIEF – 16th Edition
In fiscal year 2024, Los Angeles saw the fastest attorney headcount growth among major U.S. legal markets, with NLJ 500 firms increasing their local lawyer population by 6%—outpacing New York, D.C., and Chicago. The surge, fueled by rising demand in litigation, private equity, transactions, and L&E, added over 500 lawyers citywide. Major firms like Gibson Dunn, Quinn Emanuel, and Wilson Elser led the charge, citing strong demand in real estate, transportation, and corporate practices. Recruiters noted an intensifying talent war in LA, driven by both firm competition and associate selectiveness. With LA’s legal market booming, many firms are expanding strategically to position themselves for long-term growth.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
Sidley Austin snags Cooley emerging companies’ partner, Michael Rohr, in Boston.
Paul Hastings adds Chris Zochowski and Brad Noojin, from A&O Shearman.
White & Case to add leading Ropes & Gray PE partner, Helen Croke.
Two more litigation partners, Melissa Zappala and Dunn Isaacson Rhee, have left Paul, Weiss to join a spinoff firm, along with several associates, in the wake of the firm's March pro bono deal with the Trump administration.
FIRM SPOTLIGHT - MORVILLO ABRAMOWITZ GRAND LASON & ANELLO P.C.
Morvillo Abramowitz is a renowned New York-based litigation boutique known for its deep trial experience and high-profile clientele, particularly in white collar defense, securities enforcement, and government investigations. Founded in the early 1970s by veterans of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the firm has built a legacy of legal excellence with a roster of former federal prosecutors, including leaders from the Southern District of New York. The firm is consistently ranked among the top in white collar defense by Vault, Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, and other major legal publications. Its notable representations span from Martha Stewart and Woody Allen to major corporate players like Merrill Lynch and Deloitte, handling cases ranging from FCPA investigations to MeToo litigation. Morvillo Abramowitz’s reputation is rooted in its elite legal talent and a long track record of handling some of the nation’s most complex and high-stakes cases.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Over the past two years, more than 20 U.S. law firms have closed offices in mainland China. Many have also conducted layoffs and are focused on keeping lean teams in the region due to a prolonged market downturn, compounded by a strategic shift that focuses on expanding in the West
States that employ the most in-house lawyers: #1 NY, #2 CA, #3 TX, #4 FL, #5 IL, #6 DC, #7 NJ, #8 MA, #9 PA and #10 GA
The legal profession skews older than most occupations in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median age for lawyers was 46 in 2024. By comparison, the median age of all U.S. workers was 42.1 — nearly four years younger
AI-powered legal timekeeping startup Laurel announces $100MM Series C lead by IVP and Google Ventures.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Debevoise Balances Tradition and Growth with New Nonequity Tier
Debevoise & Plimpton has introduced a nonequity partnership tier, joining other top law firms in adopting a two-tier structure to enhance talent recruitment and retention, while reaffirming its commitment to a lockstep compensation model. The new tier, which begins July 1 alongside 11 partner promotions, is designed to remain small and targeted, offering advancement opportunities to high-performing lawyers without diluting the firm's collaborative culture. Despite industry trends favoring performance-based pay, Debevoise remains one of the few major firms committed to lockstep compensation, which it believes fosters teamwork and long-term client relationships. The changes follow a year of record financial growth, with revenue rising nearly 20% and profits per equity partner increasing by 32%.
Kirkland Scales Back DEI Amid Political Scrutiny
Kirkland & Ellis has reduced its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) staff, including dismissing its Global Inclusion Director Joi Bourgeois, amid broader organizational changes and increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration. Bourgeois was replaced by Grace Geronimo, who was promoted internally. The firm has made noticeable changes to its online DEI presence, coinciding with executive actions targeting law firms' DEI practices. In April, Kirkland and other major firms reached a $500 million pro bono settlement with the EEOC, agreeing not to engage in unlawful discrimination while avoiding any admission of wrongdoing.
