THE CHEETAH BRIEF – 41st EDITION
Crowell & Moring is bucking the Big Law trend of expanding office space by downsizing its Chicago footprint and adopting a modern, collaborative design. The firm moved from 78,000 to 50,000 square feet at 300 N. LaSalle, emphasizing natural light, shared spaces and updated tech. Chicago managing partner Jason Stiehl said the shift reflects both the firm's growth and post-pandemic priorities, with employees now required to be in-office three days a week. The move aligns with broader firm expansion, including recent relocations in New York and London and plans for a new D.C. office in 2026, as Chicago remains a key growth market. The new space is also designed to boost engagement and make in-person work more appealing for employees.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
Continuing Texas growth, Paul Hastings adds two Winston & Strawn litigators, Stephanie Clouston and Matt Durfee, in Dallas.
King & Spalding rehired John Carrol as a partner from Sheppard Mullin.
Latham global hospitality co-chair, Meghan Cocci, moves to Kirkland.
Paul Weiss hires Sidley private equity trio, Nicholas Schwartz, Julie Ann Lamm and Mark Adler, in New York.
FIRM SPOTLIGHT - SIMPSON, THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett is a powerhouse Wall Street firm known for elite work in MSA, banking, capital markets, private equity, and litigation, with more than 1,000 lawyers across 14 global offices. Founded in 1884, the firm quickly cemented its reputation through major infrastructure and corporate deals— a legacy it continues today with top rankings across multiple transactional and litigation practices and a roster of high-profile clients. Its litigators regularly handle major securities and commercial disputes, while its corporate teams lead market-shaping transactions worldwide. The firm also invests heavily in associate development through its STB Ready training program, which builds practical, financial, and industry-specific skills from day one. Altogether, Simpson remains one of the most influential and consistently high-performing firms in the global legal market.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
According to data compiled by Pirical, around 54% of departing Kirkland non-equity partners move into partnerships at AmLaw 50 firms, while the remainder leave for other firms, head in-house and into advisory roles, or retire.
A dozen or so elite high-profit firms saw demand grow 5% through the first nine months of the year. Meanwhile, the rest of the top 50 grew demand 1.5%. Some of the difference in performance comes down to higher partner productivity and hours at elite firms, a more private equity focused practice mix and the most significant lateral plays in the market.
According to a Law.com survey of 264 associates from across several U.S. and U.K. top 50 firms, Al emerges as the most cited concern overall in the workplace across all associates (30%). Junior associates are particularly apprehensive (35%), while mid-level associates report slightly lower concern (20.48%), and senior associates nearly match juniors (32%).
Why In-House Counsel Can't Delay Internal Investigations
Internal investigations require swift, strategic action to limit risk, panelists at the Association of Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting emphasized. They stressed early issue-spotting, knowing when to involve legal, and recognizing triggers like whistleblower tips or exit interviews. Choosing internal vs. external investigators depends on potential conflicts, expertise and where the findings may end up. Careful planning, documentation and protecting privilege are essential, as is deciding whether written or verbal reporting best serves the situation. Ultimately, acting quickly and documenting thoroughly helps protect the company long-term.
The 2025 Litigation Boutique Hiring Guide
Boutique law firms are on the rise in 2025, with both new firms forming and existing ones expanding. Los Angeles attorney Peter Stris, founder of Stris & Maher, created a litigation boutique hiring guide profiling 32 firms, including notable names like Selendy Gay and Zuckerman Spader. The guide provides one-page summaries detailing firm descriptions, hiring locations, compensation for entry-level associates, and summer associate preferences. Most profiles (26) were reviewed by the firms themselves, while six were compiled from public sources. Stris developed the guide in response to widespread interest from associates, summer associates, and other legal professionals seeking transparent, accessible information about boutique hiring practices. He found that firms were surprisingly cooperative, sharing detailed insights about compensation, work, and firm culture.
