THE CHEETAH BRIEF – 42nd EDITION
Pryor Cashman LLP has added Jason E. Sloan, a former assistant general counsel at the U.S. Copyright Office, as a partner in its litigation and music, IP, and media and entertainment practices. After a decade in public service, including advising Congress on the Music Modernization Act and working with the DOJ on major copyright cases, Sloan said he was ready to return to private practice and found Pryor Cashman a natural fit. With a background in music and prior roles at Paul Weiss and Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, he brings broad expertise in areas like generative AI, statutory licensing, and DMCA matters. Firm leaders praised his deep experience as a strong addition to their leading copyright practice.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
Wilmer adds fund formation partner, Javad Mostofizadeh, from Latham in San Francisco.
Meta’s legal chief, Jennifer Newstead, switches to Apple.
Latham adds Kirland energy, infrastructure partner, Christopher Heasley, in Houston.
DOJ antitrust deputy assistant AG, Manish Kumar, moves to Freshfields in San Francisco.
FIRM SPOTLIGHT - GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
Greenberg Traurig is one of the largest U.S. law firms, representing major clients across technology, energy, entertainment, telecom, real estate, finance, and healthcare, with nearly 50 offices worldwide. Founded in Miami in 1967, the firm grew rapidly through strategic expansion and now maintains a strong national and international presence. Its deep roots in real estate continue to shape its modern practice, with more than 700 attorneys handling major projects across construction, finance, hospitality, land use, and litigation. The firm is also recognized as a leader in entertainment, media, and sports law, advising on everything from IP and labor matters to esports and venue development. Greenberg Traurig invests heavily in talent development through its Hoffman Center for Professional Development, offering individualized training, mentorship programs, and career guidance to support associate growth and long-term success.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
New partner class sizes appear to be rebounding in the Am Law 100 after four years of shrinking, according to a five-year Law.com analysis of 30 top 100 firms that announced partner promotions by the first week of December. The 30-firm cohort saw a total of 657 new partners for the class of 2026, up 9% from last year's total
Currently, there are 1,374,720 lawyers in the U.S., up from 1,355,963 in 2024—a 1.38% increase, according to the ABA’s 2025 Profile of the Legal Profession
According to a 2025 Harbor Law Department survey of in-house legal departments, more than two-thirds, or 80% of participants, identified technology strategy as a top priority for legal operations in the next 12 months. Other priorities include financial management at 72% and outside counsel or vendor management at 62%
Jenner & Block Moves to Four-Day Office Mandate
Jenner & Block is joining a growing number of firms shifting to a four-day in-office schedule, announcing that employees will be required to work on-site Monday through Thursday starting March 1. The firm cited recent office expansions, industry trends, and the importance of preserving its culture as reasons for the change, moving up from its current three-day policy. The decision comes amid strong financial performance and recent high-profile hires, as well as broader momentum across the Am Law 100, where more firms are investing in office space and tightening attendance expectations.
The Peak of the Private Equity Hiring Frenzy
A surge in private-equity–driven partner hiring has pushed law firm compensation to unprecedented heights, with mid-market partners commanding multimillion-pound deals and top London lawyers billed at £2,500 an hour. While demand from private capital remains strong and continues to diversify, the talent market has become saturated, prompting firms to chase a limited pool of rainmakers in hopes of replicating giants like Kirkland and Latham—a strategy that carries growing financial risk. As recruitment costs escalate and the payoff becomes less certain, many leaders believe the current frenzy is unsustainable, suggesting the market may soon cool, whether through a sharp correction or a gradual deflation.
