THE CHEETAH BRIEF – 43rd EDITION
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has launched a digital infrastructure practice group to advise on large, complex transactions in the rapidly growing sector, leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise across technology, energy, real estate, finance and corporate law. The firm said it has advised on more than $1 trillion in digital infrastructure deals and formalized the practice to deliver integrated, cross-geography legal services. The group is co-led by Palo Alto–based attorneys Nader Mousavi and Mike Ringler and includes a 13-lawyer team across Palo Alto and New York. Sullivan & Cromwell highlighted its work for clients such as OpenAI, SoftBank, Broadcom and WrenHouse as evidence of its leadership in this high-impact industry.
MARKET MOVEMENTS
Kirkland adds Vinson & Elkins corporate partner, Alex Robertson, in Dallas
Sullivan & Cromwell hires two London partners, Aprajita Dhundia and Ian Fereira, from Kirkland
Former EDPA Chief Judge, Mitchel Goldberg, joins Blank Rome
Millbank lures Paul Hastings energy and infrastructure finance partner, Thomas Sines
FIRM SPOTLIGHT - MCGUIREWOODS LLP
McGuireWoods is a full-service law firm with more than 1,000 attorneys across 19 offices worldwide, serving corporate, individual, and nonprofit clients in industries such as banking and financial services, energy, healthcare, and private equity. Founded in 1834 in Charlottesville, Virginia, the firm has expanded nationally and internationally through strategic mergers, building broad capabilities across corporate transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance, labor and employment, and government relations through its affiliate, McGuireWoods Consulting. The firm is particularly well known for its healthcare practice, where its attorneys advise a wide range of clients on complex industry issues. McGuireWoods also emphasizes diversity and inclusion through dedicated committees focused on community building, professional development, and associate well-being.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Freshfields’ U.S. revenue reached $634.7 million in the last financial year after increasing by a higher percentage than in any other location, ranking it just below Haynes Boone and ahead of Crowell & Moring at 87 in the AmLaw rankings
First-year law school enrollees increased 13% since 2023, while total enrollment for J.D. students at ABA-accredited law schools for 2025 rose by 4% over 2024
A new report states that 29 law school administrators responded to the ABA’s AI Task Force by detailing projects currently in the works. 55% of those schools offered classes on AI and 83% reported availability of opportunities like clinics to learn AI
A new survey of in-house legal operations teams finds that they have large gen AI usage leads over law firms for critical tasks, including legal research (72.3% usage in-house vs. 23.4% at firms), drafting (59.6% vs. 19.6%) and document review (55.3% vs. 27.7%)
Susman Godfrey Sets Market-Leading Associate Bonuses
Susman Godfrey announced a bonus scale that significantly exceeds the Big Law market, with median bonuses of $120,000 for first-year associates and up to $280,000 for its most senior associates, reflecting what the firm called its second-most successful year ever. The Houston-founded trial firm said all associates and its 287 employees will receive bonuses, continuing its long-standing practice of paying above-market compensation that far outpaces the New York bonus scale capped at $140,000. The firm also announced the promotion of six associates to equity partner alongside the release of its 2025 bonus structure.
Big Law’s Search for New Capital Solutions
As costs rise across BigLaw—from attorney compensation to AI and technology investments—law firms are increasingly seeking new ways to bolster liquidity beyond traditional partner contributions and bank credit lines. While firms have long relied on partner capital and debt financing, these sources can fall short amid modern expense pressures, prompting growing interest in alternatives such as private credit, litigation funding, mergers, and even private equity. Private credit is gaining traction for its speed and flexible terms, while private equity remains controversial due to concerns over ownership, control, and returns, though recent developments suggest it may become a more realistic option for some firms. Overall, experts say firms will need to remain open to evolving capital strategies to stay competitive in an uncertain economic environment.
