Macrae

Yesterday, The National Law Journal published an insightful article by Abigail Adcox titled “From ‘Deep Sadness’ to Little Concern, Gaetz’s Nomination Draws Sharp Reaction From Lawyers.” Following this, Rep. Matt Gaetz has since announced his withdrawal from consideration for U.S. Attorney General. The article provides a range of perspectives from legal professionals reacting to Gaetz's initial nomination and its implications for the Department of Justice. Among the contributors, Lauren Drake and Peggy Bennett, out of our Washington, D.C. office, shared their thoughts on how the announcement sparked uncertainty among DOJ lawyers and law firm partners. Lauren Drake highlighted the mixed reactions: “I've talked to a number of senior DOJ attorneys who do not seem concerned. While the AG sets the tone, the deputy attorney general really oversees day-to-day operations and makes decisions about investigations and prosecutions.” Peggy Bennett noted the ambiguity surrounding Gaetz’s leadership potential: “Nobody really knows what it means, because he's never expressed any views on DOJ corporate enforcement policies... that is mystifying people.” The article, which we highly recommend, explores the complexities surrounding the now-withdrawn nomination and how career government lawyers are navigating their next steps amid broader changes in DOJ leadership. Read the full article here*: https://lnkd.in/gMAJkhGA *Note this does sit behind a pay wall and a subscription may be needed to read the full article.

Following President-elect Donald Trump’s recent victory, the D.C. legal market is witnessing a surge in activity as government attorneys weigh their next moves. In a detailed article by Alison Knezevich for Law360, recruiters note a sharp increase in inquiries, particularly from political appointees and attorneys hesitant to serve in the incoming administration. Law firms are focusing on recruiting senior-level government attorneys, valuing their insights into regulatory agencies and their potential to meet client needs during a period of significant policy shifts. Lauren Drake, partner our Washington, D.C. office, shared, “Our office has probably quadrupled our workload [since Election Day]. We do think that there will be a strong market for the most senior candidates. Law firms think that they will be very, very busy under the Trump administration.” Read the full article here*: https://lnkd.in/eeW2NpkW *Note this does sit behind a pay wall and a subscription may be needed to read the full article.

We are looking forward to sponsoring and attending With Intelligence's Women's Private Capital Summit 2024 in New York on November 14-15. Rose Corbett, managing director in our New York office will be at the conference, which gathers over 300 senior women from the private markets industry for impactful collaboration, dealmaking, and networking. If you're attending, let us know as we'd love to connect.

The legal industry is abuzz with the announcement of Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Kramer Levin's merger, forming a $2 billion global powerhouse pending a partner vote. An article by Louis Altmann and Habiba Cullen-Jafar for Law.com International explores the implications of this latest transatlantic tie-up, emphasizing the opportunities and challenges of integrating two firms with different revenue models and cultures. The merger underscores the growing trend of market consolidation as firms seek U.S. presence to strengthen global reach. Commenting on the merger, Siobhán Lewington, partner in our London office, highlighted its strategic focus, noting: "The merger seems to be a disputes play, and partners at both firms will be asking how it works for their clients—good or bad. Similarly, you’ll be assessing if your practice area will be of strategic interest to the merged entity." Read the full article here*: https://lnkd.in/ef9T5z5P *Note this does sit behind a pay wall and a subscription may be needed to read the full article.

London’s restructuring market is seeing notable shifts as major firms strengthen their teams to meet growing demand. A recent article by Elisha Juttla for Legal Business highlights key lateral hires, aligning with a rise in corporate insolvencies and a focus on advising companies navigating market disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty. Firms are strategically investing in London-based talent to build cross-border capabilities, positioning themselves to handle complex restructuring and refinancing matters. Adil Lalani, partner in our London office, commented on these developments: “Davis Polk is building a great team which perfectly aligns with their US offering.” This optimism reflects a dynamic market where firms are actively enhancing their capabilities to address evolving client needs. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dvmxSjPh

A huge thank you to our speakers Shana Fulton, Veronica Renzi, and Hartley West for generously sharing their insights, experiences, and advice on successfully navigating the journey from public service to private practice. From the challenges they encountered to the essential new skillsets they developed, their perspectives brought valuable depth to this discussion. We’re also grateful to Michelle Shapiro (Arroyo) and the Women's White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) for partnering with us on this event and to Lauren Drake for her moderation. And thank you to everyone in the audience for joining us and engaging with such insightful questions during the Q&A! Keep an eye out for the webinar recording, which will be available on the WWCDA website soon.

In his latest article for The American Lawyer, Patrick Smith dives into the evolving trends and complexities of lateral partner pay guarantees within Big Law. While these compensation guarantees have had their ups and downs over the years, the article highlights how their cyclical use is often driven by firm economics, recruiting strategies, and individual lateral decisions. As Jon Truster, partner in our New York office, explains in the article, "For the most part, [guarantees] are used for partners in transactional practices, and especially with private equity attorneys now. But it isn't something a full practice needs." Jon’s insights shed light on how strategic this approach can be for certain practice areas, offering value to specific individuals without necessarily being a firm-wide mandate. Read the full article here*: https://lnkd.in/gzkxHNAd *Note this does sit behind a pay wall and a subscription may be needed to read the full article.

Starting in 1 hour... Join us for an impactful discussion co-hosted by Macrae and the Women's White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA), moderated by Lauren Drake, partner in our Washington, D.C. office. Today’s panel will feature insights from top legal professionals who have successfully navigated the journey from public service to private practice. There’s still time to register and join us live - don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable career insights. https://lnkd.in/e3fXvuBN

We’re pleased to announce that Veronica Renzi, Partner at Foley Hoag LLP and former AUSA for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, will be joining our upcoming webinar, co-hosted by Macrae and the Women's White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA). Veronica brings valuable perspectives from her distinguished career in both public service and private practice. She’ll share insights on navigating career transitions, embracing new challenges, and making strategic moves in the legal field. If you’re contemplating your next career move or are interested in hearing Veronica’s journey, register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/e3fXvuBN

Don’t miss our upcoming webinar co-hosted by Macrae and the Women's White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA), where our very own Lauren Drake, partner in our Washington, D.C. office, will be moderating a dynamic panel discussion. The session will feature insights from three exceptional speakers: ▶️ Nadira Clarke – Partner at Hogan Lovells, former AUSA for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, and SAUSA for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. ▶️ Shana Fulton – Partner at Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, former AUSA and Deputy Chief, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. ▶️ Hartley West – Partner at Dechert LLP and former AUSA, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Together, they will explore the unique career paths of women transitioning from government roles to private practice and beyond, sharing their challenges, opportunities, and key takeaways. If you’re looking for insights to help navigate your own career journey, make sure to join us for this candid discussion. There’s still time to register: https://lnkd.in/e3fXvuBN