A&O Shearman’s securities litigation apply is a little bit lighter. As of right now, New York-based companion Agnès Dunogué has moved corporations, opting to proceed her profession at Freshfields.
Freshfields’ co-head of securities and shareholder litigation Mary Eaton mentioned of the transfer, “I’ve had the privilege of litigating in the identical securities area as Agnès for quite a lot of years. She shall be a key driver within the subsequent part of the workforce’s progress within the US.”
Bloomberg Law, who broke the story of the lateral transfer, couches it by way of the battle between U.Okay.-based corporations (each Freshfields and A&O originated throughout the pond):
The transfer is the newest occasion of the multinational legislation corporations with roots within the UK preventing for high expertise in key US markets. UK-founded Freshfields has been preventing for US dominance by recruiting from opponents, hiring Latham & Watkins M&A companion Matthew Goulding to launch an workplace in Boston earlier this yr.
Freshfields’ leaders need to Dunogué, who has served as outdoors counsel to Uber Applied sciences Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., to counsel the agency’s public firm and monetary shoppers on the right way to navigate disputes with stockholders.
Which is actually honest evaluation. However there’s additionally a flood of seasoned litigators working from the Biglaw firms that capitulated to Donald Trump, inking offers that cumulatively promised $940 million in a professional bono payola warfare chest to conservative shoppers and causes, quite than stand in opposition to the president’s bullying and defend the rule of legislation. And, wouldn’t you recognize it, A&O Shearman is one among the infamous nine Biglaw corporations that kissed Trump’s ring (over strenuous objection from the rank-and-file attorneys on the agency). Whereas Freshfields signed the amicus brief supporting fellow Biglaw agency Perkins Coie of their combat in opposition to Trump.
Litigators on the capitulating corporations have been impacted more than their corporate brethren — in spite of everything, if a agency is unwilling to defend itself in courtroom (with a slam dunk of a case, fwiw) in opposition to the federal government, properly, what faith do clients have that these corporations can and can vigorously defend them?
However lateraling companions are sometimes discreet when making their strikes, and barely spill the deets on what’s *actually* behind the departure. And Dunogué’s assertion on the transfer is expectedly tame, “The chance so as to add my experience and expertise right into a profitable, and nonetheless rising, apply makes it an thrilling place to hitch and make an impression.” Nonetheless, Dunogué is a part of a litigation partner trend — one we don’t anticipate will finish any time quickly.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Regulation, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the very best, so please join together with her. Be at liberty to electronic mail her with any ideas, questions, or feedback and comply with her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].
