Law firms haven’t just leaned on boutique acquisitions to build out new offices this year. They’re also skimming and filtering through local talent and piecing together one or two key partners at a time to establish offices in new markets.
Compared with only large-group laterals as firms did in 2022 to add everywhere all at once, Big Law is also relying on a comparatively simple launch strategy in 2023. For instance, law firms such as Husch Blackwell, Reed Smith and Dorsey & Whitney have opened up or announced openings this year in new markets by adding, roughly, a partner here and a partner there.
