Latham & Watkins’ Post

I'm not thrilled that Chambers and Partners recognized Kaplan Kirsch LLP this year. I'm ambivalent.   A couple weeks back my feed was flooded with Chambers posts. My initial reaction was to post our positives (all here: https://lnkd.in/eRip_-e3). But, after taking a beat to reflect, part of me is honestly disappointed. I want more, not just for our firm but for firms broadly like ours.   We have just shy of 50 attorneys. When it comes to Chambers, we and similar firms compete with far larger firms, and the resources that come with scale.    The more years I practice, the more I appreciate the skills of the attorneys at firms characterized as small, diverse, boutique, or simply local. These firms do important, trailblazing and essential work. (Not to mention attorneys with whom I work in public service, outside the reach of rankings, but that’s for another day).   When I look at Chambers, I sometimes wonder why is this firm or lawyer ‘only’ Band X? Or why aren’t they recognized at all?   This isn’t about ego. We look to Chambers, to rankings and awards, to identify attorneys and firms to collaborate with, to recommend, to hire.   The problem is not who is recognized, it’s who is escaping recognition.    This is not a ‘me’ problem - I'm fine. This is an us problem. There are far larger issues in the world, but in this professional setting small measures can have outsized, positive impacts.   In the coming months, Chambers will begin anew its annual review cycle. Ditto for similar rankings and awards, not just in law. Many will depend upon references and feedback. Our and your references and feedback.    What often matters is not the content of the reference, but the fact that a response to a reference request is made. Such inquiries often go into the ether ignored or, worse, relegated to spam. I myself am guilty of allowing this to happen.   Generally speaking, smaller, often diverse, boutique, and local firms have fewer resources to chase and ensure that these requests are acted upon. Sometimes such firms have client bases which are less familiar with Chambers etc., especially where non-corporate, non-profit, or public-sector clients are involved.   The resulting missed connections have ripple effects impacting visibility for small, diverse, boutique, and local firms and attorneys, and therefore clients' access to counsel. This bothers me.   If impressed by a firm that happens to be small, diverse, boutique or local, or by one of their attorneys, please respond as a reference if asked. If really impressed, proactively reach out to see if you can put in a good word for them.    I'll double-down on this. If I ever ask you to serve as a reference, take a moment. Is there another request sitting in your inbox or spam folder? Respond to that. Someone else who deserves kudos? Reach out to them. Only then consider my ask. And I promise I won’t hold a ‘no’ against you if you’ve first taken these steps to support others.

Goodwin's Sabrina Rose-Smith and William Jay have been named to Forbes’ list of America’s Top 200 Lawyers for 2024. The list highlights practitioners who have broken barriers to emerge as leaders in their fields, and have been involved in the most consequential cases, deals or legal trends over recent years. Read more: #ForbesTopLawyers

For over 40 years, Best Lawyers has been the definitive benchmark of legal excellence across America. Recognizing the exceptional contributions of attorneys across small, medium, and large firms, our Purely Peer Review methodology ensures that only the most esteemed professionals are honored and voted on by currently recognized lawyers. We celebrate the entire legal ecosystem, from rising stars to established leaders. Our Ones to Watch program spotlights the next generation of legal talent, while our Best Law Firms awards acknowledge the collective achievements of firms demonstrating exceptional client service and expertise across diverse practice areas. These accolades reflect the dedication and skill that underpin the legal profession. Watch this space for more updates regarding the upcoming editions of The Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America! #BestLawyers #LegalExcellence #PeerReview #OnesToWatch #BestLawFirms

Congratulations to the six Hallett & Perrin attorneys who were named to the 2024 edition of The #BestLawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch! Ann Marie Cowdrey, Leland de la Garza, Bruce Hallett, Bob Luxen, and Edward P. Perrin, Jr. were all recognized by Best Lawyers, and Jesse Beck was singled out by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. #CorporateLaw, #CommercialLitigation, #ERISA and #EmploymentLaw. https://lnkd.in/gyMZE5SY

I am thrilled and honored to be listed in Lawdragon's 500 LEADING GLOBAL LITIGATORS, especially because it's alongside luminaries in my field who I've long admired. This recognition came as a surprise, and I’m truly grateful for this acknowledgment. https://lnkd.in/g6Wuim4V #internationalarbitration #internationallaw #litigation #internationaldisputes

Sanders Roberts, LLP ATTORNEYS Melvin L. Felton II, Lawrence C. Hinkle II AND Justin H. Sanders RECOGNIZED IN THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA Sanders Roberts LLP is proud of Melvin Felton II, Lawrence C. Hinkle II and Justin H. Sanders, who have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2025 Edition) in their respective practice areas. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.” #SandersRoberts #FirmNews

Bigger doesn’t mean better. In our latest Lawyers Alert, veteran legal industry management consultant Mike White lays out his “playbook” for mid-sized commercial law firms seeking to effectively compete and win against much larger firms. Highlighting a series of issues and solutions, White argues mid-sized firms can actually offer prospective clients many distinct advantages and benefits over the big-name national and global firms. Read now: https://ow.ly/ykWU50SihF2 #Alert #LawyersAlert

Cahill has once again been recognized as a premier law firm in Chambers and Partners’ latest USA guide, earning a total of 57 practice and lawyer rankings. To learn more about the firm’s top honors, click here: https://bit.ly/4aLwOUQ #chambersandpartners #legalrankings #chambersUSA

The 2025 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list has been released and it is our pleasure to announce that 14 attorneys from Hudson Lambert Parrott, LLC have been recognized in America. Best Lawyers® utilizes a survey methodology to obtain meaningful and substantive evaluations of legal services. The annual Best Lawyers® rankings are the result of exhaustive peer-review surveys, where tens of thousands of leading lawyers assess their colleagues. Seeing our firm included yet again is a testament of the hard work we continue to do on behalf of our clients. #BestLawyers #ConstructionLaw #ConstructionLitigation

Please join us in welcoming Paul M. Kaplan as a Partner in the firm's New York City office, strengthening the firm's Commercial Litigation and Antitrust practice groups. He will serve as the Co-chair of the firm's Antitrust Practice Group. "Paul's extensive background, spanning roles in major law firms and corporations in the U.S. and Europe, further strengthens the firm's Commercial Litigation and Antitrust practice groups, affirming GRSM's commitment to delivering unparalleled legal representation," shared Ronald Giller, Managing Partner of the New Jersey office. Read the full item below. #antitrustlaw #antitrust #legal #law #lawfirm #grsm #grsm50 #your50statelawfirm #lawyers #newyorklawyer