Wake Up Call: Arnold & Porter Revenue Jumps Amid Bump in Demand

Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.

• Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer‘s revenue grew 5% to $1.19 billion in 2024, driven by increased demand in antitrust, life sciences, and complex litigation, along with higher billing rates. Profits per equity partner rose 1.7% to $1.63 million as equity partner ranks expanded. With a slight decline in total lawyer headcount, revenue per lawyer increased 6.5% to $1.24 million. (Law.com)
• Law firm summer associate hiring hit a record low in 2024 as firms took a cautious approach, according to the National Association for Law Placement. Firms focused on hiring experienced laterals while reducing summer associate positions amid declining demand and lawyer productivity. (Reuters)
• Four years after his accidental Zoom cat filter mishap went viral, lawyer Rod Ponton still embraces the moment, calling it the “world’s best icebreaker.” The 2021 clip, where he reassured a judge, “I’m here live. I’m not a cat,” spread rapidly online, and he now hands out business cards featuring the meme. (The New York Times)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Chris Jessup joined DLA Piper as a partner in its litigation and regulatory practice in Ireland. He joins from A&L Goodbody.
• Anshuman Vaidya joined Hinshaw & Culbertson as a partner in its government practice group in Chicago. He joins from the Treasury Department.
• Robert Santoro and R. Brian Seibert joined Dentons as partners in its commercial litigation practice in New York.
• Sam Weber joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner in its asset management department in New York.
• Michael Malfettone joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton as a partner in its energy, infrastructure, and project finance team in New York. He joins from Troutman Pepper Locke.
• Natasha Kaye joined Akin as a partner in its tax practice in London. She joins from Cooley.
• Mike Viayra joined Thompson Hine as a partner in its construction practice group in Los Angeles.
• Stefan Palys joined Fox Rothschild as a partner in its litigation department in Washington. He joins from Lewis Brisbois.
• Jeremy Adamson joined Buchalter as a shareholder in its labor and employment practice in Salt Lake City.
• Michael Fehser rejoined Quarles & Brady as a partner in its business law practice group in Phoenix.
• Jay Kim and Lisa Radetsky joined Greenspoon Marder as partners in its real estate practice group in New York.
• Michael Melzer joined Nixon Peabody as a partner in its project finance and public finance practice in Chicago.