Wake Up Call: Small Conservative Firms Are Raking In Business

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

• Small conservative law firms are thriving under President Donald Trump’s second term, attracting high-profile clients and talent as larger firms with liberal reputations struggle to navigate the current political climate. Firms such as Lex Politica and Stone Hilton have gained influence by leveraging ties to the MAGA movement, securing work from Fortune 500 companies, Republican lawmakers, and figures including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. (The Wall Street Journal)
• Knoxville attorney Heidi Barcus was named the 145th president of the Tennessee Bar Association. Barcus, a shareholder at Lewis Thomason who practices health-care liability law, announced initiatives to support member engagement, first-generation lawyers, late-career attorneys, and bar exam retakers. She previously led the Knoxville Bar Association and chaired the ABA’s Law Practice Division. (Nashville Post)
• Florida attorney Jay Lewis Farrow is facing an emergency suspension after the Florida Bar accused him of defrauding clients, lying to the state Supreme Court, and engaging in abusive litigation tactics. In a petition filed last week, the bar alleged Farrow collected large fees while doing little or no legal work, ignored court orders, and submitted fraudulent filings falsely claiming the bar had agreed to dismiss a contempt case against him. (Tampa Bay Times)

Laterals, Moves, In-House

• Raymond Tolentino joined Cooley as a partner in its commercial litigation practice in Washington. He joins from the White House.
• Thomas Verity joined Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner in its corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and securities practice in Houston. He joins from Latham & Watkins.
• Andrew Forman joined Latham & Watkins as a partner in its antitrust and competition practice in Washington. He joins from the Justice Department.
• John Storz joined Pillsbury as a partner in its insolvency and restructuring practice in New York. He joins from Paul Hastings.
• Robert Schwartz joined ConnectOne Bancorp as general counsel. He joins from Windels Marx.
• Jarred Conforte joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a partner in its environmental and toxic tort, commercial litigation, and aviation practice groups in St. Louis and Los Angeles.
• Chris Zentz joined Akerman as a partner in its corporate practice group. He joins from Steptoe.
• Mark Ogunsusi joined K&L Gates as a partner in its health care and Food and Drug Administration practice in Washington. He joins from Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville.