Over the years, we have shared our Legal Weekly Update, highlighting changes in the legal sector, such as global partner movements and promotions. By tracking partner movements week on week, we have been able to collect rich data that enabled us to identify trends and actionable insights for strategic hiring, in both the long and medium term.
One of the most interesting trends we’ve noticed is in the Paris legal sphere, where we’ve seen a flurry of partner movements in dispute resolution and litigation spaces, since 2020. Firms like Dechert and the late Shearman & Sterling were significantly impacted. The exodus of partners from these establishments has reshaped the city’s legal landscape, leading to the formation of boutique firms and attracting talent to others.
Dechert saw several high-profile exits from its litigation team. Notably, partners – including Claudia Annacker, Eduardo Silva Romero, and José Manuel García Represa – exited the firm in favour of forming boutiques focussed on international arbitration and litigation. The departures are said to have been triggered by Dechert’s strategic shift away from international arbitration and toward life sciences, private assets, private capital, and technology. The Paris International Arbitration Group, which was once an integral part of Dechert, disbanded as partners pursued their own paths. We saw the aforementioned Silva Romero lead the founding of Wordstone Dispute Resolution.
Shearman & Sterling mirrored Dechert, losing a number of partners who merged to form Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes, a boutique firm specialising in international arbitration and law. These departures reflect a systematic shift in the legal market, with seasoned practitioners choosing specialised boutique settings.
However, it is important to note that the landscape has shifted significantly since then. Shearman & Sterling merged with Allen & Overy to form A&O Shearman, a global legal powerhouse. This merger represents a countertrend to the boutique model, emphasising scale and geographic reach. While the departure of partners to boutique firms remains a notable trend, the formation of A&O Shearman exemplifies the ongoing consolidation in the legal industry and the various strategies firms are employing to remain competitive. This trend towards global mergers stands in stark contrast to the rise of boutique firms, suggesting that the legal market is simultaneously pulling in two distinct directions: specialisation and consolidation.
This is further exemplified in the expansion of firms like Paul Hastings, which grew by 12 people, adding a new litigation team through the acquisition of Antonin Lévy & Associés’ white-collar and investigations team. This move is said to be part of the firm’s overall global strategy to strengthen its litigation capabilities while enhancing its position in complex international disputes. The addition of the well-regarded Antonin Lévy and his team is expected to attract new clients and reinforce Paul Hastings’ reputation in the Paris legal market.
Squire Patton Boggs and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner emerged as top firms in attracting partner talent, with Squire Patton Boggs welcoming Sabrina Aïnouz, Jérôme Lehucher, and John Adam, who joined from DWF and Latham & Watkins respectively, reflecting a trend of group moves. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner also added three partners: Elodie A. Valette Wlodkowski, Jean-Pierre Delvigne, and Philippe Métais, all of whom joined from White & Case. This move coincided with the departure of Nathan Willmott, Bryan Cave Partners’ European head of litigation, to Ashurst.
We also saw Hoche Société d’avocats emerge as an active player in attracting new talent, with Solène Delafond who joined as a partner in the litigations team, bringing expertise in financial, commercial, and corporate disputes to the firm.
It is evident that the Paris legal landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. The rise of boutique firms, sparked by the departure of key partners from established entities, is reshaping the market by offering clients highly specialised legal services. At the same time, the consolidation of major firms, as seen in the formation of A&O Shearman, highlights the ongoing importance of scale and global reach; additionally, firms like Paul Hastings, Squire Patton Boggs, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner are actively capitalising on this shifting landscape, expanding their talent pools and service offerings. This heightened competition promises to advantage clients, offering them an expanded array of specialised legal options. As the Parisian legal market continues to evolve, increased specialisation and competition are poised to define its future course.
Megan is a delivery consultant at Fides Search. To find out more, get in touch at: +44(0) 747 130 9526 or megan@fidessearch.com
