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Nixon Peabody LLP 
, one of the largest law firms in the world and recognized as a Global 100 firm, is losing five partners from its Rochester office to join the LeClairRyan LLP 
, an entrepreneurial law firm. The five departing partners are said to join forces to open a new office in the same area but it will be under the flagship of LeClairRyan. The five partners who are splitting off from Nixon Peabody are IP partners Michael Goldman, Gunnar Leinberg, and Andrew Zappia, bankruptcy partner Gregory Mascitti, and litigation partner Richard McGuirk. Nixon Peabody confirmed that the five have given notice but the firm cannot verify the news regarding the transfer of their partners to LeClairRyan.
A Nixon Peabody spokeswoman explained that their firm has remained strong after suffering from a series of partner defections in the recent months. “The legal market remains fluid; we’ve seen lawyers come and go in the past; and we’re likely to continue to see movement in both directions. Our intellectual property department is nationally ranked and includes a robust life sciences practice. Our firm has strong capabilities across the board and is attracting top talent.”
Meanwhile, the LeClairRyan has not yet confirmed the upcoming transfer of the five partners to their firm. The LeClairRyan is still mum about the issue. However, various reports said that the LeClairRyan will be the destination of the five departing Nixon Peabody partners.
