The law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf is once again in the news because more partners have left the firm. This time, the law firm of Hunton & Williams announced that it hired five partners and one counsel from Dewey’s energy practice. Dewey also lost two corporate partners to the firm of Winthrop Shaw Pittman. As of Thursday, that makes 14 partners to exit Dewey this week, increasing the total to 66 for 2012 to date.
The departures of the partners were confirmed by Dewey on Thursday morning in a statement. The firm said that the departures are ‘consistent with the reduced headcount contemplated by our plan.’ The firm also said that more departures could occur in the coming months. The statement reads as follows:
“As we have said in the past, although the new direction that the firm is taking was approved and is supported by the overwhelming majority of the firm’s partners– as might be expected at a firm with 300 partners – some didn’t like the change… Changes we have enacted have strengthened our firm across the board and it is showing up in our finances, professionals and new business we are winning. Current departures aside, Dewey & LeBoeuf retains one of the world’s leading energy practices spanning virtually every aspect of the sector across the globe. It has been an important component of the firm’s practice for decades and remains as such.”
Bud Ellis, who worked as the co-head of Dewey’s utilities, power and pipelines industry group, will head the energy capital markets practice in New York for Hunton & Williams. Ellis will be joined by Michael F. Fitzpatrick Jr., Steven C. Friend, Steve R. Loeshelle, and Peter K. O’Brien, and counsel Kevin C. Felz. Felz will become a partner at the new firm.
The co-head of Hunton & William’s energy and infrastructure team, Jeff Schroeder, said the following:
“They are leading lawyers in the power and utility capital markets. Their strong issuer and underwriter experience in these industries adds further depth to our established global practice.”
Ellis added that the team of partners is “excited to be joining an outstanding firm like Hunton & Williams, and we believe our capital markets and infrastructure and project finance practice is a great addition to the existing practice at the firm.”
It was also announced on Tuesday of this week that Catherine C. Hood and J. Anthony Terrell began working at Pillsbury Winthrop’s corporate and securities practice. In a statement released by Pillsbury & Winthrop, chair Jim Rishwain said the following:
“These two further cement our leadership in energy capital markets and infrastructure finance, which have been key areas of focus for our firm, given our historical strength in energy and financial services.”