Partner Lateral Hiring: Litigation, IP and Regulatory Practices Stay Active - October 5, 2026

Partner lateral moves this week includes hires across litigation, intellectual property, privacy, government enforcement and corporate practices.

Several of the most notable moves were concentrated in California and Washington, D.C., with firms adding partners in specialized practices where experienced lateral talent remains in demand.

Latham Adds IP Litigation Partner in Washington, D.C.

Latham & Watkins added Lisa Kattan as a partner in its Intellectual Property Litigation Practice and named her co-chair of the firm's International Trade Commission practice.

Kattan focuses on Section 337 investigations before the ITC, along with patent litigation in federal district courts and appeals before the Federal Circuit. She previously served as senior investigative attorney with the ITC's Office of Unfair Import Investigations.

Her arrival gives Latham additional senior-level depth in patent and ITC litigation, an increasingly specialized area where lawyers with both private-practice and government experience can be difficult to recruit.

Shook Hardy Adds Trial Partner in Southern California

Shook, Hardy & Bacon added trial lawyer Chris Arledge as a partner in its Los Angeles and Orange County offices.

Arledge handles complex commercial disputes, product liability and intellectual property matters and has substantial trial experience in California and nationally.

The move adds another experienced trial lawyer to Shook's California platform as firms continue to compete for litigators who can step directly into significant matters and client relationships.

Hausfeld Adds Privacy and Technology Litigator in San Francisco

Hausfeld added Thomas Loeser as a partner in San Francisco, expanding the firm's technology, privacy and class action capabilities.

Loeser's practice includes privacy, cybersecurity, consumer protection and technology litigation, including class actions involving some of the country's largest technology companies.

The move is particularly notable as privacy and technology disputes continue to create opportunities for litigators with experience handling complex consumer and class action matters.

WilmerHale Adds Former Massachusetts First Assistant Attorney General

WilmerHale added Patrick Moore as a partner in Boston following his service as First Assistant Attorney General of Massachusetts.

Moore joins the firm's litigation and government-facing practices with experience involving regulatory enforcement, investigations and complex disputes.

Former government lawyers continue to be attractive lateral hires for firms building practices around investigations, enforcement and regulatory matters, particularly where clients face increasingly complicated interactions with state and federal regulators.

Squire Patton Boggs Adds Corporate and Capital Markets Partner

Squire Patton Boggs added Reid Avett as a corporate and capital markets partner in Washington, D.C.

Avett advises public and private companies on securities offerings, SEC reporting, corporate governance and other transactional matters.

The move adds senior capital markets experience to the firm's corporate practice at a time when firms continue to selectively recruit partners with established experience advising companies on securities and financing matters.

Spencer Fane Adds Commercial and Real Estate Litigator in Phoenix

Spencer Fane added Thomas Moring as a partner in Phoenix, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, real estate disputes and business matters.

The hire continues the firm's expansion in the Southwest and adds an experienced litigator to its growing Phoenix office.

What This Week's Moves Show

Litigation remains one of the more active areas of the lateral partner market, but firms are being specific about the experience they are adding.

This week's moves include patent and ITC litigation, privacy and technology disputes, commercial trials and government enforcement. Rather than simply adding general litigators, firms are targeting partners with established experience in specialized areas that complement existing practices.

California also remains very active. The additions in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco show continued demand for experienced litigators across Southern and Northern California, particularly in technology, intellectual property and complex commercial disputes.

For senior associates, counsel and partners considering a move, specialized experience continues to create opportunities, particularly for attorneys who can bring a combination of substantive expertise, client relationships and significant matter experience to a new platform.

Considering a lateral move? We work with associates, counsel and partners considering opportunities at leading law firms nationwide. Reach out for a confidential conversation about the market and potential opportunities that may fit your practice and career goals at info@counselingcounsels.com.