Law Firms Hiring in Private Equity, Litigation, Life Sciences, and Regulatory: Weekly Partner Moves forOctober 19, 2026
Caroline McInnis, Esq. | Counseling Counsels LLC
Law Firm Lateral Market for the week of October 12th-19th
Firms across the country expanded last week with partners in private equity, financial services litigation, life sciences, regulatory compliance, and restructuring this week. Sidley recruited a Kirkland funds partner in Los Angeles, Mayer Brown added two FDA partners, and a five-attorney litigation team moved to Womble Bond Dickinson.
Skadden also added a four-partner litigation team in Chicago, while a former Goodwin partner announced plans to lead a new AI-focused law firm in California.
California: Private Equity and Investment Funds
Sidley Austin hired Justin Solomon as a partner in Los Angeles. Solomon will co-lead Sidley's Private Equity Funds group alongside John Muno. He has more than 20 years of experience advising private equity sponsors on fund formation, management company transactions, and related matters.
The hire continues Sidley's investment in private funds, following several partner additions across its U.S. and international offices.
New York and Washington, D.C.: Regulatory and Litigation Hiring
Mayer Brown added Scott Liebman and Dominick DiSabatino. Liebman, who will work from New York and Washington, D.C., becomes co-leader of Mayer Brown's Life Sciences practice and leader of its FDA Regulatory and Enforcement practice. DiSabatino joins in Washington, D.C.
Both advise pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and healthcare companies on regulatory compliance, transactions, investigations, and enforcement matters.
Mayer Brown also hired Danielle Abada, a former senior attorney at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as a Capital Markets partner in New York on October 12. Her practice focuses on derivatives regulation, fintech, digital assets, and financial services compliance.
Boies Schiller Flexner added Sarmad Khojasteh, formerly a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's Civil Division, as a partner in its New York and Washington, D.C. offices.
Khojasteh joins the firm's white-collar defense, investigations, and commercial litigation practices. Before his government service, he practiced commercial litigation at major law firms.
Wilson Sonsini hired Theodore "Ted" Posner as a National Security and Trade partner in Washington, D.C. Posner previously led Baker Botts' National Security and Trade Risk Mitigation group. His practice includes CFIUS reviews, outbound investment restrictions, international trade, and cross-border regulatory matters.
Foley Hoag hired Brandon Cuffy as a private equity and M&A partner in Washington, D.C. Cuffy represents private equity sponsors, investors, and middle-market businesses in acquisitions, financing, and corporate transactions.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher added Raphael "Ray" Kuyler, formerly principal deputy general counsel at Westinghouse Electric, as an energy partner in Washington, D.C.
Kuyler brings experience in nuclear energy regulation, major infrastructure projects, commercial agreements, and international nuclear development.
Boston: Five-Lawyer Financial Services Litigation Team
Womble Bond Dickinson hired a five-attorney financial services litigation team. Partners Jeffrey Patterson, Ryan Tosi, and Phoebe Winder join in Boston, along with associate Keith McCarthy. Associate Reymond Yammine joins the firm's New York office. The group represents major banks, mortgage servicers, and other financial institutions in class actions, consumer finance litigation, regulatory investigations, and bankruptcy-related disputes. The move follows Womble's earlier expansion of its consumer financial services practice.
Chicago: Skadden Adds Four Mass Torts Partners
Skadden recruited four litigation partners and one counsel. Partners Lyn Pruitt, Adria Conklin, Mary Catherine Way, and David Koehler, along with counsel Lauren Grinder, join Skadden's Mass Torts and Product Liability practice, affiliated with its Chicago office. The team handles pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, environmental contamination claims, and large-scale product liability disputes. The additions follow Skadden's July recruitment of mass torts partner Brian O'Donoghue.
New Firm Launch: Former Goodwin Partner Moves Into AI-Focused Legal Services
Leon Johnson, formerly a private equity and M&A partner at Goodwin in San Francisco, is leading the U.S. expansion of Omnilex, a Swiss-founded AI-focused legal services business. The U.S. venture, OmniLex Partners, will initially concentrate on venture capital transactions, startup counseling, and commercial matters. The move represents an emerging alternative to traditional law firm structures, with AI integrated into legal work and an emphasis on fixed-fee arrangements.
This week’s hiring reflects continued demand for partners with established practices, specialized regulatory knowledge, and experience advising institutional clients.
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.
