Weekly Partner Law Firm Lateral Moves: October 12, 2026
Law firms are adding senior attorneys in restructuring, intellectual property litigation, antitrust, and corporate groups. This week's notable moves include new partners in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., along with a three-partner expansion in Denver.
California: Corporate, Entertainment, and Real Estate Finance
Davis Polk hired Glen Mastroberte from Skadden as an M&A partner in Los Angeles on October 7. Mastroberte previously led Skadden's global Media and Entertainment practice and Los Angeles corporate group. His practice includes acquisitions, financing, joint ventures, and commercial transactions involving entertainment, media, and sports businesses. The hire continues Davis Polk's expansion in Los Angeles following the opening of its office earlier this year.
Jones Day added Zena Ho from McDermott Will & Schulte to its Los Angeles Financial Markets practice. Announced October 7, the move strengthens the firm's real estate finance capabilities, including structured financing, distressed debt workouts, and transactions involving institutional lenders and private equity funds.
Stradling hired Patrick Sharma from Cooley as a tax partner in Los Angeles on October 8. Sharma advises companies, founders, and investors on tax issues involving M&A, financing, venture capital, and cross-border transactions. He will lead Stradling's tax practice.
New York: Restructuring and Financial Distress
WilmerHale recruited Hugh Murtagh from Latham & Watkins to chair its Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring practice in New York. Announced October 7, the hire brings experience in Chapter 11 proceedings, liability management transactions, distressed financing, and out-of-court restructurings. Murtagh succeeds Andrew Goldman, who departed WilmerHale to lead Goodwin's financial restructuring practice.
Polsinelli hired Kirkland & Ellis restructuring partner Zach Manning as a shareholder in New York, according to an October 12 report. Manning advises companies, lenders, and investors on distressed financing, liability management transactions, and Chapter 11 reorganizations. The addition comes as Polsinelli expands its restructuring practice under the name Restructuring & Strategic Capital.
Washington, D.C.: Patent Litigation and Antitrust
DLA Piper added two intellectual property litigation partners from O'Melveny on October 8.
Robert Shaffer joins as head of Life Sciences Patent Litigation, while Sean Trainor becomes co-head of the firm's U.S. International Trade Commission practice. Both are based in Washington, D.C. The hires strengthen DLA Piper's capabilities in pharmaceutical patent disputes, technology litigation, and ITC investigations.
Foley & Lardner hired Jonathan Lasken as an antitrust partner in Washington, D.C., on October 8. Lasken previously served as assistant chief and senior litigation counsel in the Justice Department's Antitrust Division and held a senior trial position at the Federal Trade Commission. His practice includes antitrust litigation, government investigations, and merger challenges, particularly in technology, health care, and energy.
Denver Expansion and New York Boutique Hiring
Foley Hoag announced three partner additions in Denver on October 7.
David Walker and Tyler Boschert joined the firm's Intellectual Property Department, while Scott Perlov joined its Emerging Company and Venture Capital practice. The additions expand Foley Hoag's work with biotechnology, life sciences, and technology companies.
In New York, litigation boutique Sher Tremonte hired Andrew Baum from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer on October 8. Baum focuses on white-collar defense, congressional investigations, regulatory enforcement, and complex litigation. His arrival continues the boutique's expansion in government investigations.
What’s Trending
Restructuring remains an active area of lateral hiring. WilmerHale and Polsinelli both added partners with experience handling financial distress, liability management transactions, and complex reorganizations.
Washington continues to attract specialized litigation talent. DLA Piper's two-partner IP hire and Foley's recruitment of a former DOJ and FTC attorney reflect a demand for lawyers with experience in federal litigation and regulatory proceedings.
California hiring remains focused on established transactional practices. Davis Polk's entertainment M&A hire, Jones Day's real estate finance addition, and Stradling's transactional tax recruitment reflect continued investment in lawyers with experience serving specific industries and financial markets. Foley Hoag's Denver expansion also illustrates how firms are building practices in growing regional markets, particularly around technology, life sciences, and emerging companies.
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.
