Stories making recent headlines on LawFuel . .
- Why Elon Musk’s Favourite Lawyer Alex Spiro is Done Just Lawyering
What Next For The Star Lawyer? Tom Borman, LawFuel contributing editor Alex Spiro—the courtroom maestro who’s played legal defense for heavy hitters like Tom Brady, Elon Musk, Jay‑Z (yeah, that Jay‑Z), Alec Baldwin, and even WeWork’s Adam Neumann—is telling Emily Chang on The Circuit that he’s officially bored. He wants to jump into something bigger than law.… Read more: Why Elon Musk’s Favourite Lawyer Alex Spiro is Done Just Lawyering - Clio and vLex Join Forces In Billion-Dollar Push for Smarter Legal Tech
Clio made a major move that will reshape the emerging LegalAI marklet by buying vLex for $1 billion, a deal that brings together two big names in law tech. Clio is known for tools that help lawyers run their firms. vLex is famous for smart AI-powered legal research. The deal is a game-changer for law firms, putting a world-class legal AI engine—Vincent—and a massive database of case law in the hands of a company that powers law firms, not just legal publishers. The deal also marks a shift in how legal AI is used. Clio’s main job is to h - How Nonequity Partners Are Reshaping Big Law – Thanks To Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland & Ellis flipped the script on law firm partnerships by building a massive nonequity partner tier, now over 1,000 stron, which has let Kirkland promote more lawyers, faster, than most competitors, turning what some once called a “marketing trick” into a powerhouse business mode Recruiters now have Kirkland’s nonequity partners on speed dial. “They’re hot property,” the partner says. “Even if they’re not equity, getting a Kirkland ‘partner’ is a win for any recruiter or client.” Criticism of Kirkland’s two-tier, salaried partner model has faded. Now, other firms want in. The move is seen as smart business, not just a trick. Kirkland’s success, and the Wall Street money being paid to some partners in such firms, has pushed other big firms - From Wachtell to Latham – Inside M&A Star Zach Podolsky’s Big Move
M&A star Zach Podolsky is now a star at Latham & Watkins after leaving Wachtell Lipton, where he led some of the biggest deals in the country. His switch is a major win for Latham but an equally big loss for Wachtell. Known for his work on major energy deals, Podolsky led Wachtell’s team on APA’s $4.5 billion buy of Callon Petroleum, among other top deals, making him one of the most recognized names in mergers and acquisitions. In 2024, he ranked second globally by MergerLinks for advising on nearly $70 billion in transactions, including the ConocoPhillips acquisition of Marathon Oil and Diamondback Energy’s purchase of Endeavor Energy Resources. - Stop Karping Says Brad . . Why Paul Weiss’s Boss Says The Firm Is In Good Heart Despite Departures
Seven partners and others have left Paul Weiss but their former firm remains in good heart according to firm boss Brad Karp, who met with litigation partner to refute the ‘disinformation’ about the firm, according to a New York Law Journal report. Seven partners have left Paul Weiss for Dunn Isaacson Rhee, a new litigation boutique in Washington, DC. that is building a formidable team of Paul Weiss alumni who decided the heavyweight firm’s Trump Administration deal was too much to stomach. Paul Weiss promised Trump $40 million in free legal services on shared causes, including combating antisemitism and ensuring “fairness in the justice system.” - When Celebrity Trials Turn into TikToks
Celebrity trials are the new reality TV. The recent cases of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Harvey Weinstein have turned courtrooms into stages, with every detail dissected by fans, critics, and armchair lawyers. Take Weinstein (pictured below at this first trial – Season 1, if you like). After a rollercoaster of headlines, a Manhattan jury just found him guilty again—showing that even powerful figures can be held to account, but not without twists and turns. - Damian Williams Leaves Paul Weiss in a Move That Screams Politics Over Profits
Damian Williams isn’t just another high-powered litigator making a lateral leap, he’s making waves, raising eyebrows, and possibly laying the groundwork for a pivot into politics. If you’ve been tracking the latest episodes in the “Trump v. Biglaw” saga, you’ll know this isn’t your average career hop. Williams, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is stepping out of the white-shoe fortress of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP just five months after arriving—and into the arms of Jenner & Block, where he’ll co-chair the litigation department out of their New York office. - How Kennedys’ Billion-Dollar Strategy Is Redefining Global Law Firm Growth
Kennedys just pulled off a financial hat trick, reporting a record-shattering 13 percent revenue boost to an eye-watering £428 million (that’s USD 551m, AUD 848m, or EUR 511m—pick your currency, we’re making it rain in all of them) for FY25. Eleven straight years of growth? At this point, we’re basically the legal world’s answer to Marvel’s box office streak, unstoppable, and with no sign of franchise fatigue. Let’s break down the Kennedy’s global offering. - BigLaw’s AI Paradox – More Technology, Higher Bills, Zero Client Savings
Law firms worldwide are rapidly embracing generative AI, but here’s the reality check: corporate clients aren’t seeing the promised cost savings yet. In fact, legal fees continue climbing despite widespread AI adoption across the industry. The numbers tell a stark story. The top 100 US law firms increased their rates by 10 percent year-over-year in 2024, according to legal operations specialist Brightflag. This surge comes even as more firms deploy generative AI - The Ultimate BigLaw Salary Scale Guide 2025: From Cravath Benchmarks to Million-Dollar Partners
The legal profession has always been synonymous with prestige and substantial compensation, but nowhere is this more evident than in BigLaw. And during 2025 the salary scales at major law firms have reached unprecedented heights, with first-year associates commanding six-figure salaries that rival senior executives in other industries. Understanding the BigLaw salary situation isn’t just about numbers—it’s about comprehending a complex ecosystem that shapes legal careers and drives the ambitions of law students nationwide. - Kirkland’s Big Hiring Spree Nets Major Litigators
Kirkland & Ellis just made a major power move in the mass torts space, snagging a heavyweight 13-partner team from King & Spalding that’s sure to shake up the litigation landscape. The star of this lateral hire is Kristen Fournier, (pictured) who Kirkland is calling “among the most distinguished mass tort litigators practicing today” – and honestly, her track record backs up that claim. - Big Law, Big Drama And The Real Story Behind the Paul Weiss Partner Walkout
If you ever thought the legal world was all about dusty tomes and somber faces, the latest exodus from Paul Weiss might make you think again as four of the firm’s top partners—Karen Dunn, Bill Isaacson, Jeannie Rhee, and Jessica Phillips—decide to pack their briefcases and set off to start their own law firm. Earlier this year, Paul Weiss found itself in the political crosshairs after President Trump signed an executive order targeting the firm for its ties to lawyers who had previosly investigated Trump, as well as its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.