The year 2024 is on track to set a record in law firm data breaches, with at least 21 incidents reported thus far. These include breaches at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, the most significant firm to report a breach this year, as well as three other AmLaw 200 firms: Robinson & Cole, Butler Snow, and Burr & Forman, according to Law.com.
In other legal headlines, the request of David Johnston, a Jan. 6 US Capitol rioter whose law license was suspended, to lift his probation for license reacquisition was denied by a federal judge. Johnston, previously associated with personal injury firm George Sink, was let go following his 2024 arrest. He expressed regret about his conduct in a public apology covered by The State.
Legal recruiters are indicating that sustained competitive pressure has led to substantial base salaries for relatively inexperienced associates at major law firms in Boston, with some salaries reaching up to $275,000 per annum. Experts suggest that firms which do not provide competitive associate packages run the risk of losing out in the fierce competition for lateral recruits. Further details on this topic are available from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
In law firm movement news, Milbank’s head of complex securitization, Michael Urschel, has confirmed his departure from the firm after a year to join Kirkland & Ellis on the strength of its securitization practice expansion strategy. His exit and prospective leadership role at Kirkland have been reported by Law.com.
Other law firm lateral moves include Ryan Dykal, Jordan Bergsten, and Mark Schafer joining Boies Schiller Flexner’s intellectual property practice as partners, Emmanuel Sala joining Baker McKenzie’s North American tax practice as a partner, and John Hutar, formerly of DLA Piper, moving to the corporate practice at Baker McKenzie, among others.