New Wrinkle in Big Law Poaching: Gods Smiling on Scott Barshay as Manager

 Well, well. The Wall Street Journal has done something unusual. Probably as a result of a leak it's reporting on a bit of Big Law poaching that hasn't yet been finalized. 

What's disclosed is that sources indicate:

"One group, which includes Christopher Machera, co-head of Weil’s private-equity group and a member of its management committee, is headed to Paul Weiss ..."

Actually, unlike the recent departures at Wachtell, this shouldn't be a news blast. A change of leadership at Weil will happen. Given that law firms are highly political entities, partner flight is expected. 

"After a more than 16-year run, executive partner Barry Wolf will retire next year and Boston partner Ramona Nee will succeed him as the firm’s leader."

The real news is that according to the metric that counts the most currently - ability to recruit star partners - new chair at Paul, Weiss Scott Barshay is doing fine. At least as a manager. He pulled this off.

But, as a leader able to unify a fragmented law firm and to win over public opinion, so far the jury is still out. Because it's still out there's no clear branding for what Paul, Weiss is about. 

How are the legal sector, clients and the media going to get their heads around that. 

Meanwhile in the collective memory bank what remains vivid is how Barshay, a member of the Decider Group, pushed out the much-loved chair Brad Karp. Is Barshay's management ideology derived from Machiavelli, that is, it's better to be feared than liked?

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)



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