AI Rainmakers Poached from Sullivan & Cromwell: Does Paul, Weiss' Scott Barshay Have Something to Crow about?

 According to some AI watchers, the acid test for the near future of the technology is two-fold. One, the initial stock performance for the Anthropic IPO and then how the stock does after that. 

In addition, there's the uncertainty created by the crisis of leadership at Nvidia. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to suffer massive operating losses. And the Dems have abruptly applied the brakes to the construction of data centers.

So, it remains to be seen if Paul, Weiss' poaching of two AI partners from Sullivan & Cromwell to launch a third California office is something for chair Scott Barshay to crow about. The two laterals are Nader Mousavi, who represented ChatGPT-maker OpenAI in deals with Microsoft and more, and Mark Schenkel. The first two California Paul, Weiss offices, established by Brad Karp, architect of law firm's growth, are in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This one is in Silicon Valley.

But crow Barshay is doing. He tells Bloomberg: 

“Nader and Mark practice at the very center of the AI economy,”

At the current time that economy is looking, just like the whole structure of Big Law post-Weil collapse, mighty fragile.

Some of the gallows humor among investors goes like this, "Am blessed, wasn't wealthy enough or bold enough to buy up AI."

Questions remain if Barshay has the leadership skills to unify Paul, Weiss. He is a skilled manager but that is quite different than leadership. Will he stick with the latter or step down after a few years and continue on as rainmaker/partner at the firm? Without regaining the chair title Karp can acquire more and more influence. He operates from a position of strength with a nine-figure book of business. Those anchor clients include Apollo, Citi and the NFL.

In coaching I guide clients how to navigate continual flux in power. 

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what. Intuitive coaching and, upon request, tarot readings.

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


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