In a noteworthy move within the legal arena, Davis Polk & Wardwell has announced the recruitment of seasoned civil litigator Rory Leraris from Cravath, Swaine & Moore. The development underscores a growing trend, as Leraris becomes the latest in a series of partners making the switch from Cravath to Davis Polk, marking the fourth such transition since 2021.
With a robust legal career spanning 15 years at Cravath, Leraris brings a wealth of experience in handling litigation related to mergers and acquisitions. His expertise extends to securities, shareholder derivative, antitrust, and commercial disputes, a profile that aligns seamlessly with the strategic vision of Davis Polk.
This shift of legal prowess is not isolated, as another former Cravath partner, M&A lawyer Sanjay Murti, also embarked on a new journey on the same day. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer welcomed Murti into their ranks in New York, marking a continuing trend of Cravath partners exploring opportunities elsewhere.
Cravath, traditionally renowned as one of the nation’s most profitable law firms, has witnessed a shift in partner dynamics over the past few years. Once considered an institution with minimal partner turnover, the firm has experienced a series of departures, signaling a changing landscape where top-tier talent is being actively sought after.
Davis Polk is not alone in this strategic talent acquisition game. In 2023, Latham & Watkins and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison also secured former Cravath partners. This shift in the legal landscape reflects a broader industry trend, where firms are willing to invest significantly to attract and retain top legal talent.
Beyond Davis Polk’s latest acquisition, the legal industry has witnessed Cravath making exceptions to its historical hiring practices. Notably, the firm hired two London-based partners from Shearman & Sterling last year and brought on former government lawyers, including Jeffrey Rosen, the former acting U.S. attorney general under President Donald Trump.
Rory Leraris, with a track record of handling litigation matters for prominent clients such as Buckeye Partners, American Express, Grubhub, and Alarm.com, brings a diverse and extensive portfolio to Davis Polk. Having joined Cravath as an associate in 2008 and rising to partner status in 2017, Leraris’s move signifies a strategic alignment with the evolving legal landscape.
While Cravath extended best wishes to Leraris and Murti on their respective endeavors, the legal community keenly observes these shifts, highlighting the dynamic nature of the industry. In the same vein, Davis Polk’s recent additions, including Raul Yanes and William Hochul, Jr., further solidify the firm’s commitment to assembling a formidable team with diverse expertise.
This legal chessboard continues to witness strategic moves and calculated gambits, reshaping the industry’s competitive landscape. The legal community, akin to any other dynamic field, remains in a perpetual state of flux, with each move carrying implications that extend far beyond the confines of individual firms.
