In a significant move, U.S. law firm Polsinelli has announced the opening of a new office in Philadelphia, welcoming at least 20 partners from Holland & Knight. This new addition marks Polsinelli’s third office launch in recent months, following expansions in Fort Worth, Texas, and Park City, Utah.
Polsinelli, originally established in Kansas City, Missouri, is bolstering its executive compensation and employee stock ownership plan practices with this strategic hire. However, the firm has not disclosed the names of the incoming lawyers.
Holland & Knight, a firm with a robust presence in Philadelphia, stated that it remains dedicated to growing its office in the city. The firm, with 2,200 lawyers, currently has 73 based in Philadelphia, as noted on their website.
Polsinelli’s chairman and CEO, Chase Simmons, highlighted the importance of this expansion, noting that Philadelphia was a crucial addition to their platform as one of the largest full-service U.S.-only firms. Polsinelli now boasts over 1,000 lawyers.
This latest recruitment is part of a broader trend of significant movements within the U.S. legal industry. Earlier this year, about 50 lawyers transitioned from the Denver-based firm Moye White to Fennemore Craig. Additionally, Munger, Tolles & Olson saw a notable departure of 17 transactional lawyers to Baker McKenzie in Los Angeles.
The industry has also experienced an uptick in law firm mergers, with 29 mergers finalized in the first half of 2024, as reported by Fairfax Associates, a consultancy firm. This number reflects a slight increase from previous years, indicating a dynamic shift within the legal landscape.
