Paul Hastings Adds Tech-Focused IP Litigation Team from Allen & Overy

Paul Hastings, a prominent law firm, has made a significant move by hiring a six-partner, tech-focused IP litigation team from Allen & Overy. This latest addition to the firm’s roster of legal talent comes as part of a series of strategic hires early in the year.

The team, which is based in Palo Alto and Washington, DC, with some members also spending time in New York, specializes in patent litigation and has a strong track record representing clients such as Google, Toshiba, Meta Platforms, Realtek Semiconductor, and Marvell Semiconductor. The team includes Shamita Etienne-Cummings, Lisa Nguyen, Eric Lancaster, James Gagen, Grace Wang, and a sixth partner who has yet to be named.

Paul Hastings has been actively expanding its team through lateral hires, aiming to build on its recent financial success, which saw a nearly 9% increase in revenue last year to $1.8 billion. The firm’s growth mindset and ambitious goals have attracted top legal talent like Etienne-Cummings, who expressed excitement about joining a firm with such a dynamic trajectory.

In addition to the IP litigators, Paul Hastings is also set to welcome an eight-partner finance team from Vinson & Elkins and a three-partner finance group from Akin Gump. These strategic hires reflect the firm’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities across various practice areas.

The departures from Allen & Overy come ahead of the firm’s upcoming merger with Shearman & Sterling, prompting some partner movements. The departing partners, most of whom joined Allen & Overy from White & Case in 2021, bring a wealth of experience in patent litigation and a strong client base across industries like Big Tech, AI, ecommerce, and digital health technologies.

Overall, Paul Hastings’ aggressive hiring strategy under the leadership of Frank Lopez and Sherrese Smith is positioning the firm for continued success and growth in the competitive legal market. With a focus on expanding its IP litigation bench in key markets like Silicon Valley and Washington, the firm is well-positioned to capture additional market share and solidify its reputation as a top-tier legal services provider.