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The Trump Administration’s executive orders aimed at various law firms has resulted in the most significant issue that the country’s leading law firms have faced in recent memory. Some pundits in the mainstream media have even predicted the demise of the firms that settled with the Administration. In this episode of Steve’s Rules, Steve and his McCormick Group colleague Dave Ris provide some insights on the impact of these orders and the law firm responses, with a particular focus on lateral partner hiring. Subscribe

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Immediate impact on law school, associate and partner recruiting.
• Which litigators might be affected
• How corporate clients might react
• Impact on the DC offices of the Wall Street and other elite firms that have settled
• Possible chasm between “transactional” and “litigation” firms
• How this may impact Government Relations practices in DC

*Discussed in the podcast is Microsoft’s decision to drop one of the settling firms in shareholder litigation in Delaware. https://www.reuters.com/business/microsoft-swaps-law-firms-shareholder-case-hiring-trump-adversary-2025-05-01/

*In the conclusion, Steve attributed a Bette Davis quote to the movie “It Happened One Night.” In reality, it was from “All About Eve.”

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While the current environment is chaotic, savvy government attorneys, particularly those with administrative law experience, may find this the perfect time to make a lateral move into law firm practice. In this episode of Steve’s Rules, we take a deep dive into the legal market implications of the new Trump administration—particularly the regulatory shifts, enforcement priorities, and job market changes that will impact law firms and lawyers.

From antitrust enforcement and white-collar crime investigations to the rise of administrative law battles and state-level regulations, we break down how law firms and legal professionals can navigate this evolving landscape.

We also touch on an important new resource: Steve and his team at The McCormick Group are launching a Legal Management Transitions Tracker, a monthly trend report on key Director and C-level hires and promotions in the legal sector. If you are a law firm leader or legal recruiter, this is a must-have resource for staying ahead. Subscribe.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• How the Trump administration’s regulatory approach is reshaping law firm opportunities
• Why antitrust enforcement is shifting—but not disappearing
• The evolving role of white-collar investigations and corporate oversight
• How administrative law is becoming a critical battleground*
• The rise of state-level legal battles amid federal deregulation
• Essential career strategies for government attorneys moving into private practice
• The importance of building a digital presence for job seekers and legal professionals

And make sure you listen long enough the hear some spot on observational humor from Steve wearing his stand up comic hat.

* In our discussion of the impact on administrative law related to "Chevron" we were referring to Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 603 U.S. 369 (2024). In this landmark decision, the Court overruled the Chevron doctrine, which had previously mandated judicial deference to federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous statutes. The Court held that such deference was incompatible with the judiciary's duty to interpret the law.

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Get ready to uncover the dynamic shifts in the legal landscape with our esteemed guest, Patrick Fuller, Chief Strategist for American Lawyer Media. First, we discussed the ripple effects of recent elections on antitrust, international trade, and white-collar investigations, and even in mergers and acquisitions. Then Patrick provides a deep dive into the data that is being produced by ALM regarding law firm profitability and growth, dispelling some misconceptions about what are the signs of law firm health.

Here are some of the highlights:

• PPL Over PPEP
  Patrick breaks down why Profit Per Lawyer (PPL) is a better indicator of a firm’s financial health than the traditional Profit Per Equity Partner (PPEP). It’s not just about the big numbers—tracking PPL alongside headcount and inflation gives a more realistic picture of growth and success.
• A New Wave of Legal Leadership
  With younger leaders stepping into corporate legal roles, expectations are changing. Law firms need to adjust how they build relationships and deliver services to keep up with these fresh perspectives.
• Succession Planning is a Must
  Planning for leadership transitions and addressing underperformance in senior partners is something many firms are still figuring out. Patrick and the team dig into why this is such a critical—and often overlooked—area for long-term success.
• The Buzz Around Lateral Hiring
  Steve shares insights on the hot topic of lateral hires, especially from government roles. He explains why it’s important to look beyond just the skills on paper and think about whether these hires are ready to rebuild their client relationships.
• Making Clients Stickier
  The group talks about how firms are focusing on institutionalizing client relationships. It’s all about making clients feel connected to the firm, not just an individual partner, to reduce risk and improve stability.

This episode is packed with practical insights and real-world examples for senior law firm leaders looking to stay ahead in a fast-changing market.

A big thanks to Pat Fuller for joining us and sharing his knowledge.

Contact Steve
McCormick Group

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M Coffey