Boutique Law Firms

Name Partner Of Elite Litigation Powerhouse Leaves To Start New Firm

For now, he has to play it 'kool' when it comes to the client he left the firm for.

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goodbye lawyerEverything’s bigger in Texas, including the headlines when a litigation power player leaves the firm that bears his name.

Mike McKool of McKool Smith — the Texas-based complex trial firm that’s been handing out money to associates hand over fist for years — recently announced his resignation from the firm he founded more than 30 years ago because of a “compelling” client opportunity. “It was something that I really thought was the best thing I ever had been offered,” McKool said. “We tried to do it with the firm. It didn’t work out.” The American Lawyer has more:

Declining to provide specifics about the parties involved, McKool Smith managing partner David Sochia explained that the firm had agreed to represent the client in question on the potential litigation matter, and the board approved it, but while they were trying to work out a fee arrangement, a business conflict arose. That happened about three weeks ago, he said.

“Because we couldn’t solve it, that led Mike’s potential client to say they couldn’t wait around,” Sochia said. “This happens from time to time in the legal field.”

McKool will be opening his new firm sometime soon, and has been speaking to several of his colleagues about potentially joining him. McKool said there’s “no animosity” involved, and that he’s been “very open” about who he’s spoken to because he in no way wants to “hurt the organization.” The trial lawyer went on to say that the firm is in good hands with Sochia leading the way.

McKool Smith will not be changing its name.

Mike McKool Has Departed McKool Smith to Form New Firm [American Lawyer]

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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