A&O Shearman loses trio of 'antitrust stars' to Paul Weiss in the US

A&O Shearman has lost three leading antitrust partners to Paul Weiss in Washington, including its global antitrust head.

David Higbee, Ben Gris and Djordje Petkoski are all joining Paul Weiss. Higbee is regarded as one of the top names in the space and previously led A&O Shearman’s antitrust practice.

Bigger picture

The hires mark the latest exits from A&O Shearman on both sides of the Atlantic as the firm continues to navigate a period of post-merger transition which has included a 10% cut in equity partner headcount.

Recent US losses have included a pair of New York litigators who left to launch their own boutique in July and US securities litigation co-head Agnès Dunogué, who moved to Freshfields in the same month.

For Paul Weiss, the arrivals continue an eventful year. The firm famously cut a $40 million pro bono deal with the Trump administration in March to fend off an executive order that chair Brad Karp said threatened its future.

But the disruption doesn't seem to have impacted the firm's performance. He recently told Law.com the firm had "never been busier", with revenues, demand and profits all up double digits in the first eight months of the year.

What they said

Higbee said: "Joining Paul Weiss represents an exceptional opportunity to build upon the firm’s already stellar reputation in the antitrust arena. The firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to excellence provide an ideal platform for serving clients in their most challenging antitrust matters."

Karp added: "David, Ben and Djordje are antitrust stars, and we’re thrilled they are joining our firm. Their arrival further strengthens our market-leading global antitrust capabilities."

Scott Barshay, corporate chair, said: "I have worked closely with David for many years, and this trio is among the best in the business. I could not be happier that they have decided to join Paul Weiss and that David and I will now be working together as partners."