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Business Wire
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Flo Recruit Announces Series A Funding to Expand Legal Recruiting Ecosystem
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flo Recruit, a connected suite of legal talent software, announced that it has closed a Series A round led by LiveOak Ventures and Moneta Ventures with participation from The LegalTech Fund, Y Combinator, and Teamworthy Ventures. Flo Recruit intends to use the funds to expand its career services solutions for law schools and talent solutions for law firm entry-level, lateral associate, and partner hiring. Earlier entry-level recruitment has pressured law students, schools, and firms alike to adapt. Share 'Flo Recruit's clients are seeking transparency as recruitment channels expand beyond traditional campus programs and reliance on agencies,' said Katherine Allen, Co-Founder and CEO. 'Flo has a unique ability to solve this problem because we partner with all sides of the talent market. That brings powerful connections and data insight.' Flo Recruit platform data shows law student interview timelines shifting year over year, with a 665% volume increase in April 2025 compared to April 2024. Earlier entry-level recruitment has pressured law students, schools, and firms alike to adapt – prompting the launch of Flo Forward, a legal career platform centralizing 103 firm profiles, 1,135 networking opportunities, and 818 job listings to date. The market also anticipates increased lateral movement among junior associates, driven by faster decision-making early in their careers. "It's exciting to work with a team that knows there's always the ability to change and to meet the needs of a challenging environment,' said Nancy Parker, Director of Attorney Recruitment at Fried Frank. 'In a very uncertain world, the Flo team is certain. They're dedicated to the success of both the firm and the candidates.' Today, over 125 law firms — including nearly 70% of the AmLaw 100 — use Flo Recruit to find and hire legal talent. More than 100 law schools and consortiums, including 85% of the top 50 ranked schools, run campus programs on Flo Recruit and help bring Flo Forward to life, resulting in over 25,000 student users to date. About Flo Recruit: Flo is where top legal talent navigate their careers. Our applicant tracking system (ATS), pipeline building, and career services solutions equip clients to excel in modern legal recruiting, from summer associate to partner.


Business Wire
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Hanson Bridgett LLP Plants Flag in Fresno with Addition of Labor & Employment Partner Ryan Eddings
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hanson Bridgett LLP announced today that accomplished labor and employment attorney Ryan Eddings has joined the firm as a partner. He becomes Hanson Bridgett's first attorney based in Fresno, California, where the firm plans to open an office in 2025. Eddings will lead the firm's expansion in the Central Valley. 'As California's fifth-largest city and a major hub for agriculture, business, and innovation, Fresno has a dynamic economy and a vibrant future. The Central Valley region's significant growth in recent years merits expanded access to sophisticated legal services, and we're excited to be part of that continued progress,' said Kristina Lawson, managing partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP. 'The addition of Ryan, with his deep experience and strong labor and employment practice, is an important step in strengthening our presence in the Central Valley. Expanding in this region is central to our broader growth strategy and reflects our commitment to being California's law firm — equipped to serve the complex legal needs of clients across the entire state.' Eddings comes to Hanson Bridgett from the labor and employment firm Littler Mendelson P.C., where he has practiced for more than 15 years. He brings significant first-chair experience defending a range of employment disputes, including wage-and-hour class actions, cases brought under California's Private Attorney General Act, and single-plaintiff discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful terminations. In addition, he advises management on all aspects of labor and employment law and the employment relationship, including hiring, termination, and other employment policies. For the last three years, Eddings acted as Littler Mendelson's managing shareholder in Fresno, a period in which the office nearly doubled in size. 'As a full-service firm, Hanson Bridgett provides a platform on which I can offer world-class counsel to employers in a range of disciplines, establishing a deeper connection with my clients,' said Eddings. 'I am inspired by the firm's strategic focus on California in general and Fresno in particular, and I look forward to leading its growth here.' A native of Fresno, Eddings returned to the city early in his legal career and advises local and national clients in health care, agriculture, and a range of other industries. He now serves as a board member of the City of Fresno's Historic Preservation Committee. Eddings is the second significant lateral hire for Hanson Bridgett in recent weeks. Last month, the firm added Gregory Reed as a partner in the firm's transportation and logistics practice group. Reed is based in Washington, D.C. Eddings received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. About Hanson Bridgett LLP Hanson Bridgett LLP is a full-service AmLaw 200 law firm with more than 200 attorneys across California. Creating a diverse workforce by fostering an atmosphere of belonging and intentional support has been a priority at Hanson Bridgett since its founding in 1958. We are dedicated to creating an environment that provides opportunities for people with varied backgrounds, both for attorneys and administrative professionals. As the first law firm recognized as a certified B Corp, we are committed to the communities where our employees live and work and consider it part of our professional obligation to serve justice by encouraging and supporting pro bono and social impact work.


Business Journals
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Some New England law firms fall in national AmLaw revenue rankings
The biggest law firms in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are also some of the top money-making ones in the U.S. Sixteen of the 20 Massachusetts firms with the most attorneys rank among the country's 200 with the most 2024 revenue, according to Business First research and information released this week by American Lawyer magazine. Several of the top earners also have major presences in Rhode Island, including Nixon Peabody, which repeated at No. 90 among the AmLaw 200, with revenue last year of $621 million. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events The firm is headquartered in Boston and has 15 offices around the world, including one at Citizens Plaza in Providence. Another Rhode Island firm on the AmLaw 200 list this year is Dallas-based Locke Lord, which also has an office in Providence and last year had $523 million in revenue nationwide. Earlier this year, the firm merged with Troutman Pepper, headquartered in Atlanta and ranked No. 52 on the AmLaw list. In what may be a sign of growing national competition, only two of the 16 Massachusetts firms saw their rankings on the AmLaw 200 rise since the previous roster. The largest firm in the Bay State, Boston-based Ropes & Gray, recorded 2024 revenue of $3.42 billion nationwide and climbed from eighth to seventh among the AmLaw 200. Proskauer Rose, which is headquartered in New York and the 14th-largest firm in Massachusetts, had revenue of $1.39 billion. That pushed the firm up a notch from No. 42 to No. 41 on the list. Other top firms fell or stayed flat on the revenue ranking — despite some of them bringing in more money during 2024 than before. The fifth-largest Massachusetts firm, Choate Hall & Stewart, reported revenue of $379 million in 2024, up 16% from the 2023 total. Yet the firm's rank remains the same, No. 119. The sixth-largest firm, Foley Hoag, had revenue last year of $326 million, a 7.8% increase, according to American Lawyer. But the firm's rank on the AmLaw 200 has declined from No. 125 to No. 132. Among the 20 largest Bay State firms, Goulston & Storrs tumbled the most in revenue rank, from No. 154 on the previous AmLaw list to No. 164 this year. The firm brought in revenue of $227 million during 2024, down 4.4% from the prior-year total. Sign up for Providence Business First's free daily newsletter here Nationwide, the law firm that grossed the most last year was Chicago-based Kirkland & Ellis, whose revenue totaled $8.8 billion. Kirkland's 148-lawyer office in Boston makes the firm the 10th-largest in Massachusetts. Kirkland employs more than 4,000 lawyers nationwide. Ropes & Gray, by comparison, employed 576 Massachusetts lawyers last year, about a third of the firm's total. The Business Journal contacted several of the top-ranked firms for comment, but none were willing to discuss their revenues on the record. The revenue rankings come out as some of the top earners battle growing criticism from the administration of President Donald Trump. WilmerHale, headquartered in Boston and Washington, D.C., is one of several Big Law firms hit recently with presidential sanctions — and that has sued the administration in response. WilmerHale ranks as the fourth-largest Massachusetts law firm by local lawyer headcount, and No. 34 nationally based on revenue of $1.6 billion, according to AmLaw. Last year, the firm ranked No. 31. It's estimated there are more than 460,000 law firms in the U.S. Among the 50 states, Massachusetts is home to the second-largest number of attorneys per capita, after New York, according to the American Bar Association. Rhode Island's Most-Educated ZIP Codes Adults with bachelor's degree or higher Rank Prior Rank ZIP code 1 1 02906 2 2 02806 3 3 02835 View this list
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Lawyers® Establishes CMO Advisory Board to Guide Innovation in the Legal Marketing Industry
AUGUSTA, Ga., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Lawyers®, the most established global network of legal professionals, today announces the formation of its first-ever CMO Advisory Board [link to landing page], a group of top legal marketing and communications leaders who will provide strategic guidance and industry insights to future Best Lawyers' initiatives. This seasoned group will serve as a partner, advising on innovation in data, intelligence, marketing and business development. The Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board brings together an accomplished team of marketing and business development leaders with decades of combined experience shaping the success of some of the most respected AmLaw 100 and 200 law firms, global legal publications and organizations. With expertise in legal branding, market positioning and client engagement, they have shaped strategies at McGuireWoods, Barnes & Thornburg, Holland & Hart and ALM. "At Best Lawyers, we believe that collaboration with industry leaders is essential to driving meaningful innovation," said Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers. "By bringing together some of the most experienced minds in legal marketing, our CMO Advisory Board will help us refine our offerings, develop new resources and better support the needs of law firms and attorneys." Throughout the year, board members will offer feedback to shape the brand offerings of Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms®. Their expert insights on emerging industry trends will be pivotal in helping Best Lawyers continue to enhance the value it delivers to law firms, attorneys and clients. "The legal industry is changing to meet law firm needs as they face new challenges in marketing, business development and brand positioning," said Kevin Iredell, Global Marketing Executive and President of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA). "I'm excited to be part of this advisory board, working alongside industry peers to help shape how legal marketing can advance firms of all sizes." Meet the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board Wendy Bernero – Founder and Strategic Advisor, Yate Collaborative Joe Calve – Strategic Advisor to the Chairman, McGuireWoods Patrick Fuller – Chief Legal Industry Strategist, ALM Anna Hedgepeth – Chief Strategy Officer, Cranfill Sumner Kevin Iredell – Global Marketing Executive; President, LMA Ryan King – Lead Strategist, R|Y Communications Trish Lilley – Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Barnes & Thornburg T. Elonide Semmes – Founder, Ravir; Past President, College of Law Practice Management Lisa M. Simon – Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Holland & Hart By bringing together these top legal marketing professionals, Best Lawyers reaffirms its commitment to driving thought leadership, enhancing the legal industry's marketing strategies and providing attorneys with the most relevant and valuable resources. "This board is not just about Best Lawyers, it is about the legal industry as a whole," said Trish Lilley, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Barnes & Thornburg. "This collaboration will help drive better solutions, bolder marketing initiatives and stronger client engagement for law firms." For more information on the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board and its members, visit: About Best Lawyers®Best Lawyers® is the most established global network of legal professionals, providing elite lawyers and law firms with tools to enhance visibility, credibility and client engagement. Built on a rigorous peer-review process, Best Lawyers delivers data-driven legal recognition while offering industry insights and tech-forward marketing solutions. Powering Best Law Firms®, we simplify the law firm selection process, fostering confidence between firms and clients. Learn more at and Media Contact:Alliccia OdeyemiSenior Public Relations Manageraodeyemi@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BEST LAWYERS


Fox News
09-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Anti-woke nonprofit sends letter to top legal firms in America warning about DEI
An anti-woke nonprofit issued a letter to America's top 100 law firms this week warning them about the legal consequences of engaging in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices. The 1792 Exchange, a nonprofit dedicated to "steer[ing] public companies in the United States back to neutral on ideological issues so they can best serve their shareholders," warned the Am Law top 100 law firms, a list published by The American Lawyer magazine, that they are risking legal consequences if they continue to pursue DEI policies. "In light of recent events and actions by the Trump Administration, courts, and consumers, I am writing to warn you about the legal and business risks posed by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies practiced by many AmLaw 100 firms. DEI programs that involve race- or gender-based hiring quotas, preferential treatment, or mandatory ideological training on race and gender may expose your firm to direct liability under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as disqualification for doing business with state and federal governments," the letter obtained by Fox News Digital said. President Donald Trump targeted DEI policies as one of his first acts after taking office. He signed multiple executive orders banning the federal government from engaging in DEI practices – which critics allege are racially discriminatory – and banned federal agencies from contracting with companies that have DEI programs. Numerous companies, such as Facebook, Pepsi, Disney and Goldman Sachs, have rolled back their DEI initiatives in the wake of Trump's re-election. Other companies, such as Costco and JP Morgan, have stood by the controversial policies. 1792 exchange CEO David Cameron, who previously served as the Republican Attorney General of Kentucky, said his organization sent the letter to law firms to make sure they were aware of the risks associated with DEI when they're advising companies on "quotas." "We just want to make sure that the law firms are aware of the potential liability that can occur if folks start looking at this a little more closely," Cameron told Fox News Digital. Private law firms have recently caught the ire of the Trump administration, with the president targeting multiple prestigious law firms with loss of security clearances. Trump recently issued an executive order against Democratic white shoe law firm Perkins and Cole, partially due to their DEI policies. "My Administration is committed to ending discrimination under 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies and ensuring that Federal benefits support the laws and policies of the United States, including those laws and policies promoting our national security and respecting the democratic process," the order said.