Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith

Last updated

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith logo.png
Headquarters Los Angeles, California, U.S.
No. of offices55 (2024)
No. of attorneys1,552 (2024)
Major practice areasGeneral practice, litigation, business, entertainment, finance, insurance, international [1]
Revenue$720 million (2024) [2]
Profit per equity partner$1.142 million (2024)
Date founded1979;45 years ago (1979)
Company type LLP
Website lewisbrisbois.com

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP (commonly referred to as Lewis Brisbois) is a U.S. law firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1979, the firm is a national, general practice law firm with 1,552 attorneys. The firm operates offices in 55 offices in 32 states and Washington, D.C. [3]

Contents

The firm was ranked 71st in the United States (83rd in the world) in 2023, based on revenue, and 15th in the U.S. based on number of attorneys. [4] [5] In 2024, the firm reported $720 million in revenue. [5] [6] While the firm's roots are in the area of insurance defense litigation, it has increasingly expanded into corporate and transactional areas and now represents clients in a wide range of legal services. [7] The firm has an international practices group, which serves China, Italy, Japan and South Korea. [8]

History

Lewis D’Amato Brisbois & Bisgaard

The firm was founded in 1979 in Los Angeles, originally as Lewis D’Amato Brisbois & Bisgaard. The firm expanded to San Francisco in 1982, and from 1983 to 1993, expanded throughout California. In 2002, the firm officially changed its name to Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP with the opening of a New York City office, its first location outside of California. [9]

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith

In 2002, the firm had 640 lawyers in seven offices. [10] In 2007, the firm had 442 lawyers in 31 offices. [11] In 2009, The American Lawyer reported that 46% of the lawyers and 27% of the partners, at the firm were women. [12]

In 2013, with 270 lawyers, Lewis Brisbois had the most lawyers of any law firm in Los Angeles County, California. [13] In 2014, 30% of the firm's partners were women (the industry average was 21%). [14] In 2017, 26% of the firm's lawyers were minorities (the industry average was 14%), and 21% of its partners were minorities (the industry average was 9%). [15]

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lewis Brisbois began to advise clients on issues arising from the conflict, including economic sanctions compliance. [16]

In 2022, its New York City office, which opened in 2002, had 160 lawyers. [17] In May 2023, Robert Lewis, a founding partner of the firm, stepped down as chairman of the firm, and became chairman emeritus. [18] [19] The firm's management committee elected former vice chairman Gregory Katz to succeed Lewis as managing partner. [20]

As of May 2023, 140 lawyers had left the firm to join Barber Ranen, a boutique employment firm that had been recently opened by John Barber and Jeff Ranen, who had left Lewis Brisbois after leading its employment practices group and serving as members of the firm's management committee; both had worked over two decades at the firm. [21] [22] [23] [24] Ranen explained their departure from Lewis Brisbois saying: "We wanted to lead with empathy, collaboration and compassion," and Barber said "excellence and culture" were their driving forces. [21] In June 2023, Lewis Brisbois released dozens of emails that John Barber and Jeff Ranen had written while employed there, which included racist, antisemitic, homophobic, and violently misogynistic slurs aimed at colleagues, clients, attorneys from other firms, and judges, referred to a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge as "sugar tits," and when Ranen reported to Barber that a firm employee had requested overtime, Barber replied: “Kill her by anal penetration.” [22] [25] [23] Barber and Ranen resigned from the firm named after them at the firm's request, and the firm was renamed Daugherty Lordan LLP. [23] Lewis Brisbois received requests from between 10 and 20 lawyers who asked to return, and took some of them back. [23] Managing Partner Gregory S. Katz has stated that “We hired a DEI consultant who spent a lot of time with our team, from senior leadership to rank and file members of our team, learning more about the organization, training us, and teaching us[.]” [26]

Offices

Lewis Brisbois' largest office is located at the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Library Tower (small) crop.jpg
Lewis Brisbois' largest office is located at the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles.

Lewis Brisbois has 55 offices in 32 states and Washington, D.C., including: [27]

Rankings

With $720,000,000 gross revenue in 2023, the firm placed 71st on The American Lawyer 's 2024 Am Law 200 ranking. With over 1,500 attorneys in 2024, the firm placed 18th on The National Law Journal's NLJ 500 ranking. [28]

Notable clients and cases

Notable attorneys and alumni

Business

Government

Media and entertainment

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DLA Piper</span> Multinational law firm

DLA Piper is a law firm with offices in over 40 countries across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is an American white shoe law firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm employs approximately 1,000 attorneys throughout 35 offices around the world.

Sidley Austin LLP is an American multinational law firm with approximately 2,300 lawyers in 21 offices worldwide. It was established in 1866 and its headquarters is at One South Dearborn in Chicago's Loop. It is one of the largest law firms in the world in terms of revenue. Among its alumni are former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as well as Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance.

Kaye Scholer was a law firm founded in 1917 by Benjamin Kaye and Jacob Scholer. The firm had more than 450 attorneys in nine offices located in the cities of Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, New York City (headquarters), Shanghai, Palo Alto, Washington, D.C., and West Palm Beach.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an American business and litigation law firm. Founded in 1944, the firm is a limited liability partnership and employs over 500 lawyers. Davis Wright Tremaine is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has offices in seven other cities in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howrey</span>

Howrey LLP was a global law firm that practiced antitrust, global litigation and intellectual property law. At its peak Howrey had more than 700 attorneys in 17 locations worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dechert</span> American law firm

Dechert LLP is a multinational American law firm of more than 900 lawyers with practices in corporate and securities, complex litigation, finance and real estate, financial services, asset management, and private equity. In 2021, the firm raised revenues by 25%, with a total of $1.3 billion. On Law.com's 2022 Global 200 survey, Dechert ranked as the 41st highest grossing law firm in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winston & Strawn</span> American law firm

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm headquartered in Chicago. It has more than 900 attorneys spread across ten offices in the United States and six offices in Europe, Asia and South America. Founded in 1853, it is one of the largest and oldest law firms in Chicago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munger, Tolles & Olson</span> California law firm

Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP (MTO) is an American law firm founded in 1962 with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. The firm is known for handling litigation and corporate matters across multiple industries, including entertainment, technology, energy, healthcare, and financial services.

Latham & Watkins LLP is an American multinational law firm. Founded in 1934 in Los Angeles, California, Latham is the second-largest law firm in the world by revenue. As of 2022, Latham is also one of the most profitable law firms in the world, with profits per partner exceeding US$5.7 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saul Ewing</span> United States-based law firm

Saul Ewing LLP is a U.S.-based law firm with 18 offices and more than 450 attorneys providing a broad range of legal services. Its offices are located along the East Coast from Boston to Miami and extend into the Midwest by way of Chicago. On September 1, 2017, Saul Ewing LLP and Arnstein & Lehr LLP merged to form Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP. In November 2022, the firm changed its name back to Saul Ewing LLP as part of a rebrand effort. On August 1, 2023, the firm merged with Los Angeles–based Freeman Freeman & Smiley.

Dentons is a multinational law firm based in the United States.

Thelen LLP, formerly known as Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner was a bicoastal American law firm formed by two mergers between California and New York–based law firms. The firm peaked at roughly 600 attorneys in 2006, and had 500 early in 2008, with attorneys with offices in eight cities in the United States, England and China. By the time of its decision to dissolve in late October 2008, it had shrunk to 400 attorneys through layoffs and attrition. Thelen was known for its preeminent construction practice which dates back to the 1930s and the local association between the law firm and contractors and developers of large hydroelectric dam projects. The construction practice offered regulatory, transactional and dispute resolution support. It was also known for its energy expertise, particularly in the electricity regulatory area, as well as for legal advice concerning technology and outsourcing.

Reed Smith LLP is a global law firm with more than 1,500 lawyers in 30 offices throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Chicago, Denver, London, Brussels, Doha, and Shanghai. With approximately 600 lawyers, the firm advises multinational corporations on regulatory, litigation, corporate, and investigations matters. As of 2022, Crowell & Moring is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States in The American Lawyer's "AmLaw 100" list, based on gross revenue.

Bingham McCutchen LLP was a global law firm with approximately 850 attorneys in nine US offices and five international offices. It ceased operations in late 2015, when several hundred of its partners and associate lawyers left the firm to join Philadelphia-based Morgan Lewis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Holahan</span> American attorney and former actor (born 1942)

Dennis Holahan is an American attorney and former actor. He is a partner in the San Francisco office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, California’s largest law firm, where he specializes in entertainment, media, and intellectual property cases as well as more general matters in the firm’s commercial litigation practice. Prior to joining Lewis Brisbois in 2014, Dennis maintained one of the top entertainment and business-related litigation boutiques in Los Angeles for more than 20 years.

Thompson Coburn LLP is a U.S. law firm with offices in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Southern Illinois, St. Louis, Birmingham, Ala., and Washington, D.C. The firm has been especially active in the field of product liability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani</span> American law firm

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, commonly referred to as "Gordon Rees" or more recently, "GRSM", is an AmLaw 100 law firm based in the United States, with more than 1,400 lawyers practicing in all 50 states.

Buckley LLP was a financial services, criminal, and civil enforcement defense law firm which had 160 lawyers scattered across different parts of the United States of America; in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and in London. As of February 1, 2023, Buckley merged with global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

References

  1. ↑ "Practice Areas - Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP". Lewis Brisbois.
  2. ↑ "Top 100 US Law Firms - 2024 AM Law 100".
  3. ↑ "Locations - Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP". Lewis Brisbois.
  4. ↑ "Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard". Law.com International.
  5. 1 2 Zaretsky, Staci (May 2, 2023). "Partners Lead Mass Defection From Biglaw Firm, With Up To 140 Lawyers Set To Join New Boutique". Above the Law.
  6. ↑ "Law360 Reveals 400 Largest US Firms". Law360. May 12, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Complex Business & Commercial Litigation". Lewis Brisbois. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  8. ↑ "International Practices" . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  9. ↑ "History of Lewis Brisbois". Lewis Brisbois.
  10. ↑ Renee Deger (July 3, 2002). "Lewis, D’Amato Has New Name, Office, Partners," The Recorder.
  11. ↑ Brian Dalton, Vera Djordjevich (2007). Vault Guide to the Top Northern California Law Firms, 2007 Edition
  12. ↑ Emily Barker (June 2009). "Women now make up a healthy proportion of lawyers at large firms; Stuck in The Middle", The American Lawyer.
  13. ↑ Debra Cassens Weiss (March 14, 2013). "Which law firm has the biggest presence in Los Angeles County? It's not O'Melveny". ABA Journal.
  14. ↑ Suzanne L. Jones (April 22, 2014). "Law360 Names Top 25 Ceiling Smashers," The American Bar Association.
  15. ↑ Erin Coe (August 20, 2017). "How 5 Firms Are Building More Diverse Ranks," Law360.
  16. ↑ "Ukraine Conflict Response" . Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Lewis Brisbois' New York Office Celebrates 20th Anniversary". Lewis Brisbois.
  18. ↑ Merken, Sara (May 4, 2023). "Lewis Brisbois chair, executive committee are out after lawyer exodus". Reuters.
  19. ↑ "Lewis Brisbois Chairman Bob Lewis Steps Down". The Recorder. May 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ Victoria Basham (May 17, 2023). "Lewis Brisbois names new managing partner in wake of mass employment team exodus while Jeffrey Spiegel is named the most handsome partner". Global Legal Post.
  21. 1 2 Brock, James (May 8, 2023). "Lewis Brisbois Partners Break Away". Los Angeles Business Journal.
  22. 1 2 "'Woke' LA firm partners routinely used vile language to refer to women, POC, emails show". MSN.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, David; Merken, Sara; Thomas, David; Merken, Sara (June 7, 2023). "Barber Ranen law firm changes name after racist, sexist emails prompt leaders' exit". Reuters.
  24. ↑ "Partners Lead Mass Defection From Biglaw Firm, With Up To 140 Lawyers Set To Join New Boutique' That's more than 8% of the firm's lawyers," Law360, May 2, 2023.
  25. ↑ Debra Cassens Weiss (June 5, 2023). "Leaders of Lewis Brisbois rebellion sent emails with 'unacceptable, prejudiced language,' law firm says". ABA Journal.
  26. ↑ Douglas Saunders, Sr. (January 12, 2024). "Lewis Brisbois recovered from tumultuous year, leader says". Daily Journal . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Locations" . Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Lewis Brisbois" . Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Lewis Brisbois Class Action Team Secures Ninth Circuit Victory in BMW Battery Suit". March 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ Stephen Joyce (March 19, 2024). "BNSF Deal Suggests More Privacy Cases Going to Trial in Illinois". Bloomberg Law . Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Application" (PDF). July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Lewis Brisbois Corporate Team Advises Calidi Biotherapeutics in $335 Million Merger Expected to Advance Cancer Therapie". January 19, 2022.
  33. ↑ Ryan Mancini (July 3, 2019). "Saban Theatre claims subway damage". Beverly Press. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Vehicle Manufacturer Wins Summary Judgment on Keyless Entry System Claims". October 26, 2016.
  35. ↑ "St. Louis Team Secures Defense Verdict in High-Exposure Products Liability Recall Matter". November 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Mulino designó a Virna Luque como viceministra de la Presidencia". Panamá América . May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Attorney Profile" . Retrieved June 10, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.