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Former Government Lawyers Increasingly Shun BigLaw for Boutiques

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High-level government lawyers moving into private practice are increasingly going to boutique law firms rather than BigLaw.

The switch is part of an emerging trend, legal analysts tell the Washington Post. The article cites two recent examples:

• Rob Park, former assistant chief in the fraud section of the Justice Department’s criminal division, is moving to 30-lawyer Murphy & McGonigle, formed in 2010 by 15 lawyers from LeClairRyan. He says the pressure to generate business won’t be as intense at a smaller firm.

• Justin Shur, former deputy chief of the Justice Department’s public integrity section, joined 16-lawyer MoloLamken earlier this year. He tells he Post that more corporate counsel are considering boutique firms for matters once handled by large firms. “The value proposition is greater,” he said. “I think experienced lawyers, including lawyers coming out of the government, are realizing that.”

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