Hughes Hubbard to Open Kansas City Office with Shook Hardy Lawyers
Hughes Hubbard & Reed is acquiring a team of product liability lawyers in Kansas City, Mo., from Shook, Hardy & Bacon—along with one of Shook Hardy’s tobacco clients.
The group making the leap includes six partners and three of counsel, the Am Law Daily reports. The story calls the move taking place on Jan. 1 a “surprising expansion.”
Shook Hardy will retain client Philip Morris USA, but another client, Lorillard Tobacco, will be represented by Hughes Hubbard lawyers. Also joining Hughes Hubbard is William Allinder, a former Shook Hardy partner who has served as Lorillard’s national coordinating counsel and senior litigation adviser.
Tobacco companies are divided over recent regulatory changes, the story says. As a result, the companies are seeking law firms that don’t represent industry rivals.
