Six Wildman Harrold Partners Unsure When Firm Will Allow Them to Leave
Updated: For 15 days, six partners at Wildman Harrold were hoping that the Chicago law firm would allow them to jump to Barnes & Thornburg sooner rather than later.
Wildman Harrold requires partners to give 90 days’ notice before leaving the firm, and it uses the parternership provision to prevent hasty departures, the Chicago Tribune reports. The six Wildman Harrold partners gave notice on Oct. 1, and were still at the firm when the newspaper contacted them Oct. 11.
Wildman Harrold partner Stephen Landes said the 90-day requirement is part of a standard process that ensures a smooth transition. He didn’t anticipate requiring the partners to stay the full 90 days, however.
One partner who was ready to leave for Barnes & Thornburg was H. Roderic Heard, a member of the executive committee at Wildman Harrold. Asked on Monday, Oct. 11, if he would be required to stay the full 90 days, he told the Tribune, “Well, I certainly hope not, but I don’t know.”
On Friday, Oct. 15, he was departing for the new firm. According to a law firm statement, Friday was the partners’ final day at Wildman Harrold. “We are pleased to have completed this transition in a thorough and efficient manner, within the framework of our long-standing policy that ensures the best interests of our clients, and in a manner that is consistent with the rules of professional conduct,” the statement said.
Updated on Monday, Oct. 18, to include the statement from the law firm.
