Lawyers are ditching big firms to go solo right now. Three heavy hitters, Alex Bevan, Paul Friedland, and Charles Adams, all left their partnerships this month to hang their own shingles as arbitrators and counsel. This is a clear power move in the legal world.
Bevan left A&O Shearman, where he was global arbitration co-chair. He is the third partner to bail from that group within a year. The firm gave him a standard polite goodbye on his way out.
Paul Friedland stepped away from White & Case in New York. He led their international arbitration group for nearly two decades. His new solo practice will focus on arbitration work, though he will keep some old insurance and energy clients as counsel.
White & Case praised his legacy, noting he mentored many of their current lawyers. Charles Adams started his own firm after Orrick shut its Geneva office. His new practice, Five Diamonds Law, will handle commercial and family disputes for wealthy clients, modeled after a British barristers' chambers.
Bevan left A&O Shearman, where he was global arbitration co-chair. He is the third partner to bail from that group within a year. The firm gave him a standard polite goodbye on his way out.
Paul Friedland stepped away from White & Case in New York. He led their international arbitration group for nearly two decades. His new solo practice will focus on arbitration work, though he will keep some old insurance and energy clients as counsel.
White & Case praised his legacy, noting he mentored many of their current lawyers. Charles Adams started his own firm after Orrick shut its Geneva office. His new practice, Five Diamonds Law, will handle commercial and family disputes for wealthy clients, modeled after a British barristers' chambers.
