BakerHostetler has picked up 30 lawyers from McKenna Long & Aldridge as McKenna prepares to merge with Dentons. With 25 of the lawyers emanating from McKenna's healthcare practice, it has also appointed one of the team to a management position. James Rawls, who specialises in healthcare, media law and commercial litigation, has been appointed a co-leader of the firm’s healthcare industry team. The firm’s clients include hospitals and health systems, suppliers and pharmaceutical companies, long-term care, home health, hospice and specialised niche providers, as well as venture capital entities operating in the healthcare sector. It will bring BakerHostetler's healthcare division to 81 lawyers. 

Fully anticipated

Around 70 McKenna lawyers are not joining Dentons in the merger, according to Big Law Business. Dentons CEO Elliott Portnoy told the publication in an email that all the recent departures were planned before the merger vote. 'They were fully anticipated and have zero impact,' he said.