Fifteen associates and six partners joined Goodwin Procter from KWM today, with five trainees expected to shortly follow. The deal is a major achievement given the tumultuous relationship between the two firms. Last year, KWM launched legal action against Goodwin Procter and corporate partner Richard Lever in response to the US firm’s hire of KWM’s entire six-partner private equity team in Paris. Despite having spent up to £1m in legal fees relating to the £15m claim, KWM has agreed to drop its lawsuit against Goodwin in order to secure the large-scale team hire. Only seven KWM partners voted against the deal, with 100 voting in favour. 

Sources: Legal Week; Legal Business