Law.com - Top London Partner Moves From Shearman to Weil Gotshal

Law.com - Top London Partner Moves From Shearman to Weil Gotshal
This is just another example of extreme mobility in the profession and the possible consequences to firms that play that game. According to the article, Peter King was a Linlkaters until 2003 when he left to go to S&S' London office where he remained until last week and resigned to go to Weil Gotshal's London office. This move may leave a hole in S&S's London corporate practice, but should this come as a surprise to S&S or to Weil Gotshal, if in a few years, King decides to move on again? There was something charming about the not so old notion that partnerships were for life. When legal talent becomes as mobile as major league sports figures who are recruited and traded back and forth, it takes something from the profession. While it may be very much part of the business of law these days, I think the profession loses, as do those firms who play that game.