Answering the age old question of whether a blog is a destination or a stepping stone, Peter Lattman, the venerable blog-guru for the Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog, announced that he’s got a real job.

After two years, over 4000 posts and countless reader comments, I’m moving on, to a new beat at the Journal. . . . So I’m leaving to cover the private-equity industry for the paper. While I am really excited for a new challenge, I know that I will miss the Law Blog. This has been the most rewarding professional experience of my life. Thank you, and goodbye

It’s hard to believe that Lattman started the WSJ blog only two years ago, and harder still to believe that he’s put up 4000 posts in that short period.  And some say I’m prolific. Hah!

What was amazing was that Lattman’s posts were themselves snarky and sarcastic, and often dealt with subjects far below the level of crucial earthly importance that characterized the Journal itself.  He was funny.  The Wall Street Journal, not so funny.  This was one weird match.

Under Lattman, the WSJ Blog became the model for a successful, relevant and enjoyable “corporate” blog.  Despite being sanctioned by perhaps the single stodgiest rag in the business, which focused on some of the most boring and arcane issues in finance, Lattman made the blog fun and interesting.  No, not always, but almost.

The only part that I’m struggling to understand is how he’s going from the blog to the “private-equity industry.”  Sure, those private-equity boys are a laugh-riot (“right, Muffy? “Oh yes, Chad, yes, Yes!”), but I doubt they’re ready for Lattman, or he’s ready for them. 

And what’s to become of the WSJ blog? 

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Dan Slater, the next Law Blog. As a litigator at Kaye Scholer in New York a couple of years back, Dan was one of our first loyal Law Blog readers (and you know how we love our loyal readers). He quickly jettisoned the practice of law for a journalism career.

Let this be a lesson, comment early and often and you too can be an ex-litigator at Kaye Scholer.  Dan Slater is scheduled to make his debut today with an introductory post.  The torch will be passed, and we’ll see whether Slater can carry it.  Best of luck to Peter Lattman, and we’re sorry to see you go.

H/T ATL