The cat’s out of the bag.  Of course, the fact that Dan Hull sent out a press release might have something to do with it, but what can you expect from a guy who made his bones as Donna Summer’s backup singer in the 70s, his bright future in disco cut short by the tragic kiln explosion.  He’s got bling in his blood.

The idea was to cherry pick individual lawyers in specific niches who would form an integrated network surrounding Hull McGuire’s core corporate litigation practice.  As sad a commentary as this may be, criminal law is now a part of corporate law if you don’t want your mugshot to wind up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

It’s not that the concept is revolutionary, but rather intended to be more effective than the routine.  As Biglaw came to realize that its clientele needed access to criminal law, they would pluck prosecutors on their way out to fill the void.  It had its appeal.  It just didn’t serve the clients’ interests very well most of the time. 

Hull took a different approach, after much discussion between us about why corporations and their executives tended to do so poorly in criminal investigations and prosecutions.  Instead of making sure that the criminal law “specialists” had the requisite prosecutorial resume and wore the right clothes, he wanted to be positioned to keep his clients happy and healthy.  He wanted them protected.

Hull and I share many of the same philosophies.  We believe that hard work won’t kill anyone.  We believe that the obligation that comes with a client putting their welfare in our hands came before watching reruns of Gilligan’s Island and munching on Cheetos.  We believe in putting the client first.  Granted, I’m far more laid back than Hull, except when I’m not, but that difference hardly seemed like much of a hurdle.

And so, I’ve become Of Counsel to Hull McGuire.

Just so you know, I got the better end of the deal.  Hull McGuire has some of the most extraordinary, sophisticated clients around, far more knowledgeable and concerned with excellence from their outside counsel than with marble waiting rooms (though the HM offices aren’t too shabby) and shiny objects.  These are the clients that every lawyer wants to serve, the ones who understand and appreciate what we’re here to do.

This alliance also brings me the “resources” that seems to perpetually nag executives who, despite knowing that quality trumps quantity, fear that anything shy of a small army will leave them vaguely exposed.  With the support of Hull McGuire, it’s covered.

All Dan Hull got out of the deal is me. 

It’s an honor to work with Hull McGuire and its clients.  While many may think that we’re far too hard core when it comes to serving our clients and striving for excellence, it’s what we do.  Get used to it.