Speaking about his new post as managing partner at Keker, Van Nest & Peters, Jamie Slaughter said he is not planning big changes, and instead sees his role as "a steward of something that's been great,” with a focus on “emphasizing continuity, collaboration, and talent development,” reported The Daily Journal.
Slaughter, a veteran trial lawyer who has been with the firm since 2001, succeeds Laurie Carr Mims, who returns to full-time litigation. The firm also announced the appointment of Steven Ragland as general counsel.
Slaughter said the firm’s longstanding single-office, litigation-focused model has been key in fostering close collaboration and professional development.
"We've got one office. We do one thing: litigation," he said. "That model has mattered to us. It means people know one another, they work with one another, they trust one another, we can work across cases in a way that's hard to replicate."
Since joining the firm more than two decades ago, Slaughter has represented clients including OpenAI, Lyft, and Electronic Arts, while helping Keker grow from approximately 40 lawyers to about 140 through “disciplined, organic growth."
"Our clients come to us when they have really hard problems," Slaughter said. "We've got antitrust, we've got AI, we've got trade secret, we've got copyright. ... What ties these matters together is that none of them is routine. They involve technology, huge stakes, public scrutiny, maybe all three.”
Looking ahead, Slaughter identified talent development as a key priority, with an emphasis on recruiting outstanding associates, providing meaningful early responsibility, and supporting long-term career growth. He also noted that while artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will continue to reshape the legal landscape, Keker’s experience handling novel and complex matters positions the firm to navigate those changes while maintaining the culture and values that have defined it for decades.
"I care deeply about this place. I can't imagine practicing law anywhere else,” he said.
You can read the Daily Journal article here. (subscription required)