In Reversal, Departing DLA Piper Partners Stay Put

In late March, Hogan Lovells drafted a press release about two new hires: Joseph Tato and Andrianne Payson, two energy-focused lawyers who were set to join as partners from DLA Piper.

But in a sign of how fickle the lateral market can be, both lawyers decided to stay put at DLA Piper.

“We are pleased that they have decided to remain as partners at the firm,” DLA spokesman Josh Epstein said in a brief statement.

Epstein had offered well-wishes to Tato and Payson on March 30. They had been planning to leave DLA Piper because client conflicts were inhibiting their practice, one person who worked with ...