Manatt CEO and Managing Partner Donna Wilson discussed Manatt’s financial success throughout 2023 with The American Lawyer, crediting efforts to integrate previous growth and its countercyclical approach, which resulted in a steady increase in profits over the past five years capped by an 11.5% increase in net income in 2023 in addition to a 3.2% boost in revenue per lawyer.
Emphasizing that “we don’t follow the herd,” Wilson pointed to Manatt’s integrated legal and business consulting model as contributing to the Firm’s continued year-over-year financial strength, which saw a 6.4% revenue gain and exceeded the $400 million gross revenue mark last year.
Wilson also credited the Firm’s success to a continued upward trajectory of strategic growth across all practices and key regions as well as a surgical and disciplined approach to lateral recruitment and integration. She discussed the opening of Manatt’s San Diego office alongside Office Partner Randy Grossman and recent hire Kareem Salem, noting that the Firm’s ongoing work in health care / life sciences and digital and technology align well with the region’s core industries. “It just didn’t make sense not to be there. For a conservative investment, we’re already finding tremendous ROI,” Wilson said.
She concluded by emphasizing a renewed focus on investment, including improving the delivery of services as well as in improving depth across the Firm. “Where we’re at is really about looking at the individual, or group of individuals,” Wilson said. “Variables and the world changes, but we think we are happy right now on the path that we’re on. We’re all aligned, and we’re punching above our weight.”
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