In the wake of the unsettling revelations of bigoted emails penned by its former founding partners, the U.S. law firm that was once known as Barber Ranen is now grappling with more departures. Now rebranded as Daugherty Lordan, the firm continues to witness a steady stream of partners leaving, the latest of which includes a notable move to Cincinnati-founded Dinsmore & Shohl.
Rachel McClintock and Kelsey Scherr and two to three other legal and business professionals are set to join Dinsmore's Los Angeles office as partners on Monday, according to Dinsmore managing partner Joshua Lorentz. McClintock, who previously served as the managing partner of Daugherty Lordan's Los Angeles office, and Scherr will play an instrumental role in strengthening Dinsmore's presence in the California region.
Despite several attempts to reach McClintock, Scherr, and a Daugherty Lordan spokesperson for comment, a response has yet to be received.
Daugherty Lordan made headlines when its former founders, John Barber, and Jeffrey Ranen, faced backlash after exposing numerous racist, sexist, homophobic, and antisemitic emails. Consequently, the firm changed its name, distancing itself from the tainted past. Barber and Ranen, who previously left Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith with almost 140 lawyers to establish their new firm, resigned and apologized following the leak of these inflammatory communications.
While the future of Daugherty Lordan remains uncertain, the firm has refrained from providing formal statements regarding its winding down. A spokesperson hinted at ongoing discussions with several law firms and their attorneys. In light of recent events, Daugherty Lordan has seen an exodus of its legal professionals to rival firms, including Ballard Spahr, Freeman Mathis & Gary, Ogletree Deakins, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani. Furthermore, the entire Denver office of Daugherty Lordan and San Francisco-based name partner Joseph Lordan has found a new home at Chicago-based O'Hagan Meyer, with at least 30 former Daugherty Lordan lawyers making the transition, as evident from LinkedIn account changes, O'Hagan Meyer's website, and court records.
As Daugherty Lordan faces mounting challenges, Dinsmore is capitalizing on expansion opportunities. Earlier this year, Dinsmore merged with San Diego-based law firm Mulvaney Barry Beatty Linn & Mayers LLP, adding 18 lawyers and business professionals to their southern California offices.
Despite the unfolding events, Kevin O'Hagan, the managing partner of O'Hagan Meyer, declined to comment on the matter.
As the legal landscape evolves after this controversy, the industry watches keenly to see how both firms navigate the path ahead.
