Susan Murley, co-managing partner of WilmerHale said, “The transition of our private client practice makes good business sense for our team and for Choate.” On its part, Choate tried to project it was a joint effort, or at the very least done with the concurrence of both law firms. William Gelnaw and John Nadas, co-managing partners at Choate said, “We have a long and deep relationship with WilmerHale … Bringing together our two preeminent wealth management practices will benefit all of our clients …”
However, Susan Murley of WilmerHale said, “As a stand-alone practice at WilmerHale, we are pleased to see our private client team joining a law firm that has an established … reputation in wealth management. We wish members of our private client practice well as they make this transition.”
On Choate website, the news release mentioned, “It is anticipated that the partners will be accompanied by associates and other staff, and that WilmerHale’s entire Private Client Practice will move to Choate.”
The four leading partners of the WilmerHale Private Client Practice team joining Choate include Jennifer C. Snyder, Nan Giner, Michael L. Fay, and Brian W. Monnich. The entire team is expected to move to Choate on or about December 1, and will join Choate’s already established wealth management team of over 50 people including lawyers, investment professionals, tax preparers, trust and estate administrators, and other legal services professionals.