Elite Litigation Firm Adds New Name Partner To Its Stationery
Most firms are shortening their names, but this one is bucking the trend.
In an age where law firm names are growing shorter and shorter for branding purposes, it’s unlikely that a prestigious firm would deign to add the name of another partner to its marquee. In fact, the last time something monumental like this happened was in 2010, when litigation powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges decided to change its name to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to honor appellate litigator Kathleen Sullivan’s achievements, making her the first woman to become a name partner at an Am Law 100 firm. (The firm is still referred to in common parlance as Quinn Emanuel.)
This week, yet another elite litigation firm decided to buck the trend of law firms shortening their names. Keker & Van Nest, a Bay Area boutique founded in 1978, announced that in 2017, it would be known as Keker Van Nest & Peters.
Who is the attorney behind Keker & Van Nest’s new name? Elliot R. Peters, who began his career as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, joined the firm in 1991, and has since represented high-profile clients including the likes of Lance Armstrong, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and Twitter, has been elevated to name partner. Peters had the following to say of this honor: “This is the best law firm in America, and to have my name associated with it in this way is incredible. I look forward to continuing to practice here for decades.”
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According to a press release from the firm, everyone seems thrilled about the news:
Elliot Peters
“Elliot embodies the values of this firm: he’s an outstanding trial lawyer, a tenacious fighter, and caring friend and colleague. I am delighted for him and our firm,” said founding partner John Keker.
“The entire partnership eagerly supports this change. Elliot is an important leader of this firm, both inside the courtroom and inside the office,” added Robert Van Nest.
The decision to change the firm name was unanimously supported by the firm’s partners, and raucously cheered by the firm’s employees. “Elliot is a great lawyer, loyal friend, and fantastic partner. I’m so happy to have his name on the door of the firm I have been a part of for 31 years,” said Keker & Van Nest partner Susan Harriman.
Managing Partner Steve Taylor echoed the support of Mr. Peters: “We are so proud of Elliot, and thrilled to honor his many accomplishments. When we announced this decision to the firm, the spontaneous cheer was incredible.”
Congratulations to Elliot Peters on this rare career accomplishment. We bet he can’t wait for the firm to continue to be referred to as… Keker.
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Elliot R. Peters Made Name Partner of Keker & Van Nest LLP [Keker & Van Nest]
Keker & Van Nest Changing Name as It Elevates High-Profile Litigator [The Recorder]
Keker & Van Nest to get a new name partner [ABA Journal]
Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. She’d love to hear from you, so feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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