In a bold move that continues the trend of top-tier legal talents departing from large, established firms, two former co-chairs of Brown Rudnick's litigation practice, Michael Bowe and Lauren Tabaksblat, have launched Brithem LLP. This New York-based boutique firm is dedicated to high-stakes courtroom advocacy and has begun operations with a dynamic team of 13 professionals, including nine lawyers, two investigators, and two paraprofessionals. With plans to expand to at least 20 attorneys by early 2026, Brithem has already attracted notable talent, such as a former Supreme Court clerk and two alumni from Quinn Emanuel.

The founders of Brithem are setting their firm apart by openly criticizing the traditional Biglaw model. Bowe expressed dissatisfaction with what he perceives as Biglaw's inefficient focus on leverage and billable hours, which he believes offers little value for money. Instead, Brithem aims to offer an appealing alternative to "smart consumers of legal services" by not only providing superior legal representation but also by championing causes like combating child abuse, human trafficking, and discrimination.

One of the most innovative aspects of Brithem is its compensation strategy. The firm vows to pay salaries that exceed the well-known Cravath scale. More uniquely, it abandons the conventional lockstep pay model based on class year. Bowe explained that compensation at Brithem is performance-based: "We are paying above the Cravath scale and are not ranking by class year. If you are performing above your class level, that is where you get paid. Below, you get paid there. You can go up after down if you get there. And it is based on performance and skill value, not billables."

This merit-based approach is intended to accelerate the development of young trial lawyers. Tabaksblat emphasized that Brithem is "devoted to the art of trial lawyering and using that art to make a difference." She highlighted that the firm's structure offers a fast track for lawyers to become competent in the courtroom, which has already drawn interest from ambitious young associates.

By combining superior pay with rapid professional growth and a commitment to significant legal and social issues, Brithem LLP positions itself as both a formidable newcomer in the legal market and an attractive destination for the next generation of leading trial lawyers.