February 14, 2005

When Litvin Blumberg closed its doors in June, many thought that some of the key players at the firm would form their own entity or join an existing firm together. Instead, the lawyers scattered throughout the city.

But no Litvin Blumberg lawyer was viewed as a bigger catch than Gerald McHugh. It was no surprise to the plaintiffs PI community that McHugh joined Raynes McCarty, where he unites with Arthur Raynes, a man he considers to be a second mentor behind Gerald Litvin.

McHugh also brought with him counsel Martin Brigham, partner Martina McLaughlin and associate Regina Foley. One defense lawyer said Brigham, the former rainmaking name partner at Brigham & Trevor who returned to the practice of law after taking a year off, makes the lateral acquisition even sweeter for Raynes McCarty.

“In addition to McHugh, Marty Brigham is one of the three best trial lawyers I have ever faced,” the defense lawyer said. “I just don’t know if he’s practicing as much as in the past, but Raynes got a coup with that whole group. McHugh because of his writing, political connections, integrity, almost flawless reputation among his peers… and he’s a darn good litigator.”

An added benefit for Raynes McCarty is the fact that McHugh, 50, provides a buffer between the elder Raynes, 70, and the future leader of the firm, his son Stephen Raynes, 38. In an age when plaintiffs firms rarely survive past the retirement dates of their founders, McHugh provides the opportunity for the younger Raynes and other future leaders to ease into the role while still giving the firm a marquee name.

“As far as I’m concerned, he was the star of the Litvin firm,” one plaintiffs lawyer said. “He’s a great man and a great lawyer. And he’s perfect for the Raynes firm because he’s a people person who will be a bridge between father and son. He also makes the firm a political player because of his involvement there.”