Sidley Hired Two Partners From King & Spalding
The law firm expanded its litigation and regulatory practices with two high-profile additions to its team.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
Sidley has recruited partners Michael Resch and Smitha Stansbury from King & Spalding to join its national offices. Resch will be based in San Francisco, while Stansbury will join the firm in Washington.
Why it matters
The recruitment of these seasoned partners is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Sidley's presence in key litigation and regulatory sectors. Their appointments reflect the firm's strategic focus on expanding its specialized practices in high-stakes legal markets.
Sidley added two partners to its roster in a move designed to bolster its national litigation and regulatory groups. The firm's hiring follows a competitive recruitment process aimed at securing talent from peer firms like King & Spalding.
The players
Sidley
Sidley is a prominent international law firm providing legal services to a diverse range of corporate and individual clients.
King & Spalding
King & Spalding is a global law firm known for its expertise in complex litigation, government matters, and transactional work.
Michael Resch
Michael Resch is an experienced legal professional who previously held leadership roles at Amy's Kitchen and a partnership at Mayer Brown.
Smitha Stansbury
Smitha Stansbury is a legal expert who focuses on food, drug, and medical device regulatory matters.
The details
Michael Resch, who previously served as general counsel for Amy's Kitchen and held a partnership at Mayer Brown, will work within Sidley's litigation group. Smitha Stansbury joins the firm's food, drug, and medical device practice, bringing specialized expertise to the Washington office.
Timeline
Sidley announced the recruitment of the two partners on September 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
This strategic recruitment follows the pattern set by the ongoing trend of Big Law lateral partner hiring identified by the American Lawyer. These moves reflect a broader industry consolidation where top-tier firms leverage lateral acquisitions to secure market share in specialized legal sectors.
Corporate clients requiring specialized representation in litigation or food and drug regulation may see changes in the firm's service capacity or counsel availability. These hires generally signal the firm's intent to increase its influence within these specific legal practice areas.
The takeaway
Large firms continue to prioritize the acquisition of specialized talent to maintain a competitive edge in high-stakes regulatory environments. Clients should monitor these shifts to understand how their legal representation may evolve as firms reorganize their internal expertise.
Further reading
For more information on legal industry leadership updates, visit the United States People section.
