Akin Hired Former Goldman Sachs Executive
Corporate partner Neil DuChez has joined the firm after serving as a senior legal director at Goldman Sachs.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
The law firm Akin announced it has added Neil DuChez as a corporate partner in New York. DuChez joins the firm following his resignation from a leadership role at Goldman Sachs.
Why it matters
The hire marks a return to Akin for DuChez, who previously served as an intellectual property associate at the firm. His transition brings significant experience from a high-level financial institution to the legal practice.
Neil DuChez served at Goldman Sachs for more than nine years, holding the titles of vice president and senior legal director. He previously gained experience at Akin as an intellectual property associate.
The players
Neil DuChez
He is a corporate partner who recently joined Akin after a nine-year tenure as a vice president and senior legal director at Goldman Sachs.
Akin
This global law firm provides legal services and has recently expanded its corporate partnership team in New York.
Goldman Sachs
This is a global financial institution where Neil DuChez served as a vice president and senior legal director for over nine years.
The details
Akin confirmed the arrival of Neil DuChez on Thursday, marking a major addition to its corporate partner team in New York. DuChez leaves his executive position at Goldman Sachs to return to the law firm where he began his career path.
Timeline
Akin announced the hiring of Neil DuChez on September 24, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move highlights the competitive environment in New York as law firms increasingly recruit senior legal talent from major financial institutions to strengthen their corporate practice groups. The trend reflects a broader shift toward lateral hiring as firms look to gain an edge in specialized financial legal services.
Clients of Akin may see expanded legal service offerings due to the addition of a partner with extensive financial sector experience. This transition does not immediately change individual retail pricing or customer subscription plans.
The takeaway
Legal industry shifts often involve high-level talent moving between major firms and global banks to bridge gaps in regulatory expertise. Professionals watching the sector should monitor how these leadership moves correlate with changes in firm service specializations.
Further reading
For more information on legal staffing, visit the People section.
