A group of Wilson Sonsini litigators based in Salt Lake City, including partner Jess Krannich, who was recognized as one of Big Law's top lateral hires, was featured in The American Lawyer's annual Laterals Report. This prestigious recognition highlights the most significant lateral moves industry-wide, with only 25 selections made from nearly 3,500 lateral partner hires by Am Law 200 firms during 2024.

The publication profiled the top high-impact lateral lawyers whose moves rippled across the legal industry and whose arrival helped drive their new firms’ strategies in specific markets or sectors. Notably, Jess is one of only four litigators to make this elite list, underscoring his significant contributions to the legal industry.

When explaining his decision to join Wilson Sonsini, Jess highlighted the firm’s strong reputation in Utah’s “Silicon Slopes,” a region where technology and life sciences companies are driving rapid and significant economic growth. "For Utah's economy and the kinds of companies that are becoming really successful here, Wilson probably has the strongest legal brand of any law firm," he said.

Jess, who joined the firm’s Salt Lake City office in May 2024, was accompanied by Paul Sampson, who joined as Of Counsel, along with attorneys Chris Mack, Rebecca Nelson, and Brad Barber. Their addition further bolstered the office’s growth, which has been ongoing since its opening in November 2021. Initially launched by partners Marc Porter, Matt Squires, and former Justice Deno Himonas—who retired from the Utah Supreme Court in 2022—the office expanded just five months later with the addition of former Utah Supreme Court Justice Christine Durham, the first woman to serve on both the state’s highest court and district court.

With nearly 40 attorneys now based in Salt Lake City, the office continues to reinforce Wilson Sonsini’s commitment to meeting client needs by attracting top-tier legal talent with deep connections to both the local legal and business communities.

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