As reported in the Daily Journal today, “Former Howrey partner Isabelle M. Carrillo Smith joined the all-female ranks of Montage Legal Group, LLC, an Orange County-based network of freelance and contract attorneys.” While most former Howrey partners joined large law firms like Jones Day, Winston & Strawn, and Morgan Lewis & Bockius after the collapse of the global law firm in March of this year, litigation partner Isabelle Smith opted for something different. A mother of three young children, Isabelle found that it was the right time in her life to step away from the traditional law firm model in favor of a group dedicated to a flexible alternative legal practice. “The collapse of Howrey gave me a chance to explore alternative models to practicing law. The flexibility of a freelance practice made the most sense for me and my family at this time in my life,” says Isabelle Smith.
Isabelle Smith, the first former partner to join Montage Legal Group, obtained her law degree from University of California, Hastings in 1998 and served as the Executive Editor of the Hastings Law Journal. She was a partner in the Global Litigation Group of Howrey, specializing in complex business litigation, with a particular focus on professional liability disputes and securities matters. Isabelle has represented and counseled law firms in legal malpractice disputes, and Fortune 500 companies and start-ups in securities class actions, derivative suits, corporate governance, antitrust, merger and acquisition disputes, unfair business practices, and trade secrets. In 2006 and 2007, Isabelle was named a Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star by Law & Politics Magazine. She was also named Pro Bono Partner of the Year by Howrey, LLP’s Irvine office. “I was drawn to Montage Legal Group because its innovative business model makes financial sense for law firms and their ultimate clients, but it also advances female lawyers by keeping them in the game. It’s a shame that the legal market loses so many talented female lawyers, and I’m proud to be part of a group that is taking steps to solve that problem.” Montage Legal Group now has over 20 female freelance attorneys in its network, and is thrilled to add Isabelle Smith to its group.
For more information on using Isabelle Smith, or any of our other 20 freelance attorneys, for a legal project, please contact us at [email protected].