The launch of Pierson Ferdinand marks one of the largest law firm spin-offs on record.

It's "strategic to have the co-head of our largest practice group on the West Coast, since California is a key growth region," Matt Taylor, chair and CEO, said.

Those who wish to comment on the proposal may do so on the court's website.

"As 2023 draws to a close with breathless predictions about the future of Artificial Intelligence, some may wonder whether judges are about to become obsolete," Roberts wrote in his annual year-end report. "I am sure we are not — but equally confident that technological changes will continue to transform our work."

Big names such as Walmart and Smithsonian, generative artificial intelligence innovators and more will ring in the new year with new legal department leadership.