Dorsey & Whitney Taps Boomerang Hire to Bolster SLC Litigation Group

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – January 08, 2026 – International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP has announced the return of seasoned litigator Kim Neville as a Partner in its Salt Lake City Commercial Litigation group. Neville rejoins the firm after a three-year tenure as Vice President of Legal at Franklin Covey Co., where she directed all global legal services for the publicly traded leadership company.

Her return is more than a simple homecoming; it represents a strategic maneuver by Dorsey in the increasingly competitive Salt Lake City legal landscape and underscores a significant trend in the legal profession: the rise of the “boomerang” attorney. These are lawyers who return to private practice after gaining invaluable experience in high-level corporate counsel roles, bringing a potent blend of courtroom prowess and client-side business acumen.

A Calculated Move in a Competitive Arena

Neville’s reappointment is a clear signal of Dorsey & Whitney’s intent to deepen its bench strength in a market that has become a national focus. Salt Lake City's legal sector, with a market size of $2.7 billion in 2025, has experienced a dramatic transformation. Once dominated by regional players, the city has seen an influx of major national firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Mayer Brown, drawn by Utah's burgeoning tech economy and high demand for sophisticated legal services.

Within this dynamic environment, Dorsey & Whitney has been pursuing a deliberate growth strategy. The firm expanded its Salt Lake City presence by over 70% in the 18 months leading up to 2019 and continues to make strategic hires. The firm's litigation practice, ranked as a top-tier Band 2 practice by Chambers and Partners, handles high-stakes commercial disputes locally and nationally. The addition of a partner with Neville's background is a direct investment in bolstering this key group.

“Kim is highly regarded as an experienced litigator with a pragmatic approach for solving client problems,” said Jaime Stilson, Co-Leader of Dorsey’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group, in the firm's announcement. This emphasis on a pragmatic approach is particularly relevant, as it speaks directly to the value proposition of an attorney who has recently been the client herself.

The Boomerang Effect: Bridging In-House and Private Practice

The path from a major law firm to an in-house counsel position was once widely viewed as a one-way street. However, that perception has decisively shifted. According to legal industry analysts, the route back to private practice is now a “well-trodden” path for ambitious attorneys.

Firms are actively recruiting former partners and senior lawyers from corporate legal departments, recognizing the unique value they bring. “In-house experience provides a strong business acumen and a valuable client-side perspective, which is highly sought after by law firms,” one legal talent consultant noted. These returning attorneys understand corporate pressures, budget constraints, and the need for legal advice that aligns with overarching business objectives.

Neville’s three years as the top lawyer for a global, publicly traded enterprise provided her with a 360-degree view of the challenges modern corporations face. This experience, spanning everything from corporate governance and securities compliance to intellectual property and international law, now complements her extensive litigation background. Lawyers who make this transition are often motivated by a return to more varied and intellectually stimulating work, as well as the enhanced compensation and career autonomy that private practice can offer. For the firms that re-hire them, the benefit is a lawyer who can speak the language of the C-suite and anticipate client needs with unparalleled insight.

A Hybrid Skillset for Modern Disputes

During her previous decade-plus at Dorsey, Neville established herself as a formidable litigator, serving on the firm’s Policy Committee and as Co-Chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice. Her case history is diverse, including complex matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, class action allegations, and product liability. She was recognized by Utah Business as one of its “Forty Under 40” in 2015, a testament to her standing in the legal community.

By merging this deep trial experience with her recent role as a corporate legal executive, Neville now offers a hybrid skillset uniquely suited to contemporary legal challenges. She returns to Dorsey not just as a trial lawyer, but as a strategic advisor who has managed risk and legal strategy from the inside. This dual perspective is invaluable for clients navigating everything from licensing disputes to shareholder actions, as she can craft litigation strategies that are not only legally sound but also commercially intelligent.

“I’m excited to return to Dorsey and to work again with this distinguished team to provide our clients with outstanding legal counsel and service,” Neville stated in the announcement, signaling her readiness to re-integrate and apply her expanded expertise.

This move is also part of a larger pattern for the firm. Dorsey’s Salt Lake City office recently welcomed back Peter Ott as a Partner in its Finance & Restructuring group, another example of a strategic re-recruitment. This indicates a broader firm philosophy that values the institutional knowledge of its alumni while actively seeking the new perspectives and skills they gain elsewhere. By bringing accomplished lawyers like Kim Neville back into the fold, Dorsey & Whitney is not just filling a seat—it is making a long-term investment in a more client-centric and strategically agile future.