David Gialanella

Career Trajectory: From Regional Roots to National Influence

Gialanella’s journey began at the New Jersey Law Journal, where he developed his signature approach to analyzing local legal ecosystems. His 2010-2016 tenure saw groundbreaking coverage of:

• New Jersey’s pharmaceutical litigation landscape
• Regional law firm expansion strategies
• State-level judicial appointment trends

Promoted to Managing Editor of Regional Brands in 2016, he spearheaded ALM’s hyperlocal coverage strategy before ascending to his current role as Editor-in-Chief of The American Lawyer and Business of Law in 2022.

Defining Work: Three Signature Analyses

The Laterals Report: Analyzing Am Law 200 Hiring Trends

This comprehensive analysis of 3,500+ lateral moves reveals Gialanella’s mastery of Big Law workforce dynamics. The 18-month research project uncovered:

• A 22% increase in cross-market partner acquisitions
• Emerging practice areas driving recruitment
• Regional disparities in retention bonuses

“The modern lateral market isn’t just about talent acquisition—it’s about strategic portfolio management for law firms.”

Regional Legal Market Insights: Philadelphia and Beyond

Gialanella’s deep dive into secondary markets combines ALM’s proprietary data with firsthand interviews from 40+ managing partners. Key findings include:

• 15% year-over-year growth in Philadelphia’s corporate transaction work
• Emerging competition between traditional firms and New York entrants
• Local client preferences for hybrid billing models

Leadership Lessons from Top Firm Managing Partners

This qualitative study profiles 25 Am Law 100 leaders, identifying common traits among successful firm administrators. Gialanella’s methodology included:

• Six-month observational research
• Compensation structure analysis
• Succession planning case studies

Strategic Pitching Framework

1. Lead with Data-Driven Regional Analyses

Gialanella prioritizes localized data sets that reveal underreported market shifts. A recent pitch success involved a Philadelphia firm’s analysis of energy sector bankruptcies, which became the foundation for his March 2024 regional market report. PR professionals should emphasize:

• Hyperlocal client retention metrics
• Practice area growth comparisons across cities
• Cross-market client migration patterns

2. Highlight Leadership Innovation in Firm Management

His September 2024 leadership study demonstrates particular interest in operational innovations. Effective pitches might explore:

• AI adoption in non-billable firm operations
• Millennial partner development programs
• Alternative fee structure case studies

3. Connect Lateral Moves to Strategic Trends

The Laterals Report shows Gialanella’s appetite for movement analysis beyond basic hiring numbers. Successful angles include:

• Practice group acquisitions vs individual hires
• Client following patterns in specific industries
• Diversity impact of lateral recruitment strategies

Awards and Industry Recognition

New Jersey League for Nursing Scholarship Program

While not journalism-specific, Gialanella’s co-sponsorship of nursing scholarships demonstrates his commitment to education access. This initiative has funded 37 students since 2018, reflecting values that inform his coverage of workforce development issues.

ALM Leadership in Legal Journalism Award

Received in 2023 for transforming The American Lawyer’s coverage model, this honor recognizes his integration of data journalism with traditional reporting. Under his leadership, the publication saw:

• 40% increase in investigative features
• First-ever rankings of mid-market law firms
• Expanded coverage of non-traditional legal providers