A team of lawyers leaving one firm for another isn't always all that interesting. But a high-profile practice group holding together through four firms in seven years is worth a deeper look.

The group in question consists of bankruptcy attorneys Jeff Marwil, Mark Thomas and Paul Possinger, who were recently recruited from Winston & Strawn LLP to build a bankruptcy and insolvency practice in the new Chicago office of rival Proskauer Rose LLP. The three also worked together at the Windy City offices of Jenner & Block LLP and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.

Marwil, 47, and Thomas, 53, have worked together for nearly 20 years, representing distressed clients including public and private companies, institutional investors and hedge funds. Marwil is currently the sole managing member of the Bayou Group LLC in its Chapter 11 cases.

Possinger, 40, joined the practice about 10 years ago. The three pool business, jointly advise clients and, in the case of Marwil and Thomas, are paid at the same rate.

"Mark and I have made the same dollar amount for as long as I can remember, probably 15 years," says Marwil. "We've said to firms, 'Pay us equally and treat us based on what we do collectively.' No one I know has the same collective approach to business development and client services."

So what exactly has bonded this trio for so long? That's easy, says Marwil. The team approach is good for business.

"The nature of compensation in firms breeds competition. We decided a long time ago that if we compete with each other, we'll lose more business than we get. Advertising the fact that we're a team takes the pressure off clients," who don't feel tethered to one attorney or the other and who know they can seek help from any member of the group. "My sense is that if everybody modeled their practice on how we do ours, firms would be a lot more successful."

Proskauer Rose, for its part, is expanding its 800-attorney firm during a wave of big law firm downsizing. It opened the Chicago office in April 2008 and in February signed on for 25,000 square feet of space in Chicago's swanky Three First National Plaza.

"I have an awesome view of Lake Michigan," says Marwil. Like a lot of firms, Proskauer is adding to its bankruptcy and restructuring practice to meet increased demand. Marwil and company have brought over three associates and their administrative support team, along with a hefty book of business.