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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

BIG YEAR – The world's largest 100 law firms by revenue enjoyed a robust 2018. Dan Packel reports that total revenue for the Global 100, published by Law.com affiliate The American Lawyer, increased a vigorous 8.1% over the past year, a step up from 2017's already healthy 6.7% growth and a showing that dwarfs the 2.8% and 3.1% growth from the two preceding years. The 100 firms in 2018 brought in a collective $114.2 billion, fueled by mergers, rapid growth among Chinese law firms, and a healthy American market for legal services.

NOW HIRING – More law firms are hiring professionals to lead their efforts to address the mental health challenges among lawyers and staff. But where to begin? Licensed therapists, social workers, personal coaches, nurses and even personal fitness trainers are becoming well-being professionals who work with lawyers. As part of our Minds Over Matters project, Renee Branson writes that no matter what the background, it takes a special understanding of the idiosyncratic cultures of law firms and the pressures that partners and employees face to help handle the difficulties.

QUESTIONS – Corporate defendants facing the first jury trial next month over the opioid crisis plan to challenge the jury selection process after court officials dismissed 70% of the prospective jurors from service this month. Amanda Bronstad reports that Johnson & Johnson, McKesson Corp. and other companies are seeking court records outlining details about the 1,000 prospective jurors who received summonses, and why court officials dismissed 500 of the 725 who returned their summonses from service relating to an Oct. 21 jury trial in Ohio. Earlier this year, a judge in Oklahoma awarded $572 million to the state's attorney general in a bench trial alleging that Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceuticals created a public nuisance.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Harvard's New General Counsel Digging Deeper Into Gifts Connected to Epstein

Passengers Sue United Claiming Kickbacks Doubled the Cost of Travel Insurance

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

MORE IN SINGAPORE – Hong Kong-based King & Wood Mallesons is adding two partners to its Singapore office. John Kang reports that banking and finance partner John Shum will join the firm next month from White & Case, where he worked for 17 years. He is qualified in the U.S., U.K. and Hong Kong. The law firm, which launched a Singapore practice in 2015, also relocated funds partner Will McCosker to Singapore from Sydney.

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WHAT YOU SAID

"There is a sensitive emotional aspect to this practice. It takes a lot to come forward. And in litigation there will be discovery, and there are reputational issues at stake."

—  MANISHA SHETH, CO-CHAIR OF QUINN EMANUEL'S NEW PLAINTIFFS-SIDE SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION PRACTICE GROUP.