The five most popular articles on legalweek.com today are:

1. Barclays offers loan deal to cash-strapped firms
2. Global 100 league shows City closing gap on US
3. Weil Gotshal in post-crunch City finance shake-up
4. Career Clinic: Will the downturn hit my partnership hopes?
5. Multi-million property deal emerges after Halliwells office move

Don't forget to comment on the stories that affect you (and those that don't) with Talkback.

Posts of the day

"Won't the partners come in for criticism for not generating enough work for the associates? I can't remember the last time litigation lawyers were let go in the US, let alone in a downturn" – CC to lay off 20 US lawyers

"I worked there and jumped ship once I got sick of being trodden on. I was promised a great work-life balance to make up for the pay. It changed a lot in the three years I worked for them. Now it is all bills, bills, bills, and distrust" – Legal Week Wiki

"The level of reticence among general counsel about having a pragmatic conversion with outside advisers amazing. Surely stuff like this is a no-brainer for clients who say that they want to bring down fees" – GCs slow to win early-payer deals despite buyers' market

World beaters

The world's finest law firms in focus, including The American Lawyer's analysis of Baker & McKenzie's rapid international growth – The Global 100.

High energy

The hot topic of alternative energy sources heads up this week's focus on projects and energy, the latest addition to Legal Week's dedicated Features section.