It has been a long time coming, but Gateley's announcement this week that it is seeking to float on the London Stock Exchange's junior market marks an historic first for UK law firms.

There has been speculation since the first alternative business structure licences were granted several years back that a number of firms, including the likes of Irwin Mitchell, would look to raise capital by a listing.

However, Gateley's move means it is set to become the first UK firm to do so, following the footsteps of Australia's Slater & Gordon. Senior partner Michael Ward explained the firm's thinking in an interview with Justin Cash.

Elsewhere, Clifford Chance's partnership restructuring has also been causing a buzz, with the magic circle firm's efforts to keep star performers on board also having ramifications for those further down the rankings as it tries to make space in its lockstep to pay for super points.

Legal Week editor Georgina Stanley offered up some thoughts on both firms' moves here.

Meanwhile, in our lead feature this week, we spoke to the winners and shortlisted candidates for Legal Week's Client Partner of the Year about what makes them so popular with in-house teams and what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Other top stories you may have missed:

• Lloyds fires starting gun on litigation contract race after in-house job cuts
• Hill Dickinson puts 30 insurance roles at risk in latest cuts round
• Osborne Clarke reports double-digit revenue increase
• EY Law launches financial regulatory practice in London with Bakers and Weil hires
• Clyde & Co in 'advanced' merger talks with Scotland's Simpson & Marwick

It has been a long time coming, but Gateley's announcement this week that it is seeking to float on the London Stock Exchange's junior market marks an historic first for UK law firms.

There has been speculation since the first alternative business structure licences were granted several years back that a number of firms, including the likes of Irwin Mitchell, would look to raise capital by a listing.

However, Gateley's move means it is set to become the first UK firm to do so, following the footsteps of Australia's Slater & Gordon. Senior partner Michael Ward explained the firm's thinking in an interview with Justin Cash.

Elsewhere, Clifford Chance's partnership restructuring has also been causing a buzz, with the magic circle firm's efforts to keep star performers on board also having ramifications for those further down the rankings as it tries to make space in its lockstep to pay for super points.

Legal Week editor Georgina Stanley offered up some thoughts on both firms' moves here.

Meanwhile, in our lead feature this week, we spoke to the winners and shortlisted candidates for Legal Week's Client Partner of the Year about what makes them so popular with in-house teams and what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Other top stories you may have missed:

• Lloyds fires starting gun on litigation contract race after in-house job cuts
• Hill Dickinson puts 30 insurance roles at risk in latest cuts round
• Osborne Clarke reports double-digit revenue increase
• EY Law launches financial regulatory practice in London with Bakers and Weil hires
• Clyde & Co in 'advanced' merger talks with Scotland's Simpson & Marwick