CMS Targets Mauritian Investment Market with Local Boutique Partnership

Will ChatGPT Spur a Law Firm Chatbot Revolution Among Skepticism?

Rhys Dipshan | April 09, 2023

Chatbots' capabilities have significantly grown—but so too have law firms' concerns with the format.

9 minute read

Event

5 Years of GDPR: EU Regulators, Max Schrems Debate the Law's Effectiveness

Cassandre Coyer | April 09, 2023

"At a global level it's the least stupid privacy law we have so far," Max Schrems said of the GDPR during the Wednesday morning keynote at the IAPP 2023 Global Privacy Summit. He added, "It's just not precise enough in many areas."

6 minute read

The End of Kirkland's Meteoric Rise?

Krishnan Nair | April 09, 2023

It'll take a sea change to knock Kirkland off the top spot. One may be on the horizon, argues The Global Lawyer.

6 minute read

In 'Year of Investment,' Akin Gump's Revenue Up, but Profits Per Partner Drop 16%

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | April 07, 2023

Internationally, the firm closed its Moscow and Frankfurt offices in 2022. And while London revenue was down, Akin's Middle East offices put in a "very strong performance," said firm chair Kim Koopersmith. Akin also anticipates that conflicts with Russia and China will fuel trade and sanctions work in the year ahead, and global transactions, private equity and energy transition work are already on the rise.

5 minute read

Wachtell, Goodwin Lead Q1 League Tables as Global M&A Tumbles 44%

Patrick Smith | April 06, 2023

Two law firms that were in the top five last year saw drops out of the top 10 in early 2023.

4 minute read

Credit Suisse Wins Yacht Case Against Saudi Prince

Jack Womack | April 06, 2023

Credit Suisse is now entitled to debts from the prince equivalent to £32.9 million.

2 minute read

African Governments are Struggling Under the Weight of Huge Mining Disputes. Law Firms are Stepping Up

Jennigay Coetzer | April 05, 2023

There is a gap in the legal market, where governments aim to fend off major arbitrations and other mining disputes.

5 minute read

Kirkland, Building on $6B in Revenue, Grew Almost 8% in Down Market

Andrew Maloney | April 04, 2023

The firm rapidly grew in lawyer head count, rising 13% last year. Its associate population shot up 14.5%.

5 minute read

Norton Rose Refreshes Saudi Tie-Up as Riyadh Rush Continues

Charlotte Johnstone | April 03, 2023

The international player is set to work with local law firm the Law Office of Mohammad Altammami in move to comply with new regulations.

3 minute read

Riyadh is Now an Essential Piece of Big Law's Geography

Krishnan Nair | April 02, 2023

In the last month alone, major firms including Latham & Watkins, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith Freehills, Dentons and Linklaters have taken steps to build up in the Kingdom, which is growing in importance at a rapid rate.

5 minute read

Linklaters Breaks Into Riyadh as Squire Forms Local Alliance

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 30, 2023

The steady stream of law firm announcements points to the growing importance of the Kingdom.

2 minute read

Q&A

African Legal Research Platform Afriwise Discusses Why, and How It's Embracing AI

Cassandre Coyer | March 30, 2023

The leaders of Afriwise and legal software developer Pythagoria, which Afriwise recently acquired, discuss the state of the African legal tech industry and the role that AI can play to bridge some gaps.

8 minute read

Akin Gump Doubles Office Footprint in Dubai Amid 'Sustained Growth'

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 29, 2023

Over half a dozen international law firms now list offices at ICD Brookfield Place at the Dubai International Financial Centre.

2 minute read

Davis Polk Advises Israeli Bank on $800M Senior Notes Offering

Laura Beveridge | March 28, 2023

The deal advising Israel Discount Bank, the state's fourth largest banking group, is the latest in a run of mandates for the firm.

2 minute read

Ranking

Ranked: The Largest Law Firms in the Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 27, 2023

Local firm Al Tamimi and international firms Clyde & Co, DLA Piper and White & Case ranked well in the table, based on research by Law.com International.

5 minute read

IBA Urges Israel to Reject Proposed Judicial Reforms

Anne Bagamery | March 27, 2023

The government's proposed changes would concentrate power in the executive and 'wholly undermine' Israel's position as 'a substantial upholder of the rule of law'.

3 minute read

Dentons and Greenberg Cement Riyadh Presences

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 27, 2023

Dentons has joined a handful of international law firms to be granted a foreign law firm licence by the Saudi Ministry of Justice.

3 minute read

Strength in Disputes, Middle-Market M&A Helped Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Offset Russia Losses

Dan Roe | March 22, 2023

The global law firm, which brought on a four-partner group from DLA Piper in Frankfurt, said it would continue to look for growth in areas of high demand internationally, including in Dubai and Paris.

4 minute read

Mayer Brown's Profits Dipped but Firm Held Onto Revenue Gains

Andrew Maloney | March 22, 2023

The firm said it wants to continue to build in Asia, where it has a presence in Tokyo, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, pointing out that forecasts show growth in the region this year, while in the U.S. and Europe, forecasts predict flat or minimal gains.

5 minute read

Sidley, With an Eye on the Middle East, Adds Deal Lawyer From White & Case

Andrew Maloney | March 21, 2023

Ali Shaikley, a new Sidley M&A partner in New York, pointed to the growth of private equity in the Middle East and India as helping fuel his practice.

3 minute read

Pinsent Masons Plucks Real Estate Partner From Norton Rose in Dubai

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 21, 2023

Real estate developers, lenders and investors in the region continue to be extremely busy.

2 minute read

Middle East Firms Habib Al Mulla and Hage-Chahine Agree Tie-Up

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 21, 2023

After a rift with Baker McKenzie, Habib Al Mulla & Partners has formed an alliance with a regional firm.

3 minute read

Debevoise's Revenue Stays Flat As Profits Take A Hit

Patrick Smith | March 20, 2023

With an 11.8% decline in PEP, Debevoise's growing headcount and its move to a new Manhattan headquarters contributed to some of its increased expenses last year.

3 minute read

The Case for Launching in India

Paul Hodkinson | March 19, 2023

All international firms should follow Baker McKenzie and HSF in taking the liberalization opportunity in such a major economy seriously—the future of their institution could depend on it, writes the Global Lawyer.

6 minute read

Greenberg Traurig Launches Saudi Joint Venture With Rival's Former Relationship Firm

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 15, 2023

The firm already operates an office in Tel Aviv.

2 minute read

Shearman Loses More Partners in Dubai and Paris

Peter Shaw-Smith | Laura Beveridge | March 15, 2023

The firm has lost its former Paris M&A head as well as another Middle East partner, which leaves it with just one partner in Dubai.

2 minute read

Event

Eversheds Sutherland and Al Tamimi Lead 2023 Middle East Legal Awards Shortlists

Charlotte Johnstone | March 15, 2023

The firms were shortlisted across eight categories each, with Norton Rose Fulbright and Charles Russel Speechlys following closely behind.

2 minute read

As Capital Markets Struggle Worldwide, in the Middle East, Things are Only Heating Up

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 14, 2023

With a string of multi-billion dollar IPOs happening and many more expected, Big Law is moving in.

10 minute read

'Scale Can't Be Overstated': DLA Piper Posts 6% Revenue Gain in 2022

Dan Roe | March 14, 2023

The global law firm remained well-hedged against rising interest rates, COVID lockdowns and the war in Ukraine.

5 minute read

Gibson Dunn, Allen & Overy Lead on $2.5B Abu Dhabi IPO

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 14, 2023

In 2022, UAE IPOs raised almost $12bn, with a further $10bn being issued in Saudi Arabia.

2 minute read

Dechert Follows 50% Profit Increase With 14% Drop, Epitomizing Big Law Business Cycle

Amanda O'Brien | Justin Henry | March 13, 2023

"The better your 2021 was, the harder your 2022 was going to be," said CEO Henry Nassau.

7 minute read

Akin Gump Partner Joins Africa-Focused Firm As London Head

Jennigay Coetzer | March 10, 2023

Africa-focused law firm ASAFO has appointed its next London managing partner.

2 minute read

Are Critical Minerals the Next Battleground in Western Sanctions Against Russia?

Gail J. Cohen | March 09, 2023

Even without sanctions, companies and legal advisers have a moral imperative to ensure their money doesn't go to support tyrants, panelists at a global conference said.

5 minute read

DLA Piper Boosts South African Presence with Partner Duo Hire

Jennigay Coetzer | March 09, 2023

The latest hires follow a number of director additions in South Africa over the past 18 months.

2 minute read

Baker McKenzie UAE Adds 2 Partners from White & Case and EY

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 09, 2023

After ending its UAE partnership, the firm is keen to boost recruitment in the region.

2 minute read

To Improve DEI Outcomes, Firms Must Address Pitches and Work Allocation, Consultants Say

Justin Henry | March 08, 2023

"We can't just be focused on events and activities, and we can't just be focused on changing hearts and minds," said Alexis Robertson, director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Foley & Lardner. "It has to be more of a systems-focused approach."

6 minute read

After Merger Talks End, Shearman Accelerates Transition to New Leader

Andrew Maloney | March 07, 2023

Senior partner David Beveridge said now is the right time to "accelerate the pace of the firm's ongoing transformation" and begin "a new strategic vision."

3 minute read

Latham, Clifford Chance and HSF to Establish Saudi Presences After Government Grants Licences

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 06, 2023

The Saudi government has granted a handful of foreign law firms licences to practice in a major liberalization of its legal market.

4 minute read

Webber Wentzel Lures Competition Partner from ENSafrica

Jennigay Coetzer | March 06, 2023

The new partner's knowledge of competition in Africa is expected to bolster the firm's competition, trade and investment offering.

2 minute read

The Big Risks for Shearman, Cravath, Private Equity Lawyers, and Everyone Else

Paul Hodkinson | March 05, 2023

The risk-reward profile for large strategic decisions has never looked quite so daunting as it does now for corporate law firms, writes The Global Lawyer.

6 minute read

Closely Watched Climate-Change Case in France Falters on Procedural Grounds

Anne Bagamery | March 03, 2023

But the judgment did move the ball forward on some aspects of the law, including the express wish that companies and complainants exhaust efforts to work out plans together before taking them to court, lawyers said.

3 minute read

Bowmans Takes M&A Team Leader from Clyde & Co in Tanzania

Jennigay Coetzer | March 02, 2023

The new hire will expand Bowmans' capacity in a growing East African market, said firm chairman and senior partner Ezra Davids.

3 minute read

King & Spalding Cracks $2B Threshold

Dan Packel | March 02, 2023

Outside of the U.S., the firm saw its London revenue drop due to a harsh environment for transactional work and its Asian outposts faced similar challenges for dealmaking. But Paris and elsewhere in Europe saw an uptick in activity, as did the Middle East, the firm said.

5 minute read

Linklaters, Asafo Advise on Major Iron Ore Project in Gabon

Jennigay Coetzer | March 02, 2023

The Belinga Project concerns one of the largest untapped iron ore deposits in Africa.

2 minute read

Milbank Counsels on $1.5B Saudi Aramco Gas Pipeline Sukuk Deal

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 02, 2023

In recent years, Milbank's finance group has placed a special focus on financing work that complies with Islamic finance principles.

3 minute read

Addleshaws Set For Riyadh Office Launch with 13-Strong Team

Charlotte Johnstone | March 02, 2023

The firm has hired several lawyers to join the base, which requires regulatory approval.

2 minute read

Greenberg Traurig Follows Up 'Unicorn Year' With Even More Growth in 2022

Alexander Lugo | March 01, 2023

Ten of the firm's 43 offices are outside the U.S., and CEO Brian Duffy said cross-border work is increasing post-pandemic.

5 minute read

'Investing When Conditions Aren't Optimal': Seyfarth Grows Revenue and Partner Ranks

Andrew Maloney | March 01, 2023

Seyfarth's London revenue grew 16%, the firm said. And despite challenges in Asia, the firm is still committed to the region "for the long game," Seyfarth's chair-elect, Lorie Almon, said.

4 minute read

Allen & Overy Taps ENSafrica to Expand South African Banking Offering

Jennigay Coetzer | March 01, 2023

The firm said it had a vision to expand on its offering in Sub-Saharan Africa.

2 minute read

Clyde & Co Boosts Saudi Practice with Corporate Partner Hire

Peter Shaw-Smith | March 01, 2023

The firm is embarking upon one of the most ambitious international expansion strategies among U.K.-headquartered law firms.

2 minute read

Features

Lawyers Gear Up for Africa's Mining Sector Boom Following Major Investor Event

Jennigay Coetzer | February 27, 2023

Top lawyers shared their takeaways from the biggest annual African mining investment event, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in Cape Town this month.

8 minute read

Al Tamimi Hires Dubai Shipping Partner from Rival Hadef & Partners

Peter Shaw-Smith | February 24, 2023

The firm is capitalizing on the continuing growth in the transport and logistics markets.

2 minute read

Expert Opinion

McKinsey's 10 Principles for Successful Law Firm Mergers

Albert Bollard, Alex D'Amico, Jeff Rudnicki | Igor Yasenovets | February 23, 2023

Partners from the global consultancy take lessons from advising corporations and other professional services firms on mergers, bringing tips for how law firms can have a better strategic approach to growth.

7 minute read

KWM Disputes Veteran Tim Taylor Joins Dubai Boutique

Peter Shaw-Smith | February 23, 2023

The high profile King's Counsel has plied his trade in both the UK and the Middle East.

2 minute read

Hogan Lovells' Net Income Down 13% Due to Fewer Deals, Office Closures, Currency Instability

Justin Henry | February 22, 2023

"We're trying to try to achieve greater profitability, but we're not making that an obsession," said CEO Miguel Zaldivar.

6 minute read

Gibson Dunn Hits Shearman For Another Abu Dhabi Partner

Rose Walker | February 21, 2023

The partner re-unites with former Shearman colleagues who left at the end of 2022 to launch Gibson Dunn's Abu Dhabi base.

3 minute read

It's 'Potentially Ground-Shifting': US Outbound Investment Rules Are About to Change

Christine Schiffner | February 21, 2023

A forthcoming executive order is expected to define new guidelines for investments in countries viewed as strategic competitors. The devil of these new regulatory measures will be in the details.

4 minute read

Swathe of Top UK Law Firms Donate to Earthquake Disaster Relief

Laura Beveridge | February 20, 2023

Simmons & Simmons has donated £75,000 while Clyde & Co and Kennedys are also fundraising.

3 minute read

Goodwin Procter's Profits Drop 6% Even As Revenue Rises Double Digits

Patrick Smith | February 17, 2023

Goodwin chair Robert Insolia said the firm's London office brought in more than $144 million and the Paris office is "one of a handful of leading M&A" practices in France. In addition, Goodwin's recently launched offices in Singapore and Munich fit well into Goodwin's global strategy, he said.

6 minute read

Slideshow

Big Law's Top Lateral Hires of 2022

ALM Staff | February 17, 2023

Among the high number of lateral moves in 2022, these generated the most buzz.

1 minute read

'This is Not Reactive': Shearman Outlines Growth Strategy, Accepting Some Partner Losses

Patrick Smith | February 17, 2023

Shearman's leaders are seeking scale and a path to $3 billion in revenue, but they say the firm doesn't need a merger to survive.

9 minute read

As More Law Firms Leverage ChatGPT, Few Have Internal Policies Regarding Its Use

Isha Marathe | February 16, 2023

For Todd Corham, the chief information officer at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, such policies are unnecessary, in part, because "we really shouldn't have to write a policy on using good judgment."

4 minute read

Gibson Dunn Continued Record Revenue, Profit Streak in 2022

Dan Roe | February 16, 2023

Firm chair and managing partner Barbara Becker said the firm's success in London has been "extraordinary" and in the Middle East, where the firm launched a new office in Abu Dhabi, it has also seen very positive results.

5 minute read

Allen & Overy Rolls Out ChatGPT-Style Technology to Help Lawyers With Client Work

Linda A. Thompson | February 15, 2023

The firm says the move to implement the OpenAI platform globally is a 'game-changer' that 'marks a new era for A&O and the legal industry'.

4 minute read

Shearman Called In For £1.2B Vodafone Stake Acquisition

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | February 14, 2023

US telecommunications company Liberty Global now has a 5% stake in the British multinational.

2 minute read

2023: The Year The Talent War Ends

Paul Hodkinson | February 12, 2023

Sentiment is shifting from hiring talent to cutting it, promoting it and using AI to make it more efficient. Also: a private equity controversy and an earthquake appeal in this week's Global Lawyer Briefing.

6 minute read

Shearman & Sterling Lays Off Associates and Staff

Patrick Smith | February 08, 2023

The firm said it is laying off 26 business professionals and 12 associates, "focused mainly on transactional practice areas most affected by current and projected market conditions."

3 minute read

Clyde & Co Opens Associated Office in Cairo

Jennigay Coetzer | February 08, 2023

The firm's ambitious international expansion strategy has also seen it open offices in Italy and Thailand in 2023 alone.

3 minute read

Litigation Funder Burford Capital Launches in Middle East to Meet Growing Demand

Peter Shaw-Smith | February 07, 2023

While the firm does not claim first-mover advantage in the region, it believes the litigation funding market there is far from saturated.

3 minute read

Al Tamimi Hits Gowling, Trowers for Dubai Corporate Partner Duo

Peter Shaw-Smith | February 06, 2023

The Middle East powerhouse has set the pace for new hires in the region in 2023.

2 minute read

Charles Russell Adds 2 Disputes Partners in Dubai, London

Peter Shaw-Smith | February 06, 2023

The new appointments hail from Clyde & Co and Norton Rose Fulbright.

2 minute read

Clyde & Co Adds Corporate Partner in Saudi Arabia

Peter Shaw-Smith | February 03, 2023

The firm is engaged in a strategic expansion of its corporate practice in the Middle East and Africa.

2 minute read

Event

Nominations Open for the African Legal Awards 2023

Charlotte Johnstone | February 03, 2023

The ceremony, which will take place on September 1 in Johannesburg, celebrates the achievements of the continent's legal community.

2 minute read

Debevoise Versus Leigh Day as Shell Faces Another Nigerian Oil Pollution Claim

Charlotte Johnstone | February 02, 2023

The claim, filed at London's High Court, involves more than 11,000 residents from a Nigerian community—the second such claim levelled against the oil giant.

2 minute read

Bowmans Adds Litigation Head of Cape Town Boutique

Jennigay Coetzer | February 01, 2023

The lateral hire adds heft to the firm's Cape Town litigation capability.

2 minute read

Shearman (And Others) Playing Catch Up

Paul Hodkinson | January 29, 2023

As the market slows, law firms are coming under pressure to find new ways to give themselves a boost, writes the Global Lawyer.

5 minute read

DWF Adds Former Banking GC to Dubai Office

Peter Shaw-Smith | January 27, 2023

The new partner did stints with J.P. Morgan, Nomura Securities and Lehman Brothers before becoming general counsel at the British Arab Commercial Bank in London.

2 minute read

Al Tamimi Creates Saudi Leadership Role

Peter Shaw-Smith | January 25, 2023

Al Tamimi & Co. has created a Saudi Arabia leadership role, as the Middle East heavyweight pivots its focus to the city.

2 minute read