CMS Targets Mauritian Investment Market with Local Boutique Partnership

Major Law Firms Begin Overhauling Saudi Strategy Following Rule Change

Peter Shaw-Smith | Krishnan Nair | October 11, 2022

Norton Rose Fulbright, White & Case and Jones Day are among the firms already reviewing their options.

5 minute read

Morgan Lewis Raids K&L Gates for 8-Strong Global Team

James Carstensen | October 10, 2022

Teams across the firm's London, Dubai and Singapore bases are set to benefit from new hires, which include three partners.

3 minute read

Why Big Law is Getting Bigger and Bigger

Paul Hodkinson | October 09, 2022

Law firms' relentless growth is not about keeping people; it is about keeping up with other people, writes the Global Lawyer.

6 minute read

American Bar Protests Legislation That Targets Lawyers' Work With Foreign Wealth

Dan Packel | October 06, 2022

The bipartisan Enablers Act was introduced in the Senate on Monday. The ABA says the legislation's measures "will undermine the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality."

5 minute read

Clyde & Co Hires Away Al Tamimi Lawyer for Middle East Advocacy Unit Launch

Peter Shaw-Smith | October 06, 2022

The hire underscores Clydes' Middle East push and its focus on expanding its advocacy portfolio.

3 minute read

DLA Piper Expands Dubai IP Bench with Partner

Peter Shaw-Smith | October 05, 2022

The hire comes amid an expanding digital universe in the Middle East and North Africa.

2 minute read

Baker McKenzie, Sullivan & Cromwell Lead Latest Saudi IPO

Peter Shaw-Smith | October 04, 2022

The float coincides with Saudi Aramco's efforts to ramp up production capacity.

3 minute read

Deal Watch: Cravath, Latham Lead $6.8 Billion Clean Energy Deal; Q3 Deal Activity Down

Patrick Smith | October 03, 2022

Even with a spurt of deals announced this past week, global M&A value is down 34% year-over-year and deal volume is down 17.4%.

9 minute read

African Law Leaders Bullish On Deal Flows Despite Inflation

Jennigay Coetzer | September 30, 2022

Deal flow remains high, but lawyers are wary of trouble ahead, as African markets tend to lag six or so months behind the US and UK.

5 minute read

Curtis Mallet Bolsters Riyadh Office with Ex-General Counsel Hire

Peter Shaw-Smith | September 29, 2022

Saudi Arabia's relaxing of certain 'who can practice' rules earlier this year has created a flurry of interest within the global legal community.

2 minute read

Linklaters Adds Dubai Energy Partner from Covington & Burling

Peter Shaw-Smith | September 29, 2022

The Magic Circle firm has been on keen form in the Middle East in recent years, with its sights set on expanding in the region.

2 minute read

Battle for the Throne: Is Saudi Arabia About to Become Law's Middle East Hub?

Peter Shaw-Smith | September 28, 2022

$7 trillion in investment and relaxing restrictions are turbocharging Saudi Arabia's bid to become the prime destination for the world's largest law firms.

6 minute read

Africa Top 50 2022: Dentons, Norton Rose Among Fastest Growers But ENS Still Leads

Jennigay Coetzer | September 26, 2022

The rankings, now in their third year, assessed firms based on lawyer headcount and geographical spread across Africa.

3 minute read

The Global 100: A Good Time to Be an Equity Partner

Krishnan Nair | September 26, 2022

The Global Lawyer: The biggest firms performed better than ever this year. But with major deals being abandoned, leaders are adopting caution.

4 minute read

Video

Video: The 2022 Global 200 Webinar: Watch It Here

Law.com International | September 22, 2022

Watch our global correspondents and editors review the recent performance of the world's biggest law firms, discuss major trends in international legal markets and talk about what they think we will see in the coming year.

1 minute read

UK Proposes Arbitration Law Refresh in Bid to Reclaim International Supremacy

Krishnan Nair | September 22, 2022

The proposed changes come as other key arbitration hubs, such as Dubai and Singapore, usher in reforms to make themselves more competitive.

3 minute read

HSF Lures Webber Wentzel Partner to Boost Johannesburg Finance Team

Jennigay Coetzer | September 22, 2022

It is the firm's latest significant hire since it appointed a new Johannesburg managing partner.

2 minute read

DLA Piper Takes Partner from Bowmans in Johannesburg

Jennigay Coetzer | September 21, 2022

The hire comes less than two weeks after the Johannesburg practice hired a veteran finance partner.

2 minute read

What's Happening in Europe, LatAm and the Middle East Legal Markets?

Anne Bagamery | Amy Guthrie | Peter Shaw-Smith | September 20, 2022

Law.com International correspondents in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East share their predictions for the key markets.

13 minute read

Paul Hastings' Big Talk, Big Hires and Big Expectations

Patrick Smith | September 20, 2022

Paul Hastings has made waves with bold statements and bolder hires. Does the firm trajectory warrant the chatter?

11 minute read

The 2022 Global 200 Ranked by Head Count

Law.com International Staff | September 20, 2022

Head count growth was driven largely by the 100 largest law firms and those firms based in China.

1 minute read

The 2022 Global 100 Ranked by Profits Per Equity Partner

Law.com International Staff | September 20, 2022

The 100 largest law firms in the world posted exceptional profitability growth in the 2021 fiscal year, pulling in a 16.8% increase in profits per equity partner.

1 minute read

The 2022 Global 200 Ranked by Revenue

Law.com International Staff | September 20, 2022

The 200 largest law firms in the world, made up mainly of U.S. firms, had a historic performance in their last fiscal year--a feat that will be difficult to match even in the best of economic times.

1 minute read

The World's Largest Law Firms Go From Historic Highs to High Uncertainty

Andrew Maloney | September 20, 2022

The world's largest 200 law firms have enjoyed an era of prosperity but are entering an era of complexity.

8 minute read

Baker McKenzie To Move Dubai Office

Peter Shaw-Smith | September 15, 2022

Dubai International Financial Centre is the likely new location of the firm's main UAE office.

2 minute read

Webcast

The Global 200 Webinar: Get the Scoop From Journalists Around the World

Law.com International | September 14, 2022

A Sept. 21 webinar will analyze this year's Global 200 report, offering insights and analysis on the direction of the global legal market.

2 minute read

Covington & Burling Revamps Johannesburg Leadership

Jennigay Coetzer | September 13, 2022

The firm's Johannesburg office has more than tripled in size since opening five years ago, it said in a statement.

2 minute read

DLA Piper Hires Veteran to Expand Johannesburg Finance Practice

Jennigay Coetzer | September 09, 2022

The firm, which is very well established in the South African market, has been steadily building its Johannesburg practice.

2 minute read

Baker McKenzie Cuts Ties with UAE Partner Following Homophobic Twitter Spree

Hannah Walker | September 09, 2022

The partner, who described homosexuality as an 'evil act', is the founder of Baker McKenzie's member firm in the UAE.

3 minute read

Linklaters Boosts Middle East TMT Practice with Simmons Hire

Peter Shaw-Smith | September 07, 2022

The firm is expanding its expertise in this area as the region sees a boom in fintech, crypto and virtual asset developments.

2 minute read

Heavyweight South African Firms Advise on Walmart's Takeover of Massmart

Jennigay Coetzer | September 06, 2022

Walmart has provided increasing financial support to shore up Massmart's business since acquiring a controlling interest in the company in 2010.

2 minute read

Photo

In Pictures: The 2022 African Legal Awards

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | September 06, 2022

The 2022 African Legal Awards were held at the Houghton Hotel Johannesburg, returning in-person for the first time since the Pandemic.

1 minute read

Norton Rose Adds to Cape Town Ranks Continuing South Africa Hiring Campaign

Jennigay Coetzer | September 05, 2022

The hire is part of the firm's concerted hiring drive which began last September.

2 minute read

Webber Wentzel, Bowmans and DLA Piper Win Big at the African Legal Awards 2022

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | September 02, 2022

The African Legal Awards returned in-person to recognise exceptional achievement from Africa's legal elite.

4 minute read

Clifford Chance Appoints New Global Chief Operating Officer

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | September 02, 2022

The announcement comes as the latest in a series of changes to the Clifford Chance leadership team.

2 minute read

Baker Botts Builds in Riyadh with Baker McKenzie Corporate Partner Hire

Peter Shaw-Smith | September 02, 2022

The firm's association office in Saudi Arabia makes a hire after it parted ways with a partner last year.

2 minute read

Seeing Growing Talent Opportunity, US Firm Opens in Israel

Andrew Maloney | August 31, 2022

Lawyers from Davis Polk, Goodwin, Pillsbury, Ellenoff Grossman and Roberts & Holland have joined Honigman's subsidiary in Israel.

6 minute read

Dentons' Latest Malpractice Appeal Bid Rejected By Court

Bruce Love | August 30, 2022

Dentons is on the hook for a $32 million malpractice verdict. The latest ruling leaves in place wider questions about Swiss vereins and law firm conflict checks.

3 minute read

Is Norton Rose's Ambitious Africa Strategy Paying Off?

Jennigay Coetzer | August 28, 2022

The more the partners caught on to the benefits, the more profit the firm made. And Norton Rose global loves the new model, said CEO Andrew Robinson.

7 minute read

Battling Greenwashing: Law Firms Increasingly Wield Data to Back Up Client ESG Claims

Bruce Love | August 22, 2022

Regulators and plaintiffs firms want more than just policy statements. Law firms are having to prove the data behind their clients' ESG efforts to avoid claims that it's all for show.

9 minute read

HFW Hires Clyde & Co Duo, Says it is Now 'Unquestionably The Number One Shipping Practice' in the Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith | August 21, 2022

Pinsent Masons has also launched a Dubai TMT practice with a partner hire from Al Tamimi.

3 minute read

Law Firms Are Rushing Headlong Into a Recession

Paul Hodkinson | August 21, 2022

The world is on the brink of recession while law firm costs are soaring, writes the Global Lawyer. Time to seek out new areas of growth.

6 minute read

Can Baker McKenzie Africa Emerge From the Bullying Scandal?

Jennigay Coetzer | August 19, 2022

The scandal around former regional managing partner Morne van der Merwe still blights the firm—but the office's new leaders are emphatic that a new era is here.

8 minute read

Gowling WLG Bolsters Middle East Presence with Abu Dhabi Launch

Peter Shaw-Smith | August 11, 2022

The firm adds to its Dubai office, as the UAE gains in importance particularly after the fallout of Russia's war in Ukraine.

2 minute read

Latham & Watkins Picks Up Another Big Ticket Saudi IPO

Peter Shaw-Smith | August 11, 2022

The latest IPO involves fast-food chain operator Alamar Foods, which runs more than 520 regional Domino's outlets in 11 countries.

2 minute read

Al Tamimi Rehires Partner as Digital and Data Head

Peter Shaw-Smith | August 10, 2022

The partner, previously based in Australia, joins the firm in Dubai as digital transformation accelerates across the region.

2 minute read

Allen & Overy Advises on 2nd Middle East Fintech Deal in a Year

Peter Shaw-Smith | August 09, 2022

The deal sees buy now pay later fintech firm Tabby secure $150 million in funding.

2 minute read

Risks and Rewards: What Does It Take to Be a Successful International Firm Amid Today's Global Turmoil?

Lisa Shuchman | August 07, 2022

Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan. What's next? International law firms have to consider more factors than ever before as they expand into new markets in search of growth, writes Lisa Shuchman in The Global Lawyer.

9 minute read

Seven Heavyweights Converge on $4.5B Mediclinic Deal

Jennigay Coetzer | August 05, 2022

Dozens of lawyers across teams in London and Johannesburg are advising on the multibillion-dollar acquisition of the private hospital chain.

3 minute read

Which Top Law Firms are Turning Down Clients on Ethical Grounds?

Hannah Walker | August 04, 2022

A Law.com International survey of over 30 firms highlights the sectors where firms are more likely to decline instructions, as firms ramp up ESG policies following the Ukraine war.

6 minute read

What to Expect When the Summer Deal Rush Ends

Krishnan Nair | August 01, 2022

The Global Lawyer: As August arrives, there's a rush to get deals over the line. But what comes after?

5 minute read

FIFA Women's World Cup Legal Head On Scoring the Role and the Importance of Women's Sport

Christopher Niesche | July 31, 2022

A "groundswell of emotion" has built around women's sport, Emily Jackson said.

5 minute read

How to Build a Culture that Attracts and Retains Talented Lawyers

Dareth Finn | July 28, 2022

For most firms, improving retention and attraction of talent can be accomplished by acting with more intention throughout the hiring process—and beyond it.

5 minute read

Q&A

'There are Always New Things to Be Done': Linklaters' Africa Head on Growth, Target Sectors and Challenges

Jennigay Coetzer | July 28, 2022

The firm's Africa lead, Andrew Jones, says his firm has seen continual growth on the continent for a decade, owing to buoyant markets in mining, renewable energy and tech—and that trend is only going to continue.

6 minute read

As Dechert Faces Hacking Allegations, Aviation Tycoon Gets Subpoena Against NY Atty

Dan Packel | July 26, 2022

Farhad Azima contends that former Dechert partner Neil Gerrard helped the Middle Eastern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah hack into his emails.

4 minute read

Credit Suisse's UK Subsidiary to Pay $22 Million in Restitution in Mozambique Tuna Fishing Case

Jane Wester | July 22, 2022

U.S. District Judge William Kuntz described the sentencing, part of a three-year deferred prosecution agreement, as a "day of sadness," noting the impact of the scheme on its victims.

2 minute read

Heavyweight Duo Leads on Major African Renewable Energy Deal

Jennigay Coetzer | July 22, 2022

The deal involves teams based primarily in South Africa and the U.K.

2 minute read

Cozen O'Connor Cuts Ties With Pro Golfer Who Joined Saudi-Funded LIV Tour

Patrick Smith | July 21, 2022

Firm CEO Michael Heller said the firm's ongoing 9/11 litigation against Saudi Arabia was a factor in the decision.

3 minute read

A&O Latest Firm to Relocate Moscow People To Dubai

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | July 20, 2022

Several firms have now relocated their Russian people to the Middle East.

2 minute read

General Counsel Compensation Chart: Who Made the 2022 Top-Paid GC List?

Greg Andrews | July 19, 2022

The 2022 General Counsel Compensation Report is based on Corporate Counsel affiliate ALM Intelligence's analysis of Fortune 1000 companies' 2021 Securities and Exchange Commission filings and a compilation of their top lawyers' compensation data.

1 minute read

Clifford Chance PEP Tops £2M as Growth Rebounds

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | July 19, 2022

Growth has returned to more normal levels after its 2021 revenue inched up by just 1%.

3 minute read

Twitter vs Musk Epitomizes the Legal Industry's Next Chapter

Paul Hodkinson | July 17, 2022

The Global Lawyer: A notable rise in a variety of disputes appears to signal the start of a new economic cycle for large law firms.

6 minute read

Biden's Saudi Trip a 'Triumph of Realism Over Idealism,' Lawyers Say, Despite Human Rights Concerns

Peter Shaw-Smith | July 15, 2022

Biden makes his trip in an atmosphere of disapproval. But lawyers say tighter commercial relations with the Middle East nation are a must.

9 minute read

Simmons Nudges Through £1M PEP Barrier for First Time

Varsha Patel | July 13, 2022

Simmons managing partner Jeremy Hoyland will not run again for the role when his term ends, he said while discussing the firm's results.

4 minute read

Clyde & Co Hires Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's Cape Town Head

Jennigay Coetzer | July 07, 2022

The M&A partner is expected to be joined by two additional hires.

2 minute read

Roe v Wade Reversal Could Slow Abortion Liberalization in Africa, Lawyers Say

Jennigay Coetzer | July 06, 2022

The overturning of Roe v Wade in the U.S. will make it more difficult for African countries to liberalize abortion laws if they have not already done so, says a law professor.

4 minute read

Stephenson Harwood Hopes to Bounce Back With Bold New Strategy

Peter Shaw-Smith | July 01, 2022

A goal of doubling revenues by 2026 depends on optimization of the firm's eight-office international network.

8 minute read

The US Reverses 'Roe' and the World Reacts

Anne Bagamery | July 01, 2022

The U.S. decision, which runs counter to global trends toward more liberal abortion rights, led almost immediately to a global call to strengthen legal protections for reproductive rights, as well as heightened fears for the knock-on effects on civil rights, privacy rights, women's health, and even local law.

9 minute read

Quintet of Firms Advises on $1.9B Middle East Renewables Transaction

Peter Shaw-Smith | June 30, 2022

The deal presages the creation of a global clean energy powerhouse that consolidates the UAE's renewable energy and green hydrogen efforts.

3 minute read

Bowmans and Webber Wentzel Lead Nominations for 2022 African Legal Awards

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 29, 2022

Clifford Chance and DLA Piper are among those firms vying for the coveted International Law Firm of the Year award.

2 minute read

Australia's Most Active Climate Litigator Expects to Be Busy for Years to Come

Christopher Niesche | June 28, 2022

David Barnden has played a role in making the country a prime jurisdiction for test cases with broad policy implications for the environment at a time when climate change litigation has been spreading around the world.

7 minute read

When The Old World Meets The New: Law Firms' Need to Adapt

Paul Hodkinson | June 26, 2022

The longest-standing legal institutions only remain relevant if they continue to adapt, writes the Global Lawyer. It is a message that holds true for elite commercial law firms the world over.

5 minute read

Norton Rose South Africa Hires Local Boutique's Cape Town Head

Jennigay Coetzer | June 23, 2022

The firm's hire of the labor law specialist is part of its aggressive recruitment campaign in the city.

2 minute read

Watch Your Language: Gender Neutrality in Contracts

Ricci Hackner, Bowmans | June 21, 2022

Different languages present different challenges but many countries have now published guidelines to encourage lawyers to avoid gender bias, writes Ricci Hackner of Bowmans in South Africa.

4 minute read

Webber Wentzel Hires 3-Lawyer Fintech Team from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

Jennigay Coetzer | June 17, 2022

The partner-led move is among the most significant between two South African elites in 2022.

2 minute read

African Nations Are Enacting Laws to Benefit Local Economies. Law Firms Are Paying Attention

Jennigay Coetzer | June 13, 2022

While Nigerian law firms have been benefiting for a decade from local content laws, this type of legislation is a recent phenomenon in some African countries.

4 minute read

Shearman & Sterling Promotes Sole London Lawyer to Partner

Varsha Patel | June 13, 2022

Two thirds of the 12-strong promotion round have been made across the firm's U.S. offices.

2 minute read

Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance Lead as UAE's DP World Secures Multi-Billion Dollar Investment

Peter Shaw-Smith | Krishnan Nair | June 09, 2022

The long term deal will give Canadian global institutional investor CDPQ a 22% stake in a new joint venture.

3 minute read

Max Schrems: The World Renowned Privacy Advocate Is Still Fighting to Create a Culture of Compliance

Linda A. Thompson | June 04, 2022

The global privacy advocate, one of the world's most influential figures in privacy protection law, said companies that violate GDPR and other privacy regulations will face more lawsuits and fines.

9 minute read

5 Elite Firms Advise on $6.7B Acquisition of Canada's Yamana Gold by South Africa's Gold Fields

Jennigay Coetzer | June 02, 2022

The transaction will create a top-four global gold producer.

2 minute read

Baker McKenzie Overhauls Johannesburg Management Structure

Jennigay Coetzer | May 30, 2022

Since the firm's previous Johannesburg senior partner departed following a bullying scandal in September, the base has been without a senior partner or managing partner.

2 minute read

What In-House Counsel Need to Know About the Singapore Convention

Lorenzo Melchionda, BonelliErede | May 30, 2022

While it is faster, there are some requirements that must always be born in mind when parties consider mediation.

4 minute read

EY Plan to Spin Off Audit Business Is Bad News for Law Firms

Bruce Love | May 27, 2022

If the Big Four firm goes ahead with the split, there will be one less obstacle to its pursuit of legal work. And its peers will likely follow.

4 minute read

Key Takeaways of LCIA's 2021 Report: Impact of COVID and The Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Ryan Cable | Kimberley Bazelais | May 27, 2022

The London Court of International Arbitration has seen a decline in Western Europe disputes but an increase in American cases and a potential rise in Middle Eastern ones.

5 minute read

Can Law Firms Keep Up With Crypto?

Jack Womack | May 25, 2022

Digital currencies and blockchain technology offer large law firms plenty of possibilities, but many in the UK are struggling to meet client demand either due to a lack of lawyers or a fear of the unregulated nature of the sector.

8 minute read

Dentons Expands Africa Reach with Tunisia Combination

Jennigay Coetzer | May 24, 2022

The latest combination comes as part of Dentons' aim to become the leading Pan-African law firm.

3 minute read

Call to Action: Modernizing the 'War Exclusion' for the 21st Century

Jillian Raines | Amber N. Morris | May 23, 2022

Many prudent businesses are revisiting their insurance portfolio, seeking confirmation that their coverage will adequately protect them if they are victimized by increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, including those connected to the acute conflict in Ukraine.

8 minute read

Why Are There So Few Chinese Law Firms in Africa?

Jennigay Coetzer | May 23, 2022

China does big business in Africa. But differences in culture and ways of doing business, as well as regulatory challenges, have influenced the way Chinese law firms and their clients operate in Africa.

6 minute read

How Hard Must You Work To Become a Partner?

Paul Hodkinson | May 22, 2022

Perhaps it is time law firms started being more transparent about hours requirements for aspiring lawyers, writes Paul Hodkinson in The Global Lawyer.

5 minute read