Freshfields, HFW and HSBC Among Big Winners at the British Legal Awards 2024

Holland & Knight Managing Partner Steven Sonberg To Step Down After 16 Years At Helm

Alexander Lugo | June 08, 2023

"It has been an honor and a privilege to lead Holland & Knight and I am extremely grateful for the extraordinary contributions our attorneys and staff have made to our shared success," Sonberg said in a press release.

5 minute read

Shifting Big Law Power Dynamics Pave Way for More 4-Day Attendance Policies

Dan Roe | Patrick Smith | June 08, 2023

Not every large firm wants to mandate four days of attendance, but those that do are feeling more empowered than ever.

3 minute read

Mapped Out: How A&O Shearman's Global Office Network Would Look

Jack Womack | June 08, 2023

Law.com International has compiled an interactive world map to show where lawyers from the two firms are located across their 49 offices.

3 minute read

Freshfields Strengthens New York Finance Group

Charlotte Johnstone | June 08, 2023

The Perkins Coie addition marks the firm's fourth finance practice hire in two days amid a busy week.

3 minute read

Stephenson Harwood Offers Hope for UK Results Season With Strong Financials

Charlotte Johnstone | June 08, 2023

The firm attributed its strong performance to its balance in practice areas, with dispute resolution bouncing back after a quieter couple of years.

2 minute read

Linklaters Hires Hong Kong Regulator SFC's Takeovers Team Head

Brian Yap | June 08, 2023

A former Slaughter and May partner, Roger Cheng was involved in the launch of the SFC's special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) regime in 2021.

2 minute read

Freshfields' Mark Austin Departs for Latham & Watkins

Charlotte Johnstone | June 08, 2023

The ECM specialist had spent his career from traineeship to partner at Freshfields, spanning 22 years.

2 minute read

Freshfields Makes Two Further Finance Lateral Hires

Jack Womack | June 07, 2023

The additions in London and New York make it three finance partner arrivals in the same day for the firm.

2 minute read

Is US-Rooted Resentment Brewing at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer?

Charlotte Johnstone | June 07, 2023

Feeling the financial pain of investing in the world's most expensive legal market 'can be frustrating' to non-US partners, according to insiders.

5 minute read

One In, One Out For Fieldfisher as Firm Hires Former Travers Smith Partner

Jack Womack | June 07, 2023

K&L Gates has hired a partner from Fieldfisher's asset management practice.

2 minute read

Freshfields Bolsters Leveraged Finance With Baker McKenzie UK Partner Hire

Charlotte Johnstone | June 07, 2023

Henderson's arrival marks the latest in a series of private equity and leveraged finance hires.

2 minute read

Plexus Law Files Intention to Appoint Administrator

Jack Womack | June 07, 2023

The insurance law firm's financial accounts for 2021-22 are currently overdue and not yet filed on Companies House.

2 minute read

It's Time to Drop the Word 'Alternative' When We Talk About 'Alternative Legal Service Providers'

Ziad Mantoura | June 06, 2023

ALSPs have greatly evolved since the 2000s when they sat at the fringes of the profession, to their position today, where they take center stage in shaping legal services.

5 minute read

Whats Up With Texas? Clifford Chance's Houston Debut Marks the Latest UK Entry into Texas

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | June 06, 2023

"We are trying to play our own game," said Clifford Chance's Sharis Pozen. "We are looking at where the talent is and where our clients are pointing us."

5 minute read

Q&A

A&O on Harvey and AI: 'The Lawyers Would Like it to Stick Around for a While'

Stephanie Wilkins | June 06, 2023

Since introducing Harvey's AI to the firm in February, it's now being tested for use cases like drafting, research, document review and more, though the firm stresses that this is not a replacement for lawyers.

7 minute read

Post Office Swaps Out HSF as Advisers on Horizon IT Inquiry

Charlotte Johnstone | June 06, 2023

The decision comes a week after the SRA was urged to investigate the firm's role in the Post Office Scandal

2 minute read

Despite the Effort, Structural Blockers, Not Ennui, Stall Law Firm Diversity Efforts

Paul Hodkinson | June 06, 2023

The more law firm leaders I encounter, the more I believe the main problem is the built-in structural issue that causes relatively diversified annual junior intakes to experience alarming dropout rates further down the line.

4 minute read

Major Defection to Clyde & Co Rocks PwC Legal Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith | June 06, 2023

The 13-lawyer hire is thought to be among the biggest team moves ever to take place in the Middle East.

3 minute read

The Legal Innovation Awards: Who Won What & Why

Charlotte Johnstone | June 06, 2023

A selection of the ceremony's main winners, and details of why the judges selected them.

3 minute read

Australia-UK Trade Agreement Paves Way for Lawyers to Work in Both Countries

Christopher Niesche | June 05, 2023

A separate free-trade agreement between New Zealand and the U.K. is expected to lead to a similar outcome between those two nations.

4 minute read

When Rainmakers Leave, Partners Ask 'Should I Stay or Should I Go?'

Justin Henry | June 05, 2023

A string of individual departures along with an increase in group moves at both Shearman & Sterling and Stroock & Stroock & Lavin bring attention to the calculations partners need to make when they gain a sense their firm may be in distress.

10 minute read

Clifford Chance Hires From Latham for Houston Office Launch

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 05, 2023

The launch includes the addition of seven new partners to the firm and will be its third US operation.

2 minute read

FTSE 100 Giant Names Former Hogan Lovells Lawyer as General Counsel

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 05, 2023

The former GC at engineering firm Smiths Group is leaving down after five years in the top legal role.

2 minute read

World Environment Day: The Challenges Facing Law Firms

Iain Miller, Kingsley Napley | June 05, 2023

Climate change is moving up the agenda of legal regulators worldwide and into the world of legal ethics, writes Iain Miller of Kingsley Napley.

4 minute read

Paul Hastings Loses Paris Bankruptcy Team to Freshfields

Anne Bagamery | June 05, 2023

The five-lawyer team is led by the same partner who joined Paul Hastings in 2020 to establish the firm's insolvency practice in the French capital.

2 minute read

Could We See The Return of 5 Days in the Office?

Krishnan Nair | June 04, 2023

Several associates say they don't want to see hybrid working eroded, but others are sympathetic to the office push, as The Global Lawyer discovers.

5 minute read

Prada Hires BonelliErede Partner As Its New Chief Legal Officer

Hugo Guzman | June 04, 2023

Francesca Secondari succeeds Cristina De Dona, who had joined the company from The Hershey Co. in December 2021.

1 minute read

International Firms Advise on $8.4B Saudi Green Hydrogen Megaproject

Peter Shaw-Smith | June 02, 2023

The project, to be built near the NEOM industrial zone on the Saudi west coast, is "a game-changer for global energy transition," according to one of the law partners on the deal.

3 minute read

Features

'I'm Hesitant to Paint a Rosy Picture': ICC's Arbitration Secretary General On Pride Month

Jack Womack | June 02, 2023

As the industry marks Pride Month, Alexander Fessas shares his thoughts on LGBTQIA inclusion within the legal industry.

6 minute read

Kirkland, Freshfields Among Heavyweights Leading £4.5B Vet Pharma Takeover

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 02, 2023

Ashurst and DLA Piper also join the roster leading one of the biggest deals of the year so far.

3 minute read

Reed Smith Reshuffles Senior Team Under Newly Minted Leader

Justin Henry | June 01, 2023

Casey Ryan took over from Alexander "Sandy" Thomas as global managing partner earlier this year.

3 minute read

Deloitte Legal Names Ex-A&O Peerpoint CEO as Next Global Leader

Jack Womack | June 01, 2023

It is the Big Four firm's latest hire of a person with significant private practice experience.

2 minute read

Fieldfisher Moves into Austria with Vienna Launch

Charlotte Johnstone | June 01, 2023

The firm has called Vienna a 'strong commercial centre in Europe' and an 'important international arbitration hub'.

2 minute read

Linklaters Partner Jumps to McDermott As the US Firm Leans Into Structured Finance

Patrick Smith | June 01, 2023

Jonathan Ching said he decided to leave Linklaters after observing changes in the market that require more access to specialists in other practices than Linklaters could offer, as well as a larger presence in the United States.

3 minute read

Freshfields Pips Linklaters in Latest FTSE 100 Adviser Rankings

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 01, 2023

The rankings for 2023 Q2, compiled by Adviser Rankings, remain steady despite economic headwinds and industry change causing uncertainty.

3 minute read

Herbert Smith Freehills Kewei Establishes TMT Practice With Partner Hire in Shanghai

Brian Yap | May 31, 2023

This is the firm's first partner hire since September 2021.

2 minute read

King & Spalding Secures UN Rights Judgment for Former Catalan President

Alex D'Elia | May 31, 2023

The United Nations Human Rights Committee found that Spain violated Carles Puigdemont's rights by removing him from his regional parliamentary seat over his role in Catalonia's 2017 independence referendum.

3 minute read

Reed Smith Bolsters London Private Equity Team with Willkie Farr Partner

Jack Womack | May 31, 2023

The hire follows Reed Smith's addition of two private equity partners in Munich earlier this month.

2 minute read

Features

The Great Taboo: Partner Retirement

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 31, 2023

Fifty-five to sixty is hardly old, but, despite legislative changes, partners at many top firms are still expected to quietly leave between these ages. Are attitudes changing?

10 minute read

Just How Much Will US-China Geopolitics Threaten Law Firms in Asia?

Jessica Seah | May 31, 2023

China's former zero-COVID policy is still having lingering effects on its economy, the country's housing boom is over, its shrinking population is becoming a serious problem, and its prosperous residents have spent the last two years offshoring their wealth to countries like Singapore and the U.K. But it is the decoupling of the world's two largest economies that poses the biggest threat to law firms in Greater China, lawyers say.

7 minute read

'A Game Changer': Europe's Unified Patent Court Has Finally Arrived

Anne Bagamery | May 30, 2023

For some patent holders, the new system will present multiple benefits. But others are likely to be leery of the power that the Unified Patent Court wields to nullify patents across multiple jurisdictions.

4 minute read

SRA Urged to Investigate Whether HSF Had Role in Post Office Scandal

Jack Womack | May 30, 2023

The Post Office sent compensation letters to postmasters which Dan Neidle says included sentences that breached SRA principles.

3 minute read

Top Firms Queue Up for £2.3B Asda Merger Deal

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 30, 2023

The Issa brothers had been envisaging the tie-up for a number of months.

3 minute read

Slideshow

The Legal Innovation Awards 2023: The Event in Pictures

Law.com International | May 30, 2023

Pinsent Masons, Eversheds Sutherland and Nokia were among the top winners at the ceremony at the Hilton London Bankside on Friday.

1 minute read

As Korean Corporates Exit China, Korean Law Firms Pivot, Focusing On Chinese Investments into Korea

Law.com International | May 30, 2023

Until a few years ago, Korean companies were pouring into China, giving the China practices of Korean law firms plenty of work. But as demand for that work has declined in the wake of geopolitical and economic pressures, those same firms have found a new revenue stream for their China practices: advising Chinese companies as they invest in South Korea.

5 minute read

Han Kun Hires A&O Shanghai Joint Operation Practice Partner

Jessica Seah | May 29, 2023

A former Kirkland & Ellis partner, Jing Li joins Han Kun from Allen & Overy's Shanghai Free Trade Zone joint operation firm, where she was a partner.

2 minute read

A&O-Shearman Combo is Just the First Domino in the Merger Rally

Paul Hodkinson | May 28, 2023

The pressure on the likes of Ashurst, Clifford Chance, O'Melveny, Pillsbury and others to also do a deal has suddenly intensified, writes the Global Lawyer.

6 minute read

Freshfields and Bredin Prat Take Roles on €520 Million PE Deal

Anne Bagamery | May 26, 2023

The deal will see U.K.-headquartered JD Sports buy France's Courir.

2 minute read

Pinsent Masons, Eversheds, and Nokia Win Big At Legal Innovation Awards

Jack Womack | May 26, 2023

The ceremony handed awards to the firms and individuals driving revolutionary change in the legal market.

3 minute read

Clifford Chance Hosts ChatGPT Pioneer Sam Altman for Fireside Chat

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 26, 2023

It comes as a number of law firms flirt with the idea of integrating AI into the business of law.

2 minute read

3 Reasons Why A&O, Shearman Partners Might Vote Against the Merger

Krishnan Nair | May 26, 2023

Shearman's liabilities, cautionary tales from history and potential areas of resentment are all reasonable objections for partners, writes the London Lawyer.

6 minute read

Skadden To Mandate 4 Days In Office

Amanda O'Brien | May 25, 2023

The policy, which extends to all attorneys, will go into effect in early September.

2 minute read

Paul Weiss London Partner Duo Walks to Sidley

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 25, 2023

The firm's London deputy head is among the leavers in a very rare loss for the firm's U.K. base.

2 minute read

Stephenson Harwood Adds Corporate Partner in Hong Kong From Top Chinese Law Firm

Brian Yap | May 25, 2023

Justin Ma is admitted as a solicitor in both Hong Kong and Australia, and focuses on the mainland China market.

2 minute read

What's Next for A&O and Shearman? Firms Look to Partnership Vote First

Patrick Smith | May 25, 2023

A&O and Shearman have many issues to resolve, but sources say all matters will take a back seat to selling the merger to partners and the vote.

6 minute read

Law Firm Mergers, Pitched as Benefitting Clients, Also Can Bring Headaches, Conflicts

Maria Dinzeo | May 25, 2023

"As these mergers continue to happen, law firms and clients need to be prepared. The conflicts piece is really the biggest con," said Kelleen Brennan, assistant general counsel at Axon Enterprise.

5 minute read

BCLP Cuts 47 Staff Globally, Citing Excess Capacity in Secretarial and Administrative Roles

Dan Roe | May 25, 2023

The global law firm announced the layoffs Thursday morning, stating affected employees had been notified and provided with "competitive" severance benefits and outplacement assistance.

2 minute read

Visualizing A&O Shearman—How the Numbers Stack Up

Jack Womack | May 25, 2023

Using the latest data from Law.com Compass, Law.com International shines a light on the anticipated combination in four charts and three key figures.

4 minute read

Ashurst JV Adds M&A Partner From Korea's Oldest Law Firm

Brian Yap | May 25, 2023

The appointment of M&A partner Lawrence Jhe coincides with the firm's hire of five Shearman & Sterling energy and infrastructure lawyers.

2 minute read

ASOS Appoints Next General Counsel

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 25, 2023

The internal appointment at the online clothing retailer is a former Slaughter and May lawyer.

2 minute read

Simmons & Simmons Hires Kennedys Partner in Madrid

Alex D'Elia | May 24, 2023

Simmons & Simmons said it is further developing its insurance capabilities in Spain to help meet the demands of an expanding market.

2 minute read

A 'Huge Threat': Why A&O's Rivals Fear Being Leapfrogged in the US

Charlotte Johnstone | May 24, 2023

Some insiders at Freshfields, Clifford Chance and Linklaters are inclined to play down the impact of A&O's proposed merger with Shearman—but others concede it could lead to refreshed approaches to the U.S. market.

6 minute read

The Need for Digital Asset Legal Opinions to Provide Clarity

Akber Datoo at D2 Legal Technology | May 24, 2023

The stunning collapse of FTX has proven a pivotal moment for digital assets; a wake-up call to quickly mature. It will no doubt pave the way for much deeper regulation – but this can only effectively happen with a cohesive legal theory and framework to support these "things".

6 minute read

Adapting to a Changing World: Key Trends in Commercial Litigation

Lizzie Shimmin | Clare Hennessey at Jenner | Block | May 24, 2023

New issues for litigators to grapple with including ESG and competition related-issues, a burgeoning litigation funding market and disputes related to crypto assets mean the London legal landscape remains an busy forum for resolution.

4 minute read

Event

The Middle East Legal Awards: Who Won What and Why

Law.com International | May 23, 2023

A list of the winners of the much sought-after awards with details of why judges selected them.

13 minute read

Perfect Match or Desperate Deal? Rivals and Insiders on the A&O Shearman Merger

Krishnan Nair | Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 23, 2023

Many are upbeat, saying 'both sides get what they want out of it'; others are skepitcal, saying it is 'opportunistic, because Shearman is sinking and because A&O's O'Melveny merger failed.'

7 minute read

5-Strong Shearman Team Defects to Ashurst

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 23, 2023

The global energy and infrastructure team hire comes just two days after Shearman and A&O announced their merger.

3 minute read

Stephenson Harwood Takes Hill Dickinson's Asia Regulatory Head in Singapore

Brian Yap | May 22, 2023

The arrival of M&A and international sanctions partner Jonathan Goacher has boosted Stephenson Harwood's partner head count in Singapore to 23.

2 minute read

Linklaters to Conduct Independent Investigation Into PwC Australia Tax Scandal

Christopher Niesche | May 22, 2023

Australian Sen. Deborah O'Neill told Parliament earlier this month that the scandal has global implications, and that the deception was known by at least 53 PwC partners and employees.

3 minute read

Pinsents' Former Comms Head and Campaigner, Fred Banning, Dies

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 22, 2023

Banning, who had battled cancer for some years, campaigned to see that people with terminal illnesses were prioritised for COVID-19 vaccines.

2 minute read

SRA Restricts Paralegal Following Child-Related Offences

Charlotte Johnstone | May 22, 2023

The authority determined that Griffith cannot work at an SRA-regulated firm without prior written consent.

2 minute read

A&O Shearman Needs 75% Partnership Approval to Get Merger Done

Jack Womack | Paul Hodkinson | May 22, 2023

The firms' leaders insist they are confident of getting the required partner support at a vote to take place this summer.

2 minute read

A&O Shearman's Big Gamble

Paul Hodkinson | May 22, 2023

The transatlantic merger announcement was slick, but a lot still needs to be worked out, including that pesky little issue of getting the partners to vote it through.

5 minute read

Freshfields Advises On Government Sale of Natwest Shares

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 22, 2023

Freshfields advised the UK government's investment arm meanwhile Linklaters advised Natwest.

2 minute read

Quinn Emanuel Launches London IP Litigation Group

Charlotte Johnstone | May 22, 2023

David Lancaster will join from August to lead the group.

2 minute read

A&O and Shearman to Adopt Modified Lockstep Model as Part of Merger

Jack Womack | Paul Hodkinson | May 22, 2023

The proposed merger would entail both firms agreeing to a compensation model that is different to what they have operated with in the past.

2 minute read

Van Bael & Bellis Launches London International Trade Practice, Hires Ashurst, Crowell Veterans

Charlotte Johnstone | May 22, 2023

The firm said the new additions come at a time when clients are facing "growing regulatory scrutiny" from both the EU and the U.K.

2 minute read

HFW Plans to Double Size in Australia Over Next 3 to 4 Years

Christopher Niesche | May 21, 2023

HFW Australia is the firm's third-largest practice globally, after London and Hong Kong, and accounts for almost 15% of the firm's total annual revenue.

4 minute read

Shearman & Sterling to Merge with Allen & Overy

Patrick Smith | May 21, 2023

The merged firm would have about $3.4 billion in revenue and about 3,900 lawyers, the firms said.

5 minute read

TikTok, Pepsi-Cola and Clifford Chance Shine at the Middle East Legal Awards 2023

Law.com International | May 19, 2023

Clifford Chance, Pinsent Masons and others also won in key categories.

3 minute read

Research

Slow Responses, Poor Tech: Simmons Highlights What Annoys In-House Teams Most About Outside Counsel

Charlotte Johnstone | May 19, 2023

Simmons surveyed the legal teams of more than 500 U.K. and international companies on their experiences with law firms.

2 minute read

Clyde & Co Rolls Out 26 Weeks Paid Leave for New Parents

Charlotte Johnstone | May 19, 2023

The firm joins a handful of other U.K. firms, such as Ashurst, in extending their parental leave policies.

3 minute read

Quinn Emanuel Gets Swiss Regulator to Release Decree in Credit Suisse Bondholder Battle

Charlotte Johnstone | May 19, 2023

For the first time, Credit Suisse bondholders have access to the decree by which the value of their investment was slashed.

2 minute read

Chart

Mental Health by the Numbers: An Infographic Mapping the Legal Industry's Well-Being

Chelsey Fredlund | May 18, 2023

Explore key data snapshots from our annual survey on the mental health of lawyers and professionals working in law firms around the world.

1 minute read

Hengeler Mueller Adds Salaried Partner Tier to Partnership Track

Krishnan Nair | May 18, 2023

The firm's leaders believe the modification will contribute to the long-term success of the firm.

2 minute read

Greenberg, HSF Lead as SPAC Tycoon Fronts $550M London IPO

Charlotte Johnstone | May 18, 2023

The listing of 'acquisition vehicle' Admiral Acquisition is among the biggest London listings in 2023 so far.

3 minute read

Clifford Chance, Latham Help Launch 6-Club US Football Tour

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 18, 2023

The tour, to be held this summer, will include major clubs such as Arsenal, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus.

2 minute read

Gen-Z Less Interested in Big Law and Traditional Law Firm Paths

Andrew Maloney | May 17, 2023

Lawyers and aspiring lawyers in the generation showed significantly more desire to work in-house, while the interest to go into government stayed consistent, according to a new survey.

4 minute read

Allen & Overy Loses IP Trio to Crowell & Moring

Abigail Adcox | May 17, 2023

The lateral team from A&O, led by IP litigator Paul Keller, has carved out a niche working with companies in disruptive technologies, notably AI and autonomous vehicles, Crowell said.

2 minute read

Anxiety the Focus as More UK Law Firms Spotlight Mental Health

Charlotte Johnstone | May 17, 2023

Travers Smith, Freshfields and Macfarlanes are among the firms running classes and long-term schemes to help tackle lawyer anxiety and grief.

2 minute read

Chart

Ranked: UK Law Firms by Carbon Emissions

Jack Womack | May 17, 2023

Which law firms use up the most power and how do they compare?

3 minute read

Slaughters, HSF Roll Out Podcasts, Yoga and More for Mental Health Awareness Week

Charlotte Johnstone | May 16, 2023

Anxiety forms the theme of this year's U.K.-wide campaign, with firms set to offer an array of talks by medical professionals, meditation classes, articles and sessions throughout the month.

3 minute read

Macfarlanes Ups NQ Pay

Charlotte Johnstone | May 16, 2023

Pay for newly qualified lawyers is rising at a few UK firms, but few expect the pay war to return to 2022 levels.

2 minute read

Law Firms Are Increasingly Debt Free—Why?

Jack Womack | May 16, 2023

The U.K.'s largest 50 law firms reduced their combined debt by more than £100 million in the 12 months to April 2022, fresh research shows.

4 minute read

Linklaters Appoints Next Portugal Managing Partner

Alex D'Elia | May 15, 2023

The new appointment succeeds one of the founders of the firm's Lisbon office.

2 minute read

Blakes Partner Elected Chair of International Legal Network Lex Mundi

Gail J. Cohen | May 15, 2023

Kate McGilvray has been on the board of the global law organization since 2020.

2 minute read

Members of Parliament Fail in Bid to Convince US Supreme Court to Hear Case of Convicted UK Citizen

Lisa Shuchman | May 15, 2023

Sixty-one members of Parliament signed an amicus brief in a bid to secure the release of Krishna Maharaj, a U.K. citizen who has presented substantial evidence that he did not commit the murders for which he was convicted. He has been in prison for 36 years.

2 minute read

Addleshaws Introduces Raft of Offerings to Ease Partner Retirement Process

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 15, 2023

The firm's head of responsible business said that the topic of partner retirement was "shrouded in some mystery and behind door conversations, and we wanted to change that".

2 minute read

PwC Successfully Defends Leaking Allegations in Slater & Gordon-Quindell Debacle

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 15, 2023

The long-running dispute concerns Slater & Gordon's 'catastrophic' £637 million purchase of the legal arm of insurance tech firm Quindell—now known as Watchstone.

2 minute read

Pinsents Acts for Zara-Owner Inditex on Sale of Russian Operation

Alex D'Elia | May 15, 2023

The buyer company is based in the UAE, which has shown itself to be friendly to Russia.

2 minute read

Cooley Taps Covington Veteran for London Life Sciences Hire

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 15, 2023

It is a rare hire for the firm's London office, which added life sciences partner Frances Stocks Allen last June.

2 minute read

'We Could Be Next': As Law Firms Swing the Axe, Associates are Getting Anxious

Krishnan Nair | May 14, 2023

'What if this quietness means that I'm actually just dead weight that the firm needs to get rid of. That kind of thinking works its way into your bones.'

5 minute read

Law Firms in Australia Will Have to Report Gender Pay Gaps

Christopher Niesche | May 14, 2023

Advocates hope the move will narrow the pay differential between men and women.

5 minute read

BCLP EMEA Senior Partner to Stand Down

Charlotte Johnstone | May 12, 2023

Meanwhile RCP's senior partner Oliver Bray has been re-elected for a second term.

2 minute read

Ashurst Names Next London Managing Partner

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 12, 2023

Baker McKenzie has also announced a number of changes to its practice management team.

2 minute read

Why UK Law Firms Might Be Over the Worst

Paul Hodkinson | May 12, 2023

There are a few reasons why this May could mark the start of a brighter period for London's legal market, writes The London Lawyer.

4 minute read

HFW Flies In Aviation Heavyweight from Clyde & Co Asia

Jessica Seah | May 12, 2023

Peter Coles is currently based in Hong Kong and will be relocating back to London to rejoin HFW.

2 minute read

Stroock, Nixon Peabody Plan to Merge, Schedule Announcement for Summer

Justin Henry | May 11, 2023

Stroock has previously engaged in merger discussions with McGuireWoods, Steptoe & Johnson and Squire Patton Boggs.

4 minute read

Veteran McDermott Germany Duo Walk to Reed Smith

James Carstensen | May 11, 2023

The two partners, one of whom founded McDermott's Germany arm, are senior partners in their respective fields.

3 minute read

BCLP Continues Rebuilding With 3 Partnership Additions Amid Busy Hiring Market

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 11, 2023

Meanwhile Dorsey & Whitney, CMS and Simmons & Simmons have also secured new partners.

2 minute read

Legal Tech and Operations Firms Join Forces to Target France's In-House Market

Jack Womack | May 11, 2023

The Anglo-French partnership comes amid increasing demand from in-house teams for legal technology.

2 minute read

Does the Working Week Actually Work?

Matthew Kay, Vario | May 11, 2023

If we look at how the working week has evolved it certainly makes sense for us to consider a four-day working week, writes the head of Pinsent Masons Vario.

4 minute read

Luminance Rolls Out Generative AI-Powered Chatbot 'Ask Lumi' for Corporate Customers

Isha Marathe | May 10, 2023

The AI-powered chatbot is trained on a limited set of data that U.K.-based Luminance has collected over its years of drafting contracts.

4 minute read

Dentons Leads Ecuador Debt-for-Nature Swap Aimed at Marine Conservation Near Galapagos

Amy Guthrie | May 10, 2023

The transaction, which also involved teams of lawyers from Clifford Chance, Baker McKenzie and others, is expected to generate $1.126 billion in savings for Ecuador and $323 million to finance conservation activities around the Galápagos Islands, home to nearly 3,000 marine species—20% of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

4 minute read

Japanese Law Firm to Join Forces With Drew & Napier to File Credit Suisse Bond Arbitration Against Swiss Government

Brian Yap | May 10, 2023

Masuda & Partners Law Office and Drew & Napier are aiming to file an arbitration case against the Swiss government at the start of the third quarter of this year.

3 minute read

'Ince' Name to Live On as Buyer Renames Itself

Jack Womack | May 10, 2023

Axiom DWFM reached a deal to rescue the Ince Group in April.

2 minute read

Hong Kong Reserves Right to Bar Foreign Lawyer Representation on National Security Cases

Law.com International | May 10, 2023

The new rules will now officially require local courts to obtain the chief executive's approval before a foreign lawyer can represent a client in national security cases.

2 minute read

Dechert to Cut Global Workforce by 5%

Amanda O'Brien | May 09, 2023

The firm, which has offices in the U.K., Asia, the Middle East and Europe, is letting go of 55 attorneys and 43 business professionals, including a "redundancy" process that has begun in London.

2 minute read

Revenue, Profits Drop at Finnegan in 2022, but Firm Invested in Growth

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 09, 2023

Among its investments, the intellectual property specialty firm opened an office in Munich. Between its offices in Munich and London, the firm said it now has more than 25 IP professionals in Europe, where the Unified Patent Court is set to open this summer, providing work for IP lawyers.

4 minute read

Reed Smith Submits Petition to US Supreme Court on Behalf of UK Politicians

Bradley Gerrard | May 09, 2023

A group of cross-party members of Parliament is pushing for the release from prison of a U.K. citizen who has presented substantial evidence that he is innocent of crimes for which he was convicted in the U.S. three decades ago.

4 minute read

Activision Blizzard Turns to Lord Pannick KC in CMA Appeal

Charlotte Johnstone | May 09, 2023

It is a statement move by the Call of Duty maker, as Pannick has become a household name in recent times acting for Manchester City FC and Boris Johnson.

2 minute read

Ince Hong Kong Charts Own Path with Partner Hire

Jessica Seah | May 09, 2023

The firm's Hong Kong arm tears away from the firm's administration as it adds a new dispute resolution partner to its local bench.

2 minute read

Withers, Drew & Napier Lead Over 150 Asian Investors on Credit Suisse Bond Claims

Jessica Seah | May 09, 2023

Claims are being made from all parts of the world to reclaim losses over the write down of the AT1 bonds.

3 minute read

A&O and Linklaters Ended the UK Pay War—But At What Cost?

Jack Womack | May 09, 2023

The two firms finally decided to match rivals on salaries last week but have they lost out after a year of being behind?

5 minute read

Criminalizing Ecocide: Violators of Environmental Laws in the EU Could Face Steep Fines and Prison Time

Linda A. Thompson | May 08, 2023

The executive body that sets rules for EU member countries is seeking to stiffen laws to deter environmental offenses. A separate movement calls for the addition of ecocide to the core crimes of international law heard at the International Criminal Court in the Hague—crimes that include genocide, war crimes, the crime of aggression and crimes against humanity.

6 minute read

Paul Hastings Adds Clifford Chance Partner in Germany

James Carstensen | May 08, 2023

Frederik Mühl, a private equity and infrastructure M&A partner, had been with Clifford Chance for 25 years.

2 minute read

Times Might Be Changing, But Prestige Still Rules

Krishnan Nair | May 05, 2023

Lawyers watching the coronation may want to ask: what is prestige exactly, and does my firm still have it?

3 minute read

Cravath Cuts Finance Associates in London Office

Charlotte Johnstone | May 05, 2023

The cuts come soon after the elite Manhattan-based firm launched an English law offering for the first time.

2 minute read

Withers Calls On Junior Partners to Stump Up as LLP Accounts Show Cash Fall

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 05, 2023

The firm's recently-filed accounts show its overdraft balance is higher than its cash level.

2 minute read

HFW Hires Construction Partner for Melbourne Office from Jones Day

Christopher Niesche | May 05, 2023

Ken Hickman returns for his second stint at HFW.

2 minute read

Opportunity vs Protection: Lawyers React to the CMA's Review of AI

Charlotte Johnstone | May 05, 2023

The review will need to ensure the UK remains competitive with other regions, especially the EU, in the fast developing space while continuing to protect users.

4 minute read

Riding the Energy Sector Wave, Bracewell Improves Revenue, Profits

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 04, 2023

The London and Dubai offices each posted their highest revenue ever, the firm said.

4 minute read

Travers Smith Senior Partner to Step Down

Charlotte Johnstone | Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 04, 2023

Kathleen Russ will remain with the firm as a consultant, focusing on issues such as diversity and ESG.

2 minute read

Industry Gears Up For African Legal Awards As Entry Deadline Extended

Jack Womack | May 04, 2023

This year's ceremony will take place on September 1 this year at the Hilton Sandton in Johannesburg.

3 minute read

Sweep of New Practice Leaders at Clifford Chance, Linklaters and Eversheds

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 04, 2023

CC's global asset finance group, Linklaters' global banking group and Eversheds' Asia arm all get new leaders.

2 minute read

Algorithmic Technology Revolutionized Chess. It's About to Do the Same for Work Allocation

William Dougherty | May 04, 2023

In this commentary, Capacity founder William Dougherty explores the use cases for infusing tech into work allocation processes.

6 minute read

Record Number of Russian Litigants in London Courts, Report Finds

Jack Womack | May 04, 2023

The research, by Portland Communications, also found that a majority of the U.K. public thinks less favourably of law firms who provide legal services to Russian individuals or companies.

2 minute read

Blank Rome Adds 7-Lawyer International Trade Group From McDermott in DC

Abigail Adcox | May 03, 2023

The firm is building out its international trade capabilities, as the current geopolitical and economic environment continues to put tension on global government and corporate operations.

3 minute read

Texas Catching the Eye of More Big U.K. Firms

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 03, 2023

Ashurst and Clyde & Co. are among the large U.K.-founded firms that recently launched small offices in Texas.

4 minute read

Allen & Overy and Linklaters Increase NQ Pay

Jack Womack | May 03, 2023

The firms are catching up to their rivals.

2 minute read

20-Lawyer Clyde & Co Group Departs to Start DC Insurance Boutique Firm

Abigail Adcox | May 03, 2023

The boutique launched this week with nine founding partners.

2 minute read

Freshfields Hires Former Ropes & Gray Hong Kong Head as Firm Winds Down Asia Restructuring Practice

Jessica Seah | May 03, 2023

Freshfields currently does not have any restructuring, distressed assets or special situation partners based in Greater China. Anderson's joining with a team of lawyers will launch that focused regional offering for the firm.

4 minute read

Mayer Brown Swoops on King & Spalding for London Partner Hire

Jack Womack | May 03, 2023

The new hire said that the main priority for many energy partners now was servicing clients from the Middle East, Asia and the Americas who were working on deals in Europe.

2 minute read

Features

In Their Own Words: The Reasons Associates Move Jobs

Charlotte Johnstone | May 03, 2023

'I want people to recognise the name when I tell them what firm I work for,' said one. 'To get a deposit in London quicker,' added another.

7 minute read

Freshfields Appoints Next London Disputes Head

Charlotte Johnstone | May 03, 2023

The move comes after former head, Mark Sansom, was appointed London managing partner.

2 minute read

Trowers & Hamlins Latest Firm to Seize on India's Market Liberalisation

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 03, 2023

The move follows the liberalisation of India's legal market back in March.

2 minute read

DLA Piper and Australia's Thomson Geer Hire Hong Kong Partners

Christopher Niesche | May 03, 2023

The firms have both picked up corporate partners.

2 minute read

State Secrets Privilege: A Challenge in International Litigation

Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge | Alexandra Lampe | May 02, 2023

The state secrets privilege has deep roots in American jurisprudence. Rudimentary references to it appear in early 19th-century jurisprudence.

4 minute read

Are India's Rules For Foreign Lawyers at a Tipping Point?

Robert Unterberger | May 02, 2023

A U.S. lawyer's perspective

5 minute read