Latham, Jones Day and Wachtell Lead on Anglo American's $3.8B Coal Business Sale

Willkie's Revenue Rises 13%, as Lateral Growth and Office Openings Pay Off

Jessie Yount | March 27, 2023

Macroeconomic challenges created some headwinds for the firm's Europe business, which fuels about 20% of the firm's total business. Still, the firm's London revenue was buoyed by a mix of transactional and litigation activity, leading to a 30% increase in revenue to £83,300,000.

5 minute read

Shearman Revenue Drops 10%, PEP Slides 17.5% After Record 2021

Patrick Smith | March 27, 2023

The firm recently ended its merger talks with Hogan Lovells amid several international partner exits.

6 minute read

Baker McKenzie to Defend Daily Mail Publisher Against Prince Harry Claims

Jack Womack | March 27, 2023

The group of claimants also includes Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley.

2 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

'Shouting Into a Void': One Wheelchair User's Experience of London Law

Paul Hodkinson | March 27, 2023

Fieldfisher's Millie Hawes has faced patronising behaviour and awkward jokes in an industry still sadly lacking in disabled diversity.

9 minute read

BCLP Rebuilds in London with MoFo Partner Hire

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 27, 2023

The hire comes amid a flurry of partner departures from the firm.

2 minute read

BCLP London Partner Duo Exit For Gowling WLG

Jack Womack | March 27, 2023

Earlier this week, BCLP posted a 3.8% drop in its gross revenue.

2 minute read

The Law Firms that Missed Out on the UBS-Credit Suisse Deal Tells Us Plenty

Paul Hodkinson | March 26, 2023

The Global Lawyer: Where do the likes of Linklaters, Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May now stand in the global pecking order?

5 minute read

Trio of Firms Advise on Superdry IP Sale in Asia

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 24, 2023

It is hoped the $50m sale will boost the brand's presence in the Asian market.

2 minute read

Latest Slaughters' Set Comes of Age | Moves Moves Moves | What are Your Juniors Doing on TikTok?

Rose Walker | March 24, 2023

What sort of world have Slaughter and May's latest partner set made it to?

3 minute read

Latham & Watkins Suffers Second London Partner Exit This Week

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 24, 2023

The partner, previously a Clifford Chance lifer, has moved to Weil Gotshal & Manges.

2 minute read

Cleary Strikes Linklaters Again for Another London Partner

Rose Walker | March 24, 2023

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has hired Linklaters' financial sponsor leveraged finance practice co-head.

2 minute read

International Law Firms In Japan Look to Energy Deals and Other Work to Drive Growth as Outbound M&A Remains Sluggish

Brian Yap | March 23, 2023

The total deal value of outbound transactions by Japanese companies plunged 57% to $11.6 billion last year.

5 minute read

In a Year of 'Precipitous' Change, Cooley's Profits Fell Nearly 17% as Revenue Surpassed $2 Billion

Jessie Yount | March 23, 2023

In London, revenue ticked up 1% to £77.7 million, after nearly 50% growth in the office in 2021. In Asia, the firm continues to have a strong fund formation practice in China and Hong Kong, as well as an increasingly active practice in Singapore, CEO Joe Conroy said.

6 minute read

Shell Appoints New Legal Head as Longtime Leader Donny Ching Steps Down

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 23, 2023

The new leader joined the Anglo-Dutch energy giant in 2005 after spending time at Shearman & Sterling and Simmons & Simmons.

2 minute read

Quinn Emanuel and Pallas Could Collaborate on $17B Credit Suisse Bondholder Battle

Charlotte Johnstone | March 23, 2023

Both firms have moved quickly this week to represent bondholders following the bank takeover, but the two groups may consist of different types of investors.

3 minute read

Senior In-House and Private Practice Lawyers Gather at Parliament to Support Whistleblowing Bill

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 23, 2023

General counsel need to better understand their rights and obligations in light of the new Bill, and to ensure they protect the company as well as the identity and confidentiality of the whistleblower, said organiser Lesley Wan.

3 minute read

Taylor Wessing Adds Former Addleshaws London Head

Jack Womack | March 23, 2023

The hire is the second Addleshaw Goddard partner to join Taylor Wessing in March so far.

2 minute read

Linklaters to Allow Staff and Partners to Swap Public Holidays

Rose Walker | March 23, 2023

The firm said: 'flexibility and agility at work is important to our colleagues, and it supports our inclusive culture'.

2 minute read

Mishcon Slashes Promotions With Just 1 Full Equity Partner Added

Jack Womack | March 23, 2023

Last year, the firm promoted seven lawyers to equity partner.

2 minute read

India On Our Minds

Jessica Seah | March 22, 2023

When India announced that foreign law firms will now be able to set up shop in the country, even firms that had long eyed the market were caught off guard, writes Jessica Seah in the Asia Legal Briefing. But now they are trying to figure out their next steps. Who will move in? And what will their India operations look like?

6 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

Linklaters Rebuilds in London with Latham Private Equity Partner Hire

Jack Womack | March 22, 2023

The elite U.K. firm has seen a number of high-profile partner exits so far in 2023.

2 minute read

Bank Collapses Hit Client Confidence Levels But 2008 Scenes Unlikely, Lawyers Say

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | Jack Womack | March 22, 2023

The fall of SVB and Credit Suisse has led to a surge in calls for advice, say a wide range of U.K. lawyers.

5 minute read

Slaughter and May Promotes 10 to Partner

Charlotte Johnstone | March 22, 2023

The firm has promoted a lawyer of black heritage to partner for the first time in this round.

2 minute read

Travers Hit By Latest Blow as Investment Funds Head Quits for Dechert

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 21, 2023

Highly regarded funds partner Sam Kay is set to join the London office of the US firm.

2 minute read

DLA Piper's Chief Data Scientist: Firms Resisting AI Are 'Dinosaurs Day Before the Meteorite Hit'

Isha Marathe | March 21, 2023

While seeing generative AI becoming an essential technology in legal market, DLA Piper's new chief data scientist also noted that human review of AI outputs is likely to become more and more complex in the future.

7 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

Law Firms—Are Your Lawyers (Tik)Toking About You?

Laura Beveridge | March 21, 2023

No major law firm has a TikTok account, but their young lawyers are using the app to appeal to its Gen Z audience and acting as a recruitment tool in the UK.

11 minute read

HSF Ups Pension Contributions Amid UK Cost of Living Crisis

Charlotte Johnstone | March 21, 2023

The firm has signed up to the 'Living Pension Standard', a new voluntary savings target for employers in the U.K.

3 minute read

A 'Small Circle' of Advisers is Best: AVEVA's GC on How to Pick Law Firms, Navigating a Takeover and Fighting for Equality

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 20, 2023

AVEVA's new GC Helen Lamprell talks about how she chooses advisers, her work at Vodafone, the empowerment of women and girls, and the treatment of mental health in the workplace.

6 minute read

Japanese Law Firms are Rapidly Moving Into Global Markets

Brian Yap | March 20, 2023

The reasoning behind the expansions, and what the firms plan to do with their new offices, varies considerably by region.

6 minute read

Kirkland Secures Latest London Hire With DLA Piper's ESG Lead

Laura Beveridge | March 20, 2023

Kirkland has invested 'substantial resources' into ESG impact and practice group in recent years.

2 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

Quinn Emanuel and Pallas Set to Represent Credit Suisse Bondholders

Jack Womack | March 20, 2023

Under the terms of the Swiss bank's acquisition by UBS, $17 billion of Credit Suisse bonds have been written off.

2 minute read

Dechert Finance Partner Departs for Cadwalader

Charlotte Johnstone | March 20, 2023

The UK partner has advised clients including Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and PwC.

2 minute read

Macfarlanes Unveils Scholarship Scheme Offering Paid Placement Year

Charlotte Johnstone | March 20, 2023

The programme is 'essentially the equivalent of being offered a training contract in your first year of university' and will award three Brunel students with scholarships annually.

3 minute read

Host of Firms Advise on Historic UBS Takeover of Credit Suisse

Jack Womack | March 20, 2023

Swiss firms and US firms, including Davis Polk and Sullivan & Cromwell, appear to have taken to top roles on the 'emergency rescue' over the weekend to create a banking giant with a combined market capitalization of $65 billion.

3 minute read

Dentons Offers Australia Staff Five Days Extra Leave to 'Recharge'

Christopher Niesche | March 20, 2023

Staff can now get five weeks' annual leave as the firm aims to 'prioritise their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing'.

2 minute read

Firms Must be Transparent About the Pathway to Partnership

Malcolm Simpson, Walker Morris | March 20, 2023

There are several steps firms can take to ensure they attract and retain the best talent that are aiming to become partners.

4 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

Sidley Austin Associate Joins Fund Manager as its First General Counsel

Rose Walker | March 17, 2023

Daiwa International Capital Partners has hired the UK lawyer as its first general counsel, three years after launch.

2 minute read

White & Case to Advise on European Court Transgender Case

Jack Womack | March 17, 2023

The transgender man has a UK gender certificate from the time the UK was treated as an EU member state.

2 minute read

What Do Travers Smith, Linklaters and Jeremy Hunt All Have in Common?

Rose Walker | March 17, 2023

Managing your finances in a way that keeps people happy now as well as in the future is not easy, as some of the UK's top law firms are finding out.

4 minute read

Weil Gotshal London Private Equity Duo Quit for Sidley Austin

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 16, 2023

The partners are the latest to join Sidley's London arm.

2 minute read

Clients are Driving a Harder Bargain: Is This Cost Pressures or a Cultural Shift?

Charlotte Johnstone | March 16, 2023

UK lawyers, consultants and GCs all agree cost pressures are causing clients to push for discounts, fixed fees and delayed payments, but others say there are also cultural issues at play.

5 minute read

Abellio GC Moves to Director Role at Relaunched Company

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 16, 2023

The move is part of the growing trend of general counsel moving into more business-centric roles.

2 minute read

Bracing for Impact: The Liberalization of India's Legal Market is Huge, Which Firms Will be Most Affected?

Jessica Seah | March 16, 2023

India's decision to liberalize is set to mark a new era for the global legal market. But how soon will international firms move in and how will the intrusion of foreign advisors affect domestic firms?

10 minute read

Gowling WLG Launches in Frankfurt with 4 Taylor Wessing Partners

James Carstensen | March 16, 2023

The move adds to the firm's existing German presences in Stuttgart and Munich.

2 minute read

ECIJA Adds Litigation and Arbitration Partner in Barcelona

Alex D'Elia | March 15, 2023

Gorka Goenechea is the firm's first global partner hire since it formed a strategic alliance with U.K.-based Taylor Wessing.

2 minute read

Court Hands Down Landmark Victory for Ukraine

Charlotte Johnstone | March 15, 2023

Quinn Emanuel wins out as the UK Supreme Court rules that Ukraine can defend the $3bn Eurobond lawsuit brought forward by Russia.

4 minute read

Latham & Watkins Global Fintech Co-Chair Joins Allen & Overy

Rose Walker | March 15, 2023

The partner is joining Allen & Overy's Washington D.C. office.

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

Can ChatGPT be an Effective Expert Witness?

Wail Menesi | Chris Larkin, FTI Consulting | March 15, 2023

AI language models can rapidly search through vast amounts of data and present relevant facts, statistics, and studies which can be used to support and form part of an expert's opinions.

5 minute read

Lawyer v Banker: How NQ Pay Compares to Other Top Professions

Tom Parry | March 15, 2023

How well are young lawyers paid compared to their professional counterparts, like investment bankers, accountants and private equity analysts? Law.com International explored a variety of sources to find out.

9 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

PwC Tax, Legal Arm Begins Using AI Tool Harvey

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 15, 2023

It is the only member of the Big Four firms to have access to the tool.

2 minute read

India Finally Liberalizes its Legal Market, Foreign Firms Set to Move In

Jessica Seah | March 15, 2023

Foreign law firms will be allowed to establish offices on the ground for the first time in one of the world's biggest economies.

5 minute read

Arbitration Cases Rise in Brazil to Rival Numbers in the United States

Amy Guthrie | March 14, 2023

A combination of regulations favorable to arbitration and glacially slow local courts have pushed resolutions for commercial disputes into arbitration in Brazil.

4 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

Hit by a Slew of Exits, Where Does Travers Smith Go Now?

Charlotte Johnstone | March 14, 2023

The firm needs to seriously consider a merger and change its lockstep system, several argue.

7 minute read

Norton Rose Fulbright Picks Up Australian M&A Partner from PwC

Christopher Niesche | March 14, 2023

The new partner believes M&A and private equity activity could begin to rebound later this year.

2 minute read

'You Can't Be Blind to It'—Sidley Austin's UK Head Talks Tech, a Passion for Walking and London Life

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 14, 2023

Sidley's Tom Thesing talks London life, managing in a struggling economy and nurturing talent within the firm.

7 minute read

Linklaters Leads on €4.6B Financing of German Optical Fibre Network

Laura Beveridge | March 14, 2023

A wider Linklaters team advised the joint-venture behind the roll out earlier this year.

1 minute read

What Private Equity Looks For in Law Firm Investments

Christopher Niesche | March 13, 2023

Very few private equity firms have invested in law firms, and despite some activity in Australia, such investments aren't likely to take off, analysts say. The reason is simple: Few law firms are likely to appeal to investors. There are exceptions, however.

5 minute read

DWF Hires 4-Person Team From Mazars España in Madrid

Alex D'Elia | March 13, 2023

With the new hires, DWF-RCD says it has added talent to its banking and finance practice, which the firm says is important to its strategic growth.

2 minute read

Allen & Overy Hires New York Kirkland & Ellis Partner

Laura Beveridge | March 13, 2023

It is A&O's 44th lateral partner hire in the U.S. in the last three years.

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

Clifford Chance, Slaughter and May, Paul Hastings, Ashurst and Hogan Lovells Advise on Silicon Valley Bank Rescue

Laura Beveridge | Rose Walker | March 13, 2023

In the U.S., SVB has been advised by U.S. law firms Holland & Knight and Sullivan & Cromwell.

2 minute read

Linklaters Leads Trio of Firms Advising on St Katharine Docks Sale

Laura Beveridge | March 13, 2023

A billionaire-led Singaporean real estate company is acquiring the London landmark for £395 million.

2 minute read

Why Companies are Ditching London Listings for NYC and What it Means for Lawyers

Laura Beveridge | March 13, 2023

London needs to make a better case for itself as a compelling listings destination post-Brexit, lawyers argue.

6 minute read

Litigators Aim to Battle Industry Stress With 'Mindful' Guide

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 13, 2023

One former litigator involved in creating the guidance said: "I well remember some of the behaviour that goes on and how it often got in the way of the resolution of disputes."

2 minute read

Cravath and SullCrom are Building in London. Should You Be Afraid?

Krishnan Nair | March 10, 2023

The Wall Street beasts are stirring in London after 50 years of relative dormancy—but is the fanfare warranted, asks the London Lawyer Briefing.

5 minute read

Event

In Pictures: WIPL UK Awards 2023

Rose Walker | March 10, 2023

Wednesday night saw the best and brightest of women in the U.K.'s legal industry celebrate their achievements together at the Women, Influence and Power in Law awards 2023.

1 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

Ashurst's First Female Chair Talks Lack of Women Role Models, Her Passion For Formula 1 and Ideal Retirement

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 10, 2023

Karen Davies looks back on her trailblazing career and how to make the industry a better space for women.

7 minute read

Ince Scraps Senior Partner Role

Jack Womack | March 10, 2023

Clark's exit comes at a difficult time for the law firm, which has to date failed to publish its audited accounts for the previous financial year, having delayed publication six times.

2 minute read

Do Firms Truly Support Women in Asia or Is It Just Lip Service?

Jessica Seah | March 09, 2023

Fewer than 20% of the regional heads in Asia at the top 50 highest-revenue law firms are women, Jessica Seah writes in The Asia Legal Briefing. So is all this noise and confetti around International Women's Day just lip service? When and how will firms in Asia get it right?

4 minute read

'Quality First, Scale Second': Orrick's Recipe to Revenue, Profits and Partnership Growth in 2022

Jessie Yount | March 09, 2023

The firm, which increased revenue 4.8% to $1.38 billion in 2022, said the quality of its international practices is a huge asset to the firm.

6 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

Brazil Rolls Out Long-Awaited Data Protection Sanctions

Amy Guthrie | March 09, 2023

Lawyers expect a wave of demand for advice from companies that need to strengthen their internal safeguards in order to avoid fines and restrictions on handling personal information

4 minute read

Linklaters Hires Travers Smith Rising Star Partner

Laura Beveridge | March 09, 2023

The private equity move is the latest in a stream of departures from Travers.

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

Taylor Wessing Taps Addleshaw Goddard and DWF For Dublin Hires

Jack Womack | March 09, 2023

The hires mean Taylor Wessing now has four partners and eight lawyers in the city.

2 minute read

Ex-Allen & Overy Partner Quits Morgan Stanley for Norton Rose

Krishnan Nair | March 09, 2023

The securitisation specialist previously spent 16 years at Allen & Overy.

2 minute read

Network Like a Woman, Not a Man, Say Senior Industry Figures at WIPL Conference

Charlotte Johnstone | March 09, 2023

The WIPL panel session featured women from top in-house and private practice roles.

3 minute read

Slaughter and May's Deborah Finkler on Growing Up in Liverpool and Winning Impossible Cases

Charlotte Johnstone | March 09, 2023

Finkler, who became managing partner in 2022, also talks about how she succeeded in a male-dominated industry, her pop star brother, and has some advice for young lawyers.

4 minute read

Pillsbury Announces Next London Managing Partner

Jack Womack | March 09, 2023

The firm's London profile has grown recently, especially following its role in the £4.25 billion sale of Chelsea Football Club sale.

2 minute read

Sullivan & Cromwell Hits Allen & Overy for Rare London Partner Hire

Jack Womack | March 09, 2023

The elite U.S.-law firm has historically made very few lateral hires to its London base.

2 minute read

Goodwin, RPC and Nokia Lawyers Among Honourees at WIPL UK Awards

Jack Womack | March 09, 2023

The Women, Influence, Power and Law Awards 2023 took place in London's Royal Garden Hotel, as part of the two-day WIPL conference.

3 minute read

Stephenson Harwood Reshuffles Asia Leadership

Jessica Seah | March 09, 2023

Stephenson Harwood has appointed a new Greater China managing partner as well as a new Singapore office head.

3 minute read

Competitors, Law Firms Aid GCs Navigating Ballooning ESG Duties

Ben Seal | March 08, 2023

The growing regulatory requirements are putting general counsel at the head of the table when it comes to managing board-level issues around ESG—both a challenge and an opportunity.

6 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

The Need For More Gender Diversity in the Judicial System

Lizzie Shimmin, Jenner | Block | March 08, 2023

Only 35% of court judges in England and Wales are women. This is not simply a matter of equality; it is also necessary for the effective functioning of the legal system.

4 minute read

Coping With the Loss of My Mother While Starting a Career in Law

India Barlow, Addleshaw Goddard | March 08, 2023

On the day before her training contract began India Barlow stayed over at her parents only to learn that her mum had been given six months to live. The coming year brought tragedy and then hope as leaders within the firm began to help her through.

5 minute read

The Must-Reads for Women in Law, According to Lawyers

Laura Beveridge | March 08, 2023

From 'I Don't Know How She Does It' to 'Lift as You Climb', here are the books that top U.K. female lawyers recommend reading this International Women's Day.

9 minute read

Can Law Firms Hold the Line on Layoffs and Billing Rates in 2023?

Andrew Maloney | March 08, 2023

"The top 200 firms should hold back on raising rates to fill their shortfall for 2023, as clients are watching and weighing alternatives," recommends a new report.

6 minute read

Rising Stars: The UK's Best Up and Coming Female Lawyers, 2023

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | March 08, 2023

More than 100 entries have been whittled down to 25 of women aged under 40 who represent the best and brightest the UK legal industry has to offer.

24 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

BCLP Partners With Clients to Promote More Women to Leadership

Dan Roe | March 07, 2023

In a new 12-week program, junior partners and lawyers from clients' legal departments will learn leadership communication skills from communications agency Ginger.

2 minute read

Taylor Wessing and Spain's ECIJA Finalise Tie-Up

Jack Womack | March 07, 2023

ECIJA is among Spain's fastest growing law firms, and has 33 offices across 16 countries.

3 minute read

Investigation

Crossing the Line? How Law Firms 'Lobby' EU Institutions in the Shadows

Linda A. Thompson | March 06, 2023

Investigation: Law.com International spoke to a wide range of professionals to shed light on the disputed definitions of what constitutes lobbying and how many experts believe law firms are influencing things in secret.

13 minute read

Litigation Funding Prepares for Growth in Europe

Anne Bagamery | March 06, 2023

As Europe opens its arms, cautiously, to mass litigation and class actions, litigation funders are seeing opportunity—and ramping up their plans to seize it.

4 minute read

Mishcon de Reya Is Hiring a GPT Specialist. Will Others Follow?

Cassandre Coyer | March 06, 2023

"I'm convinced that we'll see more of this. And again, it's going to be from the firms that are not just approaching this from a marketing and PR point of view," Jeffrey Brandt, chief information officer at Jackson Kelly, told Legaltech News.

5 minute read

In 'Steady March Forward,' Haynes and Boone Posts Another Record Year

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | March 06, 2023

Internationally, the firm said revenue in Mexico and Latin America grew by 21 percent in 2022, and the London office benefited from the energy practice. But Shanghai was flat due to COVID-19-related challenges in China.

5 minute read

Linklaters Adds Trio of Lawyers Across New York, Washington D.C.

Laura Beveridge | March 06, 2023

The firm has expanded less aggressively in the U.S. than several of its U.K. rivals in recent years.

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

How's Harvey? The Pro and Cons of A&O's Audacious AI System

Jack Womack | March 06, 2023

'Now, you can say to Harvey: "draft a risk factor for an IPO for an English company that does chemicals"—and it will come up with something really good,' says one UK partner of the firm's generative AI platform.

6 minute read

McDermott Finance Partner, 2 Associates Jump to Simmons in Frankfurt

James Carstensen | March 06, 2023

The move comes just weeks after Simmons lost a 5-lawyer team in Italy.

2 minute read

Another Shearman London Partner Quits for Paul Hastings

Rose Walker | March 06, 2023

The partner is the latest to quit the firm which last week called off its merger talks with Hogan Lovells.

2 minute read

Government and Public Affairs Practices Are Booming in Brussels. Here's Why.

Linda A. Thompson | March 05, 2023

The need to offer legal services and government affairs under one roof has increased significantly as the European Commission ramps up its regulation of tech companies, foreign direct investment, and ESG, lawyers say.

7 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

'A Terrible Situation' or 'Still Well Established': Where Do the Failed Merger Talks Leave Shearman?

Jack Womack | March 03, 2023

Reacting to the end of the Hogan Lovells discussions, UK market opinion is split on whether Shearman & Sterling should now pursue other merger options, or double down in the US.

5 minute read

The Merger Is Dead. Long Live the Merger | Cravath's London Play is Overdue. Will it be Worth the Hype?

Rose Walker | March 03, 2023

It's been a blockbuster week of news for U.S. firms. Where does Shearman go now its merger with Hogan Lovells is off - and where does Cravath go now its U.K. expansion is on?

4 minute read

White & Case Partner Tim Sheddick On His Career Spent With Client Macquarie, Truck Driving and Star Wars

Rose Walker | March 03, 2023

The private equity partner talks developing his relationship with Macquarie, biggest career influences and late night Twixes.

4 minute read

Shearman and Hogan Lovells Call Off Merger Talks

Patrick Smith | Christine Simmons | March 02, 2023

"After careful consideration, we have mutually agreed that a combination at this time is not in the best interest of either firm," said a joint statement from the firms.

3 minute read

Online Marketplaces Beware as Scope For Liability For Third-Party Products Widens

Sarah Mountain, Jani Ihalainen | Jack McAlone, RPC | March 02, 2023

The Louboutin v Amazon case in the Court of Justice of the European Union has sent a warning shot to online marketplaces, explain RPC lawyers.

4 minute read

Pinsent Masons Hires GC to Lead Public Law Practice in Madrid

Alex D'Elia | March 02, 2023

Amaia Rivas Kortazar is the former general counsel for the Fund for Orderly Bank Restructuring in Spain.

2 minute read

Litigation Drives Cozen O'Connor's 5.9% Revenue Increase in 2022

Justin Henry | March 02, 2023

Cozen O'Connor's London office continued to contribute less than in previous years to overall revenue but the firm is placing a large bet on growth in the Canadian market.

5 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

'ChatGPT Already Outperforms a lot of Junior Lawyers': An Interview With Richard Susskind

Laura Beveridge | March 02, 2023

For the last 20 years, the U.K. author and academic has been predicting that technology will revolutionise the legal industry. With the buzz around generative AI, will his hypothesis now be proven true?

7 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

Why Multi-Claimant Cases Are on the Rise in England

Sheila Birnbaum, Mark Cheffo | Dorothy Cory-Wright, Dechert | March 02, 2023

Dechert partners explain what is driving such cases, what the implications are and what companies can do about it.

4 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

Cravath's UK Launch—All Eyes on Slaughters, But Will it Rock London?

Rose Walker | March 01, 2023

Many partners see the logic of the leveraged finance hires, but question the timing of the move.

5 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

Jones Day Loses London Arbitration Partner to Pinsent Masons

Jack Womack | March 01, 2023

The new hire will co-lead the firm's investor-state dispute settlement and public international law team.

2 minute read

Cravath Set for English Law Debut with Shearman Double Partner Hire

Rose Walker | Paul Hodkinson | February 28, 2023

The development sees Cravath add UK-qualified lawyers to its London ranks for the first time since the office's debut 50 years ago, while the departures are the latest blow for Shearman.

2 minute read

Freshfields Convinces Judge that Tycoon Lied to Court in Deutsche Case

Charlotte Johnstone | February 28, 2023

Norwegian billionaire Alexander Vik failed to overturn a contempt of court ruling by London's High Court.

2 minute read

UK Court Gives Permission For Class Action Against Marks & Clerk

Bradley Gerrard | February 28, 2023

The case would be the first class action against an adviser of this type in England, according to a person familiar with the matter

2 minute read

Why 'Designated Counsel' is the Most Problematic Issue in Corporate Law

Jack Womack | February 28, 2023

The practice of private equity firms choosing lenders' legal counsel has attracted the attention of UK and European financial watchdogs and added fuel to an already heated argument.

11 minute read

Shearman & Sterling Promotes London Duo Out of Season Amid Departures

Laura Beveridge | February 27, 2023

The double promotion comes amidst merger talks and follows several partner departures.

2 minute read

Law Firm Leaders Must Stand Up to Bullying Partners, Following Rule Change

Charlotte Johnstone | February 27, 2023

The incoming SRA rules mean senior management of UK law firms will essentially be held accountable for addressing bullying, harassment and discrimination within their ranks.

3 minute read

Pinsent Masons Overtakes Fieldfisher in Latest AIM Rankings

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | February 27, 2023

Law firms are vying for market share in a 'much quieter' market.

3 minute read

White & Case London Partner Leaves After Less Than A Year

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | February 27, 2023

The partner will be joining Akin Gump's London private credit team.

2 minute read

Ince's Results Delayed For Sixth Time After Auditor Raises 'Further Queries'

Jack Womack | February 27, 2023

The repeated postponements has prompted some to ask whether the firm, which suspended its shares in January, might face the possibility of delisting.

2 minute read

McDermott Sees 9% Revenue, PEP Growth, With 'Recession-Resistant' Practices

Patrick Smith | February 24, 2023

The firm saw more than $164 million in revenue from its European offices in 2022 and 33% growth in its London office, said firm chair Ira Coleman, who joked that one reason the London office did so well is that "people pay more for the accents." He also said the firm's international haul was up 12%, besting the firm's overall performance.

6 minute read

Judge Steps Aside in Neil Gerrard Contempt of Court Hearing

Krishnan Nair | February 24, 2023

The ENRC, arguing that Gerrard lied under oath, is pursuing a committal hearing, a procedure which deals with matters that are potentially punishable by imprisonment.

3 minute read

Ex-Gowling Lawyer to Face Tribunal Following Inappropriate Conduct Allegations

Jack Womack | February 24, 2023

The lawyer, currently a partner at Gunnercooke, is accused of abusing his position and of sexually-motivated conduct towards three people.

2 minute read

'I Wasn't Sure I'd See My Family Again'—A Ukraine Managing Partner on Surviving a Year of War

Charlotte Johnstone | February 24, 2023

Timur Bondaryev, managing partner at Arzinger, says that, 12 months on, there is still "a constant feeling of death surrounding us". But he is hopeful of victory.

7 minute read

When is Culture Chat Not Just Total Guff? | Women, Listen Up | The Problem With UK Class Actions

Rose Walker | February 24, 2023

The London Lawyer Briefing: Honesty goes a long way in this industry, as a few refreshing interviews this week have shown.

4 minute read

Freshfields, Hengeler Lead on €1.5B ESG-Linked Finance Deal

James Carstensen | February 24, 2023

ESG has become an increasingly important regulatory topic in Europe, with many financing deals now including ESG elements.

2 minute read

Australian Firm Slater & Gordon Set For Private Equity Takeover

Christopher Niesche | February 24, 2023

The world's first listed law firm is under offer by private equity investor Allegro.

3 minute read

Class Action Craze: MasterCard Faces Another Multi-Billion Pound Suit

Bradley Gerrard | February 24, 2023

The recent spike in class actions has met a wave of scrutiny, with MasterCard arguing that the claim "is not about helping U.K. businesses" but about lawyers and their backers "out to make money".

4 minute read

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

Freshfields, Cleary Among Firms Owed $4M Following Collapse of Russian Bank VTB

Jack Womack | February 23, 2023

Several prominent law firms are owed large sums of money following the administration of the U.K. arm of the Russian state-owned bank.

3 minute read

Big Money For Lawyers, But Still a Question Mark for Consumers: Are UK Class Actions Really Working?

Becky Pritchard | February 23, 2023

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has gone from being a backwater to being a major centre for modern disputes, hearing cases that could generate billions in legal fees. But an in-depth analysis by Law.com International has found many are unhappy with the new world, saying the ultimate beneficiaries are not the claimants.

12 minute read

Taylor Wessing Doubles Cambridge Space With Office Move

Jack Womack | February 23, 2023

The firm has been based in the city since 2002.

2 minute read

Jenner & Block Hires London, DC Arbitration Partners

Laura Beveridge | February 23, 2023

The London addition is a rarity for the firm.

2 minute read

Freeth's Leicester Managing Partner Dies Unexpectedly

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | February 23, 2023

Mukesh Patel had also worked at Davies Arnold Cooper and HBJ Gateley Wareing.

2 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

Event

'Women Don't Think About Their Own Futures Enough'—Reignite Founder on the Importance of Peer Networks

Rose Walker | February 23, 2023

Lisa Unwin will speak at the closing plenary session of this year's Women, Influence & Power in Law conference between March 8-9.

6 minute read

Real Life Lessons to be Learned From Pro Bono

Elisabeth Fapuro | February 22, 2023

'Pro bono work has helped me develop useful interpersonal skills that will stand in me good stead wherever my professional life takes me'.

4 minute read

Ince Capital Markets Head Latest To Leave as Part Of Duo Joining Womble Bond

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | February 22, 2023

The latest additions add to Womble Bond Dickinson's London-based corporate team

2 minute read

Pinsent Masons Appoints Next Melbourne Office Leader

Christopher Niesche | February 22, 2023

All three of the firm's Australian offices are now led by women.

2 minute read