Billables and Bad Partners: Why Associates Are Still Not Happy

AI Is Not Our Ally, Yet

Henrietta Redding, Addleshaw Goddard | June 27, 2024

When generative AI was learning its ABCs, it also received an extensive education in one of the most prevailing undercurrents of human communication, prejudice.

4 minute read

Japan's PE Market Is the Bright Spot That Asia Needs. But Will Law Firms Step Up to the Plate?

Jessica Seah | June 26, 2024

Private equity is thriving in Japan, in part because the weak Japanese yen has made local assets incredibly appealing to foreign investors. Foreign law firms want a piece of the action.

10 minute read

Commentary

Mediation: A Perspective From India and the UK

David Smith | Priya Sejpal | June 26, 2024

The contrast between England and India shows how two major legal jurisdictions are grappling with providing better and more effective means of resolving an ever-growing number of disputes.

5 minute read

Billing Rate Hikes 'Not Slowing Down,' With Pricing Surges Expected in 2024

Andrew Maloney | June 26, 2024

About 86% of large firms in the U.S. and U.K. expect to increase billing rates over the next 12 months, according to new survey results.

6 minute read

Climate Litigation Marked by Global Expansion and Strategic Filings

Caroline Byrne | June 26, 2024

A new category of "transition risk" has emerged involving cases filed against corporate directors over management of climate risks.

4 minute read

White & Case, Kirkland Headline as KKR Acquires Festival Giant Superstruct

Louis Altmann | June 26, 2024

Firms with large transactional practices have seen a flurry of PE-backed deals in recent weeks.

2 minute read

Ashurst Rolls Out Harvey AI to All Lawyers and Offices

Louis Altmann | June 26, 2024

The firm also conducted a trial and pilot of Harvey which informed their decision to enter into partnership with the platform.

2 minute read

Protestors Target Linklaters London Office Over Fossil Fuel Work

Jack Womack | June 26, 2024

Research earlier this month found that between 2019-2023, the top 100 law firms in the world facilitated $2.89 trillion in fossil fuel transactions.

3 minute read

Chart

Ranked: The Best Law Firms for Junior Lawyer LGBTQ+ Representation

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 26, 2024

Law.com International's UK LGBTQ+ rankings continue with a rundown of the firms with the best representation among junior and trainee lawyers.

3 minute read

Big Law Firms, Seeking 'Seat at the Table,' Join AI Safety Consortium in US

Katharine Lee | June 25, 2024

Several large firms are participating in a data sharing space for AI stakeholders in hopes of turning guidelines "into real guardrails" for clients.

4 minute read

Paul Hastings Boosts London Finance Offering With Weil Partner Hire

Kasvi Sehgal | June 25, 2024

The hire follows the exit of Luke McDougall, the global co-head of Paul Hastings' finance practice, who decamped for Davis Polk & Wardwell in May.

2 minute read

Kirkland, Weil and CMS Lead On €3.9B Advent International Sale

Kasvi Sehgal | June 25, 2024

This acquisition is the latest example of law firms with large transactional practices seeing a recent rush of deals.

2 minute read

Clifford Chance Opens Polish Operational Hub, Its Third Worldwide

Rick Mitchell | June 24, 2024

The firm also has a hub in Newcastle, England, and an Indian hub with two offices.

2 minute read

Research

The Law Firms with the Most LGBTQ+ Partners in the UK

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 24, 2024

While some firms posted LGBTQ+ representation that well exceeds the UK national average, others reported low figures.

3 minute read

Simmons, Reed Smith Secure Lead Roles In Masdar's €3.2B Renewable Energy Deal

Kasvi Sehgal | June 24, 2024

This is the latest example of energy and infrastructure deals fuelled by the energy transition drive becoming a growing source of work for firms.

2 minute read

Simmons Reels in Salmon Price-Fixing Class Action Mandate

Jack Womack | June 24, 2024

The claimants are seeking up to £382 million for UK consumers.

2 minute read

Simpson Thacher, Anderson Mori Advise Blackstone on $1.7B Offer for Japanese Comic Company

Jessica Seah | June 24, 2024

The Japanese market has been lush with assets for sales in recent months as domestic holding companies seek to streamline their portfolio to focus on core assets and offerings.

2 minute read

Linklaters and Kirkland Lead on $1.8B Tate & Lyle Transaction

Louis Altmann | June 21, 2024

Meanwhile, Weil Gotshal and Skadden have taken roles on a $1.9 billion private equity deal.

2 minute read

Withers Hires Veteran Commercial Litigator in New York

Mimi Lamarre | June 20, 2024

"It took me some time to find the right platform. I think Withers is the firm where I'll be finishing my career," said Younger, 68.

3 minute read

Addleshaw Goddard Hires 20-Year Veteran From HFW in Singapore

Jessica Seah | June 20, 2024

Addleshaw's Singapore office, the firm's only office in Asia, now has five lawyers, including three partners.

2 minute read

Fossil Fuel Work: The Worst Law Firms Offenders Named

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 20, 2024

The top 100 firms in the world facilitated $2.89 trillion in fossil fuel transactions in the last five years, as well as taking on climate-exacerbating disputes and lobbying, according to a report by Law Students for Climate Accountability.

4 minute read

Ex-Clifford Chance Partner Banned From Accessing Client Money by SRA

Jack Womack | June 20, 2024

Although De Mayer is no longer with the firm, the regulator stated Clifford Chance was the 'firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome'.

2 minute read

Q&A

'It Concerns Me to See People Who Still Can't Be Themselves' HSF's Global Co-Head of Arbitration Shares His Pride Story

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 20, 2024

Simon Chapman KC, recently appointed global co-chair of international arbitration at Herbert Smith Freehills, talks about what it has meant for him, as a gay man, to work in an inclusive, open environment.

5 minute read

Dentons' US Project 'Golden Spike' Had Bold Ambitions. Did it Meet Them?

Justin Henry | June 20, 2024

"They thought there was an opportunity to build out a Big Four model that could practice law in the U.S. and the pitch was going to good firms in smaller markets and asking them to join," said Indiana University Maurer School of Law professor Bill Henderson. "There was a shared service model that was quite coherent. That's the model. Time will tell if it works in practice."

5 minute read

Post-COVID Growth in Africa Fuels Arbitration and Law Firm Strategies

Alfred Olufemi | June 19, 2024

The London Court of International Arbitration saw African party involvement soar from 4% in 2022 to 8% in 2023, prompting law firms to strategize about how to adapt to this dynamic shift.

6 minute read

Linklaters Partner Rejoins Latham After 14 Months

Jack Womack | June 19, 2024

In 2020, Guccione joined Latham as a partner, until leaving to join Linklaters in May 2023.

2 minute read

Raft of Elite Firms Line Up on Multi-Billion-Pound Private Equity Deals For Trophy UK Assets

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 19, 2024

The investments in London's Heathrow Airport and takeover of FTSE-100 listed Hargreaves Lansdowne have generated roles for the likes of Kirkland & Ellis, Clifford Chance, Freshfields and A&O Shearman.

3 minute read

2024: An Important Year for UK Collective Actions

Peter Crowther, Daniel Meagher | Suzanne Labi | June 19, 2024

Winston & Strawn lawyers analyse three key cases that hold wider implications for UK collective actions this year.

6 minute read

Four Firms Advise on US Healthcare Group's Rare London IPO

Kasvi Sehgal | June 19, 2024

The rare London IPO comes as the LSE struggles to retain its position as an attractive option to companies looking to float.

2 minute read

MoFo Closing Beijing Office, Partners Relocate to Shanghai, Singapore Outfits

Jessica Seah | June 19, 2024

One of the office partners has relocated to Singapore while three others are now based in Shanghai.

3 minute read

Euros 2024: The Law Firm Football Tournament Has Already Happened

Louis Altmann | June 18, 2024

Find out who won when elite independent law firms from Spain, France, Germany, Italy, England, Sweden and the Netherlands faced off earlier this month.

2 minute read

'Hiding Since I Was Eight Years Old': Ashurst's First Openly Transgender Woman Shares Her Story

Bridgette Metior, Ashurst | June 18, 2024

For Pride Month 2024, Bridgette Metior, a senior test analyst at Ashurst, details her struggles and breakthroughs.

4 minute read

Clifford Chance: Where Next for the UK's Original Private Equity Golden Child?

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 18, 2024

The firm's famed private equity offering has long been a place US firms hire from—but leaders Jonny Myers and Spencer Baylin believe the market is shifting in their favour.

10 minute read

The Consumer Protection Review: Getting Ahead of the Curve

Andrew Hawkins, Shieldpay | June 17, 2024

The SRA is considering several measures including tighter monitoring of how legal firms handle client funds.

5 minute read

EU Ruling May Open the Door to Private Equity Investing in German Law Firms

Ulrike Barth | June 17, 2024

"Law firms are the last untapped gold mine for investors," said Thomas Kolhmeier from Swiss litigation financier Nivalion.

5 minute read

Paul Weiss Adds Senior Google Lawyer in Latest London Hire

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 17, 2024

The partner, who was head of EMEA regulatory response, investigations and compliance at Alphabet, will work out of both California and London at Paul Weiss.

2 minute read

Commentary

Big Law's Favourite (And Least Favourite) Cities

Paul Hodkinson | June 16, 2024

Data shows the world's largest law firms are disproportionately weighted towards just a few key markets, writes the Global Lawyer.

5 minute read

Investigation Into $2.5B Deal Shows EU Means Business With New Foreign Subsidies Rules

Linda A. Thompson | June 16, 2024

Lawyers say companies needed to pay serious attention to the additional potential hurdle that the new rules pose to the closing of M&A deals.

4 minute read

Another Cadwalader London Partner Departs, This Time to Greenberg

Louis Altmann | June 14, 2024

The departure comes in the same week that that a team of five lawyers quit Cadwalader for King & Spalding.

2 minute read

A Working Mum and Carer, One Year In...

Sarah Washbrook, Addleshaw Goddard | June 14, 2024

For Carers Week, a lawyer at Addleshaw Goddard tells her story after her son's diagnosis changed her life.

5 minute read

The Hype Behind Harvey: How Firms Are Using the Gen AI Startup

Isha Marathe | June 14, 2024

Harvey, the OpenAI-backed legal tech startup, has nabbed several high-profile law firm and corporate clients. Here's how some of them are using the technology.

6 minute read

The Hype Behind Harvey: How the Stealthy Startup Is Raising Industry Eyebrows

Isha Marathe | June 14, 2024

Harvey, the OpenAI-backed legal tech startup, has nabbed high-profile clients and tons of cash, along with an air of suspicion around its AI capabilities.

11 minute read

BHS Former GC Found Liable in Multimillion-Pound Wrongful Trading Case

Krishnan Nair | June 14, 2024

The London judge attributed Dominic Chandler's failures to, among other factors, his lack of experience and an understanding of the 'commercial realities' of the situation.

4 minute read

Sidley Raises NQ Rates Again as Pressure to Join Fray Mounts

Krishnan Nair | June 14, 2024

Competition for the best junior talent is once again intensifying.

2 minute read

Rimon Deepens Global Lending Practice With Akin Team in London and Washington

Justin Henry | June 13, 2024

Three partners who arrived from Akin in London and Washington in April and May were joined by two former colleagues.

3 minute read

Lexis Announces General Availability of Lexis+ AI in the UK

Rhys Dipshan | June 13, 2024

Lexis officially expanded the generative AI platform to the U.K. after a commercial preview program that lasted several months, and after announcing similar availability for Lexis+ AI in Australia earlier this month.

3 minute read

Britain's Labour Party Manifesto: 5 Crucial Insights From Lawyers

Louis Altmann | June 13, 2024

"Private equity is the only industry where performance-related pay is treated as capital gains. Labour will close this loophole," - 2024 manifesto.

5 minute read

My Journey From a Low Socio-Economic Background to Big Law

Nikki Edwards | June 13, 2024

For Social Mobility Day, a Howard Kennedy partner tells her story of growing up in a working class family in Yorkshire to becoming president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association.

4 minute read

Womble Bond Dickinson Partner Described Postmasters as 'Liars' and 'Criminals', Post Office Inquiry Hears

Jack Womack | June 13, 2024

The inquiry is currently hearing from the lawyers at the heart of a scandal that has stirred the nation.

3 minute read

BeReal GC Departs as App Sold in $500M Deal, Weil and Orrick Lead

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | June 13, 2024

The GC leaves after just over a year in the role following its takeover by fellow French app developer Voodoo.

3 minute read

Hogan Lovells Overtakes Slaughter and May on NQ Pay

Jack Womack | June 13, 2024

A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Linklaters, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have all chosen to increase their own salaries to £150,000 in recent weeks.

2 minute read

Video

Watch: 4 Worrying Numbers for the UK Top 50 Law Firms

Law.com International | June 13, 2024

In a video, Law.com International editor-in-chief Paul Hodkinson explains how the underlying health of the largest firms has deteriorated.

1 minute read

Ashurst Adds Two Partners to West Australian Office

Christopher Niesche | June 13, 2024

The global firm has hired three disputes partners in Australia this year

2 minute read

Saudi Arabia Considers Relaxing Regulations For Foreign Law Firms

Dario Sabaghi | June 13, 2024

Saudi Arabia is consulting on plans to relax restrictions on foreign law firms in a significant change that would allow partners to establish fully non-Saudi-owned and operated offices in the Kingdom.

3 minute read

UK Election: Tories Hint at Resurrecting Litigation Funding Legislation

Jack Womack | June 12, 2024

A key piece of proposed legislation on third-party funding did not become law in time before the Prime Minister's calling of the general election in May.

2 minute read

How to Build an Arbitration Practice: An Interview with 37-Year HSF Veteran Paula Hodges

Kasvi Sehgal | June 12, 2024

The firm's former arbitration head of 16 years dives into the changing disputes landscape and provides words of advice for the upcoming generation.

4 minute read

SRA Files Legal Claim to Gain Access to Post Office Documents

Jack Womack | June 12, 2024

The purpose of the claim is to gain access to documents that have not been disclosed to the ongoing Horizon inquiry.

2 minute read

China Signals Ambitions to Become Key Player in International Arbitration

Tony Sabine | June 12, 2024

The new Hong Kong branch of the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre demonstrates China's desire to grow its presence in international dispute resolution. But some think the country has a way to go before it can compete with Hong Kong or Singapore as the region's premier arbitration destination.

4 minute read

Multinationals Face Huge Fines for Supply Chain Breaches Under New EU Directive

Rick Mitchell | June 11, 2024

International companies that fail to comply with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive by 2027 could face fines as high as 5% of their worldwide turnover as well as increased compliance costs and lawsuits.

5 minute read

4-Partner Cadwalader London Team Walks to King & Spalding

Kasvi Sehgal | June 11, 2024

The move is being fuelled by an increasing focus on funds work, people with knowledge of the move have said.

3 minute read

Travers Smith Hires from Blackstone for Funds Boost

Louis Altmann | June 11, 2024

The hire is a continuation of last year's series of appointments from private equity clients across the City.

2 minute read

White & Case Acts as North Sea Oil Company Waldorf Files for Administration

Louis Altmann | June 11, 2024

The firm recently established an insolvency practice in Australia and added a restructuring partner in Hong Kong.

1 minute read

Latham, Orrick and Linklaters Land Roles in €3.1B Budapest Airport Sale

Kasvi Sehgal | June 11, 2024

France's Vinci Airports has been in acquisitive mode, having lately added airports in Scotland and Mexico to its portfolio.

2 minute read

Another Judge to Leave Hong Kong's Top Court

Gail J. Cohen | June 10, 2024

Canada's former chief justice, Beverley McLachlin, said she will retire at the end of her term in July. Her announcement comes days after two British judges quit over concerns about the political situation in Hong Kong.

4 minute read

Freshfields Recruits Davis Polk, Kirkland Lawyers, Building for 'Next Generation'

Patrick Smith | June 10, 2024

"What we are trying to build here is something that will sustain generationally," said Damien Zoubek, Freshfields co-head of U.S. corporate and M&A.

3 minute read

Travers Smith and Dentons Unveil Latest Promotion Rounds

Jack Womack | June 10, 2024

Travers Smith has added 6 partners, while Dentons across Europe has added 10.

2 minute read

Cravath Swaine & Moore Set for London Office Move

Kasvi Sehgal | June 10, 2024

The move comes as US firms upsize in London amid growing headcount.

2 minute read

Rising Stars: The UK Legal Industry's Best Up-and-Coming Black Lawyers, 2024

Law.com International | June 10, 2024

In its inaugural list, Law.com International highlights 10 exceptional Black lawyers aged under 40 working in the UK legal industry.

11 minute read

Young People are Setting the Political Agenda. Can Law Firms Cope?

Krishnan Nair | June 09, 2024

Social media has given a voice to young people who are setting the political (and moral) agenda—law firms are struggling to keep up, writes The Global Lawyer.

4 minute read

After EU Elections, Next Competition Chief May Preside Over New Chapter in EU Antitrust History

Linda A. Thompson | June 09, 2024

The next head of the world's toughest antitrust enforcer will be appointed after the European elections and faces two new and sweeping laws.

5 minute read

Research

The UK Law Firms With the Highest Profit Margin

Paul Hodkinson | June 07, 2024

The same five firms remain those boasting the highest operating profit margin in the UK Top 50, according to analysis of LLP accounts.

2 minute read

Is the UK's Pro Bono Scene Underdeveloped?

Kasvi Sehgal | June 07, 2024

The U.K.'s pro bono culture is younger than those in America and Australia, owing to various factors around culture, politics, mentality and even insurance—but is the U.K. making up ground?

6 minute read

Willkie Leads on Biggest Class Action by UK Retailers With £1B CAT Claim Against Amazon

Kasvi Sehgal | June 07, 2024

The biggest class action ever launched by UK retailers accuses the tech giant of 'illegally misusing' data and 'manipulating the Amazon Buy Box' for its own commercial benefit.

3 minute read

Legal Innovation Awards 2024: The Winners' Interviews

Louis Altmann | June 07, 2024

Legal Innovation Awards winners Radiant Law, DLA Piper and Gavel have talked about about their successful entries and how they define innovation.

7 minute read

2 More Prominent Judges Step Down From Hong Kong's Top Court

Law.com International Staff | June 07, 2024

In 2022, U.K. Supreme Court president Lord Robert Reed and his colleague Lord Patrick Hodge also resigned from CFA.

2 minute read

Autonomy CEO Acquitted on All Counts in HP Fraud Trial

Maria Dinzeo | June 06, 2024

A federal jury on Thursday found the British tech tycoon not guilty of 14 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy.

8 minute read

Paul Weiss, Milbank Field London Teams for €850M Birkenstock Refinancing

Kasvi Sehgal | June 06, 2024

This transaction follows one of Paul Weiss' largest M&A mandates last month, which saw the firm act for KPS Capital Partners on a €3.5 billion buyout.

2 minute read

HSF Steps in to Defend Google in £13.6B Adtech Collective Action

Jack Womack | June 06, 2024

According to the claim, Google is abusing its dominant position by favouring its own advertising technology.

2 minute read

The UK Top 50 Firms With the Highest Debtor Days

Jack Womack | June 06, 2024

Almost twice as many firms saw their debtor days rise compared with the previous year, research has found, with one accountant saying: 'It is hard to think of another sector that is worse at getting its clients to pay.'

3 minute read