Billables and Bad Partners: Why Associates Are Still Not Happy

Addleshaw Goddard Appoints New Middle East Managing Partner

Peter Shaw-Smith | May 15, 2024

Charles Russell Speechlys and Clyde & Co. have both made new hires, while A&O Shearman appoints a new regional head.

3 minute read

British Legal Awards 2024: Former CVC General Counsel Joins Stellar Judging Panel

Kasvi Sehgal | May 15, 2024

The panel will be chaired by Lesley Wan, general counsel and company secretary at banking venture All Africa Capital.

2 minute read

Bird & Bird Lands in Tokyo with Ashurst Partner Hire

Kasvi Sehgal | May 15, 2024

The launch marks the firm's first international expansion as part of its new five-year strategy, which the firm set out in February.

2 minute read

Big Law's AI Talent War Aims to Influence Software Development

Justin Henry | May 14, 2024

In the last month alone, Latham & Watkins, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, DLA Piper and Reed Smith have hired technology specialists to newly created roles.

8 minute read

McDermott Adds Heavyweight London Finance Duo From Morrison & Foerster

Kasvi Sehgal | May 14, 2024

One of the joiners, Chris Kandel, joined MoFo in 2019, having spent nine years as banking co-head at Latham & Watkins.

2 minute read

British Firm Spencer West Opens Office in Sydney

Christopher Niesche | May 14, 2024

The firm has appointed former BBC lawyer Andrew Ailwood as its new office lead.

2 minute read

Ranking

Rising Stars: Europe's Best Up-and-Coming Female Lawyers, 2024

Anne Bagamery | May 14, 2024

More than 100 submissions from across more than 40 firms and 16 countries have been whittled down to find the best up-and-coming women practicing in Continental Europe.

24 minute read

18-Hour Days—Let's Stop Ignoring Human Biology

Paulo Karat | May 14, 2024

We must recognise that by encouraging lawyers to reach out, we are asking them to be vulnerable.

5 minute read

Perkins Coie Launching in London, Hiring Ex-White & Case Partner Ian Bagshaw

Patrick Smith | May 14, 2024

Ian Bagshaw, who will lead a team of six, said there's an opening in the London market for Perkins' focus on tech and the mid-market.

4 minute read

US Heavyweights Lead $6.9B Squarespace Take-Private Deal

Patrick Smith | May 13, 2024

The website developer company has entered into a definitive agreement to go private by Permira, the global private equity firm.

2 minute read

Commentary

VIDEO: When Does Acting Aggressively for a Client Become Unethical Behaviour?

Paul Hodkinson | May 13, 2024

Law.com International editor-in-chief Paul Hodkinson debates the issue in this video.

1 minute read

Shearman-Associated Firm in Italy Is Being 'Dissolved' Following A&O Merger

Alex D'Elia | Rick Mitchell | Anne Bagamery | May 13, 2024

The Italian firm, created in 2021 by a spinoff of Shearman's Rome and Milan offices, has seen most of its lawyers move to other firms in the run-up to the merger, according to insiders.

4 minute read

British Legal Awards 2024 Nominations Open For Entry

Kasvi Sehgal | May 13, 2024

The awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of legal professionals, firms, and teams shaping the landscape of of the UK legal industry.

2 minute read

Q&A

How I Deal With Stress: EY Law's Monica Gogna on Discussing Feelings and Failures

Paul Hodkinson | May 13, 2024

In the latest in a series on how senior lawyers cope with stress in both their work and personal lives, the former Dechert, Pinsent Masons and Ropes & Gray partner speaks out.

5 minute read

Osborne Clarke Partner Referred to Tribunal Over Zahawi Letters

Jack Womack | May 13, 2024

The partner in question has not been identified, but Osborne Clarke said that it intends to 'fully support and stand behind' them.

3 minute read

Commentary

What's Going On at Paul Weiss?

Lisa Shuchman | May 12, 2024

The U.S. firm has good reasons for rapidly expanding with top-tier lawyers in London, writes The Global Lawyer. But now it has also set down roots in Brussels and has even launched a Latin America practice. Is the New York firm going global?

9 minute read

Companies Face New Regulations From the US, UK and EU, Creating Increased Compliance Challenges

Chris O'Malley | May 10, 2024

In the United States, regulators are increasingly holding companies accountable for the compliance problems of their third-party vendors. A new law in the United Kingdom will help prosecutors pursue corporate fraud, and a new EU regulation takes aim at subsidies granted by nonmember states that give companies an undue economic advantage.

5 minute read

Government Should Reconsider Law Firm Obligations on Russia Sanctions, Says Law Society

Jack Womack | May 10, 2024

Law firms have been grappling with the regime of sanctions introduced in the U.K. following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

2 minute read

Africa Deal Roundup: Major Firms Lead on $1.25B Petrochemical Financing in Nigeria

Alfred Olufemi | May 10, 2024

White & Case, Norton Rose Fulbright, Hogan Lovells, Sidley Austin and Baker McKenzie have been active in the region lately on deals ranging from oil and gas to tech to banking.

4 minute read

Mega-Deals and AML, How To Stay Compliant

Andrew Hawkins | May 10, 2024

In light of the SRA's AML 'crackdown', Shieldpay's CEO Andrew Hawkins talks about the challenge posed by compliance for law firms and the risk breaches can bring in terms of financial sanctions and reputational damage.

5 minute read

Quinn Emanuel Hikes London NQ Pay to £180K

Jack Womack | May 10, 2024

The raise follows Freshfields' increase earlier this month, with some suggesting it signals a revival of the pay war.

2 minute read

Ashurst, HSF Advise Insurance Broker Ardonagh on $1.5B Australian Takeover

Christopher Niesche | May 10, 2024

Ardonagh plans to create one of Australia's largest insurance distribution platforms

2 minute read

Florida Bar Accuses Kennedys LatAm Partners of Practicing Without a State License

Amy Guthrie | May 09, 2024

The Florida kerfuffle arose because Kennedys described the three partners as being part of the firm's Miami-based practice for Latin America and the Caribbean yet none of them is licensed to practice law in the Sunshine State.

4 minute read

Intimidation and Greed: Experts Speak Out on Big Law's Role in Perpetuating Child Labour

Tom Parry | May 09, 2024

Those involved in high-profile cases believe that, despite waving the ESG flag, the world's top law firms play a critical role in exacerbating one of global society's greatest ills.

11 minute read

HSF, Gilbert + Tobin Act on $1.4B KKR Australian Buyout

Christopher Niesche | May 09, 2024

KKR plans to split up the fund manager.

1 minute read

Infographic

Dominant Dubai: Fresh Data Shows Most Middle East Lawyers are Based in the City

Peter Shaw-Smith | May 09, 2024

Despite the best efforts of Saudi Arabia and Abi Dhabi, in-depth analysis shows some 60% of lawyers at the largest firms in the Middle East reside in Dubai.

3 minute read

Eversheds Hires Partner-Led Banking Team in Milan, in Latest Shearman-Related Exit After A&O Tie-Up

Rick Mitchell | May 08, 2024

The hire of a partner from a Sherman & Sterling-affiliated firm comes as Eversheds aims to expand in the Italian market in "strategic" sectors.

4 minute read

Italian Practices Hire Up Amid A&O Shearman Launch

Alex D'Elia | May 08, 2024

White & Case, Orrick, and A&O Shearman have brought on lawyers from the firm formerly associated with Shearman & Sterling in Italy, while Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici brought on a lawyer team from White & Case.

3 minute read

UK Firm Opens 11-Strong Office in Peru Led by Three Partners

Amy Guthrie | May 08, 2024

The Andean outpost is the London-based firm's fifth within Latin America as it expands its global marine and shipping capabilities.

2 minute read

Paul Weiss Expansion Drive Continues With Further Additions in Brussels and London

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 08, 2024

In Brussels, the firm has added a director general from the European Commission who is leaving after 33-years, which comes days after its Latin America practice launch.

3 minute read

Freshfields Antitrust Duo Returns to Wilson Sonsini

Abigail Adcox | May 08, 2024

Jamillia Ferris, who was head of Freshfields' US antitrust practice, has rejoined Wilson Sonsini as a partner, along with Matthew McDonald.

3 minute read

'We're Watching A&O Shearman With Interest': CMS's New Senior Partner on US Merger Ambition

Jack Womack | May 08, 2024

Charles Currier, who took the top job late last year, believes the firm has 'good sense' of the US market now.

4 minute read

Another Exit For Travers As Corporate Partner Walks To Linklaters

Kasvi Sehgal | May 08, 2024

The hire comes as Linklaters recovers from some major exits, including its leveraged finance co-head in London David Irvine's move to Gibson Dunn.

2 minute read

Skadden Adds Sofi GC and Shearman Fintech Co-Chair to Lead Financial Regulatory Group

Patrick Smith | May 08, 2024

Jeremy London, Skadden's executive partner, said the duo's experience and mix of government, private enterprise and Big Law checked all the boxes for a lateral pursuit.

3 minute read

Squire Patton Boggs Adds Partners From 4 Firms in UK Hiring Push

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 08, 2024

The new partners hail from a number of firms, including Eversheds Sutherland and PwC.

3 minute read

My Experience of Working as a Mother in Big Law

A mother working in Big Law | May 07, 2024

'I was constantly asked when I was leaving the firm. I wasn't. I was often asked if I was leaving early to see my infant. I wasn't. I was asked where my infant was. My dedication was questioned.'

5 minute read

Lebanon's Economic Crisis: How Domestic Firms Rode Out the Storm

Peter Shaw-Smith | May 07, 2024

International work remains key to the survival of Lebanese law firms amid a grave economic situation.

8 minute read

'The Biggest Fallacy of the Industry': How Flexible Working Policies are Failing Both Men and Women

Kasvi Sehgal | May 07, 2024

Top lawyers and commentators spotlight how policies are failing women, and also how, due to social pressure, men often avoid the topic altogether.

7 minute read

A&O Partner Joins Clifford Chance Days After Shearman Merger

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 07, 2024

The unusual move between Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy comes only days after A&O Shearman's historic merger went live.

2 minute read

Commentary

When Global Visions Go Awry

Paul Hodkinson | May 05, 2024

A series of closures in Greater China is calling into question the already shaky notion that law firms need to be everything everywhere, writes the Global Lawyer.

5 minute read

Former Post Office General Counsel Leaves Current GC Role Amid Inquiry Questioning

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 03, 2024

The role of the Post Office's former in-house lawyers is being closely scrutinised at the ongoing Horizon inquiry.

3 minute read

Freshfields Ups NQ Pay To £150K Signalling Potential New Pay War

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 03, 2024

It is the first elite UK-founded firm to raise its pay to US firm NQ pay levels.

2 minute read

Mishcon de Reya Files £250M Group Action Against Uber

Jack Womack | May 03, 2024

The claimants are suing Uber for losses incurred allegedly as a result of unlawful activities by the company in the London taxi market.

2 minute read

UK and US Lawsuits Seek Accountability for Environmental and Financial Justice in the Middle East

Dario Sabaghi | May 02, 2024

The U.K. suit, filed by Hausfeld against oil giant BP, alleges health damages caused by flaring practices, while in the U.S., a class action suit filed against Lebanese financial institutions on behalf of depositors alleges financial misconduct and violations of federal racketeering laws.

3 minute read

Davis Polk Takes Paul Hastings' Former Co-Head of Global Finance in London

Patrick Smith | May 02, 2024

In a statement about Luke McDougall's exit, Paul Hastings expressed confidence in the London office and across the firm generally, citing an uptick in work so far in 2024.

4 minute read

Latest Travers Defection as Infrastructure Partner Joins Sidley

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 02, 2024

The hire comes just one week after the firm lost a pair of private equity partners to Goodwin Procter.

2 minute read

Linklaters, Cuatrecasas, Davis Polk Lead on €2.9B Spanish IPO

Kasvi Sehgal | May 02, 2024

In 2020, the Spanish fragrance and fashion company instructed Baker McKenzie in its acquisition of a majority stake in British skincare and makeup company Charlotte Tilbury.

2 minute read

EY Law Braced For Trio of Departures

Jack Womack | May 02, 2024

In December 2023, EY closed Riverview Law, and also announced that same month that LC Lawyers, the Hong Kong affiliated law firm of EY, would be closing its doors.

2 minute read

How the Post Office Inquiry Has Spotlighted the Difficult CEO-General Counsel Relationship

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 02, 2024

Top GCs react to ex-Post Office GC Susan Crichton's evidence' they ask whether her dilemma point to a wider malaise facing in-house lawyers?

9 minute read

White & Case Adds Former Linklaters Asia Funds Head in Tokyo

Jessica Seah | May 01, 2024

The firm says there is significant interest from global and regional asset management clients to establish funds in Japan and to invest there.

2 minute read

A&O Shearman—How To Know If It's Working

Paul Hodkinson | May 01, 2024

Here are five things to look out for that will offer some insights into the merger's success before any clear financial metrics emerge, writes Law.com International Editor-in-Chief Paul Hodkinson.

6 minute read

Clyde & Co Expands Saudi Presence With Jeddah Launch

Peter Shaw-Smith | May 01, 2024

This week, Law.com International ranked Clydes as the largest international law firm in the region.

3 minute read

Promotions Season Continues Apace as 4 UK Firms Bolster Ranks

Jack Womack | May 01, 2024

Many of the new promotions are made up of salaried, as opposed to equity, partners.

4 minute read

Office Tour: Goodwin Enters Fresh London Digs, Complete with Dance Studio and Cathedral Views

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | May 01, 2024

The Boston-founded firm has moved into a new 90,000 square foot office in the heart of St Paul's, in the latest London office move.

6 minute read

A&O Shearman Goes Live, With New Firm Naming Board and Practice Leaders

Patrick Smith | Jack Womack | May 01, 2024

The combined firm said the broad strokes on leadership, practice structure and compensation have been ironed out.

8 minute read

A&O Shearman Names UK and US Managing Partners

Jack Womack | April 30, 2024

The two firms are set to launch their tie-up officially on May 1.

2 minute read

A&O, Shearman Form $3.5B Firm—Here's How They Got Here

Jack Womack | April 30, 2024

As the merger takes effect, Law.com International traces the journey of the two firms that are now forming one of the world's largest legal institutions.

8 minute read

Germany Moves Digest: Hires for DLA Piper, Goodwin and Morgan Lewis

Cian Muenster | April 30, 2024

DLA Piper has grabbed a pensions team from Advant Beiten, which also lost a team of 25 lawyers to competitor Seitz last year.

3 minute read

Mayer Brown Set to Split With 170-Lawyer Greater China Offices

Jessica Seah | April 30, 2024

The firm's Hong Kong office is one of the largest operations run by an international law firm, but has been hit by a market downturn, data security risks and a political saga.

5 minute read

White & Case, Linklaters Swap India Experts in Singapore, London

Kasvi Sehgal | Jessica Seah | April 29, 2024

White & Case has hired Savi Hebbur from Linklaters in London, while Sayak Maity exited White & Case for Linklaters in Singapore.

4 minute read

Ranking

Ranked: The Largest Law Firms Across the Middle East, 2024

Peter Shaw-Smith | April 29, 2024

Law.com International has spent months researching the largest firms in the region, with the data showing most firms have grown their headcounts over the last year on the back of a strong local market.

5 minute read

BHP, Vale Offer $26B to Settle 2015 Brazilian Mining Disaster

Amy Guthrie | April 29, 2024

Plaintiffs firm Pogust Goodhead says the mining groups would still face claims brought by victims in London even if they settle with Brazilian authorities.

2 minute read

Vietnam's Anti-Corruption Campaign Has Slowed Legal Approvals, Stymying Deal Flow

Natasha Teja | April 29, 2024

A more measured approach by investors and authorities has prompted longer due diligence processes.

6 minute read

BHP Group General Counsel Steps Down

Jack Womack | April 29, 2024

A former Herbert Smith Freehills partner is taking on the high profile position at the mining company.

2 minute read

Fancy Offices Are a Big Gamble

Krishnan Nair | April 29, 2024

Law firms are attempting to subvert the remote working narrative by taking on uber-modern real estate—but it does little to address the culture question.

5 minute read

Clifford Chance Promotes 29 in Latest Partner Promotions Round

Kasvi Sehgal | April 29, 2024

The latest figures note a slight dip from the previous two promotion rounds, which saw the firm promote 32 lawyers in 2023 and 37 lawyers in 2022.

2 minute read

Ashurst Hires Noerr Partner in Brussels to Lead International Trade Litigation and Regulatory Practice

Rick Mitchell | April 28, 2024

Increasing geopolitical threats have swelled client demand for advice on international trade law, Ashurst said.

2 minute read

US PE Raids UK Plc: Kirkland, Latham in Charge Again as Thoma Bravo Agrees £4.3B Takeover of Darktrace

Kasvi Sehgal | April 26, 2024

Its the latest example of Big Law-assisted US PE giants coming for UK listed businesses.

2 minute read

Quinn Emanuel Cements Saudi Arabia Presence

Peter Shaw-Smith | April 26, 2024

Major law firms have been drawn by the irresistible pull of Saudi economic growth.

3 minute read

Herbert Smith, Norton Rose and CDH Make Key Hires to South Africa Offices

Alfred Olufemi | April 26, 2024

HSF hires from Freshfields while Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has named the former chief operating officer of the competition tribunal in South Africa as a director.

3 minute read

HFW Hits Eversheds Paris for 2-Partner-Led Arbitration Team

Jack Womack | April 26, 2024

HFW's latest hire means that the firm has now added 30 partners across its international network since the beginning of the financial year April 2023.

2 minute read

Are Chinese Firms Sidelining Big Law on Hong Kong Listings Work?

Jessica Seah | April 25, 2024

The sole legal advisers to issuers on many Hong Kong Stock Exchange IPOs are Greater China-based law firms. Big Law can't compete with Chinese firms on fees and justify the low margins that come with the listings, which are much smaller than the billion-dollar deals they handled in the past.

4 minute read

US Leads the Way in DLA Piper Partner Promotions

Jack Womack | April 25, 2024

It becomes the latest major firm to announce a reduced round of promotions for 2024 in comparison to the cohorts seen in 2023.

4 minute read

Withers Gathers Class Action Suit Against Cord Blood Bank in Singapore

Jessica Seah | April 25, 2024

The scope of the claims may extend beyond mere refunds, touching on complex issues related to the loss of potential life-saving treatments, Withers said.

3 minute read

Haleon General Counsel Joins Saudi Aramco

Kasvi Sehgal | April 25, 2024

With top tier experience at pharma giant GSK and Pearson, Aramco's new hire won GC of the year at the 2017 British Legal Awards.

2 minute read

Goodwin Procter Adds Travers Smith Private Equity Duo

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | April 25, 2024

This is the latest set of departures from Travers Smith, which faced several exits last year.

2 minute read

2 Spanish Firms Break €90M in 2023 Global Revenue

Alex D'Elia | April 25, 2024

ECIJA brought in big-name clients like Spotify and Amazon through its alliance with Taylor Wessing.

2 minute read

Women & Alcohol in the Legal Industry: Denial, Stereotypes, and Stigma

Brooke Welch | April 24, 2024

'I justified my drinking based on the stress of my work. I sought others who drank like me for superficial camaraderie.'

5 minute read

Slaughter and May Makes Rare Hire with Freshfields Pensions Partner

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | April 24, 2024

The long-time partner will join as senior counsel in September.

2 minute read

Kirkland v Latham: Blackstone Swings Into Hipgnosis Deal to Rival Apollo Bid

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | April 24, 2024

The deal pits the world's largest private equity firms and their Big Law legal advisers against one another.

2 minute read

Maples Group Relocates to Neuroinclusive London Office

Jack Womack | April 24, 2024

The proportion of the population who are neurodiverse is put, in some studies, at between 15 and 20%.

2 minute read

Troubled Economic Fortunes Spell Opportunity for Specialist Lawyers in Hong Kong

Tony Sabine | April 23, 2024

The downturn in the Chinese property sector is creating new prospects in Hong Kong, both for firms looking to cash in on the need for professionals with expertise in restructuring and insolvency and for a city looking to cement its status as a legal hub.

5 minute read

'We See Them as Future Partners': Simmons Launches Associate Council for 'Next Gen' Leaders

Kasvi Sehgal | April 23, 2024

The council, which involves a 'rigorous' selection process and video applications, will provide strategic advice to the firm's executive committee.

3 minute read

Ashurst Breaks Partner Promotions Record for Third Year Running

Habiba Cullen-Jafar | April 23, 2024

The firm has added 30 new lawyers to its partnership across 12 different offices and 14 practices.

3 minute read

Jones Day Adds Banking Partner Duo in Australia

Christopher Niesche | April 23, 2024

Firm plans to expand its transaction capability in Australia.

2 minute read

Charles Russell Speechlys Takes Hong Kong Quartet From Soon-To-Close KPMG Affiliate

Jessica Seah | April 23, 2024

The UK-based private client firm recently hired partners from the Singapore offices of Butler Snow and King & Spalding.

3 minute read

Another Chinese Beverage Company Pushes to Revive Hong Kong Market with Billion-Dollar IPO

Jessica Seah | April 23, 2024

Advised by Clifford Chance, Jingtian & Gongcheng and Harneys, China Resources Beverage has filed for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

3 minute read

A&O and Shearman Continue Lateral Hiring as Merger Date Approaches

Patrick Smith | April 22, 2024

Both law firms have continued to add, and lose, partners in the lead-up to the merger.

4 minute read

Addleshaws, Simmons Announce Latest Promotion Rounds

Kasvi Sehgal | April 22, 2024

In its largest ever promotions round, Addleshaws has elevated 26 lawyers to partnership, while Simmons promotes 11.

2 minute read