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International Edition

CC looks to expand African reach with further office launches

Clifford Chance (CC) is considering opening further offices in Africa after becoming one of three top 10 City law firms to announce plans to open in Morocco within the last month. The firm, which along with Norton Rose last week confirmed plans to follow Allen & Overy (A&O) into Casablanca later this year, said that the launch of its first African office could be followed by other openings on the continent.
3 minute read

International Edition

Lockstep 2.0: time to upgrade a trusty model

There seems to be something of a queue forming of firms looking to move away from a rigid lockstep partnership. This trend has been underway for years at mid-tier practices, but it goes further than that. Allen & Overy morphed into a managed lockstep years ago, while Clifford Chance deploys a salaried rank that it uses heavily for flexibility and a super-point pool that it doesn't. Now it seems that Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer – long standard-bearers of lockstep partnership – are exploring means to usher in more flexibility. It's surely a sensible development. The modern concept of lockstep is a curiously dogmatic thing, in many ways unsuited to the demands of the global law firm. For one, the gap between bottom and top earners is far too narrow to accommodate varying global markets. Lockstep is also out of, well, step with demographic changes, increasing the pressure for older partners to retire due to the punishing workloads that come with plateau earnings. Also problematic is its relationship with profits per equity partner (PEP). Combined slavishly, lockstep and PEP can lead firms to bend their business painfully to achieve arbitrary targets.
3 minute read

International Edition

Nabarro votes in corporate partner to succeed Paradise at helm of firm

Nabarro has appointed corporate partner Andrew Inkester as the firm's new managing partner, after current incumbent Nicole Paradise stepped down following 12 years in the role. Inkester, who joined the firm when legacy practice Turner Kenneth Brown merged with Nabarro Nathanson in 1995, was initially put forward for the role by senior partner and fellow corporate lawyer Simon Johnston.
2 minute read

International Edition

O'Melveny names litigation head as new chair

O'Melveny & Myers has named New York-based litigation head Bradley Butwin as its new chair, writes The Am Law Daily. The 51-year old Butwin will succeed current O'Melveny chair Arthur Culvahouse, who has held the position since 2000.
3 minute read

International Edition

Norton Rose becomes latest UK firm to confirm Casablanca launch plans

Norton Rose is set to open an office in Casablanca, making it the third top 10 UK firm to announce a Moroccan launch in the last two weeks. The office, which will open in September, marks the firm's second foray into the African continent this year, after its merger with South Africa's Deneys Reitz went live on 1 June.
3 minute read

International Edition

Employee Satisfaction Survey 2011

In a professional services environment, people issues carry great strategic weight. Fee earners represent a law firm's stock in trade. In essence, they are the firm's only source of sustainable competitive advantage. Yet law firms have had a chequered history when it comes to staff retention. This study will examine 37 performance dimensions which will provide you with a robust analysis of employee engagement levels within your firm. The survey will also identify the motivations of the country's top assistants and explore how well those needs are being met in the current climate. The report, with analysis from our expert panel, will provide you with a powerful HRM tool to improve staff retention and enable you to benchmark your firm against your closest competitors.
2 minute read

International Edition

US briefing

How law firms should deal with lawyers who want to take on contentious cases; the US Supreme Court's 'pro business' stance is questioned; and a general counsel hotline helping new in-house lawyers
1 minute read

International Edition

Olswang set for Singapore launch as firm targets global integration

Olswang has applied for a licence to open in Singapore as the firm heralds international integration as one of its key themes for 2011-12. The firm applied for a Singapore licence last month with a view to launching later this year, with the new base set to focus on commercial, corporate and international arbitration work.
2 minute read

International Edition

Slaughters and Freshfields appoint new Asia management

Slaughter and May has appointed a new Beijing office head as long-serving partner George Goulding prepares to retire after 36 years at the firm. Hong Kong corporate partner Lisa Chung is set to take up the role of Beijing head when Goulding, who has led Slaughters' Beijing arm since it opened in September 2009, steps down later this year.
2 minute read

International Edition

Bird & Bird to target international expansion and key clients in three-year plan

Bird & Bird has put international expansion and client relationships at the centre of its three-year strategic plan. The firm is earmarking Asia and the Middle East as targets for growth, with team expansion and office launches forming key parts of the plan, which will run from June 2011 to 2014.
2 minute read

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