NEXT
Sign in to follow

International Edition

The rod delusion - why 'being more ruthless' isn't much of a strategy for law firms

It has become a truism when looking at what ails a law firm, particularly one struggling to keep up with rivals, to argue that the solution is simple: be more ruthless. The logic is that if these sleepy firms could only kick the collective rear of their partnership – and kick out a fair chunk of underperformers – then the law firm would achieve its true greatness. Certainly, the 'don't spare the rod' school is frequently espoused by journalists, who then tend to moan when the suitably toughened firm starts firing staff (I'm sure historically Legal Week has been an offender on this regard – apologies).
3 minute read

International Edition

Keeping an open mind about going open plan

The last 12 months have seen a number of law firms moving to new offices, with many signing 15 or 20-year leases. No-one can doubt that the legal market is going to change radically during that time, and no-one can be sure what the landscape will look like in 2031.
4 minute read

International Edition

All being equal - the impact of the Government's equality agenda on employment law

In December 2010, the Government published its equality strategy – Building a fairer Britain – which is founded on the principles of equal treatment and equal opportunity. Interestingly, the strategy envisages tackling all inequalities including those not currently protected by legislation, eg, class inequalities. To achieve this, the strategy recognises the need to move from legislation-based solutions and the strand-based approach, focusing instead on the individual.
10 minute read

International Edition

Ex-Barlows chief exec Evans takes on 'brand and talent' role at RPC

Former Barlow Lyde & Gilbert chief executive Clint Evans is joining Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) to lead the firm's business development department. Evans is set to join RPC next month as director of brand and talent, a role that will see him working alongside HR director Sally Andrews and knowledge management director Andrew Woolfson, with responsibility for leading the business development team.
2 minute read

International Edition

Linklaters names partner duo as US co-heads

Linklaters has appointed new co-managing partners for its US practice, as incumbents Larry Byrne and Nick Rees step down. Conrado Tenaglia and Jeff Norton have been appointed as of 1 May for a four-year term. Norton, who will continue in his role as US banking co-head alongside his new responsibilities, has been at Linklaters since 2005 when he joined from US outfit O'Melveny & Myers. Meanwhile, Tenaglia relocated to the New York office earlier this year from his role as co-managing partner for Linklaters in Spain. He was previously based in the firm's US office from 2001 to 2003 before moving to Madrid.
2 minute read

International Edition

Former Bar Council chair Nicholas Green QC to co-lead Brick Court

Brick Court Chambers has named a new joint head in the wake of Jonathan Sumption QC's appointment to the Supreme Court. The set has appointed former Bar Council chair Nicholas Green QC to lead the Chambers alongside existing joint-head Jonathan Hirst QC.
2 minute read

International Edition

Stibbe partner takes Herbert Smith alliance role as firms target greater integration

Herbert Smith and alliance partners Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe have appointed a secretary general to manage the relationship, in a bid to improve integration between the three firms.Stibbe Brussels managing partner Olivier Clevenbergh is set to take up the new role on 1 July for a three-year term
2 minute read

International Edition

Insolvency specialist takes up senior partner position at Wedlake Bell

Wedlake Bell has elected a new senior partner, with corporate insolvency specialist Martin Arnold taking on the role after a contested vote. Arnold, who has spent his whole career with the City firm since joining in 1987, stood against property litigator Simon Freeman and media practice head Andrew Joyce to assume the role for a five-year term.
2 minute read

International Edition

New Linklaters senior partner to review flexibility of firm's lockstep

Linklaters could be set to back away from its decision to reduce its international salaried partner rank following the election of former banking chief Robert Elliott as the magic circle firm's new senior partner. Elliott, who saw off litigation chief John Turnbull and European managing partner Jean-Pierre Blumberg to win the role last week (2 May), is planning to consider making the firm's partner remuneration system more flexible – looking at both the lockstep and the 
salaried or national partner rank.
2 minute read

International Edition

Simmons revamps partnership as new chief reviews strategy

Simmons & Simmons is set to introduce a new tier of fixed-share partners in a move that will give some of the firm's non-equity partners voting rights for the first time. The introduction of a three-tier partnership was approved by partners last month (27 April) and is one of the first key decisions by new managing partner Jeremy Hoyland, who formally took over from Mark Dawkins on 1 May.
3 minute read

TRENDING STORIES

Law Pro Logo

Featured Firms

Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C.

(470) 294-1674

Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone

(857) 444-6468

Smith & Hassler

(713) 739-1250

More from ALM

More from ALM

Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what’s happening in the legal industry.

Resources

  • Why Embracing Change Is Essential for Your Legal Department

    Brought to you by DiliTrust

    Download Now

  • International Export and Trade Assistance State Law Survey

    Brought to you by LexisNexis®

    Download Now

  • How This Personal Injury Firm Reduced Client Intake Time by 80%

    Brought to you by PracticePanther

    Download Now

  • The Hidden Cost of Bad Reviews: Why Law Firms & Attorneys Can't Afford a Damaged Online Reputation

    Brought to you by Erase.com

    Download Now