Weekly, End of Year Update, 2024
Moves:
The legal market has been rife with moves all year round, with experts reporting increasingly high numbers of hires this year, both in terms of private practice and in house. Within the in-house market, we saw big brands and leading companies appointing new talent and legal leaders. Examples include government groups, F1, Porsche, Disney, and Sky. These hires highlight the growth of cross industry mobility. Thought leadership has shown that many are viewing the role of the lawyer as an expanding one, and these in house moves corroborate this idea, with lawyers transitioning between different sectors such as technology, finance, automotive, and entertainment.
Furthermore, the UK was deemed to be a competitive growth hub for law firms in critical areas. For example, US firms such as Perkins Coie quickly built up their practices after launching in London this year and A&O Shearman wasted no time investing in their London offering. Additionally, Cooley hired top tier talent to reinforce some of their market leading practices, and White & Case bolstered their real estate, private equity, and antitrust sectors. Overall, UK firms grew through the acquisition of each other’s notable leading lawyers and by taking on new practice heads in established fields such as corporate and private equity.
Furthermore, law firms in the Asia-Pacific area have bolstered their energy, finance, and dispute resolution offerings. Strategic moves such as that of Skadden’s Asia disputes head and a K&L Gates’ energy partner in Singapore have shown that even as UK based firms abandon their offices in China, other parts of Asia have benefited from lateral partner hiring. Firms like Kirkland and Jones Day have also expanded their specialised offerings in parts of Asia through key areas like structured finance and corporate tax.
Within the Middle East and Europe, the story is not dissimilar. There has been an increased level of hiring activity within TMT and corporate practices. This has been corroborated by high-profile moves, such as Bird & Bird’s tech hire and CMS’ Saudi corporate head. Additionally, firms such as Al Tamimi have strategically invested in that market by onboarding experienced partners, emphasizing their commitment to dominating the market.
In Europe, we have witnessed various duo and team moves in locations such as Paris, Frankfurt, Dublin and Amsterdam over the last few months at firms such as Eversheds and HSF in their technology and banking & finance teams. Speaking of teams, we have borne witness to some fantastic team moves, both in terms of quality and the sheer number of lawyers involved, with reports showing moves with up to 47 and 51 key lawyers involved. These occurred throughout the world in locations such as Singapore, India, Paris, and parts of the USA. Such moves signal firms’ desire to scale quickly in competitive markets by acquiring established teams with specialized expertise.
Overall, it is clear that there has been a dynamic legal market with corporations and firms taking strategic measures to attain top quality talent, expand geographically strengthen capabilities, and capitalise on emerging sectors. We look forward to seeing what the new year brings by way of moves.
The Americas
White & Case Lures DLA Piper’s Vice Chair for FDA Regulation
Peter Carney, chairman of White & Case’s life sciences and health care sector group, stated that Bethany Hills’ FDA regulatory skills “are a crucial component to maintaining a top global life sciences offering.”
Clifford Chance Steps Up US Expansion with O’Melveny Duo
The UK-founded firm added private equity partner David Schultz and restructuring partner Matthew Hinker. They arrive as the U.K.-founded firm continue in their efforts to break the U.S. market.
Paul Weiss M&A Co-Chair Heads to White & Case
Taurie Zeitzer has joined White & Case’s Private Equity group in New York from Paul Weiss where she was co-head of the M&A group.
Greenberg Traurig Hires 2 GCs to Boost Corporate, PE and Compliance Practices
To bolster the company’s competencies in these domains, Patrick Kassen, formerly of Link Logistics, and Matthew Bromberg, formerly of Exchange Traded Managers Group, were added as additional shareholders.
Freshfields Hires Skadden’s New York Head of Tax
Freshfields Bruckhaus & Deringer added Steven Matays, the head of the New York tax practice at Skadden, Arps, Meagher, Slate & Flom.
Paul Hastings Hires White & Case Partner as Co-Chair of International Arbitration Practice
Jonathan Hamilton oversaw White & Case’s arbitration practice in Latin America before he joined Paul Hastings.
UK & Ireland
Pinsent Masons Hits K&L Gates for Double Partner Hire
To expand its London real estate portfolio, Pinsent Mason brought on two new partners. Partners Tim Webb and Emma Maher left K&L Gates to join the firm’s real estate practice. The two are experts in providing corporate real estate advice, especially in the residential build-to-rent market.
White & Case Builds London Funds Practice with Ropes & Gray Partner
According to a firm release, secondaries partner Alexandra Chauvin, who worked at Rope for three years, joined as a partner in White & Case’s global private equity industry group and investment funds practice.
US law firm Perkins Coie hires Ian Bagshaw for London launch
Perkins Coie, a US law firm, were establishing its presence in London with the hiring of heavyweight private equity lawyer Ian Bagshaw.
Cooley Taps Norton Rose’s London Antitrust Head
Mark Simpson, the head of antitrust and competition at Norton Rose, joined the Palo Alto-based company after more than 15 years there, ten of those as a partner.
EMEA
Bird & Bird swoops on Al Tamimi for tech partner
As a partner at Al Tamimi & Company, Nick O’Connell oversaw the company’s technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) practice in Saudi Arabia. He joined Bird & Bird in Dubai, where he will assist the company’s technology clients with their Middle Eastern business requirements.
Herbert Smith Freehills Hires Pair of Paris TMT Leaders from Eversheds
Emmanuel Ronco and Vincent Denoyelle, partners at HSF, have moved in efforts to guide clients through an increasingly digital environment.
CMS taps Clyde & Co for Saudi corporate head
Rizwan Osman joined the firm’s Riyadh office from Clyde & Co, where he spent over 17 years.
Al Tamimi adds two UAE partners, including ex-Eversheds Dubai MP
Henry Storrar has joined the firm’s Abu Dhabi office as a corporate partner, and Paul Taylor has joined the Dubai office as a partner and regional head of arbitration.
APAC
K&L Gates Hires Energy Partner from Gibson Dunn in Singapore
Brad Roach, a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, joined K&L Gates in Singapore as an energy, infrastructure, and resources partner. Alexandra Jones, an associate who has been with Gibson Dunn for seven years, went with him.
Skadden adds Asia disputes head from Sidley
Prior to joining, Friven Yeoh co-led Sidley’s worldwide advocacy, trade, and arbitration group. He is leading Skadden’s Asian international litigation and arbitration group. Yeoh has been dividing his time between the Hong Kong & Singapore offices.
Long-time HFW partner joins Addleshaw Goddard as SG head
Energy specialist Chanaka Kumarasinghe, who has spent his whole 22-year career with HFW, has been appointed as the head of Addleshaw Goddard’s Singapore office.
Team Moves
Eversheds Adds Three Finance Lawyers in Amsterdam
With the addition of three attorneys from independent firm Rutgers Posch, Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its finance practice. The UK firm’s Amsterdam branch is now home to senior associate Maarten Ahsmann, partner Vasco Hoving, and senior partner Kees Westermann.
14 A&O Shearman Lawyers in South Africa to Join Bowmans
According to Ezra Davids, senior partner and chair of Bowmans, the partner changes were in line with the firm’s strategic goal of becoming the “go to” African law practice for clients seeking advice on complicated legal matters.
Hogan Lovells Hires 23 M&A Lawyers from Orrick in Italy
According to Orrick, the departures, which also included another exit to BonelliErede, were a strategy of the firm’s ambition to offer sector-specific counsel.
Orrick Faces Second Major Blow as 15-Strong Team Joins BonelliErede in Italy
With a 15-person Milan team leaving the company for Italian giant BonelliErede, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Italian division experienced two raids in two weeks.
In-House
Porsche’s Venture Capital Arm Adds General Counsel from Clifford Chance
Early-career attorney Lynn Nussbaum took the legal reins of Porsche Ventures as it presses forward on its next phase of growth.
Former HSBC Litigation lawyer is taking the legal reigns of Post Office Ltd
Daniel Chumbley left HSBC where he was Managing Associate General Counsel, to take on the position of Head of Legal at Post Office Ltd, prior to this he has also held positions at DLA Piper and DAC Beachcroft.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Hires Disney Lawyer as General Counsel
CEO Tony Vinciquerra asserted that Jill Ratner will “help us meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry landscape and to capitalize on opportunities for growth.”
Tesla Rival Taps Mercedes-Benz GC for Top Lawyer Job
Matt Everitt the new legal chief was reported as saying “Lucid’s products set an incredibly high bar for automotive companies, and I’m energized to join at a time when the company is poised to expand further”.
Promotions and Appointments
Through our analysis of promotions and appointments week on week, we have observed various trends across the legal market. For example, we saw firms focussing on continuity, maintaining experienced individuals in leadership roles, such as Michael Heller at Cozen O’Connor, who was re-elected as CEO for a 5th term, whereas Kennedys is transitioning leadership after Nick Thomas’s long tenure.
Many of these leadership shifts also involve regional or geographic emphasis, such as DLA Piper’s growing presence in Oman, or Herbert Smith Freehills’ strengthening of its Africa operations. Dentons is similarly focusing on regional leadership by appointing a new head for its Ottawa office, while Baker McKenzie appointed a new practice head in India. Global law firms are heavily investing in expanding into regions of high economic growth, such as Asia and Africa, which is evident from leadership appointments like Denise Jong succeeding a 30-year veteran at Reed Smith in Asia.
A noticeable trend is the integration of technology and innovation into leadership roles, as shown by McDermott Will & Emery’s hiring of its first Director of AI Innovation. As law firms continue to adapt to the evolutions in technology, there is a growing trend of appointing individuals focused on AI, data analytics, and other tech-focussed practices. Litera’s return of Avaneesh Marwaha as CEO, right before a major launch of AI products, exemplifies how leadership is closely tied to strategic growth in the legal tech space.
Several firms are prioritising diversity in their leadership structures. For example, Kilpatrick appointed ten new partners for 2025, with a strong emphasis on female representation in fields like commercial litigation and intellectual property. The trend towards diversifying leadership is consistent with the growing recognition of gender and ethnic diversity’s role in firm success.
Firms like Reed Smith, Kirkland, and Latham & Watkins are all seeing reduced partner promotion classes, suggesting a more conservative approach to growth amid economic uncertainty or business strategy shifts. This trend is notable as it contrasts with the prior years’ emphasis on rapid expansion and shows a more cautious, deliberate approach to growth.
DLA Piper unveils 63-strong partner promotion round
CMS makes up 54 in latest partner promotions round
Linklaters promotes 27 to partner as gender diversity target on track for fourth year
Freshfields Promotes 23 to Global Partnership
Sidley Austin Elects Biggest Class of Partners in Firm History
A&O Shearman Names UK and US Managing Partners
Fifty-six partners appointed in Norton Rose Fulbright’s class of 2025
Financials
The legal sector faces a dynamic financial landscape, enabled by inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and ongoing competition for talent. Clifford Chance’s investment in an increase in personnel at all levels has resulted in lower partner payouts, a reflection of how difficult it is to maintain profitability with increased resources. On the other hand, Eversheds Sutherland’s £3 million partner payout has shown strategic sense in ensuring competitive rewards. These contrasting approaches highlight the industry’s need to strike a balance between cost savings and talent retention in an increasingly competitive market.
Growth in revenues among the largest firms continues to be very strong, with the top 50 firms posting a 14% gain in 2024. This growth, driven by a 3.6% demand surge and productivity gains of 2.9%, has enabled firms to implement the most significant increases in hourly rates in the last decade. This has tipped the balance in pricing power back to firms, and corporate law departments are seeking creative cost-control strategies. These include alternative fee arrangements, partnerships with alternative legal service providers, and the strategic use of staffing ratios to reduce reliance on higher-cost senior lawyers.
Meanwhile, the dynamics of talent are rebalancing compensation trends: Magic Circle firms like Clifford Chance and Linklaters have increased their NQ solicitor salaries to £150,000, while Goodwin Procter has gone even higher with £175,000. Such pay rises reflect the ferocity of the competition for legal talent, but raises concerns about the sustainability of such an investment in lawyers over the longer term. The more the costs rise, the more businesses look to technology, operational efficiencies, and flexible workforce models to balance profitability with customer satisfaction.
This is a continuously changing environment that requires ongoing innovation and strategic foresight. Firms need to handle not only the immediate pressures of finances but also position themselves for long-term growth through retaining trust with clients and adapting to the changing market demands. The future of the legal profession will be shaped by how well it navigates these challenges with resilience and forward-looking perspectives.
Clifford Chance Top Earner Pockets Less as Staff Numbers, Costs Swell
Eversheds Top Earner Pay Surpasses £3 Million, LLPs Show
As Billing Rates Soar, Law Firm Clients Move to Spread Work Around
Should US Law Firms Offer 20% Less Pay for 20% Less Work?
GC Pay Is Improving, But It’s Still Mission Impossible
A Steady Litigation Year Helped Drive Big Law Revenue Gains
The Future of Partner Compensation: How Profit-Sharing Systems Shape the Firm’s Culture and Success
An Early Look: The 2024 Am Law 200 Financials
‘Slightly alarming’ – Clifford Chance, Linklaters, A&O Shearman match Freshfields’ NQ £150k pay hike
Goodwin Latest Firm to Raise NQ Salaries to £170k as Pay War Looms
Paul Weiss Matches Market Leading London NQ Pay, Launches Training Contract
‘Strength of the Market’: Big Law Revenue, Demand Continue to Climb
Office Openings and Closings
The London legal market in 2023 was the result of two strategies. Firms headquartered in the United States demonstrated aggressive growth, with investments in high-end, modern office space reflecting a long-term commitment to the city as a strategic hub. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s move to 100 Bishopsgate, as well as Debevoise & Plimpton’s new 70,000-square-foot premises, point to increased capacity and technological sophistication for top-tier talent. In contrast, UK-based firms have been more restrained, reducing office space to contain rising operation costs. This pullback reflects caution as local firms become more focused on cost efficiency due to economic pressures. The divergence emphasises London’s role in the legal market as not just a battleground for legal dominance but also as a site of recalibration for firms looking to assess their 2025 strategies.
Globally, U.S. law firms have continued to expand in 2024, leveraging strong financial performance to expand both geographically and operationally. Firms in the Am Law 200 took advantage of rising demand and productivity gains, investing heavily in talent acquisition and office infrastructure. The trend of US firms expanding their London footprint reflects their strategic vision of London as a gateway to Europe and a critical platform for cross-border business. Domestically, the closure of midsize and boutique firms reflected the growing dominance of larger firms with more diverse service offerings and financial stability. These dynamics demonstrate the growing concentration of legal power in the hands of a few large players, raising the stakes for smaller businesses attempting to compete in a changing market.
Looking to EMEA, exits from Asia by several international firms have changed the landscape of that market. Asia, while rich with opportunities, presents unique regulatory and competitive challenges that have proven difficult for many global firms to navigate effectively in a slower legal market. Firms like Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts have already exited the Greater China region completely. Last year, Herbert Smith Freehills closed in Seoul, while Mayer Brown and Kennedys closed in Thailand.
Nonetheless, the market remains an interesting site of activity, as amid closures, Watson Farley & Williams launched an office in Seoul and Clyde & Co opened an office in Thailand. On the client side, companies such as Bain Capital have announced plans to double investment in Japan. Though, at the moment, it seems the legal market here is in a state of exodus, this signals that for firms committed to the region, the exits of competitors may present opportunities to capture market share, provided they are willing to navigate its complexities. There is also a prediction that, as the market eventually begins to pick up again, we may see firms replenishing their headcounts and re-entering the market, as many still remain in the region though with a smaller footprint.
Speaking of closures, the shuttering of several midsize and boutique firms in 2023 marked a significant shift in the legal landscape. Firms such as Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis and Ward Greenberg failed due to a combination of financial pressures, leadership vacancies, and an inability to compete with larger players. Leadership transitions proved particularly difficult, with firms such as Dolchin Slotkin & Todd and Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer failing after senior leaders retired without successors in place. Meanwhile, others suffered financial difficulties, including Phoenix-based Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, which defaulted on large credit lines. These closures highlight the vulnerability of midsized and boutique businesses to economic pressures, talent poaching, and operational inefficiencies. They also emphasise the importance of strong leadership pipelines and financial discipline in navigating an increasingly competitive landscape.
Overall, ahead of 2025, we have seen global activity that will be instrumental in shaping firm strategies and revenues for the year ahead.
Looking Back at the Law Firms That Didn’t Survive 2023
From Stroock to Schnader, firms that failed struggled with common issues of recruitment, retention and financial obligations.
More Law Firms in New York Opt for Larger Spaces
Paul Weiss and King & Spalding are among the latest firms to secure new, larger spaces in New York.
Weil, Pillsbury Eye London Office Moves Amid US Firm Upsizing Trend
A contrast in opinions toward hybrid working have seen several U.K-led firms downsizing while their U.S.-founded counterparts take up larger spaces.
International law firms have been launching offices in the U.S. and paying top dollar for talent in the world’s largest and most lucrative legal market. But growth potential exists elsewhere, and firms shouldn’t give the rest of the world short shrift, writes The Global Lawyer.
Clyde & Co Moves Middle East Regional HQ to Saudi Arabia
International law firms have long regarded Dubai as their de facto Middle East headquarters, however two of the region’s four largest law firms are now headquartered in Riyadh.
Chinese Law Firms Announced 40 New Offices in 12 Months. Will the Investment Pay Off?
Chinese law firms are expanding rapidly within China, however top-tier Chinese firms have focused outward, to international markets. With the Chinese cross-border deal market growing increasingly quiet, questions arise as to whether these firms pivot toward mainland expansion?
Clyde & Co Expands Saudi Presence With Jeddah Launch
The new office will be led by corporate and advisory partner Mohammed Almarzouki, who is a certified lawyer in Saudi Arabia, a trained solicitor in England and Wales, and an attorney in New York. He joined Clyde & Co in 2023 and has over a decade of experience assisting Saudi and multinational firms, as well as family businesses in Jeddah.
Bird & Bird’s former London arbitration head launches own practice
Nick Peacock, the former head of Bird & Bird’s international arbitration business in London, has established Peacock Arbitration, a solo firm.
Kirkland Opens New Office with Latham M&A Partner Hire
Kirkland & Ellis has expanded its transactional business in Germany by hiring M&A partner Tobias Larisch from Latham & Watkins and opening a new office in Frankfurt.
Wave of Office Closures Highlights the Weighty Stakes Surrounding Law Firm Growth
Major Lindsey & Africa consultant Jennifer Moss said, “Just because a certain legal market is hot does not mean that you should be there.”
Mergers and Alliances
Mergers and alliances have hit the global legal market like a wave in 2024, with scale, geographic reach, and integrated service offerings becoming increasingly important. The highly publicized merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, which went live on May 1, marked an important turning point in the industry. The merger created A&O Shearman, a $3.5 billion law firm with close to 4,000 lawyers and 47 offices worldwide, second in size only to rivals Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins.
The secrecy surrounding the A&O Shearman merger surprised many, especially in light of Shearman’s earlier, highly publicized but ultimately unsuccessful talks with Hogan Lovells. Yet, the inevitability of the combination reflected the firms’ complementary strengths and a shared vision of providing seamless transatlantic services in critical practice areas. The successful execution of this merger not only positions A&O Shearman as a global powerhouse but also sets a benchmark for future alliances in the legal sector.
This landmark deal is part of a larger increase in law firm mergers in 2024. In the first half of the year, 29 mergers were completed, a slight increase over previous years and testament to firms’ determination to strengthen their market positions. While no other merger had the scale of A&O Shearman, regional consolidations demonstrated a similar drive for growth and resilience. Examples are of Midwest firms Ulmer & Berne and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale combined to create UB Greensfelder, a 275-lawyer firm aimed at bolstering their presence in the region
Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord will merge in January 2025, forming Troutman Pepper Locke, a 1,600-attorney firm with a strong presence in the ten largest legal markets in the United States. The transatlantic allure remains strong, with Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel announcing plans to merge, resulting in a $2 billion revenue firm with over 2,700 lawyers in 25 offices, reinforcing the need for global scale and integrated services in an increasingly interconnected legal market.
While the pace of mergers has remained steady, the nature of these deals highlights the strategic priorities of the industry. Firms are not only seeking growth but are also aligning their mergers with broader goals, including geographic expansion, talent acquisition, and client-focused innovations. The industry-wide trend is toward larger, integrated, entities that reflect increasing complexity both in client needs and from competitive pressures driving firms towards creativity.
The mergers in 2024 demonstrate an unmistakable trajectory for the profession: those that embrace collaboration, scale, and strategic vision will be best prepared to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing market.
Law Firm Mergers Began With a Boutique Bash. Will the Party Continue in 2024?
Consolidation and Competition: The Law Firm Merger Market and What It Means for Midsize Law Firms
With High Interest in Law Firm Acquisitions, ‘A Likely Uptick’ in Mergers Underway
After Law Firm Merger Activity Rose Again, Combinations Expected to Increase Into 2025
Smaller firms falling out of love with merger, research finds – Legal Futures
Partner Cuts: The Grim Reality of Post-Merger Integration
When It Comes to Law Firm Mergers, Are Firm Leaders Getting FOMO?
Herbert Smith Freehills to Merge with Kramer Levin
Tech and Innovation
This year, discussions surrounding technology, in particular AI, have remained pervasive. With firms and external companies investing time and resources to develop AI tools for legal drafting and due diligence. Many of these companies have invested millions of dollars into the production of tools and startups which provide advanced services.
Additionally, throughout the year there have been discussions regarding the efficacy of investment into AI. Some argue that there is an unknown element regarding the long-term effects of AI technology of AI in law firms as well as a lack of enforcement of legislation. This combined with AI’s widespread use within the global market has deemed as risky by many experts if AI’s implementation remains unchecked. They also point out the risk of becoming reliant on these forms of innovations for companies.
On the other hand, others are excited about how AI can make the lives of lawyers easier. The light has been shone on the wider impact it can have within firms with younger, incoming lawyers being trained at firms such as Latham and Watkins and Travers Smith to use AI effectively in order to ensure they can keep up with the rapidly changing technology. Moreover, reports have surfaced about smaller regional firms in the USA and firms within Asia slightly lagging behind causing many to wonder how they plan to close the gap in this regard.
Additionally, over the last year we have borne witness to the effects technology can have on social dynamics within law firms as discussions have shown that the recent technological revolution has created an environment where lawyers towards the more senior end of their career feeling slightly alienated.
Overall, it is clear that this year, within the legal industry, the use of AI has been established, has been heavily invested in by firms and external companies, and that it is not likely to decline within the coming year.
How Latham & Watkins Is Using Online Training to Expand the Legal Pipeline
Linklaters launches AI sandbox to drive innovation
New Research Study Predicts Continued Growth for Generative AI in Legal
UK Startup Wexler AI Announces $1.4M Preseed Funding
As Gen AI Acceptance Grows, Lawyers Race to Mitigate Risks
Agency Leaders Accept They Must Use Existing Law to Regulate Artificial Intelligence
Global Firms’ Asia Offices Lag Behind US and Europe in AI Uptake
Market Commentary
Firstly, the ‘magic circle’ law firms have faced pressure to adapt to a changing legal landscape, and although these firms continue to lead UK revenues the increasing mergers of firms such as A&O and heightened competition from US firms. Also, there have been reports surrounding growth markets with specific locations and practice areas being targeted as areas to invest in by global law firms and other locations showing signs of decline as firms exit them. Examples of this include London, which was deemed to be a competitive growth hub for wall street firms, Greece, which passed legislation that reopened pathways for UK lawyers to practice law following Brexit, and Spain, which experienced growth in their litigation finance market due to favourable legislation and quick trial durations. Conversely, South Africa and China experienced shifts as US firms scaled back operations due to increasing risks.
Additionally, over the last year we have seen much discussion in growth strategy amongst firms with firms like DLA, Kirkland & Ellis and Willkie publishing fantastic deal volume results, impressive revenue figures and staggering growth metrics causing experts to debate how other firms can achieve similar results with law firms increasingly relying on KPI’s to track performance and profitability and other firms such as Clifford Chance restructuring their partner compensation models to balance seniority and productivity through creating a merit based system to retain their top billers and boost profitability in that regard and Dentons.
Furthermore, ESG related scrutiny has intensified as firms like A&O Shearman and Akin have faced backlash from climate activists over fossil fuel related work leading to investors and policymakers prioritising sustainability and governance.
Finally, throughout this year a particularly important topic throughout the legal sector has been mental health as a new generation of lawyers enter the workforce with heightened mental health awareness, which has forced firms to address evolving workplace expectations.
Overall, it has been an eventful year with the legal market continuing to evolve as priorities shift in terms of talent retention, strategic growth and individual wellbeing.
New Battleground: Wall Street Law Firms Eye London Growth
Greece Opens the Door to U.K. Lawyers Under New Law
Leveraging Law Firm KPIs for Business Success
Is the ‘Magic Circle’ Dead, Or Just Different?
Letter From Asia: The Americans Are Leaving China in Droves, but Will It Level the Playing Field?
How to Grow Fast Like Kirkland
Are You ESG-Prepared? Statistically Speaking, Probably Not!
Law Firms Seek Flexibility in Revised Partner Comp Systems, Balancing Seniority with Productivity
DE&I
From our D&I news that we share as part of the Fides legal weekly update, we have observed that there appears to be growing gender parity in the legal field, with women now comprising the majority of associates in some cities and continuing to gain ground in senior roles, signalling positive progress towards gender equity.
We have also noted increasing diversity in leadership roles, particularly with Black individuals taking on prominent positions in academia, reflects a broader effort to ensure diverse voices shape decisions within legal institutions and firms.
Another significant development is that more women are enrolling in top law schools, suggesting that future legal professionals will reflect more gender diversity. This demographic shift is expected to have a long-term impact on the composition of the legal profession.
Women Make Up the Majority of Associates for the First Time
Gibson Dunn Partner Named First Black Dean of Drake Law
17 of the Top 20 Law Schools Have More Women Enrolled
Simpson Thacher Appoints First Female London Head
Freshfields Beats Gender Target for Fourth Year in a Row in Latest Partner Promotion Round