Financials:
A dollar a second? Hourly rates rocket at top global firms
Average hourly rates for law firm partners increased by 5.1% in 2024, marking the second-highest annual rise since CounselLink began publishing the report in 2013. This figure is only slightly below the 5.4% increase seen in 2023, which was described as a significant post-pandemic surge.
US lobbying firms see early revenue boost in Trump’s second term
Leading firms in Washington, D.C., are seeing a surge in lobbying revenue as corporations, industry associations, and other groups work to influence policy during President Donald Trump’s second term and under a Republican-led Congress.
Citing ‘Balance in Pillar Practices’, Brown Rudnick Sees Revenue Climb 5%, PEP Rise to $1.78M
CEO Vince Guglielmotti stated that solid results across all five of the firm’s core practice areas contributed to its ongoing growth.
LSB shaves budget demand but lawyers still face 11% rise
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has scaled back its proposed budget increase for 2025–26, but it will still rise by 11%, adding £3.05 to each regulated lawyer’s practising fee.
Morris, Manning & Martin Kept Revenue Flat Amid 2024 Attorney Losses
Profits per equity partner increased as the firm lost 8.8% of its head count.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Supreme Court signals support for Maryland parents who object to LGBTQ books in public schools
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated support for the religious rights of Maryland parents seeking to opt their children out of elementary school lessons that include storybooks featuring LGBTQ characters.
Irish law will protect trans people in wake of UK ruling
The Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) is facing calls to reconsider its policy permitting transgender players aged 12 and over to participate in matches, following a recent UK ruling concerning the legal definition of a woman.
50th Anniversary of the Black Women Lawyers Association of LA
The 50th anniversary featured a panel discussion with past presidents spanning the 50 years of BWL.
Office Openings & Closing:
Baker Donelson opens in New Jersey with 26-lawyer team from Epstein Becker
The group of lawyers practising across healthcare transactions, litigation and real estate has joined to open the firm’s first offices in the region, in Princeton and Iselin in New Jersey.
Addleshaw Goddard relocates Edinburgh office to St Andrew Square
Addleshaw Goddard is to relocate its Edinburgh operations to a new office at 24 St Andrew Square.
Mergers & Alliances:
Drogheda firms merge to form McKeever Tallan LLP
Historic Drogheda law firms McKeever Taylor and Tallan Solicitors have joined forces to form McKeever Tallan LLP.
Both firms, each with a legacy spanning more than a century, state that the merger will enhance their capacity to provide expert legal services across a wide array of practice areas.
Japan’s Oh-Ebashi forms Indonesia alliance, to set up Jakarta desk
Japanese law firm Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners has formed a business affiliation with Indonesia’s MAPS Law Firm and plans to launch a Jakarta desk in the near future, the firms have jointly announced.
Manchester and Yorkshire firms announce acquisitions
HNK, a specialist in data and cyber-crime, is set to rebrand as Express while continuing operations from its Liverpool office. Meanwhile, Yorkshire-based Ison Harrison has acquired personal injury firm Armstrong Luty Solicitors, located in Skipton.
Grant Thornton expands reach with new global partnerships
Grant Thornton Advisors has expanded its platform by incorporating Grant Thornton UAE, Grant Thornton Luxembourg, and Grant Thornton Cayman. The newly added firms will become part of the wider Grant Thornton International network, which spans more than 150 markets worldwide.
New practice area and location for top PI firm leads latest M&A
Top personal injury firm Express Solicitors has expanded out of Manchester with an acquisition that also takes it into the data breach market.
It has acquired Liverpool-based HNK Solicitors, which handles civil liberties, data breach, cyber-crime and criminal injury claims.
‘Exciting new chapter’ as two Scottish legal firms merge
Thorntons said it has significantly strengthened its market presence and share following the completion of its strategic merger with Macnabs.
Moves:
EMEA
K&L Gates Hires White & Case Energy and Resources Partner in Australia
Prior to joining K&L Gates, Matthew was a partner in the Project Development Finance practice in Southeast Asia and also served as the Head of the Philippines Country Group at an international law firm.
Swaab has hired a new partner in its construction practice, as well as added an associate to its commercial, corporate, IP and technology team. Partner Mark Glynn joins the firm from Minter Ellison.
Stefan Winquist joins Danish law firm Horten
After a brief chapter as CEO of Xperate Europe, former Bech Bruun chief information officer Stefan Winquist is joining Horten Law Firm as CIO.
UK & Ireland
Louise O’Donnell appointed as new chair of Labour Court
Ms O’Donnell is a qualified barrister and an experienced senior IR practitioner. She has previously sat as a deputy chair in the Labour Court and has extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with industrial relations, employment law, third party processes and has a wealth of experience in the resolution of significant industrial relations disputes.
Paul Hastings adds investment funds partner to London office
US-based law firm Paul Hastings has added investment funds lawyer Catherine Gokah to its London office and made her a partner.
Gokah joins the firm from Kirkland & Ellis, where she was a London-based partner.
Jamie Apted joins Aberdein Considine
Experienced commercial and banking lawyer Jamie Apted has joined Aberdein Considine as a partner. He previously worked at the Financial Ombudsman Service and in private practice.
Travers Smith targets property disputes with senior hire from CMS
Travers Smith has hired Robert Payne from CMS, promoting him to partner to lead its property litigation team.
Lodders appoints Steve Halkett as partner
Lodders has appointed corporate law expert Steve Halkett as an equity partner to support its strategic growth initiatives within the corporate and M&A sectors. Halkett joins the firm following an accomplished 18-year career at Wright Hassall.
The Americas
Mayer Brown continues to strengthen its Export Controls & Sanctions practice with the addition of Thea Kendler, former Assistant Secretary for Export Administration at the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and Aiysha S. Hussain, who served as her Senior Policy Advisor.
CFTC Veteran and General Counsel Rob Schwartz Joins Morgan Lewis
Morgan Lewis is pleased to welcome Robert A. Schwartz, who has spent more than a decade with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), including as general counsel. Rob joins the firm as a partner in the investment management practice, resident in Washington, DC.
Cozen O’Connor today announced one of the nation’s leading corporate attorneys, Samuel E. Feigin, has joined Cozen O’Connor to serve as the firm’s Strategic Growth Partner and lead its newly formed Israel practice. Feigin comes to the firm from Crowell & Moring, where he chaired the Corporate and Israel practices.
King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, welcomed attorney Michael P. Zaccaro
Prior to joining KingSpry, Attorney Zaccaro served in the Special Education Department of the Office of General Counsel for the New York City Department of Education.
Veteran Trial Attorney Peter Spillis Joins Freedland Harwin Valori Gander
Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, PLLC, a leading South Florida personal injury and medical malpractice law firm, announced that Peter K. Spillis has joined the firm as a partner. Spillis most recently served as managing partner at Fort Lauderdale-based Kelley|Uustal.
Baker Botts Adds Depth to Market-Leading Environmental Team
Chris Thiele has joined Baker Botts L.L.P. as a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice within the Environmental, Safety and Incident Response (ESIR) Section. He moves to the firm from an independent midstream energy infrastructure development company, where he served as Senior Vice President and legal counsel.
Corporate Partner Michael Marek Joins Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland & Ellis announced today that Michael Marek has joined the Firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He joins Kirkland from Vinson & Elkins LLP, where he was a partner.
APAC
Tongshang HK nabs second A&O Shearman lawyer in two months
Eric Chow & Co, the Hong Kong association firm of Commerce & Finance Law Offices (Tongshang), has strengthened its corporate capabilities with the addition of corporate finance partner Kung-Wei Liu from A&O Shearman.
JSA onboards SAM insurance partner in Gurgaon
JSA Advocates & Solicitors has made a fourth partner hire in 2025, with the addition of insurance Shivangi Sharma Talwar in Gurgaon. Talwar joins from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, where she had been partner since 2022.
Hong Kong boutique GPS hires disputes veteran as partner from Conyers
Hong Kong boutique law firm GPS Legal has appointed Mark Yeadon as a partner in its disputes practice. Yeadon joins from offshore law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman, where he was head of litigation for Hong Kong.
HK: K&L Gates welcomes cap markets partner from Robertsons
U.S. law firm K&L Gates expanded its capital markets practice in Hong Kong with the hire of Janney Chong as a partner from local outfit Robertsons.
PRC’s DeHeng adds real estate partner in Hong Kong
PRC law firm DeHeng Law Offices has bolstered its Hong Kong-based real estate practice with the addition of Maria Leung as a partner from local outfit Cheung & Yip.
In-House
Czech billionaire Karel Komárek enlists Clifford Chance partner
Swiss investment firm KKCG has named David Koláček as its group chief legal officer, a newly created role within the company.
Koláček joins from Clifford Chance where he was a partner and co-head of its corporate practice in Prague.
Welcoming General Counsel Jim Zappa
The McKnight Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Zappa as its new General Counsel, a position within the Office of the President. In this role, Zappa will serve as a strategic legal advisor to the Foundation, offering guidance on governance, risk, and compliance across the organization. Zappa joins from Faegre Drinker.
Jamie Brown joins Associate Capital as General Counsel from Paul Hastings.
CAM expands private client practice in Singapore with senior in-house hire
Indian law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has enhanced its Singapore offerings by appointing Varun Kalsi as a director in its private client practice. Kalsi joins from Lighthouse Canton.
Team Moves
Sidley hits Cadwalader for 14-lawyer real estate finance team
Sidley Austin has hired a 14-lawyer real estate finance team from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft as it continues to expand its New York office.
Friedman Law Group Joins CM Law’s Chicago Office
CM Law PLLC, the largest, national, woman-owned and managed, full-service law firm in the country, is pleased to welcome the six members of the Friedman Law Group to its Chicago office.
Promotions & Appointments:
A&O Shearman promotes 33 new partners
London: Tina Barazandeh-Nejad, Evgenia Erakhtina, Temilope Esho, James Green, Xin Ni Lim, Aoife Mac Dermott, Thomas McGuffie, Emma Perrin, Fatima Al-Shawaf
New York: James Bryson, John Hibbard
Paris: Paul Fortin, Benjamin Lacourt, Jules Lecoeur, Tzvetomira Pacheva
Dubai: Mike Campbell, Richard Chamberlain
Luxembourg: Vittoria Faraone, Pol Theisen
Hamburg: Hauke Sattler, Sebastian Remberg
Amsterdam: Kayleigh Sanders, Pieter Tieskens
Jakarta: Ferhat Afkar
Perth: Jackson Allen, Jacke Donald
Sydney: Simone Lowes
Washington D.C: Matthew Brown
Bratislava: Tomas Bury
Dallas: Billy Marsh
Düsseldorf: Michael Fink
Rome: Alessandra Pala
Frankfurt: Charlotte Wllemer
Freshfields makes up 25 in latest partner promotions round
London: Ramya Arnold, Joshua Kelly, Emily Knight, James Raeside, Jessica Steele, Meredith Bayley, Michael Black, Kate Hatcher, Jon Scurr
Brussels: Aaron Green, Janet Lang
Amsterdam: Alvaro Pliego Selie
Singapore: Rohit Bhat
Frankfurt: Katharna Shingler, Carsten Haak, Daniel von Bülow, Sebastian Röger
New York: Nicholas A. Caselli, Jeff Jay, Sarah Katz
Hamburg: Judth Romer
Abu Dhabi: Charlotte Stevens
Dusseldorf: Stefanie Spancken-Monz
Madrid: Cristina Esteve
Paris: Elodie Favre-Thellmann
Stephenson Harwood elevates 12 to partner in firm’s second largest promotions round
Kuljeet Bahia, Stewart Scott, Ross Davidson, Jordan Ellis, Peter Gillis, Toufic Safie, Alexa Whitehead, Paul Katsouris, Shirley Li, Emma Nowell, Mateusz Bek, Adam Polonsky
Ashurst unveils 20-strong promotions round
The new partners cover 10 practice groups, with notable investments in dispute resolution (four promotions), corporate transactions and projects and energy transition (three each), reflecting priority growth areas set out in Ashurst’s 2027 growth strategy. There were also two promotions apiece in the competition and tax practices and one in the firm’s NewLaw arm, with the rest spread across restructuring, global loans, global markets and digital economy transactions.
Technology & Innovation:
Eve Launches Gen AI Reasoning Mode Tool for Litigation Document Analysis
Eve, an AI platform for plaintiffs’ law firms, is today introducing an AI Reasoning Mode that it says can perform complex legal analysis through sophisticated step-by-step reasoning capabilities, on a par with a senior-level lawyer.
UAE set to use AI to write Laws
UAE set to use AI to write laws in world first Gulf state expects move will speed up lawmaking by 70% but experts warn of ‘reliability’ issues with the technology.
Dentons and Top German Legal Publisher Partner with CMS-linked Noxtua in Boost for European AI
“Dentons has always been driven by the vision of being the law firm of the future, so innovation is in our DNA. As part of our wider strategy to embrace the power of artificial intelligence to transform our industry, we are excited by the opportunity for Dentons Europe to contribute our legal and innovation expertise to the development of Noxtua to address the specific needs of the European market.”
200 French media publications sue Meta, alleging unlawful business practices
A group of 67 French media companies representing 200 publications has filed a lawsuit against Facebook parent company Meta, accusing the tech giant of unlawful business practices in the digital advertising sector.
Market Commentary:
Millar McCall Wylie launches new CSR strategy
Northern Ireland firm Millar McCall Wylie has launched a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, centred around having a sustained, positive impact on society.
Law Firms Are Tapping Former Legal Chiefs for a New Kind of Role GC in Residence
Once a rarity, general counsel-in-residence programs are gaining traction at Big Law firms, including Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Mayer Brown. Firms draw on the ex-legal chiefs to drum up business, and to provide insight that can only come from a battle-tested in-house legal leader.
DWF puts over 100 jobs at risk in cost-cutting drive
DWF has placed 108 staff at risk of redundancy as it looks to slim down parts of its business services divisions.
LRSA report reveals 829 complaints made against lawyers in six-month period
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) has published its first complaints report for 2025 which shows it received 829 complaints in a six month period, with 839 complaints closed.
Financials:
‘Continuing the Trend’: Mintz Tops $700M in Revenue, Sees PEP Surge 22.2%
Mintz reported an 8.5% jump in revenue, reaching a solid $700 million, while profits per equity partner surged by 22.2% to $2.57 million. In short, it’s yet another consistent climb for a firm that hasn’t experienced a downturn since the Obama administration.
Rebound in Demand, AFAs Help Butler Snow Grow Revenue Above $250M for First Time
The Mississippi-founded firm saw revenue increase 16% amid strong showings in its public finance, civil rights litigation and health care practices.
Net Income Rises Over 9%, PEP Breaks $3.5M at Winston & Strawn
Bolstered by its expertise in specialized finance, digital assets, high-stakes litigation, and private equity and M&A, Winston & Strawn grew its gross revenue by nearly 7% to $1.27 billion. Both net income and profits per equity partner outpaced that growth, each increasing by more than 9%.
Elite New York Law Firms See Big Profit Gains, Amid Tight Control of Equity Tiers
Patrick Smith at Law.com analyzed the performance of 19 top-tier New York firms, and the numbers speak for themselves. Nearly across the board, they delivered standout results — average year-over-year revenue climbed 7.4%, revenue per lawyer increased by 4.5%, profits per equity partner rose 8.8%, and net income jumped 10.1%.
IP as Collateral: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Startup Financing
As venture capital firms become more selective and traditional lending tightens, a well-leveraged IP strategy is becoming the dividing line between startups that secure crucial funding and those that hit the growth ceiling. The stakes couldn’t be higher: master the art of IP as collateral, or risk leaving millions on the table.
Netflix CLO’s Comp Jumps 26%, Despite Plunge in Salary Caused by Newly Imposed Caps
David Hyman made $1.5 million in 2024 after earning $4 million in pay two years prior.
Litigation Practice Helped Jackson Walker Post 8.6% Increase in Revenue, over $1.5M in PEP
Jackson Walker’s primary practice, litigation, had strong demand, which helped the company maintain a run of record revenue.
In Final Year as Kramer Levin, Revenue Reaches $467M and PEP Jumps 25% Amid Shrinking Partnership
Prior to its merger with Herbert Smith Freehills, the company’s sales and PEP hit all-time highs.
Boies Schiller Posts 57% Jump in Gross Revenue Thanks to Contingency Payouts, Head Count Growth
Contingency fees accounted for over 40% of the firm’s revenue, but a year of tremendous expansion was also fuelled by an increase in demand from paying clients.
GC Ousted After Just 3 Months Earned $3.8 Million
Lock manufacturer Allegion stated in an SEC filing that Stacy Cozad “incurred an involuntary termination,” bringing her tenure to an abrupt end before her predecessor had even wrapped up his employment with the company.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Meet the Lawyers Suing Connecticut Over Equal Protection Rights
“I’m expecting that the court will rule in our favor,” Sheldon Toubman of Disability Rights of Connecticut, counsel for the plaintiff, said. “However, it could take some time, and that’s where, if the legislature acted, they could act much quicker. They could even act this session and then end the discrimination now, once and for all.”
‘White Students Not Eligible to Apply’: ABA Facing Lawsuit Over Race-Based Law School Scholarship
“This blatant discrimination is not only unbecoming of an association of lawyers, but it’s also illegal,” the complaint states.
Despite plenty of cynicism around the effectiveness of DEI, partners from ethnic minority backgrounds say that certain measures associated with it still highlighted valuable concepts like unconscious bias and made them feel ‘more seen’.
Federal judge blocks Labor Department from enforcing key part of Trump’s anti-DEI executive orders
On Tuesday 15th of April, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor from enforcing a requirement that government contractors and grant recipients certify their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs do not violate anti-discrimination laws—at least until the court issues a further order.
Big Law Firms Quietly Update Diversity Language, as Deadline Passes to Disclose The Data
At least seven law firms that received EEOC letters have made changes to their webpages on DEI commitments, apparently reducing their risks of an extensive investigation.
Office Openings & Closing:
Fenwick & West Opens Boston Office With Three Partners From Cooley
Chen Chen, Heidi Erlacher and Matthew Pavao are the first partner hires at the firm’s newest outpost in the city’s financial district.
PRC firm Hui Zhong opens in Singapore, enters into HK association
Beijing-based Hui Zhong Law Firm has officially launched its Singapore office, having received approval from the Singapore Ministry of Law to begin operations.
Mass Tort Firm Seeger Weiss Bows Out of Boston
Matthew Pawa, the former chair of the firm’s environmental practice, left to start his own environmental litigation boutique after helping to establish the firm’s Boston office in 2021.
Mergers & Alliances:
Clyde & Co Launches in Colombia via Association with Local Firm
The association comes less than three years after Clyde & Co. entered nearby Chile via a merger.
MoFo, Wilson Sonsini, Freshfields Advise on Infineon’s $2.5B Takeover of US-Based Marvell Tech Unit
Marvell Technology, a leading provider of data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, has announced a definitive agreement to sell its Automotive Ethernet business to Infineon Technologies in an all-cash deal valued at $2.5 billion. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati served as legal advisor to Marvell on the transaction.
Japan’s Oh-Ebashi forms Indonesia alliance, to set up Jakarta desk
The Indonesian firm MAPS Law Firm and the Japanese law firm Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners have announced that they have formed a commercial affiliation and will shortly open a Jakarta office. Strengthening legal service skills for Japanese companies operating in Indonesia and enterprises involved in cross-border problems between the two nations is the goal of the strategic alliance.
Drogheda firms merge to form McKeever Tallan LLP
Tallan Solicitors and McKeever Taylor, two established Drogheda law firms, have joined forces to become McKeever Tallan LLP. The two firms, which were established more than a century ago, claim that the combination will improve their capacity to provide knowledgeable legal services in a variety of practice areas.
Moves:
APAC
Cooley Bolsters India and Southeast Asia Capital Markets Practice With Partner Hire
Shashwat Tewary has joined Cooley as a capital markets partner based in the firm’s Singapore office. He brings extensive experience advising a range of clients on capital markets activities in the fast-growing India and Southeast Asia regions. He was previously a partner at Sidley Austin.
SG: Links lifer joins Hogan Lovells to expand DCM capabilities
Hogan Lovells has strengthened its debt capital markets (DCM) practice in Singapore with the hire of Phill Hall as a partner in its corporate and finance practice from Linklaters, where he was a counsel.
Singapore boutique Chung Ting Fai & Co adds new ESG partner
Singapore-based boutique law firm Chung Ting Fai & Co has named Shen Xiaoyin as its new head of corporate, M&A, and ESG. Shen previously served as head of ESG, regulatory, and policies at BTPLaw.
Former Australian Leader of Hogan Lovells Joins Australian Firm
Scott Harris is the latest partner to find a new career after Hogan Lovells leaves Australia.
EMEA
Loyens & Loeff Welcomes Mirjam van de Hel-Koedoot as New Partner Amsterdam
Mirjam van de Hel- Koedoot has left her role as head of arbitration at NautaDutlh in Amsterdam to join the partnership at Loyens & Loeff.
Paul Hastings names third partner hire from White & Case following Abu Dhabi debut
Xavier Petet has joined in Paris, and will jointly lead the firm’s global energy and infrastructure practice
UK & Ireland
Crowell & Moring’s London Office Adds Leading AI and Emerging Tech Partner Emma Wright
Emma Wright, a market leading lawyer representing prominent technology companies and governments on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, has joined Crowell & Moring as a partner in the firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Group in London. Emma will advise clients on regulatory matters and complex technology procurements with a regulatory or government interface
Paul Weiss Adds Proskauer Finance Partner in London
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP announced today that Cameron Roper will be joining the firm’s London office as a partner in the Finance Group of the Corporate Department. Roper brings significant experience in fund finance, general lending, and advisory matters, representing both fund managers and financial institutions. Roper joins from Proskauer.
The Americas
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey Hires New Partner
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP is pleased to announce that Gerard (Rod) N. Saggese III has joined the firm as a Litigation Partner. He joined from Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan.
Littler Adds Special Counsel Sean M. Fisher in New Haven
Littler, the world’s largest labor and employment law firm representing management, has announced the addition of Sean M. Fisher as Special Counsel in its New Haven office. Fisher joins from Brenner, Saltzman & Wallman LLP, where he held the roles of Legal Director and Firm Counsel. His arrival is part of a series of strategic hires Littler has made since January.
Vinson & Elkins Hires Alex Canizares as Co-Head of Government Contracts Practice
Vinson & Elkins today announced that Alex Canizares joined the firm as a Washington, D.C.-based partner in the firm’s Litigation practice and as co-head of the Government Contracts practice. He joins from Perkins Coie.
Sheppard Mullin Expands Energy Team With Partner Jeffrey Escobar in New York
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is excited to welcome Jeffrey R. Escobar as a partner in the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure, and Project Finance industry team, based in New York. Escobar joins from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, where he also served as a partner.
Former Federal Prosecutor Joins BCLP’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice
International law firm BCLP announced today that Joy Odom has joined the firm as a partner in its White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, operating from the Atlanta office. Prior to joining BCLP, Odom served as an attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office in Georgia.
Pro Gregory Keating Returns to Littler in Boston
Littler has welcomed Gregory Keating back to the firm as a shareholder in its Boston office. Keating previously served at Littler from 2004 to 2015, where he was a shareholder, led the Whistleblowing and Retaliation Practice, and completed two terms on the firm’s Board of Directors. He returns to Littler from Epstein Becker, bringing extensive experience advising employers on high-stakes investigations and complex whistleblower matters.
Former DOT Deputy General Counsel Brian Stansbury Joins Hunton’s Environmental Team in Washington
Former Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and well-known environmental lawyer Brian Stansbury has joined Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP as a partner in Washington.
Greenberg Traurig Expands in Texas
Two new lawyers were hired by the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP in Texas. Shayla Friesen joins the Finance Practice as an attorney, while Michelle Rosenblatt becomes a shareholder in the Private Wealth Services Practice.
Pillsbury Rehires Former Partner After Two-Year Stint as Miami’s U.S. Attorney
In 2023, Markenzy Lapointe departed the business to become the Southern District of Florida’s senior federal prosecutor. Since many government attorneys are looking to enter the private sector, he now anticipates working on more investigations and seeing more hiring possibilities.’
Partners Who Led Cozen O’Connor Growth Strategy in Canada Move to Gowlings
Brigeeta Richdale and Shane Hardy stated that they wished to concentrate less on administration and more on consumer issues.
In-House
Sandvik appoints Johanna Kreft as new General Counsel
Sandvik has named Johanna Kreft as its new Executive Vice President and General Counsel, effective October 13, 2025. Kreft, who currently serves in a similar role at Alleima, will also join the Sandvik Group Executive Management team.
Savvy Wealth Hires Former Pathstone General Counsel as First Head of Legal & Compliance
Savvy Wealth Inc., a digital-first platform focused on modernizing human financial advice, has announced the appointment of Lisandra Wilmott as its new Head of Legal & Compliance.
Hanesbrands’ CLO and HR Chief Books New Job at Hyatt
Oliver is taking Malaika Myers’ place at Hyatt as she retires.
2 Months into Retirement, Former Hallmark Legal Chief Takes on New Challenge
According to recruiters, it’s a trend: businesses are looking for legal executives with experience, and CLOs are still motivated.
Amid C-Suite Upheaval, Bumble CLO Exits After Just 10 Months
Deirdre Runnette, a former general counsel of the online retailer Zulily, has taken over the company’s legal responsibilities.
Former Legal Head of US Retailer Target Named CLO of UK-Based Flutter
This will be Liu’s fifth legal chief post. All of which have been in different industries.
BrewDog-backer TSG Consumer hires former Gibson Dunn lawyer as first CLO
US private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners has hired Sean Sullivan as chief legal officer, a newly created role. Sullivan joins from US wine business The Duckhorn Portfolio, where he is CLO and chief transformation officer.
Kevin Lang to take up interim CEO role at Law Society of Scotland
Kevin Lang, executive director of the Law Society of Scotland, has been named as the organization’s acting chief executive. He is currently the Law Society’s executive director of external relations. He will assume the position in the interim when Diane McGiffen leaves on Monday, April 28.
Team Moves
Bradley Lands Nine-Attorney IP Team Iin Atlanta From Morris Manning
Rainsford Reel Jr., Associate – Real Estate, joined the firm from Coleman Talley.
Timia A. Skelton, Associate – Labor & Employment, joined the firm from Shook Hardy & Bacon.
Ryan P. Wheeler, Senior Attorney – Tax, Trust and Estates, joined the firm from Phelps Dunbar
Priti M. Patel, Senior Attorney – Real Estate, joined the firm from Moore & Van Allen.
Alexis Baker Chandler, Associate – Litigation, joined the firm from Squire Patton Boggs
Krishan V. Patel, Senior Attorney – Real Estate, joined the firm from Phillips Murrah.
William M. Atallah, Associate – Construction, joined the firm from Germer, Beaman & Brown.
Matthew Griffin, Associate – Construction, joined the firm from Bracewell.
Mary Grace Whitten, Associate – Litigation, joined the firm after clerking for the Hon.
Baker Donelson Adds 26-Lawyer Health Care, Real Estate Group from Epstein Becker in New Jersey
The group’s leaders stated that further practice area support was necessary due to the changing nature of the health care sector.
Five attorneys, including two partners, have joined the firm since Paul Hastings hired White & Case partners in London and Abu Dhabi to co-lead its global energy and infrastructure practice in late March.
Promotions & Appointments:
Eversheds appoints two lawyers to partner in UAE
In Abu Dhabi, Roberta Wertman has been promoted to partner in the construction litigation practice, and in Dubai, Steve Jennings has been promoted to partner in the corporate practice.
HSF announce partner promotions
Australia: Emily Coghlan, Michael D’Agostino, Gabby Herron-Cartwright, Tamanna Islam, Geoff Kerrigan, Madeleine Miller, Eunice Park, Sydney Li-Lian Yeo
UK: Eliza Eaton, Krishna Shorewala, Charlotte Whight, Joe Williams, Shaun Williamson
Europe: Thomas Herman, Hannes Jacobi, Rémi Jouaneton, Nicolas Pol, Camille Puech-Baron
US: Maxwell Herman
Clifford Chance appoints Mark Currell as Managing Partner for Australia
Mark succeeds Richard Gordon whose second term concludes in April 2025. Richard will continue to support the firm on regional strategic initiatives.
Taylor Wessing announces promotions to partnership and counsel
Partnership
London: Clare Reynolds, Andrew Payne, Lacy Gratton, Richard Faichney
Ireland: Dannie Hanna, Jo Joyce
Germany: Johanna Götz
Counsel
UK: Charlie Adams, Lydia Birch, Stephen Burke, Tom Charnley, Jule Chiu, Charlotte Matthews, Mla Pencheva, Alexandra Poland, Michael Sherr
UAE: Amala Atieh
William Fry appoints three new partners
Mr O’Shea, based in the firm’s Cork office, has been promoted to partner in the firm’s banking and finance department. Mr Booth has been promoted to partner in the firm’s projects and construction department. Mr O’Sullivan, a chartered tax advisor and chartered accountant, joins the firm as a tax partner.
Mullany Walsh Maxwells appoints Elaine Keane as legal director
Dublin firm Mullany Walsh Maxwells LLP has appointed Elaine Keane as legal director.
Clyde & Co promotes 25 to partner
Nearly one-third of the promotions took place in North America, which is indicative of Clyde & Co.’s consistent expansion in the region, where it has 19 locations and has been in business since 2006. These promotions come after Tillman-Batchelor, a Dallas-based company, merged earlier in 2025.
Dentons promotes 10 to partnership in latest UK, Ireland and Middle East round
The cohort this year was higher than the nine that made the grade in 2022, but it was two below than the previous year and three lower than in 2023. Six of the new partners are women, despite the fact that the company did not release a diversity breakdown of this year’s promotions.
Technology & Innovation:
The rise of AI in health care presents new challenges related to the patentability and regulation of AI-driven medical technologies. This article examines the 2024 guidelines from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on patent eligibility for SaMD, the regulatory requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a comparison of how these devices are regulated and patented in both the United States and Europe.
We will discuss recent litigation such as the copyright infringement and right of publicity cases brought by prominent copyright owners such as The New York Times and actors such as Scarlett Johansson against AI platforms like OpenAI, and another recent case brought by the “Blade Runner 2049” (2017) movie producer against Tesla and Elon Musk concerning an AI-generated globally streamed promotion.
How Artificial Intelligence Is Revolutionizing Commercial Real Estate
The infusion of AI into the real estate industry has the potential to change how properties are valued, managed and marketed.
When Death Is Not the End: AI as Life Extension…?
Everyone experiences grief differently and there is no right or wrong to the question of whether AI “griefbots” should exist – they do and they will. It is for every person to ask themselves (before they are deceased) whether they want to make a statement in their will about such a creation; or whether they want to have access as a mourner to such a product.
For Most In-house Legal Teams, Gen AI Adoption is Still on the Backburner
Small budgets and siloed data are just some of the pain points legal teams are battling to achieve gen AI adoption.
Bankruptcy Court Dismisses AI Cryptocurrency Investor Claims
The intersection of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency was involved in a recent decision in In re Augustus Intelligence (Case No. 21-10744 (TMH) (Adv. No. 23-50370 (TMH), where the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware dismissed claims against an alleged participant in a scheme that induced investors to fund over $30 million in an artificial intelligence company designed to generate revenue from enhanced cryptocurrency mining.
Integreon’s VP of Tech Solutions: ‘Legal Tech Has Turned a Corner’
Diane Homolak, vice president of technology solutions at Integreon, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for M&A and Transaction Innovation with The Contract Network, explains how gen AI is allowing innovation to spread to more areas of the legal industry.
‘Creating Solutions on the Fly’: Fisher Phillips Brings On First AI Director
Corporate tech veteran Pritesh Patel is developing custom tools at the labor and employment firm for client-facing and internal use.
DLA Piper Rolls Out AI-Generated Lawyer Negotiation Training Program
The technology, trialed last year, is being rolled out to multiple practice areas across DLA’s global offices, excluding the Americas.
AI Governance Efforts Hindered by Organizations’ Lack of Understanding, Budget
According to the IAPP’s 2025 AI Governance Profession Report, organizations are having difficulty delivering AI governance from the inside out, from comprehending AI and the underlying technology to developing an adequate budget.
The funding will help Phaselaw broaden its market reach and enhance its e-discovery capabilities.
Number of legal professionals using Gen AI jumps sharply over past year, study shows
26% of businesses and internal teams are utilizing Gen AI, up from 14% a year earlier, according to the 2025 Generative AI in Professional Services Report, which is based on a survey of 1,700 professionals mostly from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Market Commentary:
Law Firm Remote Work Continues, But Attorneys Find Increased Value in Office Time
Partners embrace the office for leadership visibility and in-person meetings with clients and colleagues, while associates look for technology access and training, according to a new report from Gensler Research Institute.
California Physicians’ Service, doing business as Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield Life & Health Insurance Company, was hit with a class action on Monday for allegedly diverting patients’ sensitive and protected health data without their consent to Google’s advertising platform, Google Ads.
Law firms’ deals with Trump roil their staff, deepen industry rifts
Law firms that have pledged $940 million in pro bono legal work and made other concessions to U.S. President Donald Trump are now facing internal backlash. A growing number of Big Law associates are resigning in protest, arguing that their firms have compromised too heavily in an effort to avoid conflict with the administration.
The Rise of Hospitality In Law Firms, Revisited
The demand for client-facing hospitality experiences has increased. Law firms are including more client-centric services, such as personalized spaces for client meetings, high-end catering, and concierge-style offerings during in-person visits.
As ESG considerations become embedded in corporate strategy and investor priorities, the legal risks associated with greenwashing are escalating. Once an abstract marketing concern for many firms, greenwashing, defined as ‘behaviour or activities that make people believe that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is’ [1], has become a primary target not only for marketers but also for regulators and litigators alike. Firms that can translate regulatory scrutiny into proactive, commercially attuned advice are best positioned to gain the confidence of clients navigating heightened ESG expectations and reputational risk.
In recent months, enforcement activity has intensified across major jurisdictions, with regulators asserting unprecedented authority to crack down on misleading sustainability statements. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed its anti-greenwashing guidance, effective from May 2024 [2]. These rules restrict the use of terms such as ‘sustainable’, ‘green’, or ‘ESG’ unless firms can robustly substantiate those claims. The FCA is also implementing a mandatory labelling regime for investment products, aimed at providing clarity in a space long plagued by ambiguous branding.
Australia has taken a notably aggressive stance, with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) levying a record AU$10.5 million fine against superannuation fund Active Super in early 2024 [2]. The fund had been promoting exclusion policies around fossil fuels and gambling that, ASIC later demonstrated, were not actually being implemented. This case, now widely studied in compliance circles, evidenced that superficial green branding without operational reality invites severe consequences.
Meanwhile, the European Union is reinforcing its commitment to regulatory integrity. In June 2024, the three European Supervisory Authorities – EBA, ESMA, and EIOPA – issued a joint statement calling for heightened supervision of sustainability-related claims across financial services [3]. The objective is to harmonise enforcement and increase scrutiny of how ESG commitments are communicated to markets.
France, for its part, offers a compelling model of regulatory assertiveness that other Francophone jurisdictions may soon emulate. The 2021 Loi Climat et Résilience established a robust framework for controlling environmental advertising. Companies in France are now prohibited from making carbon neutrality claims unless they disclose clear methodologies, offsetting strategies, and impact timelines [4]. This was not just regulatory theatre: in mid-2024, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) reached a settlement with asset manager Primonial Reim, citing failures to align promotional sustainability narratives with actual investment policy [5].
Meanwhile, environmental NGO Notre Affaire à Tous has targeted corporate behemoths such as TotalEnergies, alleging that their branding misleads the public about their genuine contributions to the energy transition. The lawsuit, filed under France’s 2017 Duty of Vigilance Law, initially faced procedural hurdles but was revived by the Paris Court of Appeal in June 2024. The court ruled that the claimants had satisfied formal requirements, opening the door for what could become a landmark trial on climate-related corporate accountability [6][7].
The rise in greenwashing cases is having a significant impact on law firms, as these matters span advisory, transactional, and dispute resolution practices. Corporate clients are increasingly seeking legal counsel, not only to defend against enforcement actions, but also to audit and refine their internal ESG frameworks proactively [3]. Questions that were once the responsibility of marketing teams, such as ‘can we claim our products are sustainable?’ or ‘is our environmental impact statement substantiated?’ are now being directed to legal departments under mounting pressure.
Furthermore, the international aspect of ESG investments necessitates legal expertise from both local and global perspectives. A company’s environmental claims made in one jurisdiction may soon need to comply with multiple regulatory frameworks, such as the EU SFDR regulations and the UK’s anti-greenwashing rules [4]. In this complex environment, leaders who can position their firms as thought leaders in ESG compliance, transactional, and litigation spaces will be best placed to win institutional mandates.
Greenwashing, once dismissed as a branding faux pas, has now entered the enforcement spotlight. For law firm leaders, this presents both a risk and an opportunity. Those who act now to deepen their ESG regulatory and litigation offerings will not only serve their clients better; they’ll future-proof their practices in a world where sustainability claims must be real, robust, and regulator-ready.
For more information, please contact Megan Sturdy, at megan@fidessearch.com.
References:
[1] Cambridge Dictionary, Greenwashing Definition. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/greenwashing
[2] The Australian, ASIC fines Active Super $10.5m for ESG greenwashing, February 2024. https://www.theaustralian.com.au
[3] European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, ESMA, EIOPA), Joint Statement on Sustainability-Related Claims, June 2024. https://www.eiopa.europa.eu
[4] Taylor Wessing, The French Regulatory Arsenal Against Greenwashing, 2023. https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/interface/2023/greenwashing/the-french-regulatory-arsenal-against-greenwashing
[5] Reclaim Finance, A Step Towards Sanctioning Greenwashing in France, July 2024. https://reclaimfinance.org/site/en/2024/07/08/a-step-towards-sanctioning-greenwashing-practices-in-france
[6] Le Monde, La cour d’appel de Paris ouvre la voie à un procès climatique inédit contre TotalEnergies, June 2024. https://www.lemonde.fr
[7] Climate Case Chart, Notre Affaire à Tous and Others v. Total, Updated 2024. https://climatecasechart.com/non-us-case/notre-affaire-a-tous-and-others-v-total/
Financials:
Crowell & Moring Sees 5% Revenue Growth, Up to $626M
The firm’s profits per equity partner rose by more than 9% to $1.22 million, while its number of equity partners declined by 8% to 113. However, Crowell Chair Phil Inglima noted that the firm’s core business revenue grew by 11%.
After ‘Challenging’ 2023, Debevoise Roars Back With 19.7% Revenue Bump, 32% PEP Jump
Firm presiding partner Peter Furci said that after a challenging year, the firm took a close look at what set it apart and focused heavily on those strengths in 2024 — and the strategy paid off.
Profit Drop Takes Bite Out of Pay for McDonald’s Legal Chief, Other Execs
Desiree Ralls-Morrison’s pay fell 19% last year as McDonald’s cut back on short-term incentive pay for its top executives.
Jackson Walker Agrees to $617K Settlement in Second Bankruptcy Fee Dispute
This is the second publicly disclosed settlement in under a week, as numerous former bankruptcy clients have petitioned a bankruptcy judge to overturn fee and expense orders awarded to Jackson Walker. The requests follow the firm’s failure to promptly disclose a past romantic relationship between a former partner and a former bankruptcy judge.
Katten Sees 20% Spike in PEP, 10% Jump in Revenue, Reaping the Benefits of Long-Term Investments
In an interview with The American Lawyer, Katten Chairman Gil Soffer reflected on the firm’s 2024 financial performance, emphasizing a 20% rise in profits per equity partner and a 10% growth in revenue, along with other key accomplishments.
Citing Litigation Demand, Buchanan Ingersoll Grows Revenue by Almost 9%
The firm, which began 2024 with a merger with IP boutique RatnerPrestia and named a new chairman and CEO in May, generated more than $326.6 million in revenue.
Strong Demand Across Transactional Practices Led to 9.2% Revenue Boost at Foley & Lardner
“It’s been a great few years for the firm,” said Foley Chairman and CEO Daljit Doogal in an interview. “We have experienced consistent growth over the past decade.”In 2024, the firm’s revenue reached a record $1.28 billion, marking a 9.2% year-over-year increase. Revenue per lawyer rose by 6.8%, while profits per equity partner grew by 10.9%.
Sheppard Mullin Notches 33rd Consecutive Year of Revenue Growth
The firm grew profits per equity partner by 4.7% to $2.4 million in 2024.
Munger Posts 22% Revenue Rise, 38% Spike in PEP in 2024
The litigation powerhouse’s revenue per lawyer rose to $2.1 million last year, with brisk demand for mass torts, antitrust, securities and appellate matters.
‘A Record Year, by a Significant Amount’: Davis Polk Sees Revenue Surge 25%, PEP Jump to $7.8M
Firm chair Neil Barr said the firm had a “record year” across “every financial metric we measure.”
Fenwick Sees Revenue Gains Despite Dip in Fee Earners
Chair Richard Dickson said that a jam-packed litigation practice made up for softness in the tech transactional market.
Diversity & Inclusion:
On 5-4 Vote, Supreme Court Allows Education Department Freeze on DEI-Related Teacher Training Grants
In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court stated that the Trump administration is “likely to succeed” in demonstrating that a federal court lacked the legal authority to direct the Education Department to restore millions of dollars in cancelled funds for teacher training.
Once a Powerful Proponent of DEI, BlackRock Removes Term from Latest Proxy Statement
Asset manager BlackRock (BLK), once a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), is now scaling back its commitment. The company quietly removed references to its DEI goals from its annual report filed on Tuesday. BlackRock joins a growing list of firms reducing their focus on DEI, which the Trump administration has argued could potentially violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
Corporate Values, Public Risks: the GC’s Role in Navigating Today’s DEI Dilemmas
In today’s polarized environment, many companies are caught in the middle of investor lawsuits, employee discontent, political scrutiny, and consumer backlash, all while facing an uncertain path ahead.
FTI Managing Director: ‘Widely Proven That More Diverse Teams Are More Innovative’
Brandon Lee, Managing Director of FTI Technology, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for Championing Diversity in Tech (Individual), discusses how legal service providers “can play an ongoing and central role in nurturing diversity in innovation” and the benefits of doing so.
Prada to buy rival fashion brand Versace for $1.36bn
Prada has reached an agreement to acquire its competitor, Versace, in a billion-dollar deal aimed at merging two of the most prominent designer fashion labels. The deal, which brings together the two iconic Italian brands, is valued at an estimated $1.36 billion (£1.06 billion), according to the Prada Group’s announcement on Thursday.
Office Openings & Closing:
A&O Shearman Launches in Chicago with Mayer Brown Duo
Chicago is now A&O Shearman’s tenth office in the United States
McDermott, Closing Singapore Office, Relinquishes Asia Presence
McDermott Will & Emery has shut down its Singapore office, marking the end of the firm’s on-the-ground presence in Asia.
Working Group Set to Reopen, Restore Harlem Problem-Solving Court
Chief Judge Rowan Wilson’s Working Group on the Future of the Harlem Community Justice Centre will focus on revitalizing and fully reopening a problem-solving court that was closed at the onset of the pandemic.
Weber Gallagher Launches New Office in Long Island
This is Weber Gallagher’s second office in New York, alongside its Manhattan location, and its 13th office overall. Leading the launch of the Long Island office is Neil Sambursky, a new partner, along with his team of eleven.
Inside Skadden’s New Abu Dhabi Office
Skadden is excited to announce the opening of its first office in the Middle East, situated in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, the financial hub of the United Arab Emirates’ capital.
The office will be led by corporate transactional attorney Michael Hilton, who previously served as the regional managing partner for the Middle East and North Africa at a Magic Circle firm.
Brown Rudnick opens in Los Angeles with four-partner team hire – The Global Legal Post
Brown Rudnick has opened a new office in Los Angeles, launching with the addition of four partners from California-based firm Stubbs Alderton & Markiles.
The team—Daniel Rozansky, Nicholas Rozansky, Jonathan Friedman, and John De La Merced—brings a broad range of expertise across litigation, corporate law, privacy, and brand management.
Mergers & Alliances:
KPMG Partners With Google Cloud to Build Agentic AI Platforms for Legal Services Clients
KPMG LLP unveiled an expansion of its strategic AI partnership with Google Cloud, introducing modular, scalable AI solutions designed to transform business operations across industries such as legal services, banking, and more. As a key deployment partner for Google Agentspace, KPMG will assist clients in developing integrated, scalable AI platforms that enhance decision-making and efficiently manage AI agents, unlocking value through trusted and secure AI technology.
Freshfields Partners With Google Cloud to Build AI Agents, Boost AI Innovation
Freshfields has teamed up with Google to accelerate the use of generative AI across the firm, with plans to deploy Google’s Gemini platform and co-develop custom AI tools for legal and business workflows. The partnership will involve a firmwide rollout of Gemini alongside Google Workspace, integrating AI into tools such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google’s research and writing assistant, NotebookLM.
Private Client Firm Withers Collaborates with Australian Accounting Firm Bentleys
The partnership will involve Withers and Bentleys collaborating to provide clients with legal and accounting advice on their business, personal, and charitable matters. While the agreement is non-exclusive, the two firms will work together on client projects and marketing initiatives. This association was formed through a long-standing relationship between Withers partner Marsha Laine Dungog and Bentleys director David Laanemaa, who have observed a growing demand for cross-border services.
Addleshaw Goddard to Take Over Linklaters’ Warsaw After ‘Decisive’ Partnership Votes
Linklaters and its Warsaw partners have entered an agreement for the transfer of Linklaters’ Warsaw office to Addleshaw Goddard. Addleshaw said it does not plan to comment further before the deal is completed.
Three of South Africa’s leading law firms announced their involvement in the legal proceedings initiated by Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) to challenge the government’s legal sector BEE code. In a joint statement, Bowmans, Webber Wentzel, and Werksmans explained that their decision to intervene is intended to ensure that any legal sector code is “evidence-based, practical, and tailored to the unique nature of the legal profession.”
European IP firms NLO and Ipsilon enter PE-backed partnership
Two prominent European intellectual property firms, the Dutch-based NV Nederlandsch Octrooibureau (NLO) and Paris-headquartered Ipsilon, have formed a “strategic partnership” supported by the pan-European investment fund Waterland Private Equity.
Moves:
APAC
Linklaters Promotes Hong Kong Partner to Lead Global Financial Regulation Group
Linklaters is pleased to announce the appointment of Carl Fernandes, partner in the Hong Kong Financial Regulation Group, as the new Global Head of the Financial Regulation Group.
EMEA
South African M&A Hiring Heats Up After A&O and Hogan Lovells Exodus
South African firms are expanding their M&A teams by poaching senior talent from rivals.
Quinn Emanuel, Freshfields Lawyers Among 11 To Join Germany’s Elite Constitutional Court
Freshfields counsel Maximilian Menn is the youngest-ever male lawyer at the elite Federal Court of Justice and the number of women on the list doubles.
King & Spalding Hires Former EU Head of Squire Patton Boggs’ Data Privacy Practice
King & Spalding has announced that Charles- Albert Helleputte has joined the firm as a partner in the Brussels office. Helleputte joins from Squire Patton Boggs.
Australia’s Mills Oakley Hires Partners from EY and K&L Gates
Tania Sibree joins Mills Oakley from EY, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, with a background in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK and Asia Pacific. Randall Gerkens, who comes to Mills Oakley from K&L Gates, brings experience in commercial property transactions, as well as commercial, industrial, residential, and infrastructure development.
Willkie Hires High-Profile Duo from Gibson Dunn’s German Antitrust Team
The firm has recently added Gibson Dunn antitrust partner Georg Weidenbach and counsel Jan Vollkammer in Frankfurt, according to sources familiar with the matter. Previously, the pair joined Gibson Dunn from Latham & Watkins.
UK & Ireland
Cleaver Fulton Rankin recruits immigration lawyer Nick Bennett
Belfast-based firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has welcomed Nick Bennett as an associate in its Employment and Immigration department. Mr. Bennett, an immigration solicitor since 2019, brings more than 12 years of experience in immigration services. His background includes roles at the Home Office and two international professional services firms, where he specialised in this highly specialised area of law.
Latham Hires Two A&O Shearman Partners in London
Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that Franz Ranero and James Smallwood will be joining the London office as partners in the Structured Finance Practice. Both highly respected in their field, Ranero and Smallwood frequently advise investment funds, financial institutions, and asset managers on a wide range of complex, cross-border structured finance, and structured products transactions, with a special focus on collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and customized funding solutions.
The Americas
People in the News—April 7, 2025—Flaster Greenberg, Barley Snyder
Intellectual property attorney Danielle C. Kucera has joined Flaster Greenberg as an associate in its intellectual property department and patent practice group.
Sidley Lands Milbank M&A Partner in NYC
Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Andrew Fadale has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its M&A and Private Equity practice. Before joining Sidley, Fadale was a partner in the New York office of Milbank, where he was a member of their Global Corporate Group.
Cravath Private Equity Leader Heads to Sidley
Sidley is pleased to announce that Dave Perkins has joined the firm’s M&A and Private Equity group as a partner in the New York office. Perkins comes from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where he served as co-head of the Private Equity group.
People in the News—April 8, 2025—Gross McGinley, Antheil Maslow
Gross McGinley is pleased to announce that Hope Stakes has joined the practice as Marketing and Communications Manager.
DOJ Antitrust Attorney Carrie Syme Joins DiCello Levitt
Carrie Syme, a former trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, has joined DiCello Levitt’s renowned Antitrust and Competition Litigation Practice Group in New York as a partner. With decades of experience in complex litigation, government enforcement, and trial advocacy, Syme brings extensive expertise to the firm.
Bradley Arant Hires Veteran COO to Help Firm ‘Continue to Grow and Thrive’
Rance Sapen was part of Butler Snow’s leadership as the firm grew financially and geographically.
Buchalter Adds Longtime San Diego Office Leader from Gordon Rees
Kristin Reyna DeHart joins Buchalter after more than 24 years at Gordon Rees Skully Mansukhani, eight of which she spent as managing partner of its San Diego office.
People in the News—April 10, 2025—Kleinbard, Burns White
Kleinbard is pleased to announce that State Representative Jared Solomon has joined the firm as Of Counsel. With a legal career that includes expertise in securities, antitrust, and trial defence in the Army National Guard, Jared brings a wealth of knowledge across various practice areas. His experience will be a valuable addition as Kleinbard continues to expand its practice throughout Pennsylvania.
Saxton & Stump welcomes respected trial attorney Rory Connaughton as shareholder
Saxton & Stump is further strengthening its top-tier litigation team with the addition of seasoned Lancaster County trial attorney Rory O’Connaughton as a shareholder in the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Labor and Employment practices. O’Connaughton moved Brubaker Connaughton Goss & Lucarelli LLC, where he was partner.
On The Move: Eversheds Adds M&A Specialist
Mr. Phillips returns to Eversheds Sutherland after serving as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Argos North America Corp., a heavy construction materials manufacturer, where he was integral to the legal aspects of its dual IPO and M&A sale process. He had previously been a partner at Eversheds Sutherland from 2017 to 2023
People in the News—April 9, 2025—McNees, Faegre Drinker
McNees Wallace & Nurick has announced the addition of two new attorneys to its growing York office: Lara Bream and Steven Ahlbrandt. Prior to joining McNees, Bream worked as a professional liability claims consultant, managing complex cases from investigation through litigation. Ahlbrandt, before joining McNees, gained substantial experience in real estate law through his work as a real estate associate and law clerk.
In-House
Slaughter and May Hong Kong Partner Leaves to Join Securities Regulator as Senior Director
Wynne Mok previously did a stint at the Securities and Futures Commission before joining Slaughter and May.
World’s largest cinema operator AMC Entertainment names interim GC
US cinema-owner AMC Entertainment has named Edwin Gladbach as interim general counsel after long-time GC Kevin Connor announced his retirement.
Team Moves
Duane Morris Hires 5 Corporate Attorneys from Nelson Mullins
Duane Morris LLP has announced that Andrew M. Tucker and Rebekah D. McCorvey have joined the firm’s Corporate Practice Group as partners, with Tucker based in the Washington, D.C. office and McCorvey in the Atlanta office. Senior associates Jon Anderson and Zalak Raval have also joined the firm’s Atlanta and Washington, D.C. offices, respectively, while associate Ana García Bodán has joined the Miami office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, all the attorneys practiced at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.
At Least 10 Lawyers Plan Exit from Cadwalader to Sidley
Cadwalader is offering some attorneys an immediate promotion to partner and retention bonuses, sources said, but it is not clear if any of the group will choose to stay put.
Wilson Sonsini Partner Trio Takes Team to Baker McKenzie Following Beijing Closure
The move follows the announcement of Wilson Sonsini’s office closure in Beijing last month, which was the firm’s largest outpost in Greater China by partner head count.
In a clear sign of the ongoing competition for talent among South Korea’s top law firms, the renowned Big Six firm Yulchon has recently expanded its Mergers and Acquisitions team with the addition of four new partners based in Seoul. The new team consists of Sung-Jin Kim, Kayoung Kim, Hyerim Kang, and Junghwan Lee, all of whom have rejoined Yulchon as partners.
Promotions & Appointments:
Weil Promotes Litigator to Silicon Valley Co-Managing Partner
Bambo Obaro has been promoted to the Co-Managing Partner of Weil’s Silicon Valley office, a member of the firm’s national Complex Commercial Litigation practice, and a skilled trial lawyer. With over a decade of experience, Bambo has handled a diverse range of commercial issues and disputes in both state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings. Bambo Obaro has worked at Weil for more than 15 years as a commercial litigator.
Senate Confirms Paul Atkins as SEC Chair
The Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as the next Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) leader.
M&A Maven Who Helped Honeywell Make 100 Acquisitions Passing GC Role to Deputy
US conglomerate Honeywell has appointed Su Ping Lu as its new general counsel, succeeding Anne Madden, who is transitioning to a new role within the company.
Peter McNaney appointed to board of Belfast Harbour Commissioners
Solicitor and former Belfast City Council chief executive Peter McNaney has been appointed as a non-executive board member of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
Two promoted to partner at Taylor Wessing Ireland
International law firm Taylor Wessing has promoted Dannie Hanna and Jo Joyce to partners in its Dublin office.
Technology & Innovation:
Eversheds Sutherland’s Head of AI Discusses How the Firm Built a Risk Management Tool
Rachel Reid, Partner and Head of AI (US) at Eversheds Sutherland, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for Regulatory, Governance and Compliance Technology, discusses the challenges of developing and maintaining the firm’s AI Risk Navigator tool.
Superior Court Affirms Social Media’s Regulation of Gun-Rights, Automobile Accounts
A Pennsylvania Superior Court has upheld the authority of social media platforms to manage content related to gun rights, affirming the dismissals in the case of Armslist v. Facebook. Judge Maria McLaughlin noted that the court found no evidence of the companies yielding to government pressure, instead concluding that they are exercising independent judgment to uphold community standards.
Paul Weiss’ Director of AI Innovation Strategy: Gen AI Models are not ‘Easy Button’ Solutions
Iris Skornicki, Director of AI Innovation Strategy at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for Tech-Enabled Transactional Practice of the Year, discusses why automation solutions can be more practical for some clients than gen AI solutions.
George E. Phillips, Director of eData Development & Technology at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for Litigation Technology, discusses how his team evolved to prioritize projects, encourage creativity and support development.
Did an AI Discriminate in Hiring? Employer Faces Lawsuit
Immunovant Inc. is accused of discriminatory hiring due to the use of artificial intelligence in the hiring process. But one legal observer said the AI claims are not well-supported and might have been included simply to attract attention.
Latham & Watkins Partner Discusses the Firm’s AI Academy, Training Efforts
Michael Rubin, partner and Global Chair of the Artificial Intelligence Practice at Latham & Watkins, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for Best Tech Training Program Implementation, discusses how the firm approaches training and legal innovation.
John Wilson, Chief Information Security Officer and President of Forensics, and Rene Novoa, Vice President of Forensics, at HaystackID, which won the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Award for Best Emerging Technology (Non-AI), discuss how they see their companies role in the industry and why the pace of innovation keeps them energized.
Nokia Sues Acer for Alleged Patent Infringement Over Video Technology
Nokia has taken legal action against Acer, Asus, and Hisense for the unauthorized use of its technologies in their devices. The PCs from Acer and Asus, along with Hisense’s smart TVs, infringe on a range of Nokia’s video coding patents. The cases have been filed in Germany and the European Unified Patent Court.
Actfore CEO: Lines Between Legal and Privacy Technologies Are Increasingly Blurred
Christian Geyer, CEO for Actfore, discusses why data mining can be crucial to cybersecurity preparedness.
Open AI countersues Elon Musk to stop alleged harassment and ‘sham’ takeover bid
On Wednesday, OpenAI filed a countersuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of a pattern of harassment and requesting a federal judge to prevent him from taking any “further unlawful and unfair actions” against the company. The legal battle revolves around the future structure of OpenAI, the organization instrumental in sparking the AI revolution.
MoFo advises SoftBank on record-breaking $40 bln OpenAI investment
U.S. law firm Morrison Foerster has advised SoftBank Group Corp. in its role as lead investor in a groundbreaking financing round of up to $40 billion for artificial intelligence trailblazer OpenAI.
Market Commentary:
Skadden, Wachtell called in for Versace’s $1.4bn sale to Prada Group
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz have been engaged to advise on the sale of Versace by Capri Holdings to Prada in a deal valued at nearly $1.38 billion in cash.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Paul Weiss are advising U.S. private equity firm Stonepeak on its $5.7 billion funding agreement with Woodside Energy—represented by Norton Rose Fulbright—for an LNG development project in Louisiana.
White House Moves Against State Climate Policies in New Deregulation Push
In a broad executive order signed late Tuesday, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to “halt the enforcement of state laws” related to climate change that the administration deems unconstitutional, unenforceable, or overridden by federal law.
‘Politics and Not the Facts’: Luigi Mangione’s Defence Counsel Moves to Preclude Capital Punishment
In a motion submitted on Friday, April 11, to the federal District Court in Lower Manhattan, attorneys for Mangione requested that the judge prohibit federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. They contended that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to pursue capital punishment is “politically motivated, arbitrary, capricious, and a deviation from established death penalty procedures,” adding that it has “permanently compromised the fairness of the process.”
Skadden Makes a Strategic Play for Middle East M&A
Sovereign wealth funds and large, regional corporate clients are expected to form a significant part of Skadden’s work.
Five Major Law Firms Cut $600 Million Deals with Trump
Five of the world’s biggest law firms struck deals with Donald Trump to sidestep potential punitive executive orders, helping the former president amass $940 million in pro bono legal services. Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, A&O Shearman, and Cadwalader collectively contributed $600 million through agreements that Trump revealed on his social media platform Friday.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Paul Weiss Continues London Expansion with Litigation Hire from Akin
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the firm has added Akin partner Richard Hornshaw and established a U.K. litigation practice.
Travers Boosts Finance Team with Hire from Fried Frank
Mandip Englund joins Travers’s string of recent lateral hires. She has advised clients including boards of companies, private equity sponsors, credit funds and distressed funds, insolvency practitioners, pension trustees and clearing banks/investment banks.
Eversheds Swoops for DLA Co-Head of UK Tech Disputes
Simon Kenyon, a former senior partner at DLA Piper, has joined Eversheds Sutherland, expanding its technology, media, and telecoms practice. This calculated action is expected to increase Eversheds’ visibility in the UK tech disputes market.
Sidley Swoops for Another Latham London Partner
According to someone with knowledge of the situation, the firm has acquired about 40 attorneys from Latham & Watkins in the past year. One such partner is Jayanthi Sadanandan who is ranked Tier 1 for Baking and Finance by Chambers and Partners 2024.
Ashurst grows London Real Estate team with new partner hire
Ashurst, a worldwide law firm, has expanded its expertise in the global real estate industry by adding Lee Foxcroft as a partner in its London real estate department. With an emphasis on data centers, technology, and the senior housing industry, Lee brings a wealth of experience in real estate joint ventures and co-investment arrangements to the table.
Greenberg Traurig hits Reed Smith for London infrastructure partner
To strengthen its infrastructure bench in London, Greenberg Traurig (GT) has brought on a partner from Reed Smith. After working for his previous company for eighteen years, Richard Ceeney has joined GT as a shareholder.
APAC
Japan’s Big Four Firm Mori Hamada Secures Corporate Partner from MoFo Tokyo
The company handles some of the most well-known deals in Japan, such as Bain Capital’s $3.3 billion pharmaceutical acquisition of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma.
Bakers SG firm expands cap markets offering with hire from A&O Shearman
McKenzie Baker Alexander Stathopoulos, a seasoned capital markets attorney, was promoted from A&O Shearman to the position of principal at Wong & Leow, a Baker McKenzie member firm in Singapore. Stathopoulos specializes in cross-border equity capital markets offerings in Southeast Asia and has more than 20 years of expertise in international capital markets.
Two KCs join Singapore operation of NZ’s Bankside Chambers
Law chambers in New Zealand Bankside have designated seasoned British legal clerk David Grief as its coordinator in the city-state of Singapore and has assigned Andrew Butler KC (L) and Kelly Quinn KC to its Singapore office.
Khaitan adds real estate partner from AZB in Pune
Alpesh Parekh, a real estate lawyer from AZB & Partners, was hired by Indian law firm Khaitan & Co. to bolster its Pune office. This is the firm’s first lateral partner addition in the city since its founding in December 2023.
EMEA
Willkie Hires High-Profile Duo from Gibson Dunn’s German Antitrust Team
Willkie Farr Gallagher has strategically bolstered its European antitrust capabilities by hiring a high-profile duo from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. The team, led by prominent antitrust partner Georg Weidenbach, is set to enhance Willkie’s footprint in Germany and other significant European markets. This move underscores Willkie’s commitment to expanding its antitrust platform across Europe.
Mayer Brown taps Dechert for capital markets partner
Rafe Khokhar most recently worked as a securities and corporate attorney. Khokar advises financial institutions, sovereign entities, asset managers and sovereign wealth funds on capital markets, regulatory capital instruments, Islamic finance and Sharia-compliant products, and liability management transactions.
The Americas
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Joins Hogan Lovells in D.C.
The former senator from Arizona began her professional career as a criminal defense lawyer and went on to serve three years in the House.
Davis Polk Adds Structured Finance Partner from Cadwalader
Ryan McNaughton’s arrival gives the company’s increasing emphasis on private finance a securitization component.
Paul Hastings Adds ECVC Partner From Wilson Sonsini in NorCal
Frank Lopez the firms Chair has said that Mike Pestana’s arrival will help the firm in working with clients moving from “pre-IPO to large public company.”
Mayer Brown Adds Longtime National Security Official to Lead White Collar Practice
Wainstein spent roughly five years as a partner at Davis, Polk & Wardwell prior to his most recent government assignment.
Freshfields New York M&A Partner Exits as Firm Tackles ‘Credibility’ Issue in US Market
Along with Ethan Klingsberg and other prominent Cleary corporate figures, the partner joined the firm in 2019, which was seen as a huge U.S. team hire by the U.K.-founded legal company and a springboard for its present success in the United States.
Paul Hastings Expands Litigation Practice in Houston with King & Spalding Partner
Craig Stanfield, who started working for Paul Hastings on Monday, stated that the company’s presence, extensive procedures, and dedication to expansion in Texas drew him in.
Expanding Its Finance Practice, Haynes and Boone Adds Derivatives Partner in New York
Michele “Miki” Navazio, a partner at Seward & Kissel, joined Haynes and Boone in New York as a co-chair of the firm’s derivatives practice.
Before Locke Lord’s health care practice group merged with Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, Tammy Woffenden, a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke, co-chaired the group.
People in the News—April 4, 2025—Marshall Dennehey, Stradley Ronon
Professional liability lawyer Kyle T. McGee has become a stakeholder in Marshall Dennehey’s Pittsburgh office.
In-House
Ex-GC of Raiders, Cardinals Becomes Packers’ Top Lawyer
When Kevin Manara takes over as CEO in July, longtime General Counsel Ed Policy will relinquish his legal responsibilities.
The GC Who Took Facebook Public Takes Legal Reins of NFL
Ted Ullyot is a well-known Republican who served as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ chief of staff, a clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia of the Supreme Court, and an advisor to President George W. Bush.
KFC Legal Chief Flies the Coop for Chicken Chain Bojangles
As Bojangles moves forward with aspirations to reach 1,000 stores, Kate Ward is taking over the company’s legal management.
Latham Star to Captain American Airlines Legal Team
After Priya Aiyar left for Warner Bros. Discovery in February, the biggest passenger airline in the world started looking for a new legal chief.
Year-Old Legal Technology Startup Hires Former Alphabet Lawyer as GC
John Lee, the company’s general counsel and head of strategy, stated, “Ruli’s potential for integration across workflows to solve fundamental challenges in the legal industry is unmatched.”
Diageo General Counsel Departs for US Healthcare Giant
In 2021, Tom Shropshire left Linklaters, where he was the head of the U.S. division of the law firm, to join Diageo.
Green Bay Packers sign GC from Arizona Cardinals as previous legal head named CEO
In lieu of Ed Policy, who is being elevated to the position of president and CEO, the American football franchise Green Bay Packers has appointed Kevin Manara as its general counsel.
Team Moves
Cleary Hires 5-Partner IP Lit Team from Latham
Victor Hou, co-leader of Cleary’s Americas litigation practice, described the group addition as a “game changer” for the company.
Paul Hastings, After Hiring 3 White & Case Partners, Lays Out Abu Dhabi Strategy
Paul Hastings wants to use its new Abu Dhabi base and cross-border energy and infrastructure experience to link investments from the Middle East and Europe.
Hogan Lovells Adds 4-Partner Litigation Team from Kramer Levin
The group, headed by former leader of the litigation department Gary Orseck, arrives as Kramer Levin seeks to complete its proposed merger with Herbert Smith Freehills.
Freeman Mathis & Gary Hires Three Partners in Tampa After Significant Fla. Expansion in 2024
After a year of quick growth in Florida, the Georgia-based company is expanding its Tampa office with three health care partners, with more to follow.
Fox Rothschild Loses 4 Labor Attorneys to Jackson Lewis, Pierson Ferdinand
A day prior to partner Jerry Hathaway’s relocation to Pierson Ferdinand, partner Bryn Goodman and two associates announced their move to Jackson Lewis.
Holland & Knight Snags Finance Team from Seward & Kissel in New York
Law firm Holland & Knight has poached key a maritime finance team of smaller, New York-based rival Seward & Kissel, sources told TradeWinds. The team is led by partner Michael Timpone, alongside partners Sophia Agathis and Kurt Plankl.
Macfarlanes Trio Leaves for DAC Beachcroft
All three were in Macfarlanes’ real estate department for the best part of a decade.
Financials:
Eager to Retain Legal Chief Through Merger, Shyft Group Quadruples His Pay
Joshua Sherbin received $3.2 million in shares and a $1.6 million retention incentive from the specialty vehicle manufacturer in 2024, which was five times more than his award the previous year.
DLA Piper Surpasses $4B in Revenue, nears 5K Lawyers as Firm Strives to Expand in Key Areas
In 2025, DLA Piper is focused on generating lucrative revenue in “white hot” markets and practice areas.
Faegre Drinker Hits $1 Billion in Revenue
The company’s gross sales climbed 7.1% in the sixth year following a successful merger, and its profits per partner surged 12.7% to $1.27 million.
Carlton Fields Expands Revenue Gains as Head Count Stays Flat
As its CEO continues to prioritize gradual but steady growth, the Tampa-based company is announcing its fourth consecutive year of revenue increase.
Orrick Breaks $1.5B in Revenue in Strong 2024
In 2024, the company reported a 16.7% increase in profits per equity partner.
Holland & Hart Boosted Net Income by 24% in 2024 Amid Focus on Lateral Hiring, Premium Clients
The Mountain West law practice continues to reap the benefits of a long-term strategy that emphasizes high-end client business and involves hiring upmarket partners.
Simpson Thacher Crosses $7.5M in PEP, Revenue Jumps 24% as Firm Eyes Westward Expansion
The firm, which will build an office in San Francisco early next year, will benefit from the success, according to firm chair Alden Millard.
Kilpatrick Grows Revenue, Profits Despite ‘Year of Investment’ That Boosted Expenses
The multinational company’s revenue rose by 5% as a result of spending on technology and integrating new partners.
Mayer Brown’s Revenue Grows to $1.98B, PEP Rises 14%
The company saw a 6.6% decrease in headcount overall and a roughly 10% decline in equity partners after spinning out its operations in Mexico City and Hong Kong last year.
Gibson Dunn Achieves $7.2M in PEP, 15.7% Revenue Rise Amid Continued Focus on Building Key Practices
Gross revenue is up 65% since the beginning of chair and managing partner Barbara Becker’s tenure.
Fox Rothschild Sees Over 20% Growth in Bottom Line
The gross revenue increased by 11.3% over 2023 to $773 million. In contrast, earnings per equity partner increased by more than 20% to $1.1 million.
Cuatrecasas Sees 12.2% Revenue Growth, Surpassing €436 Million
Over the last three years, the Spanish legal firm’s revenue has increased by €120 million.
In 2024, the company’s earnings per equity partner increased by almost sixteen percent. Bill Malley, the managing partner, expressed his optimism over the performance of the upcoming year.
Promotions & Appointments:
Seyfarth Appoints Longtime Staff to New C-Suite Innovator Roles
Zeynep Ersin has been named the company’s chief innovation and strategic design officer, while Byong Kim has been named chief data and AI officer.
People in the News—March 31, 2025—Barley Snyder, Duffy
Barley Snyder declared the appointment of lawyer Emily C. Watkins to the board of directors of the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Greenberg Traurig Miami Elevates Four Attorneys
The new Miami stockholders are Jennifer Junger, Sami B. Ghneim, Joshua B. Forman, and Carlos L. Diaz.
Norton Rose Extends Chair’s Tenure in Snub to South Africa
Although there is a South African candidate in line to succeed him, Walied Soliman, the current global chair, will remain in his position.
Pinsent Masons Elevates 24 to Partner, 54% Women
This year’s total is two greater than last year’s, and the business has promoted a comparable number of partners during the previous few years.
Linklaters promotes three UAE lawyers to partner
One partner specializes in corporate law, while the other two focus on energy and infrastructure.
Wilson Nesbitt appoints Neil Cahill to lead dispute resolution team
Neil Cahill has been named a partner and head of conflict resolution at Wilson Nesbitt, a firm based in Northern Ireland. Mr. Cahill formerly served as the director of the litigation and dispute resolution team of Fieldfisher in Dublin. Before that, he was a partner at Tughans and the head of disputes for UK and EMEA at ALT at Herbert Smith Freehills in Belfast.
Neil Matheson promoted to partner at TC Young
Neil Matheson has been promoted to partner at TC Young. After beginning as a trainee at the business in 2015, Mr. Matheson has extensive experience in civil litigation cases at the Sheriff Court and Court of Session levels.
Diversity & Inclusion:
White & Case Launches ‘New Initiative’ to Replace DEI Function
White & Case acknowledged that it had “discontinued” its DEI activities and replaced them with “a new initiative focused on professional skills training and engagement for all our non-partner lawyers and business services professionals.”
Engine Maker That’s Championed Diversity for Decades Sits Out DEI Retreat
In its newly filed proxy statement, the corporation makes numerous allusions to diversity and inclusion, referring to DEI as “the heart of our culture and cornerstone of our ongoing success.”
Freshfields Removes DEI Content, Retires US Diversity Targets
One of 20 companies cited in a Trump-directed letter that voiced “concern” over practices that “may entail unlawful disparate treatment” based on “sex, race, or other protected characteristics” was the company, which has recently made large investments in its U.S. business.
Kirkland & Ellis Hides Diversity Data Required in the UK
The company has made changes to its website that make required diversity statistics difficult to see.
How Flimsy Regulation Helped Big Law Drop DEI
Emphasis is being placed on the strength of DEI policies and their implementation.
Section 1981: The Swiss Army Knife for Anti-DEI Litigation
Along with concerning enforcement threats from cabinet-level leaders, the President has recently issued several executive orders, guidelines, and other cautions pertaining to DEI, the Department of Justice, and the EEOC. The issue is that, unless they appropriately reflect current statutes, case law, and/or court rulings, these are not legally binding, and law firms are advising businesses as such.
European businesses with contracts in the United States that choose to follow the new workplace discrimination regulations of the Trump administration run the danger of facing legal and reputational issues both domestically and within the European Union. However, businesses without U.S. contracts may also encounter issues.
IBA reaffirms support for rule of law and diversity amid Trump attacks on legal profession
The International Bar Association (IBA) has joined the American Bar Association in expressing concern over what it perceives as an ongoing erosion of the rule of law in the US.
First leadership appointments to NI Law Society women’s network
Naomi White and Claire McAleer have been named to senior positions in the recently formed women’s network of the Law Society of Northern Ireland. After an eight-year hiatus, Ms. McAleer, who will chair the network, resumed her legal practice in 2022. She has experience helping women, having worked with the NI Rural Women’s Network and in community service.
Office Openings & Closing:
Brent Walker Leaves Dallas’ Aldous\Walker, Still Led by Charla Aldous, to Form New Firm
Walker founded Brent Walker Law, where he would concentrate on catastrophic personal injury claims. Aldous Walker is now Aldous Law Firm.
Holland & Knight Opens Seattle Office Led by Ex-Davis Wright Tremaine Managing Partner
16 attorneys from the local company Karr Tuttle Campbell, which closed a few days prior to the announcement, will work in the new office.
Ogletree Deakins Seeking More Collaboration, Upgrade Design in New Midtown Atlanta Office
The labour and employment-focused store will be located in the 55-story Bank of America Plaza with other Am Law 100 firms.
Chamberlain Hrdlicka Moving in 2026 to ‘Space That Supports’ Firm’s Current, Future Needs
The firm has moved its Atlanta outposts to newly renovated Midtown office towers, joining other Am Law 200 firms in doing so.
Brown Rudnick to Open LA Office with Four-Partner Hire
Daniel Rozansky, co-chair of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles’ commercial litigation practice, is one of the new partners.
Additionally, the company confirmed 2025 debuts in Bangkok, Seattle, and Kuala Lumpur.
Simmons to Relocate London Headquarters
There will be 22,000 extra square feet of space at the new location.
McDermott, Pinsent Partners Launch German Boutique with Unusual Hybrid Structure
With a team of 20 attorneys drawn from Pinsent, EY Law, and boutique firm Orka, the Düsseldorf firm is experimenting with a novel hybrid-corporate structure that hasn’t been available before 2022.
McDermott Will & Emery Relinquishes Asia Presence, Closes Singapore After 4 Years
Recently, the company’s sole Singaporean partner, who was also stationed at its London office, departed.
Mergers & Alliances:
Gunster Merges with South Florida Boutique, Adding Additional Miami Office and 14 Lawyers
South Florida-based Katz Barron and Florida-based Gunster are combining. In order to have a presence in both Brickell and Coral Gables moving forward, it plans to retain the firm’s current Miami location.
Law Firms Maintain Strong Interest in Mergers, but Economic Pressure Could Have ‘Disquieting Effect’
According to the author of a recent analysis, any economic downturn could have a “disquieting effect,” even though businesses are keen to identify suitable combinations.
Kramer Levin-HSF Merger Approved in Partner Vote
The merger will commence on June 1st, a month later than originally planned.
Phelps Dunbar Adds to Gulf Coast Presence, Practice Areas in Merger with Pensacola’s Beggs & Lane
The merger strengthens the firm’s litigation, energy, IP capabilities in a “fertile area,” according to managing partner Marshall Redmon.
Technology & Innovation:
Amend Practice Book to Require Cybersecurity CLE
Cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection should all be included in at least one credit hour of continuing education.
Criminal Defense Discovery Platform TrialKit Debuts, Announces $4.25M in Funding
With support from startup finance firm UpWest and others, the company wants to create an AI-powered discovery platform for defense lawyers.
Hugging the Boogeyman: AI Is Not a Trap, It’s a Safety Net
AI will decrease, not increase, the risk of malpractice in 2025 with appropriate lawyer training and practical implementation. The foundation of responsible adoption is a notion that is already ingrained in legal ethics and practice: the importance of use should determine how diligently information sources are verified and secured.
Supio Launches Updated Document Intelligence Platform with New AI Tools for Personal Injury Lawyers
AI-powered features in Supio’s record Intelligence platform, which will be widely accessible later this spring, are designed to help plaintiff law firms with a variety of tasks, including demand letter writing and medical record analysis.
In-House Teams Struggling to Take Legal AI Beyond the Trial Stage
Many companies’ legal departments may find it difficult to implement AI widely and show a significant return on investment, according to a recent Factor analysis.
Market Commentary:
Latham & Watkins Attorney Pulls a ‘Hat Trick,’ Winning Three Cases in One Day
Jeff Hammel, who co-leads the New York Litigation & Trial Department at Latham & Watkins, stated that it is extremely unlikely that all of the decisions will be released on the same day.
Amicus Brief Supporting Perkins Coie Gets 170 Signatures so Far, but Few Am Law 100 Firms
As of last Sunday, only a few Am Law 100 firms had signed onto the amicus brief, sources say
Mark Wasserman, who facilitated the 2017 merger of American and British companies, is replaced by Lino Mendiola.
Willkie Believes It’s the Next Target of Trump Executive Order
One of the individuals claimed that the New York legal firm had “started to make preparations” and execute the required actions, but he would not provide further details.
Willkie Reaches Deal with Trump to Avoid Executive Order
According to reports, Willkie, the office of former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, had “started to make preparations” and perform the required actions in anticipation of a possible executive order from the White House.
Companies Veer Away from External GC Hires After Trend Loses Shine
According to a Russell Reynolds Associates analysis, “Facture 500 companies are investing more in the rising stars they already employ, as the external talent market is somewhat exhausted.”
New Distributed Firm Lucendo Offers Traditional Pathway to Equity Alongside Work Flexibility
CEO T.J. Henry was previously Rimon’s chief legal and growth officer, but he has a complaint regarding the way the initial wave of virtual enterprises were set up.
‘You’ve Got to Do Stuff Immediately’: Newly Hired GCs Feel Urgency to Fix Things Fast
Fortune 500 legal chiefs were asked by Russell Reynolds Associates to rate the degree of change they made during their first 12 to 18 months on a scale of 1 to 10. Seven was the most frequently given response.
Law Firms’ Thai and Myanmar Offices Return To ‘Business as Usual’ Following 7.7 Mw Earthquake
Such earthquakes and tectonic deformations have been known to result in dozens of fatalities and expose a sizable population to widespread risks such as landslides.
Singapore’s Sustainability Legal Service Market to Triple in Value by 2033, PwC Report Projects
PwC claimed that because of possible skills gaps in technical expertise connected to sustainability, Singapore’s legal market is ill-equipped to manage the anticipated expansion in the sustainability sphere.
African Firms Have Struggled in London, but a Nigerian Partner May Have Cracked the Code
Though most have failed, the city has been a popular location for African businesses looking to grow outside of the continent. What is Olaniwun Ajayi’s secret then?
Moves:
UK & Ireland
A prominent EY UK lawyer has joined Squire, leading a move with a five-person team.
Monica Gogna will head the regulatory segment of the firm’s global financial services practice.
Sharon Somerville joins Lindsays in Dundee
Sharon Somerville, a corporate lawyer, has been promoted to senior associate at Lindsays. Today, Ms. Somerville works full-time at the company’s Dundee city center office. She offers advice on a variety of business and corporate matters.
APAC
Pillsbury expands Hong Kong team with hire from PRC’s DeHeng
Samuel Ng, a capital markets partner from DeHeng Law Offices, has joined Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s Hong Kong office. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the equity and debt capital markets, as well as noteworthy knowledge of major initial public offerings.
PwC Legal Vietnam bolsters corporate practice with hire from A&G
With the addition of Allen & Gledhill Vietnam M&A specialist Phan Vinh Nhan as a partner, PwC Legal Vietnam has improved its corporate legal capabilities.
Luthra rainmaker Karan Mitroo to join JSA in Delhi
In addition to recent high-profile hires, Karan Mitroo, a banking and finance partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, is expected to join JSA Advocates & Solicitors with his team. This will help JSA’s expansion efforts as Luthra deals with a wave of partner departures and looks to strengthen its position in South India.
SAM adds Mensa Brands GC as corp partner in Bengaluru
With the appointment of partner Anant Dang in Bengaluru, Indian law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas has continued to strategically grow its general corporate practice. Dang comes from his positions as general counsel and a founding member of Mensa Brands, one of the unicorns with the quickest rate of growth in India.
Female-founded ArbBoutique hires independent arbitrator in Singapore
International arbitrator Chiann Bao has joined ArbBoutique, this move will strengthen the boutique firm’s coverage in Asia.
EMEA
Covington Hires Former EU Judge in Brussels
Swedish former CJEU judge Nils Wahl discusses his transition to private practice with Covington & Burling’s Brussels office in an interview with CDR, featuring insights from global antitrust co-chair Johan Ysewyn. Covington & Burling has hired Wahl as senior of counsel in its Brussels-based EU competition and litigation practices, effective April 1.
Herbert Smith Freehills Bolsters German IP Power with Patent Litigator as Cases Surge
Florian Schmidt-Bogatzky has joined Herbert Smith Freehills, a renowned worldwide law firm, as a partner in its Intellectual Property (IP) practice. He will be working in the Düsseldorf-based Disputes section of the firm. Florian is a German patent litigator with over 20 years of expertise in both domestic and international patent infringement cases before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
Mauritius firm CMS Prism continues growth by adding new Head of Dispute Resolution
CMS Prism, a prominent business legal company in Mauritius, has strengthened its disputes practice by appointing Gaelle Angoh Li Ying Pin, a former senior state counsel, as its new Head of Dispute Resolution.
The Americas
Akin Nabs Munger Trade Secrets and Employee Mobility Co-Chair in Los Angeles
Smolowe joins Akin as a litigation partner after spending 16 years at Munger.
O’Melveny Adds Willkie Tech Transactions Partner in Silicon Valley and Newport Beach
O’Melveny Adds Willkie Tech Transactions Partner in Silicon Valley and Newport Beach
Foley Expands State AG Team With Cozen O’Connor Trio in DC, Denver
Foley & Lardner has hired two partners in Washington, D.C., and an of counsel in Denver for its state attorneys general practice, as the firm continues to focus on expanding key practice areas.
Baker McKenzie International Arbitration Partner Jumps to Reed Smith in Dallas
Eugenie Rogers has joined Reed Smith as a partner in the global commercial disputes group and international arbitration team. She specializes in handling cross-border disputes, particularly those involving large construction projects in Europe and the Middle East.
Holland & Knight has added a former high-ranking EPA lawyer as a partner in its Dallas office.
James McGuire previously served as regional counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, which oversees six states, including Texas, and 66 federally recognized tribes.
Vinson & Elkins Expands Antitrust Trial Team with McDermott Partner in New York
Nicole Castle, who recently joined Vinson & Elkins as a partner in the New York antitrust practice, stated that she made the move because the firm has been developing a “leading” antitrust team.
In-House
Litigation Funder Burford Capital Taps Financial Services Vet for New CMO
Jessica Zall started her new role as chief marketing officer at Burford Capital, a publicly traded third-party litigation financing company, on Monday. She brings with her a wealth of experience from previous marketing positions at J.P. Morgan and Fidelity.
UNC Hires State Senate Majority Leader as GC
The next general counsel and vice chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is Paul Newton, who resigned from the North Carolina Senate earlier this week.
US investment firm TPG hires Debevoise & Plimpton partner as CLO
Bradford Berenson, who is retiring from TPG at the end of the year, has been replaced as chief legal officer by Jennifer Chu. TPG is a US alternative asset management company.
Team Moves
Macfarlanes Trio Leaves for DAC Beachcroft
For almost ten years, all three worked in Macfarlanes’ real estate division.
Luthra and Luthra has experienced notable departures, including the loss of its seven-lawyer real estate transactions team to Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas last month.
Financials:
Holland & Knight Surpasses $2 Billion in Revenue in First Year of New Leadership Team
After Stephen Sonberg stepped down as managing partner following 16 years in the role, new leaders Robert Grammig and David Whitestone took charge, guiding the firm through continued growth.
Nixon Peabody Boosts Net Income by 12% Thanks to 3-Pronged Strategy
Industry groups, talent management, and client feedback have contributed to Nixon Peabody’s growth, helping the firm increase its gross revenue for the fourth consecutive year.
Baker & Hostetler Reaches Financial ‘Milestone,’ Exceeding $1B in 2024
Chair Paul Schmidt stated that the historic $1.05 billion in gross revenues last year marked the end of 31 consecutive years of growth. He noted that this success reflects a firm that has not only expanded domestically but has also placed a strong emphasis on lateral hiring.
Transactional Work Rebounds in 2024 to Help Grow Revenue, Profits for Moore & Van Allen
Gross revenue rose by 10% to $298.7 million, while profits per equity partner grew by 14% to $1.35 million.
Growth in California has contributed to a 16% revenue increase for Fisher & Phillips.
Managing partner John Polson also attributed the firm’s strong performance to the growth of its workplace safety practice.
“When we closed the books at the end of 2023, our numbers were up so dramatically that people outside of the firm questioned whether we could have a repeat year. I’m proud to report we’re up again rather significantly,” said co-managing partner Michael Carlinsky.
Cooley maintains its upward momentum as revenue reaches $2.15 billion.
However, the firm’s London revenue has edged downwards.
King & Spalding Credits Investment in Talent, Litigation Work for 11% Revenue Jump
The firm had trial successes in several high-profile product liability matters, and demand for energy work around the globe was brisk.
With Strong Demand in Litigation, Corporate, Revenue Up 6.3% at Clark Hill
In 2024, Detroit-based Clark Hill made investments in Atlanta, its first office in the Southeast, and additional offices in Boulder, Colorado.
Bradley Arant Sees ‘Seeds Planted’ Since 2019 Lead to 19% Revenue Growth
Jonathan Skeeters, managing partner, attributed 2024’s impressive performance to new office openings in Atlanta and Texas.
Florida-Rooted Am Law 100 Firms All Report Revenue Gains and Higher Partner Compensation in 2024
Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Knight and Akerman boosted higher gross revenue and profits per equity partner, even as two of them also expanded their equity ranks.
Promotions & Appointments:
Macfarlanes Announces Latest Partner Promotion Round
Two-thirds of newly promoted partners are female
Slaughter and May Announces Latest Partner Promotion Round
Six new partners will be appointed across various practice areas.
Linklaters Elevates 34 to Partner
Compared to the previous year, the company has raised the number of promotions by 25%.
Brian Kennedy SC appointed as CCPC’s first chief adjudication officer
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has named Brian Kennedy SC as its first chief adjudication officer. For more than 27 years, Mr. Kennedy has been a practicing barrister in Ireland.
CMS announces Scottish partner promotions
Three new partners have been appointed by CMS in Scotland. The trio consists of Robbie Somerville, a lawyer from CMS’s corporate team based in Glasgow, and Rory Thomson, a colleague from the firm’s insurance and reinsurance department based in Edinburgh.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Female Sports Litigators Discuss Strategy to Land ‘Dream Job’ in Competitive Field
Landing a dream job in the legal profession doesn’t happen instantly, particularly in sports law, where success often requires playing the long game to stand out in the field.
What, if Anything, Should Businesses Do About DEI in the Age of Trump?
In response to President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive orders, private businesses should review their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices. They should then develop an action plan—whether that involves updating policies, reaffirming their commitment to DEI (with or without amendments), or adopting a wait-and-see approach.
How Diversity Turned into a Controversial Topic in Law Firms, Even in the UK
Sources and early indications suggest that law firm diversity staff may be subtly shifting away from focusing on DEI initiatives.
Women’s History Month: Shared Experiences Help Smooth Intersection of Professional, Personal Demands
The importance of finding a good mentor—someone who will help lead you through the stages of your legal career and the hurdles along the way—is well known to any associate in a law firm.
‘People Are Terrified’: How Diversity Became a Dirty Word in Law Firms
Early research and sources suggest that diversity staff at law firms may be subtly moving away from DEI.
According to the Global Lawyer, Trump’s executive orders have stunned some of the biggest legal firms in the world and may have also exposed an unsettling reality: DEI is disposable.
Office Openings & Closing:
Litigation boutique Tressler opens new offices in San Francisco and San Diego.
Tressler, a midsize law firm founded in Chicago that specializes in representing the insurance industry, now operates 10 offices across six states.
Just last month, the firm faced a setback when infrastructure partners Jessamy Gallagher and Stuart Rowson left for Freshfields.
BCLP is withdrawing from Asia and plans to close its Hong Kong and Singapore offices.
The firm stated that its current focus is on investing in its transatlantic platform and selectively operating in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and the Middle East.
Excello Law marks US debut with Santa Barbara launch
Excello Law, a platform law company, opened an office in Santa Barbara to commemorate its US debut. J Paul Gignac, a litigator from Rimon, has joined the UK-based business to head the new office, which it hopes will serve as a launching pad for additional US expansion.
Mergers & Alliances:
Dentons expands its presence in India through a partnership with a local IP boutique.
Following its integration with IP boutique Aumirah, Dentons will now have seven offices across India.
Dentons has partnered with startup law firm Pulse in Canada’s tech hub.
The alliance with Pulse Law provides Dentons with a physical presence in Ontario’s tech hub.
Womble Bond Forges Strategic Alliance with Brazilian Firmv
The partnership with Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira, and Agel deepens the coverage of natural resources and energy.
Atlas, a division of the Svalner Atlas Group, is happy to announce that it has merged with STP Tax, a prominent tax compliance and consultancy company in the Netherlands. By combining the resources of both companies, this calculated move marks a critical turning point and reaffirms the company’s dedication to offering first-rate consulting services with a strong local and global presence.
Technology & Innovation:
Reveal Announces New Gen AI-Powered E-Discovery Platform
On Monday, e-discovery solutions provider Reveal announced that its AI-powered e-discovery platform will be released this summer and available for preview at Legalweek 2025 in New York. The new platform is designed to cater to users of all experience levels, offering increased transparency during the document review process. The platform’s name has yet to be revealed.
Goodwin, Clifford Chance and Other Firms Expand Their AI Offerings
Goodwin Procter, Harbottle & Lewis, and Clifford Chance have all enhanced their artificial intelligence capabilities by launching new firm-wide technology tools. Both Goodwin and Harbottle & Lewis revealed they are implementing the AI platform Legora across their legal operations.
The Rise of AI Litigation: How Emerging Tech Companies Can Safeguard Their IP and Liability Exposure
As artificial intelligence advances rapidly, it has also become a hotspot for litigation, especially around issues like intellectual property theft, data scraping, and model transparency. Traditional legal frameworks that govern software, data usage, and trade secrets are proving insufficient to address the complexities brought about by generative models and autonomous decision-making systems.
Traditional Lawyering in the New Age of AI
Predictions that AI will replace legal jobs are often rooted in a misunderstanding of how AI functions. In contrast, the mechanics of large language models, like those powering ChatGPT, suggest that generative AI (as it currently stands) may never be entirely free from hallucinations. Legal writing, however, requires the citation or distinction of real precedents, not fictional ones.
Building a data-driven communications philosophy for your law firm
Data-informed planning and regular measurement is essential if law firm marketers want their campaigns to succeed, said Vincent & Elkins’ chief communications officer Allan Schoenberg
Market Commentary:
“Many law firms are likely discovering a newfound interest in this area of advisory work,” says Michael Schramm, partner at Hengeler Mueller.
As GC Role Becomes More Daunting, Up-and-Comers Flock to Coaching
“If you want to be an effective leader, it starts with self-awareness,” said former PepsiCo General Counsel David Yawman. “Do I understand what I stand for? What I’m great at? What triggers me into bad behavior?”
‘This Is an Embarrassment:’ In-House Lawyers Dismayed by Paul Weiss’ Trump Deal
“I don’t have a large budget for outside counsel, but I definitely won’t be spending it with law firms who don’t stand up for themselves in the face of injustice,” stated Ray Everett, general counsel for health care at TopCon Corp.
Templars Among Nigerian Firms Adopting UK/US Equity Partner Models to Retain Talent
In the midst of the “japa” syndrome, which is the widespread exodus of young people looking for work overseas, Nigerian law firms are using equity partnership models from the United States and the United Kingdom in order to retain top talent and develop long-term leadership.
How Are Law Firms Looking to Strike a Deal with Trump Getting a Foot in the Door?
There was a strong market for energy work worldwide, and the company achieved trial triumphs in a number of well-known product liability cases.
Skadden Offers $100M In Pro Bono Work to Avoid Trump Order
US firm Skadden has struck a pre-emptive deal with President Donald Trump to provide at least $100m in pro bono services to avoid facing an executive action like other law firms.
Financials:
AMD’s Ava Hahn Downloads $16.9M in First Year as Chipmaker’s GC
The former head of law at Lam Research was given a $2 million sign-on bonus and $13.3 million in AMD stock awards.
Growing Crypto, Media Practices Boosted Manatt’s Revenue, Profits Over 12%
The firm also saw increase in profits per equity partner, up 12.8% in 2024.
Finding Increased Transactional Momentum and IP Demand, Duane Morris Grows Revenue by $45 Million
Although the company’s total revenue climbed by 7%, its profitability only increased by 2.3%. Matthew Taylor, the CEO and chair of the company, attributed this to higher investments in personnel and technology.
O’Melveny Surpasses $3M PEP, $1B in Gross Revenue
According to chair Bradley Butwin, a diverse firmwide performance was completed by marquee litigation clients and a high deal volume.
Despite Constrained Transactional Market, Fried Frank Sets Revenue Record, Crosses $5M in PEP
Despite challenges, Chair Ken Rosh said the firm’s core practices paved the path for a “fantastic” year.
One-Time Stock Grant Drives Up Pay for BorgWarner Legal Chief by 83%
Tonit Calaway received a $4.5 million grant from the auto parts manufacturer last year as part of an executive retention initiative.
‘Very Balanced’ Practice Performance Leads to Double-Digit Increases for Nelson Mullins
According to managing partner Jim Lehman, PEP increased by over 33% and net income by 29% as the company kept strict control over spending.
With ‘Repeatable’ Performance, Dorsey & Whitney Saw ‘Solid and Consistent’ Growth in 2024
PEP increased by more than 15% to surpass $1 million for the first time, while gross income increased by about 10%.
Kirkland & Ellis Revenue Hits $8.8B, as PEP Jumps to $9.2M
According to Kirkland chair Jon Ballis, the company is still committed to gaining market share while maintaining client satisfaction and expanding the company in the appropriate sectors, such as foreign markets.
White & Case, Hogan Lovells, Garrigues Thrive in Europe Despite Sluggish Economy
Businesses are setting themselves for success by adjusting to obstacles in the face of economic uncertainty.
Diversity & Inclusion:
20 Law Firms Face DEI Probe by EEOC
The EEOC statement on Monday included the names of several of the top Am Law 100 businesses.
Latham, Hogan Lovells Remove DEI Content from Sites
Earlier this week, the EEOC contacted 20 law firms, including the two, to request information on their employment practices relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
MoFo Accused of Dropping Transgender Client Because of Trump DEI Attacks
The nonprofit organization The Good Law Project claims that Donald Trump’s recent targeting of law firms over diversity, equity, and inclusion is the reason Morrison & Foerster changed its mind after first agreeing to serve the unnamed client.
BCLP to Review Position on Diversity, Inclusion
One person with knowledge of the company claims that during a town hall meeting, BCLP lawyers were informed about revisions to the firm’s diversity and inclusion website.
Law firms must stay focused on diversity – IBA panel
Andrea de la Piedra, the keynote speaker, claims that even with more diversity policies, change isn’t occurring quickly enough.
Office Openings & Closing:
McDermott Opens San Diego Office, Appoints New IP Practice Group Leads
Three intellectual property partners are among the five employees of McDermott Will & Emery that will launch an office in San Diego.
Thompson Hine Opens Minneapolis Office with Robins Kaplan IP, Tech Litigation Team
The Cleveland-based Am Law 200 firm Thompson Hine opened an office in Minneapolis a few months after opening one in Los Angeles.
Goodwin Alums Launch Firm Focused on Plaintiffs-Side Appellate Work
Founded in 2012 by public interest lawyer Deepak Gupta, the boutique aims to build on the success of Gupta Wessler, a firm that has won cases in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of workers and consumers.
Akin To Launch Riyadh Office with White & Case Project Finance Partner
Akin plans to open a Riyadh office in late 2025, the 25th firm to open in the competitive Saudi legal market.
Hogan Lovells to Welcome in the Public by Opening a Bakery
In order to support a social company that assists victims of domestic abuse, Café Nova will sell coffee and pastries.
Dentons Adds Turks and Caicos Islands Firm to Network
Dentons stated that it is now the first and only international legal firm in Turks and Caicos following its merger with local business Griffiths & Partners.
Travers Smith to open in Brussels
Leading independent law firm Travers Smith LLP says it will expand its international competition practice by opening a new office in Brussels, the center of the European Union.
Simpson Thacher Takes on More Space at London HQ, McDermott Mulls Move
As both U.S. organizations continue to tap into the U.K. legal industry, they have seen tremendous gains in headcount in recent years.
Simmons & Simmons Secures Saudi License as Riyadh Office Opening Nears
Amid continued scrutiny over human rights issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, more than 20 foreign law firms have obtained licenses to operate in Saudi Arabia as part of the nation’s Vision 2030 growth.
Mergers & Alliances:
Cleary Gottlieb Acquires Gen AI Solution Developer Springbok AI
After the acquisition, the company intends to establish an AI acceleration team and create its own customized AI products.
Harbor Acquires Marketing Technology Services Company CLIENTSFirst
Harbor hopes to swiftly scale and satisfy the need for data-quality services from law firms with its fourth acquisition since its founding.
Dentons In Talks to Tie Up with Local Outfit in Thailand
Dentons presently operates in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam; the Thai office would be its eighth location in the ASEAN area.
HSF Launches Venture with Indian Business School for Corporate, Commercial Law Research
The partnership, which focuses on corporate and commercial legislation, hopes to produce results that will “contribute towards India’s legal system and policymaking” and “inspire jurisprudence to create a business-friendly environment.”
Taylor Wessing Expands European Reach with Strategic Alliance in Italy
The alliance comes two years after Taylor Wessing formed a strategic collaboration with Spain’s ECIJA.
NRF Enters into Joint Operation with Shanghai Firm After 5 Years as ‘Best Friends’
Shanghai Pacific had four attorneys in its firm when the two firms initially became best friends in 2020; today, it has 22.
Moves:
APAC
Jones Day Hires Second Corporate Partner For Hong Kong in 2 Months
After hiring M&A specialist Frank Voon as a partner from K&L Gates, where he worked for more than 11 years, the U.S. law firm Jones Day has added its second partner in roughly a month to its Hong Kong office.
PwC Legal Vietnam bolsters corporate practice with hire from A&G
With the addition of Allen & Gledhill Vietnam M&A specialist Phan Vinh Nhan as a partner, PwC Legal Vietnam has improved its corporate legal capabilities.
Luthra rainmaker Karan Mitroo to join JSA in Delhi
As JSA continues its rapid expansion, which has seen high-profile personalities join the company since early last year, Karan Mitroo, a banking and finance partner at the Indian law firm Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, is joining JSA Advocates & Solicitors together with his team of 15 attorneys, including three partners.
SAM adds Mensa Brands GC as corp partner in Bengaluru
With the appointment of partner Anant Dang in Bengaluru, Indian law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas has continued to strategically grow its general corporate practice. Dang comes from his positions as general counsel and a founding member of Mensa Brands, one of the unicorns with the quickest rate of growth in India.
Dentons to expand presence in SE Asia following combination with Thailand’s Pisut
In an effort to increase its footprint in Southeast Asia, international law firm Dentons has revealed plans to merge with local firm Pisut & Partners to open a presence in Thailand.
NRF strengthens HK banking practice with DCM partner from Ashurst
Jessica Li, a debt capital markets specialist from Ashurst, has joined Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm, to strengthen its banking and finance operations in Hong Kong.
EMEA
O’Melveny Recruits Gibson Dunn Partner in Boomerang Hire
Earlier in his career, Stéphane Frank was a counsel at the Brussels office of O’Melveny & Myers.
White & Case Recruits Former French Prosecutor to Help Clients Face Growing White Collar Risks
Former internal chief of the French energy giant Engie, Xavier Hubert, has joined White & Case as a partner in Paris.
Bird & Bird Adds M&A, IP Partners in Sweden While Poland Loses Two Finance Partners
International law firm Bird & Bird strengthened its international Corporate team with the appointment of M&A expert Henrik Nobel as a partner in Stockholm.
Pinsent Masons appoints first employment practice head in Riyadh
Dr. Sairah Narmah-Alqasim has been appointed by international law firm Pinsent Masons to lead the employment practice for its recently opened Riyadh office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). After receiving training at Pinsent Masons, Sairah has combined private practice experience with in-house positions in the UK and Saudi Arabia for over ten years.
MoFo hires second competition specialist from Cooley in Brussels
Alexander Israel, MoFo’s new head of EU competition, reunites with Jan Lang, who joins as a partner.
UK & Ireland
Vedder Price Taps A&O Shearman Counsel for UK Litigation Practice Launch
US law firm Vedder Price announced that it has hired Helen Biggin as the first and lead partner in its London litigation department. After joining the UK Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy (now A&O Shearman) in 2008, Biggin has worked there for her entire 17-year career, which includes nearly five years as a counsel and seven years as a senior associate.
Deloitte’s head of Trademarks joins Lewis Silkin ahead of broader Trademarks team move
Jade MacIntyre, the former Head of Trademarks at Deloitte, has joined Lewis Silkin as a partner in the company’s full-service IP360 division. Over the next few weeks, Jade will be followed by key members of Deloitte’s Trademarks team to Lewis Silkin.
Simmons Dublin hires Declan O’Sullivan as investment funds partner
Declan O’Sullivan has joined the Dublin funds practice of the international law firm Simmons & Simmons as a partner. He has advised both domestic and international clients on the creation and authorization of various investment funds, such as property funds and management firms, hedge funds, private equity funds, and UCITS.
MCM welcomes Holly McLean to employment law team
Holly McLean, a solicitor, has joined McKee Campbell Morrison Solicitors (MCM). Ms. McLean, who comes from Just Employment legal, has extensive expertise counseling firms on a range of employment legal issues, including daily HR management guidance and conflict resolution.
The Americas
Morgan Lewis Adds Former FCC, DOJ Official to Telecom Practice
Loyaan Egal’s “understanding of the dynamics of the telecom market and U.S. government policy priorities” will be advantageous to the firm’s telecom investor and operator clients, according to firm chair Jami McKeon.
King & Spalding Adds Google AI Counsel, Investment Funds Pro Joins Alston & Bird
One of the first attorneys at Google tasked with AI litigation and regulatory response was Benjamin Softness.
Haynes and Boone, Vinson & Elkins Beef Up Environmental Law Teams
During a period when the head of the Environmental Protection Agency declared that the agency would reexamine certain rules, Texas-based companies hired environmental partners.
Simpson Thacher Hires Co-Head of Vinson & Elkins Aviation Finance Practice
Additionally, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett announced the appointment of an environmental partner from Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C., to serve as co-head of the firm’s environmental practice.
People in the News—March 19, 2025—McNees, Faye Riva
Daniel Hicks has joined McNees Wallace & Nurick’s litigation practice in its newly enlarged Radnor office, the firm said.
Jones Day Welcomes of Counsel to Houston’s Energy Practice
Joseph Herbster, who is based in the Houston Office, has joined the Firm as an attorney in the Energy Practice. He comes from his position as Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon.com. Mr. Herbster has been practicing law for 15 years, both in private and corporate settings, with a concentration in logistics, transportation, and energy. For the past six years, he has held a variety of in-house counsel roles at Amazon.com.
Akin Nabs Munger Trade Secrets and Employee Mobility Co-Chair in Los Angeles
Laura Smolowe, who spent 16 years at Munger, Tolles & Olson, now joins the firm as a litigation partner.
Cuatrecasas Hires Tax Partner from Leading Mexican Firm
A few months after the head of the tax department left the Elite Mexican company for Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, SC, Cuatrecasas (Mexico) bolstered its tax department by employing a partner from Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez SC.
In-House
Perfect Move or Risky Run? Former Timberland GC Bets on Luxury Skiwear Brand
In a daring career move, Timberland’s general counsel Kristine Marvin is now the first general counsel of Perfect Moment Ltd., a high-end skiwear company that went public last year after having a difficult time raising capital.
Former Cummins GC Who Became Chief Administrative Officer Will Retire in May
Nicole Lamb-Hale, the chief legal officer, may be able to take over if Sharon Barner leaves.
Fast-Growing Specialty Insurance Company Appoints New Legal Chief as General Counsel Retires
CEO Andrew Robinson said in a statement, “We are very happy to have Patty Ryan join the Skyward Specialty team.” “She is a valuable addition to our executive team due to her extensive legal knowledge and demonstrated leadership in the field. As we continue to promote innovation and excellence in the sector, we anticipate her contributions.
Bucking Trend, Notre Dame Fills GC Opening from Within
“Notre Dame will thrive in this transformational era by being true to its distinctive mission while simultaneously bringing its strengths and uniqueness to bear on the pressing questions of our times,” said Brandon Roach, the new general counsel of Notre Dame.
FTSE 100 Water Company Replenishes Legal Panel
On the £30 million roster, three new companies have been added, while two have been left off.
Team Moves
Foley & Lardner Poaches Team of 4, Including Miami Office Leader, From Carlton Fields
Following the addition of two associates to assist with litigation cases and two new partners, one of whom oversaw Carlton Fields’ Miami office, Foley & Lardner is expanding its Miami office.
Greenberg Traurig Hires Group from Polsinelli in Denver, as Local Legal Market Evolves
“Historically, Denver’s always been a really unique market, because we had those very strong local firms,” said new partner Stacy Carpenter. “Whether you can be that regional firm or that local firm has become more difficult these days, so you’ve seen a lot of change.”
Maynard Nexsen Deepens West Coast Labor & Employment Bench with Team from Constangy
Maynard Nexsen, a full-service law firm with 24 offices across the US, announced the addition of a five-lawyer team to the firm’s Los Angeles office, bringing decades of combined experience in management-side employment law. The group joins Maynard Nexsen from a nationwide boutique labour and employment firm and includes three Partners, one Of Counsel and one Associate.
Pillsbury Nabs 14-Member International Trade Team
Partners Along with eleven other trade attorneys and legal professionals, James Durling, Daniel Porter, and Matthew McCullough joined Pillsbury in Washington, D.C.
Bradley Adds 3 Lawyers from Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Houston
David B. Sheinbein is joining as a partner in the Corporate & Securities Practice Group, and partner Jarrod B. Martin and senior attorney Michael Riordan are joining the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group
Promotions & Appointments:
NJ Mass Torts Lawyer Selected to Lead Depo-Provera MDL
People in the News—March 21, 2025—Gross McGinley, Flaster Greenberg
Samuel E. Cohen has been appointed as Gross McGinley’s deputy managing partner, beginning January 1st.
Genova Burns; Capehart Scatchard; Brach Eichler; Carlton Fields
Genova Burns brought on Sandra Bograd to the firm as of counsel; Capehart Scatchard announced that Charles F. Holmgren was promoted to hiring shareholder; and more moves.
After Biswajit Chatterjee moves to Dubai to oversee that office, Siew Kam Boon has been named managing partner for Singapore.
CMS Elevates 56 to Partner, 48% Women
More women have been represented among the partners who have been promoted in more cities and countries.
Ashurst Re-Elects Global Chair for Second Term
Karen Davies has listed a number of crucial areas in which she intends to expand on the firm’s accomplishments during her second term as Global Chair. This entails making the most of Ashurst’s advantages and seizing new possibilities, keeping Ashurst’s clients at the forefront, utilizing innovation and technology to bring about significant change, and providing for Ashurst’s employees and communities through inclusive and sustainable practices.
Phoenix Law appoints Elaine Gormley as new COO
Elaine Gormley has been elevated to chief operating officer at Phoenix Law, located in Belfast. With more than 15 years of expertise in the legal field, Ms. Gormley joined the firm in January 2020 as a litigation manager, overseeing litigation teams and handling challenging matters.
BHSM appoints Keith Doyle as commercial real estate partner
Keith Doyle is now a partner in the commercial real estate division of BHSM LLP. After working for several years in the commercial real estate division of a large Dublin law firm, Mr. Doyle joined the firm in 2021 as a senior associate.
Technology & Innovation:
Mitratech Launches CounselConnector, an Outside Counsel Hiring Platform
In order to expedite the internal hiring process, CounselConnector offers outside counsel attorneys client evaluations and reviews.
Vorys Sater Launches Agentic AI Platform ‘AIV Labor’
According to the Am Law 200 firm, human resources specialists and labor and employment lawyers are the target users of their autonomous AI platform. It has the ability to explore 460 sources nationwide for legislative and regulatory labor and employment data.
Brave Software Seeks Judgment to Head Off Threatened AI Copyright Suit from News Corp
Brave has requested that a federal judge in California rule that using its AI-powered search engine to index content from News Corp. does not violate copyright. “That a company that bemusedly calls itself Brave should engage in content conduct that is so shiftily shameful is perverse in the extreme,” says the CEO of News Corp.
Deposely Launches Deposely LX, an AI Second Chair for Depositions
The company’s key features were formally introduced with Deposely LX, which is intended to give lawyers real-time assistance prior to, during, and following depositions.
Litera Launches Cloud-Based Legal Workflow Platform, Generative AI Tool
The cloud-based workflow platform Litera One and its generative AI tool, Litera AI+, are being unveiled by legal technology company Litera.
A World Where AI ‘Thinks’ Like a Lawyer
77% of professionals think AI will have a high or transformative impact on their work in the next five years, up 10% from just a year ago, according to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 Future of Professionals Report. It is evident from this quick uptake that the tools are effective.
Market Commentary:
Law Firms That Shun Innovation Will Likely Be Left Behind
The legal landscape is evolving, and speakers at the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Innovation in the Law Summit emphasized that attorneys must be at the forefront of innovation and the adoption and application of cutting-edge technologies.
Should You Promote from Within or Hire a Lateral Partner?
Midsize companies lack an institutional pipeline to hire outstanding personnel, unlike major companies with well-established summer associate programs. Therefore, lateral hiring is not only a choice but also a must at the associate and partner levels. However, fostering a positive company culture also requires a firm to make a commitment to the development of younger associates.
In-house lawyers say ‘empathy’, ‘soft skills’ critical as AI advances, study finds
According to a Simmons & Simmons survey, the majority of general counsel and other senior legal heads at some of the biggest corporations in the world believe that human qualities like empathy and soft skills would be crucial in the upcoming years as AI usage rises.
Effective Lateral Group Acquisition and Integration Can Spur Further Growth
When a company wants to increase its investment in talent, hiring a small group of people can spur substantial growth without the problems and the negative effects of a huge combination, which can be challenging to execute and even more so to integrate.
Attorneys are retaliating against the Trump administration’s meddling with the International Criminal Court and prosecutors, as well as the suspension of security clearances at leading U.S. law firms.
Not Enough Jobs for All Former Federal Lawyers Who Want Them in Atlanta
Attorneys with expertise in private practice or certain specialty are more likely to be employed.
How In-House Counsel Can Extract Value Out of Rising Legal Costs
Attend the webcast to see how automation and artificial intelligence are changing legal procedures and helping corporate legal teams cut expenses related to compliance, document review, and outside counsel.
Overwhelmed and Understaffed: Half of African GCs Report High Stress and Anxiety
According to a survey conducted throughout Africa, in-house attorneys are finding it difficult to manage their growing workload, scarce resources, and evolving regulations.
Three Salient Steps to Attract Private Equity Investors
Law companies require a corporatized perspective of financials, modern governance with strong leadership, and a clear growth strategy in order to draw in private equity investors.
Thriving in the First Year: How Lateral Hires Can Succeed in a New Law Firm
A lateral hire’s success is not assured; proactive work, flexibility, and strategic planning are necessary for successful integration into the new setting.
The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment framework is an initiative that falls under the regulations of the 2024 Legal Sector Code which has been promoted by the government to spearhead economic and social transformation to historically disadvantaged individuals in South Africa. This development has become a hot topic with key political figures voicing strong criticisms of the framework and other DEI initiatives. From my perspective the implementations of these new policies within the legal sector code will have a profound impact on how recruitment is conducted within the South African Legal market.
Firstly, there will need to be an added level of consideration relating to the new policies, from partners within firms to hiring managers and recruiters who will be sourcing candidates, in an effort to ensure these processes are conducted in adherence to the new regulations. Like most diversity and inclusion initiatives the results will depend not on the enforcement of policy but on the effort and mindset of parties responsible for enacting this change. Firms will have to check their existing biases and potentially face some uncomfortable truths within their practices in order to take the necessary first steps to onboarding top tier Black talent. Additionally, we are likely to see a shift in the rationale behind the answer to the question “What makes a good candidate”? For so long the answer has been clear cut, but as new policies come into force, firms will need to have serious conversations regarding how they would like to answer this question.
Search firms will have to ensure that they are up to date with the recent developments in legislation and current attitudes regarding their implementation. Firms need to keep these considerations in mind when employing recruitment companies to do their work, and search firms with experience and proven track records of placing candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including Black South African’s, will be key to helping these policies translate into the creation of a stronger, fairer legal workforce in South Africa. This will apply not just in terms of sourcing these candidates but also in providing expertise and market insight on how to induct black professionals into these existing institutions.
Furthermore, with the Legal Sector Code placing an emphasis on the development of skills for black professionals we are likely to see firms taking a greater in the development of incoming candidates. We are also likely to see firms investing in the retention and development of their existing talent and further investment in their talent retention strategy as a whole. Well-resourced firms are already placing an emphasis on talent pipelines at all levels of seniority in order to create genuine long-term change. We feel this could be a catalyst for increased competition within the talent market specifically pertaining to individuals with a desirable skillset including established Black partners who are likely to be in greater demand. Also, one of the potential outcomes of this legislation is that we may see an improvement in the financial packages offered to desirable talent which will increase emphasis on development and career progression within firms.
Moreover, with the new legislation encouraging the promotion of Business Development, firms are encouraged to provide financial support and coaching to Black-owned legal practices. This could potentially lead to an increase in mergers and strategic alliances and more Black owned law firms in South Africa who will in turn require the use of search firms to help with their strategic hiring and long-term growth.
In conclusion, the introduction of the legal sector codes in South Africa will bring about a significant shift in established recruitment practices. Firms will be required to adapt their previous hiring strategies to fall within the scope of this legislation and recruitment firms will be tasked with the pivotal role of helping both established and emerging firms navigate these developments by sourcing diverse talent and providing expertise which calls for a thorough knowledge of the existing legislation and effort to act in adherence with them.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Gibson Dunn Hires A&O Shearman’s Global Head of Real Estate Finance
The latest lateral hire comes as U.S. firms expand their presence in London, with Proskauer making a new addition last week. The firm said Tuesday that Mark Manson-Bahr will become a partner in its real estate practice area and join the London office.
Simmons Dublin hires Declan O’Sullivan as investment funds partner
Joining the business from the Dublin office of Dechert, Mr. O’Sullivan offers thirty years of expertise. He has advised both domestic and international clients on the creation and authorisation of various investment funds, such as property funds and management firms, hedge funds, private equity funds, and UCITS.
DLA Piper recruits financial services regulatory lawyer Chris Jessup
Chris Jessup, a specialist in financial services regulation, has joined DLA Piper as a partner in the firm’s litigation and regulatory department. He will join DLA Piper in May 2025. Mr. Jessup is currently partner and co-head of the fintech business at A&L Goodbody, which is headquartered in Belfast.
Clyde & Co enlists RPC partner for new global regulatory and investigation role
Sam Tate was previously RPC white collar crime head. He joins the London Clyde & Co office with two associates and a counsel.
APAC
Ashurst Expands PNG Practice with a Local Telco Partner
Ashurst is expanding its practice in Papua New Guinea with the addition of a litigator from Digicel, a local telecommunications company. Michael Henao joins the firm as a partner to lead the disputes and regulatory practice at Ashurst’s Port Moresby office.
Jones Day adds Corporate partner Frank Voon in Hong Kong
Voon is the second corporate partner Jones Day has added to its Hong Kong corporate practice in 2 months. Mr. Voon, who is leaving K&L Gates, has over 20 years of expertise providing advice on intricate, international M&A and private equity deals in a variety of sectors, such as technology, real estate, mining and energy, healthcare and life sciences, and automotive.
Norton Rose Takes Hong Kong Debt Partner from Ashurst, Hunton Andrews Kurth Adds to Tokyo Bench.
After working at Ashurst for more than three years, Jessica Li joins the Norton Rose. From 2009 to 2021, she worked at Clifford Chance and Legacy Allen & Overy after starting her career at White & Case.
Meanwhile, as the firm begins its investment funds activity in Hong Kong, Beijing-based Commerce & Finance Law Offices has appointed Frank FU as a partner to its Hong Kong base. Frank Fu previously spent four years as senior associate at A&O Shearman.
EMEA
Honigman adds Big Law quartet in Israel, launches investment funds practice
Am Law 200 firm Honigman has launched an investment funds practice in Israel after hiring a quartet of lawyers from Big Law firms for its Israeli subsidiary, HLI. Joshua Gottesman has joined HLI as a partner having been an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and will found the investment funds practice alongside existing partner Sam Katz. Funds associate Mayer Stein has joined him for the move from Simpson Thacher.
Associate Oron Eli, who focuses on private equity investments and M&A, has joined from Paul Weiss and insurance disputes specialist Amit Roitman has moved over from Pillsbury Winthrop. All four joiners will relocate to Israel from the US.
The Americas
Clifford Chance Welcomes 3 Lateral Hires in New York Within a Week as Part of Ongoing US Expansion
The company said last week that Gianluca Bacchiochi, an energy and infrastructure financing partner, will be returning. Joanna Nicholas, a partner in structured finance at Mayer Brown, joins the company and will be part of the global financial markets division. Last but not least, Clifford Chance said on Tuesday that it was hiring Bryan Luchs, a corporate veteran and partner at White & Case.
Commerce Department Attorney Rejoins Akin as DC Partner
Sean Conway, who recently left his role as deputy chief counsel for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce, previously worked at the Federal Communications Commission.
On the Move: Ex-Georgia U.S. Attorney Rejoins Ballard Spahr
Jill Steinberg has returned to Ballard Spahr after serving two years as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Debevoise M&A Head Moves to Davis Polk
Michael Diz held multiple leadership positions at Debevoise, including playing a key role in expanding the firm’s presence in Northern California in recent years. Michael is based in Redwood City, California.
M&A Expert Eric Schiele Moves from Kirkland to Paul Hastings, Takes on Role of M&A Co-Chair
Large-cap public M&A is a challenging market to enter, but Paul Hastings believes its growth, combined with Schiele’s arrival, will help the firm break the “oligopoly” at the top. Schiele will join Paul Hasting’s NYC office.
Cuatrecasas hire sees another tax partner leave Creel García-Cuéllar
A few months after the head of the tax department departed the Elite Mexican company for Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, SC, Cuatrecasas (Mexico) bolstered its tax department by adding a Luis Vázquez from Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez SC. Luis, based in Mexico City, frequently advises and represents global corporations in audits and tax refund petitions before the Mexican tax authorities.
Perkins Coie boosts IP litigation practice with Finnegan duo hire
Perkins’ Silicon Valley offering in cutting-edge technologies like AI and medtech will be strengthened by the recruits. Arpita Bhattacharyya, a patent lawyer, co-led Finnegan’s AI working group during her more than 17 years there. During his 25 years at Finnegan, Robert McCauley co-led the company’s trade secret litigation.
In-House
US on-campus bookstore Barnes & Noble Education hires former Six Flags GC as legal head
Following the resignation of chief legal officer Michael Miller last year, Christopher Neumann was appointed general counsel by Barnes & Noble Education (BNED), a US college bookshop operator.
Domino’s Pizza promotes assistant GC to legal head role
Ryan Mulally was elevated to general counsel at Domino’s Pizza, the biggest pizza chain in the world, taking Kevin Morris’ place.
Team Moves
Gateley hits Clyde & Co for corporate team in Dubai
As Gateley embarked on establishing a Middle East base in Dubai, corporate partners Darren Harris and Nora Al Muhamad join with three legal directors and one associate.
Five-Partner Kasowitz Team Joins Loeb & Loeb as Departures Persist
Partners Mark Ressler and Paul “Tad” O’Connor are leading the latest group of laterals to depart Kasowitz Benson Torres. Joshua E. Hollander, Melissa A. Barahona, and Andrew H. Elkin, will all join Ressler and O’Connor as partners in Loeb’s New York office.
Dykema Doubles Houston Office Headcount, Adds Seven Attorneys
Dykema, a prominent national law firm, has added seven attorneys to its Houston office, effectively doubling its lawyer headcount. This expansion enhances the firm’s expertise in critical practice areas such as energy, bankruptcy and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, business taxation and planning, corporate and finance, labor and employment, and business immigration.
Michael Durrschmidt and Kim Lewinski join the firm from Hirsch and Westheimer P.C., while Arthur Nathan, William Hotze, Kari Lutringer, James Prappas, and Michael Twomey join Dykema from Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC.
Financials:
Latham & Watkins UK Revenue Approaches Magic Circle Levels
Latham & Watkins’ U.K. revenue rose by 25% to $850 million (£657 million) in 2024, according to a source familiar with the matter, reflecting a robust performance for the firm overall.
Reed Smith Achieves Record $1.5B in Revenue
Profits per equity partner increased by 13.8% to $1.8 million, with the London office—the firm’s largest—delivering a notably strong performance.
Jackson Lewis Sees Double-Digit Revenue Growth in 2024
Jackson Lewis, a firm primarily focused on labour and employment, generated $697.1 million in gross revenue in 2024. Firm leaders are optimistic about the future, with expectations running high for 2025. Key practice areas that performed particularly well for the firm last year included labour and employment, litigation, and immigration.
Garrigues revenue pushes past €480m in record result
In 2024, Spanish powerhouse Garrigues increased its global revenue by 6.1% to a record high of €481.9 million, which the firm claimed solidified its position as the top law firm in the EU in terms of revenue.
Kirkland & Ellis partner pay hits $9.2m
Following another successful year for the top-grossing legal firm in the world, Kirkland & Ellis equity partners received an average compensation of almost $9 million in 2024. According to Law.com, the company’s average profit per equity partner for 2024 was $9.2 million, up 16% from around $8 million the year before.
Promotions & Appointments:
National Grid Includes 7 Additional Firms in Updated £250 Million Legal Panel
National Grid Expands Legal Services Panel, Adding 5 New Firms. The U.K. energy giant has increased its legal panel from 10 to 15 firms as part of a refreshed £250 million “global legal services framework.” New additions to the panel include Norton Rose Fulbright, Burges Salmon, DWF, Osborne Clarke, TLT, Walker Morris, and KPMG, according to company disclosures.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Breaking Down Barriers For Women in Law: My Journey
Nikki Edwards, a partner at Howard Kennedy and president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, defied the odds to establish a successful career in law.
The Numerous Challenges of DEI Law and Policy for Corporate Counsel
One of the biggest challenges businesses and their in-house counsel face today is the broad public policy push to dismantle the DEI movement, along with the litigation, PR, and political risks that companies must navigate carefully in this area.
IBA announces next phase of its gender equality project
The ambitious 50:50 by 2030 gender equality project, which aims to address the lack of gender parity at senior levels across the legal profession, has begun its second phase, according to the International Bar Association (IBA).
Office Openings & Closing:
Ropes & Gray Opens Paris Office, Recruiting 11-Lawyer Team from Clifford Chance
The managing partner of the new Ropes office is private equity and M&A attorney Fabrice Cohen, who oversees a group of 11 former Clifford Chance attorneys. Along with two solicitors and six associates, Thierry Arachtingi, a finance partner, and Emmanuel Mimin, a private equity and M&A partner, also left Clifford Chance. According to Cohen, another associate will join later.
Holland & Hart Opens Phoenix Office, Bringing On 2 Partners from Perkins Coie
U.S. firm Holland & Hart has expanded by opening an office in Phoenix, Arizona, with the addition of two environmental partners from Perkins Coie. Christopher Thomas and Andrea Driggs have joined the new office, with Driggs previously serving as chair of the mining industry group and co-chair of the oil and gas industry group at Perkins Coie.
Portuguese Firm Reclaims Family Brand in Split From Uría Menéndez
Francisco Proença de Carvalho, a Portuguese lawyer, separated from Uría Menéndez in August after 14 years in order to take his family name on a new but familiar journey. The Spanish firm Uría Menéndez, which has offices in Lisbon and Porto, currently employs 94 lawyers and 18 partners.
In the meantime, Proença de Carvalho has taken back his family name and established a separate legal practice under the same name in January. He has brought together a small group of solicitors from different Portuguese firms to work at his new firm, which is based in Lisbon.
Mergers & Alliances:
Clifford Chance launches Shanghai FTZ joint operation with local firm
He Ping’s key practice heads are Liu Tianfeng, who oversees financial regulatory compliance; Peng Xuqiu, who leads the intellectual property practice; and Ma Yun, who specialises in cross-border investment and has experience in the industrial manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, and consumer retail sectors. The Shanghai Bar Association reports that the business currently employs 28 solicitors.
Japanese firm TMI forms alliance with Australia’s JWS, eyes Sydney office
TMI Associates has stated that it intends to establish an office in Australia by 2026 as part of the collaboration. “This office will serve as a key operational hub to further strengthen our collaboration with JWS. Additionally, we will maintain close coordination through office proximity and regular exchanges of legal professionals between both firms”. As part of the agreement, TMI partner Masayuki Nagai will be seconded to Sydney, he told ALB.
Technology & Innovation:
AI Has Yet to Revolutionize Law Firm-Client Relationships in the US and UK
A transatlantic survey commissioned by Definely reveals ongoing uncertainty regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on firm-client relationships, along with significant differences between the U.K. and U.S. legal tech markets.
Challenges in Gaining Stakeholder Support Hinder Gen AI Adoption
“Most organizations have established multifunctional committees to assess generative AI applications. However, these committees are currently overwhelmed due to the rapid emergence of new tools,” said Matt Bohn, senior counsel at Amgen.
French publishers and authors file lawsuit against Meta in AI case
The U.S. tech firm Meta (META.O) has been sued by France’s top publishing and authors’ unions for allegedly utilising copyright-protected information extensively and without permission to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Market Commentary:
Trump targets law firm Paul Weiss, restricting government access
On Friday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending Mark Pomerantz’s and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison employees’ security clearances. Additionally, the order limits government access to the New York-based law firm’s attorneys and staff. Trump has now attacked a law firms three times through executive orders.
Judge Blocks Enforcement of Trump Order Targeting Perkins Coie
The judge said that the executive order violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech, and that it is a form of retaliation against Perkins Coie for representing clients the president dislikes.
Bowmans Targets Africa Dominance with A&O Shearman and Clifford Chance Hires
As it aims to become a dominant force in Africa’s energy and infrastructure legal industries, Bowmans is actively acquiring top personnel from international titans A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, and Watson Farley & Williams. After employing more than 30 solicitors, Bowmans is ready to take over work that was previously completed by the continent’s international businesses, according to managing partner Alan Keep.
Firms in Australia Making More Partner Team Hires, Major Lindsey & Africa Data Shows
After examining last year’s lateral partner hires, recruiter Tom Stretton of Major Lindsey & Africa claims that law firms in Australia are employing more teams of partners in an effort to make sure the partners bring the work with them.
According to data compiled by the recruitment business, a team of two or more partners left together at least 22 times out of the 193 lateral partner moves that occurred in the top 50 commercial law firms in Australia in 2024.
In 2024, UK Legal Tech Investments and M&A Increase
LawtechUK’s 2025 Ecosystem Tracker Report revealed a notable rise in U.K. legal tech investments and acquisitions in 2024, driven by both public and private funding.
The Impact of Tariffs on the M&A Market
Deal activity declined in February compared to the previous year, similar to the trend in January. While some deals are still progressing, they are navigating an unpredictable and ever-changing environment.
In the Shadow of the Ruins: Why Law Firms Fail
Rarely does a law company dissolve amicably; instead, it usually implodes, torn apart by circumstances beyond its control. Lundgrens is a case in point. The firm went from being a well-known brand in Danish law to a partnership that was collapsing due to changing client needs, economic difficulties, and an inexorable tide of departures.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Freshfields Swipes Paul Hastings Infra Stars
The worldwide co-head of corporate for Paul Hastings is part of the transfer for the U.K. partner pair.
Travers Smith hires Livingbridge lawyer
The general counsel at Livingbridge has joined Travers Smith as a partner. According to the UK law firm, Jeremy Dennison is leaving the mid-market buyout shop to join Travers’ private equity and financial sponsors (PEFS) group. Dennison spent more than eight years working at Travers Smith, where he began his career.
Latham & Watkins adds private credit partner duo in London from Akin Gump
Prior to joining Latham, Fergus Wheeler and Paul Yin were partners in the debt finance division at White & Case. They both worked at Akin Gump for less than a year.
APAC
Ashurst strengthens Papua New Guinea presence with Michael Henao as lead litigation partner
Michael Henao was appointed as a partner to head the litigation and regulatory practice in the Port Moresby office of the international law firm Ashurst, further extending its commitment in Papua New Guinea.
Clifford Chance hires M&A partner from Pillsbury in Tokyo push
As Japanese outbound investment in the U.S. keeps increasing, Clifford Chance, a law firm in the Magic Circle, has expanded its corporate practice in Tokyo by hiring M&A partner Jeff Schrepfer from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman.
CAM adds fintech GC to Mumbai-based finance practice
Sugandha Asthana, the general counsel at fintech company FPL Technologies, has joined Indian law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as a partner in its banking and finance department in Mumbai.
Bakers grows Vietnam offering with corporate hire from Freshfields
Chris Milliken, a business specialist who previously served as counsel at Freshfields, has joined the Ho Chi Minh City branch of international legal firm Baker McKenzie as a partner.
Hogan Lovells makes energy, projects hire in Vietnam from Mayer Brown
Global law firm Hogan Lovells has appointed David Harrison as partner in its infrastructure, energy, resources and projects (IERP) practice in Ho Chi Minh City from Mayer Brown, where he led the Vietnam practice for 11 years.
Singapore’s Oon & Bazul makes disputes hire from Tan Rajah & Cheah
Perry Elizabeth Wong, a senior associate at local rival Tan Rajah & Cheah (TRC), has joined Singaporean legal firm Oon & Bazul LLP as a partner in its dispute resolution department.
Rajah & Tann partner joins Incisive Law as deputy litigation head
Davis Tan was a partner at the Big Four firm Rajah & Tann before joining Singapore’s Incisive Law, a maritime and international trade specialty, as a director and deputy head of its litigation practice.
EMEA
Eversheds Sutherland Continues Hiring Spree with Sixth Lateral Hire in 7 Months
At a time when law firms are seeing an increase in energy-related work, Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its energy practice by hiring a partner from the independent Dutch firm Houthoff. In 2011, seasoned energy lawyer Marc van Beuge joined Houthoff. He worked for Simmons & Simmons in the Netherlands for more than ten years prior to joining Houthoff.
Addleshaws taps White & Case for Riyadh corporate partner
Jad Slim will bring with him over a decade of experience advising on equity capital markets transactions in the Kingdom.
Stephenson Harwood partner Ron Nobbs relocates to Dubai
The move of partner Ron Nobbs from London has strengthened Stephenson Harwood’s Middle East building business.
Pinsent Masons reinforces Middle East financial services practice with new hire
Marie Chowdhry returns to Pinsent Masons having spent several years at Lean Technologies, where she served as General Counsel and Head of Compliance, operating across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The Americas
Weil Head of Patent Litigation, Life Sciences Joins Jones Day in 2-Partner Move
Jones Day announced that it has added Edward Reines and Derek Walter, two veteran patent litigators from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, to its intellectual property (IP) group. Reines will join the firm’s Silicon Valley office, while Walter will move to San Francisco.
Daniel Alonso Joins Vedder Price as White-Collar and Investigations Shareholder
“The opportunity to work at a firm with a growing Latin America cross-border investigations practice was a great one,” Alonso said in an interview. “Vedder presented me with a great opportunity to help them continue to build their Latin America practice, which was very attractive to me.”
Veteran Business Litigator Exits Winston & Strawn to Join Boutique LA Firm Cohen Williams
Paul Salvaty, a commercial trial lawyer who has worked for decades at some of the nation’s most prominent firms, joined the boutique Los Angeles firm Cohen Williams this week. He says he is really happy to be leaving “Big Law.”
Holland & Knight Hires Former FBI General Counsel Amid Government Exodus
Bradley Booker rose through the government ranks for years. His employment coincides with the Trump administration’s threat of widespread layoffs and the attempt by many federal employees to move into the private sector.
Former Trump Attorney Evan Corcoran Joins Brownstein
In the inquiry into classified materials discovered at Palm Beach’s Mar-a-Lago, Corcoran represented Trump. Steve Bannon, a former Trump aide, has also been represented by him.
Trans-Atlantic Boutique Pallas Snags Partner Duo from Kasowitz
Two new partners and one new associate have joined Pallas Partners, which was established in 2022 by former co-chair Natasha Harrison of Boies Schiller Flexner, at its New York City office.
People in the News—March 5, 2025—Pond Lehocky, Post & Schell
James Garver has joined the legal team at Pond Lehocky Giordano.
Connecticut Movers: New Hires in Westport and Milford
The most recent additions are announced by Coffey Modica and Hurwitz Sagarin Slossberg & Knuff.
Akin Expands Energy, Infrastructure Team in Houston with White & Case Partner
Charlie Ofner, an energy and infrastructure partner at White & Case, stated that he transferred to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld due to the firm’s robust energy and M&A practice, as well as the quality of the new hires for the energy team in Houston.
Paul Hastings Hires Longtime O’Melveny Antitrust Partner in Los Angeles
Stephen McIntyre’s clients have included TikTok owner ByteDance, Alaska Airlines, ExxonMobil and other major corporations.
On the Move and After Hours: Goldberg Segalla; MG+M; Buckley Theroux; Norris McLaughlinv
Thomas Schoendorf joined Goldberg Segalla’s Princeton product liability, civil litigation, and trial practice areas, among other additions.
Commerce Department Lawyer Returns to Akin as DC Partner
Sean Conway, a former employee of the Federal Communications Commission, recently resigned from his post as deputy chief counsel for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce.
Clifford Chance Latin America-Focused Partner Returns to Firm After 4-Year Stint with Latham
New York-based Gianluca Bacchiocchi provides almost thirty years of energy and infrastructure finance knowledge.
O’Melveny hires LA media and entertainment partner from Sheppard Mullin
Leif Cervantes de Reinstein, a seasoned entertainment attorney from Los Angeles, was recently hired by O’Melveny & Myers from Sheppard Mullin as part of the firm’s efforts to bolster its entertainment, sports, and media division.
Pallas Partners builds in New York with twin partner hire from Kasowitz
London-based litigation boutique Pallas Partners has recruited two partners from Kasowitz Benson Torres in New York. Michael Hanin, a partner, leads the group, which also consists of an associate and another partner, Jill Forster.
In-House
Thinking Outside the Box, GC of Cardboard Packaging Giant Becomes CFO
“He has a strong accounting and finance background and is very familiar with our finance function,” stated Packaging Corporation of America CEO Mark Kowlzan of GC Kent Pflederer.
Wells Fargo Regulatory Exec Joins Citizens Financial as CLO
Michelle Moosally was hired at a time when regulators are scrutinizing financial firms’ risk-management procedures more closely after a series of bank failures in 2023.
SEC Names Crypto Task Force Chief Counsel
“He became the first pure crypto lawyer to become a partner at a Big Law firm based only on his crypto practice last year,” stated J. Christopher Giancarlo, senior counsel at Willkie Farr & Gallagher and former chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission about Mike Selig the newly appointed chief counsel.
iHeart CLO Exiting Just Months After Receiving Pay Raise, Title Upgrade
Jordan Fasbender, who became legal chief during the COVID-19 pandemic, will depart around April 1st for an as-yet-unidentified position elsewhere.
Fast-Growing DevOps Company Hires CLO With IPO Experience
In 2022, Sonar, a software development tool that speeds up the creation of better applications, raised $412 million at a valuation of $4.7 billion.
Former Six Flags GC Who Led $8B Merger Joins NJ-Based Barnes & Noble Education
Christopher Neumann is back in the education sector as a result of the appointment. He had previously served as Kaplan’s deputy general counsel.
AI automation business Nintex hires former Limeade GC as legal chief
In place of Camden Hillas, who departed the company last month, Sarah Visbeek has been appointed general counsel by Nintex, a US AI-powered automation software startup.
Team Moves
Texas Firm Kane Russell Adds Austin Office, Bankruptcy and Restructuring Team
Three Holland & Knight partners joined the midsize firm as directors, and a fourth director rejoined from Ross, Smith & Binford.
Orrick Hires Katten Restructuring Team in London
After starting the company’s restructuring service in the UK five years ago, a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman has joined Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe with two of his team members. He told GRR that he is eager to work with his new colleagues in the US and Europe to “build something special.”
Squire Patton Boggs Loses 5 Partners to Australian Firm
As the firm seeks to broaden its products and expertise, the five Squire partners join the Sydney office, along with one associate who becomes a partner at Piper Alderman.
Financials:
2024 Comp for Broadcom’s Mark Brazeal Ranks Among Highest Ever for a Legal Chief
Brazeal received high marks from the remuneration committee for securing regulatory approvals for Broadcom’s $69 billion acquisition of VMware.
Blank Rome Bolstered Profits by Over 20% in 2024
Blank Rome had growth in all of its financial indicators during a year when many large law firms saw rising tides. Its net income climbed by 23.9%, while its gross revenue increased by 18.7% to $742.7 million.
Husch Grows Revenue 15% to $708M, as PEP Crosses $1M
Amidst broader head count expansion, the nonequity partner ranks increased by 13% while the equity tier shrank.
Immigration, Employment Litigation Boost Ogletree Deakins to Double-Digit Increases
Even with a slight expansion of its equity partnership, the labour and employment firm was able to develop PEP.
Point of Diminishing Returns: When Nonequity Partner Growth Drags Down Profits
The nonequity partner ranks are now used by law firms for a variety of reasons, and some attorneys may become trapped in one of these abysses, which would impair the performance of the business as a whole.
Hogan Lovells’ Revenue Nears $3B in Second Straight Year of Growth
Even while net income was virtually unchanged, profits per equity partner increased to over $3 million as the firm’s ranks of equity partners decreased by almost 10%.
Greenberg Traurig Posts Double-Digit Revenue Gains; Firm’s Largest Since Record 2021
The multinational company also opened new offices, increased its workforce, and controlled overhead. Profits per equity partner surpassed $2.6 million, a nearly 10% increase.
Wilmer’s Revenue Rose Almost 7%, Passing $1.6B
Wilmer’s PEP increased more than 5% to $3.27 million in 2024, driven by expansion in its civil litigation business and government-facing operations, while its equity tier remained essentially same.
Morrison & Foerster Sees Revenue Rise Amid Surging IP, Commercial Litigation Demand
In 2024, gross revenue reached $1.33 billion, and earnings per equity partner increased by a staggering 25.6% to surpass $4 million.
‘Spike’ in Demand Leads to Revenue, Income Increases for Alston & Bird
In 2024, gross revenue reached $1.33 billion, and earnings per equity partner increased by a staggering 25.6% to surpass $4 million.
Trump’s SG Pick Reveals 2024 Income, Says He Will Sell Firm, Stocks
In new public disclosures last year, Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. solicitor general disclosed his firm profits and said that he would sell off millions of shares of stock.
Taft Sees Revenues Rise Past $700M in Successful 2024
For the first time, the middle market company with its roots in the Midwest exceeded $1 million in profits per equity partner.
Ontario Law Society Chief Exits Over ‘Secret’ Pay Hike to Nearly $1M
The Ontario Law Society (LSO) has strong allies and adversaries in a dispute that is revealing profound rifts within the legal industry since Toronto is home to Canada’s BigLaw companies.
Blackstone Paid Kirkland More Than $100M in Legal Fees in 2024
Compared to Kirkland’s 2023 payment of $41.6 million from Blackstone, the fee payout was more than quadruple.
Promotions & Appointments:
People in the News—March 4, 2025—Barley Snyder, Antheil Maslow
Hannah M. Schroer, a lawyer with Barley Snyder, has been elected president of the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the Saint Thomas More Society.
Med Tech Firm Focused on Women’s Health Promotes 18-Year Company Veteran to GC
Anne Liddy commenced her in-house career at Pfizer.
Changes Continue at Weil as Law Firm Names New Practice Leaders
Following the departure of multiple practice leaders, younger partners in their 30s and 40s have been promoted to leadership roles.
People in the News—March 6, 2025—Capehart Scatchard, Eckert Seamans
Sanmathi Dev has been appointed chairperson of Capehart Scatchard’s school law department, with immediate effect.
Hall Booth Smith Promotes Longtime C-Suite Leader to COO
Nina Tickaradze will be leading efforts to ensure that the midsize firm remains in growth mode and able to sustain its “competitive edge in the legal industry.”
Cornerstone recruits ex-Brick Court senior clerk Hawes as Langdorf heads for Gatehouse
The new senior clerk of Cornerstone Barristers is Julian Hawes, formerly the joint senior clerk at Brick Court Chambers. Elliot Langdorf, who became the practice director of Gatehouse Chambers, is succeeded by Hawes.
Maples and Calder appoints new partner, of counsel and associates
While Una Killeen and Rory Beasley, who practiced finance, and Richard O’Mahony, who practices funds and investment management, were promoted to of counsel, Richard O’Donoghue, who specializes in these areas, was advanced to partner.
Arthur Cox picks Ailish Finnerty as next chair
Ailish Finnerty, a partner at Arthur Cox, has been appointed as the firm’s future chair. On March 31, 2025, Ms. Finnerty will assume the role, replacing Orla O’Connor, who is wrapping up her six-year tenure as chair.
Diversity & Inclusion:
How did DEI suddenly become politically incorrect after being the most politically correct corporate America mission? I’ll let scholars and historians of the Trump era do that analysis. For the sake of this essay, let’s be open and honest about what the current hiring environment for law departments means.
Canadian Firms Stand Firm on Commitments to DEI
According to attorneys, Canada’s legal sector is unaffected by the DEI backlash in the United States. However, others contend that it offers a chance to develop even more significant and successful plans and projects.
Trump Targets Perkins Coie, Other Firms in Broad Order
The attorney general is also instructed by the expansive order to examine the DEI policies of “large, influential, or industry-leading law firms.”
Wilson’s Re-segregation of Fed Workforce Holds Lessons for Today’s Anti-DEI Backlash
We worry that the chaos the EOs have caused will lead to a widespread backlash against not only unlawful preferences and quotas but also against the crucial outreach, education, training, and access initiatives that have contributed significantly to decades of advancement in the fight against discrimination.
Big Law Firms Have Quietly Removed DEI Website Language, Altered Diversity Policies
A multitude of law firms have removed DEI information and struck the word “diversity” from DEI-focused topics on their sites.
Women in Leadership Roles Fuel Revenue Growth
Companies with more diverse management teams showed larger revenue increases than those with less diverse leadership, according to research.
California’s Judiciary Grew More Diverse in 2024, Even as Number of Latino Judges Dipped
According to data the state disclosed, the number of trial court judges who identify as Latino or Hispanic fell by five between 2023 and 2024.
Nine Trailblazing Women at Top Law Firms in Africa Share Their Leadership Tips
As managing partners in prestigious legal firms around Africa, nine remarkable women are shattering stereotypes by demonstrating knowledge, tenacity, and a dedication to mentoring.
Gender Pay Gap at Law Firms in Australia is Closing, Report Finds
Because the study did not compare like-for-like roles, firms claim the gap is smaller than stated. Furthermore, the data pertains to the firm’s attorneys alone for certain businesses, whilst it pertains to all employees for others.
The road less travelled: the female founder journey in lawtech
Launch of divorce services Kate Daly, co-founder of Amicable, talks about the difficulties faced by female company owners while starting and expanding their enterprises.
Office Openings & Closing:
According to the firm, its litigation and investigations partners, Adam Goldberg in San Francisco and Ronald Cheng in Los Angeles, will soon be permitted to practice local Hong Kong law.
Haynes and Boone Launches Practice Advising Companies Mulling Over a Move to Texas
The Dallas-based business, which serves as counsel to the Texas Stock Exchange, has observed an increase in the interest of its current and potential clients in relocating their headquarters to the Lone Star State or incorporating in Texas.
Wilson Sonsini to Close Office in Beijing
Wilson Sonsini is now the 18th American company to shut down a Greater China office in less than two years.
Aird & Berlis Opens First Office Outside Toronto with Indigenous Law Team from Gowling WLG
The latest in a series of company expansions in the city, the firm’s new permanent facility in Vancouver will house 12 lawyers.
Pinsent Masons Launches Four-Partner Office in Saudi Capital, Riyadh
The most recent action taken by Pinsent Masons shows how much the company is shifting its assets. In February, it opened a new office in Shenzhen, China, and laid off 14 equity partners in Germany.
Indonesian law firm Murzal & Partners opens Bali office
In an effort to reach the island’s booming expat population and business community, the Indonesian law firm Murzal & Partners (MNP) has opened a new office in Bali.
Mergers & Alliances:
Taft Enters Florida with Boutique Acquisition
Taft Stettinius & Hollister, which was founded in Cincinnati, is opening two offices in Florida, marking its first Southeast physical locations.
The fruitful outcome of Womble’s biggest mergers was by no means a sure thing, its chair and CEO writes.
Clifford Chance Ties Up with Chinese Firm He Ping in Shanghai FTZ
He Ping Law Firm was founded in 1993 and has five partners in Shanghai, including two former Clifford Chance attorneys.
Japan’s TMI Associates Establishes Sydney Desk with Australian Firm
Johnson Winter Slattery stated that clients will benefit from the expertise of both firms.
French law firm LPA expands Asian footprint with Vietnam merger
By integrating Vietnam-based APFL Partners, the French law company LPA Law has grown in Southeast Asia, gaining six locations and solidifying its standing as one of the top Francophone legal organizations in the area.
Japan’s Miura absorbs Seattle firm to launch second U.S. outpost
As part of its aggressive worldwide expansion strategy, Japanese legal firm Miura & Partners has opened its second U.S. office in Seattle following the acquisition of local boutique Baxter legal International.
Two sets of mid-sized UK law firms unveil mergers as business costs rise
Seddons and GSC Solicitors in London and Wilkin Chapman and Rollits, two groups of mid-sized UK commercial law firms, have announced plans to unite. On April 1, the agreements to form Seddons GSC and Wilkin Chapman Rollits will be finalized, resulting in consolidated businesses with respective revenues of £22 million and £40 million.
Technology & Innovation:
Addleshaw Goddard Becomes Latest Firm to Roll Out AI Tool Legora
The company is closely emulating Bird & Bird, which last week announced that it was launching Legora.
Behind Ballard Spahr’s Decision to Develop Internal Gen AI Tools
After considering significant costs and security concerns, the company decided to develop a chatbot, an interactive document management system, and a client intelligence tool.
LexisNexis Announces Release of Updated Case Management Platform CaseMap+ AI
The company’s CaseMap Cloud case management software for litigators now includes generative artificial intelligence models.
DeepSeek’s Legal and Cross-Cultural Risks and Benefits
Business-focused AI research may be negatively impacted by the cultural and commercial biases included in the DeepSeek AI Large Language Model (LLM), which was developed in China, as well as the datasets that were used to train the LLM. These cultural differences are especially relevant in international commercial dealings.
The Future of Law: How Automation is Reshaping Legal Practices
The legal industry is evolving rapidly, with new technologies transforming how law firms operate. From workflow automation to digital case management, firms are increasingly leveraging tech to enhance efficiency and client service.
Market Commentary:
Skadden, Debevoise Consider Implementing Non-Equity Partnership Tier
About half of partners in Big Law now are classified as nonequity partners.
Navigating the Pressures on Corporate Law Departments: A Strategic Approach
In order to improve decision-making, expedite workflows, and optimize document management, organizations are spending more and more in genAI technologies and updated legal tech solutions. Adopting AI tools alone, however, is insufficient; a careful and calculated deployment strategy is required for success.
The Collapse of Lundgrens: A Cautionary Tale for Mid-Sized Law Firms
The chief partner of DLA Piper Denmark views the Danish legal market as “cautious but positive.”
The Future of Law Firm Leadership Is Balancing Profitability with Purpose
According to Michael J. Epstein, managing partner of The Epstein Law Firm, “the legal industry is at risk of over-indexing on convenience at the expense of depth.” “A tool that facilitates lawyers’ work does not always improve it.”
Nigerian Firms See Surge in Legal Work Amid $81.5B Binance Lawsuit and Crackdowns
Tax enforcement, data investigations, and transactions are keeping attorneys extremely busy in 2025, according to Olaniwun Ajayi and other leading Nigerian legal firms.
UK Partners Deserve a Bigger Slice of Law Firm Profits
Since London is a legal powerhouse and U.K. M&A is utilized in many parts of the world, why aren’t British partners paid fairly?
How Cole, Scott & Kissane Increased Efficiency Without Cutting Staff or Lawyers
After years of deploying database and paperless systems, the Florida-based company is now focusing on generative AI and seeing productivity advantages.
As More Law Firms Adopt 4-Day Office Policies, Will Others See ‘Safety in Numbers’?
Wilmer, the newest Big Law firm to increase its in-office mandate, will compel that its attorneys be in the office four days a week as of April 28
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