Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
Quinn Emanuel loses another Partner to JHAB
Elizabeth Wilson joins Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen’s Construction Disputes practice, marking key personnel shift. Her arrival marks the fourth Partner to leave Quinn Emanuel for JHAB in just over a year, following the departures of James Bremen, James Mayers, and Mark Grasso in March 2025.
Morgan Lewis to Strengthen European M&A Capabilities with Philip Cheveley in London
Morgan Lewis continues to accelerate the growth of its global M&A platform with the upcoming arrival of Partner Philip Cheveley, who will join later this month in the firm’s Corporate practice in London and will serve as the firm’s European M&A practice lead. Philip will be joining from Covington & Burling.
Dentons appoints Construction Partner Gordon Anderson in Glasgow
Dentons has appointed Gordon Anderson as a Construction Partner in its Projects practice in Glasgow. Mr Anderson joins from Addleshaw Goddard, where he was a Partner, to lead Dentons’ non-contentious UK Construction practice.
Europe
JPR welcomes Tom van Wijngaarden as Partner
Tom van Wijngaarden joins JPR Advocaten in the Netherlands as a Partner in the Corporate practice. Tom joins from Eversheds Sutherland.
Clifford Chance veteran joins Mayer Brown in Frankfurt
Sebastian Maerker is leaving Clifford Chance after almost three decades and will join Mayer Brown in Frankfurt where he will strengthen the Capital Markets team.
Charles Russell Speechlys appoints First Corporate Tax Partner in Milan
Charles Russell Speechlys today announces the appointment of Paolo Rampulla as the first Corporate Tax Partner in the Firm’s Milan office. Paolo joins from Italian law firm ADVANT NCTM where he was a Partner for the past 23 years.
Morgan Lewis Adds Paris Partner as it aims to be global leader in Digital Assets
Morgan Lewis & Bockius has hired a Paris Financial Regulatory Partner Arnaud Grünthaler. Grünthaler earlier spent seven years as a Partner at Fieldfisher and was at Simmons & Simmons for nine years.
Heuking hires Equity Partner in Munich office
Dr. Björn Biehl will start as an equity Partner at Heuking’s Munich office. Dr. Björn advises clients on national and international M&A and private equity transactions as well as on the restructuring and insolvency of companies and joins from Greenberg Traurig.
Team
Simpson Thacher to lose duo to DLA and Willkie
DLA Piper is set to hire Banking Partner Andrew Bechtel from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, while Nikita Kumar is to join the partnership of Willkie Farr & Gallagher. They will both be joining in the London office.
Eversheds Partner Duo to Join Newly Integrated Irish and Northern Irish Offering
Eversheds Sutherland has added two new Partners in Dublin and Belfast, the latest additions to the firm’s newly integrated Irish and Northen Irish practices. Commercial Partner Laura Fannin joins from Hayes solicitors and Corporate Partner Grant Edwards joins from Shoosmiths.
A four-Partner team has left Sidley Austin for Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, with three Partners departing its New York base, and one in London. Akin welcomes back Gerald Brant, Jeffrey Kochian and Brittany Harrison as Private Equity Partners in New York, along with Jonathon Hamill in London.
Kennedys strengthens in London with double Partner hire from DLA Piper and Cripps
Kennedys has boosted its London Corporate and Commercial team with a twin Partner hire from DLA Piper and Cripps. The incoming duo – Corporate Crime and Investigations specialist Will White and Corporate lawyer Lowri Jones – arrive a week after Kennedys announced a 20-strong partner promotions round.
Promotions & Appointments
Freshfields PE star takes over as UK chief
The co-head of Freshfields’ private capital group has been named as the firm’s UK Managing Partner. Victoria Sigeti takes on the role from litigator Mark Sansom, who was first appointed in 2023.
Freshfields names Mark Sansom as global Client Partner
Global law firm Freshfields has named Mark Sansom as its new global Client Partner. Sansom will have responsibility for shaping and driving the firm’s global client strategy across practice groups and sectors.
Bird & Bird strengthens Corporate team with Dutch M&A hire
Bird & Bird welcomes M&A specialist Florian Fehres as a new Corporate Partner in Amsterdam. Florian advises a broad range of international clients across various sectors and joins from Norton Rose Fulbirght where he was Special Counsel.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Pinsent Masons Joins KAFD’s Growing Business Community
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has announced the relocation of its Riyadh office to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), marking a significant milestone in the firm’s long-standing commitment to the legal landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Pinsent Masons’ Warsaw Office is Officially Open
Their 9th office in continental Europe is launching with a focus on real estate, corporate/M&A, banking & finance and construction. They have a 40-strong team of new joiners who are being led by seven Partners.
HFW’s Geneva Team Moves To New Offices
HFW’s Geneva team has officially moved into its new offices at Le Rhône, Place de Hollande.
New Real Estate Boutique Launches in Berlin
The law firm RNX has started its work in Berlin. It was founded by the two former Poellath lawyers Sebastian Pasch and Dr. Puya Rezai Hariri as well as the lawyer notary Dr. Manuel Seidel, who previously worked for Luther. Professionally, they combine real estate law, corporate law and notary’s office.
Rosling King Pins Hopes on Merger As Administration Looms
Rosling King has filed for administration, citing “unmanageable” creditor pressure for the decision amid suggestions that it has found a firm to merge with. The single-site City firm, which specialises in real estate, private equity, construction and financial services, filed a notice of its intention to appoint an administrator on Friday, 8 May 2026. According to the firm, it is owed a substantial amount of money from clients in unpaid fees.
Irwin Mitchell continues regional expansion with move to larger Nottingham office
Irwin Mitchell has moved into a larger office in Nottingham, further strengthening its presence in the East Midlands and underlining its continued investment in regional growth. The firm’s new office, located on Stanford Street in the city centre, provides a larger base as Irwin Mitchell builds on the momentum it has developed in the region since entering the Nottingham market in November 2024.
Making Moves: Fieldfisher settles into Birmingham HQ with ambitious growth plans
Fieldfisher moves HQ to new offices at 2 Chamberlain Square.
Mergers & Alliances
Swedish PE-backed AGRD Partners adds first international firm
AGRD Partners, the Private Equity-backed association of Swedish law firms launched last year, has added its first non-Swedish firm to the group. Icelandic firm BBA/Fjeldco has joined the platform, marking the next step in the group’s international expansion. The group said BBA/Fjeldco will bolster its transactional capabilities across M&A, capital markets, banking and corporate finance, as well as energy and PFI projects.
Pérez‑Llorca merges with 240-strong Peruvian firm
Spanish-headquartered Pérez‑Llorca has merged with Peruvian firm Miranda & Amado, marking its third deal in Latin America in the past two years as part of the firm’s ongoing international push. The merger marks the firm’s fifth international launch in recent years, after opening in Lisbon in 2023, and Abu Dhabi just earlier this year. The full integration is expected to complete in the coming weeks, subject to partner approvals, and will mark the first full merger between a local Peruvian firm and a Spanish-headquartered, international outfit.
Financial Results
Profits at Burness Paull rise to £45.7m as firm dispenses all-employee bonus
The firm’s results for the financial year that ended 31 March 2026 saw annual turnover rise 12 per cent to £105.2m (2024/25: £93.5m). On the back of the strong financial performance, the firm has shared its profits through an all-employee bonus that – on top of individual performance-related bonuses – has seen every employee receive an additional payment worth 10 per cent of their annual salary.
Flint Bishop vows to hit £90m by 2030 as it seeks to upskill Partners
Flint Bishop has recorded a revenue jump of 35 per cent for the 2025/26 financial year, doubling its size in two years. The Derby-founded firm has posted revenue of £42.7m, up from £31.6m the year before and £20.7m in 2023/24. Profit has also risen, while total headcount is up to 452, with 127 new joiners over the past 12 months.
Market Commentary
Irwin Mitchell to cut private client roles in shift away from volume work
Irwin Mitchell is cutting roles in its private client offering as it exits its volume wills offering and refocuses the practice on higher-value advisory work. The firm confirmed the changes will include a small number of partner exits, including planned retirements. Discussions are ongoing with other affected staff. Sources familiar with the matter said the firm will explore redeployment opportunities where possible.
End of an era: Quinn Emanuel Co-Founder steps back as Chief
John Quinn, who co-founded litigation giant Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan four decades ago, is to step down from his role as Executive Chairman.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Anthropic Has Made A Significant Move Into The Legal Sector
Anthropic has made a significant move into the legal sector, with the launch of 12 practice area plugins via its Claude AI-agent technology. At the same time, it has forged agreements to connect Claude with the software of more than 20 leading legaltech suppliers.
Linklaters Launches New Practice to Build Matter-Specific AI Solutions
On May 5, Linklaters announced the launch of Applied Intelligence, a new practice designed to build bespoke artificial intelligence workflows and tools for individual clients and matters. The practice unites attorneys and data scientists in a front office team to work together directly on live matters. Applied Intelligence was co-founded by Tom Quoroll, a structured finance partner and chair of the Linklaters’ AI program, and Sarah Barnard, the firm’s director of AI delivery. The team has three attorneys and three data scientists to start, with hopes to expand further.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
MoFo lands tech trio from Bakers and Morgan Lewis
Partners, Mike Pierides and Will Holder, join Morrison Foerster’s London Technology Transactions group. Pierides joins from Morgan Lewis and brings Associate Oliver Bell with him. Holder joins from Baker McKenzie.
Greenberg Traurig boosts London Corporate bench with Baker McKenzie Partner
Greenberg Traurig has expanded its London Corporate practice with the hire of Partner Robert Gray from Baker McKenzie.
McDermott hires HSF Kramer Energy Co-Head in London
McDermott has poached HSF Kramer’s Co-Head of Global Energy practice Lewis McDonald, who will join the firm in October.
King & Spalding ramps up City recruitment with second hire this week
Competition Partner Jade Alexandra Fearns is joining King & Spalding’s London office from Paul Hastings. King & Spalding also hired Private Equity Real Estate partner Raymond Fang from Goodwin.
Arnold & Porter hires ex-Willkie competition litigator
Nicola Chesaites joins Arnold & Porter’s London office, having departed Willkie in July.
Gibney Hogan LLP welcomes Sarah Bruen
Gibney Hogan LLP has announced that Sarah Bruen has joined the firm as a Partner, leading the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice in Dublin. Sarah joins from Flynn O’Driscoll.
Holmes appoints David Curran as Partner
Holmes has announced the appointment of David Curran as Partner in the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Insurance unit. David joins from Flynn O’Driscoll and is based in Dublin.
Norton Rose Fulbright continues to expand Insurance Disputes team with Senior Partner hire
Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright is pleased to announce that Mandip Singh Sagoo has joined the firm as an Insurance Disputes Partner in London. Mandip joins from Clyde & Co.
Eversheds Sutherland grows Corporate Financial Services practice with Partner hire Chrissy Findlay
Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its Corporate Financial Services and M&A practice with the appointment of Chrissy Findlay as a Partner in its London office. Chrissy joins from Pinsent Masons.
International Arbitration Partner Philipp Kurek Joins Haynes Boone in London
Haynes Boone has announced that it has welcomed Partner Philipp Kurek to its London office. Kurek joins from Signature Litigation.
Europe
RSM Ebner Stolz strengthens Restructuring practice with Dr. Marc Oberhardt
RSM Ebner Stolz is further expanding its Restructuring and Insolvency law practice in the legal field and has gained Dr. Marc Oberhardt, a renowned Restructuring lawyer, as a new Partner. Dr. Marc Oberhardt moved from McDermott Will & Schulte to RSM Ebner Stolz on May 1, 2026 and will advise clients in crisis situations from the Düsseldorf office in the future.
Wijn & Stael gains new Corporate & Commercial Litigation Partner
Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter joins Wijn & Stael from CMS. Bart-Adriaan is based in Amsterdam.
Middle East
Norton Rose Fulbright expands Middle East and Africa Energy offering with new Partner hire
Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has strengthened its Middle East and Africa Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources offering with the appointment of Remy Lerner, who will join the firm’s Dubai office following a short transitional period in Paris. Remy joins from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle.
Bird & Bird boosts team in Riyadh with new Partner hire
Bird & Bird has strengthened its Media, Entertainment & Sports (MES) team with the appointment of Commercial Partner Bandar Al Hamidani in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bandar joins from Al Tamimi & Co.
Team
DAC Beachcroft launches in Dubai with Clyde & Co Partner trio
The office will open with Michael Morris (Litigation), Michael Ducker (Healthcare & Insurance) and Mark Beswetherick (Arbitration & Litigation), who will join from Clydes.
Dentons adds seven-lawyer disputes team from PwC Legal in Germany
The group, which joined the firm’s Berlin office at the start of May, is led by Disputes Partners Roman Dörfler and Martin Beckmann alongside a Counsel, two Senior Associates and an Associate.
Addleshaws hires five-strong team in Poland
Addleshaw Goddard’s Warsaw office has established a public procurement and construction practice, with the hire of five lawyers from local firm Domański Zakrzewski Palinka (DZP). The quintet includes Partners Katarzyna Kuźma (Investment Projects) and Tomasz Michalczyk (Public Procurement and PPP Projects).
McDermott raids Italian firm for 12-strong team
McDermott Will & Schulte has hired a team of five Partners and seven lawyers in Milan, marking the latest step in its investment in Italy. The team is set to join from domestic firm Gitti and Partners, led by its Managing Partner Vincenzo Giannantonio, who joins as Co-Managing Partner of McDermott’s Milan office, and brings a particular focus on private equity and growth capital investments. Alongside him, four Partners will also join. They are Giacomo Pansolli and Domenico Patruno, who both bring a focus on Transactions, as well as Elisa Mapelli in Employment and Marco Blei in Intellectual Property, Life Sciences and Technology.
In-House
Pinsents Partner moves back in-house after two years
Pinsent Masons Partner Peter McCusker has moved back in-house, taking up a new legal job at financial services group People’s Partnership. Peter is based in London.
Promotions & Appointments
RPC elevates 10 to partner in one of its largest promotion rounds on record
RPC has promoted 10 lawyers to Partner and four to Of Counsel in its latest promotions round, one of its largest on record.
DLA Piper makes up 62 Partners
DLA Piper has promoted 62 of its lawyers to its partnership, a slight dip from the 65 made up in 2025.
WFW promotes seven to partnership
Watson Farley & Williams has promoted seven lawyers to the firm’s partnership for 2026.
Brodies appoints six Partners and new CFO
Brodies LLP has announced the appointment of six new Partners following its latest round of promotions as well as the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer.
Stephenson Harwood Partner takes on firm’s top innovation role
Stephenson Harwood has appointed one of its Finance Partners as its new Innovation Chief.
Charlotte Drake, who is currently a Partner in Stephenson Harwood’s Finance practice, will become the firm’s Global Head of AI and Digital Transformation on June 1. She is based in London.
Dillon Eustace LLP appoints Richard Lacken as Head of Taxation
Mr Lacken succeeds David Lawless, who continues as a Consultant and a Member of the Tax team. He is based in Dublin.
Devonshires appoints new Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Law firm Devonshires has announced that Nikki Bowker has been appointed its new Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution, taking over from Philip Barden. Nikki is based in London.
Addleshaw Goddard appoints Eckart Budelmann as Head of Germany
The international law firm Addleshaw Goddard has appointed Eckart Budelmann as its new Head of Germany. He will take over the strategic and operational management of the German practice at the firm’s new financial year. Eckart is based in Hamburg.
Chris Towle sets out vision for Gowling WLG as he takes on role of UK LLP CEO
“I’m proud to be taking on the role of CEO and excited about what we can achieve together,” said Chris. “We are entering a new phase of growth from a position of real strength with excellent people, a strong international platform and an enviable client base.”
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
DAC Beachcroft to open first Middle East office in Dubai
DAC Beachcroft (DACB) is set to open its first Middle East office in Dubai this summer. The office will be based in DIFC Square, a new development within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), alongside firms such as Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.
Dr. David Weller, previously a Partner in the Hamburg office of Lubberger Lehment, has founded the law firm Peak together with Lubberger associate Freya Schiele. The new boutique focuses on consulting in IP, IT and Data law.
Market Commentary
A&O Shearman Partners Discuss Introducing Nonequity Tier
A&O Shearman Partners are discussing the possibility of introducing a nonequity tier. Several Big Law firms have adopted the structure in recent years in response to various market pressures.
A&O latest firm to cut business support roles in London
A&O Shearman is reducing headcount in its London business services workforce, becoming the latest major law firm to cut back-office roles. The firm is proposing around 20 cuts across its IT, Finance and Marketing teams.
London’s 39 Essex Chambers adds Addleshaw Goddard Construction Co-Head to open in Dubai
The office will be led by former Addleshaw Goddard’s Co-Head of Construction Stephen Burke, who joins the set along with former Pinsent Masons’ employed Barrister Madelaine Power, as well as existing 39 Essex Chambers’ member Nicholas Higgs.
Paul Weiss Sheds Litigation Associates
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has cut several Litigation Associates, with the firm tying the cuts to performance review decisions.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
Kirkland hires Paul Weiss Corporate Partner in London
Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison’s head of European M&A is leaving for Kirkland & Ellis after less than three years. Will Aitken-Davies joins Kirkland as a Corporate Partner in London.
London boutique Three Points Law hires AI legaltech co-founder and former KPMG Law Partner
London-based boutique Three Points Law has hired former KPMG Law Partner Usman Wahid to bolster its tech-driven offering.
Cleary Gottlieb Continues London Growth with Strategic Funds Partner Hire
David Christmas will join the firm’s London office on May 5 as a partner in its Global Funds practice. David joins from Fried Frank.
Eversheds Sutherland expands insurance team with London partner hire
Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its insurance team with the appointment of Helen Hallam as a partner in the firm’s London office. Helen joins the firm from Canada Life Limited, where she spent more than eight years in senior in-house roles.
Irwin Mitchell has appointed Rosanne Tweddle as a Partner, based in the firm’s Aske office in North Yorkshire, further strengthening its specialist expertise in rural and agricultural property matters. Rosanne joins Irwin Mitchell from Womble Bond Dickinson.
Europe
BSVA Studio Legale Associato announces the arrival of Silvia Martina as Partner, as part of the strengthening of its white-collar criminal law and compliance practice. Silvia joins from Studio Legale Cagnola & Associati in Milan.
Middle East
Ashurst grows Project & Energy Transition offering with Abu Dhabi Partner hire
Ashurst announces the appointment of energy and infrastructure lawyer Anne Wicks as Partner in the Projects & Energy Transition practice based in Abu Dhabi. Anne joins from Mayer Brown’s Dubai office.
Team
Paul Hastings hires Covington PE real estate team in London
Paul Hastings is set to hire a senior private equity and real estate team in London from Covington & Burling. The team is led by Lyndsey Laverack and Jade Williams-Adedeji.
Reed Smith recruits Corporate team from Dentons in Germany
Munich-based Partners Thomas Strassner, Christopher Mayston and Richard Fagerer bring a broad transactional practice with particular strength in defence and life sciences.
Akin gains restructuring trio from Weil
A restructuring team of three Partners from Weil Gotshal & Manges is heading back to Akin’s London office. Lois Deasey, Neil Devaney and Matt Benson are making the move across the city to their former firm.
Gibson Dunn raids Clifford Chance for seven-strong funds team in Paris
An investment funds team from Clifford Chance has left for Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in Paris, marking the latter’s latest move in its European expansion. The team is led by Partner Xavier Comaills. Along with him, Partners Marie Préat, Elodie Cinconze, and Pierre Goyat will join.
Promotions & Appointments
Gowling WLG makes up five in promotion round
The firm has promoted five lawyers to Partner in Birmingham, Dubai and Frankfurt, with a clear focus on corporate and real estate. This matches the number of promotions in 2025.
Clifford Chance promotes 28 to partner in US-heavy round
Clifford Chance has promoted 28 lawyers to Partner in its latest global promotions round, including six in the US and nine in London. The cohort is in line with the past few rounds, around 30 partners, and includes nine women – 32% of the total and again in line with previous years.
Bird & Bird promotes 37 in its annual global promotion round
Bird & Bird has appointed 19 to Partner, 3 to Senior Counsel, 20 to Counsel and 5 to Legal Director in its annual global promotion round. All effective from May 2026. This is down from 61 total in 2025.
Simmons & Simmons announces Partner promotions for 2026
Simmons & Simmons has announced the promotion of nine individuals to the firm’s global partnership equalling the number of promotions in 2025. Women make up 56% of the group up from 44% in 2025.
A&O Shearman Appoints Inaugural EU Chair to Deepen European Presence
A&O Shearman has appointed its first ever EU chair, Tom Schoors, as its seeks to more seamlessly connect its U.S., U.K., the Middle East and Asia Pacific clients with its European lawyers.
Hengeler Mueller Appoints Next Leaders
Jens Wenzel and Sebastian Schneider will become the firm’s co-managing Partners, succeeding Thomas Müller and Bernd Wirbel, whose terms will end after four years.
Hogan Lovells appoints Renato Antonini as Brussels Office Managing Partner
Hogan Lovells has appointed partner Renato Antonini as Office Managing Partner for its Brussels office, effective 1 May 2026, succeeding Christopher Thomas.
Marc Mehlen appointed as Managing Partner of Luxembourg office at Clifford Chance
Marc will oversee the implementation of Clifford Chance’s global strategy in Luxembourg and further strengthen relationships with clients locally and internationally.
Taylor Wessing Strengthens product liability practice with appointment of Jamie Humphreys as Partner
Jamie Humphreys joins as a Partner in the Disputes & Investigations team in London. Jamie was previously Special Counsel at Cooley.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Gibson Dunn Expands European Transactional Platform With New Madrid Office
The office is led by Partner Armando Albarrán, widely regarded as one of Spain’s preeminent Corporate lawyers. He is joined by Of Counsel Alfonso Bernar, Asís Martín de Cabiedes, and Reka Palla and Associates Alberto Broseta and Mario Pacini.
Tech-focused UK boutique ClearCube Law formally launches
UK technology-focused boutique ClearCube Law has formally launched following the firm’s four founding Partners all completing transitions from their previous roles. The London-based firm was founded in September 2025 by Alison Berryman and Matt Cunningham, with Anna Ward and Juliet Nutland joining later, ahead of the official launch.
Harneys relocates London office to The Broadgate Tower
Harneys has announced the relocation of its London office to larger premises in The Broadgate Tower, in the City of London.
Mergers & Alliances
Browne Jacobson joins forces with Davidson McDonnell to enter Northern Ireland
UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson is set to join forces with Davidson McDonnell, one of Northern Ireland’s most active law firms. The firms have exchanged contracts, with completion remaining subject to external approvals.
Law Firms Including Hogan Lovells, Cadwalader Form Global Legal Tech Alliance
Hogan Lovells announced Wednesday that they joined more than 15 other global law firms in forming a Global Legal Tech Alliance, an initiative intended to promote collaboration and technology development.
Financial Results
Mayer Brown London revenue jumps 20% to $268m in bumper year
Mayer Brown’s London office has reported record revenue of $268.2 million for 2025, marking a 20.5% increase on the previous year. The growth forms part of a broader period of investment across the firm, aimed at strengthening collaboration between offices in Europe and the US.
Market Commentary
DLA Piper votes to ditch verein structure as it targets market share gains
DLA Piper Partners have voted to dissolve the firm’s verein structure, moving to a more unified global model. To take effect on 1 May, the new corporate structure will see the model replaced with a global LLP that sits above the existing US and international entities, which are legally divided into two LLPs under the current structure.
Former City law boss launches legal strategy firm
Neville Eisenber, former boss of legacy City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, has launched a consultancy (ClarityX Advisory) to advise law firms and investors on strategy and private capital investment.
Big Law begins UAE office return as ceasefire continues
International law firms in the UAE are moving to bring lawyers back to the office, raising concerns among some who relocated from the region during the current conflict.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Magic Circle firm Slaughter and May to roll out Harvey AI platform firmwide
UK Magic Circle firm Slaughter and May has adopted Harvey’s AI platform, the latest global law firm to start scaling up Harvey’s tech more broadly. Harvey said the platform will be used to support the firm’s lawyers in areas including M&A, due diligence, regulatory research and document analysis.
LexisNexis-owner RELX agrees to acquire French legal AI platform Doctrine
LexisNexis parent company RELX Group has entered into an agreement to acquire French legal AI platform Doctrine. The proposed takeover would expand LexisNexis’s legal AI offering in France and other key European markets including Germany, Spain and Italy.
Chip giant Nvidia bets on legal AI with Legora investment
The investment comes via NVentures, Nvidia’s venture arm, and forms part of an extension to Legora’s $550 million Series D announced in March, taking the total round to $600 million and valuing the legal AI startup at $5.6 billion.
Microsoft shakes up legal tech with contract review agent
Microsoft has made a major move into legal tech territory with the launch of a contract review “Legal Agent” built directly into Word. The new feature allows lawyers to review, edit and negotiate contracts inside Word using structured workflows, including clause-by-clause analysis against internal playbooks, automated redlining and citation-backed suggestions.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
CMS strengthens London IP practice with McCarthy Denning Partner
CMS has hired Patent Litigator Tom Carver as a Partner in its London IP practice.
Hengeler Mueller strengthens in London with Disputes Partner relocation
Arbitration Partner Carsten van de Sande will move to the UK from the firm’s Frankfurt office.
Proskauer continues London build-out with McDermott Finance Partner
Proskauer has continued its steady London expansion with the hire of Real Estate Finance Partner Usman Khan from McDermott.
Will Wallace joins Aberdein Considine in Edinburgh
Aberdein Considine LLP has appointed Residential Property Partner Will Wallace to head up its expanding residential property team in Edinburgh. Will joins from Balfour and Manson.
Maples Group makes four senior appointments
The Irish firm welcomes two experienced Partners, Gillian Beechinor and Andrew Ion, in addition to Of Counsel David McClelland and Associate Killian Breen. Beechinor and Ion join from Arthur Cox and A&L Goodbody, where they worked within the Real Estate practice.
Europe
Weil adds German Antitrust duo from White & Case and Latham
Weil has hired Ingo Brinker from White & Case, where he was a Partner, and Latham & Watkins’ Counsel Niklas Brueggemann. Both will join in Munich.
Dr. Niclas von Woedtke joins HEUKING’s Hamburg office as Equity Partner
Niclas is a member of the M&A and Venture Capital practice. He joins from Taylor Wessing.
Dr. Andrea Pomana joins the Antitrust & Competition practice at FPS
She will be based in the Frankfurt office of FPS. Andrea joins from Simmons & Simmons.
Baker McKenzie has rehired M&A partner Anna Orlander in Stockholm
Orlander rejoins the firm after five years as in-house Head of M&A at one of Baker McKenzie’s clients, Embracer Group.
Offshore Firm Continues Jersey Build-Out With Hire of Corporate Head
Harneys has appointed former Ogier partner Alexander Curry to lead its Corporate practice in Jersey.
Middle East
Shyamal Jeewoolall joins Addleshaw Goddard’s Dubai Office
Shyamal specialises in Banking & Finance. He joins from Holman Fenwick Willan.
Clyde & Co expands Middle East Aviation practice in Dubai with Partner hire from Al Tamimi
Bushra Abu-Tayeh has joined the region’s largest global law firm from Al Tamimi & Company, where she led the Aviation practice in the Transport and Insurance department. Bushra is based in Dubai.
Team
Baker McKenzie bolsters ECM capability with two senior Partner hires in London
Leading global law firm, Baker McKenzie, is pleased to welcome Simon Bullock and Stuart Rubin as Capital Markets Partners in its Corporate Finance team in London. The pair join from Ashurst.
Promotions & Appointments
HSF Kramer promotes 25 partners in first post-merger round
HSF Kramer has promoted 25 to Partner, in its first promotions round since the merger that created the firm last June. Core London office dominates with seven new Partners.
Taylor Wessing’s UK and Benelux arms announce partner promotions ahead of Winston & Strawn merger
Four lawyers are elevated to Partner in London, Eindhoven and Dubai.
Osborne Clarke announces leaner UK Partner promotions round
Six-strong round includes promotions in Disputes, Corporate and Banking and Finance teams.
Addleshaw Goddard makes up 17 Partners
Cohort spans the UK, Europe and the Middle East, including two in newly added Warsaw office.
William Fry Announces Three New Partners
William Fry is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Partners. These Partners are from the Litigation and Corporate/M&A practices.
Freshfields names two new Partners in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh
Freshfields has elevated James Visick and Ibrahim Attar to Partner in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, part of a record 47 promotions that signal strategic growth in global transactions.
Leaner Partner round at Ashurst ahead of US tie-up
Ashurst has promoted 18 lawyers to Partner globally, trimming its intake slightly as it prepares for a transatlantic merger with US firm Perkins Coie. The latest round is down from 20 promotions last year.
Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan appoints new Partners
Kilkenny-based Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan Solicitors LLP has welcomed two new Partners, Aileen Gittens (Surrogacy, pathways to Parenthood and Immigration) and Cathy Power (Property).
Matheson announces new appointments
David Fitzgibbon has been appointed as Head of the firm’s Corporate Department. Caroline Kearns and Joe Beashel have been appointed as Co-Heads of the Financial Institutions group, which also welcomes new Partner Ciaran O’Boyle. Christian Donagh has been appointed as the new Co-Head of Matheson’s Finance and Capital Markets department.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Kirkland Lays Groundwork for Middle East Expansion in Abu Dhabi
Kirkland & Ellis has registered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a move that places the world’s most profitable law firm inside one of the Gulf’s fastest-growing centres of private capital, where sovereign wealth funds, private equity houses, and major regional investors converge.
Financial Results
Latham & Watkins Germany Breaks $300 Million Revenue Mark After 25 Years
Latham & Watkins has broken its revenue record in Germany, 25 years after entering the largest legal market in continental Europe.
Taylor Wessing Germany Posts Strong Revenue Rise
Taylor Wessing Germany has announced significant revenue growth, with turnover rising 13.1% to hit €243 million in 2025.
Market Commentary
Freshfields Cuts Manchester Roles Citing Tech Investments and Market Shifts
Freshfields has finalised cuts to support staff in its Manchester office, following a decision last year that it would axe certain non-fee-earner roles in light of market shifts. Fewer than 20 roles have been impacted in this most recent round, with no further changes planned.
Chris Woolard CBE, Wholesale Digital Markets Champion, said: “It’s an honour to be appointed Digital Markets Champion for the UK’s Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy. As financial markets increasingly move away from manual processes to digital, tokenised systems, collaboration and an open two-way dialogue between the private and public sectors will best support the Strategy’s success, and will ultimately enhance the UK’s global competitiveness as a leader in digital markets.”
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
UK fintech backed to embrace future payments technology
The UK’s payments sector is to be equipped for the future of rapid financial innovation through a new package announced during Fintech Week in London. The measures will help the UK remain at the cutting edge by promoting innovation and trust within the payments sector to drive growth.
Law firms join forces to shape legal AI launching Global Tech Alliance
More than 15 law firms have launched an international alliance to respond to the growing role of AI in how legal work is delivered. The new group – named the Global Legal Tech Alliance – will provide a structure for firms to jointly develop and apply legal technology, supported by shared resources and training.
Freshfields Strikes Anthropic Deal, Deploys Claude Firmwide
Freshfields is collaborating with Anthropic in a multi-year agreement to deploy Claude firmwide, and to co-build AI legal workflows.
ClearyX sounds out investors after launching AI platform
ClearyX, the alternative legal services provider established by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, is on the look-out for potential external investors.
LexisNexis and Luminance strike AI partnership to target in-house legal teams
LexisNexis and AI-powered contract platform Luminance have formed a strategic alliance that will enable users to draft and review contracts against relevant laws in real time.
Clio primed for more takeovers as it gears up to challenge Harvey and Legora
Clio is preparing to take on legal tech rivals Harvey and Legora and win over large law firms after its recent $1bn acquisition of vLex.
Legora Acquires Legal Research Startup Qura | Law.com
On Thursday, Swedish legal artificial intelligence company Legora announced the acquisition of Qura, a Stockholm-based legal research company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
Weil hires Kirkland Partner in continued secondaries push
Weil Gotshal & Manges has hired a Partner from Kirkland & Ellis in London, as it continues to build out its global secondaries capability. Charles Cooper-Isow joins the firm’s private equity practice, focusing on secondaries transactions.
Orrick hires Structured Finance Cawalader Partner
Structured Finance Partner Suzanne Bell will be moving to Orrick and leaving Cadwalader, which is gearing up for a merger with Hogan Lovells.
Mayer Brown adds Kirkland Leveraged Finance Partner in London
Mayer Brown has hired Leveraged Finance Partner Sarah Goodwin in London from Kirkland, as it continues to build out its private capital offering in London.
Norton Rose Fulbright welcomes Head of Transfer Pricing to London Tax practice
Norton Rose Fulbright has announced that Dr. Stephanie Pantelidaki has joined the firm as Partner (non-legal) and Head of Transfer Pricing for EMEAPAC, based in London. Stephanie is an economist and joins the firm from Baker McKenzie, where she was a Partner in the tax team.
Linklaters hires CMS Partner for Insurance push in London
Linklaters has hired M&A Partner Owen Ross to bolster its insurance practice in London. Ross joins from CMS, where he was a Partner in the Financial Services team specialising in insurance.
Maureen Daly joins Reddy Charlton LLP
Maureen Daly has joined Reddy Charlton LLP as a Partner. Ms Daly specialises in all areas of intellectual property law and joins from Pinsent Masons.
Harper Macleod welcomes Jacqueline Cook as planning Partner
Harper Macleod has announced the appointment of new Partner Jacqueline Cook to its planning team. Jacqueline Cook joins from Burges Salmon in Edinburgh.
Europe
Norton Rose Fulbright continues to expand Paris Real Estate practice with new Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright has announced that Real Estate Partner Diane Le Chevallier has joined its Paris office. Diane Le Chevallier joins the firm after nine years at De Pardieu Brocas Maffei.
Middle East
Stephenson Harwood is building its Middle East insurance litigation capability with the relocation of Partner Richard Hugg to the Dubai office.
Team
Ropes & Gray Expand European Private Capital Platform with hires from local firm Giovannelli
Ropes & Gray announced that leading Private Equity and M&A Partner Fabrizio Scaparro and experienced Private Equity Counsel Paola Pagani have joined the firm’s Milan office. They both join from Giovannelli e Associati where Scaparro was a Founding Partner.
Bird & Bird strengthens Employment team in France with double Partner hire
Bird & Bird boosts its Employment team in Paris with two new partners – Philippe Thomas and Thibault Meiers. They both join from Dechert.
Promotions & Appointments
A&O Shearman makes up nine Partners in London
A&O Shearman has unveiled its Partner promotions round for 2026, with nine lawyers elevated in London and four in the US. The numbers in London and the US are identical to last year when 33 lawyers globally also made the cut.
Eversheds Sutherland announces 25 promotions to Partner for 2026
Eversheds Sutherland (International) announced 25 partner promotions for 2026, up from 23 Partner promotions in 2025.
Freshfields doubles down on US in record Partner promotions round
Freshfields has announced its largest-ever Partner promotions round, making up 43 new Partners globally. It’s a significant level up from last year’s 25 partner promotions.
Irwin Mitchell announces firm-wide Promotions for 2026
Irwin Mitchell has announced its latest annual promotions with 12 being promoted to Partner, down from 14 last year.
New Head of Mishcon de Reya Insolvency and Restructuring Group
Radford Goodman has been appointed as Head of the Insolvency and Restructuring Group. Radford joined Mishcon in 2024 from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was a Partner for 15 years.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Linklaters to Close 10-Lawyer Office in Hamburg, Germany
Linklaters is closing its eight-year-old Hamburg office as it continues a broader pullback from underperforming European markets.
Gilson Gray opens fourth Edinburgh office
Gilson Gray has opened a new office at 14 Rutland Square, joining its existing city centre locations at 6, 25 and 29 Rutland Square.
RPC confirms location of new City HQ
The firm will take sole occupation of 10 Devonshire Square, currently home to WeWork, which spans more than 67,000 sq ft across five floors and includes a private roof terrace. RPC says the space will be fully redesigned to support hybrid working and client meetings.
Pamela Keely establishes Gantly Keely Solicitors
Pamela Keely has established Gantly Keely Solicitors in Bray, following the acquisition of Wicklow’s established private law practice Rosemary Gantly Solicitors.
Mergers & Alliances
Partners approve historic Hogan Lovells Cadwalader combination
Partners at Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft have voted in favour of what has been described as the largest law firm combination in history. Hogan Lovells Cadwalader will have annual revenue of more than $3.6 billion and a team of 3,100 lawyers across 18 countries, becoming one of the top firms globally by revenue and size.
Perkins Coie and Ashurst Partnerships Approve Combination to Form Ashurst Perkins Coie
Perkins Coie and Ashurst announced today that the partnerships of both firms have voted overwhelmingly to approve their proposed combination. The approval follows consultation from both firms and reflects strong support for the combination of two law firms with highly complementary geographic reach, sector depth, and practice strength.
Winston Taylor Incorporates in US in Shift Away From Legacy UK LLPs
The merged firm joins an elite club of U.S. legal giants that operate their international arms through Delaware-incorporated structures; pre-merger, both Winston & Strawn’s London operation and Taylor Wessing were registered as conventional U.K. LLPs.
Taylor Wessing’s German arm still seeking perfect UK partner as mid-tier talks fall through
Taylor Wessing’s German arm, which is not set to be joining the UK alliance’s Winston & Strawn deal, is understood to have approached a number of UK mid-tier firms about a tie-up, with no deal agreed as yet.
Financial Results
Latham Breaks Records as Partner Pay Hits $8.65M
A standout year for Latham & Watkins, with record profits, surging revenues and headline mandates driving performance at the very top of the market. Key numbers: revenue: $8.3 billion (first time past $8bn); PEP: $8.65 million (up 21.3%); revenue per lawyer: $2.2 million (up 14%); and Lawyer headcount: 3,724 (up 4%).
Ropes & Gray releases 2026 financial reports
Revenue grew by 9.4% and revenue per lawyer rose 8.3% in 2025 at Ropes & Gray.
Harbottle & Lewis has become the second of the City independent firms to announce its financial results for 2025/26. The firm posted revenue of £58.3m for the financial year, up 8.3 per cent on the £53.8m of 2024/25 and around 130 per cent on the £25.2m of 2015/16. Harbottles has not yet revealed other metrics, but in 2024/25 net profit was £22.5m and average profit per equity partner was £752,000. Its profit margin that year was 41.8 per cent, second only to pensions boutique Sackers among the 13 City independents in the UK51-100 bracket of the UK200.
Milbank crosses $2bn turnover as London growth gathers pace
Milbank has posted an 11 per cent revenue uplift in London, as the New York firm saw its global turnover jump past the $2bn mark for the first time. The firm reported London revenue of $366.2m for the financial year 2025, up from $327m the previous year, marking an increase of more than 11 per cent.
Sidley’s hiring strategy pays off as City revenue leaps by a third
Sidley Austin’s London office has increased its revenue by 32 per cent, as the US firm reaps the rewards of an increasingly aggressive hiring strategy on both sides of the Atlantic. The firm saw its London revenue increase by 31.9 per cent to $299m. The rise reinforces a pattern of consistent double-digit expansion, marking the 13th year of consecutive revenue growth in the City.
Market Commentary
Legora hires Jude Law as global expansion accelerates
Legora today launched a new global brand campaign, featuring Jude Law, as it accelerates the international expansion of its collaborative legal AI platform. The campaign marks a new phase in Legora’s growth strategy and maturity, as the company continues to scale its presence in key legal markets, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the EU, and drives deeper adoption among leading law firms and in-house legal teams.
The Lawyer Awards 2026: Shortlist unveiled
The shortlist for this year’s The Lawyer Awards is now live, with law firms, barristers’ chambers and in-house departments all nominated for prizes celebrating team and individual excellence.
Innovation and Culture
Technology & Innovation
OpenAI signs for first permanent London office
OpenAI has signed for its first permanent office in London at Endurance Land’s Regent Quarter scheme in King’s Cross. The company has taken 88,500 sq ft across Jahn Court and the Brassworks Building. OpenAI currently employs around 200 people in London and the new office, which is expected to open in 2027, will have capacity for up to 544 people.
Simmons brings students into the AI era with new internship
Simmons & Simmons has welcomed eight students to its new AI law internship, in what the firm says is the UK’s first dedicated programme of its kind. The two-week internship, which began this week in London, gives students hands-on experience working with the firm’s AI team across both legal and technical projects.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
Ashurst boosts City Capital Markets Bench with returning Senior Partner
Ashurst has hired White & Case Capital Markets Partner Jonathan Parry in London, strengthening its corporate team as it targets growth in equity capital markets.
Shoosmiths hires IP Partner from Taylor Wessing one month before merger
IP Partner France Delord joins to bolster Shoosmiths’ London trademark and brand practice.
Shoosmiths adds Head of Planning to drive practice build-out
Shoosmiths has announced the appointment of Sarah Fitzpatrick as Partner and Head of Planning. Sarah is based in London and she joins from Norton Rose Fulbright.
Eversheds Sutherland hires Funds Finance Partner from Reed Smith
Eversheds Sutherland has hired London Funds Finance Partner Linn Mayhew from Reed Smith in a boost to its global finance practice.
Akin Tech Head exits after less than two years
Akin’s Head of Technology, Partner Justin Stock, leaves the firm after less than two years. Stock has launched Rythan Limited, a consulting business focused on providing strategic commercial and transactional support to companies and growing businesses.
Lewis Silkin hires Data Protection and Cyber Security Partner from DWF
JP Buckley joins Lewis Silkin’s Privacy and Cyber team, based in Manchester.
Addleshaw Goddard hires Real Estate Partner from DWF
Miles Sinclair joins Addleshaw’s Real Estate team, based in Manchester.
Middle East
Trowers & Hamlins hires Partner from DWF
Leopold Zentner joins as Head of Corporate, specialising in M&A. He will join the Oman office of Trowers & Hamlins.
Matouk Bassiouny Welcomes Faten Anis as Partner
Faten works within the Finance and Projects Practice and is based in Cairo. She joins from Gide Loyrette Nouel.
Team
Clifford Chance adds two Orrick Partners in Paris
Clifford Chance has hired two Energy and Infrastructure Partners in Paris, as it looks to strengthen its private capital offering. Patrick Tardivy and Paul Loisel join from Orrick.
Lindsays strengthens rural team with three key hires
Linda Tinson, Lorna McKay and Sarah Taylor join the firm from Burness Paull as a Consultant, Partner and Director respectively. They will work in the Rural Land and Business practice, based in Glasgow.
Promotions & Appointments
Paman Singh promoted to Partner at Weightmans in Glasgow
Weightmans has announced 16 promotions, including that of Paman Singh to Partner in the Employment team in Glasgow.
Harper Macleod promotes Bobby Murray to partner
Harper Macleod has announced the promotion of Bobby Murray to Partner in its Dispute Resolution team, based in Edinburgh.
Anderson Strathern announces senior promotions across Scotland
One of these promotion sincludes the Partner promotion of Ellen Euson. Orkney-based Ellen works within the firm’s Rural Land and Business team.
Browne Jacobson announces new Partner and Legal Director promotions for 2026
Browne Jacobson has announced its promotions round for 2026, with six new Partners and one Legal Director.
Charles Russell Speechlys Partner Promotions 2026
Charles Russell Speechlys today announces the promotion of nine individuals to Partner, effective 1 May 2026, in addition to six Legal Director and 18 Senior Associate promotions.
Daher Avocats promotes Lawyers internally
One Partner and three Counsels have been promoted within Daher Avocats. Lola de Montalembert (Labour) was the only Partner promotion. Lola is based in Paris.
Baker McKenzie Appoints Dr. Christoph Schimmer as Head of Tax for Austria
Global law firm Baker McKenzie is pleased to announce the arrival of Dr. Christoph Schimmer, MSc (WU), who joins the firm’s Vienna office as Counsel and Head of Tax for Austria.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
CMS relocates from Laysen Valley to KAFD in Riyadh
CMS has relocated its Riyadh office to the King Abdullah Financial District, enhancing its presence in a key financial hub as it aims to expand its legal operations in Saudi Arabia.
Winston & Strawn to leave Bishopsgate for revamped Taylor Wessing HQ
Chicago-founded Winston & Strawn is to exit its 100 Bishopsgate lodgings ahead of its merger with UK firm Taylor Wessing. Lawyers and staff will be expected to pack up and make the move on 1 May, the hopeful date for the prospective tie-up.
Pinsent Masons Opens Glasgow Office
Pinsent Masons has officially opened their new office in Glasgow, marking an exciting next step in their continued growth in the UK.
Financial Results
Sidley’s Revenue Grows By 9%, as PEP Soars 16%, Amid Focus on Laterals and Balanced Portfolio
Sidley Austin grew revenue by about 9% last year, to roughly $3.74 billion. Sidley’s partnership system will change this year, with the firm creating what it says will be its own nonequity tier for the first time.
Kromann Reumert publishes financials for first time after partnership overhaul
Kromann Reumert, one of Denmark’s largest law firms, on Wednesday announced its financial results for the first time in its history. Posting a revenue of 1.2bn DKK (approximately €160.5m), up from around 1.1bn DKK (approximately €147.2m) the year before.
Gibson Dunn Posts 18% Revenue Increase to $4.2B
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher increased gross revenue and net income by roughly 18% in 2025 as it enjoyed rising demand across practice areas, industry groups and geographies.
Debevoise’s London revenue jumps 41 per cent as City drives global growth
Debevoise & Plimpton has posted a record rise in its London revenue, with the firm’s City office driving growth across the firm. London revenue increased 41.2 per cent from $189.1m in 2024 to reach $267.9m last year.
Fladgate posts double-digit revenue rise to pass £100m
Fladgate has passed £100m in revenue for 2025/26, posting an increase of around 16 per cent from the previous financial year.
Market Commentary
Jones Day Hacking Reflects Constant Threat of Phishing Attempts Against Big Law
Jones Day’s data breach, which the firm confirmed this week, signals that large law firms are still vulnerable to sophisticated phishing attempts, which often occur when hackers impersonate authorised contacts.
Greenberg Traurig boosts London training contract numbers by 50%
The US firm, which opened its London office in 2009, has confirmed it will increase training contract numbers from eight to 12 for the upcoming graduate recruitment cycle. The first enlarged cohort of trainees will begin their training in 2027.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Harvey storms Italy as Pedersoli commits to €1m AI investment
Legaltech Harvey has been rolled out to every lawyer at PedersoliGattai, as the firm commits €1m a year to AI. The investment spans two platforms – Harvey and a second system from Italian start-up Lexroom – which are being deployed across different types of legal work.
Al Tamimi & Company adopts Xapien to enhance compliance efficiency from
Al Tamimi & Company has implemented Xapien’s due diligence platform to support and enhance its client onboarding and compliance processes, as part of its ongoing focus on smart growth, efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
DLA’s London boss to join Eversheds ahead of verein vote
Ruth Hoy, DLA Piper’s London Managing Partner is set to join Eversheds Sutherland, alongside DLA Legal Director Huw Cookson, who joins his new firm as a Partner.
Willkie Farr hires Private Equity Partner in London
Willkie Far has hired Corporate M&A Partner Miroslav Tomo from Kirkland’s Private Equity Real Estate and Infrastructure team.
Dentons appoints Corporate Partner Jack Donelan in London
Dentons has appointed former Kirkland & Ellis Partner, Jack Donelan as a Corporate Partner in London.
Jeremy Curran joins Beale & Co as Dublin Construction Partner
Beale & Co has appointed Jeremy Curran as a Partner in the firm’s Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure team in Dublin. Mr Curran joins from global law firm DLA Piper.
Macfarlanes hires Baker McKenzie sponsor‑side Finance Partner
Macfarlanes has bolstered its Leveraged Finance offering with Nicholas O’Grady who joins Macfarlanes after almost eight years at Baker McKenzie.
Europe
White & Case Takes Germany Tech Partner from Taylor Wessing
White & Case is expanding its Germany Tech practice with the addition of Norman Röchert from Taylor Wessing. Röchert was the Co-Head of Taylor Wessing’s International Technology practice.
Addleshaw Goddard Welcomes Jérémie Paubel as Partner in Paris Employment Team
Addleshaw Goddard welcomes Jérémie Paubel as an Employment Partner to lead its Paris Employment team. Jérémie has more than twenty years of experience and joins from Baker McKenzie.
Noerr strengthens Arbitration practice with Laura Yvonne Zielinski and boosts Space law expertise
Laura Yvonne Zielinski will be joining the Arbitration practice group headed by Anke Meier as an Associated Partner in Germany. Laura most recently worked as a Senior Counsel at U.S. law firm Holland & Knight in Mexico City.
Wolf Theiss strengthens Competition practice in Poland with new Partner
Mikołaj Piaskowski joins Wolf Theiss from Baker McKenzie as a Partner in the firm’s Competition and Antitrust practice in Warsaw.
Taylor Wessing hires Jan Hückel as M&A Equity Partner in Germany
Taylor Wessing continues to expand its Corporate/M&A practice with the appointment of transactional lawyer Jan Hückel as Equity Partner. Jan Hückel joins the firm from McDermott Will & Schulte.
Bird & Bird boosts Corporate team in Germany
International law firm Bird & Bird welcomes Dr. Carsten Böhm as a new Corporate partner in Munich. Dr. Carsten joins from McDermott Will & Schulte.
Elias van Kampen joins Fieldfisher Amsterdam office as a Partner in the Employment and Pensions practice. Elias joins from act legal.
Middle East
Addleshaw Goddard welcomes new Partner as Head of Tax
Addleshaw Goddard welcomes Nils Vanhassel as Partner and Head of Tax Middle East, based in Dubai. Nils joins from DLA Piper.
Team
Reed Smith strengthens Riyadh Corporate practice with team hire from AlAmmar Law
Reed Smith has hired a Corporate team from Saudi Arabia firm AlAmmar Law, including Mohammed Alammar and Anmar Algharifi as Partners in its Riyadh office.
Sidley Austin has hired two senior Restructuring Partners from Clifford Chance in London
Philip Hertz, Clifford Chance’s Global Co-Head of Restructuring and Insolvency, and Melissa Coakley, who leads the firm’s London Restructuring team, are both joining the US firm.
Shoosmiths adds PE duo from Trowers as London office expansion continues
Shoosmiths has boosted its London office with the hire of Private Equity Partners Tim Nye and Alison Chivers from Trowers & Hamlins.
Promotions & Appointments
Bird and Bird re-elects Christian Bartsch as CEO
International law firm Bird & Bird today announces that its partnership has re-elected Christian Bartsch as CEO for a further four-year term. Christian has served as CEO since April 2022.
Andy Hall to take reins at Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn has announced that Andy Hall will succeed Andrew Blain as managing partner from May 2026.
Edwin Coe announces Corporate leadership transition
Russel Shear is stepping down as Head of Department and Daniel Bellau is taking on the role of Head of Corporate.
Tim Johnson becomes Head of Business & Professional Risk at Browne Jacobson
Tim Johnson takes over from Jonathan Tardif as Head of Business & Professional Risk at Browne Jacobson.
Squire Patton Boggs names Andrew Wilkinson as next European Managing Partner
Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Andrew Wilkinson as its next European Managing Partner, succeeding Private Equity Partner Jonathan Jones in May.
CMS appoints Stephen Millar as Executive Partner
CMS announces the appointment of Stephen Millar as Executive Partner, effective 1 April 2026.
Linklaters elects 37 new Partners
Linklaters has announced the election of 37 new Partners, effective 1 May 2026. The cohort spans 11 practice areas and four regions, covering the UK, Europe, Asia and the US. The round is slightly up on last year’s 34 promotions globally.
Mishcon de Reya announces fee earner promotions
Mishcon de Reya has today announced that 13 individuals have been promoted to Equity Partner in the firm’s latest round of promotions, compared to 16 in the previous round.
Pinsents Masons Promotes 23 Lawyers to Partner
Pinsent Masons has promoted 23 lawyers to Partner in its latest round, including 16 in the UK and a further seven across EMEA and Asia Pacific, spanning multiple practice areas and offices. Last year, 18 lawyers were made up across Pinsents’s UK office out of 24 globally.
Skadden ramps up London Partner promotions in first round under new model
Skadden has promoted nine Partners in London as part of a 55-strong global round. This year’s global cohort is more than double last year’s 22, with the London intake up significantly.
Fieldfisher Promotes 12 Lawyers to Partnership
Fieldfisher announced 12 promotions to the Partnership, down from 13 last year but with a wider geographical spread. These promotions span multiple offices across Europe.
CMS Promotes 54 New Partners Across Global Network
International law firm CMS has announced the promotion of 54 new Partners across its global network, with the cohort spanning 29 cities in 21 countries. The latest round includes 27 women, 48% of the total – its highest proportion to date. Women made up 41% of last year’s 54-strong round and 33% of 2023’s record cohort of 65.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Fatima Hussein Law Firm has recently launched in the United Arab Emirates
Founded by Emirati advocate Fatima Hussein, the boutique firm focuses primarily on criminal defence, while also offering comprehensive legal services across civil litigation, dispute resolution, family law, and real estate, in addition to employment, construction, intellectual property, and corporate and commercial advisory.
Mishcon moves ahead with UAE office launches amid regional tensions
Mishcon de Reya plans to launch offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi by April 2026, reflecting a strategic investment amid regional instability and a 40% revenue growth over five years.
“Divorce Diva” doubles down with Florence opening
Divorce firm Vardags has launched a new office in Florence, just three months after opening in Milan. The office will be led by Iacopo Tozzi, who leaves his own firm, Iacopo Tozzi Studio Legale, to join Vardags’ ranks. Tozzi brings with him lawyers Riccardo Di Fiore and Benedetta Aiello.
Mergers & Alliances
Mills Selig forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Hospitality Ulster
Northern Ireland firm Mills Selig has announced a “strategic partnership” with Hospitality Ulster, the membership organisation for Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry. The Belfast-based independent commercial law firm said the collaboration will strengthen its support for the region’s hospitality businesses, offering expert legal guidance across corporate, banking, property, licensing, employment, construction, litigation, private client, and insolvency matters.
PE-backed Lawfront buys Reading firm Field Seymour Parkes
Lawfront, the group of law firms backed by Blixt, has added another firm to its stable. Reading’s Field Seymour Parkes turned over £14.8m in 2024/25 and has around 70 lawyers, including 24 partners. It is Lawfront’s first acquisition of 2026, and its first since Trethowans last May. The group’s first acquisition came in 2021 and it has been backed by Blixt for the whole five-year period.
Weightmans merges with City and Leeds firms
Weightmans has bolted on two firms in the UK – City outfit Elborne Mitchell and Leeds firm Myton Law. Elborne Mitchell and Myton Law both have experience in advising on insurance and shipping matters.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Legora has announced the opening of its first office in Germany
The company has selected Munich as a base to accelerate growth across the DACH region.
Harvey officially open Dublin office, announces plans for 40+ roles
This week, Harvey officially opened its Dublin office at Riverside 2, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay. The company plans to grow its Dublin team to more than 40 employees over the next two years, marking a significant long-term investment in Ireland’s AI and business talent ecosystem.
Harvey signs with Paris Saint-Germain in latest sports partnership move
Harvey has signed a multi-year partnership with Paris Saint-Germain, pairing a rollout of its legal AI platform with high-visibility branding at one of Europe’s biggest football clubs, fresh off a funding round that propelled its valuation to $11 billion. Under the deal, the club’s in-house legal team will use Harvey’s platform across a range of workflows, including research, drafting and decision-making.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Perkins Coie rolls out AI-powered vacation scheme to widen access to Big Law
Perkins Coie has launched a virtual vacation scheme aimed at helping students from low-opportunity backgrounds break into the legal profession, as the firm continues to rethink traditional routes into Big Law. The 45-hour programme, developed in partnership with social mobility platform Zero Gravity, uses AI simulations to replicate the experience of an in-person scheme and prepare candidates for training contract recruitment.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
MoFo hires Pallas Partner to boost London Disputes bench
Morrison Foerster has added senior talent to its London office with the hire of Litigation Partner Susana Cao Miranda from Pallas.
Perkins Coie hires CMS IP co-head ahead of Ashurst merger
CMS’ IP co-head Caitlin Heard is moving to Perkins Coie ahead of its planned merger with Ashurst. Caitlin is based in London.
DLA Piper Leeds Real Estate Head to join Brabners’ fledgling London office
Susan Samuel, who has spent seven years at DLA, makes the move south following Brabners’ decision to open an office in the capital in January.
A&L Goodbody recruits Insurance lawyer Stephen D’Ardis as Partner
A&L Goodbody has appointed Stephen D’Ardis as a new Partner in its Insurance and Reinsurance practice in Dublin. Stephen joins from Arthur Cox, where he was an Of Counsel.
Balfour and Manson welcomes Neil Crockatt
Neil Crockatt has joined Balfour and Manson’s Property team as a Partner in Edinburgh. He joins from Coulters, where he was Partner and Head of Legal.
Carole McAlpine‑Scott joins Harper Macleod
Harper Macleod has announced the appointment of Partner Carole McAlpineScott to its Private Client team in Glasgow. Harper joins from Morton Fraser MacRoberts.
Mills Selig recruits new Corporate Partner Aisling O’Hare
Northern Ireland firm Mills Selig has appointed Aisling O’Hare as a Partner in its Corporate team in Belfast.
DLA Piper’s London Chief to exit firm ahead of crunch vote
The London Managing Partner of DLA Piper is set to leave after four years in charge of the office. Partner Ruth Hoy (IP Litigation) has led the firm’s London office since 2022.
Europe
Vinson & Elkins hires Ex-Hogan Lawyer
V&E has named May Lyn Yuen as leader of their new Brussels office. May is a former Hogan Lovells Partner who has more than a decade of experience representing clients in Antitrust and European Union Foreign Subsidies Regulation investigations in Brussels.
Clifford Chance strengthens Global Financial Markets practice with the addition of David Ballegeer
David Ballegeer has been appointed as a Partner in the Global Financial Markets team, based in Brussels. He will join the firm from Linklaters in April.
Team
Ropes & Gray hires eight-lawyer M&A and PE team in Paris from Latham
The team is led by Partners Denis Criton, Gaetan Gianasso and Michael Colle, who are expected to join the firm alongside a Counsel and four Associates.
Clyde & Co welcomes Corporate Partner Dr. Mohamed Ramadan and Team in Cairo
Clyde & Co has strengthened its Corporate practice in Cairo with the appointment of Dr. Mohamed Ramadan as a Partner. Mohamed joins with his team from OGH Legal.
Morgan Lewis Paris Expands With 5-Lawyer Hughes Hubbard Trade & Investigation Team
Morgan Lewis is expanding in Paris again, hiring a five-lawyer team from Hughes Hubbard & Reed led by Partners Marie-Agnès Nicolas (Litigation, White Collar, Investigations & Sanctions) and Anne Gaustad-Hanken (Litigation, White Collar, Investigations & Sanctions).
Cripps strengthens Commercial and Technology practice with arrival of Radius Law team
Radius Law founder and former Mercedes-Benz UK Group General Counsel, Iain Larkins, will join Cripps as a Commercial Partner in London alongside other members of the Radius team.
Hill Dickinson bags Corporate duo in rare Walker Morris exits
Hill Dickinson is to recruit two Partners from Walker Morris in a boost to its Leeds office. Corporate duo Michael O’Halloran and Thomas Mieszkowski will make the short walk across Wellington Place to join their former colleague, Pensions lawyer Liz Graham, who also joined Hill Dickinson late last year.
Promotions & Appointments
CMS promotes four to Partner in Scotland
The promotees are Employment lawyer Abbie Harley and Real Estate specialist Rebecca McGladrigan, who are both based in the firm’s Edinburgh office. They are joined by Aberdeen-based Charlie Denham, from the firm’s Energy & Infrastructure team, and Nicola Insley, a Real Estate and Planning specialist.
Arendt installs a new management team with continuity
As of 1 April, Arendt will be Co-Chaired by Gilles Dusemon (Investment Management, Luxembourg) and Thierry Lesage (Tax, Luxembourg), while Jean-Marc Ueberecken (Corporate/M&A, Luxembourg) will continue as Managing Partner.
HFW re-elects Giles Kavangh as Senior Partner
HFW has re-elected of Giles Kavanagh (London) as its Global Senior Partner as it continues to expand internationally and strengthen its position across key industries. Kavanagh’s re-election takes effect at the start of HFW’s next financial year, on April 1, 2026. He was first elected to the role in 2022.
RPC elects financial services litigator Simon Hart as Senior Partner
Hart will take up the role at the start of May for a three-year term. He will succeed current Senior Partner Oliver Bray, who is stepping down after completing a six-year term, the maximum permitted under RPC’s partnership deed. Simon is based in London.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Vinson & Elkins opens first continental Europe office with Brussels launch
Vinson & Elkins has opened its first office in continental Europe, in Brussels.
Baker McKenzie Strengthens Presence in Stockholm with New Office at Mästerhuset
Global law firm Baker McKenzie announced the relocation of its Stockholm office to Mästerhuset, at Mäster Samuelsgatan 17 in the heart of the city’s central business district.
Pinsent Masons marks new chapter in Glasgow
Pinsent Masons has completed its relocation to new offices at the Aurora development in Glasgow.
Financial Results
Quinn Emanuel Posts Third Consecutive Year of Double-Digit Growth in Revenue, Profits
Quinn Emanuel saw a 16% jump in net income and a 12.6% rise in gross revenue in 2025 amid sustained demand for the litigation firm.
Dechert boosts PEP by a quarter as revenue reaches $1.6bn
Dechert has posted global revenue of $1.61bn for 2025, marking a 7 per cent increase on the previous year and a 24 per cent rise since 2023.
Cuatrecasas Revenue Rises 2.5% to €447M on the Back of Spanish Firm’s International Gains
Cuatrecasas’s revenue rose 2.5% to €447.1 million ($516 million) in 2025, with more than a fifth of that coming from activity outside of its Spanish base.
Market Commentary
The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2026 rankings are now live following their publication on 25 March 2026.
Germany’s TK Elevator hires first CLO from Swedish steel company SSAB
German lift-maker TK Elevator has named Lars Sjobring as its inaugural Chief Legal Officer. Sjobring joins from Swedish steel company SSAB, where he was General Counsel and Head of Legal Affairs.
Hülya Yarıcı Appointed As Head of Legal Türkiye At DHL Group
Hülya has been associated with DHL Group for over 14 years, where she most recently served as Head of Legal Counsel and Risk Manager before stepping into her new leadership role.
Kennedys appoints new CIO to drive global tech strategy
Kennedys has appointed Milan Devani as its Chief Information Officer (CIO). Devani brings extensive experience leading global legal technology functions, with a strong focus on modernising IT platforms, strengthening information security, and building high-performing technology teams. Milan joins from Baker McKenzie, where he was Director of Global Infrastructure.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Harvey hires senior Gibson Dunn Partner
Gibson Dunn’s Keith Enright is joining Harvey as its new Chief Strategy Officer. Keith was formerly the Co-Chair of the firm’s Tech and Innovation Industry Group and the Artificial Intelligence Practice Group, based in Palo Alto.
Murgitroyd launches ‘responsible AI’ framework
Intellectual property advisers Murgitroyd has launched a new “responsible AI” framework as it seeks to integrate AI into the IP lifecycle.
Harvey hits $11bn valuation in new funding round
US legaltech Harvey has raised an additional $200m at an $11bn valuation in its latest funding round, as it looks to ramp up investment in its AI capabilities and grow its legal engineering teams.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
Paul Weiss hires London funds partner from Dechert
Funds Partner Nathalie Sadler joins Paul Weiss following more than 14 years at Dechert.
White & Case Head of EMEA Private Equity to Leave Firm
White & Case’s London-based head of EMEA M&A and Private Equity, Lucy Bullock, is leaving the firm at the end of the month.
Eversheds Sutherland continues growth trajectory with dual Pension Partner appointment
Eversheds Sutherland marks the further expansion of its Employment, Labour and Pensions Group with the appointments of Simon Borhan and Craig Looker as Partners in its UK Pensions team. Borhan joins in the London office from Linklaters, while Looker re-joins in the Leeds office from DLA Piper.
Leading tech transactions specialist joins Bird & Bird as new Partner in London
International law firm Bird & Bird has appointed Tech Transactions specialist Sue McLean as a new Partner in its London Commercial team. McLean joins from Baker McKenzie.
Goodwin exits continue as London Partner lines up Eversheds move
A Restructuring Partner is set to leave Goodwin Procter for Eversheds Sutherland. Simon Thomas, who is understood to have been the sole Partner in the London Financial Restructuring practice, will leave Goodwin after seven years. His exit leaves a Counsel and an Associate in the team.
Europe
Top 50 Firm Dechert Loses Another Partner to Simmons in Paris
Simmons & Simmons has hired Dechert Paris Funds Formation Partner Cyril Fiat to rebuild and lead the Paris Funds Formation practice.
Pentarc grows team with Partner from Taylor Wessing
Stefanie Engmann joins from Taylor Wessing bringing experience in Arbitration.
Middle East
Akin Hires Leader From Rival as it Joins Rush to Build in Saudi
Ibrahim Siddiki joins the firm from Addleshaw Goddard where he was co-head of the firm’s Saudi arm. He will become Co-Partner-in-charge of Akin’s Riyadh office.
Team
Ashurst adds three-Partner PE team from Goodwin in London
Ashurst has hired a three-Partner Private Equity team from Goodwin in London. Ian Keefe, Michael Miranda and George Weavil are joining the firm’s corporate practice.
Promotions & Appointments
Lisa Carty to lead Pinsent Masons’ Dublin office
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed Lisa Carty as the new head of its Dublin office. Ms Carty joined Pinsent Masons in 2023 as a Partner, having previously practised at William Fry.
Macfarlanes promotes four in scaled-back Partner round
Macfarlanes has announced four Partner promotions in London in its 2026 round, with the new Partners spanning the firm’s Disputes, Private Client, Finance and Employment practices. The new partners are Alex Evans (Disputes), Hannah Kalveks (Private Client), Ryan Moore (Finance), Kirti Tiwari-Mehta (Employment).
Slaughters halves Partner promotions in leaner 2026 round
Slaughter and May has promoted three Partners for 2026, making this round its smallest since 2019 and half as big as last year’s six-Partner lineup. The new Partners are Simon Bartle (Real Estate and Projects), Jack Dickie (Competition), Mark Gulliford (Real Estate and Projects).
The new partners are based in 29 cities in 21 countries around the world, reflecting the firm’s international strength and depth. Women account for 52% of global promotions.
Raft of promotions at Gillespie Macandrew
Gillespie Macandrew has announced the appointment of two new Partners and 13 further promotions across its legal team in Scotland.
Trustmoore appoints new Managing Director of Governance, Legal and Compliance
Trustmoore appoints Sabrina El Abbadi as Managing Director Governance, Legal and Compliance in Luxembourg.
Gowling WLG UK LLP announces leadership changes
Gowling WLG has announced the appointment of two new Practice Group Leaders (PGLs) to its UK LLP board, effective from May 2026. Felicity Lindsay has been appointed as PGL of the firm’s Real Estate Group (REG), and Kate Swaine of the Dispute Resolution Group (DRG).
Arthur Cox appoints Jennifer Ward as CTO
Arthur Cox LLP has appointed Jennifer Ward as the firm’s chief technology officer – an increasingly important role in law firms amid the rise of AI.
Weil Gotshal appoints new Executive Chair
Weil Gotshal & Manges has appointed a new Executive Chair of the firm, as longstanding boss Barry Wolf prepares to stand down. Ramona Nee will take on the top job, taking over from Barry Wolf who has led the firm since 2009.
O’Flynn Exhams promotes William Hanly to Partner
Cork-based O’Flynn Exhams LLP Solicitors has promoted Litigation and Dispute Resolution lawyer William Hanly to Partner.
Fraser Oliver to step down as Digby Brown Chief Executive
The firm has announced that Mark Gibson has been chosen as Chief Executive Designate and will spend the next 12 months shadowing Mr Oliver to expand his understanding and knowledge of the role.
Gorrissen vows to champion rule of law under new Managing Partner
One of Denmark’s largest law firms, Gorrissen Federspiel, has ushered in a new Managing Partner, with Jacob Skude Rasmussen stepping into the role as of 1 April. He is currently a Dispute Resolution & Investigations Partner.
Simpson Thacher Adds Energy and Infrastructure M&A Partner in London
David McKendrick has joined the Firm’s London office as a Partner in the Energy and Infrastructure Practice. He joins from Weil where he was a Counsel.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Fieldfisher shifts 90 roles to Belfast in back office consolidation
Fieldfisher is relocating around 90 business services roles to Belfast from offices including London, Manchester and Birmingham. The move will take the firm’s Belfast headcount to around 220 as it expands its operations hub.
Johnsons Solicitors acquires Belfast firm Mackenzie & Dorman
Belfast-headquartered Johnsons Solicitors has acquired long-established legal practice Mackenzie & Dorman.
Mergers & Alliances
J.W. O’Donovan amalgamates with Eamon Murray & Co Solicitors
Cork-based J.W. O’Donovan LLP has amalgamated with Eamon Murray & Company Solicitors, boosting its headcount by 40 per cent to create a combined firm of 35 staff, including 20 solicitors.
Financial Results
Addleshaws to stretch top of equity to £3m in City push
Addleshaw Goddard is shaking up its compensation structure following a partner vote on Friday, which will move the top of the modified lockstep from £2m to £3m. The change, which will take immediate effect, forms part of a concerted effort to reach deep into the City talent market in London.
Goodwin London revenue surpasses $225m
Goodwin Procter’s London office has recorded another year of double-digit growth, with revenue surpassing $225m for the first time. The London office generated $226.4m in revenue in 2025, reflecting a 12.7 per cent increase from $200.9m the previous year.
Kirkland smashed $10m PEP as Partners make enough to buy a Rolex a day
Kirkland & Ellis has become the first law firm to surpass the $10m mark for Profits per Equity Partner, with PEP rising 20 per cent from $9.3m in 2024 to $11.16m last year.
Kirkland’s revenue jumps 20% to top $10bn
Kirkland & Ellis has posted another barnstorming performance, with gross revenue increasing by 20% to hit $10.56bn in 2025.
Morrison & Foerster posts 9.2% rise in gross revenue in 2025
Steady growth in both the litigation and corporate groups at Morrison & Foerster led the firm to post a 9.2% rise in gross revenue in 2025, surpassing the $1.5-billion mark, and a 6.6% increase in net income, which rose to $567 million.
Pérez-Llorca pushes past €200m mark in revenue bump
Iberian firm Pérez-Llorca has posted a revenue surge of 28 per cent in 2025, pushing the firm’s turnover past the €200m mark for the first time ever. The firm posted revenues of €211.3m. It marks the fifth consecutive year that the firm has posted double-digit growth, and includes its revenue across Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Colombia.
White & Case sets sights on $5bn turnover goal
White & Case’s revenue grew by 8 per cent over 2025 to $3.6bn, as the firm seeks to generate $5bn in turnover by 2028. White & Case’s leadership put forward a goal to hit $5bn by 2028.
Market Commentary
Stellan Partners joins the Luxembourg Stock Exchange as a Partner
The partnership reflects their commitment to the Luxembourg capital markets ecosystem and their work advising issuers, arrangers and financial institutions across a wide range of transactions involving the LuxSE markets and platforms.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
DLA Piper rolls out Harvey in latest innovation pivot
DLA Piper has rolled out legal tech platform Harvey firmwide, after conducting a competitive trial between other providers. Lawyers across more than 40 countries will now have access to the tool.
Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
Individual
UK & Ireland
Paul Hastings nabs A&O Shearman Partner for High-Yield restock
Paul Hastings has recruited A&O Shearman Partner Brad Weyland in London, bolstering its High Yield and Leveraged Finance capabilities in the City.
A&O Shearman hits back at Paul Hastings with Partner hire
A&O Shearman has taken Suzanne Horne, a Paul Hastings Employment Partner in London, just days after the latter firm landed a High Yield Partner from the magic circle outfit.
Fieldfisher expands Investment Funds team with appointment of leading specialist Mark Shaw
Leading European law firm Fieldfisher has appointed Mark Shaw as a Partner in its Investment Funds team, part of the firm’s Financial Markets and Products (FMP) practice in London. Mark joins from Pinsent Masons.
Kirsty Chalkley joins Addleshaw Goddard as Partner in Manchester
Kirsty will join the Real Estate team, having previously worked in the Real Estate department at Shoosmiths.
Jonathan Kropman joins Broadfield as Partner in London
Jonathan joins from JMW Solicitors and specialises in Private Wealth.
Henry Priestley joins Taylor Wessing as Partner in London
Henry specialises in Intellectual Property and joins from Russells Solicitors.
Ashurst appoints Heidi Blomqvist as Partner in London
Heidi specialises in Corporate Law and previously worked at White & Case.
Guy Stevenson joins Gowling WLG as a Partner in London
Guy will lead the Financial Services Regulation team. He joins from Orrick.
Europe
Paul Hastings lures King & Spalding Partner for Brussels build out
Salomé Cisnal de Ugarte joins the firm’s Antitrust team from King & Spalding, where she spent just under five years as a Partner and Head of the firm’s EU and EMEA Antitrust and Competition group.
Hausfeld adds a Partner to its Amsterdam Office
Nima Lorjé (Competition Damages Litigation & Public Competition Law) has joined Hausfeld’s Amsterdam office as a Partner from Benelux independent firm Stibbe, where he was a Counsel.
Darwazeh leaves Clyde & Co for Vanguard
Nadia Darwazeh has left her role as Paris Head of Arbitration at Clyde & Co to become a Partner at Vanguard International Dispute Resolution.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer boosts Düsseldorf team with DLA Partner
From April, Philipp Cepl from DLA Piper will strengthen the Patent Litigation practice in Düsseldorf.
Charles Russell Speechlys today announces the appointment of Marguerite Brac de La Perrière as its first-ever IT, Data and AI Partner in Paris. Marguerite joins the Corporate team from Fieldfisher where she was a Tech & Data Partner and head of the Paris Digital department.
Frédéric joins the Firm from Bär & Karrer in Geneva, where he was a Senior Associate since 2023.
Middle East
Alim Khamis has joined Gateley Middle East in Dubai
Alim joins as a Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution for the firm. He previously served as Managing Partner at the Doha office at Charles Russell Speechlys.
Mishcon de Reya appoints Bushra Ahmed as Partner and Head of Disputes Middle East
Bushra has worked previously as Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at KBH. She is based in Dubai.
Harneys Appoints Sabrina Devenish as Partner in Dubai
Harneys has strengthened its Litigation & Insolvency practice with the appointment of Sabrina as Partner. She joins from Al Tamimi & Co, where she was Senior Associate.
Team
Five-lawyer Latham team decamps to Competition practice in August Debouzy in Paris
A five-lawyer competition team has left Latham & Watkins to join August Debouzy in Paris. The incoming team is led by partner Mathilde Saltiel, Latham’s former Paris Litigation Chair, and includes a Counsel and three Associates.
Promotions & Appointments
Limerick firm Dundon Callanan Solicitors has promoted Elisa McMahon to Managing Partner
Ms McMahon joined the firm as a trainee nearly 20 years ago and has progressed through the firm to Partner, specialising in Property.
Dr. Martin Heuber becomes new Managing Partner of Mayer Brown Germany
Dr. Martin Heuber will take over the role of Managing Partner of Mayer Brown’s German offices from Dr. Guido Zeppenfeld with effect from April 1, 2026. Dr. Martin Heuber has been a Partner in the Frankfurt office since 2016 and heads the Banking & Finance practice in Germany.
Gorrissen vows to champion rule of law under new Managing Partner
Gorrissen Federspiel has ushered in a new Managing Partner, with Jacob Skude Rasmussen (Dispute Resolution, Copenhagen) stepping into the role as of 1 April.
Macfarlanes promotes quartet in London
Macfarlanes has made up four lawyers to Partner this year, kickstarting promotions season across the UK heritage firms. The four new Partners are Disputes lawyer Alex Evans, Private Client specialist Hannah Kalveks, Ryan Moore in Finance and Kirti Tiwari-Mehta in Employment.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
RPC set to land new City office after lengthy search
RPC is set to move into a new office in the city next year, leaving its Tower Bridge home after 20 years.
Roman Shortall launches new law firm
Solicitor and former investigative journalist Roman Shortall has established a new firm, Shortall Law.
New Venture Capital firm to be established in Berlin
Katharina Erbe (39), Dr. Luisa Rödemer (35), Dr. Max Weber (34) and Antonia Volhard (30) have founded the law firm Season5. The boutique wants to advise start-ups, VC investors and fund managers. The four previously worked at RSR Rüping Schroeder Rechtsanwälte.
World’s Largest Firm Yingke Quietly Shuts London Office Less Than 2 Years After Launch
Beijing-headquartered Yingke Law Firm, the world’s largest law firm by lawyer headcount, has quietly shut its London office less than two years after opening.
Mergers & Alliances
Cripps adds automotive sector expertise with London merger
Cripps is to merge with Radius Law, a small London firm led by former Mercedes-Benz UK general counsel Iain Larkins.
NewLaw Scotland combines with Jones Whyte
NewLaw Scotland LLP has become part of Jones Whyte, bringing around 3,000 clients and more than 30 solicitors, paralegals and support staff.
Financial Results
Covington’s Revenue Surges Nearly 18% to Surpass $2B Mark
Average PEP surged by nearly 22% to $3.2 million, as it expanded its single-tier partnership by about 2% to around 324.
Noerr Germany’s Eastward Retreat Pays Off as Revenue Hits $380M
Buoyed by cross-border M&A, regulatory, defence and infrastructure mandates, Munich-based Noerr posted revenue of €328.4 million ($380 million) for the year.
Goodwin Revenue Surges 11% to $2.7B Amid Sector-Based Strategy
The firm crossed the $4 million mark in average profits per Equity Partner for the first time, growing by 17% to hit $4.24 million and contributing to net income growth of 16.6% to $1.32 billion.
Cooley’s London revenue jumps 17 per cent
Cooley’s London office posted a revenue jump of 17 per cent in 2025, rising from $94.5m to $110.3m The news comes after the firm as a whole saw its revenue climb 10 per cent to $2.4bn, with profit per equity partner increasing by 18 per cent over the year to $4.57m.
Market Commentary
DLA to Move Away From Verein Structure and Pivots Towards Financial Integration
DLA Piper is unveiling plans to move away from its verein structure and towards closer financial integration. The firm’s Swiss Verein structure will cease on 1 May this year, assuming at least 75 per cent of partners vote in favour of the move in April.
Former Hausfeld London Managing Partner joins Bellevue Law after career break
London-based boutique Bellevue Law has hired Lianne Craig, the former Managing Partner of Specialist Disputes firm Hausfeld’s London office, as a Senior Consultant as it seeks to expand its Commercial Disputes offering.
Willkie raises NQ lawyer salaries to market-topping £180k
The London office of US firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher has raised the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers to a market-topping £180,000. The move equates to an extra £10k, or just under 6%, putting the firm’s junior lawyers on the same level as their counterparts at three fellow US firms — Davis Polk & Wardwell, Gibson Dunn and Paul Weiss.
Ropes & Gray raises London NQ pay to £170k
Ropes & Gray has bumped up its newly qualified (NQ) solicitor salaries in London to £170,000, a rise of just over 3% on the previous rate of £165,000.
Kennedys appoints Global CIO from Baker McKenzie
Kennedys has hired Milan Devani as Global Chief Information Officer from Baker McKenzie, replacing Paul Brotzel who left the firm in November.
Former Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon joins Mason Hayes & Curran in Consultant role
Ireland’s former Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon has joined Mason Hayes & Curran as a Global Digital Regulatory Consultant within the firm’s Data and Technology team.
Niamh Muldoon to take reins of LSRA
Niamh has served as Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Ireland since 2019, will take up the role of Chief Executive of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority on Monday 23 March. Niamh is based in Dublin.
Lesley Wan Turns Recruiter, Launches In-House-Focused Firm
The former General Counsel and Founder of The Eagle Club has set up a recruitment firm alongside Charles Waples. The firm is called Wan & Waples.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Barclays picks Legora as its legal AI platform
Barclays has agreed a deal with Swedish legaltech Legora to roll out its AI platform across the lender’s global in-house legal team. As part of the deal, Legora will be made available to all legal professionals at the bank, which operates in over 40 countries.
Legora buys start-up to boost its agentic AI capabilities
Legora has acquired Canadian start-up Walter AI, marking its first acquisition since being founded in 2023.
Legora hits $5.55bn valuation in latest $550m funding round
Legora has raised an extra $550m at a $5.55bn valuation to help fuel its growth ambitions in the US. The Series D funding round was led by Accel, with participation from existing investors Benchmark, Bessemer Venture Partners, General Catalyst, ICONIQ, Redpoint Ventures, and Y Combinator.
Legaltech Avvoka secures backing from Preqin founder in £14m raise
Legaltech Avvoka has raised £14m as part of a funding round led by British billionaire and Preqin founder Mark O’Hare. Avvoka, which was founded in 2016, uses AI to help draft legal documents, and is used by several major law firms including A&O Shearman, Fenwick, Fried Frank and Ropes & Gray.
Perkins Coie is using AI avatars to teach junior lawyers how to talk to partners
US firm Perkins Coie has introduced AI avatars designed to help junior lawyers practise workplace conversations with partners and senior colleagues, in an effort to boost their interpersonal skills – an area that is often less emphasised in formal education or traditional law firm training.
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