Moves:
UK & Ireland
Latham Boosts UK Tech Offering with Reed Smith Hire
Latham & Watkins have announced Sophie Goossens has joined the firm’s London office as a partner in the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Communications, and Copyright Practices, and member of the Technology Industry Group.
Paul Weiss Adds BCLP Partner in London
Paul Weiss has hired a partner from BCLP as the US law firm builds out its team in London. The firm have added tax specialist Kyle O’Sullivan to their ranks.
Ashurst expands securitisation expertise with senior partner hire in London
Ashurst, a worldwide law firm, has expanded its securitization offering by adding Tauhid Ijaz as a partner in the London global markets office. Tauhid, who has more than 20 years of experience in the securitization market, arrives from Hogan Lovells.
Clifford Chance Continues to Grow Global Private Capital Team with Hire of Patrick Scott
Clifford Chance, a worldwide law firm, is pleased to announce that Patrick Scott will be joining the London-based Private Capital division as a Partner. Patrick has been with KKR since 2019 and has a wealth of knowledge from his position as European Counsel.
Gibson Dunn Adds Senior Finance Duo from Sullivan & Cromwell in London
In a bold move, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher hired two senior finance partners from London’s Sullivan & Cromwell, a competitor firm in the United States. Presley Warner, a European credit and leveraged finance partner, and Chris Howard, the company’s head of European restructuring, are both expected to join Gibson Dunn.
Freshfields Swipes Paul Hastings Infra Stars
Stuart Rowson and Jessamy Gallagher, who co-led Linklaters’ infrastructure practice until joining Paul Hastings two years ago, are back at the Magic Circle.
After a string of departures last year, Latham has now used lateral hiring for the third time this year to strengthen its services in the UK. After departing Akin in 2024, the new hire, Serena Lee, will contribute her experience to the firm’s transactional tax and investment funds efforts.
Orrick Hires Katten Restructuring Team in London
A three-person team from Katten Muchin Rosenman joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe’s London office recently, extending the firm’s restructuring skills. Partner Praveen Reddy, who has been with Katten since 2020, is leading the recently hired team.
Eversheds Sutherland welcomes new private capital partner to its corporate offering
Alex formerly worked as a counsel in the private capital division of the US multinational law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP before joining the global law firm’s London office.
Pillsbury to Add High-Profile Corporate Partner Hamid Yunis as London Expansion Continues
After five and a half years as the London Office Managing Partner and head of the London Health Care group at McDermott Will & Emery, where he was a vital member of the team that greatly increased the office’s headcount and revenue, Yunis will join the firm’s corporate practice.
Carson McDowell welcomes new partner Gary Adair
Gary Adair has joined the litigation and conflict resolution practice of Northern Ireland’s Carson McDowell as a partner. With more than 17 years of experience in insolvency, restructuring, and debt recovery, Mr. Adair is an expert in banking litigation and secured recovery cases.
APAC
Kirkland Hong Kong Partner Duo Departs for EQT
Shinong Wang and Raymond Wong are no longer at Kirkland. This departure from Kirkland Hong Kong follows those of commercial litigation partner Paul Quinn, who joined Herbert Smith Freehills, and private equity and M&A partner Gary Li, who moved to PRC outfit Zhong Lun Law Firm.
Tax Partner Dixon Hearder Rejoins Baker McKenzie in Australia
Dixon Hearder had spent more than ten years working at Baker McKenzie.
KWM Hires Skadden Beijing Partner for Hong Kong Bench
Hong Kong’s largest law firm, King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) Hong Kong, has expanded its Equity Capital Markets Practice with the addition of Kai Sun as a partner in Hong Kong SAR. Kai Sun has more than 15 years of experience in Hong Kong capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. Highly regarded by clients and industry peers alike, Kai represents both issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings and debt offerings.
Jones Day Strengthens Hong Kong Office With Kirkland Partner and Former Sidley Counsel
Ming Kong and Dominic Sze who are capital markets attorneys are set to move to the firm.
Bakers grows Vietnam offering with corporate hire from Freshfields
Chris Milliken, a business specialist who previously served as counsel at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has joined the Ho Chi Minh City branch of international legal firm Baker McKenzie as a partner. Milliken represents banks and private equity firms in Vietnam and other APAC nations with a corporate and finance practice that encompasses M&A, private equity, joint ventures, financing, and capital markets operations.
EMEA
Clyde & Co adds three more partners in Saudi Arabia
The expansion includes the hire of two dispute resolution lawyers and the promotion of a projects & construction lawyer.
Kirkland & Ellis expands investment funds practice to Middle East with Riyadh partner hire
Nabil Abou-Charaf will be joining from Morgan Lewis & Bockius.
Herbert Smith Freehills hires Johannesburg construction director
Herbert Smith Freehills have added Spencer Naicker as their projects, energy and infrastructure director in their Johannesburg office.
The Americas
Holland & Knight Strengthens Litigation Practice with Addition of Peter Hardy in Philadelphia
Peter Hardy, a tax controversy and anti-money laundering specialist, has joined Holland & Knight’s Philadelphia litigation group.
Duane Morris Adds Assistant U.S. Attorneys on East and West Coast
Garth Hire and Eric Boden, both former federal prosecutors, are joining the firm’s trial units in San Francisco and New York, respectively.
Big Law Keeps Up Hiring Spree in DC, as Government Workers Flood Job Market
Gibson Dunn, Zuckerman Spaeder, Lowenstein, Holland & Knight, Brownstein, McGuireWoods and Wiley all announced new hires in their D.C. and Baltimore offices, many of which are joining from the federal government.
Former FCC Space Bureau Chief Heads to DLA Piper
Arriving with decades of government and internal telecom experience is Julie Kearney.
Simpson Thacher Hires Former Wilson Sonsini Partner as IP Litigation Head
Amy Candido joins Simpson Thacher after more than three years as a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
People in the News—Feb. 25, 2025—Williams, Armstrong Teasdale
Lisa H. Prezelski, a family law attorney from Bucks County, has joined the Williams Family Law team.
Lieff Cabraser’s Sarah London Joins Girard Sharp
London, who spent 15 years at Lieff Cabraser, began working at Girard Sharp in San Francisco on Tuesday.
K&L Gates Welcomes New Partners in Energy, Disputes Practices
After hiring the former global lead for international disputes at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in Washington earlier this week, the firm is now announcing the addition of a legacy Allen & Overy partner Thomas Allen from A&O Shearman in New York.
NJ Firm Lands Duane Morris Partner for New Philadelphia Office
Seth Goldberg, a litigator and co-chair of the cannabis practice at his previous company, has been appointed by Pashman Stein to head the office at One Commerce Square.
Dentons Hires DLA Piper Global Insurance Co-Chair in 2-Partner Move
Aidan McCormack and Mark Deckman joined Dentons’ commercial litigation practice in New York.
Winston & Strawn Picks Up Former US Attorney in Dallas
Damien Diggs, who left his position as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas last month, has joined Winston & Strawn. He will focus on enforcement and compliance cases as well as internal investigations.
Two King & Spalding Patent Trial Attorneys Have Joined Arnold & Porter
Abby Parsons and Brent Ray, both patent trial attorneys, will be joining the Houston and Chicago offices, respectively.
Former Big Law Trial Lawyer Joins California-based Litigation Firm in Austin
Scott Cole, an Austin trial lawyer, left his solo practice to become the managing partner of Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg’s Austin office.
Hecker Fink Launches Los Angeles Office With Ex-AUSA Hires
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack Jenkins was hired by the East Coast litigation company to start the new location.
Former SDNY Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Chief Joins Pryor Cashman’s New York Office
Katherine Reilly has joined the white-collar and regulatory enforcement practice of Pryor Cashman as a partner. Her most recent position was Chief of the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Unit.
Paul Hastings hires Latham partner in Boston to co-head new global tech transactions practice
Sarah Gagan, a well-regarded IP and technology lawyer, has joined Paul Hastings as co-chair of the firm’s recently established global technology transactions group.
Freshfields adds Latham M&A partner for Boston debut
In an effort to expand into the US market, Freshfields has recruited a senior private capital M&A partner from rival Latham & Watkins to open an office in Boston.
In-House
Texas Rangers Hire Legal Chief of Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as GC
Eunice Nakamura was the previous vice president of law for the company that owns the Motel 6 and Studio 6 Extended Stay franchises in the US and Canada.
Ex-Mastercard CLO Richard Verma Returning to Card Giant in Even-More-Senior Role
During the last two years, Verma has served as the State Department’s COO for the third time.
Fortune 300 GC Scores CLO Post at World’s Largest Food Distributor
Jennifer Kaplan Schott became associate general counsel at Discover, where she worked for the majority of her in-house career.
Corporate Breakups Are Spawning New Legal Chief Roles
Western Digital, a pioneer in Silicon Valley, split up on Monday. Additionally, Honeywell declared earlier this month that it would split into three businesses.
US financial services firm Ascensus hires senior WilmerHale counsel as CLO
Joe Dansky, who declared his intention to leave last year, has been replaced as chief legal officer by Phillip Gillespie at Ascensus, a US financial services company. Gillespie was a senior lawyer at WilmerHale before joining.
Reed Smith makes partner raids on quintet of firms to launch in Denver
In an effort to expand into the US market, Freshfields has recruited a senior private capital M&A partner from rival Latham & Watkins to open an office in Boston.
Team Moves
Alston & Bird Adds Partner from Schulte, Greenberg Traurig Promotes Six to Shareholder in Atlanta
In Florida, Taylor English Duma and Pierson Ferdinand also added business associates.
Willkie Snags 3 Jenner Litigators for New National Security Practice
Willkie’s new national security and cross-border litigation practice will be led by Lee Wolosky, who was previously co-chair of Jenner’s litigation department.
Perkins Coie Adds 3 Greenberg Traurig M&A, Private Equity Lawyers in Texas
In an effort to expand their business across the country, a group of Texas-based Greenberg Traurig private equity and M&A attorneys, led by Austin partner Kyle Fox, relocated to Perkins Coie in Austin and Dallas.
Kirkland Lost 10 Greater China Partners in 12 Months
Three of the ten departees have joined private equity firms internally. David Eich, Kirkland’s original Asian partner, also recently retired from the company.
Keystone Law adds partners from Kirkland, Memery Crystal in latest hiring round
In its most recent hiring round, Keystone Law hired eight partners from companies including Kirkland & Ellis and Memery Crystal as the firm focuses on hiring to spur expansion.
Gunnercooke enters Chicago with ex-FisherBroyles team
A five-partner team from FisherBroyles has been hired by Gunnercooke to launch an office in Chicago. This is the platform company’s second location in the UK, following its 2022 opening in New York.
Financials:
California Law Firms Saw Banner Year for Revenue, Profit Growth in 2024
Profits per equity partner in both Northern and Southern California also greatly increased last year.
An Early Look: The 2025 Am Law 200 Financials
This feed is updated continuously. Thus, save it to your bookmarks, return often, and keep an eye out for the upcoming Am Law 100 and Second Hundred reports.
Billing Rates Keep Increasing. GCs Question Whether Their Growth is Sustainable
In an economic climate bewildered by advances in Gen AI, obstinate inflation, and uncertainty brought on by a new federal administration, law firm billing rates—which are currently at record-high levels—may be a bubble about to burst.
Dechert Grows Revenue Past $1.5B, Rebounding After Flat 2023
Profits per equity partner jumped 36% to nearly $4.8 million in the year before the company’s 150th anniversary, while its top line rose 17% over the previous year.
BCLP Posts Modest Revenue Growth as Head Count Continues to Shrink
As RPL and PEP rose in 2024 despite a drop in headcount, the company’s profit margin dropped another point, and net income somewhat decreased.
As Profits Skyrocket, Law Firms Maintain Equity Tier Exclusivity
“The bar is constantly getting higher and higher to become an equity partner at a law firm,” one source said.
Morgan & Morgan’s ‘Delay’ Tactic Bumps Attorney Fees to $192K
Following an appellate victory against plaintiff counsel with Morgan & Morgan in an automobile tort involving former NBA star Jordan Hill, defence counsel with Groth Makarenko Kaiser Eidex was able to secure an additional $17,000 in legal costs.
Paul Weiss Sees Revenue Jump 32%, PEP Hits $7.5M, in ‘Transformative’ Year
The firm’s staff increased by over 24% to 1,250 lawyers after it invested “hundreds of millions” of dollars in its platform, according to firm chair Brad Karp.
McGuireWoods’ Revenue Grew 9% to $1.1 Billion, As Demand Picked Up
PEP jumped 11.8% to $2.3 million, while net income increased 15% despite an increase in equity partners.
Private Equity Investment in UK Law Firms Rises to Over £500 Million in 2024
PE invested a total of £1.2 billion between 2019 and 2024.
Spanish Law Firms Post Revenue Rises
After growing its foreign activities, Pérez-Llorca’s global turnover soared by 33% in 2024, while Gómez-Acebo & Pombo’s income surpassed €100 million in the previous year.
Promotions & Appointments:
Former Mayer Brown Attorney Set to Become Germany’s Next Chancellor
Friedrich Merz, an M&A lawyer, wants to establish a government as soon as possible, most likely with the Social Democrats.
Big Four Singapore Firm Rajah & Tann Appoints New Managing Partner
According to its new managing partner, the company will keep concentrating on its AI investments and look for global expansion prospects.
Simmons Announces New Managing Partner
Emily Monastiriotis, currently international head of dispute resolution, has been a partner at the firm since 2017. She also sits on the firm’s international executive committee and has previously served as UK head of dispute resolution.
Multilaw adds Francophone Africa foothold
law-firm network Multilaw have announced that they have added Icarus Legal as their member firm for Guinea.
Diversity & Inclusion:
How Sidley’s Miami Managing Partner Embraced Her Roots to Thrive in a Male-Dominated Field
Having spent her whole life in Miami, Beatriz Azcuy has seen her coworkers leave as they pursued chances in larger markets. However, by staying in her hometown and embracing who she is, she has been able to play a significant role in Sidley Austin becoming one of the city’s fastest-growing firms.
Reports of DEI’s Death at John Deere May Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
After all, a diversity-promoting advocacy group won’t be holding John Deere accountable. The organization retracted its demand to shareholders for further personnel data “after a number of dialogues over several months with Deere & Co. staff on its intention to pursue strategic human capital management to maximize long-term growth.”
‘Marked Lack of Clarity’: Many Companies Holding Line on DEI, but Trump’s Threats Have Them Worried
According to Jeanine Conley Daves, head of diversity practice at Littler Mendelson, “leaders are looking for ways to balance legal risks with the value such programs provide to their workforces and company cultures.”
Clarifying DEI: It Might Not Be What You Think
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion differentiates itself from Affirmative Action. It does not pit people of one protected class against those of another.
What Progress for Black Partners at UK Law Firms?
By 2020, there were 20,505 solicitors who identified as ethnic minorities, up from just 709 in 1990. Supervisors who began their careers in the 1990s might require further assistance to make sure their strategy satisfies the demands of this swift demographic change.
Office Openings & Closing:
Houston-Founded Midsize Law Firm Launches Galveston Office, Its 8th Nationwide
A partner in the Galveston office represents marine clients, a busy profession because of the Port of Galveston.
Pashman Stein Launches New Philadelphia Office with Duane Morris Partner
Seth Goldberg, a litigator and co-chair of the cannabis practice at his previous company, has been appointed by Pashman Stein to head the office at One Commerce Square.
Hecker Fink Launches Los Angeles Office With 2 Ex-AUSA Hires
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack Jenkins was hired by the East Coast litigation company to start the new location.
Due to the attractiveness of the two nearby neighborhoods, some legal offices are moving west as traffic and prices rise.
KPMG Launches U.S. Law Firm After Landing Arizona Approval
the accounting firm has stated that KPMG is “uniquely positioned to transform the delivery of legal services.”
Wilmer Adds 14K Square Feet to San Francisco Footprint with New Office
Within six years of relocating to San Francisco, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr has more than doubled its office footprint.
Am Law 200 Firms See Atlanta as ‘Gateway’ to the Southeast
Clark Hill CEO John Hensien said that “not only did Atlanta get us into the Southeast, but it seems to have accelerated our ability to expand in that region as well.”
Japan’s Miura & Partners Expands Globally with Launches in the U.S., Thailand and Malaysia
The firm now has more offices in foreign locations than it has in Japan.
Indonesian law firm Murzal & Partners opens Bali office
In an effort to reach the island’s booming expat population and business community, the Indonesian law firm Murzal & Partners (MNP) has opened a new office in Bali.
Mergers & Alliances:
Baretz+Brunelle Acquires LexFusion
With this change, the legal growth advising firm will be able to assist investors and legal tech firms.
Saxton & Stump Absorbs Midsize Firm in York
The business plans to expand even further in 2025, in addition to hiring 24 new lawyers.
CMS Pushes on with China Growth, Localizes Hong Kong Practice with Merger
At least five partners from Morrison & Foerster, Mayer Brown, DLA Piper, and Ince & Co Hong Kong have been employed by CMS in Hong Kong since 2023.
Technology & Innovation:
Patent Intelligence Platform Patlytics Announces $14M Series A
The new investment, spearheaded by Next47 Ventures, will enable the business to grow its workforce and range of products.
‘We’re Building an Iron Man Suit for Them’: Bird & Bird Gives Attorneys Access to AI Platform
After a successful six-month trial, the law firm will grant access to the AI platform to all of its attorneys.
vLex Updates Vincent AI to Analyze Video, Audio from Judicial Proceedings
New workflows, enhancements to the argument builder feature, support for four new markets, and an update on the company’s law firm AI co-development lab are also included in the winter 2025 release.
As previously mentioned in our analysis of this subject, practitioners in the corporate and legal sectors need to be aware of the various applications (and heritage) of structured and semi-structured data in their organizations in order to better comprehend the risks and possible guidelines associated with this changing information channel.
Due Diligence Startup Jurimesh Secures $1.67 Million in Pre-seed Funding
The money will be used by Jurimesh, a company based in Belgium, to improve its features, personnel, and market research.
Market Commentary:
Troubles and Tribulations of a Multistate Remote Workforce
The post-pandemic shift from in-office work norms to a multistate remote employment environment is covered in this article. concentrating especially on the facts, concerns, and regulations that employers must abide with.
After Year of Financial Gains, Sharpening Partner Profitability Becomes Next Goal
“Partners want to know how to continue. “How can we increase our revenue?” asked Kristin Stark, a consultant at Fairfax.
This essay explores how successful brand strategies drive public relations in legal firms.
What’s a ‘New York Firm’ in 2025? Latham’s Bid to Edge Out Wall Street Stalwarts
Recent discussions with Latham’s leading partners in New York, forty years after the firm’s office debuted, provide light on the firm’s approach there.
Should Eight-Figure Lateral Partners Make It Rain Right Away?
The difficulties businesses have in the lateral market and in establishing realistic expectations regarding ramp-up times and return on investment are highlighted by one case at White & Case involving a couple who command a combined annual total of at least $25 million.
Below the Billing Rate Leaders, Firms Must Balance Value with Talent Retention
Although there is a smaller pool of “bet-the-company” business available to higher-rate firms, those that undercut them on price need to be mindful of paying attorneys fairly.
Why General Counsel Can’t Risk Leaving Crisis Planning to Others
According to Harvard Business School senior fellow Robert Kaplan, “the payoff from preparing for risks that may never materialize in the first place cannot be as easily explained to senior decision-makers as the more straightforward relationship between other corporate actions and return on investment.”
How Quickly Should Star Lateral Partners Make It Rain?
The difficulties businesses have in the lateral market and in establishing realistic expectations regarding ramp-up times and return on investment are highlighted by one case at White & Case involving a couple who command a combined annual total of at least $25 million.
European CLOs see responsibilities grow beyond legal advice; ACC study finds
According to a recent Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) report, chief legal officers of European businesses are progressively extending their influence outside of the legal domain.
US Firms Are Racing to Dominate Europe’s New Patent Battleground
The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is changing the rules of the game in European patent law—and attracting U.S. law firms that want to secure a place in this lucrative and highly competitive field.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in corporate leadership as more General Counsels (GCs) are stepping into Chief Operating Officer (COO) roles. This trend reflects the evolving responsibilities of the modern GC, who is no longer confined to legal strategy but now plays a central role in business operations, risk management, and corporate governance.
This rise is not accidental but a reflection of broader changes in the corporate environment, where the skills and knowledge traditionally associated with the GC position have become invaluable to operational leadership. Here’s a closer look at why this shift is happening, in which sectors it is most prevalent, and what it means for both GCs and the organisations they serve.
Historically, the role of the General Counsel focused on providing legal advice and ensuring regulatory compliance. Today, however, the responsibilities of a GC have broadened significantly. GCs are increasingly seen as key business partners, advising not only on legal matters but also on strategic decisions that affect the company’s overall direction.
GCs are deeply involved in risk management, governance, and policy development—areas that overlap significantly with the responsibilities of a COO. As organisations face growing regulatory complexities and an ever-evolving risk landscape, GCs are ideally positioned to help navigate these challenges while maintaining operational efficiency.
This trend is particularly evident in industries where regulatory oversight, litigation risks, and existential challenges are more pronounced. Highly regulated sectors such as financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and technology have seen a significant rise in GCs taking on COO roles. These industries require leaders who can navigate complex legal frameworks while ensuring seamless business operations.
Similarly, companies facing increased scrutiny from government agencies, activist investors, or public opinion, such as energy, telecommunications, and consumer goods, are recognising the value of GCs in operational leadership. Their ability to mitigate risks, manage compliance, and align legal strategies with business objectives makes them well-suited for the COO position.
Risk management has traditionally been a significant part of the COO’s role, but GCs have extensive experience in managing corporate risks, particularly those related to litigation, compliance, and regulatory oversight. The GC’s ability to assess risk from both a legal and operational perspective makes them natural candidates to oversee broader business functions.
Their experience in making high-stakes decisions that balance risk and reward aligns well with the strategic focus required of a COO. In fact, many organisations recognise that having a leader who can approach risk with a legal lens can enhance the company’s resilience and agility, especially in highly regulated industries.
Corporate governance and regulatory compliance are key responsibilities for both GCs and COOs. With more companies placing emphasis on ESG criteria, the demand for leaders who can operationalise compliance and integrate these practices into day-to-day functions has grown. GCs, who are already deeply embedded in governance frameworks, are well-positioned to take on this challenge.
Moreover, GCs often work closely with boards of directors, giving them a comprehensive view of the company’s strategic goals and operational challenges. This board-level insight is invaluable for COOs, who are tasked with translating high-level strategy into efficient and effective business operations.
One of the core strengths of in-house lawyers is their ability to connect the dots across different departments. GCs frequently collaborate with teams across finance, compliance, HR, risk, and business operations to address complex issues. This ability to synthesise information and align cross-functional teams makes the transition to COO a natural evolution.
As companies become more complex and interconnected, the ability to bring together diverse stakeholders and drive consensus is critical. GCs, by virtue of their role, are skilled in facilitating communication across different areas of the business, making them effective operational leaders who can drive change and innovation while ensuring regulatory adherence.
GCs bring a unique perspective on corporate culture and ethics, areas that are increasingly important in COO roles. As companies face growing scrutiny from both regulators and the public, having a leader who can champion a culture of compliance, transparency, and ethical behaviour is a major asset. GCs, who are often the guardians of these principles within organisations, naturally extend this responsibility when they step into operational leadership roles.
Furthermore, as COOs are often tasked with driving transformation and change management, the GC’s experience in navigating complex legal and regulatory frameworks can be invaluable in implementing strategic initiatives while mitigating risks.
Conclusion: A Natural Evolution
The rise of General Counsels stepping into COO roles reflects the evolving nature of both positions. In today’s complex corporate landscape, the skills that GCs bring, risk management, governance, compliance, strategic oversight, and cross-functional collaboration, are increasingly aligned with the demands of operational leadership. This trend signifies not just a shift in individual career paths but a broader transformation in how companies view legal and operational leadership as interconnected rather than siloed functions.
For organisations, having a COO with a legal background offers a unique blend of operational expertise and risk mitigation, making GCs an ideal fit for this evolving leadership role. As this trend continues, we can expect to see more GCs embracing operational responsibilities and helping to shape the future of business leadership.
If you would like to discuss how Fides could help with any recruitment needs you may have, please get in touch with Sershen Ingram – sershen@fidessearch.com
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Linklaters hires CMA litigation chief in London
After eight years at the CMA as its first deputy general counsel and, prior to that, senior director of litigation, Jessica Radke will join the company in May as a senior counsel.
Baker Botts Adds Former White & Case Head of Project Finance in London
The London branch of Texas-based Baker Botts has expanded by hiring the former global head of project finance from White & Case. According to someone with knowledge of the situation, Mark Castillo-Bernaus, the former global head of project development and finance at White & Case, has joined Baker Botts.
Hogan Lovells hires two BCLP partners to strengthen London competition class action team
As it looks to take advantage of a spike in cases before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), Hogan Lovells has brought on two lawyers from BCLP’s renowned class action practice in London.
The hiring of Edward Coulson and Andrew Leitch represents a rare sortie by Hogan Lovells into the London lateral market for antitrust dispute attorneys practicing outside of the purview of traditional competition law.
Gibson Dunn adds DLA Piper investment funds co-chair in London
In an effort to expand its investment funds business in London, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has recruited a senior investment funds partner from DLA Piper. James O’Donnell, who served as global co-chair of investment funds at DLA Piper for 11 years, has joined the company.
APAC
Japan’s Nishimura builds antitrust and trade capabilities in Brussels
Two new partners have joined the newly opened Brussels office of Nishimura & Asahi, a Japanese Big Four legal firm: antitrust specialist Kristina Winkelmann has joined from Gleiss Lutz, and international trade partner Benoit Servais (L) has joined from Van Bael & Bellis.
CMS Holborn Asia bolsters Singapore office with Financial Services Regulatory hire
Following a 2017 merger, CMS, now known as CMS Holborn Asia, has acquired a partner from Baker McKenzie to head its financial services regulation group in Singapore. CMS’s banking and finance practice will employ Ying Yi Liew as a director.
Norton Rose Fulbright appoints former APRA chief general counsel Lucinda McCann as a partner in Sydney. Lucinda brings more than 25 years’ experience of transactional and advisory work as a legal advisor to executives and boards across a range of sectors including government and regulatory, financial services and corporate.
Jones Day Hires Australian Regulatory Partner from Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Norton Rose Fulbright has hired a partner to join Jones Day’s government regulation practice in Australia. With 30 years of experience working in all facets of environmental law, Elizabeth Wild, who joins the firm’s Sydney office, specialises in handling contaminated land and remedial law concerns.
A&O Shearman steals litigator Amy Middlebrook from Baker McKenzie
Amy Middlebrook, a litigator, left Baker McKenzie to join A&O Shearman.
She joined the firm this week and brings a wealth of experience in class action lawsuits, financial services, and complicated commercial litigation. She has addressed issues with the ACCC and ASIC.
Kirkland HK exits continue as funds partner joins DLA as of counsel
Wang Shinong, a partner in investment funds, joined DLA Piper as an of counsel, marking the third partner departure from the Hong Kong office of the U.S. law firm Kirkland & Ellis in February alone.
Deacons nabs corporate finance duo from Reed Smith
The largest law firm in Hong Kong, Deacons, has added two partners from the U.S. firm Reed Smith to its banking and finance unit. Crystal Li was a lawyer and Michael Sinn (L) was a partner.
Ex-StanChart, JPM, Citi veteran joins Hong Kong’s DCLO as partner
Kris Daswani, a lawyer with more than 25 years of experience at prominent financial companies like Standard Chartered, JPMorgan, and Citigroup, has joined Hong Kong speciality David Cameron Law Office (DCLO) as a partner.
SG: Penningtons hires shipping disputes partner from Rajah & Tann
Max Lim is a maritime and commodities disputes expert who has joined the Singapore office of London-based law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper as a partner. He comes from Rajah & Tann, a Big Four law firm.
Malaysia: Zaid Ibrahim partner joins DFDL-linked Robin Lynn & Lee
Caera Lee, a partner from local powerhouse Zaid Ibrahim & Co., has joined Malaysia’s Robin Lynn & Lee, which collaborates with regional law firm DFDL.
Tax Partner Dixon Hearder Rejoins Baker McKenzie in Australia
Dixon Hearder had previously been with Baker McKenzie for over a decade.
EMEA
King & Spalding hits Baker McKenzie for Brussels trade duo
In an effort to replenish its trade bench in Brussels after departures late last year, King & Spalding (K&S) has hired two trade lawyers from Baker McKenzie.
Eversheds Bets Big on Its Middle East ALSP—But Is the Market Overheating?
By enlisting leading data protection and artificial intelligence specialist Richard Chudzynski as a partner to introduce its Konexo ALSP in a field that is becoming more and more competitive, Eversheds Sutherland is making a calculated move in the Middle East.
BCLP Takes Paul Hasting Real Estate Partner in Paris
Jean-Louis Martin, a former head of the real estate practice and office vice-chair for Paris, departed Paul Hastings to become a partner at BCLP.
DLA Piper Grows Restructuring Practice with Garrigues Partnerv
To lead the firm’s restructuring practice in Spain, DLA Piper has brought on a new partner from Garrigues. Juan Verdugo, a 13-year equity partner at Garrigues, will become the fourth restructuring partner to join DLA Piper in Europe in the last year when he joins the firm in Madrid at the end of April.
The Americas
Simpson Thacher builds out in Boston with hires from Cooley, Ropes & Gray
With the addition of a partner each from Cooley and Ropes & Grey, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has expanded its newly opened Boston office. As Cooley’s first litigation partner in Boston, Zachary Hafer has joined the firm’s government and internal investigations practice. Yonatan Levy, formerly of Ropes & Grey, has joined the private funds practice.
Orrick Expands US Energy, Infrastructure Team With A&O Shearman Lawyers
Matt Nesburn has joined Orrick’s infrastructure and energy practice. Quinn-Cane, a lawyer at A&O Shearman, and Armbrust, an associate, joined Orrick as partners separately in January.
Cozen O’Connor Brings on Father-Daughter Duo to Boost Real Estate Practice
For almost 15 years, David Ebby, a real estate lawyer from Philadelphia, collaborated with his father, Stuart. He may now work alongside his daughter, Bailey.
Saiber LLC launched a new family law practice and added a new member
Saiber has announced Stacey A. Cozewith as a new member of the firm. Stacey, a seasoned family law lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, contributes a plethora of skills and information to the new firm. Stacey served people and families in delicate and complicated family law cases for twenty years at a reputable boutique family law company before joining Saiber.
McCarter & English Lands Former Shutts & Bowen Latin America Chair
Two Miami attorneys with a focus on private client work, including one who held many executive positions at Shutts & Bowen, are joining the New Jersey-based company.
Ex-9th Circuit Judge Paul Watford Moves from Wilson Sonsini to King & Spalding in L.A.
Paul Watford, a former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for 11 years, has become a partner in the firm’s Business Litigation practice group. He works out of the Los Angeles branch of the firm.
Baker Botts Hires Co-Chair of Winston’s Leveraged Finance Practice
Former co-chair of Winston & Strawn’s leveraged finance practice, Sanjay Thapar, a finance lawyer, joined Baker Botts as a partner in its corporate practice in New York.
In-House
World’s largest cinema operator AMC Entertainment names interim GC
US cinema-owner AMC Entertainment has named Edwin Gladbach as interim general counsel after long-time GC Kevin Connor announced his retirement.
Online radio broadcaster SiriusXM lures ex-Airbnb CLO out of retirement as new GC
In lieu of Patrick Donnelly, who is retiring in April, SiriusXM, a US satellite radio and internet broadcaster, has appointed seasoned in-house attorney Richard Baer as general counsel.
Former A&O Shearman Hong Kong Partner Goes In-House with John Swire & Sons
In order to succeed Milton Cheng, whose second term ends later this year, Baker McKenzie is getting ready for elections. The corporation was still in shock over the sudden loss of its previous leader, Paul Rawlinson, when the Singapore-based boss, who had been in charge for six years, took over.
Manpower Combines GC, HR Roles After Longtime Legal Chief Retires
Richard Buchband’s successor, Michelle Nettles, was a chief people and diversity officer at Molson Coors Brewing until joining the Milwaukee-based corporation in 2019.
Team Moves
Addleshaw Goddard absorbs Linklaters’ Warsaw office
The 80-lawyer Warsaw office of Linklaters will no longer have an on-the-ground presence in Central and Eastern Europe as a result of Addleshaw Goddard (AG) confirming today that it will open in Poland.
Simpson Thacher taps Willkie Farr for four-partner registered funds team
Citing an increasing client focus on retail market products, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has slapped Willkie Farr & Gallagher for four registered fund partners. Bissie Bonner has relocated to New York, while Anne Choe, Justin Browder, and Neesa Patel Sood have joined the business in Washington, DC.
A&O Shearman IP teams depart for White & Case and Clifford Chance in London and Paris
Two partners and six IP attorneys have left A&O Shearman to work for Clifford Chance and White & Case in London and Paris. Along with Adrian Dykes and Karla Hughes, who both make partner on the move, partner David Stone, the former global head of intellectual property at legacy Allen & Overy, has joined White & Case in London. Meanwhile, Partner David Por, a senior associate, and an associate have relocated from A&O to Paris to work at Clifford Chance.
Korea’s Kim & Chang adds four-lawyer M&A team led by Cleary lifer
The entrance of seasoned partner Sang Jin Han and his colleagues from U.S. firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has strengthened the cross-border M&A capabilities of Kim & Chang, the largest law firm in South Korea. A group of M&A associates, including Ji-won Lim, Jae Sung Kim, and Ki Won Ahn, join Han.
As the firm restructures its leadership, Weil is losing at least five partners to three different firms.
Orrick Expands US Energy, Infrastructure Team With A&O Shearman Lawyers
Three new partners have joined Orrick’s Chambers Band 1 Energy platform: Charles “Chase” Armbrust, Jeff Quinn-Cane, and Matthew “Matt” Nesburn. Matt, who joined in Santa Monica, provides tax equity and other credit monetization advice to sponsors, funds, independent power producers, and international energy firms. He also contributes extensive knowledge of energy M&A deals and debt financing. Jeff is a Seattle-based advisor that focuses on tax-driven financings. Chase, who joins in Houston, contributes knowledge of complicated financings in the energy industry, including debt.
DWF Swipes Partner Quartet from Kennedys
By the end of 2024, DWF additionally employed a staff of nine partners in Australia.
Financials:
Law Firms Tweak Compensation to Reward ‘Future Superstars’ and Top-Performers
The most lucrative brands in Big Law continue to place a high premium on acquiring and retaining the best-performing partners. According to analysts, consultants, and business leaders, companies are also attempting to employ “every tool in the toolkit” to maintain the satisfaction of additional ‘middle-of-the-distribution’ partners.
McDermott Crosses $2B in Revenue, Sees PEP Best $4.5M
Even with equity tier growth, McDermott’s average PEP surged by nearly 22%.
Partners at law firm WFW share £44m payout as profit rises
Revenue for the year ending April 30th is increased by the UK-based operation whilst partner pay increased from £37.8M to £44m.
Cahill’s Strategy Shift Contributes to 15% Revenue Gain, 21% PEP Surge
“We made investments in congressional investigations, private credit, intellectual property, and white-collar jobs,” chair Herbert Washer stated. “And everyone made a significant contribution to the outcomes.”
Davis Wright Tremaine Surpasses $600M in Revenue Amid Leadership Transition
The Seattle-headquartered Am Law 100 saw its managing partner step down in 2024. However, that didn’t stand in the way of double-digit increases to revenue and PEP.
Brownstein Revenue Up 9%, as Policy and Lobbying Demand Help Drive Gains
The Denver-based company saw a nearly 21% boost in PEP to $1.36 million.
Before Entering Pacific Northwest, Ballard Spahr Posted Double-Digit Growth in 2024
As a firm, we had a lot going for us. We had all the parts and needed to put them together, so we had to cooperate and work together. The firm chairman, Peter Michaud, who also led a merger with Lane Powell that took effect on January 1, stated, “I gave the partners the call to action, and they answered it.”
Venable’s Revenue Grows 5% Amid Nonequity Tier Expansion
Venable’s gross revenue climbed by more over 5% to $858.2 million in fiscal year 2024, following double-digit percentage growth the year before.
Williams Mullen Grows Revenue 14% and surpasses $1M in PEP
Last year, the Richmond-based company’s revenue climbed 14% to $195.4 million, and its profits per equity partner surged by more than 16% to $1.07 million.
Canadian Associates See First Salary Hikes in Four Years
In Toronto, the largest legal market in the nation, many prestigious firms are increasing base pay to CA$135,000.
Promotions & Appointments:
London Court of International Arbitration names new president
After Paula Hodges KC served as president for six years, Maxi Scherer was named the new president of the London Court of International Arbitration.
Baker McKenzie Global Chair to Step Down as Firm Gears Up for Elections
In order to replace Milton Cheng, whose second term ends later this year, Baker McKenzie is getting ready for elections. The corporation was still in shock over the sudden loss of its previous leader, Paul Rawlinson, when the Singapore-based boss, who had been in charge for six years, took over.
Latham Elevates 19 Counsel to Partner
Following the announcement of its 2025 associate-partner promotions late last year, Latham has promoted 19 of its lawyers to partner status, effective March 1, 2025. According to data from Law.com Compass, the firm’s partnership now stands at just over 900, and the figure will be added to the number of lawyers promoted last year.
Lavelle Partners appoints Georgina Lanigan and Dermot McClean as partners
Georgina Lanigan and Dermot McClean have joined Lavelle Partners LLP as partners.
Mr. McClean is a partner in the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution team, while Ms. Lanigan leads the asset and debt recovery team.
Diversity & Inclusion:
ABA challenges Trump administration’s diversity policies, foreign aid cuts and judicial attacks
President Trump’s “equal merit” executive order, which requires government agencies to push the private sector to stop “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, has drawn criticism from the American Bar Association (ABA).
Law Society urges UK government to scrap plans to axe funding for solicitor apprenticeships
Because of the potential effects on social mobility and the profession’s ability to compete globally, the Law Society of England and Wales has urged the government to abandon proposals to cut off public financing for attorney apprenticeships.
Companies Walking on Eggshells Amid Fury Over DEI
Paul Chesser of the National Legal and Policy Center stated, “There is no reason to believe that companies are genuinely eliminating DEI—they are just going to hide it better.”
Office Openings & Closing:
Cleary to shut Beijing arm, joining US law firm exodus from mainland China
According to data, the number of Am Law 100 firms in mainland China has decreased by 25% in the past two years, making Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton the most recent leading US firm to close its Beijing office.
Reed Smith Migrates to Expanded Downtown LA Office
The business, which had remained at its previous site since merging with Crosby Heafey in 2002, required additional space to accommodate its expanding roster of 63 attorneys and 47 employees.
Linklaters Confirms ‘Transfer’ of 80-Lawyer Warsaw Office to Addleshaw Goddard
Although Linklaters left four CEE locations in 2008, it has kept its office in Poland and is currently relocating to Addleshaw Goddard.
Subject to Luxembourg Bar clearance, the business intends to operate its Luxembourg office in early 2025. Tax specialist Jean-Dominique Morelli will join the firm from Maples & Calder, where he is a partner, while funds specialist Joanna Pecenik Vergès d’Espagne and private capital/M&A lawyer Marc Tkatcheff will join from A&O Shearman, where they are now Counsel.
Mergers & Alliances:
Ward Hadaway in merger talks to fuel £75m growth
Ward Hadaway said on Monday that it is considering a merger with commercial law firm The Endeavour Partnership, which would potentially strengthen the current “very close” relationship.
Technology & Innovation:
Legal AI start-up Luminance, backed by Slaughter and May, raises $75m
According to TechCrunch, Luminance has raised $75 million in a Series C fundraising round, making it one of the biggest capital raises by a pure-play legal AI startup in the UK and Europe. Established in 2015 by academics Adam Guthrie (chief technological architect) and Dr. Graham Sills (director of AI) from Cambridge, the start-up reported raising over $115 million in the last 12 months.
OpenAI Fights Copyright Infringement Allegations By Indian Media Giants
Amid a number of similar cases pending in the U.S. and Canada, a group of India’s biggest media outlets have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI. According to the court website, the complaint has been filed before the Delhi High Court, and a hearing is set for March 18.
Condé Nast and Guardian among group accusing Canadian AI start-up of ‘wholesale, verbatim copying’
There is little indication that the conflict between AI start-ups and more established media outlets will end anytime soon. Last week, a dozen prominent news and magazine publishers, including Condé Nast, Forbes, The Atlantic, the LA Times, and the Guardian, filed a lawsuit against AI start-up Cohere in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming copyright and trademark infringement.
There was a lot of apprehension and fear when DeepSeek made its debut on the global scene, particularly because it originated in China. However, legal experts claim that the Gen AI startup’s threat goes beyond geopolitical conflicts.
Anu Bradford Unpacks Threats to the EU’s Digital Regulation Agenda
Other countries may begin to have “second thoughts” if the EU is perceived as losing faith in its own regulatory agenda, she added, adding that such a policy change by Brussels authorities would be particularly foolish given the present atmosphere across the Atlantic.
Linklaters tests AI with legal exams to assess reliability
In order to “test the ability of large language models to answer legal questions,” the company developed the LinksAI English law benchmark. With human adjudicators keeping an eye out for mistakes and manufactured references, the tests evaluate AI systems on overall correctness, citation usage, and clarity.
How Davis Wright Tremaine Is Working with Stanford on Legal AI
The goal of a recent collaboration with the university’s legal informatics department, CodeX, is to develop new legal AI prototypes.
StructureFlow Acquires Diagramming Solution Blue J Diagramming
By acquiring Blue J Diagramming, StructureFlow intends to increase the range of tax visualization services it provides.
Market Commentary:
‘More Transactions that Would Never Have Left Boardroom’: UK Partners Back CMA’s Change of Direction
Competition partners anticipate a rise in M&A activity as a result of the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) new strategy. Sarah Cardell, the chief executive of the CMA, stated last week that the regulator will try to make initial merger decisions more quickly and have more senior discussions with businesses in response to pressure from the U.K. government to prioritise “pro-growth and pro-investment interventions.”
London’s Top Corporate Lawyers: The Dealmakers Behind the Big Numbers
According to a new dataset created by MergerLinks, ten partners from London offices have been named top corporate lawyers. The table offers a new perspective on the notable dealmakers in 2024, based on the overall value of transactions reported the previous year and only considering those in which the corresponding solicitors led teams in which their firm served as the major legal counsel.
Freshfields, Davis Polk and a Trio of Spanish Firms Steer Landmark HBX Group in Spanish IPO
Freshfields, Davis Polk, Pérez-Llorca, Garrigues, and Uría Menéndez provided advice on the Spanish IPO of HBX Group, a travel technology company that links business-to-business and business-to-consumer travel distributors and suppliers. According to the participating law firms, the €748 million IPO is the biggest public offering in Europe thus far this year. Additionally, it is the first British company to go public in Spain since Brexit.
US Law Firms Quietly Secure UK ABS Licenses as Arizona Weighs KPMG Bid
Top U.S. headquartered firms are not sitting on the sidelines whilst they eagerly await Arizona’s decision on whether to license KPMG legal US as an alternative business structure (ABS). Instead, they’re taking advantage of the fact that regulators in England have been awarding ABS licenses since 2012.
Saudi Arabia’s Arbitration Power Play: SCCA Challenges Regional Giants
With Saudi Arabia’s $1.8 trillion construction boom driving demand for dispute resolution, the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) is growing quickly with the goal of competing with regional arbitration centres in Cairo and Dubai.
Garrigues and Uría Menéndez Lawyers Top Spain’s M&A Charts in 2024
According to statistics gathered by TTR statistics and MergerLinks, Uría Menéndez and Garrigues partners were named Spain’s top M&A attorneys in 2024.
Hong Kong Has 110 Active IPO Applications. Which Firms Have the Largest Market Share?
The Shenzhen-based electric car battery company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), which is allegedly seeking to raise $5 billion through a Hong Kong debut—the largest IPO in the city in five years—is leading the group of hopeful issuers by value.
In recent years, a noticeable trend has emerged in the legal market. The relationships between elite firms and their clients have become increasingly robust, creating a level of resilience that challenger firms previously targeted to gain market share. The buzz in the market indicates the gap between elite firms and challenger firms is increasing. The problem for challenger firms is that they are not able to match the scale, deal sheet, or institutional relationships that elite firms possess to maintain client relationships across their global platforms. The adage “nobody gets fired for instructing [insert elite firm name]” holds true in this context.
Bridging the Gap: What It Takes to Compete
To make a significant impact on this trend and compete effectively with elite firms, challenger firms need to focus on several key areas:
There have been several moves in the past 6 months that showcase this – see some select moves below:
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Kirkland & Ellis
Skadden
Eversheds Sutherland
In conclusion, for challenger firms to bridge the gap and compete with elite firms, they must focus on strengthening client relationships, building credible teams, hiring motivated partners, and maintaining a sustained growth strategy. Only by addressing these areas can they hope to make a noticeable impact in the ever-evolving legal market.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
King & Spalding Hires Partner Pair in London
Both Matt Hardwick and Dan Giemajner joined from Akin, where they were partners. With a focus on project finance, Giemajner offers advice on how to plan, fund, and execute global energy infrastructure and natural resources projects. He has expertise in funding emerging markets and renewable energy projects worth billions of dollars. Similar to this, Hardwick specializes in planning, building, and managing intricate energy and infrastructure projects. The company has experience with commercial contracts in South America, Africa, and Europe.
Winston & Strawn’s London Office Makes Double Department Chair Hire
With the hiring of partner Aparna Sehgal, who will chair the firm’s structured finance and real estate finance teams in the U.K. and Europe, the U.S. firm is growing its structured finance practice in London. Additionally, Winston is expanding its practice area by hiring Adam Howard, a corporate partner from Skadden, where he served as counsel. Currently, Howard co-chairs the firm’s practice in public company transactions and U.K. capital markets.
Jones Day Advances Life Sciences Practice with Partner Hire from Brown Rudnick
Jones Day has added partner Sage Revell to strengthen its London practice. She is leaving Brown Rudnick, where she was a member of the firm’s global life sciences practice group and a partner in its international transactions practice group.
Gibson Dunn Private Equity Vet Walks to Dechert
In London, a seasoned private equity partner from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has joined Dechert’s corporate and securities division. According to a Dechert release, Nick Tomlinson will be leaving Gibson Dunn after nearly 25 years with the New York-based company.
Brown Rudnick Plucks Fieldfisher Partner for Latest London Hire
After hiring a tax litigation partner from Fieldfisher, U.S. firm Brown Rudnick has further enhanced its London service. Fieldfisher stated on Wednesday that Matthew Sharp, who has worked there for more than six years, will be joining Brown Rudnick.
Former ICJ president Joan Donoghue joins Twenty Essex as an arbitrator
Former International Court of Justice (ICJ) president Joan Donoghue has joined the London-based chambers Twenty Essex as an arbitrator.
APAC
Kirkland and Latham Litigators Head to HSF in Hong Kong
While Latham associate Truman Mak rejoins Kirkland as a partner, experienced partner Paul Quinn has fled to HSF.
Charles Russell Speechlys Hires Investment Funds Head from PwC Legal Affiliate in Hong Kong
Gaven Cheong is the sixth lateral partner that Charles Russell Speechlys has hired in Asia in the past 12 months.
Hogan Lovells’ Singapore Office Secures Squire Partner as Regulatory Head
According to the firm, Charmian Aw will start working for Hogan Lovells on February 25. She joined Squire as a partner in 2023 from Reed Smith, where she was counsel, and leaves the firm after nearly two years. She began her career as an associate in 2007 at the Big Four Singaporean law firm Drew & Napier, where she worked for more than ten years before that.
HSF Hires Litigation Duo from Kirkland and Latham in Hong Kong
While Latham associate Truman Mak rejoins Kirkland as a partner, experienced partner Paul Quinn has fled to HSF.
Australia’s Gilbert + Tobin Takes Second Dentons Finance Partner this Year
Stanley Mok, a partner in banking and finance, joins the Australian business firm.
Hogan Lovells M&A Partner Leaves Ahead of Australian Shutdown
David Holland, who will start working at DLA’s Sydney office this week, provides advice to government agencies and large corporations about potential trade sales, acquisitions, and IPOs. M&A, corporate and securities law, capital raising, acquisitions by private and public companies, securities concerns, corporate governance, and compliance are the main areas of focus for his work.
Zaid Ibrahim partner joins DFDL-linked Robin Lynn
Caera Lee, a partner from local powerhouse Zaid Ibrahim & Co., has joined Malaysia’s Robin Lynn & Lee, which collaborates with regional law firm DFDL.
EMEA
Bird & Bird strengthens Finance Services Sector Group in France with new partner
Nicolas Mordaunt-Crook has joined Bird & Bird’s global Financial Services Sector Group in Paris as a new partner. Nicolas provides both transactional and regulatory advice. He is well-versed in the rules governing different banking and financial operations in France and abroad, as well as the processes involved in acquiring the necessary authorizations or licenses.
Pérez-Llorca incorporates Cristina Vidal as a partner
With the addition of Cristina Vidal, a former Ramón y Cajal partner, as a new partner in the financial services sector in Madrid, Pérez-Llorca is continuing its expansion strategy. She advises financial institutions, fund managers, insurance companies and companies in the fintech sector on regulatory, compliance and corporate governance matters.
Reed Smith expands Financial Industry Group with restructuring partner in Paris
Marie Crumière has been advising clients on domestic and international, pre-insolvency and insolvency processes, and M&A in a troubled setting for more than ten years. She offers assistance in a wide range of domestic and international restructuring and insolvency issues to debtors, lenders, creditors, buyers, investors, shareholders, management, or court-appointed authorities.
Hughes Hubbard Adds Alexander Marcopoulos as Arbitration Partner
Alexander Marcopoulos joined Hughes Hubbard as a partner in its international arbitration practice in Paris. Marcopoulos represents companies and states in high-stakes international projects and disputes, focusing on the construction and energy sectors.
The Americas
Paul Hastings Adds Two More from King & Spalding in D.C.
According to new partner Brian Ashin, the firm’s third addition from King & Spalding in eight months makes it “one of the largest real estate groups” in the Washington market as Brian Ashin and Alan Noskow join the firm’s Washington, DC office.
Skadden Adds 2 Lateral Partners in Areas of Growth, Demand
David Schwartz of Skadden pointed out that the company needs to expand its labour and employment department since “there aren’t as many practitioners as clients will demand over the next few years.”
McDermott Welcomes New Partners to Litigation, Private Equity Fund Practices
Allison Scher Bernbach joins McDermott Will & Emery from Schulte Roth & Zabel, while Jared Gerber joins from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. McDermott’s New York office will serve as the base of operations for both new partners.
Neal Katyal Leaves Hogan Lovells for Milbank
Milbank announced that Katyal, who has argued in more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court, will head the firm’s appellate practice.
Holland & Knight Loses ECVC Co-Head to Sidley Austin
With the hiring of seasoned dealmaker Enrique Conde to its Miami division, Sidley Austin is increasing the relative newcomer’s access to tech work in the South Florida market.
White & Case Environmental Partner Moves to Weil
As the laws governing environmental regulation and enforcement continue to change, Seth Kerschner stated that he anticipates being busy as he joins.
People in the News—Feb. 14, 2025—Robinson+Cole, Barley Snyder
Robert C. Seiger, a partner in Robinson+Cole’s immigration division, has joined the firm’s Philadelphia office.
Patterson + Sheridan Welcomes Patent Attorney as Counsel
The Woodall Law Firm rebrands; Austin becomes a partner for Spencer Fane; David J. Beck receives an award; and more.
Sidley Nabs Dentons Partner, Former Consumer Product Safety Chair in San Diego
After working for Dentons for more than eighteen years, Sarah Carlson joins Sidley.
Pérez-Llorca Sends Mexican M&A Partner to NY Office
José Ignacio Rivero will be joined by a team of Mexican lawyers who will practice Mexican law with the goal of forming a “bridge” for clients with economic and legal interests in both Mexico and the U.S.
In-House
Ex-Starbucks GC Exiting Latest Role, Will Get Severance
A year before the energy division of GE Vernova split off from the industrial conglomerate to become a separate public company, Rachel Gonzalez joined the company in April 2023.
White Castle Promotes Marine Corps Veteran to General Counsel
“I discovered in the Marine Corps that decisiveness, clear communication, and a strong emphasis on continuous improvement are essential components of effective leadership,” Melissa Palmisciano stated.
Walmart Global Compliance Chief Joining KPMG as General Counsel, Vice Chair
While working as a deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice and as a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and White & Case, Matt Miner gained extensive knowledge of white-collar crime.
Munger, Tolles & Olson Lures Former Skadden Corporate Attorney Out of Retirement
Before retiring last year, Andrew Garelick spent more than 17 years as a partner in Skadden’s Los Angeles office.
Manatt Adds AI-Focused Tech Transactions Partner in New York
After working for Fenwick & West for more than six years, Vejay Lalla joins the business.
GC of World’s Largest Berry Company Retiring After Decades of Agricultural Advocacy
Prior to becoming general counsel in 2014, Tom O’Brien served as Driscoll’s outside counsel.
Pax8 Nabs Compliance Chief from Splunk Following Its $28B Sale
Marianne Wolf was referred to the Pax8 Chief Legal Officer Carrie Schiff as “a well-established leader in compliance among tech firms.”
KPMG hires Walmart chief ethics and compliance officer as GC in the US
In lieu of Tonya Robinson, who departed for US investment management Vanguard last year, KPMG, a major accounting and consulting firm, has appointed Matt Miner as general counsel of its US division.
Recently rebranded US financial data firm Octus hires GC from FactSet
Megan Jones is the first general counsel recruited by financial market data provider Octus since the company changed its name from Reorg last year.Jones previously served as corporate secretary and deputy general counsel at FactSet, another source of financial market data.
Team Moves
Morgan Lewis Adds 4 IP Partners in Orange County, 1 in Seattle
All five partners have joined from Knobbe Martens. IP litigators Ali Razai, Benjamin Anger, Benjamin Everton and Brandon Smith are joining the Orange County office of Morgan Lewis, while Jacob Peterson is joining the Seattle office.
Pinsent Masons to Cut 14 Equity Partners in Germany
All three of the German offices in Frankfurt, Munich, and Düsseldorf are anticipated to be impacted by the reduction. That represents a significant portion of Pinsent Masons team in Germany, where it has just over 100 lawyers including 41 partners and legal directors across three offices.
Clifford Chance Paris Takes Partner-Led IP Litigation Team From A&O Shearman
Partner David Stone, the former global head of IP at legacy Allen & Overy, has joined White & Case in London alongside Karla Hughes and Adrian Dykes.
Willkie Adds 3 FCPA, White-Collar Litigators from Mayer Brown in California, DC
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act practice at Willkie will be led by new partner Jason Linder. Additionally, Glenn Vanzura and Sonali D. Patel, have joined the Firm as partners.
Cadwalader Embarks on London Fund Finance Rebuild with Three Partner Hires
The business is expanding its London office by recruiting Ashurst partners Douglas Murning and Matthew Worth, as well as Reed Smith partner Bronwen Jones. Following the departure of the four-partner team led by Samantha Hutchinson to King & Spalding last year, Cadwalader took a hit.
India’s Cyril Amarchand Bolsters Real Estate Offering, Hires 7-Lawyer Team from Luthra and Luthra
The recruitment, which marks CAM’s first team addition of the year, demonstrates the company’s ongoing growth as part of its growth strategy that was introduced last year.
Cleary Gottlieb M&A Veteran Takes Team of 3 to Korea’s Legal Leader Kim & Chang
Sang Jin Han, a seasoned Korean M&A professional, has brought three colleagues to Kim & Chang.
Korea’s Kim & Chang adds four-lawyer M&A team
With the addition of seasoned partner Sang Jin Han and his team from U.S. firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Kim & Chang, the biggest legal firm in South Korea, has strengthened its cross-border M&A expertise.
Malaysia’s ASL expands disputes offering with 6-attorney team
Adnan Sundra & Low, a prominent Malaysian law firm, has strengthened its disputes service by bringing on a team of six attorneys from Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership (STSP), a local boutique headed by senior partner Sudharsanan Thillainathan. Alongside Sudharsanan, who joins as an equity partner, are associates Bala Ravi Sankar and Lee Jing Long, senior associate Yee Lin Ng, and partners Dawn Wong and Tania Edward.
Haynes Boone picks up four-partner Memery Crystal capital markets team amid ongoing exits
As the London boutique continues to crumble against the backdrop of its parent firm, RBG Holdings, getting ready to go into administration, a seven-person capital markets team, including four partners, has left Memery Crystal to join Haynes Boone. Lead by partner Nick Davis, who was recently named co-head of Haynes Boone’s London office, the group joining the top 100 US firm consists of three associates and partners Edward Baker, Robert Bines-Black, and Nick Heap.
Financials:
Strong Revenue and Profitability Growth Propel Pennsylvania Firms Into 2025
A total of nine companies in the state increased their revenue by 9.1%, which was only less than the industry-wide average of 12.3%. But when it came to earnings per equity partner, they beat the national average, which increased by 17.4% as opposed to 16.5%.
Health Care, Litigation Fuel 21% Revenue Growth for Arnall Golden Gregory
Managing partner Sean Fogarty described the successful year as “actually a collection of broad-based successes across hundreds of clients.”
Associate Compensation Jumped $100K in NYC Over 5 Years, Report Finds
According to Major, Lindsey, and Africa’s analysis of seven important markets, lateral movement among senior associates is also increasing in New York and Chicago.
Southeast Firms Outpaced National Average for Demand in 2024, but Revenue Growth Lagged
Revenue, income, and PEP have increased by double digits, according to the Citi Global Wealth at Work Law Firm Group’s year-end study of 20 companies in the area. Nationally, however, the findings were much more impressive.
The Department of Justice entered the fray just weeks after the business completed its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, bringing a lawsuit to stop the deal on antitrust grounds.
Los Angeles’ Junior, Mid-Level Associates Gained a 5% Pay Bump Last Year
Data from recruitment firm Major, Lindsey & Africa indicates a possible reversal in stagnating salary trends.
‘Back to Normal’: Cadwalader Sees Revenue, PEP Surge as Equity Tier Shrinks
According to Pat Quinn, chair of the firm, the fluctuations in interest rates over the past few years have led to unanticipated outcomes. He claimed that the firm would return to normalcy in 2024.
Norton Rose Boosts NQ Pay to Match HSF and Hogan Lovells
Both Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells presently pay their recently qualified attorneys the amount Norton Rose Fulbright announced.
Milbank’s Revenue and Profits Hit Record Highs
The record year saw a 23% increase in total revenue and a 33% increase in average earnings per equity partner. The firm reported a 40% increase in income from its London location.
Promotions & Appointments:
After $2B Sale, Tropical Smoothie Café Promotes Company Veteran to GC
Seven years ago, Karen Wickliffe started working at the sandwich and smoothie restaurant.
People in the News—Feb. 12, 2025—Mannion Prior, Galfand Berger
John F. Higgins has joined the firm as a partner, according to Mannion Prior.
Regulatory Partner Takes Over Managing Partner Role at Osler’s Calgary Office
Sander Duncanson, a longtime employee of the firm, takes over for Brian Thiessen, who intends to run for Calgary mayor.
Philip Lee partner Anna Hickey appointed to key climate finance role
Philip Lee partner Anna Hickey has been appointed to lead the M&A activities of the firm’s climate finance team.
Deirdre Cummins appointed chair of Pensions Council
Deirdre Cummins, a lawyer with Arthur Cox, has been named the Pensions Council’s chairperson. The minister of social protection receives advice on pension policy issues from the Pensions Council, which is chaired by a Pinsean.
Mark Garrett appointed to Community Law & Mediation board
Law Society of Ireland director general Mark Garrett has recently been appointed to the board of directors of Community Law & Mediation.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Black Judges Discuss Growing Up During Segregation, Efforts to Diversify the Profession
“Segregation was an impetus for me. It was my life. It’s my lived experience,” stated Ninth Circuit Judge Johnnie Rawlinson. “No one can take that away because I lived it, and it’s my story. And we can’t take it away by pretending it didn’t exist.”
Why Are Women Still Walking Out the Door: Gender Equity Study Seeks Answers from NJ Attorneys
As the years go by, the subsequent research confirms the findings. Just enough already. “We require believable suggestions that can be put into practice,” stated Christine Petruzzell, a retired shareholder of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer.
Meta Costs Black Students Opportunities in Higher Education, New Discrimination Lawsuit Says
Law.com Radar, ALM’s source for real-time alerts on recently filed cases in state and federal courts, was the first to bring attention to this complaint. State courts around the country are now covered by Law.com Radar. Be the first to learn about new suits in your practice area, client sector, or region by registering today.
Powerful Shareholder-Advisory Firm Abandons Push to Diversify Corporate Boards
Institutional Shareholder Services’ retreat on DEI comes after Vanguard and BlackRock decided to downplay the problem.
Office Openings & Closing:
Fragomen Launches in Pittsburgh with Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Team
Under the leadership of partner Alexander Castrodale, the new office at PPG Place also has “a couple dozen” support personnel, attorneys John Brendel and Ana María Mieles, and partners Alexa Forte, Larry Lebowitz, and Matthew Phillips.
Pinsent Masons Launches Third Mainland China Office in Shenzhen, China
Kanyi Lui, the head of Pinsent Masons China, will move from Beijing to Shenzhen to oversee the company’s new organization.
Freshfields Doubles DC Office Space, Signaling US Growth Ambitions
According to reports, the company is more than doubling its space in the city.
ALN Expands into Ghana, Tapping into Booming Gold Market and West African Growth
ALN joins Dentons and DLA Piper, who are already present in the West African nation, which is a key gold hotspot in the world.
Appleby Set to Expand in China, Receives License to Operate in Shenzhen
The new full-service office will serve as Appleby’s second base in mainland China when it opens.
Kanyi Lui, the China head of Pinsent Masons, will move from Beijing to Shenzhen to oversee the company’s new venture.
Freshfields Signals US Growth Ambitions by Doubling Office Space in Washington DC
According to reports, the company is more than doubling its space in the city.
White & Case Ends Exclusive Alliance with Local Outfit in Indonesia
After completing a non-exclusive arrangement with Ali Budiardjo Nugroho Reksodiputro and an exclusive alliance with MD & Partners, this is the firm’s third split in Indonesia.
Mergers & Alliances:
LegalZoom Acquires Small Business Services Company Formation Nation
LegalZoom hopes to improve its customer service skills by acquiring Formation Nation.
Both the accounting and business consultancy firm Aprio and the law firm Radix already hold ABS licenses, which gives them an advantage against Big Four firm KPMG, which is requesting authorization to provide a comparable set of services on a larger scale.
Factor Acquires Legal Tech Design and Development Agency Theory and Principle
The goal of the action is to hasten the ALSP’s creation of AI-driven legal technology solutions for in-house clients.
As Kramer Levin Merger Vote Nears, HSF Partners Express Hopes and Fears
As management looks to meet the necessary 75% approval level in the upcoming weeks, partners around the world have diverse opinions on the upcoming partnership.
Freshfields and Slaughter and May Among Firms Teaming Up to Fund Climate Actionv
The new initiative coincides with climate activists drawing more attention to businesses for their involvement in environmentally damaging practices.
HSF Partners Express Hopes and Fears as Kramer Levin Merger Vote Nears
As management looks to meet the necessary 75% approval level in the upcoming weeks, partners around the world have diverse opinions on the upcoming partnership.
Technology & Innovation:
AI in Legal: Disruptive Potential and Practical Realities
The writer states, “We are living through a period of seismic but still unfolding business transformation relating to artificial intelligence (AI), with perspectives shifting regularly from irrational exuberance to scepticism to confusion to alarm, as this week’s reaction to DeepSeek attests.”
Elite Unveils AI Tool ‘Validate’ for Automated Outside Counsel Guideline Review
With Validate’s editing, notification, and simplification features, the law firm solutions provider hopes to assist its clients in expediting their OCG evaluation.
CLM Platform Spotdraft Announces $54 Million Series B Funding Round
This year, the contract lifecycle management platform wants to concentrate on developing its workforce and advancing artificial intelligence in its offerings.
Adobe Launches Contract Intelligence Capabilities in Its Acrobat AI Assistant
Legal experts and other users provided suggestions throughout the design of the contract intelligence tool.
UK Firm Hill Dickinson Clamps Down on ChatGPT Use
After one week of observing the company’s use of AI, the enforcement was made.
Legal Tech Startup Aracor AI Announces $4.5 Million Pre-Seed Funding Round
The business plans to utilize the money to hire more people, conduct more market research, and enhance the platform’s security and AI capabilities.
Agentic AI Startup Eudia Raises $105M, With Backing from Former Relativity CEOs
Chief legal officers and internal teams at Fortune 500 organizations can expedite a number of processes with the help of AI agents in the startup’s augmented intelligence platform.
Market Commentary:
As they close their trial practice, Hodges & Foty, Houston trial lawyer Don Foty has filed a lawsuit against his colleague David Hodges to gain access to bank accounts.
Some New Arrivals Prefer Buckhead, but Midtown Remains Tops for Atlanta Law Firms
The majority of Big Law firms choose Midtown because of its new Class A space and easy access to interstates.
Questions Grow Over Linklaters’ Future in Warsaw
Linklaters has kept its office in Poland, which now seems to be getting close to moving to Addleshaw Goddard, despite leaving four CEE locations in 2008.
Atlanta Calling: National Law Firms Flock to a ‘Hotbed for Talented Lawyers’
By attracting partners who require additional resources to support established practices, several Am Law 200 firms are establishing offices in the Georgia capital.
Lowenstein Sandler Rebounds From 2023, Invests in Future Growth
According to chairman and managing partner Gary Wingens, the firm’s strategic strategy places a strong emphasis on expansion over the next five years, with a particular goal of increasing the firm’s overall person count to between 550 and 700 lawyers.
Deputy GCs Like Their Jobs, but They Also Feel Trapped in Them
According to an Axiom analysis, overburdened legal departments prioritize completing tasks above giving deputy GCs opportunities to interact with board members and other possibilities that might prepare them for the top position.
CMS, Dentons, Addleshaw Goddard Set Sights on Oman’s New Trade Court
The Investment and Trade Court would improve the effectiveness of law firm dispute resolution procedures by lowering case backlogs and delays in Oman’s legal system.
Will Big Law’s Bet on the Middle East Pay Off?
According to The Global Lawyer, the Middle East seems to be the most competitive legal market, but geopolitical issues will be a major factor wherever businesses choose to locate their operations in 2025.
Not Every Firm Can Be Cravath, So Can’t We Have Some Variety?
According to The Global Lawyer, firms like White & Case, Herbert Smith Freehills, Linklaters, and A&O Shearman must choose between having a distinctive approach and competing for clients’ revenues.
Musk and Trump’s BEE Backlash Raise Legal Sector Challenges in South Africa
The legal industry is greatly impacted by South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) program, as businesses struggle with trade repercussions, compliance issues, and continuous discussions on its efficacy.
ALSP Market Surges, Growing 38% in Two Years
As businesses and law firms adopt new legal models, alternative legal services are growing rapidly.
Law Firm Growth in Demand and Worked Rates in Q4 Coincided with Countercyclical Dip
According to Thomson Reuters’ Q4 Law Firm Financial Index, transactional practices may face challenges in 2025 as countercyclical growth slows.
Hiring and interviewing – an impact sport. Some win, some lose, but the basics can be learnt!
At the core, executive search is a two-way street – especially on the lateral partner front. The candidate and the firm have to go into an interview with intention. Complacency and uncertainty fail every time; time itself is precious and a commodity that shouldn’t be wasted.
There is no perfect recruitment process, but the best firms and the best candidates approach interviews with strategy and intent. Success is based on three key things:
Candidates should be aware that an interview is not just about getting an offer; it’s about finding the right fit. Successful careers often include sustained spells of promotion and personal development, therefore you must present in a way that reflects this. To firms, recruitment is more than just analysing a candidate’s credentials, past performance, clients, billables, team size, and so on; all of this is important, but ultimately, you are striving to develop a case that answers the fundamental question: why should they join your firm?
It’s all about impact.
Irrespective of whether you are a candidate or a hiring partner, your aim should be to leave a lasting, positive impression. Candidates should emphasise the most powerful elements of their experience and how those align with what the firm needs. Be genuine; standardised dialogue doesn’t work. Select the details you want the person opposite to really retain. For firms, that means making sure that the messaging about culture, growth trajectory, and strategy comes through loud and clear. Every touch point helps to form the candidate’s impression of the firm, and impressions created in this process tend to stick long after the interview is over.
Engagement is key.
An interview is a conversation, not a monologue. Both parties should listen as much as they can and thoughtfully engage the interviewers with responses that indicate understanding. Equally, firms must understand that a candidate evaluates a firm to a great extent and vice-versa. Remove distractions that interfere with listening, such as an inbox ping or a phone call, as well as those things that are present in the back of your mind. Try to eliminate all distractions and engage. Make eye contact and answer questions honestly; it will all make a difference.
Align your ambitions.
Speak clearly about the mission. Several firms in the legal market have quite ambitious growth strategies, but not every candidate will align with the vision of each. Candidates need to be clear about what motivates and inspires them when it comes to the mission of a firm. Use targeted questions to assess alignment on culture and strategy. Firms likewise need to articulate their ambition and assess where that new hire fits within that. The best firms don’t just talk about strategy; they link it directly to the candidate’s potential role.
The devil is in the details. Firms should consider a candidate’s experience, starting from their arrival. A well-coordinated welcome, appropriate interview setting, and the base ingredients like refreshments indicate professionalism and respect towards them. For the candidates’ part, it should be a given: show up on time, bring your best, and don’t underestimate the power of a summary at the close, highlighting the most topical points and flagging any concerns that need further consideration.
Feedback is paramount. Among the top reasons firms lose good candidates, poor communication plays a major role. Candidates must understand where they are, not only for decision-making considerations but also for personal development. Candidates need to understand where they stand, not only for their decision-making purposes but also for their personal growth. Those firms that give definitive, honest feedback – even when the news isn’t positive – maintain goodwill and their strong reputation in the market.
Thoughtful questioning enhances the process. Interviews should evolve with each stage: candidates should avoid generic questions and instead build from what they’ve already learned, demonstrating genuine curiosity about the strategy and culture of the firm. Firms, in turn, should structure their process in a manner that is respectful to a candidate’s time and recognises previous discussions. Asking the same questions repeatedly raises potential red flags and may lead to things feeling disconnected, whereas targeted follow-up fosters a sense of progress and engagement.
The best recruitment experiences are always those when both parties walk away knowing that they have found the right fit. By focusing on impact, engagement, and alignment, firms will find the best talent, and candidates can make the right career choices. The interview process shouldn’t be a transaction; it should be the beginning of a meaningful professional relationship.
Moves:
In-House
Sylvia Favretto appointed General Counsel of Mysten Labs
According to Sylvia Favretto, chief counsel at Mysten Labs, “working in crypto involves operating in gray areas without legal precedent, and the most successful attorneys can make informed decisions quickly even without clarity.”
Trump taps McKinsey lawyer to be general counsel at Commerce Department
Gentin would manage legal matters for a company that employs 48,000 people across 86 countries and has a diverse range of operations, from the Patent Office to the National Weather Service.
Upstart Insurer That’s Wowing Industry Hires AIG Legal Exec to Help Guide Global Expansion
Incoming international general counsel Chris Newby was commended by Ryan Specialty Group General Counsel Mark Katz for “not only his acute legal acumen and talented executive leadership skills, but also his deep knowledge of the UK and EMEA landscapes.”
Ex-Dr Pepper Chief Legal Officer Joins Varsity Brands
Jim Baldwin, a native of Dallas, worked for Keurig Dr. Pepper for 25 years, most recently as secretary, general counsel, and chief legal officer.
Basketball Players Union Taps David Kelly as General Counsel
Incoming General Counsel David Kelly described the opportunities for NBA players as “virtually endless.”
Advance Auto Parts Appoints Jeff Vining as General Counsel – Company Announcement
According to Shane O’Kelly, CEO of Advance, Jeff Vining’s “experience in supporting successful business transformations and driving efficiencies is critical for the success of our strategic action plan.”
Former Deutsche Bank GC Takes on Senior Government Legal Role
Simon Man, a GC for the bank since 2020, is joining the Government Legal Department (GLD) as Director of Treasury Legal Advisers, replacing longtime head and industry veteran Peter King.
Sven Dumoulin Leaves De Brauw to Join COFRA Holding as Chief Legal Officer
Sven Dumoulin, a partner at De Brauw, has held internal positions at Akzo Nobel and Unilever.
AI platform Inflection hires Withers partner as first GC
Veteran IT lawyer Doug Mandell has been appointed general counsel of Inflection AI, a US artificial intelligence company, a newly established role.
UK & Ireland
Mute Off co-founder leaves BCLP for Ontier
Claire Morel de Westgaver has left Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to join the London partnership at Ontier. She was a co-founder of the digital platform Mute Off Thursdays for women in arbitration.
Energy, mining and infrastructure partner joins Simmons
Sara Barin has joined the London-based energy, natural resources, and infrastructure (ENRI) division of international law firm Simmons & Simmons as a partner. Sara has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of industries, such as mining, energy, and infrastructure. She has a strong background in project finance and project development (including PPPs), joint ventures, and M&A.
Winston & Strawn’s London Office Makes Double Department Chair Hire
With the hiring of partner Aparna Sehgal, who will chair the firm’s structured finance and real estate finance teams in the U.K. and Europe, the U.S. firm is growing its structured finance practice in London. Sehgal comes from Dechert, where she oversaw the practice of real estate and structured finance for the company.
Former Osborne Clarke partner joins Portland to enhance litigation communications
Adrian Lifely, a mediator and arbitrator, has been appointed as a senior advisor to Portland, a communications firm based in London. Lifely joins Portland’s litigation communications and disputes practice with over 30 years of experience in international conflicts, having previously served as a partner and head of commercial disputes at Osborne Clarke’s London office.
New leader and partner at O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors
Based in Belfast Aine Tyrrell has joined O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors as a partner in the healthcare division, while Stuart Gilmore has been appointed as the firm’s new managing director.
Walkers hires Dermot Casserly as partner and head of employment law team
Dermot Casserly has been named partner and head of Walkers’ employment law team in Ireland. Mr. Casserly, who previously worked at Beauchamps and KPMG, arrives from DWF, where he oversaw the personnel unit.
APAC
Chinese Firms Seize the Day, Hire Partners from Kirkland and Paul Hastings in Hong Kong
Gary Li of Kirkland and James Ma of Paul Hastings have departed for Chinese law firms Zhong Lun Law Firm and Jingtian & Gongcheng, respectively.
Dentons welcomes two new partners
Dentons adds two new partners, welcoming Melbourne Infrastructure, Energy and Major Projects Partner, Matt Coleman, and Sydney Financial Institutions Partner, Louise McCoach.
Wotton Kearney sets sights on strategic expansion of its government practice with new partner
Wotton Kearney welcomed Clare McNamara as a partner in the firm’s Canberra office, further solidifying its expanding government practice. Clare, who joins from Clayton Utz, has over 25 years of experience advising Commonwealth departments, including Treasury, Infrastructure, Health and Ageing, and Defence.
Withers Hires Disputes Partner From Morgan Lewis to Lead Litigation Group in Singapore
The addition comes a year after the firm’s most recent co-managing partners in Singapore were finances expert Daniel Yongthe and white-collar crime specialist Shashi Nathan.
Charles Russell Speechlys Hires Investment Funds Head from PwC Legal Affiliate in Hong Kong
Gaven Cheong will be Charles Russell Speechlys’ sixth lateral partner hire in Asia in 12 months.
EMEA
BonelliErede Hires Veteran Cleary Gottlieb Partner in Rome
As co-head of the firm’s international arbitration practice, BonelliErede has brought on Ferdinando Emanuele, a veteran partner at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. He will collaborate with Paolo Di Giovanni and Andrea Carlevaris.
Investment Funds Lawyer Nabil Abou-Charaf Joins Kirkland & Ellis
Among the many domestic and international business transactions and agreements that Mr. Abou-Charaf advises on are fund formation and investments, mergers and acquisitions, co-investments, joint ventures, and corporate governance issues.
Pinsent Masons reinforces Middle East financial services practice with new hire
After working with Lean Technologies for a number of years as General Counsel and Head of Compliance for operations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Marie Chowdhry rejoins Pinsent Masons. Marie has developed a wealth of expertise advising a diverse range of clients in the financial services, payments, and technology industries through her private practice and internal positions.
Lucas Pitts is a well-known international arbitration and litigation attorney with more than 15 years of local expertise and a track record of assembling teams to handle business conflicts.
Alexander Israel has joined Morrison Foerster, a renowned international law firm, as a partner and chair of the European Competition Practice within the firm’s Global Antitrust Law Practice Group.
Proskauer Welcomes Partner Gwenaël Kropfinger in Paris
Proskauer, a renowned worldwide law firm, is happy to welcome Gwenaël Kropfinger as a partner in its Tax Department in Paris. In this role, he will enhance Proskauer’s assistance for clients in asset management and private capital who are investing in Europe.
McDermott Welcomes New M&A Partner in Milan
Alfonso de Marco joins the Milan-based international law firm McDermott Will & Emery as a partner in its transactions practice. Alfonso provides customers with advice on the purchase, growth, and disposal of Italian multi-asset portfolios, with a focus on the energy and pharmaceutical industries.
Matthias Kiesewetter, a lateral partner hire, has joined Eversheds Sutherland’s Hamburg office. Matthias formerly worked as a partner in the Global Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group at the multinational law firm White & Case, where he joined in 2018.
Partner hire strengthens German and cross-border ENRI capabilities
Sergei, who joined Simmons from another multinational law firm, offers a wealth of experience in the ENRI sector to the company. He specializes in multi-jurisdictional transactions in the energy and energy transition sectors, as well as in project and export finance and infrastructure.
Simmons hires ENRI M&A specialist in Milan office
By adding partner Tommaso Tomaiuolo to its Milan corporate and commercial practice—which also includes Andrea Pototschnig, Giulio D’Argento, and Gianluca De Donno—international law firm Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its energy, natural resources, and infrastructure (ENRI) capabilities in Italy and abroad.
Herbert Smith Freehills expands South Africa team with Corporate M&A partner hire
With twenty years of experience and knowledge in all facets of M&A, including reorganizations, private equity, and general corporate transactions in South Africa and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, Ziyanda is a lawyer specializing in M&A and private equity. Mining, health, financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, real estate, and private equity are just a few of the industries she has advised clients in.
The Americas
King & Spalding Snags Restructuring Duo from Alston & Bird
New York-based Eric Wise and Matt Kelsey have previously collaborated at Gibson Dunn, Kramer Levin, and Weil.
Daniel Gitner, Former Chief of SDNY’s Criminal Division, Joins Debevoise as Partner.
Partner Helen Cantwell stated, “No matter what or who sits in Washington, our clients need the best advice.” “That is why we bring on people like Dan [Gitner] and Nick Folly.”
Lisa M. Lind Brings High-Level Public Company Experience to McGuireWoods
Lisa M. Lind, a public company attorney who advised boards and executives at two publicly traded businesses on legal and strategic matters, has joined McGuireWoods as a Pittsburgh partner.
Gibson Dunn confirms Katie Townsend has rejoined the firm’s Litigation and Media, Entertainment, and Technology Practice Groups as a partner in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices. Katie’s practice will focus on representing clients on a wide range of First Amendment, media, and technology-focused litigation and advisory matters.
Vanessa Roberts Avery Rejoins McCarter & English
The former District of Connecticut U.S. Attorney brings a wealth of both public and private expertise to the role.
Holland & Knight Grows Corporate Practice in Texas with Addition of Ronnie Skloss in Austin
In order to strengthen the firm’s corporate division in Texas, a significant market since the 2021 merger with Dallas-based Thompson & Knight, Ronnie Skloss joins as a partner in Austin.
Big Law Firms Sheppard Mullin, Morgan Lewis and Baker Botts Add Partners in Houston
With recent hires in the fields of international arbitration, energy finance, and health care, Texas remains a hot spot for lateral partner hiring.
Latham’s Lateral Hiring Picks Up Steam, With Firm Adding Simpson Practice Head, Private Equity GC
The firm has now announced at least four lateral partners in the last three days.
Daniel LePera Named Partner at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees
Dan has been a key member of the Real Estate and Business Transactions Practice Groups at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees since entering the firm. Commercial and residential real estate, manufacturing and industrial, and municipal sectors are just a few of the industries he serves.
Meet the Former NFL Player Now Back at Vinson & Elkins
“Competitive lawyering and competitive athletics are very similar,” says Conrad Bolston, a former employee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission who now rejoins Vinson & Elkins.
Saul Ewing Loses Two Partners to Fox Rothschild, Marking Four Fla. Partner Exits in Last 13 Months
After over seven years at Saul Ewing, Franklin Zemel and Alan Poppe are leaving for Fox Rothschild in South Florida, which promises more resources for the pair’s growing litigation practice.
Dentons US Names Capital Markets Leader Managing Partner
Alongside two current U.S. business heads, John Holahan will continue to run his own practice.
Kevin Spencer joins White & Case as a partner in Washington, DC
In complex tax disputes, Spencer represents corporations, ultra-high net worth individuals, and their affiliated businesses before the IRS Examination and Appeals divisions and federal courts, such as the US Tax Court, District Court, Court of Federal Claims, and US Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Team Moves
Blank Rome Adds Life Sciences Trio from Reed Smith
Litigation partner Shannon McClure arrived in Philadelphia, and regulatory partners Emily Hussey and Rachael Pontikes joined Blank Rome’s Chicago office.
Attracted by the firm’s worldwide presence and extensive bench, seven attorneys from the midsize firm Seward & Kissel, including the head of the company’s asset securitization and CLO (collateralized loan obligations) practice, have jumped to Haynes and Boone.
Willkie Adds Five-Lawyer Team from Quinn Emanuel in Germany
Willkie Farr is hiring Quinn Emanuel’s office managing partner-led team just months after the firm also hired a restructuring team from Latham & Watkins.
DWF takes team of 53 from Hall & Wilcox
After hiring nine partners from Hall & Wilcox in November, the insurance law company DWF has pounced on the Australian firm to take on a staff of 53 lawyers.
KWM Adds Three New Partners in Singapore and Australia
Three new members have joined King & Wood Mallesons’ partnership: construction litigator Ben Davidson from Melbourne, real estate expert Lizzie Knight from Canberra, and debt capital markets attorney Andy Ferris from Singapore.
Webber Wentzel Announces Strategic Appointments to Strengthen Key Practice Areas
The firm’s dedication to development and the extension of its expertise in important practice areas, including as banking, corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution, is demonstrated by these significant hires. Phased in between January and June 2025, the new partners will join the firm.
Financials:
In Record Year for Baker Botts, Revenue Up 11.8%, PEP Up 17.6%
As the Houston-based company benefited from investments made in 2023 and high demand from clients with complex cases, Baker Botts reported record revenue and profits in 2024.
Leaning Into ‘Core’ Strengths, Jenner’s Revenue Climbs 17%, Profits Soar 23%
According to Jenner, the company’s demand climbed by “4 or 5% last year,” and nine of its 17 “primary teams” each surpassed a target of 15% revenue growth.
HSF Accounts Show US Operating Losses Last Year but Revenue Increased Slightly
If approved this month, the firm’s 2023-24 LLP accounts will be its final ones before its transatlantic merger with Kramer Levin takes effect.
White & Case Crosses $4M in PEP, $3B in Revenue in ‘Breakthrough Year’
White & Case now has about equal numbers of equity and nonequity partners following a 12.2% expansion of the nonequity partnership tier.
Exceptional Growth Becoming the Rule? Demand Drove Strong Year for Big Law
According to a recent Citi poll, rate hikes mitigated rising costs, allowing increased demand across a range of activities to propel revenue growth into the double digits for the typical law firm.
Milbank’s Revenue and Profits Hit Record Highs
The record year saw a 23% increase in total revenue and a 33% increase in average earnings per equity partner. The firm reported a 40% increase in income from its London location.
Freshfields’ revenue surged to £2.1bn in 2024 buoyed by strong US growth
With the help of a 26% increase in US fee income, Freshfields’ revenue increased by 18% last year, pushing it over the £2 billion line to reach £2.1 billion.
Promotions & Appointments
Cooley Announces Ian Shapiro as Chair of Global Litigation Department
Ian Shapiro was formerly the department’s vice chair under Michael Attanasio’s leadership.
People in the News—Feb. 5, 2025—Eckert Seamans, Rawle & Henderson
For the remainder of 2025, Jennifer M. Caron, a member of the Harrisburg-based Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott firm, will serve as president of the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners, replacing her previous position as vice president.
Reed Smith Welcomes New Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer
The most recent employer of Gillian Ward, a 30-year veteran of the legal marketing industry, was Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.
On the Move and After Hours: Einhorn Barbarito; Gibbons; Greenbaum Rowe; Pro Bono Partnership
Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno elevates three attorneys to partner and one to counsel; Gibbons brings on a new chair of the financial restructuring and creditors’ rights group; and more moves.
People in the News—Feb. 7, 2025—Gawthrop Greenwood, Lamb McErlane
Stephen R. McDonnell, a shareholder and attorney, has been chosen by Gawthrop Greenwood to serve as the chair of the management committee.
On the Move and After Hours: Einhorn Barbarito; Gibbons; Greenbaum Rowe; Pro Bono Partnership
Gibbons appoints a new chair of the financial restructuring and creditors’ rights group; Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno promotes three lawyers to partner and one to counsel; and other changes.
Resolute Mining Appoints London General Counsel—CEO Resigns Following Foreign Detention
The resignation comes after the CEO and two other staff members were detained in Mali after local authorities there contested the terms of the business’s activities there.
Slaughter and May Announces Next Managing Partner
Slaughter and May has elected David Johnson as its next managing partner, succeeding Deborah Finkler in the role. Having worked with companies including BHP, GSK, and SEGRO, Johnson has decades of experience in both public and private M&A. He became a partner nine years after joining the firm in 1991.
On Thursday, Jones Day revealed six new leadership roles for Jones Day partners, including three new office managing partners and three new practice co-leaders. The antitrust and competition law practice is now co-led by Craig Waldman of Washington, D.C., and Alexandre Verheyden, a partner located in Brussels.
Four new partners at Philip Lee
Niall Donnelly, Alison Murray, Patrick Kane, and Jennifer Darcy have all been upgraded to partner status by Philip Lee. As a member of the energy and natural resources team, Mr. Donnelly specializes in providing customers with advice on intricate projects and energy-related regulatory issues, particularly those involving renewable energy transactions.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Hogan Lovells, Jenner & Block Challenge Trump EOs Impacting Gender-Affirming Care
“These Executive Orders are unlawful and unconstitutional,” transgender people’s attorneys stated in a complaint aiming to overturn President Donald Trump’s twin decrees that denied financing for gender-affirming medical therapy to anybody younger than 19.
Lawyers Across Political Spectrum Launch Public Interest Team to Litigate Against Antisemitism
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law said Thursday it will create a team of around 20 attorneys and other personnel to litigate antisemitic issues. Prominent national law firms will provide external counsel to support this project.
Office Openings & Closing:
Reed Smith Joins Saudi Legal Boom as Firms Race for Market Share
The most recent law firm to obtain a Saudi license is Reed Smith, which joins an increasing number of American and British firms vying for lucrative Vision 2030 contracts and private sector mandates.
BCLP Announces Launch in Saudi Arabia
The firm plans to open offices in both Riyadh and Al-Khobar. More than ten law companies are apparently awaiting clearance to open offices in Saudi, while at least 18 law firms with headquarters in the United States and the United Kingdom currently hold Saudi licenses.
Dozens of Swift Currie attorneys start new firm Marsh Atkinson and Brantley
“We feel very good about the group that we have and the fact that we’ve been able to assemble lawyers who we’ve worked together with for a very long time,” said Terry Brantley, now the managing partner at Marsh Atkinson & Brantley after holding the same title at his old firm.
Brooklyn Prosecutor Returns to Private Practice to Co-Found Wrongful Conviction Boutique
Ten former defendants were cleared during the three years that Charles Linehan oversaw the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office’s renowned conviction review section.
Trinity International Expands with Singapore Office, Eyes Growth in Infrastructure and Energy
Fiona Gulliford, a London partner of the firm, has moved to Singapore. Additionally, Trinity hired George Williams as its city counsel and named Maxime Damphousse as its managing director.
FisherBroyles Enters Mexico in First Step of Planned Latin American Expansion
Bravo Abogados, a corporate company based in Monterrey, a northern industrial center with offices in Saltillo and Mexico City, was acquired as part of the expansion into Mexico. According to Daniel Larkin, chair of FisherBroyles’ international practice division, his company chose to enter Mexico due to the close economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico.
Technology & Innovation:
Big Law Partner Co-Launches Startup Aiming to Transform Fund Formation Process
Computer scientist Kristen Gandhi and former Paul Hastings associate Esther Chiang are starting a company called SmartEsq with the goal of simplifying laborious fund formation procedures.
In an effort to do away with human metadata tagging, Ivo also introduced its contract search tool.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Commercial real estate is just one of the industries that artificial intelligence is transforming.
The UK-based Microsoft partner is the latest in a long series of M&A moves for Litera.
Lawyers have no choice but to embrace AI, Master of the Rolls says in LawtechUK speech
According to Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, judges and attorneys have “no real choice” but there are compelling arguments for them to adopt AI.
Market Commentary:
Growth of California Firms Exceeded Expectations, Survey of Managing Partners Says
35% of the enterprises surveyed reported “significant growth” of at least 10%, while over half of the firm’s reported growth between 2023 and 2024.
Data Breaches in UK Legal Sector Surge, According to ICO Data
According to recent study from NetDocuments, a company that offers a cloud-based document management platform for the legal industry, there has been a “significant surge” in databreaches according British legal professionals. According to a review of ICO data, insiders are responsible for half of data breaches, with human error being the cause of one in three occurrences.
Return to Work Mandates Among Current Mental Health Stressors for Legal Professionals
In this week’s Legal Speak episode, Stacey Dougan, an Atlanta-based lawyer-turned-therapist, expounds on the current state of mental health in the legal profession following a recent string of widely publicized national tragedies and divisive politics.
Legal Leaders Need to Create a High-Trust Culture
Law.com writes that Leaders must come to terms with the principle that trust building is a two-way process and requires prolonged efforts to establish. Setting the tone entails acting as an example of reliability and trust. Nothing is more detrimental to an organization than a breakdown in trust, which can manifest itself in a variety of ways every day.
Some Elite Law Firms Are Growing Equity Partner Ranks Faster Than Others
In order to expand their wallet share with their current, important clients, elite law firms are focusing on lateral partner groupings.
UK Lawyers Seeking Mental Health Support Hits All-Time High
Lawyers seeking mental health support increased by 24%, according to LawCare.
Moves:
In-House
Former CIA General Counsel Joining Hilton Worldwide as Legal Chief
After serving in important positions in the federal government for 25 years, Caroline Krass joins the massive lodging company. According to Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta, Krass has “spent her career leading large global teams through complex legal matters in high-stakes, fast-paced environments.”
President Trump Hires Sullivan & Cromwell to Handle Manhattan Criminal Appeal
On Wednesday, the official notice of appeal was sent. Robert Giuffra, James McDonald, Morgan Ratner, Jeff Wall, and Matthew Schwartz are among Trump’s new legal team members.
Startup Bringing AI to Doctors’ Offices Hires First GC
Aden Fine, Suki’s general counsel, stated that the legal issues surrounding the application of AI in healthcare are both fascinating and very difficult.
US private equity firm AE Industrial hires McDermott partner as first GC
The newly created position of general counsel at US private equity firm AE Industrial Partners was filled by Matthew Friendly. He was a partner in the Miami office of McDermott Will & Emery before joining the company.
Spotify to seek new legal head after GC announces plan to step down
Eve Konstan, general counsel at Spotify, a Swedish music streaming service, has declared her intention to leave full-time legal practice. She joined Spotify as GC in May 2020 after serving as GC at WarnerMedia Entertainment for a short time.
UK & Ireland
Perkins Coie Builds in London with Ex-Norton Rose Fulbright Brussels Head
The former head of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Brussels office has joined Perkins Coie to support its recently opened London branch. Miranda Cole joins the company to head its antitrust activities in the UK and the EU. Prior to joining Norton Rose in 2022 to lead its Brussels office, she spent 13 years as a partner at Covington & Burling.
McDermott Continues UK Growth with Another Partner Hire in London
After serving as a partner at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, a London and Milan-based business since 2020, Milo Molfa has joined the U.S. firm in London. In the past year, McDermott has hired eleven lateral partners in London, including Molfa.
McDermott’s Onetime London Leader Headed to Pillsbury
Less than a year after resigning from his leadership position due to a management change, Hamid Yunis, who has been with McDermott since 2016, is set to depart the company.
Reed Smith Bolsters Corporate Team with Markets Partner Hire in London
With the hiring of equity capital markets partner Samantha Myers, Reed Smith has increased its corporate firepower in London. She was a partner in the capital markets and public businesses unit at Gowling WLG before joining.
Bird & Bird hires Susan Battye to head Irish employment practice
Susan Battye has been named head of Bird & Bird’s employment practice in Ireland. With more than 20 years of expertise, Ms. Battye can advise both domestic and foreign customers on all aspects of employment law. Ms. Battye founded and oversaw the employment practice at Walkers in Ireland before joining Bird & Bird.
Róisín Culligan joins London office of Orrick
Róisín Culligan, an Irish attorney, has become a managing associate in the technology transactions group of the international law firm Orrick’s London office.
CM Murray launches regulatory practice with London partner hire
Nick Leale, a former managing partner at Armstrong Teasdale London, has been appointed by London boutique CM Murray to head the company’s new regulatory division. Leale brings with him almost twenty years of experience in regulatory law and professional discipline.
APAC
Trinity International Expands with Singapore Office, Eyes Growth in Infrastructure and Energy
Fiona Gulliford, a London partner of the firm, has moved to Singapore. Additionally, Trinity hired George Williams as its city counsel and named Maxime Damphousse as its managing director.
Morgan Lewis Grows Tokyo Partner Bench with Senior Duo from Withers
Real estate attorneys Gerald Fujii and Naoki Ueyama, both of whom have over 20 years of expertise, have joined the U.S. company.
Singapore’s Providence Law Asia hires Duxton Hill advocate as international litigation head
Colin Liew from Duxton Hill Chambers, a Singapore Group Practice, has been appointed by Singapore-based Providence Law Asia to head the firm’s global litigation practice. Liew contributes a wealth of experience in situations pertaining to international arbitration, legal privilege, and commercial fraud.
Linklaters corporate counsel joins Withers as partner
Gary Beh, a former Linklaters lawyer, has joined Withers KhattarWong, the Singapore alliance of multinational legal firm Withers, as a partner in the city-state, broadening its corporate portfolio.
Indonesia’s Sarvasūkṣma hires M&A partner from White & Case affiliate
Witara Cakra Advocates (WCA), the local association firm of White & Case, has recruited Rika Rusman as a corporate and M&A partner for the Indonesian law firm Sarvasūkṣma. With 15 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, and infrastructure, Rusman’s hiring is expected to bolster Sarvasūkṣma’s transactional services skills in response to the expanding demand in the largest economy in Southeast Asia.
EMEA
Clifford Chance Loses Two More Key German Real Estate Partners as Focus Shifts to Cross-Border Deals
Only a few months after DLA Piper hired German real estate associate Gerold Jaeger, Clifford Chance’s longtime colleagues Christian Keilich and Thomas Reischauer are leaving at the end of April.
Eversheds Sutherland Outgoing Co-CEO to Move to Dubai to Spur Regional Growth
Lee Ranson will have a broader focus to bring in the firm’s Asia business, while Tawfiq Tabbaa, the current Middle East managing partner, will continue in his position.
The Americas
Treasury GC Returns to Davis Polk to Co-Chair White-Collar Defence and Investigations Practice
Neil MacBride was the head of Davis Polk’s D.C. office and co-leader of its white-collar defense and investigations practice prior to joining the government in 2022.
Doug Emhoff, Husband of Former VP Harris, Lands at Willkie
Before taking on his position in the White House, Emhoff worked as a litigator at DLA Piper.
Corporate Litigator Joins BakerHostetler from Fish & Richardson
In Wilmington, Jeremy Anderson has become a partner in the commercial litigation team and litigation practice group of BakerHostetler.
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca Establishes Tennessee Presence with Litigation Partner Charles Barrett
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, a firm based in Washington, D.C., is opening an office in Nashville to increase its footprint in the Southeast.
Kirkland & Ellis Taps Former Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Digital Infrastructure Practice
Kemal Hawa has joined the Firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group with a focus on digital infrastructure. He counsels clients in complex transactions across the digital infrastructure and telecommunications space and has extensive experience providing advice on commercial agreements.
DLA Piper Hires Former FAA Chief Counsel as Transportation Practice Co-Chair
Marc Nichols held senior positions at Saab and Rolls-Royce before spending almost three years at the FAA.
Milbank Lures Skadden Restructuring Partner
Before relocating to Milbank, Lisa Laukitis had worked at Skadden for more than eight years.
ArentFox Schiff Adds Global Complex Litigation Partner in Los Angeles
After more than two years at Reed Smith, Andrew Wong joins the firm.
People in the News—Jan. 29, 2025—Galfand Berger, Blank Rome
Bradley Smith received a promotion to senior partner at Galfand Berger.
Orrick Hires Longtime Weil Partner as New Head of Antitrust Litigation
Eric Hochstadt also joins Orrick as a member of its management committee.
People in the News—Jan. 30, 2025—Rubin Glickman, Goldberg Segalla
Joseph P. Birmingham, a trial lawyer, just became a senior counsel with Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg, and Gifford.
Stevens & Lee Hires Ex-Middle District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney as White-Collar Co-Chair
Gerald Kram spent more than 35 years working at a Scranton boutique until becoming the managing partner of the business before becoming a U.S. attorney.
People in the News—Jan. 30, 2025—Rubin Glickman
Joseph P. Birmingham, a trial lawyer, just became a senior counsel with Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg, and Gifford.
O’Melveny Hires Former NBA Vice President
Benjamin Aronson, a former vice president and assistant general counsel for the National Basketball Association, has joined O’Melveny & Myers LLP as a partner in the company’s Entertainment, Sports & Media Industry Group and General Litigation Practice Group.
In the technology, healthcare, and life sciences industries, Nevarez has over 15 years of experience advising founders, startups, venture capitalists, underwriters, and publicly traded companies on a range of topics, such as formations, pre-seed, seed, venture, and growth equity financings, M&A, capital markets, and SEC compliance.
Fried Frank Partner Leaves for Paul Hastings to Start Tech Transactions Practice
At Fried Frank, Amir Ghavi co-led the IT transactions practice and was the company’s “foremost AI counsel.”
Weil Adds Acting Director of SEC Enforcement, Continuing Government Hiring Streak
At least six partners with extensive government experience have joined the New York business in the past year. Most recently Andrew Dean has joined the Firm as a partner in the nationwide Securities Litigation and White Collar Defense, Regulatory and Investigations practices, based in the New York office.
Osler Hires Cross-border Banking Partner from Torys
Osler’s Toronto and New York-based financial institution transaction group will have Ricco Bhasin as a co-chair.
Team Moves
New York-Based Skadden Team Joins White & Case Group in Mexico City for Citigroup Demerger
As the banking behemoth gets ready for an initial public offering (IPO) of its retail banking division in Mexico, Citi separated its extremely successful but scandal-plagued Mexican division.
Orrick Loses 10-Lawyer Team to Herbert Smith in Germany
Herbert Smith Freehills is strengthening cross-border practice, and the full Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe corporate staff of ten will be situated in Düsseldorf.
Fried Frank Trio Joining Sidley in NY
Sidley’s hiring efforts are extended well into the new year by the most recent lateral partners.
Robinson & Cole Adds to Immigration Team in Philly
Former Fox Rothschild partner Robert Seiger joins the company, bringing with him paralegal Alexis Rudisel and associate Ashley Rotchford.
Stevens & Lee Hires Ex-Middle District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney as White-Collar Co-Chair
Gerald Kram spent more than 35 years working at a Scranton boutique until becoming the managing partner of the business before becoming a U.S. attorney.
Hogan Lovells Hires White & Case Corporate and Finance Team in Italy
The new team enhances the company’s transactional capabilities in Italy and EMEA by concentrating on private equity, capital markets, leveraged financing, private credit, and mergers & acquisitions.
Linklaters Hires Four Partners from Patterson Belknap
The company, which has been bolstering its U.S. presence in recent years, is sending a message with these recruits.
A&O Shearman to Lose Another 5 Lawyers
As hundreds of A&O Shearman partners leave after last year’s transatlantic merger, a 25-year legal veteran is joining EY Abogados to manage its corporate development and labour department in Madrid.
Stradley Ronon Welcomes Insurance Team from Mintz
The team, which consists of one senior counsel, one managing counsel, and two new partners, strengthens the firm’s presence in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Clyde & Co Faces Significant Partner Departures Amid Financial Struggles
All six members of the once-thriving cybersecurity practice at London-based Clyde & Co. are leaving, along with one-third of the local partners. The departure occurs as the company struggles financially and keeps looking for a merger partner.
Financials:
Starbucks Hands New CLO Hefty Raise, Says He Fosters ‘Environment of Courage and Joy’
Brad Lerman has assisted the company in resolving a number of difficult issues, including as the CEO’s termination, a proxy conflict with activist investors, and conflicts with employees over their national unionization campaign.
Law Firms Are ‘Struggling’ With Partner Pay Segmentation, as Top Rainmakers Bring in More Revenuev
According to Blane Prescott, two partners “doubled their book of business, and not just from $20 to $40 million, but $60 to $120 million,” last year. “More businesses are having trouble deciding what should be at the top.”
Law Firms Report Wide Growth, Successful Billing Rate Increases and Less Merger Interest
The majority of respondents to ALM’s managing partner survey were midsize law firms. The study revealed that although many firms are increasing their revenue and headcount as a result of higher billing rates, many are choosing not to grow through mergers.
Steptoe Grows Revenue 7.5%, Hitting Record-High $530 Million
In 2024, the company’s earnings per equity partner increased by over 5% to $2.1 million, as per early financial reports.
Profits Surge Across Big Law Tiers; Am Law 50 Segmentation Accelerates
According to Wells Fargo, PEP increased by 16.9% due to strict control over the amount of equity partnerships, while revenue across law firm categories increased by 12.5%.
Canadian In-House Counsel Saw Salary Bumps Across the Board in 2024
According to a recent wage survey, the difference between men’s and women’s pay decreased from 12% to 8% in the previous year.
Promotions & Appointments
People in the News—Jan. 28, 2025—Buchanan Ingersoll, Kleinbard
Two of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s lawyers have been appointed to the board of directors of the South Asian Bar Association of Philadelphia (SABA-Philly).
Chamberlain Hrdlicka Taps a New Leader as Firm Follows Succession Planning Path
On January 1, 2026, Houston litigation shareholder Larry Carbo will take over as managing shareholder of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry, replacing Larry Campagna.
Class Action Litigator Tapped to Lead Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Houston Office
In order to supplement the office’s 30-year-old intellectual property and big products liability practices, Stephanie McGraw hopes to grow the corporate and commercial litigation teams.
Perkins Coie Hires Anthony Shannon as Chief People Officer
Shannon’s main goals for Perkins Coie will include lateral partner recruitment.
Littler Kicks Off New Year with the Elevation of 28 Attorneys to Shareholder
In its U.S., Mexico, and Singapore offices, Littler, the biggest employment and labour law firm in the world that represents management, promoted 28 lawyers to shareholder status at the start of the new year. More than 40% of this class of recently promoted shareholders belong to one or more of the company’s affinity groups, and more than 50% of them are women.
Al Tamimi & Co. Appoints New COO to Help Drive Sub-Saharan Africa Expansion
To bolster its regional leadership in the Middle East and expedite its expansion into sub-Saharan Africa, Al Tamimi & Co. appoints Rob Ashing, a graduate of Howard Kennedy, as COO.
Kobre & Kim Hires Regional Managing Director for Latin America
As litigation and other problems increase throughout the region, Renata Ramalhosa will concentrate on business development by strengthening her connections with local law firms and clients.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Big Law Aims to Make DEI Less Divisive in Trump’s Second Term
Law firms are thinking about how to make sure that inclusion-focused initiatives don’t come out as exclusionary to some after an executive order foreshadowed a crackdown on the DEI principle itself.
Diversity Lab Alters DEI-Centered Verbiage on Mansfield Certification Websitev
The creator and CEO of Diversity Lab stated that the criteria are still in effect despite other recent modifications to the website’s DEI language.
Office Openings & Closing:
IP Firm Fish & Richardson to Open Chicago Office
For the firm’s specialized intellectual property lawyers, the 4,300-square-foot office in Chicago’s West Loop district is anticipated to be a place of creativity and cooperation.
Holland & Knight Debuts Defence Industry Group Amid High Demand
Following an increase in opportunities related to the U.S. Défense industry, the Am Law 50 firm is establishing a new practice area specifically focused on working in that sector.
Margolis Edelstein Broadens Leadership with New Co-Managing Partner
Longtime managing partner Michael McKenna will be joined by labour and employment litigator Christopher Tinari, who is expected to eventually succeed him.
AXS Launches New DC Office to Go Global
After the battle is done, they will try to put Ukraine in a position for reconstruction. They will assist Ukrainians who have been defrauded in armament deals with American corporations, said Jeff Gutchess of AXS LAW. “We expect to file some lawsuits against U.S. companies that made promises and failed to deliver,” Gutchess stated.
Ex-Appellate Court Judges Launch Boutique Focused on Plaintiffs Appeals
Along with Dallas appellate attorney Morgan McPheeters, former Texas appellate judges Beth Watkins of San Antonio and Peter Kelly of Houston have established a civil appeals and trial strategy business.
Reed Smith Opening Atlanta Office with 37 Lawyers from Two Firms
In addition to a previously known group of attorneys from Morris, Manning & Martin, the international company is also hiring attorneys from Greenberg Traurig.
Greenberg Traurig Launches Munich Office with Eight Hires, Including McDermott Group
With eight new hires, including a former McDermott M&A and private equity partner, Greenberg Traurig is opening its second office in Germany.
Gunderson Dettmer Opens Atlanta Office with 3 Partners from Morris Manning
The second group to relocate from the Atlanta company to launch a law firm’s first Atlanta office this week are venture capital and IT attorneys.
Bass Berry & Sims Relocates to Nashville Office Designed to Encourage Collaboration, Inclusion
Chief administrative officer Craig Bingham stated, “This ability to connect and collaborate more effectively fits into our ongoing focus on growing a workplace where everyone feels included and empowered to deliver the best results possible for our clients.”
Rosenblatt Breaks Away From RBG, Becomes 40-Strong Standalone Firm
According to the company’s founder, Rosenblatt will carry on without the “distractions” of its prior listing. The move effectively secures the future of the Rosenblatt branded part of RBG’s business although it would appear the AIM-listed company’s other legal arm, Memery Crystal, is splintering.
New Legal Player Broadfield Hires Sidley Trio and Launches in Hong Kong with Local Alliance
To spearhead its aggressive expansion aspirations in Asia Pacific, Broadfield has engaged Effie Vasilopoulos, a seasoned partner and investment funds specialist from Sidley Austin, along with two additional individuals.
Mergers & Alliances:
Midsize Firm Bressler Amery Absorbs Austin Boutique, Gaining Four Lawyers
Four attorneys from Pearce Shambach relocated to the Austin office of Bressler, Amery & Ross, they will be contributing their corporate and transactional expertise to the firm.
Elevate Acquires Intellectual Property Research Provider Sagacious IP
The acquisition, Elevate’s third in nine months, gives the legal services provider access to additional intellectual property capabilities.
Morgan Lewis Says Global Clients Are Noticing ‘Expanded Capacity’ After Kramer Merger in Paris
Earlier this month, group managing partner Steven Wall and firm chair Jami McKeon visited the new office and discussed the future.
Latest Boutique Combination in Florida Continues Am Law 200 Merger Activity
As merger discussions in the market as a whole are anticipated to reach or surpass 2024 levels, Dinsmore & Shohl is merging with a Tampa boutique with ten attorneys.
Pearl Cohen Enters San Francisco Market Via Combination with IP Boutique
The Israeli law firm gains a foothold in Northern California as a result of the deal.
2 Middle East Regional Firms to Merge in the UAE
Matouk Bassiouny and Balfaqeeh Advocates, two regional Middle Eastern law firms, have declared their intention to combine their UAE offices. The partnership, which will function as Matouk Bassiouny & Balfaqeeh, will bring together the staff and resources of the companies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Technology & Innovation:
LexisNexis Announces Public Availability of Personalized AI Assistant Protégé
The assistant was created using technologies from Henchman, an acquired business, and has been in a commercial preview since August 2024.
E-Discovery Provider Casepoint Merges with Government Software Company OPEXUS
In addition to the corporate sector, the merger will expose Casepoint to over 80% of the federal agency market, which is a rising clientele for the e-discovery service.
Legal Departments, Firms Expect Gen AI to Boost ALSP Usage
The Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSP) market is expanding at a faster rate than the traditional legal services market, according to Thomson Reuters’ 2025 Report.
Onit Acquires Case and Matter Management Software Provider Legal Files Software
The acquisition comes soon after the private equity-backed company partnered with Swiftwater and Co.
Cornell Tech Expands Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Master of Law Program to Part Time Format
The goal of Cornell Tech’s part-time program is to provide law students who work for a legal organization with the opportunity to further their education.
Legal Research Startup Paxton AI Announces $22 Million Series A Funding Round
After the most recent funding round, Paxton AI plans to expand its legal research products.
Canadian Private Equity Firms Are Eyeing the Tech Sector
Canadian legal firms predict a busy 2025 despite unclear trade headwinds, reduced interest rates, and plenty of available money.
Portuguese Law Firm Launches Tech Arm, Becoming Multidisciplinary Operation
After businesses were allowed to provide interdisciplinary services in the nation, Morais Leitão made the decision to introduce a technology-based offering.
Market Commentary:
Stuart Fuller explains why KPMG has pushed to join the competitive U.S. market, what it intends to achieve there, and why he thinks it will succeed while the firm’s legal department waits for a ruling on whether it can function as an alternative company structure in Arizona.
Smaller Firms in ‘Growth Mode’ as Competition, Rates Heat Up
At least three midsize law firms in the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas have announced plans to expand their clientele by bringing on smaller, one- to three-attorney businesses since the year began.
King & Spalding, Weil, Gotshal & Manges Launch Pro Bono Legal Initiative for Tennis Players
British tennis player Tara Moore, who was exonerated of an anti-doping infraction following protracted legal proceedings, started the effort.
Is It Time for Large UK Law Firms to Begin Taking Private Equity Investment?
The topic of private equity investment in law firms is making a comeback, leading to fresh conjecture that the trend may pick up steam in the years to come.
Companies’ Obsession with Soft Skills Has Made Prized GC Posts Even Harder to Land
John Gilmore, managing partner of the legal search firm BarkerGilmore said “If you come in showing any sign of ego, poor communication or weak relationship-building skills, you’re not getting the job.”
In-House AI Adoption Stalls Despite Rising Business Pressures
Tom Dunlop, CEO of Summize, a maker of AI contract-review software said, “There’s a real opportunity for legal to step into a leadership role here, advising the business on the safe and effective use of AI rather than just serving as the final checkpoint before approval.”
How Some Elite Law Firms Are Growing Equity Partner Ranks Faster Than Others
In order to expand their wallet, share with their current, important clients, elite law firms are focusing on lateral partner groupings.
Navigating Partner Exits During Law Firm Mergers
The challenges of keeping top talent while firing partners whose performance, approach, or outlook do not fit the new course of the combined business must be balanced by merging organizations.
Moves:
In-House
Netflix Music Guru Becomes First GC of Startup Helping Independent Artists Monetize Catalogs
General counsel Sachin Premnath said, “this role at Duetti is the perfect intersection of my previous experience advising on catalog acquisitions, acquiring content and growing a label and publishing business”.
Meet the SEC’s New Interim General Counsel
Along with a list of candidates to occupy senior roles at the SEC, Jeffrey Finnell was named the agency’s new interim general counsel on Friday.
Hooters CLO Jumps to Even Larger Chicken Chain
With over 1,500 stores across 22 countries, Church’s Texas Chicken is being legally taken over by Alisa Pittman Cleek.
Global Software Firm Trying to Jump-Start Growth Hands CLO Post to 3-Time Legal Chief
Susan Bennett worked for Culligan for 15 years early in her career, during which time the company underwent five ownership changes.
Goodwin’s Singapore Private Equity Partner Leaves to Join Key Client Hillhouse Investment
Abhishek Krishnan, a partner at Goodwin Procter, has departed the company to join the legal team of Asia-based private equity firm Hillhouse Investment.
Disney+ hires former Netflix lawyer as EMEA legal and business affairs VP
Deepti Burton served as the EMEA head of business and legal affairs for Netflix for six years.
Rosewood Hotels hires former Kempinski GC as vice president for legal
Hadrian Beltrametti Walker, a former general counsel of Kempinski Hotels, has been appointed vice president for legal at Rosewood Hotel Group, with responsibility for the Caribbean and EMEA areas.
MLB team Baltimore Orioles hires CLO from Washington Capitals-owner
Kamaal Jones has been appointed general counsel and chief legal officer for the Baltimore Orioles, a Major League Baseball franchise in the United States.
UK & Ireland
Proskauer Partner Leaves for Fried Frank in London
Aranpreet Randhawa has worked with a number of the best companies in the nation.
Fried Frank Adds Latest Goodwin Partner in London
The firm’s restructuring service in London has been strengthened with the addition of Geoff O’Dea, a partner at Goodwin. O’Dea, a former partner at Baker McKenzie and a member of the private equity group, is departing Goodwin after nearly four years.
SRA General Counsel to Move into Private Practice
Kingsley Napley has hired the general counsel and deputy chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. After ten years, Juliet Oliver is leaving the UK industry regulator in June to take a position as managing director of Stratify, the company’s strategic regulatory advising division.
White & Case adds Travers’ tech and commercial transactions head in London
With the addition of a partner from renowned City independent Travers Smith, White & Case has expanded its commercial presence in London. After more than 23 years at Travers, where he led the technology and commercial transactions division, Dan Reavill has joined the 2,500-lawyer US firm.
A&L Goodbody welcomes three new partners
Jeff Greene, Eimear Keane, and Steven Duggan have joined A&L Goodbody as partners. Ms. Keane joined the Dublin investment funds and asset management team in December, Mr. Greene joined the Dublin employment group earlier this month, and Mr. Duggan joined the firm’s Belfast corporate and M&A team in November.
Daniel McCracken joins MKB Law
Daniel McCracken is now a member of MKB Law’s private client team. Mr. McCracken has vast experience in all facets of private client practice, including handling difficult and divisive situations.
APAC
Australia’s Clayton Utz Takes Real Estate Partner from Ashurst
Vicki Aron, a real estate partner at Ashurst, has joined the Australian company Clayton Utz to help fulfil the high demand for property legal services. In addition to advising on corporate real estate issues, commercial and industrial leasing, and acquisitions and disposals, Aron specializes in large projects and development deals.
Two Partners Depart Hogan Lovells Ahead of Australian Closure
Ahead of Hogan Lovells’ impending closure of its Sydney office—its final one in Australia—Charles Bogle and James Wood are the most recent partners to get new employment.
Former AMT partner boosts Ashurst’s energy transition offering
Teruma Naito has joined the Tokyo-based projects and energy transition (PET) practice of international law firm Ashurst as a partner. Naito joins from Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, a renowned Japanese firm.
Indonesian boutique AVYA builds corporate practice with new partner hire
Noor M. Aziz, the third partner hired by Indonesian legal firm AVYA legal since July, has been named as the head of the firm’s corporate, commercial, and business transactions practice group.
EMEA
Amazon Corporate Counsel in Brussels Returns to US Firm in ‘Boomerang Hire’
In order to increase the company’s trade coverage in Brussels, Reed Smith has rehired Philip Heeren from Amazon. After two years as corporate counsel at Amazon, where he worked in its EU operations team, Heeren returns as a partner and will head the firm’s EU trade and customs practice.
Hogan Lovells Germany Partner Exits for Willkie After Just a Few Months
Despite only joining Hogan Lovells from Kirkland & Ellis in November, private equity specialist David Huthmacher is relocating to the Willkie Farr & Gallagher office in Munich.
Norton Rose Fulbright significantly expands Italian competition practice with two major hires
Based in Norton Rose Fulbright’s Milan office, Veronica and Martino, who both joined from White & Case, will collaborate closely with the firm’s Brussels office on EU matters.
ECIJA incorporates Jesús Estévez to strengthen its banking and financial law practice
The new partner at ECIJA has a wealth of global experience in banking, project finance, corporate and asset financing, restructuring, and refinancing legal matters.
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo strengthens its Patents practice with the incorporation of Rais Amils
With over two decades of experience, Rais Amils specializes in industrial and intellectual property litigation, mostly defending pharmaceutical corporations’ patents.
Africa-focused boutique hires two in Paris
Former Shearman and Sterling attorney Rayan Keyrouz has joined the partnership at Africa-focused boutique Trinity International, where Florian Quintard formerly served as co-head of the Paris arbitration practice at Pinsent Masons.
Hogan Lovells strengthens its Corporate & Finance practice in Paris with key hire Romain Marchand
Romain Marchand is now a partner in the Infrastructure, Energy, Resources, and Projects practice area of the international law firm Hogan Lovells in Paris. From Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, he joins.
Orrick Adds Cécile Mariotti as Transactions Tax Partner in Paris
In Paris, Cécile Mariotti became a tax partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Mariotti provides tax advice for both domestic and foreign transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity, restructurings, private credit, and other forms of financing.
DLA Piper Partner to Head Up Two New Dentons Practices in Brussels
A longtime partner from DLA Piper has been appointed by Dentons’ Brussels office to lead the company’s new restructuring practice as well as its litigation and dispute resolution department in Belgium.
August Debouzy Strengthens Its Full-Service Client Offering with Two New Partners
Drawing on the established experience of Jennifer Hinge and Hélène Billery, August Debouzy continues to offer its clients full-service support. With Jennifer’s experience in finance and Hélène’s knowledge of public law, environmental law, urban planning, and public health, these two new partners further expand the firm’s capabilities.
The Americas
Weil, Loading Up on More Regulatory Talent, Adds SEC Asset Management Co-Chief
Government hiring is driven by client demand and the firm’s desire to stay ahead of the curve, according to executive partner Barry Wolf.
Cleary Nabs Public Company Advisory Practice Head from Orrick in San Francisco
Orrick public company advisory practice lead Justin Ho will leave the firm after eight years.
Cravath Hires Paul Weiss Antitrust Co-Chair
Andrew Finch will be a rare lateral hire for Cravath from a rival firm.
Brownstein Adds Former Interior Secretary, Offering ‘Strategic Counsel’ During New Trump Term
The arrival comes as corporations and other clients are seeking expert advice on how to navigate another Trump term.
SDNY Criminal Division Deputy Chief Returns to Debevoise
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announces that Nicholas Folly has returned to the firm as a counsel in the White Collar and Regulatory Defense Group, in the San Francisco office.
Paul Weiss Lands Exec Compensation Head from Sullivan & Cromwell
Matthew Friestedt has provided advice on a number of the biggest M&A transactions over the last fifteen years, such as Kraft’s $60 billion merger with Heinz and AT&T’s acquisitions of Time Warner ($109 billion) and DirectTV ($67 billion).
Former Pioneer Natural Resources Counsel Joins Bracewell’s Dallas Office
Bryan L. Clark has joined Bracewell LLP’s Dallas office as a partner in the company’s practice divisions for energy transition and oil and gas, the firm said today.
White and Williams Bankruptcy Co-Chair Joins Stradley Ronon
Amy Vulpio spent the entirety of her 25-year legal career at White and Williams before making the jump to Stradley Ronon
Former Georgia US Attorney Joins Troutman Pepper Locke in Atlanta
After serving as the Middle District of Georgia’s U.S. attorney for four years, Peter Leary joins the firm’s white-collar crime and investigations practice.
Paul Hastings, recruiting from Davis Polk, Adds Capital Markets Attorney
After more than two decades at Davis Polk, Jeffrey Ramsay stated that it was time to make a change.
Perkins Coie Lures Former Longtime Wilson Sonsini Tech Transactions Partner
Adam Shevell joins the San Francisco office of Perkins Coie.
Polsinelli Picks Up Corporate Health Care Partner from Greenberg Traurig in LA
Ron Grace spent three years as a partner with Greenberg Traurig.
Skadden Picks Up Corporate, M&A Co-Head from Vinson & Elkins
Stephen Gill, who co-led the corporate practice group and strategic M&A practice at Vinson & Elkins, is relocating to Houston to work at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Paul Hastings Hires Music Industry Practice Chair from Willkie in Los Angeles
After serving in the same capacity at Willkie for three years, Sidney Fohrman joins Paul Hastings.
Holland & Knight Hires Former Davis Wright Tremaine Managing Partner in Seattle
Scott MacCormack, who abruptly left his leadership position at his previous company in March, is joining Holland & Knight despite the business’s lack of a physical office in Seattle.
Eversheds Sutherland Taps EY Vet to Lead Firm’s Captive ALSP in US
The firm hired Taimur Ghaznavi from EY to lead Konexo US, the firm’s global alternative legal services provider, and Toccarra Brooks as chief strategic recruiting officer for the U.S.
Buchalter Hires Longtime Sheppard Mullin Real Estate Partner as Practice Chair
Aaron Sobaski became a stakeholder and the chair of Buchalter’s real estate practice group in Irvine.
Antitrust Partner Plans Move to Davis Polk from Fried Frank
Nathaniel Asker has been with Fried Frank for the last decade.
Freshfields Hires Ex-SEC Corporate Finance Director in Silicon Valley
Erik Gerding worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission for three years.
Team Moves
Three Akin Sports Lawyers Jump to Employment Firm Littler Mendelson
The three lawyers, who are shareholders in the Am Law 100 business, have a wealth of knowledge on labour and employment law as it relates to employers and organizations in professional and college sports.
New York-Based Skadden Team Joins White & Case Group in Mexico City for Citigroup Demerger
As the banking behemoth gets ready for an initial public offering (IPO) of its retail banking division in Mexico, Citi separated its extremely successful but scandal-plagued Mexican division.
McCarthy Tétrault Taps In-House Lawyers to Bolster Business Law Team
The Canadian firm has lost a renowned litigator in Toronto and added four new partners in Vancouver and Calgary.
Squire Patton Boggs Hires 7-Lawyer Team to Beef Up ESG Practice in Brussels
Partners Peter Sellar and Gerard McElwee will be joining from the U.K.-led firm along with director Manon Ombredane, senior associate Aodhan McGourty, and associates Elise Van Gerven, Maria-Magdalena Markova and Nayelly Landeros.
Kirkland recruits Skadden mass tort team for Philadelphia debut
In an effort to create a new office in Philadelphia, Kirkland & Ellis has brought on five new partners, led by well-known litigator and trial lawyer Allison Brown.
SG’s Sreenivasan Chambers doubles strength with 5-strong team led by K&L partner
Five more lawyers have joined the disputes bench of Sreenivasan Chambers, a Singapore disputes and consultancy firm founded in August by Sreenivasan Narayan SC, a former managing partner of K&L Gates Straits Law.
Courtney Caprio, one of the principal lawyers in the 2023 federal trial, leads the five-lawyer expansion of Miami-based Caldera Law.
Financials:
According to a new ALM managing partner survey, law firms in Florida, Georgia, and Texas reported higher revenue increases as a result of hiking billing rates, but they weren’t afraid to fire a few lawyers.
Several Big Law Firms Saw Year-Over-Year Lobbying Revenue Growth in 2024
Both Akin and Brownstein said in their Lobbying Disclosure Act reports on Tuesday that 2024 was their best year ever.
Montgomery McCracken Touts ‘Record’ Financial Performance Despite Shrinking Head Count
The Philadelphia-based firm saw a decline from 91 attorneys in 2023 to roughly 79 in 2024, despite achieving solid results. Ashley Lynam, the co-chair, most recently departed for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Senior Associates’ Billing Rates See the Biggest Jump
Jennifer McIver of Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions stated, “You’re getting some associate rates cresting to over $1,000 an hour, as much as some junior partners.”
Disney Legal Chief Sees Pay Surge 36%
Horacio Gutierrez was commended in the company’s recently filed proxy for a number of achievements, including resolving a legal dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Promotions & Appointments
Potter Anderson Elects 2 Attorneys to Firm Partnership
Attorneys Callan R. Jackson and Daniel M. Rusk IV have been elected to the partnership of Potter Anderson & Corroon, with effect from January 1st.
Acting Attorney General James McHenry III Installs New U.S. Attorneys in Manhattan, Brooklyn
The offices confirmed that John J. Durham and Danielle Sassoon will take over as the SDNY and EDNY’s senior prosecutors with immediate effect.
William B. Helbling Named Shareholder of Knox Law
William B. Helbling has been added as a stakeholder in Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and tax law, securities law, banking and commercial lending, and intellectual property & technology.
Day Pitney Announces Partner Elevations
Patricia J. Durelli, Michael Hanna, Matthew J. Letten, Alan Ruiz, and Joanna M. Targonski are among the eight new partners the business has promoted, five of whom are located in Connecticut.
Morris Nichols Names New Chief Financial Officer
William P. Michelson was elevated to chief financial officer by Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell, with effect from January 1st.
Gregory Sellers Elevated to Of Counsel
Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg declared that Gregory R. Sellers, an attorney in the litigation department, and Elizabeth Webb Bucilla, an attorney in the corporate and securities department, were elected to the firm’s partnership with effect from January 1st.
Arthur Cox appoints eight new of counsel
Orla Clayton, Fiona Cotter, Edel Curry, Katrina Donnelly, Ciara Dooley, Audrey Hughes, Aoife Mac Ardle, and Ben Rayner have all been named as attorneys by Arthur Cox. In the company’s life sciences division, Ms. Clayton is in charge of the knowledge function. She has consulted on both general and sector-specific EU and national standards in connection to a wide range of products, and she has a wealth of knowledge in the life sciences, food, alcoholic beverage, agribusiness, healthcare, cosmetics, consumer goods, and retail sectors.
Galicia promotes seven in Mexico
Galicia Abogados, a Mexican elite firm, has expanded its practice areas by adding four new partners and three new attorneys.
Burges Salmon names successor to senior partner Seaton
Chris Seaton’s senior partner has been replaced by Burges Salmon, an independent law company in the UK. Seaton, who has been a senior partner since 2017, will hand off to Ross Fairley on May 1st.
King’s Counsel appointments rise to 105 in largest cohort for four years
The Bar Council has voiced concern over the lack of a successful Black applicant, but 105 advocates from England and Wales are celebrating being promoted to the rank of King’s Counsel (KC), the largest class in four years.
McDermott refreshes antitrust leadership with trio of appointments
Ray Jacobsen, the longtime head of competition at McDermott Will & Emery, has been replaced by three partners as the firm’s worldwide antitrust group leader. Jon Dubrow is in charge of the firm’s US antitrust group, Christian Krohs is in charge of the European practice group, and Ryan Tisch will assume overall worldwide antitrust leadership.
Diversity & Inclusion:
John Deere Annual Meeting Offers Peek into DEI Strife That Looms for Companies Nationwide
Paul Chesser of the National Legal and Policy Center, a group that opposes corporate diversity initiatives, stated, “There is no reason to believe companies are genuinely eliminating DEI—they are just going to hide it better.”
With DEI Rollbacks, Employment Lawyers See Potential For Targeting Corporate Commitment to Equality
In the event that a lawsuit alleges that a particular employee’s termination or other action was motivated by variables like race, gender, religion, or national origin, companies that have reduced their DEI activities should be ready for those actions to be closely examined.
Meta Workers Aren’t of One Mind on Company’s Retreat From DEI, Fact-Checking
45 percent of the 965 Meta workers polled by the messaging app that protects anonymity of those surveyed, 43% agreed with the company’s decision to shut down its DEI activities, while Blind opposed.
Office Openings & Closing:
Goodwin Procter Relocates to Renewable-Powered Office in San Francisco’s Financial District
Associates are set to welcome uniform office space after some initial resistance.
Pinsent Masons Relocates to Eco-Friendly Office in Glasgow
The new office has been declared as one of the most sustainable in Scotland.
Four More Partners Exit DLA Piper Affiliate in Brazil
The female partners have established their own firm and are experts in M&A and other business affairs.
Consulting Group Alvarez & Marsal Opens in Dublin
After announcing plans to establish a new mid-market law firm, the consultancy firm has been aiming to expand in Ireland.
Singapore Litigators Shift Competitive Landscape as Another Senior Duo Sets Up Own Shop
The partners of the Big Four Singaporean firm Drew & Napier, Siraj Omar and Allister Tan, have departed with a group of four attorneys to form their own practice.
‘Three good friends’ found new firm to partner with China’s Yingke
After receiving approval from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong-based business Hui Doe & Sum Law business plans to formally associate with Yingke Law Firm, which is the biggest law firm in China in terms of manpower.
Mergers & Alliances:
SurePoint Acquires Legal Practice Management Company ZenCase
Less than a year has passed since SurePoint purchased legal business intelligence and analytics firm Leopard Solutions, which ZenCase has since merged.
German Patent Law Firms to Merge
The Dusseldorf office of KSVR will be taken over by Hoffmann Eitle. Both firms have been among the top-ranked IP law firms in Germany and Europe for many years.
The newly established organization will combine the advantages of two reputable legal practices, both of which are well-known for their proficiency and outstanding abilities in the area of intellectual property. The new firm hopes to become one of the leading IP firms in France, with teams of lawyers specializing in patents, trademarks, designs and models, copyright, unfair competition, and parasitism.
King & Spalding completes merger with Saudi Arabia’s Al Fahad & Partners
The combined firm will operate as King & Spalding Al Fahad with 26 lawyers including seven partners in Riyadh.
Japan’s Miura & Partners expands presence to Malaysia with alliance
After declaring that it will form a strategic partnership with the Malaysian law firm Donovan & Ho, the Japanese legal firm Miura & Partners has furthered its growth in Southeast Asia. Beginning in March of this year, the partnership will create a “one-stop service” platform in Kuala Lumpur that will provide accounting, tax, and legal services to Japanese businesses looking to engage in M&A and other business operations in Malaysia.
Technology & Innovation:
Contract Technology Provider LegalOn Launches AI-powered Playbook Tool
Users can create, edit, and redline their playbook documents using My Playbooks.
Mark Brennan, a partner in digitalization, talks about how Hogan Lovells is giving its technology investments top priority and how he intends to encourage creativity among various business audiences.
Avantia Publicly Announces Agentic AI Platform Ava
The platform has been developed and used for a number of years by the firm, which creates proprietary software to manage work for private equity customers.
Davis Wright Tremaine Turns to Gen AI to Teach Its Associates Legal Writing
The writing recommendations provided by the firm’s proprietary software, DWT Prose, are based on the work produced by the firm’s seasoned attorneys.
In-House Legal Network the L Suite Acquires Legal E-Learning Platform Luminate+
On its platform, Luminate+ gives users access to webinars created by law firms for in-house counsel as well as other continuing legal education materials.
The New Rules of AI: Part 2—Designing and Implementing Governance Programs
We now move on to the five essential actions that businesses need to do in order to create and execute successful AI governance initiatives.
Womble Bond Becomes First Firm in UK to Roll Out AI Tool Firmwide
CoCounsel is used by other companies, but Womble Bond was the first to make the program accessible to all attorneys in the United Kingdom.
Top 10 Predictions for the Legal Technology Job Market in 2025
These are TRU’s top 10 predictions for the trends that will influence hiring, pay, and workforce dynamics in the upcoming year, based on decades of expertise placing professionals across Fortune 1000, Am Law 200, and international legal service providers.
Market Commentary:
Cohen Seglias Leader Discusses Growing from Construction Practice into Full-Service Law Firm
To grow beyond its foundation in construction law, the midsize company Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman has depended on deliberate and strategic growth.
Kirkland Lands in Phila., but Rate Pressure May Limit the High-Flying Firm’s Growth Prospects
A suitable analogy may be Goodwin Procter, which entered the city in early 2023 and concentrated on private equity and life sciences transactions. In 2024, the business only brought on five new local attorneys.
How This Dark Horse Firm Became a Major Player in China
Since opening an office in Beijing in 2008, Loeb & Loeb has been taking the long view and is currently outperforming firms like Skadden, Kirkland, and Davis Polk for work on Asian companies’ U.S. initial public offerings.
Law Firms Benefit from Rise of Family Conglomerate IPOs in Middle East countries
Businesses are struggling to handle the intricacies of family transition without legal counsel as third and fourth generations take over.
The New M&A Kings All Have Something in Common
The Global Lawyer claims that over the past 20 years, Kirkland, Latham, Paul Weiss, and others have supplanted firms like Sullivan & Cromwell, Clifford Chance, and Slaughter and May as the world’s leading M&A firms.
The Gloves Are Off in the Battle for Top Partner Talent
Armed with recently introduced or enlarged nonequity tiers, several law firms have also intensified their competition for up-and-coming talent. The competition for top talent and market share is fair.
Moves:
In-House
Private Equity-Backed Medical Imaging Chain Hires CLO, Continuing C-Suite Makeover
According to Chris Shea, chief legal officer of MedQuest Associates, “Health care organizations face an increasingly complicated business landscape at the same time that the demand for their services is dictating rapid expansion, innovation, and operational shifts.”
Kraken’s Chief Legal Officer Exits, Eyes Role in Trump Administration
Regarding his tenure at Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, Marco Santori, the departing chief legal officer, remarked, “Just consider all the tough stuff that warrants a division of seventy full-time, stone-cold Socratic assassins.”
MLB’s Texas Rangers Search for a New GC and a Broadcasting Deal
The Texas Rangers are looking for a new general counsel to head their legal department as they struggle to find a partner to broadcast their games, two years after winning a World Series.
American Public Transport Association hires GC from PBGC
Linda Ford, who departed the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) last year, has been replaced as general counsel by Taria Barron. Barron previously worked as an attorney-advisor in the general law and ethics branch of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a US pension insurer.
UK & Ireland
Clifford Chance Adds Skadden Rainmaker in London
Since Chris Sullivan left for Paul Weiss last year, the company has been under pressure to increase its private equity offering. Since then, they have hired well known M&A partner Bruce Embley. Embley advises on private capital transactions for private equity and corporate clients.
Weil Hires White & Case Partner in Rebuild of London Finance Ranks
After little over six years, infrastructure specialist Simon Caridia is departing White & Case. Caridia also worked at Linklaters and CMS before becoming a partner at Herbet Smith Freehills. His work focuses on providing advice on a variety of topics, such as acquisitions, refinances, and restructurings, to industry sponsors, infrastructure and private equity funds, commercial bank lenders, multilateral agencies, and institutional investors.
Skadden Boosts London Ranks with Baker McKenzie Hire
The announcement that Patrick O’Gara, who is rated as a ‘highly regarded practitioner’ by World Tax, will be joining Skadden as the head of Tax Controversy, was made a few days after it was revealed that Bruce Embley, a prominent figure in private equity, was leaving for Clifford Chance.
BCLP Enhances Financial Disputes and Investigations Practice with Baker McKenzie Partner
Partner Marc Thorley is a strategic addition to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s financial services disputes and investigations practice in London. He leaves his position as EMEA lead for the company’s global financial institutions group at Baker McKenzie.
Simmons Hires Competition Head from DLA Piper
Sarah Smith, who led the UK competition unit at DLA Piper, joins. Smith worked at DLA for more than 21 years, during which time he gained knowledge in the fields of technology, media, communications, healthcare, and life sciences.
Mishcon de Reya boosts competition litigation offering with new hire
Wessen Jazrawi became a partner in the Competition Litigation group at Mishcon de Reya. Wessen specializes in complex cases involving competition. Wessen was a partner at Hausfeld prior to joining Mishcon de Reya, where she established a solid reputation in claimant-side litigation.
Partner Kirsti Massie joins Stephenson Harwood
With the appointment of partner Kirsti Massie, Stephenson Harwood LLP has expanded its practice in projects, energy, and infrastructure. She comes to the London-based business from Mayer Brown, where she co-led the infrastructure and projects division.
Lewis Silkin recruits Joanne Hyde as partner in Dublin
She joins Lewis Silkin from Eversheds Sutherland Ireland, where she led the employment team for many years. She advises clients on the employment law challenges that arise as a result of employment disputes and strategic HR issues.
Jones Day signs up former lord chancellor Alex Chalk as a partner in London
Alex Chalk KC, the former secretary of state for justice and lord chancellor, has joined Jones Day’s London disputes practice as a partner. Chalk, the first former Lord Chancellor to return to the criminal courts, joins the US firm.
APAC
Deacons Hires Reed Smith’s Banking Partner in Hong Kong
Hong Kong firm Deacons has poached Reed Smith’s banking and finance partner Michael Sinn in Hong Kong.
HFW Takes Herbert Smith Freehills Energy Partner in Perth
Global firm Holman Fenwick Willan has hired Graeme Gamble, an energy sector-focused mergers and acquisitions partner, from Herbert Smith Freehills to add to its Australian practice.
Former Dentons, Baker McKenzie Partners Join Hong Kong Boutique Linked to China’s Yingke
Ronald Sum, a seasoned conflicts attorney, recently joined the local boutique Hui Doe & Sum Law Firm after leaving his position as a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Hong Kong office.
Indonesian boutique AVYA builds corporate practice with new partner hire
Noor M. Aziz, the third partner hired by Indonesian legal firm AVYA legal since July, has been named as the head of the firm’s corporate, commercial, and business transactions practice group. With a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), foreign direct investments, joint ventures, restructuring, and corporate compliance, Aziz has more than eight years of experience in corporate and commercial law.
Hong Kong’s PC Woo welcomes back litigator in leadership role
Two new managing partners have been added to the Hong Kong law firm PC Woo & Co.: Gary Wong, a longtime corporate partner at the firm, and litigator Calvin Chow, who rejoined the business after a year at offshore firm Harneys.
EMEA
Goodwin Hires Quinn Emanuel Partner to Launch Office in Brussels
Antitrust partner Stephen Mavroghenis, who is leaving Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, will head Goodwin Procter’s new office in Brussels.
Top A&O Shearman Labor Lawyer Leaves to Found Boutique Firm
The firm’s former managing partner in Germany, Thomas Ubber, will also be sending a staff to the new headquarters.
Former Miral GC Brings Commercial Insight to BCLP’s Middle East Real Estate Practice
Former DLA Piper attorney Philip Hecht returns to his beginnings as a partner at BCLP after serving as general counsel for almost ten years at the Miral Group, based in Abu Dhabi.
Graf von Westphalen Hires Watson Farley German Public Law Group
The head of Watson Farley & Williams’ German public law and competition group, Felix Siebler, a partner at Watson Farley since 2018 who headed the Munich office as well as the Regulation, Public Law & Competition practice group in Germany for several years, has joined rival Graf von Westphalen (GvW), expanding GVW’s expertise in infrastructure and digitalization projects in the public sector.
Pierre-Olivier Mahieu joins Jones Day’s corporate practice in Brussels
Pierre-Olivier Mahieu has been advising clients on capital markets transactions, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for thirty years. In the banking, fintech, insurance, retail, aerospace, and energy industries, he has been a part of numerous noteworthy deals.
Davide D’Affronto and Nicholas Lasagna new Partners Chiomenti
Together with their team of experts, Davide D’Affronto and Nicholas Lasagna will become new partners at Chiomenti, strengthening the firm’s position as a leader in the finance sector. Davide D’Affronto will head the Lending and Leverage Finance division, while the new partners will join the Debt Finance Practice Area.
Clifford Chance Boosts Private Credit Offering with Second Partner Hire This Week
Clifford Chance has bolstered its private credit offering with the addition of Italian partner Gianluca Fanti, his practice focuses on advising Italian and global investment banks, funds and financial sponsors on bespoke structured debt solutions.
Hogan Lovells Johannesburg MP Joins ALN; Firm Relocates Partner to D.C. After Closure
Chris Green, a former managing partner of Hogan Lovells in South Africa, has joined A&K, the Tanzanian branch of African network ALN, after the global firm left South Africa in December. After leaving Pinsent Masons in 2021 to work as a corporate and finance partner at Hogan Lovells, Green was named managing partner in 2023 and remained there until the firm’s demise.
Simmons Partner Joins French IP Boutique to Lead New Amsterdam Outpost
Johan Renes, a partner at Simmons & Simmons, has been appointed by the French intellectual property boutique Plasseraud IP to head its new Amsterdam office as it looks to expand globally. Renes has over 30 years of expertise working with top pharmaceutical and life science firms, offering advice on patent litigation, licensing, and strategy. She brings three patent attorneys and a senior paralegal to the table.
The Americas
Former US State Dept. Official Joins King & Spalding Investigations Group
Nema Milaninia helped shape policy related to cybersecurity and emerging technology for the U.S. State Department.
People in the News—Jan. 14, 2025—Barley Snyder, Holland & Knight
Robin L. Felty, the company’s chief operating officer (COO), just joined Barley Snyder.
Matthew Donelson Joins Rawle & Henderson in Wilmington
Matthew P. Donelson just joined Rawle & Henderson as an attorney in the Wilmington office.
Veteran Federal Trade Law Enforcer Joins King & Spalding in Washington
Ryan Majerus, a former acting assistant secretary for enforcement and compliance at the U.S. Department of Commerce, stated that the company’s “established and highly respected international trade practice” was “a big reason I came here.”
Big Law Begins 2025 With Boston Laterals and Deals
Leaders of law firms and industry insiders have recently cited Boston as a promising location for investment.
Vinson & Elkins Expands Environmental Team with Chair of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
At Vinson & Elkins, Jon Niermann anticipates helping project developers get permits and defending clients in enforcement proceedings.
People in the News—Jan. 16, 2025—McGuireWoods, High Swartz
With fourteen years of experience advising businesses on complex personnel and commercial conflicts as well as compliance issues, litigator Gretchen E. Woodruff has joined McGuireWoods as a partner in Pittsburgh.
Veteran Litigators Move from Sidley Austin to Alston & Bird’s New Chicago Office
Reuniting with former coworkers, toxic tort litigators Kara McCall and Beth Chiarello founded the firm in July 2024.
ITC Commissioner Rhonda Schmidtlein Resigns, Joins Wilmer as Partner
In July 2013, President Barack Obama initially nominated Schmidtlein, a Democrat from Missouri to the ITC.
Hogan Lovells Hires Quinn Emanuel IP Litigator in San Francisco
After over 25 years at Quinn Emanuel, David Perlson joins Hogan Lovells.
Blank Rome Snags Two Labor and Employment Partners from Stevens & Lee
Blank Rome have announced that Daniel J. Sobol and Brandon S. Shemtob have joined the firm’s nationally recognized Labor & Employment group in Philadelphia. Daniel and Brandon represent national and regional employers across industries in a range of traditional labour, union, and employment matters. They join Blank Rome from Stevens & Lee.
Freeman Mathis & Gary Adds Florida Partners, Employment Pro Joins Jackson Lewis
Additionally, Constangy adds IT experts in two cities, while FisherBroyles adds an IP partner in Silicon Valley.
In addition to other changes, Einhorn Barbarito recruited a partner to the firm’s practice groups in accidents and personal injury, real estate, commercial litigation, estate, trust and probate litigation, and family/matrimonial.
Greenberg Traurig Litigation Co-Chair Returning After Three Years as US Attorney
Philip Sellinger will be rejoining the firm as of Feb 1st. He founded the firm’s New Jersey office in 2002.
Sidley recruits M&A partners in New York from Jones Day, Simpson Thacher
In addition to hiring an M&A partner from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in the city, Sidley Austin has appointed a senior partner from Jones Day in New York as a worldwide co-leader of its M&A practice. After working at Jones Day for almost 13 years, most recently as the M&A chair for the Americas, David Grubman has joined Sidley.
Team Moves
Alston & Bird Adds M&A, Private Equity Team from McDermott in New York
The “continued strategic expansion” of the company’s transactional services in New York will be aided by David Grimes and Patrick Rowe.
Weil Saw 20 People Leave in Partners’ Lateral Move to Paul Weiss
Elizabeth Weiswasser books has generated at least $80 million in revenue. She was a 30-year veteran of Weil.
12-Partner Team ‘Surprises’ Atlanta Firm’s Leaders with Exit to Launch New Reed Smith Office
Morris Manning & Martin managing partner Simon Malko stated that the firm has been working “closely” with a consultant on the firm’s new strategic plan since July “to map out the future of our corporate practice.”
Texas-Based Ferguson Braswell Expands in California with 6-Lawyer Team from Orange County Law Firm
With the addition of the team from Vogt, Resnick & Sherak, the Texas-based firm’s Irvine office now includes 19 attorneys, one year after it first opened in California.
Mintz Adds 3 New Partners in Toronto, Bringing Its Canadian Office Lawyer Head Count To 35
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo continues to expand its Toronto office with the addition of three new partners, Emily Y. Fan, Geoffrey Cher, and Adam Banack from some of the city’s top business and litigation firms.
Hogan Lovells’ 19-Lawyer Polish Team Moves En Masse to Rödl
By incorporating a 25-person team from Hogan Lovells, comprising two partners and 19 attorneys, Rödl & Partner has increased its footprint in Poland.
Further Expansion of Employment Law: Six-Person Team Moves to GvW
Dr. Adrian Löser (Local Partner) and Dr. Elisa Kottlors (Counsel) are from Berlin and Munich, respectively, and Dr. Nina Springer (Equity Partner) and Léon Wolters (Equity Partner) have joined the Hamburg office, along with Dr. Franziska von Kummer (Local Partner) and Inge Ditscherlein (Assistant). With an emphasis on the automotive, mechanical engineering, and healthcare sectors, the team’s areas of competence include offering employment law assistance on restructurings and reorganizations.
CMS Sheds 15 Real Estate Lawyers Following Second Redundancy Round in 18 Months
CMS has eliminated 15 positions from its real estate unit in the United Kingdom due to concerns about additional layoffs in the sector sparked by economic instability. The firm conducted comparable job cuts less than 18 months ago, dumping colleagues in its corporate division, which led to the layoffs that are affecting associates and counsel.
Financials:
Sonos’ Legal Chief Sees Pay More Than Quadruple Amid Executive Upheaval
As a general counsel, Eddie Lazarus has proven to be adaptable. Between 2022 until the beginning of last year, Lazarus alternated between being the chief strategic officer and the chief financial officer.
Pam Bondi’s Lobbying and Law Firm Revenue Disclosed
Pam Bondi, the attorney general nominee of President-elect Donald Trump, has a net worth of over $12 million.
Law Firms Grapple With ‘Friction’ Over Nonequity Partner Pay
According to firm executives and experts, the compensation of nonequity partners may be comparable to or overlap with that of senior associates, counsel, and certain equity partners.
Quinn Emanuel Grows UK Revenue By 12%
In just five years, the London office’s revenue has more than doubled, and in 2024, it will reach £200 million for the first time, according to Quinn’s.
Promotions & Appointments
Newly Elected Albany County DA Restructures Office Leadership
DA for Albany County Jennifer Aguila has been appointed chief of staff by Lee Kindlon, while Joseph Meany has been appointed chief assistant district attorney.
Orrick Promotes 17 Lawyers to Partner
Ten offices around the world house the new partners. They will strengthen the firm’s teams serving the tech, energy, finance and life sciences sectors.
Robinson & Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel
There are nine firmwide promotions, including four Connecticut attorneys. The new partners and counsel represent a range of practice areas, including business litigation, intellectual property, real estate, environmental, insurance, and managed care and ERISA litigation.
Balch & Bingham Elects New Partners, Adds Litigator from Jones Walker
Five individuals have been chosen to become partners in three states by the Birmingham-based firm. Stephen Broadus from the Gulfport, Mississippi office of the company, Kye C. Handy and Anne Harlan Latino from the Jackson, Mississippi office, Christy Boardman Kuklinski from the Birmingham, Alabama office, and Christopher Walker from the Jacksonville, Florida office are among the new partners.
Hicks Johnson Promotes Lori Arakaki and Daniel Scime to Firm Partnership
Rising talents are promoted to firm partnerships by a premier boutique with offices in Houston and Chicago. Lori Arakaki litigates complex commercial disputes before federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as in arbitration proceedings. Conversely, Dan Scime focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, including trials and appeals.
Former Thomas Clerk Sarah Harris to Serve as Acting Solicitor General
The U.S. Solicitor General’s Office will be temporarily led by the Williams & Connolly partner until John Sauer, Trump’s nominee, is anticipated to be confirmed by the Senate.
Vedder Price Shareholder Javier Lopez Appointed to Miami Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board
Vedder Price stockholder Javier Lopez has been added to the Planning, Zoning, & Appeals Board’s board. Francis Suarez, the mayor of Miami, nominated each of the board’s eleven members.
Milbank Makes Up Three London Partners in Promotions Round
Milbank, a U.S. business, has promoted 17 attorneys, including three in London, to its worldwide partnership. Compared to the 12 promotions the company made in 2024; this year’s cohort represents an increase of 5. With ten promotions, New York accounts for the majority of the new partners. Similarly, In Munich, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, two attorneys received promotions.
DLA Piper Appoints New Co-Managing Partners for Peru Office
In Lima, managing partner Ricardo Escobar will return to supervise the project finance and energy and natural resources practices, while M&A partner Luis Vargas and finance partner Sergio Barboza will co-manage the office.
SFO Appoints Top Lawyer to Advise Director
As the SFO’s most senior attorney, Matthew Wagstaff will succeed current general counsel Sara Lawson KC and assume the new position of “director of legal services.” Since joining the SFO in 2012, Wagstaff has served as both the head of fraud and corruption and the joint head of bribery and corruption.
RPC Asia Head Antony Sassi Appointed as Global Managing Partner
Longtime managing partner James Miller’s successor has been chosen by the city-based legal company RPC. On May 1st, 2025, litigator Antony Sassi will start a four-year tenure, replacing Miller, who has held the position since 2017.
Carey Abogados’ Senior Partner Becomes New Head of IBA, First Chilean to Assume Role of President
Spanish attorney Almudena Arpón de Mendívil y Aldama has been replaced as the International Bar Association’s president by Jaime Carey, senior partner of Carey Abogados, the biggest law company in Chile. With 80,000 attorneys in 170 countries, the organization has been around for 80 years, and Carey is the first Chilean and fourth Latin American to serve as its president.
Turley Legal promotes Ciara Christie to director
Ciara Christie has been elevated to director at Turley Legal, a practice based in Northern Ireland. Since becoming a licensed solicitor in 2016, Ms. Christie has worked in the real estate industry and has substantial experience with both residential and commercial properties.
RDJ appoints Lisa Mansfield as dispute resolution partner
Lisa Mansfield has joined RDJ’s dispute resolution practice as a partner. In addition to her primary practice of commercial litigation, which includes advising insurers in professional indemnity litigation and inter-company conflicts, Ms. Mansfield specializes in dispute settlement.
Four new of counsel at McCann FitzGerald
Senior associates Alison Carroll, James Fitzgerald, Daniel Lucey, and Seán Mulvey have been elevated to the position of counsel at McCann FitzGerald.
Diversity & Inclusion:
After Meta Ditches DEI, Civil Rights Chief Announces Exit
On LinkedIn Roy Austin wrote, “I must acknowledge the complexity and challenges of our work. Building for everyone, listening to everyone, and meeting the needs and expectations of our global community is pretty much impossible”.
People in the News—Jan. 15, 2025—Ballard Spahr, Brahin Law
The Philadelphia Bar Association, which has 8,500 members and places a high priority on social responsibility, community service, and equal justice, has appointed Virginia G. Essandoh, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Ballard Spahr, as its diversity chair.
Farella Elevates First Female Firmwide Managing Partners
In the 63-year history of Farella Braun + Martel, Holly Sutton and Karen Kimmey are the first female co-managers.
South African Legal Council to Oppose Norton Rose Over Ethnicity Score System
Both domestic and foreign firms are keeping a close eye on the case because it has the potential to either support or contradict the B-BBEE regulation, which would affect South African legal firms that have local corporations.
Office Openings & Closing:
Houston Trial Lawyer Mary-Olga Lovett Leaves King & Spalding to Open Boutique
Trial attorney Mary-Olga “Mo” Lovett, who formerly worked at King & Spalding and Greenberg Traurig, started her own business so she could have more control over her docket and avoid conflicts and Big Law charging rates.
Buchalter Opens in Chicago with 25 Lawyers
This office is Buchalter’s third new location since 2023.
Morgan Lewis Closes Shenzhen Office After Less Than Two Years
The firm’s former Shenzhen head departed for DLA Piper in November.
Danish Firm Lundgrens to Close Its Doors After Losing Many Partners
Last week, Lundgrens lost an employment partner to the Danish company Mazanti-Andersen and a group of 13 partners to DLA Piper.
Malaysia’s Shearn Delamore Set to Expand Local Footprint with New Office Launch
In addition to its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, the company is opening a new office in Johor Bahru.
US-Based Smith, Gambrell & Russell Expands to Italy with Cross-Border Transactional Attorneys
According to firm officials, the goal of the new Milan office is to assist Italian businesses looking to launch in the United States.
Corporate, trade and tax boutique Anagata Law Firm launches in Indonesia
As tax and trade lawyer Riza Buditomo departs the partnership at Armand Yapsunto Muharamsyah & Partners (AYMP) to start Anagata Law Firm, which will concentrate on corporate, commercial, trade, and tax work, a new player has entered Indonesia’s quickly expanding legal market.
Mergers & Alliances:
Womble Bond Dickinson’s Wilmington Office Sees New Leadership as Merger Is Completed
After formally merging with Phoenix-based Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, the Am Law 100 firm now has four new office managing partners, as well as Merrick Benn as its new chair and CEO.
Ethiopian Lawyers Turn to International Alliances as New Securities Exchange Launched
Some industries, such as banking and telecommunications, had been liberalized and made accessible to international investors prior to the establishment of the Ethiopia Securities Exchange (ESX).
The legal division of the Warsaw-based Crido Group, which merged with Reon Legal, a spinoff from Noerr last year, is gaining new clients, including banks and businesses from German-speaking nations.
Technology & Innovation:
AI-Powered Mass Tort Company Parambil Announces $2 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
The startup employs AI to find possible mass tort claims, create evidence, and establish causal relationships.
Agiloft Acquires AI-Powered Contract Playbook Provider Screens, Aiming to Foster Industry Standardsv
The standards-based contract review capabilities of Screens will be integrated into the private equity-backed CLM.
Practical In-House Insights to Activate AI
To see how corporate counsel is using AI, including generative AI, to handle complicated tasks, evaluate big datasets, and improve strategic decision-making, join the webcast.
Following the company’s acquisition of legal tech firm Laer AI, which had received funding and support from Sullivan & Cromwell, the new Assistant and the opening of Epiq AI Labs follow.
A recent study has discovered that the majority of legal and compliance professionals believe that artificial intelligence has the potential to help them significantly reduce their ever-escalating workloads, but they remain diffident toward the rapidly developing innovation.
Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Knight Leaders Expect AI Investments to Jump in 2025
As businesses and clients become more accustomed to the new technology, leaders from Florida’s top ranked Am Law 100 companies anticipate further adoption of AI this year.
Exploring Generative AI’s Impact on Intellectual Property
Highlights of some of the difficulties posed by GenAI, as well as new advancements in trademark and copyright law in this rapidly changing field.
Gen AI Legal Tech Startup Eve Raises $47 Million Series A Investment
The startup will be able to concentrate on hiring and implementing features specifically designed to assist personal injury firms thanks to the fundraising round, which is headed by Andreessen Horowitz.
Market Commentary:
Arizona Board Gives Thumbs Up to KPMG’s Bid to Deliver Legal Services
The Big Four firm’s application for an ABS license was unanimously approved by the Arizona Supreme Court’s Committee on Alternative Business Structures.
Latham Claims Top Spot as US Firms Dominate UK M&A Rankings
According to this year’s top 20, American companies are still gaining ground in the UK M&A sector, with rival Kirkland & Ellis not far behind.
How a Paul Weiss Associate’s Career Took Off with Help from a Social Mobility Alliance
Private equity associate Arun Sohan-Pall, who launched his career with help from The PRIME alliance, “I still remember arriving in London wearing my 20 quid suit.”
Are Counsel Ranks Getting ‘Squeezed’ as Nonequity and Associate Pay Grows?
According to Jeff Lowe of CenterPeak, increases in salary for attorneys may wind up in “no man’s or no woman’s land.”
‘Headaches,’ Opportunities Ahead for Lawyers Advising Foreign Businesses, Attorneys Say
According to Howard Fischer, a former senior trial counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, this “is an incredible opportunity for both U.S. and non-U.S. lawyers who want to help companies” navigate the new climate. At the annual conference of the New York State Bar Association, the panellists gave speeches.
Building an Ownership Mindset as a Gen Z Junior Associate
Many young attorneys struggle to meet the increasingly flexible standards of the legal profession. Even while the majority sincerely want to achieve, they appear to be passing up chances to take charge of their work and growth in favour of waiting for clear instructions or viewing projects as discrete jobs rather than possibilities for personal growth.
Trump’s Second Term Spurs Unusual Alliances Between US and European Law Firms
With a number of surprising partnerships, Donald Trump’s re-election has ushered in a new age of transatlantic cooperation in the legal sector.
Five Key Predictions on How AI Will Reshape Law Firms in 2025
Over the coming lawyers are likely to face an overwhelming array of fresh challenges as AI becomes more widely used by clients and firms alike.
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