Moves:
In-House
White Castle GC Becomes Chain’s First President from Outside Family
Anthony Joseph stated on LinkedIn, “Contributing to the stewardship of an over 100-year-old iconic brand is a privilege and a responsibility I hold with great care.”
Carlos Ortiz Retiring After 35-Year Run as GC of Goya Foods
According to Goya, it employs 4,000 people and is the biggest Hispanic-owned food firm in the country.
DLA Piper Adds Former Verizon GC Amid In-House Hiring Spree
At least five senior in-house attorneys have been to Big Law this week, including former Verizon Business Group GC and SVP John Frantz.
Former Google Legal Exec Joins Ad Tech Unicorn as GC
Iris Chen, who has served as deputy general counsel at Aribnb for more than four years, is joining the Bay Area machine learning startup Moloco.
Former Capital One Deputy GC Takes Legal Reins of AIG Spinoff
With a stellar CV that includes senior positions at Capital One and Fannie Mae, Polly Klane most recently served as general counsel of Citizens Financial, the 20th-largest bank in the country.
Ex-Marathon General Counsel Takes Legal Reins of Another Energy Company
After a dismal 2024, Kimberly Warnica is joining APA Corp. as it tightens its belt.
The Met Hires GC of Elite University as Next Legal Chief
The cultural organization in New York City claimed it carried out a thorough nationwide search for a replacement for retiring artist Sharon Cott.
From CLO to President: Kevin Boon Takes the Helm at Mysten Labs
Kevin Boon, a seasoned corporate counsel lawyer and current president of Mysten Labs, stated, “The more you immerse yourself in the company’s business matters, the more you become a trusted confidant to everybody on the team.”
The appointment coincides with an impending antitrust trial that may cause the tech titan to disband.
American Airlines Legal Chief Departs for Warner Bros. Discovery
In 2019, soon before COVID-19 devastated the airline industry as a whole, Priya Aiyar joined American.
Direct Line hires GC from Close Brothers amid Aviva merger plans
In the midst of a possible £3.7 billion merger with Aviva, UK insurance business Direct Line has appointed Angela Yotov as group general counsel, one of three executive appointments.
UK’s Independent Football Regulator appoints first legal head
As the shadow regulator ramps up its operations while the Football Governance Bill passes parliament, the UK’s Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has appointed David Riley as head of legal, a newly established position.
UK & Ireland
Clifford Chance Strengthens Private Credit Offering with Mayer Brown Partners
Aimee Sharman and Matt Lilley will become partners in the company’s global financial markets practice. Sharman has been with Mayer Brown for more than five years. Before that, she worked at Hogan Lovells and the historic firm SJ Berwin. Lilley, who only joined Mayer Brown as Clifford Chance’s counsel in 2021, is making a comeback with the transfer.
Simmons hires specialist real estate transactions partner
By adding partner Danielle Hirsch to its London office, international law firm Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its real estate finance and private equity real estate offerings. Danielle offers a strong track record of working on upscale, multi-jurisdictional real estate transactions for some of the most prominent clients in the UK and European market.
Highly Regarded Leveraged Finance Partner to Join Latham in London
Hugh O’Sullivan has joined the firm’s London office as a partner in the Banking Practice. O’Sullivan advises private equity sponsors, companies, funds, and financial institutions on a variety of complex, multi-jurisdictional financing transactions, with a particular focus on leveraged finance, bridge finance, and restructurings.
Akin Strengthens Disputes Practice with Hire of Leading Energy and Arbitration Lawyer Mark Clarke
Mark Clarke has returned to private practice by joining the firm’s London branch. Clarke comes from Proman AG, a multinational energy company, where he served as Group General Counsel and Executive Director. He was previously Co-Head of the Global Energy Practice and Head of Commercial Disputes at White & Case. Clarke will join as Akin’s head of international arbitration. His appointment greatly strengthens the firm’s offering in international energy conflicts and broadens its global litigation and arbitration practice.
Norton Rose Fulbright makes double hire from Locke Lord and Dechert in London
Data center partner Kirsty Harrower, who comes from Locke Lord to join the real estate team, and private equity attorney Jamal Tuhin, who comes from Dechert and also becomes a partner, are the new hires.
Addleshaw Goddard have added a competition lawyer in Dublin.
Dr.Kasturi Moodaliyar has moved to AG from Eversheds Sutherland. Kasturi adds a level of expertise and a broad spectrum of knowledge, particularly on competition matters such as dawn raids, distribution agreements and #mergercontrol as well as Irish FDI screening and EU FSR.
APAC
A&O Shearman Lost 15 Asia Partners in a Year
Legacy Shearman & Sterling partners made up three of the fifteen partners who departed the practice in Asia. Before the merger went live in May of last year, some departees also departed the heritage practices after the merger was approved by a vote.
Skadden Corporate Partner Departs for Cooley in Beijing
Yilin Xu has joined Cooley as a capital markets partner based in the firm’s Beijing office. The action was taken months after Skadden announced that their China service would be restructured.
MoFo Replenishes Singapore Corporate Partner Loss as Lawyer Returns from Gibson Dunn
After eight years as a partner at Gibson Dunn, where he co-chaired the firm’s worldwide private equity practice group and was a founding partner of its Asia private equity practice, Scott Jalowayski is returning to the company.
MoFo Singapore corporate partner to head CMS’ Asia M&A practice
CMS has hired Steven Tran, a Singaporean corporate partner of Morrison Foerster, who will return to Hong Kong with his new business.
China’s Han Kun Scoops Up Another Senior Partner from Foreign Firm
Melody He, a corporate and capital markets lawyer who has been a partner at Ashurst for nearly five years, is joining the Chinese firm in Hong Kong. She worked as a partner at DLA Piper, Morrison Foerster, and legacy company Herbert Smith for a total of 15 years until joining Ashurst in 2020.
DLA Piper bolsters Finance team in Australia
Leading finance partner David Kirkland has joined the Sydney office of international law firm DLA Piper as a partner. In the fields of acquisition finance and leveraged finance, David has a solid reputation and a plethora of expertise.
Rachelle Downie trades Corrs for K&L Gates
Rachelle Downie, a patent litigator, is the newest intellectual property partner of K&L Gates Melbourne. She joins from Corrs Chambers Westgarth and brings a wealth of expertise in intricate, valuable intellectual property issues. She has addressed multijurisdictional pharmaceutical patent lawsuits in particular.
MoFo Doubles Down on Private Equity with Second Asia Partner Hire in a Week
Morrison Foerster has hired its second Asia partner in under a week. By hiring Linklaters corporate partner Xiaoxi Lin in Hong Kong, the company is increasing the size of its private equity offering. Lin, who is licensed to practice in New York, offers merger and acquisition and private equity advice.
EMEA
Another Latham Partner Exits for Sidley
The sixth Latham partner to join Sidley in Europe since August is Elisabetta Righini, a competition partner located in Brussels, who was hired by Sidley Austin.
Ashurst Germany Hires Linklaters & Goodwin Private Equity and Infrastructure M&A Partners
Sebastian Daub, who was Linklaters’ global co-head of infrastructure and focused on infrastructure M&A, will be joining the five-partner infrastructure focus group in the Frankfurt office. Additionally, Sascha Arnold is joined as a newly appointed partner from Freshfields. Furthermore, Florian Hirschmann, who moves from Goodwin, will be head of private equity Germany based in Ashurst’s Munich office.
Clyde & Co hires in London and Hamburg from Wikborg Rein and WFW
In addition to adding a three-lawyer team to its maritime practice in Hamburg from Watson Farley & Williams (WFW), Clyde & Co. has expanded its energy, marine, and natural resources expertise in London by hiring a lawyer from Wikborg Rein.
Skadden debuts in Middle East with senior Freshfields hire
After almost 24 years at Freshfields, where he most recently served as regional managing partner for the Middle East and North Africa, Michael Hilton has joined the company. He will serve as the head of Skadden’s Middle East practice in addition to overseeing the new office.
Welcoming two new counsels to Stek: Tanja Schasfoort and Dawid Sztandera
Tanja is a skilled attorney specializing in commercial dispute resolution. With an emphasis on contractual and tort-law responsibility, M&A-related issues, court order enforcement, and antitrust litigation, she counsels on and litigates a broad variety of domestic and international business conflicts. Dawid also brings a wealth of experience, having worked for 12 years at A&O Shearman, where he built a solid reputation as a highly qualified and practical attorney with a focus on financial financing and restructuring.
Leading EU competition law practitioner joins Geradin Partners’ Brussels office
At the end of January, renowned European competition law expert Trevor Soames will start working in its Brussels office. He has been Quinn Emanuel’s managing partner in Brussels since 2016. Trevor has worked in the competitive industry for about 40 years.
The Americas
Bracewell Adds Former Pioneer Natural Resources Lawyer to O&G, Energy Transition Practices
At Pioneer Natural Resources in Dallas, Bryan Clark served as managing associate general counsel.
Winston & Strawn Snags Sidley Austin Cross-Border Transactions Partner in Miami
Juan Delgado, a transactional partner who joined Sidley Austin when it first entered the Miami market, is joining Winston & Strawn, which also opened in Miami at that time and has been vying for local knowledge ever since.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe Stepped Down
Markenzy Lapointe, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced his resignation yesterday.
On Inauguration Eve, U.S. Attorney for Texas Exits Job
One day before Donald Trump takes the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States, Alamdar Hamdani, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, will step down.
Fenwick Adds Senior FBI Leader and Former U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lenzner in Washington, DC
As an interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland and former Chief of Staff to the Director of the FBI, Jonathan Lenzner has joined the firm as a partner in its White-Collar Défense & Investigations department. Lenzner, who is based in Washington, DC, will strengthen Fenwick’s capacity to assist clients in the technology and life sciences sectors in navigating major crises, such as intricate government investigations, new regulatory requests, and enterprise-wide reputational issues.
Blank Rome Formalizes Luxury Brand Practice with New Hire
Since 2021, Clara Feldman has had her own solo store. She joined Blank Rome at the beginning of 2025, bringing with her more than 30 clientele, which include the glassware and cigar firm Baccarat, the perfume and candle company Diptyque, and specialty ice cream Van Leeuwen.
People in the News—Jan. 9, 2025—Rawle & Henderson, Armstrong Teasdale
William P. Copetas was welcomed to the Pittsburgh office of Rawle & Henderson. He will represent insurance carriers, employers, third party administrators and self-insured entities in workers’ compensation cases throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Eversheds Sutherland Adds Hunton Andrews Energy Lawyer with Cross-Border Experience
Alexander Choinski was formerly employed by the legal department of Exxon Mobil Corp. and law firms before joining Eversheds Sutherland on Tuesday as a partner in Houston.
Stevens & Lee Names Two New Shareholders
Melissa N. Donimirski of the Wilmington office of Stevens & Lee was named a shareholder with effect from January 1st, the business stated. She concentrates her practice on corporate and commercial litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Superior Court. Meanwhile, in complicated commercial disputes, Jason P. Rudloff represents both public and private companies, as well as their owners, officers, and directors, in both domestic and international arbitration tribunals and state and federal courts nationwide.
People in the News—Jan. 10, 2025—Lamb McErlane, Saxton & Stump
Cara Coyne Sawyer has joined Lamb McErlane’s family law group as an attorney.
Morrison Cohen Expands White Collar Practice
Genny Ngai joins as a partner and will focus on white-collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations and regulatory enforcement matters. After Tracy Burnett joined the company recently, Ngai strengthens its expanding white-collar presence in New York.
O’Melveny Brings Back Corporate Finance Partner
David Ni, a partner in the Capital Markets Practice Group, has returned to the firm’s New York office. His addition broadens the team’s national network of elite transactional advisors and strengthens its East Coast expertise. Ni has over 15 years of experience representing underwriters and issuers in initial public offerings and subsequent equity transactions.
On the Move and After Hours: Meyner and Landis; Cooper Levenson; Ogletree Deakins; Saiber
In addition to other changes, Meyner and Landis brought on banking and finance lawyer Angela Nascondiglio Stein.
Goodwin, leaning into IP Work, Hires 2 Lateral Partners in NY
Two of Goodwin’s main sources of income, the biological sciences and technology departments, will be supported by the laterals from Fenwick and Desmarais.
Team Moves
Withers Hires Lawyers, Staff From LA Trusts and Estates Boutique
The Withers West Coast team now includes eight attorneys and three paralegals.
Clark Hill Adds Franchise Law Group to Growing Atlanta Office
The three-lawyer group is the most recent to relocate from Taylor English Duma to the 6-month-old outpost of the Second Hundred business.
Holland & Knight Picks Up 8 Private Wealth Lawyers in Los Angeles
Holland & Knight acquired a three-partner group from Karlin & Peebles. On Jan. 1. Michael Karlin, Maria-Soledad Otero and Cynthia Brittain joined Holland & Knight’s distinguished Private Wealth Services Group.
Butler Snow Expands in Austin with 14 Enoch Kever Lawyers
The Enoch Kever attorneys may now provide a wider range of services to customers throughout a vast network of locations thanks to their relocation to Butler Snow.
Hogan Lovells Lures 4-Lawyer Privacy and Cybersecurity Team from Jones Day in Mexico
The hirings coincide with an increase in Latin America’s need for legal services related to technology, cyber, privacy, and data protection.
Osborne Clarke strengthens IP and disputes team with trio of new partners
To strengthen its non-contentious IP and disputes divisions, international law firm Osborne Clark has added three new employees in London and Bristol this year. Alongside Helen Waddell, a construction and engineering disputes lawyer who formerly worked at Pinsent Masons, competition litigation partner Aqeel Kadri has joined from London’s Hausfeld, a specialized litigation firm. Mathilda Davidson, a transactional intellectual property lawyer from Gowling WLG, where she was most recently a legal director, has joined as a partner in Bristol.
Financials:
Holland & Knight Matches Milbank Bonuses for Some Associates
Holland & Knight matched the Milbank base bonus scale and also matched on special bonuses for certain associates in the midst of concerns over the percentage of the Am Law 100 that will be paid out in special bonuses for 2024. However, associates in large marketplaces are the only ones eligible for the largest bonuses.
Legal Departments Dinged for Acquiescing to Rate Hikes That ‘Defy Gravity’
In its recent State of the Legal Market report, Thomson Reuters claims that 2024 was “an incredibly successful year for firms from a rate-setting perspective.”
As Bonus Pools Expand, Challenges Grow in Partner Compensation
According to some observers, partner incentives are still a powerful and adaptable instrument for rewarding attorneys, but the more often firms utilize them, the more likely it is that they may produce misunderstandings or disappointment.
Promotions & Appointments
Hogan Lovells Focuses on Corporate and Finance for 2025 Partner Promotions
Almost half of the global firm’s 28 new partners work in the firm’s deal-making practices.
Ogletree Deakins Names 5 New Office Managing Shareholders
In Montreal and four U.S. cities, women make up the majority of new office leaders.
Baker & Hostetler Appoints New Office Leaders in Philadelphia, Chicago
Patent lawyer Joseph Lucci will be replaced as managing partner in Philadelphia by Daniel Goettle, who established the firm’s Wilmington, Delaware, office in 2019 and currently serves as managing partner for that office.
Akin Promotes Record Number of Lawyers to Partner
As several Am Law 200 firms elect record classes of new partners, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld promoted 22 attorneys in nine offices to partner status, starting January 1st.
Connecticut Movers: Major Firms in CT Announce Partner Promotions
Pullman & Comley and Wiggin & Dana are promoting new partners to begin in 2025.
US Tower General Counsel Elevated to President
After beginning at the bottom of the legal department in 2001 and becoming general counsel in 2018, Richard Rossi is now moving up even further.
Arnold & Porter, Under New Leadership, Makes More C-Suite Changes
In recent months, the company has made a number of top leadership changes, including electing two new global co-chairs and adding two C-suite positions.
New Partners at Cummings & Lockwood, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey
The year starts off with promotions for Lindsay Reed, Brianna Marquis, and Scott Witthuhn.
People in the News—Jan. 8, 2025—Stevens & Lee, Ogletree Deakins
With effect from January 1, Jason P. Rudloff of Stevens & Lee’s Philadelphia office has been named a shareholder, the company stated.
After Nearly 2 Decades in the Role, Longtime Haynes and Boone General Counsel Passes the Baton
Stacy Brainin, the firm’s general counsel since 2007, is replaced by Dallas partner Ben Mesches.
Bradley Arant, Moore & Van Allen Join Partner Promotions Parade
Bradley announced 17 of the firm’s attorneys have been elevated to partner, effective January 1, 2025. Morris, Manning & Martin, on the other hand, appointed five new counsel roles as part of the firm’s partnership track, but did not elevate any associates to partner.
Reed Smith and Gibson Dunn Name New London Headsv
Gibson Dunn appointed Robert Carr and Osma Hudda as co-partners in charge, while Reed Smith appointed Brigid North as managing partner for London.
Littleton Chambers names successor to chambers director Dux
Liz Dux will retire in March, and Littleton Chambers has announced that Clare Bello, the former CEO of Cornerstone Barristers, will succeed her as chambers director. Bello was perfectly positioned to help build its notable success over the past few years, according to Littleton, who has over 20 years of senior leadership experience at two prominent sets of Chambers.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Tyson & Mendes Appoints Cayce Lynch First Female Nationwide Managing Partner
Half of Tyson & Mendes’ regional managing partners are women.
Meta Pulls Plug on DEI Programsv
“The term ‘DEI’ has also become charged, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others,” Meta said in a memo to staff members.
Five-partner promotions round for Hausfeld celebrates female legal talent
In its 2025 round, international conflicts firm Hausfeld has elevated five attorneys—four of them are women—to partnership status. While only one woman was promoted in the three-partner class of 2023, the firm-maintained gender parity in 2022 and 2021. This cohort represents a two-fold increase over the all-male partnership promotions round of 2024.
Office Openings & Closing:
Another US Firm Shutters London Office
The closure of Shook Hardy and Bacon’s London office follows the decision by peer firm Armstrong Teasdale to shutter its own London base in 2024.
Spin-Off Firm Leaves Reed Smith Without Richmond Lobbying Practice
“A lot of our work… is alternative fee arrangement, or fixed fee work,” remarked one of the founders of Seven Hills. “It’s not necessarily rate pressure, but it’s a different model and a different setup than a lot of Big Law practices.”
Brownstein Hyatt Opens 13th Office in Tampa with Lobbying Focus
Because of the Sunshine State’s growing political prominence, the firm’s officials emphasized the value of having a strong presence there.
The Dutch office intends to enter the litigation space, according to Global Chair Eric McCrath, with a specialized strategy and an emphasis on prospects related to its data security practice.
Fenwick Shutters Shanghai Office
In 2014, Fenwick opened its Shanghai office with five Covington & Burling attorneys.
K&L Gates Sheds Space, but Will Stay in Flagship Pittsburgh Office After Lease Renewal
The choice to stay at its office building in downtown Pittsburgh “firmly plants the K&L Gates flag in the Pittsburgh skyline for the foreseeable future.”
Mergers & Alliances:
Braverman Greenspun Acquires NY Real Estate Boutique
Zingman & Associates places a lot of emphasis on landlord-tenant problems, and the acquisition is anticipated to strengthen the firm’s expertise in this area.
DC’s Birchstone Moore Combines with Chicago-Founded Wealth Planning Firm
Birchstone Moore attorneys now have access to national markets and a wider range of practice resources thanks to the merger with Harrison LLP.
Womble Bond Dickinson Adds New Leaders 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.
Technology & Innovation:
FOMO Run Amok? Resolve of Firms Chasing AI Dreams Tested by Sky-High Costs
In a client letter this week, Goodwin Procter stated, “The question now is which investments will deliver lasting value, and which ones may fade as AI hype moderates.”
Josef Partners With NYU, Housing Court Answers to Launch AI Assistant Built for Tenants
The AI assistant, named Roxanne, looks to aid tenants looking to answer housing questions.
Husch Blackwell Hires Former Adobe Counsel to Oversee AI Advisory Offering
After 11 years with Adobe, Michael Yang will be the company’s first senior director of artificial intelligence advisory services.
After the acquisition, ZwillGen is also starting an artificial intelligence division.
The firm’s Fort Lauderdale office’s new managing partner, Sidney Calloway, talks about his future goals and how he intends to adjust to the constantly shifting legal industry.
Turning Over Legal Tedium to AI Requires Lots of Unglamorous Work on Front End
“Include people in the process. Avoid letting the machines make all of the decisions. Recognize the rationale behind their suggestions,” stated Mark Pike, Deputy General Counsel for Anthropology.
Regulatory Intelligence Platform Abstract Announces $4.8 Million in Seed Funding
The round, which is being led by Bonfires Venture and Communitas Capital, aims to improve Abstract’s capacity to combine data from various sources.
Elon Musk Taps UK Top 50 Firm for London Launch of AI Business
According to documents on Companies House, Elon Musk has engaged Lewis Silkin to provide advice on the incorporation of an AI firm that is listed in the United Kingdom. Musk is listed as the only “person with significant control” of the corporation, which was incorporated on December 12, 2024 and is called “X.AI LONDON LTD.”
Market Commentary:
KPMG Law Seeks Alternative Business License, Shaking Up Legal Status Quo
Under Arizona law, which permits attorneys and non-attorneys to co-own legal companies, the Big Four firm is applying for a license.
Spellbook Expands Deeper into the In-house Market
With its new Playbooks tool, the startup expands beyond serving law firms and guarantees that contracts adhere to preferred language and business norms.
Cozen O’Connor Accused of Overbilling, Duplicate Work
According to the complaint, the client paid Cozen O’Connor just over $210,000 for legal services but stopped paying additional bills due to the alleged breach of contract.
Amid Race for Top Talent, Latham Focuses on Lateral Integration
The company’s integration program serves as an example of how much effort and money some businesses invest on integrating lateral partners.
Signalling Growth Goals, Some Law Firms Promote Record Partner Classes
According to Kent Zimmermann, principal of legal strategy consultancy Zeughauser Group, “it’s fair to say that most law firms feel a strategic imperative to grow their size and profitability” in 2025.
Law Firms Close Southern California Offices Amid Devastating Wildfires
Due to the Palisades Fire, a number of Big Law firms operate in Santa Monica neighbourhoods that are under an evacuation warning.
Am Law 50’s Head Count ‘Holding Pattern’ Could Trickle Down
The top 50 firms’ head count increase has not kept pace with other Big Law categories. But in the near future, that might change.
Norton Rose Sues South Africa Government Over Ethnicity Score System
Large South African law firms may lose business to consulting firms and other professional service providers that are exempt from the legal sector code as a result of the new rule.
Energy and Tax Reforms to Drive Africa’s Major Disputes in 2025
With South Africa’s Eskom reorganization and tax reforms in Nigeria and Kenya among the major contributors, African conflicts lawyers forecast a 2025 spike in litigation fueled by energy and tax sector reforms, environmental claims, and developing technologies.
Moves:
In-House
CLO Twilio Courted with Millions Exiting After 3 Years
Dana Wagner joined the cloud-based communication platform shortly before the stock price plummeted and management came under fire from activist investors due to a sharp slowdown in growth.
Newly Public Biotech Startup Hires Life Sciences Veteran as GC
Upstream Bio has a drug in clinical trials that aims to reduce inflammation caused by severe asthma, they have hired Allison Ambrose as their new GC.
Sirius XM GC Signing Off After 27 Years in Role
Although Patrick Donnelly’s contract with the company ended on Friday, he will remain until the end of this year in order to assist with the appointment of a new legal head.
Broadcom Hires from Nuclear Giant to Appoint French Legal Head
Stephanie Smatt was recently Orano’s chief of vigilance and dispute resolution. This appointment underscores Broadcom’s commitment to strengthening its legal capabilities in France.
UK & Ireland
Sidley Adds CMS Partner in Latest London Hire
Clive Gringras, the former head of technology, media, and telecoms at CMS, has been hired by Sidley Austin.
Shoosmiths Hires Two Locke Lord London Partners as Part of a Six-Strong IP Team
With a six-person team headed by London partners Dominic Farnsworth and Leigh Smith, Shoosmiths has bolstered its London intellectual property practice.
Akin Adds Orrick Partner in London
The company is strengthening its recently established global capital solutions team with its most recent addition Daniel Wayte who will be a corporate partner in London.
London’s New Law Media hires veteran litigation partner from Stephenson Harwood
Michael Bywell, a litigation partner at Stephenson Harwood, has joined West End-based boutique company New Law Media to strengthen its dispute resolution expertise. Bywell has over thirty years of experience in commercial litigation, with a focus on media law, technology, cybersecurity, and data breach claims.
James Colville to join DWF as head of Dublin office and insurance team
Mr. Colville, who will start both positions in January, has a wealth of expertise because he was trained, qualified, and worked for companies like DAC Beachcroft, Eversheds, and Greenwoods in both England and Ireland. He oversaw the expansion of DAC Beachcroft’s personal injury practice in Dublin from 2010 to 2024, growing it to a multi-million-euro team with more than 30 employees. He has acted on behalf of clients in injury, construction, professional indemnity, and medical negligence cases.
APAC
Ashurst Beijing Chief Representative Leaves for New York Boutique Sterlington
Transactional lawyer Yan Yuan, the former head of Ashurst’s Beijing office, is traveling to Sterlington with his associate Jing Zhang. Yuan provides merger and acquisition, venture and growth capital, joint venture, and buyout advice to both public and private enterprises as well as private equity funds. He offers advice on corporate governance issues as well.
Rajah & Tann Strengthens Shenzhen Offering, Renames International Arbitration Head
According to a statement from the firm, Michelle Li, a construction and infrastructure disputes lawyer who joined from Herbert Smith, will take up the position from disputes partner Hew Kian Heong. Heong will continue to lead the company’s Shenzhen office.
Big Six Korean Firm Bae, Kim & Lee Boosts Disputes Offering with Former A&O Lifer
Prior to last year, Chris Mainwaring-Taylor was a partner at A&O Shearman, where he had spent more than 23 years, most recently in Singapore.
Milbank’s Capital Markets Partner Leaves for China’s Han Kun in Hong Kong
With more than 20 years of expertise, Alex Tao’s practice encompasses a wide range of global capital markets transactions, including as initial public offerings in the US and Hong Kong and high-yield, investment-grade, and convertible bond offerings.
Jakarta: Bakers firm HHP enters 2025 with corporate partner hire
The arrival of real estate and M&A attorney Bima Sarumpaet, who rejoins the company after a two-year partnership term at MacalloHarlin Mendrofa Advocates (MHMS), marks the start of 2025 for HHP Law company (HHP), a Baker McKenzie member firm in Indonesia.
SG: Shook Lin partner joins Providence Law as R&I head
Daniel Tan, a former partner at Shook Lin & Bok, has been appointed director and head of the restructuring and insolvency practice at Singapore-based Providence Law Asia.
SAM adds corporate partner from Khaitan in Delhi
With the addition of partner Srikant CV from Khaitan & Co., Indian law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. has strengthened its corporate offering in the National Capital Region (NCR). With an emphasis on venture capital and private equity, Srikant has over 11 year’s experience providing advice on business and corporate transactions.
EMEA
A&O Shearman Corporate Partner Heads to Jones Day
Michiel Huizinga, a seasoned M&A professional, joins Jones Day as it grows its international business practice.
DLA Piper strengthens corporate practice with new partner in Dusseldorf
Joining from Linklaters, Sebastian Goslar provides advice to investors, listed businesses, and their board members on all facets of corporate law, corporate governance, restructurings, and M&A, with a particular emphasis on public M&A.
HEUKING’s Munich office welcomes two new Salaried Partners at the start of 2025
Since 2013, Steffen Burrer, a Certified Specialist Lawyer in International Business Law, has practiced litigation at Noerr. His work primarily focuses on international business law, civil procedural law, and product liability law. Since 2014, Björn Grotebrune has advised and represented clients, accumulating a wealth of knowledge in the areas of restructuring and insolvency law. Creditors, especially banks, insolvency administrators, shareholders, businesses, and their executive bodies are among his clientele.
Sebastian Benz joins Seitz with tax law team from Linklaters
Sebastian Benz, Linklater’s former tax partner in Düsseldorf, and two colleagues will be relocating to Seitze, Cologne, in the coming year. Benz, a specialist in tax-related business transactions, standalone tax concerns, and complex company reorganizations, provided advice to the Funke media group about its corporate development and acquisition of the local newspapers and women’s magazines owned by media behemoth Axel Springer. After nearly 30 years at Linklaters, more than 20 of those years were spent as a partner, he departs.
Morgan Lewis and its IP partner, Baker McKenzie, will expand their Munich office.
The most recent IP partner to be appointed in Munich and London is Alex Ritter, a patent dispute litigation specialist.
The Americas
Lisa Zornberg, Former Adams Chief Counsel, Moves to Morvillo Abramowitz
Given her background in both civil and criminal cases, the former Debevoise partner claimed that Morvillo Abramowitz provided her with freedom in her work.
Ex-Red Robin CLO Joins Norton Rose Fulbright After Helping Sell Latest Employer for $4.9 Billion
According to Jeff Cody, Managing Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright Global, Michael Kaplan “possesses robust general counsel experience and deep knowledge of the consumer markets industry.”
Sidley Austin Adds Cooley Capital Markets Partner in Century City, San Francisco
After six years at Cooley in the Bay Area, Natalie Karam joins the company.
People in the News—Dec. 27, 2024—Stevens & Lee, Chartwell Law
Louis N. Teti and Andrew S. Rusniak have joined Stevens & Lee’s wealth planning, trusts, and estates division, the firm said.
Chair of Montgomery McCracken Decamps for Morgan Lewis
In 2023, Ashley Lynam was appointed co-chair of Montgomery McCracken, the first woman to serve in that capacity.
Texas Firms Bring on New Partners
Several firms have welcomed new partners, including Bracewell, O’Melveny, and Yetter Coleman.
Longtime Reed Smith Health Care Partner opts for Solo Practice Over Retirement
The 66-year-old Karl Thallner oversaw the Philadelphia branch of the firm’s health care practice. In response to requests from clients, he established Thallner Law.
Dechert, Garrigues disputes partners exit to become independent arbitrators
Both seasoned Garrigues arbitrator Joe Tirado and former Dechert head of international arbitration Arif Hyder Ali have left their firms to start their own independent arbitrator practices. After directing the international arbitration practices at Crowell & Moring, Weil Gotshal & Manges, and Dechert for the last 20 years, Ali is starting his own business, AHALI Dispute Resolution, after a 30-year career in “Big Law.”
White & Case bolsters tax expertise in Washington, DC
Partner Michael Sykes has joined the multinational law firm’s Washington, DC, worldwide practice and industry division. Sykes was a partner at A&O Shearman before joining the firm.
Veteran First-Chair Litigator Doug Baldridge Returns to Venable
It is with great pleasure that Venable LLP announces the return of seasoned first-chair litigator Doug Baldridge as a partner in the Commercial Litigation Practice located in Washington, DC. Since 2013, Baldridge has served as Taylor Swift’s and 13 Management’s outside legal counsel. Most recently, she handled and provided in-house legal advice to Swift and her crew.
Winston & Strawn Adds Joshua Hafenbrack as a Partner in Washington, D.C.
Josh handles complicated civil cases and antitrust cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. Josh, a recent senior litigation counsel at the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, has extensive expertise litigating antitrust matters and defending clients in a range of industries, including media, telecommunications, and technology.
Team Moves
Most New Eversheds Sutherland US Partners Are in Atlanta
Ten new U.S. partners in three cities and six practice areas are chosen by a global firm.
Akin and Simpson Create New Practice Groups with Integrated Teams
As clients look for financial solutions that meet their objectives, both law firms are looking to expand their current expertise into new groups.
Holland & Knight Launches Export Control Disputes and Advocacy Team
Holland & Knight has established an export control disputes and advocacy division and added Christopher Stagg as a partner.
Larson Welcomes Seven New Attorneys
Larson is happy to announce the addition of seven additional lawyers to the company.
Akin Taps Orrick Partner in Growing New Capital Solutions Team
Daniel Wayte, who has been a partner at Orrick since 2018, has also worked at Slaughter and May and Milbank.
ADVANT Beiten wins four-person team with partner Dr. Philipp Pröbsting from PWC Legal
A four-person team from PwC Legal Germany has been hired by Advant Beiten. On January 1, PwC local partner Philipp Pröbsting joined Advant Beitten’s equity partnership in Dusseldorf, bringing two former PwC salary partners and an associate with him.
Financials:
Elite Boutiques Competing More with Big Law Bonuses, With Several Going Above Market
The few boutiques that provide eye-popping and above-market bonuses seem to be expanding.
Increased Costs Proved a Drag on Profits for PA’s AmLaw 200 in 2024
In 2024, PA’s AmLaw 200’s profits were negatively impacted by rising costs.
‘So Many Firms’ Have Yet to Announce Associate Bonuses, Underlining Big Law’s Uneven Approach
It appears that fewer businesses are following the industry elite’s bonus decisions, and some large businesses are deferring their bonus decisions in comparison to others.
Morrison & Foerster Doles Out Year-End and Special Bonuses, Raises Base Compensation for Associates
Only a few West Coast Am Law 200 companies, including MoFo, have declared bonuses or plans to distribute them at the conclusion of the fiscal year.
Arnold & Porter Matches Market Year-End Bonus, Requires Billable Threshold for Special Bonuses
In addition to offering special bonuses to colleagues who complete at least 2,200 hours during the calendar year—2,000 of which must be billable—Arnold & Porter said Monday that it will offer its associates market year-end bonuses.
Alston & Bird Matches Market Rate for Associate Bonuses
The most recent legal firm to match the market rate for associate bonuses is Alston & Bird.
Why Hogan Lovells and Perkins Coie Reversed, Will Now Pay Out Special Bonuses to Associates
Regarding the decision to forgo matching incentives, a consultant stated, “It becomes a very difficult situation when you consider the amount of money saved versus the amount of bad press you get and the general low morale of the workforce that you depend on.”
Clifford Chance Hikes Partner Pay as UK Firms Fight to Stay Competitive on Compensation
As expenses increase, Clifford Chance has had a great year thanks to a string of favourable outcomes in the Americas.
Top Earner Pay Nearly Halved at Pinsent Masons
The company’s earnings and turnover have increased, but labour costs have also gone up, which is a common occurrence in London.
Fieldfisher Top of Equity Halves to £3.1M
Fieldfisher’s top-earning partner received half as much as it did the year before, dropping the amount from a market-leading £6.3 million to £3.1 million. Despite a declining financial position and growing staff expenditures, the LLP’s revenue is still increasing, according to the company’s most recent LLP statements.
Clifford Chance Top Partner Pay Up to £6M
As expenses increase, Clifford Chance has had a great year thanks to a string of favorable outcomes in the Americas.
McKees reports 20 per cent growth in 2024
This year, the company relocated to a new 7,500-square-foot office in Belfast’s Linenhall Building and added eight new team members. With a 50% rise in convenience store licenses and assistance for customers in several high-profile acquisitions, it claimed to have witnessed especially robust growth in the leisure and hospitality industry.
Riding High, Texas Roadhouse Gives Legal Chief 3-year Contract Extension,15% Salary Boost
In 2023, Christopher Colson, a 19-year veteran of the organization, was paid $1.83 million in total.
Promotions & Appointments
Quinn Emanuel Promotes 11 to Partner
Compared to the 14 lawyers the firm promoted last year; the class is a little smaller.
Newsom Appoints 11 Superior Court Judges
Santa Clara County Prosecutor Johnene Stebbins, who was elected in November, was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to an interim position for a full term beginning in January.
Foley Promotes from Within for New COO, Chief Talent Officer
Rebecca Bradley, the former director of professional development, is promoted to the position of chief talent officer, replacing Jen Patton as chief operating officer at Foley & Lardner.
People in the News—Dec. 18, 2024—Faegre Drinker, Antheil Maslow
Three lawyers, including Philadelphia’s Eric Au and Chad Lange, were promoted to counsel, while 26 lawyers were promoted to the firm’s partnership, according to Faegre Drinker.
Fisher & Phillips Elects 25 New Partners In 15 Cities
Compared to the previous year, more partners were voted to Southeast offices and fewer were promoted in California.
Nelson Mullins Doubles Partner Promotions for 2025
The firm’s main office in Atlanta had the most partner additions, but it also greatly expanded the number of partners it promoted in Florida.
People in the News—Dec. 19, 2024—Pollock Begg, Burns White
Megan A. DelVecchio and Alexandra L. Kovalchick, two lawyers of Pollock Begg, were promoted to partners by the firm.
Sterlington Brings on Former Office Leader from Ashurst
Sterlington was established in 2016 and currently employs 64 attorneys, including 25 partners.
People in the News—Dec. 26, 2024—Laffey Bucci, Eckert Seamans
Attorney Alexandria MacMaster has been promoted to partner at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, a personal injury litigation practice.
Meat Institute Promotes Former Senior Tyson Lawyer to GC
Mark Dopp is handing the legal reins to his top deputy, Bryan Burns, after serving as GC for a quarter-century.
Baker McKenzie, Jones Day, Reed Smith Make 2025 Partner Promotions
The three Am Law 50 firms were not alone in keeping their new partner numbers stable or down from a year ago.
On the Move: Freeman Mathis & Gary Promotes 16 to Partner, Expands to Denver
A lawyer from Nelson Mullins joins a board that suggests new judges, while Jones Day elevates two attorneys from Atlanta to partner status.
Holland & Knight Promotes 42 Lawyers to Partner, Prioritizing Corporate Practices
Eight new partners have joined the firm’s Florida operations, while six Boston lawyers were elevated, bringing the total number of Northeastern attorneys to 17.
Baker & Hostetler Names 24 New Partners
Compared to the previous year, the Am Law 100 firm almost doubled the number of new partners.
Ogletree Deakins Elects Most New Shareholders in Decades
In 2024, the firm promoted 22 lawyers to shareholder status, then promoted 30. Liz Washko, the managing shareholder, mentioned “the number of highly qualified candidates” that are up for promotion.
People in the News—Jan. 3, 2025—Eckert Seamans, Kessler Topaz
Matthew T. Goffe has been named the firmwide chief marketing officer at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott.
Clark Hill Promotes a Record 29 Lawyers to Member
With 29 lawyers promoted to member, Clark Hill has more than doubled the number of attorneys promoted in 2024, making this its largest class to date.
Burr & Forman, Smith Gambrell & Russell Promote More to Partner This Year
Adams and Reese also elected a larger partner class, as Southeast firms follow their Big Law counterparts across the nation.
Brazilian Firms Demarest, BMA, TozziniFreire Elevate Lawyers to Partner
In the biggest economy in Latin America, promotions typically occur around December as the region gets ready for the new fiscal year.
Emma Ritchie appointed KPMG Law’s EMA co-head of data, digital and technology law
Ms. Ritchie was the principal privacy counsel at one of the biggest consumer electronics businesses in the world prior to joining KPMG Law Ireland in 2023. In this role, she oversaw intricate data protection compliance projects, cookies, personal data usage, and data security issues globally.
Diversity & Inclusion:
T14 Sees Black, Hispanic Law Student Representation Decline Following End of Affirmative Action
The top-ranked law schools in the US saw more significant changes in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity than did the 196 ABA-approved law schools on average.
Appellate Division Greenlights State Bar’s Leadership Diversity Initiatives
Lawrence Lustberg of Gibbons stated, “This case not only supports affirmative action in New Jersey but also the idea that freedom of association is a foundation for doing positive things, like affirmative action, and not just the kind of troubling and invidious discrimination, as was allowed in [Boy Scouts of America v.] Dale.”
Benny Agosto Jr. Receives Hispanic National Bar Association Award
The annual Ohtli Award has been given to Managing Partner Benny Agosto Jr. by Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner. Through his persistent dedication to justice, diversity, and generosity, Agosto has demonstrated his commitment to the Mexican and Latino communities in the United States, which is celebrated by this distinction.
Dentons Germany Elects First Gender-Balanced Leaders & Promotions at Noerr, Gleiss Lutz
By promoting only female partners this year, Gleiss Lutz has made a rare move in Germany’s male-dominated legal industry. Christine Mattes, a regulatory compliance specialist based in Stuttgart, and Andrea Preuße, an international antitrust defence specialist in the firm’s Hamburg office, have joined the equity partnership.
Clifford Chance Names New London Managing Partner
The partner becomes the first black woman to head up the London office. Michael Bates, who relinquishes control after seven years in charge, will be succeeded by Hinwe Odimba-Chapman.
Office Openings & Closing:
Hinckley Allen Opens St. Louis Office After Poaching a Team of Six Lawyers
Hinckley Allen has hired a group of six lawyers from Sandberg Phoenix who specialize in product liability cases, and the firm is building its second new office in the St. Louis region this year.
Davis Polk Moves to New, Expanded Redwood City Office
The firm’s new office in Northern California is 31% larger than its old one.
Husch Blackwell, Foley Among Law Firms Opening Southeast Offices This Year
Southeast-founded firms also expanded into Texas, Chicago and New York.
Zuckerman Spaeder Gets Ready to Move Offices in DC, Deploy AI Tools in 2025
In a recent interview, incoming sole chair Caroline Judge Mehta stated that Zuckerman Spaeder’s priorities for the upcoming year will include moving into a new office space in D.C. after 20 years and implementing AI capabilities.
Harris Beach Murtha Formally Launches as New, Combined Firm
More than 250 lawyers are currently providing clients with enhanced services and a broader geographic reach.
Buchanan Ingersoll Launches in Chicago with 17-Lawyer Team from Locke Lord
Conflicts resulting from Locke Lord’s merger with Troutman Pepper prompted the IP lawyers to look for a new location.
Big Four Japanese Firm Mori Hamada Launches Foreign Joint Law Enterprise, Joins Rebrand Drive
Japanese firms are revamping their practices in a bid to grow their market share overseas.
EY Law Launches in Portugal, Targets 40 Lawyers by End of 2025
With more than 20 attorneys, EY Law has opened as a stand-alone legal practice in Portugal, joining the worldwide legal network that operates in more than 90 nations. The debut comes after Portugal’s new regulatory framework, which permits businesses to offer multidisciplinary services and include non-professional partners in their governing bodies and shareholder structures, went into effect.
Ogletree Deakins Launches Office in Calgary, Canada with Two Partners from McCarthy Tétrault
The company’s third office in Canada is located in Calgary. Additionally, it maintains offices in Montreal and Toronto.
Mergers & Alliances:
Pillsbury Launches Riyadh Office Via Firm Merger
With local government consent, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman will open an office in Saudi Arabia.
‘Wake Up Call’: Pressure for Law Firm Mergers Grows in 2024
Even while the number of completed unions this year is probably going to be on pace with or just marginally higher than where it was in 2023, some analysts are forecasting even more moves in 2025.
Morgan Lewis To Acquire Kramer Levin’s Paris Office
Kramer Levin is anticipated to finalize its merger with HSF next year, which coincides with the decision to quadruple Morgan Lewis’ Paris workforce.
New York-Based Harris Beach Combines with Connecticut-Based Murtha Cullina, Forming NE Powerhouse
Midsize firms Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina are combining to create a 250-lawyer firm spanning from D.C. to Massachusetts after both client bases grew and demanded more scale.
Miles & Stockbridge Adds 31 Lawyers from Merger
Miles & Stockbridge, an Am Law 200 firm, and Krooth & Altman, a real estate finance business based in D.C., concluded their merger and went into effect on December 31, 2024.
Clyde & Co Announces Combination with Dallas Insurance Boutique
The global law firm has expanded its footprint in the Lone Star State.
Cox & Palmer to Merge with Benson Buffett in St. John’s, Canada’s Easternmost City
The partnership will expand Cox & Palmer’s presence in the Atlantic region and is scheduled to become official in February.
Technology & Innovation:
Polsinelli Associate Launches Transaction Management Platform Project Fortress
M&A Coworker Collen Steffen’s first client is his own business, and he has developed a Salesforce-based platform for legal deal teams.
Embracing Gen AI, Many Legal Departments Don’t See Their Firms as Innovative
According to the 17th annual Law Department Operation Survey by the Blickstein Group and FTI Consulting, more legal departments are pushing their companies to use advanced AI in order to generate cost savings and efficiencies.
Last month, Alan Fisch and Bill Sigler declared that Fisch Sigler would cease operations on December 31st. They are starting a new business with the goal of using AI in agriculture.
Recent studies show patterns in gauging the effectiveness of legal operations, resolving generative AI deployment issues, encouraging innovation, and setting automation and contract management goals.
Holtzman Vogel Launches AI Startup Incubator Program
Two AI businesses in its first batch will receive up to 30 hours of pro bono work each from the Washington, D.C.-based firm.
As Profits Rise, Law Firms Likely to Make More AI Investments in 2025
According to a recent survey, law firms have so far allocated “very little” of their revenue on staffing, consulting, and technology linked to using AI, but this is anticipated to change.
Baker McKenzie, Norton Rose & Other Top Litigators Foresee Rise in AI, Data & ESG Disputes
Litigators predict a busy 2025 that is fueled by environmental concerns, growing cross-border disputes, and rising technology. “Global climate accords such as the Paris Climate Accord will encourage greater responsibility,” stated David Ktshozyan, a senior attorney with Clyde & Co. in Los Angeles. “If countries or multinational corporations fail to meet emissions reduction targets, major lawsuits may emerge.”
Market Commentary:
Global Lawyer: Big Law Walks a Tightrope, but Herbert Smith Freehills Refuses to Lose Its Footing
Even when politics are involved, law firms need to find a balance in order to make wise choices. According to The Global Lawyer, HSF proved last week that it will not fall off the high wire.
How to Turn More Lawyers into Rainmakers
One of your primary duties as a leader is to assist your attorneys in increasing their income. However, what methods and resources can you use to do that? Insights from a five-week mastermind workshop involving 20 Professional Development specialists from Am Law 200 businesses are presented in this article.
The Silver Linings Amid Big Law’s China Chaos
Asia Legal Briefing: As the year of law firm closures draws to a close, here are some advantageous outcomes.
Working Across the ‘Entire Ecosystem’ Propels Ropes & Gray’s Life Sciences Practice
“Our life sciences and health care practices have long been a significant component of Ropes & Gray’s portfolio. Tim McCrystal of Ropes & Gray, the 2024 winner of The American Lawyer’s Specialty Corporate Department of the Year, Pharma and Health Care, stated, “We are a seasoned practice that keeps expanding and diversifying in the market.”
Burford Sets Sights on UAE’s Surge in Construction & Disputes
As the industry sees tremendous growth, Burford Capital is broadening its emphasis to finance construction arbitration in the United Arab Emirates, concentrating on high-value claims.
Lawyers Scramble to Secure Jobs Ahead of A&O Shearman’s South Africa Closure
A&O Shearman’s Johannesburg office is closing by year-end, with lawyers still in last-minute talks for new roles.
Grabbing Market Share from Rivals, Law Firms Ramped Up Group Lateral Hires
Recruiting lawyers to open an office or practice in a new market was a top priority for a number of businesses.
Vinson & Elkins: Traditional Energy Practice Meets Energy Transition
The Houston-based Am Law 100 firm, which was recognized as an Energy Specialty Corporate Practice of the Year, has broadened its area of expertise to include additional energy transition. The three Am Law 50 firms were not alone in keeping their new partner numbers stable or down from a year ago. Overall, just 44% of businesses reported higher net earnings this year. Compared to the 75% who said they saw additional profit growth in 2023, that represents a considerable decline.
Freshfields Name Change Becomes Official
The redesign was launched the following month after the change was announced in September.
The Trends Quinn Emanuel Partners Are Expecting in 2025
According to one partner, the market seems to be anticipating less regulation in the banking, cryptocurrency, and technology sectors, all of which could lead to an increase in transaction activity in these areas.
Jones Day Plans to Expand M&A and Disputes Practices in Australia
According to Christopher Lovrien, partner-in-charge of Jones Day in Australia, the international law firm plans to grow its Australian business in order to handle more cross-border transactions and serve customers that are under more regulatory pressure. According to Lovrien, the firm currently has 30 partners spread over four offices, with the possibility of adding another 10 or 15 in Australia over the course of the next three to five years.
Weekly, End of Year Update, 2024
Moves:
The legal market has been rife with moves all year round, with experts reporting increasingly high numbers of hires this year, both in terms of private practice and in house. Within the in-house market, we saw big brands and leading companies appointing new talent and legal leaders. Examples include government groups, F1, Porsche, Disney, and Sky. These hires highlight the growth of cross industry mobility. Thought leadership has shown that many are viewing the role of the lawyer as an expanding one, and these in house moves corroborate this idea, with lawyers transitioning between different sectors such as technology, finance, automotive, and entertainment.
Furthermore, the UK was deemed to be a competitive growth hub for law firms in critical areas. For example, US firms such as Perkins Coie quickly built up their practices after launching in London this year and A&O Shearman wasted no time investing in their London offering. Additionally, Cooley hired top tier talent to reinforce some of their market leading practices, and White & Case bolstered their real estate, private equity, and antitrust sectors. Overall, UK firms grew through the acquisition of each other’s notable leading lawyers and by taking on new practice heads in established fields such as corporate and private equity.
Furthermore, law firms in the Asia-Pacific area have bolstered their energy, finance, and dispute resolution offerings. Strategic moves such as that of Skadden’s Asia disputes head and a K&L Gates’ energy partner in Singapore have shown that even as UK based firms abandon their offices in China, other parts of Asia have benefited from lateral partner hiring. Firms like Kirkland and Jones Day have also expanded their specialised offerings in parts of Asia through key areas like structured finance and corporate tax.
Within the Middle East and Europe, the story is not dissimilar. There has been an increased level of hiring activity within TMT and corporate practices. This has been corroborated by high-profile moves, such as Bird & Bird’s tech hire and CMS’ Saudi corporate head. Additionally, firms such as Al Tamimi have strategically invested in that market by onboarding experienced partners, emphasizing their commitment to dominating the market.
In Europe, we have witnessed various duo and team moves in locations such as Paris, Frankfurt, Dublin and Amsterdam over the last few months at firms such as Eversheds and HSF in their technology and banking & finance teams. Speaking of teams, we have borne witness to some fantastic team moves, both in terms of quality and the sheer number of lawyers involved, with reports showing moves with up to 47 and 51 key lawyers involved. These occurred throughout the world in locations such as Singapore, India, Paris, and parts of the USA. Such moves signal firms’ desire to scale quickly in competitive markets by acquiring established teams with specialized expertise.
Overall, it is clear that there has been a dynamic legal market with corporations and firms taking strategic measures to attain top quality talent, expand geographically strengthen capabilities, and capitalise on emerging sectors. We look forward to seeing what the new year brings by way of moves.
The Americas
White & Case Lures DLA Piper’s Vice Chair for FDA Regulation
Peter Carney, chairman of White & Case’s life sciences and health care sector group, stated that Bethany Hills’ FDA regulatory skills “are a crucial component to maintaining a top global life sciences offering.”
Clifford Chance Steps Up US Expansion with O’Melveny Duo
The UK-founded firm added private equity partner David Schultz and restructuring partner Matthew Hinker. They arrive as the U.K.-founded firm continue in their efforts to break the U.S. market.
Paul Weiss M&A Co-Chair Heads to White & Case
Taurie Zeitzer has joined White & Case’s Private Equity group in New York from Paul Weiss where she was co-head of the M&A group.
Greenberg Traurig Hires 2 GCs to Boost Corporate, PE and Compliance Practices
To bolster the company’s competencies in these domains, Patrick Kassen, formerly of Link Logistics, and Matthew Bromberg, formerly of Exchange Traded Managers Group, were added as additional shareholders.
Freshfields Hires Skadden’s New York Head of Tax
Freshfields Bruckhaus & Deringer added Steven Matays, the head of the New York tax practice at Skadden, Arps, Meagher, Slate & Flom.
Paul Hastings Hires White & Case Partner as Co-Chair of International Arbitration Practice
Jonathan Hamilton oversaw White & Case’s arbitration practice in Latin America before he joined Paul Hastings.
UK & Ireland
Pinsent Masons Hits K&L Gates for Double Partner Hire
To expand its London real estate portfolio, Pinsent Mason brought on two new partners. Partners Tim Webb and Emma Maher left K&L Gates to join the firm’s real estate practice. The two are experts in providing corporate real estate advice, especially in the residential build-to-rent market.
White & Case Builds London Funds Practice with Ropes & Gray Partner
According to a firm release, secondaries partner Alexandra Chauvin, who worked at Rope for three years, joined as a partner in White & Case’s global private equity industry group and investment funds practice.
US law firm Perkins Coie hires Ian Bagshaw for London launch
Perkins Coie, a US law firm, were establishing its presence in London with the hiring of heavyweight private equity lawyer Ian Bagshaw.
Cooley Taps Norton Rose’s London Antitrust Head
Mark Simpson, the head of antitrust and competition at Norton Rose, joined the Palo Alto-based company after more than 15 years there, ten of those as a partner.
EMEA
Bird & Bird swoops on Al Tamimi for tech partner
As a partner at Al Tamimi & Company, Nick O’Connell oversaw the company’s technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) practice in Saudi Arabia. He joined Bird & Bird in Dubai, where he will assist the company’s technology clients with their Middle Eastern business requirements.
Herbert Smith Freehills Hires Pair of Paris TMT Leaders from Eversheds
Emmanuel Ronco and Vincent Denoyelle, partners at HSF, have moved in efforts to guide clients through an increasingly digital environment.
CMS taps Clyde & Co for Saudi corporate head
Rizwan Osman joined the firm’s Riyadh office from Clyde & Co, where he spent over 17 years.
Al Tamimi adds two UAE partners, including ex-Eversheds Dubai MP
Henry Storrar has joined the firm’s Abu Dhabi office as a corporate partner, and Paul Taylor has joined the Dubai office as a partner and regional head of arbitration.
APAC
K&L Gates Hires Energy Partner from Gibson Dunn in Singapore
Brad Roach, a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, joined K&L Gates in Singapore as an energy, infrastructure, and resources partner. Alexandra Jones, an associate who has been with Gibson Dunn for seven years, went with him.
Skadden adds Asia disputes head from Sidley
Prior to joining, Friven Yeoh co-led Sidley’s worldwide advocacy, trade, and arbitration group. He is leading Skadden’s Asian international litigation and arbitration group. Yeoh has been dividing his time between the Hong Kong & Singapore offices.
Long-time HFW partner joins Addleshaw Goddard as SG head
Energy specialist Chanaka Kumarasinghe, who has spent his whole 22-year career with HFW, has been appointed as the head of Addleshaw Goddard’s Singapore office.
Team Moves
Eversheds Adds Three Finance Lawyers in Amsterdam
With the addition of three attorneys from independent firm Rutgers Posch, Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its finance practice. The UK firm’s Amsterdam branch is now home to senior associate Maarten Ahsmann, partner Vasco Hoving, and senior partner Kees Westermann.
14 A&O Shearman Lawyers in South Africa to Join Bowmans
According to Ezra Davids, senior partner and chair of Bowmans, the partner changes were in line with the firm’s strategic goal of becoming the “go to” African law practice for clients seeking advice on complicated legal matters.
Hogan Lovells Hires 23 M&A Lawyers from Orrick in Italy
According to Orrick, the departures, which also included another exit to BonelliErede, were a strategy of the firm’s ambition to offer sector-specific counsel.
Orrick Faces Second Major Blow as 15-Strong Team Joins BonelliErede in Italy
With a 15-person Milan team leaving the company for Italian giant BonelliErede, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Italian division experienced two raids in two weeks.
In-House
Porsche’s Venture Capital Arm Adds General Counsel from Clifford Chance
Early-career attorney Lynn Nussbaum took the legal reins of Porsche Ventures as it presses forward on its next phase of growth.
Former HSBC Litigation lawyer is taking the legal reigns of Post Office Ltd
Daniel Chumbley left HSBC where he was Managing Associate General Counsel, to take on the position of Head of Legal at Post Office Ltd, prior to this he has also held positions at DLA Piper and DAC Beachcroft.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Hires Disney Lawyer as General Counsel
CEO Tony Vinciquerra asserted that Jill Ratner will “help us meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry landscape and to capitalize on opportunities for growth.”
Tesla Rival Taps Mercedes-Benz GC for Top Lawyer Job
Matt Everitt the new legal chief was reported as saying “Lucid’s products set an incredibly high bar for automotive companies, and I’m energized to join at a time when the company is poised to expand further”.
Promotions and Appointments
Through our analysis of promotions and appointments week on week, we have observed various trends across the legal market. For example, we saw firms focussing on continuity, maintaining experienced individuals in leadership roles, such as Michael Heller at Cozen O’Connor, who was re-elected as CEO for a 5th term, whereas Kennedys is transitioning leadership after Nick Thomas’s long tenure.
Many of these leadership shifts also involve regional or geographic emphasis, such as DLA Piper’s growing presence in Oman, or Herbert Smith Freehills’ strengthening of its Africa operations. Dentons is similarly focusing on regional leadership by appointing a new head for its Ottawa office, while Baker McKenzie appointed a new practice head in India. Global law firms are heavily investing in expanding into regions of high economic growth, such as Asia and Africa, which is evident from leadership appointments like Denise Jong succeeding a 30-year veteran at Reed Smith in Asia.
A noticeable trend is the integration of technology and innovation into leadership roles, as shown by McDermott Will & Emery’s hiring of its first Director of AI Innovation. As law firms continue to adapt to the evolutions in technology, there is a growing trend of appointing individuals focused on AI, data analytics, and other tech-focussed practices. Litera’s return of Avaneesh Marwaha as CEO, right before a major launch of AI products, exemplifies how leadership is closely tied to strategic growth in the legal tech space.
Several firms are prioritising diversity in their leadership structures. For example, Kilpatrick appointed ten new partners for 2025, with a strong emphasis on female representation in fields like commercial litigation and intellectual property. The trend towards diversifying leadership is consistent with the growing recognition of gender and ethnic diversity’s role in firm success.
Firms like Reed Smith, Kirkland, and Latham & Watkins are all seeing reduced partner promotion classes, suggesting a more conservative approach to growth amid economic uncertainty or business strategy shifts. This trend is notable as it contrasts with the prior years’ emphasis on rapid expansion and shows a more cautious, deliberate approach to growth.
DLA Piper unveils 63-strong partner promotion round
CMS makes up 54 in latest partner promotions round
Linklaters promotes 27 to partner as gender diversity target on track for fourth year
Freshfields Promotes 23 to Global Partnership
Sidley Austin Elects Biggest Class of Partners in Firm History
A&O Shearman Names UK and US Managing Partners
Fifty-six partners appointed in Norton Rose Fulbright’s class of 2025
Financials
The legal sector faces a dynamic financial landscape, enabled by inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and ongoing competition for talent. Clifford Chance’s investment in an increase in personnel at all levels has resulted in lower partner payouts, a reflection of how difficult it is to maintain profitability with increased resources. On the other hand, Eversheds Sutherland’s £3 million partner payout has shown strategic sense in ensuring competitive rewards. These contrasting approaches highlight the industry’s need to strike a balance between cost savings and talent retention in an increasingly competitive market.
Growth in revenues among the largest firms continues to be very strong, with the top 50 firms posting a 14% gain in 2024. This growth, driven by a 3.6% demand surge and productivity gains of 2.9%, has enabled firms to implement the most significant increases in hourly rates in the last decade. This has tipped the balance in pricing power back to firms, and corporate law departments are seeking creative cost-control strategies. These include alternative fee arrangements, partnerships with alternative legal service providers, and the strategic use of staffing ratios to reduce reliance on higher-cost senior lawyers.
Meanwhile, the dynamics of talent are rebalancing compensation trends: Magic Circle firms like Clifford Chance and Linklaters have increased their NQ solicitor salaries to £150,000, while Goodwin Procter has gone even higher with £175,000. Such pay rises reflect the ferocity of the competition for legal talent, but raises concerns about the sustainability of such an investment in lawyers over the longer term. The more the costs rise, the more businesses look to technology, operational efficiencies, and flexible workforce models to balance profitability with customer satisfaction.
This is a continuously changing environment that requires ongoing innovation and strategic foresight. Firms need to handle not only the immediate pressures of finances but also position themselves for long-term growth through retaining trust with clients and adapting to the changing market demands. The future of the legal profession will be shaped by how well it navigates these challenges with resilience and forward-looking perspectives.
Clifford Chance Top Earner Pockets Less as Staff Numbers, Costs Swell
Eversheds Top Earner Pay Surpasses £3 Million, LLPs Show
As Billing Rates Soar, Law Firm Clients Move to Spread Work Around
Should US Law Firms Offer 20% Less Pay for 20% Less Work?
GC Pay Is Improving, But It’s Still Mission Impossible
A Steady Litigation Year Helped Drive Big Law Revenue Gains
The Future of Partner Compensation: How Profit-Sharing Systems Shape the Firm’s Culture and Success
An Early Look: The 2024 Am Law 200 Financials
‘Slightly alarming’ – Clifford Chance, Linklaters, A&O Shearman match Freshfields’ NQ £150k pay hike
Goodwin Latest Firm to Raise NQ Salaries to £170k as Pay War Looms
Paul Weiss Matches Market Leading London NQ Pay, Launches Training Contract
‘Strength of the Market’: Big Law Revenue, Demand Continue to Climb
Office Openings and Closings
The London legal market in 2023 was the result of two strategies. Firms headquartered in the United States demonstrated aggressive growth, with investments in high-end, modern office space reflecting a long-term commitment to the city as a strategic hub. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s move to 100 Bishopsgate, as well as Debevoise & Plimpton’s new 70,000-square-foot premises, point to increased capacity and technological sophistication for top-tier talent. In contrast, UK-based firms have been more restrained, reducing office space to contain rising operation costs. This pullback reflects caution as local firms become more focused on cost efficiency due to economic pressures. The divergence emphasises London’s role in the legal market as not just a battleground for legal dominance but also as a site of recalibration for firms looking to assess their 2025 strategies.
Globally, U.S. law firms have continued to expand in 2024, leveraging strong financial performance to expand both geographically and operationally. Firms in the Am Law 200 took advantage of rising demand and productivity gains, investing heavily in talent acquisition and office infrastructure. The trend of US firms expanding their London footprint reflects their strategic vision of London as a gateway to Europe and a critical platform for cross-border business. Domestically, the closure of midsize and boutique firms reflected the growing dominance of larger firms with more diverse service offerings and financial stability. These dynamics demonstrate the growing concentration of legal power in the hands of a few large players, raising the stakes for smaller businesses attempting to compete in a changing market.
Looking to EMEA, exits from Asia by several international firms have changed the landscape of that market. Asia, while rich with opportunities, presents unique regulatory and competitive challenges that have proven difficult for many global firms to navigate effectively in a slower legal market. Firms like Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts have already exited the Greater China region completely. Last year, Herbert Smith Freehills closed in Seoul, while Mayer Brown and Kennedys closed in Thailand.
Nonetheless, the market remains an interesting site of activity, as amid closures, Watson Farley & Williams launched an office in Seoul and Clyde & Co opened an office in Thailand. On the client side, companies such as Bain Capital have announced plans to double investment in Japan. Though, at the moment, it seems the legal market here is in a state of exodus, this signals that for firms committed to the region, the exits of competitors may present opportunities to capture market share, provided they are willing to navigate its complexities. There is also a prediction that, as the market eventually begins to pick up again, we may see firms replenishing their headcounts and re-entering the market, as many still remain in the region though with a smaller footprint.
Speaking of closures, the shuttering of several midsize and boutique firms in 2023 marked a significant shift in the legal landscape. Firms such as Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis and Ward Greenberg failed due to a combination of financial pressures, leadership vacancies, and an inability to compete with larger players. Leadership transitions proved particularly difficult, with firms such as Dolchin Slotkin & Todd and Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer failing after senior leaders retired without successors in place. Meanwhile, others suffered financial difficulties, including Phoenix-based Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, which defaulted on large credit lines. These closures highlight the vulnerability of midsized and boutique businesses to economic pressures, talent poaching, and operational inefficiencies. They also emphasise the importance of strong leadership pipelines and financial discipline in navigating an increasingly competitive landscape.
Overall, ahead of 2025, we have seen global activity that will be instrumental in shaping firm strategies and revenues for the year ahead.
Looking Back at the Law Firms That Didn’t Survive 2023
From Stroock to Schnader, firms that failed struggled with common issues of recruitment, retention and financial obligations.
More Law Firms in New York Opt for Larger Spaces
Paul Weiss and King & Spalding are among the latest firms to secure new, larger spaces in New York.
Weil, Pillsbury Eye London Office Moves Amid US Firm Upsizing Trend
A contrast in opinions toward hybrid working have seen several U.K-led firms downsizing while their U.S.-founded counterparts take up larger spaces.
International law firms have been launching offices in the U.S. and paying top dollar for talent in the world’s largest and most lucrative legal market. But growth potential exists elsewhere, and firms shouldn’t give the rest of the world short shrift, writes The Global Lawyer.
Clyde & Co Moves Middle East Regional HQ to Saudi Arabia
International law firms have long regarded Dubai as their de facto Middle East headquarters, however two of the region’s four largest law firms are now headquartered in Riyadh.
Chinese Law Firms Announced 40 New Offices in 12 Months. Will the Investment Pay Off?
Chinese law firms are expanding rapidly within China, however top-tier Chinese firms have focused outward, to international markets. With the Chinese cross-border deal market growing increasingly quiet, questions arise as to whether these firms pivot toward mainland expansion?
Clyde & Co Expands Saudi Presence With Jeddah Launch
The new office will be led by corporate and advisory partner Mohammed Almarzouki, who is a certified lawyer in Saudi Arabia, a trained solicitor in England and Wales, and an attorney in New York. He joined Clyde & Co in 2023 and has over a decade of experience assisting Saudi and multinational firms, as well as family businesses in Jeddah.
Bird & Bird’s former London arbitration head launches own practice
Nick Peacock, the former head of Bird & Bird’s international arbitration business in London, has established Peacock Arbitration, a solo firm.
Kirkland Opens New Office with Latham M&A Partner Hire
Kirkland & Ellis has expanded its transactional business in Germany by hiring M&A partner Tobias Larisch from Latham & Watkins and opening a new office in Frankfurt.
Wave of Office Closures Highlights the Weighty Stakes Surrounding Law Firm Growth
Major Lindsey & Africa consultant Jennifer Moss said, “Just because a certain legal market is hot does not mean that you should be there.”
Mergers and Alliances
Mergers and alliances have hit the global legal market like a wave in 2024, with scale, geographic reach, and integrated service offerings becoming increasingly important. The highly publicized merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, which went live on May 1, marked an important turning point in the industry. The merger created A&O Shearman, a $3.5 billion law firm with close to 4,000 lawyers and 47 offices worldwide, second in size only to rivals Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins.
The secrecy surrounding the A&O Shearman merger surprised many, especially in light of Shearman’s earlier, highly publicized but ultimately unsuccessful talks with Hogan Lovells. Yet, the inevitability of the combination reflected the firms’ complementary strengths and a shared vision of providing seamless transatlantic services in critical practice areas. The successful execution of this merger not only positions A&O Shearman as a global powerhouse but also sets a benchmark for future alliances in the legal sector.
This landmark deal is part of a larger increase in law firm mergers in 2024. In the first half of the year, 29 mergers were completed, a slight increase over previous years and testament to firms’ determination to strengthen their market positions. While no other merger had the scale of A&O Shearman, regional consolidations demonstrated a similar drive for growth and resilience. Examples are of Midwest firms Ulmer & Berne and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale combined to create UB Greensfelder, a 275-lawyer firm aimed at bolstering their presence in the region
Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord will merge in January 2025, forming Troutman Pepper Locke, a 1,600-attorney firm with a strong presence in the ten largest legal markets in the United States. The transatlantic allure remains strong, with Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel announcing plans to merge, resulting in a $2 billion revenue firm with over 2,700 lawyers in 25 offices, reinforcing the need for global scale and integrated services in an increasingly interconnected legal market.
While the pace of mergers has remained steady, the nature of these deals highlights the strategic priorities of the industry. Firms are not only seeking growth but are also aligning their mergers with broader goals, including geographic expansion, talent acquisition, and client-focused innovations. The industry-wide trend is toward larger, integrated, entities that reflect increasing complexity both in client needs and from competitive pressures driving firms towards creativity.
The mergers in 2024 demonstrate an unmistakable trajectory for the profession: those that embrace collaboration, scale, and strategic vision will be best prepared to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing market.
Law Firm Mergers Began With a Boutique Bash. Will the Party Continue in 2024?
Consolidation and Competition: The Law Firm Merger Market and What It Means for Midsize Law Firms
With High Interest in Law Firm Acquisitions, ‘A Likely Uptick’ in Mergers Underway
After Law Firm Merger Activity Rose Again, Combinations Expected to Increase Into 2025
Smaller firms falling out of love with merger, research finds – Legal Futures
Partner Cuts: The Grim Reality of Post-Merger Integration
When It Comes to Law Firm Mergers, Are Firm Leaders Getting FOMO?
Herbert Smith Freehills to Merge with Kramer Levin
Tech and Innovation
This year, discussions surrounding technology, in particular AI, have remained pervasive. With firms and external companies investing time and resources to develop AI tools for legal drafting and due diligence. Many of these companies have invested millions of dollars into the production of tools and startups which provide advanced services.
Additionally, throughout the year there have been discussions regarding the efficacy of investment into AI. Some argue that there is an unknown element regarding the long-term effects of AI technology of AI in law firms as well as a lack of enforcement of legislation. This combined with AI’s widespread use within the global market has deemed as risky by many experts if AI’s implementation remains unchecked. They also point out the risk of becoming reliant on these forms of innovations for companies.
On the other hand, others are excited about how AI can make the lives of lawyers easier. The light has been shone on the wider impact it can have within firms with younger, incoming lawyers being trained at firms such as Latham and Watkins and Travers Smith to use AI effectively in order to ensure they can keep up with the rapidly changing technology. Moreover, reports have surfaced about smaller regional firms in the USA and firms within Asia slightly lagging behind causing many to wonder how they plan to close the gap in this regard.
Additionally, over the last year we have borne witness to the effects technology can have on social dynamics within law firms as discussions have shown that the recent technological revolution has created an environment where lawyers towards the more senior end of their career feeling slightly alienated.
Overall, it is clear that this year, within the legal industry, the use of AI has been established, has been heavily invested in by firms and external companies, and that it is not likely to decline within the coming year.
How Latham & Watkins Is Using Online Training to Expand the Legal Pipeline
Linklaters launches AI sandbox to drive innovation
New Research Study Predicts Continued Growth for Generative AI in Legal
UK Startup Wexler AI Announces $1.4M Preseed Funding
As Gen AI Acceptance Grows, Lawyers Race to Mitigate Risks
Agency Leaders Accept They Must Use Existing Law to Regulate Artificial Intelligence
Global Firms’ Asia Offices Lag Behind US and Europe in AI Uptake
Market Commentary
Firstly, the ‘magic circle’ law firms have faced pressure to adapt to a changing legal landscape, and although these firms continue to lead UK revenues the increasing mergers of firms such as A&O and heightened competition from US firms. Also, there have been reports surrounding growth markets with specific locations and practice areas being targeted as areas to invest in by global law firms and other locations showing signs of decline as firms exit them. Examples of this include London, which was deemed to be a competitive growth hub for wall street firms, Greece, which passed legislation that reopened pathways for UK lawyers to practice law following Brexit, and Spain, which experienced growth in their litigation finance market due to favourable legislation and quick trial durations. Conversely, South Africa and China experienced shifts as US firms scaled back operations due to increasing risks.
Additionally, over the last year we have seen much discussion in growth strategy amongst firms with firms like DLA, Kirkland & Ellis and Willkie publishing fantastic deal volume results, impressive revenue figures and staggering growth metrics causing experts to debate how other firms can achieve similar results with law firms increasingly relying on KPI’s to track performance and profitability and other firms such as Clifford Chance restructuring their partner compensation models to balance seniority and productivity through creating a merit based system to retain their top billers and boost profitability in that regard and Dentons.
Furthermore, ESG related scrutiny has intensified as firms like A&O Shearman and Akin have faced backlash from climate activists over fossil fuel related work leading to investors and policymakers prioritising sustainability and governance.
Finally, throughout this year a particularly important topic throughout the legal sector has been mental health as a new generation of lawyers enter the workforce with heightened mental health awareness, which has forced firms to address evolving workplace expectations.
Overall, it has been an eventful year with the legal market continuing to evolve as priorities shift in terms of talent retention, strategic growth and individual wellbeing.
New Battleground: Wall Street Law Firms Eye London Growth
Greece Opens the Door to U.K. Lawyers Under New Law
Leveraging Law Firm KPIs for Business Success
Is the ‘Magic Circle’ Dead, Or Just Different?
Letter From Asia: The Americans Are Leaving China in Droves, but Will It Level the Playing Field?
How to Grow Fast Like Kirkland
Are You ESG-Prepared? Statistically Speaking, Probably Not!
Law Firms Seek Flexibility in Revised Partner Comp Systems, Balancing Seniority with Productivity
DE&I
From our D&I news that we share as part of the Fides legal weekly update, we have observed that there appears to be growing gender parity in the legal field, with women now comprising the majority of associates in some cities and continuing to gain ground in senior roles, signalling positive progress towards gender equity.
We have also noted increasing diversity in leadership roles, particularly with Black individuals taking on prominent positions in academia, reflects a broader effort to ensure diverse voices shape decisions within legal institutions and firms.
Another significant development is that more women are enrolling in top law schools, suggesting that future legal professionals will reflect more gender diversity. This demographic shift is expected to have a long-term impact on the composition of the legal profession.
Women Make Up the Majority of Associates for the First Time
Gibson Dunn Partner Named First Black Dean of Drake Law
17 of the Top 20 Law Schools Have More Women Enrolled
Simpson Thacher Appoints First Female London Head
Freshfields Beats Gender Target for Fourth Year in a Row in Latest Partner Promotion Round
Moves:
In-House
Ex-Cancer Society CLO Takes Legal Reins of Habitat for Humanity International
Tim Phillips is the general lawyer for the Navy SEAL Foundation outside of his day work.
HubSpot Chief Legal Officer Departs ‘Upon Mutual Agreement’ After Just 2 Years
HubSpot’s market worth increased to $38 billion with three acquisitions under the legal direction of Alyssa Harvey Dawson.
Home Improvement App Thumbtack Hires Ex-SmileDirectClub Legal Chief
Susan Greenspon Rammelt is joining Thumbtack as it competes with competitors like Houzz and Angi for market share in the sizable but dispersed home services industry.
SoundCloud GC Takes Legal Reins of Condé Nast at Tumultuous Time
Antonious Porch, who helped bring the music-sharing website SoundCloud viable and led the music-recognition software Shazam to a $400 million sale, joins the magazine behemoth.
UK & Ireland
Another Latham Partner Heads to Sidley in London
Despite just joining Latham in 2022, partner Tania Bedi, co-chair of the London finance department, has chosen to join seven of her former Sidley partners, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Philipp Girardet will become a partner in Clifford Chance’s London-based Global Antitrust Group, the international law firm said today. Philipp joins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
APAC
Hong Kong Boutique Practice Lures K&L Gates Capital Markets Partner
Four months ago, a former partner of O’Melveny & Myers founded the Hong Kong boutique Edwin Kwok & Co., where Iris Leung now works.
London’s Blackstone Chambers Bolsters Asia Presence, Hires Disputes Specialist in Singapore
According to a release, Sapna Jhangiani KC, the first Singaporean woman barrister to be appointed a silk in England in 2020, will remain based in Singapore while taking on her duties in the chambers. Last month, she was appointed to the Court of Appeal of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts as a part-time judge. She had previously worked for three years as an international legal counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Singapore.
Another Partner Leaves Australia’s Corrs for King & Wood Mallesons
When Lizzie Knight, an 11-year Corrs partner from Sydney, joins the KWM firm, she will relocate to Canberra, the capital of Australia.
Baker McKenzie’s Seoul JV Adds International Arbitration Veteran from Big Six Firm
This year, Baker McKenzie & KL Partners has added five new partners, including Sung Woo Lim.
Korean’s Yulchon welcomes back IP attorney as partner from LIN
Keejeong Kim, an intellectual property lawyer, returned to the Korean Big Six firm Yulchon as a partner from the local law firm LIN in 2024, continuing the firm’s ambitious development.
Hogan Lovells turns to Dechert again for Asia laterals
With the addition of three partners from Dechert, international legal firm Hogan Lovells has increased its footprint in Asia. In January, Siew Kam Boon, Timothy Goh, and Thomas Kim will join the company’s private equity and funds practice in Singapore.
EMEA
Clyde & Co rapidly expands offering in Saudi Arabia with new partners
Talal Al-Othman, a well-known attorney, has joined the firm’s Riyadh office. Talal provides the Saudi Commercial Court and Board of Grievances with experience in both commercial arbitration and commercial litigation.
DWF expands Dubai team with Dispute Resolution partner hire
Michael Hartley, a conflicts resolution partner, has joined DWF’s Dubai bench, contributing his wealth of experience in infrastructure, building, and energy. In London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and the International Chamber of Commerce, among other courts and arbitration centers, he has managed intricate, significant international conflicts.
The Americas
Orrick Hires Real Estate Partner to Focus on Data Centers
After more than three years at Chicago’s Loeb & Loeb, Peter Bergan joins the company.
Groen Strokoff O’Neill, LLC adds accomplished Trial Lawyer, William “Bill” Coppol.
Bill Coppol, an accomplished trial lawyer, is another addition to Groen Strokoff O’Neill’s expanding roster.
Gibson Dunn Adds Senior SEC Enforcement Official
Osman Nawaz joined Gibson Dunn as a partner after more than 14 years at the SEC.
Boies Schiller Flexner Adds Antitrust, Intellectual Property Partners
Prominent litigators Enoch Liang and James Keyte join the disputes powerhouse.
Veteran DOJ Antitrust Litigator Kenneth Dintzer Heads to Crowell
Kenneth Dintzer led the DOJ’s case in United States v. Google. He has joined Crowell & Moring as a partner in the firm’s Antitrust and Competition, Government Contracts, and Litigation groups.
People in the News—Dec. 10, 2024—Margolis Edelstein, Duane Morris
It was reported by Margolis Edelstein that litigator David Singh has become a partner in the Philadelphia office.
Lowenstein Sandler Boosts White-Collar, Business Litigation Group with Deputy AG Hire
Michael T.G. Long, former Director of the Division of Law (DOL) within the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, has returned to the firm as partner in the firm’s White-Collar Défense and Business Litigation practice groups.
People in the News—Dec. 12, 2024—Pietragallo Gordon, Fox Rothschild
Gregory A. Mason has joined the Philadelphia office of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti.
Simpson Restructuring Leader Moves Back to Weil
Following Ray Schrock’s resignation, Sunny Singh rejoins Weil as co-chair of the restructuring department.
Team Moves
Jones Day Adds 10 US Supreme Court Clerks to Associate Ranks
All five of the individuals who were hired as associates at Jones Day were clerks for the high court’s conservative faction.
MoFo Poaches More Tech Talent from Goodwin with 3-Partner ECVC Group
Along with two Goodwin associates who were promoted to partner, Peter Fusco, a partner at Goodwin, now serves as co-chair of MoFo’s ECVC group.
11-Strong Team Quits EY Law as Struggles Continue
In London, energy, and infrastructure experts Hunton Andrews Kurth has added four partners, five associates, a consultant, and a lawyer. Under the leadership of partners Charles Morrison, Dimitri Papaefstratiou, Simon Collier, and Harry Brunt, the team focuses on transactions in a range of energy sectors, including oil and gas, thermal and renewable power, and emerging technologies like energy storage, carbon capture, and hydrogen.
Financials:
Steptoe Offers Associates New Flexible Billable Hour Tracks in Revamped Comp System
Three full-time billable hour budget alternatives with corresponding compensation scales will be available to associates under Steptoe’s redesigned associate compensation model, which goes into effect in January.
Boies Schiller Increases Federal Clerkship Bonus to $150K Amid Hiring Uptick
According to chairman-elect Matthew Schwartz, the business wants to dominate the federal district and appellate clerk market.
Topping Big Law, Litigation Firm the Latest to Dole Out Above-Market Bonuses
According to Selendy Gay, in addition to special awards, it will offer above-market bonuses for every associate class year, with the highest possible payout of $132,250 for the class of 2017 and later.
Salaries for Marketing, Business Development Professionals in Texas, Nationally Are Growing
According to a recent Wisnik Career Enterprises poll, chief marketing and business development professionals in Texas are making, on average, $305,000 this year.
Corrs and Effect: Why Pay for Top Partners is Rising in Australia
In Australia, compensation for top-performing partners has increased dramatically in recent years; some companies are now spending A$6 million ($3.9 million) or more to recruit and retain attorneys with substantial practices.
Macfarlanes Highest Paid Partner Pay Breaks £4M Barrier
The firm’s highest-paid partner earned £ 4.05 million during the fiscal year 2023–2024, according to the accounts for the 11 months ending March 31, 2024. This exceeded the previous high of £3.8 million set in 2022.
UK Legal Exports Grow 40% in 2 Years
Using data from the Office for National Statistics, The City UK research also revealed that since 2015, the overall gross value of legal exports from the United Kingdom has increased by 87%. The sum for 2023 is £9.47 billion, the highest amount ever recorded, over £1 billion more than 2022, and nearly 40% higher than the £6.8 billion total for 2021.
Promotions & Appointments
Norton Rose Fulbright Taps New Office Leaders in Houston
In Houston, tax controversy partner Robert Morris has been promoted to administrative partner, while litigation partner Carter Dugan has been appointed partner-in-charge.
King & Spalding Names Largest New Partner Class in Its History
The firm has equal representation in 14 cities across three continents for both its litigation and transactional activities. They promoted 37 lawyers to partner and five to counsel.
Trump Names FTC Chair Who’s Been Thorn ‘in side’ of Lina Khan
Andrew Ferguson, according to President Donald Trump, “has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship. and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country.”
Bucking Industry Trend, Sidley Austin Elects Biggest Class of Partners in Firm History
In its most recent promotion round, the company chose to promote 38 partners and 27 attorneys.
Moore & Van Allen Adds to C-Suite, Cadwalader Promotes Three in Charlotte
The company’s first chief marketing and business development officer is a seasoned leader from Goulston & Storrs.
Paul Weiss Promotes Partners into Both Equity and Non-Equity Tiers Amid ‘Existential War for Talent’
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is advancing attorneys into both the equity and its new nonequity tiers with the appointment of 34 new partners this month. Regarding the proportion of new partners who were equity vs income, the firm chose not to comment. However, the partner promotion cycle, which will take effect in 2025, is nearly three times as large as the firm announced the previous year. Twelve new partners joined the firm in 2023, eleven in 2022, nine in 2021, and seven in 2020.
Dentons Gets New Africa CEO in First Regional Election
Mohamed Zaanouni, who will begin his new position at Dentons in January 2025, intends to concentrate on regional expansion and cooperation among 17 nations.
Fifty-six partners appointed in Norton Rose Fulbright’s class of 2025
The 2025 partner promotions class released by Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) had 56 members, up from 49 the previous year and a significant increase above the 36 partners in the 2023 class.
Spain’s Uría Menéndez & Garrigues Promote 25 New Partners with Corporate Leading Growth
With effect from January 1, 2025, Spanish legal firms Uría Menéndez and Garrigues have advanced seven and eighteen attorneys to partner, respectively. The appointments cover Spain, Portugal, Chile, and Peru. Many are inside the firms’ corporate practices, as law firm leaders witnessed business steadily expanding throughout the year, with stabilizing interest rates and a strong economic forecast projected to further stimulate activity in the M&A market.
Philip Lee appoints Eoghan Doyle as head of corporate and M&A
Eoghan Doyle, a partner, has been named head of corporate and M&A at Philip Lee. Mr. Doyle takes over for departing department head Andreas McConnell, who has been a senior partner with the firm for 15 years and is still heavily involved in the operations.
Diversity & Inclusion:
HSF Investigating “Deeply Offensive” Partner Tweet Directed at Jewish Lawyer
An Australian partner’s “deeply offensive” tweet against a Jewish attorney at another firm has prompted Herbert Smith Freehills to open an investigation. In a statement, HSF chair and senior partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage said, “We were shocked to learn on Friday evening of a deeply offensive post, and very sorry that it was written.”
Campaigning woman barrister wins tribunal case over ‘boys’ club’ tweets criticising family judge
‘Turning point’ for women’s rights and a barrister’s freedom of speech, says Charlotte Proudman
Fresh Off Expansion in New York, Honolulu, Dallas-founded Thompson Coe Plans Denver Launch
On January 1st, 2025, 14 attorneys from Denver’s Wells, Anderson & Race, a trial practice that is predominately run by women, will join Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons’ new Denver office.
Office Openings & Closing:
The Boom Continues: These Firms All Opened New Florida Offices in 2024
This year proved to be significant for midsize firms hoping to meet the Sunshine State’s expanding demand for attorneys in a variety of professions, as at least 14 new law firm locations went online.
Goldberg Segalla Launches in Wilmington
According to hiring partner Joseph Hanna, the Second Hundred firm is experiencing a record year in 2024, accumulating its greatest headcount to date with little lateral attrition.
Baker & Hostetler to Open Austin Office with 10-Lawyer Locke Lord Affordable Housing Team
Due to disagreements with clients regarding Locke Lord’s planned merger with Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders on January 1, 2025, the affordable housing team at Locke Lord is departing the company.
After 40 Years, Riker Danzig Leaves Morristown
Riker Danzig, which has been based in Morristown, New Jersey, since 1983, is moving its headquarters to Madison, New Jersey’s 7 Giralda Farms.
Ice Miller Debuts New Miami Office After Landing Two Greenspoon Marder Attorneys
With the opening of its second Miami office only months after its Naples debut, the Second Hundred firm is fast growing in Florida.
Eversheds Sutherland Moving After 36 Years to Smaller Atlanta Office
The firm’s COO claims that the vast law library, extra file drawers, and storage space in the current location “are no longer relevant.”
Brazilian Firm Simões Pires Opens Chicago Office with Focus on Agribusiness
Simões Pires wants to help Brazilian enterprises in the commodities hub of the United States as they expand their global reach.
HKIAC opens 2nd mainland rep office in Beijing
The first offshore arbitration organization to open a presence in the Chinese capital is the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), which has formally inaugurated its Beijing Representative Office.
Mergers & Alliances:
Kramer Levin’s Paris Office Eyes U.S. Merger
In anticipation of its parent company’s 2025 partnership with Herbert Smith Freehills, Kramer Levin’s Paris office is seeking a new U.S. firm to join as it gets ready to spin out.
As Global Law Firm Mergers Keep Coming, Will There Ever Be a New Swiss Verein?
Kramer Levin and Herbert Smith Freehills rejected the model for their next collaboration. Earlier this year, A&O Shearman did the same. However, a number of executives whose companies adopted the structure report that it has been beneficial to them.
With more than 200 attorneys, William Fry bills itself as one of Ireland’s biggest businesses.
2 Albany Players Announce Merger to Create 113-Attorney Firm
At the beginning of 2025, litigation boutique Nolan Heller Kauffman will merge with NLJ 500 firm Whiteman Osterman & Hanna.
Whitelaw Twining Growing to Four Offices with New Montreal Location
On January 1st, the Canadian division of the DWF Group will team up with the 16-lawyer firm Bélanger Sauvé.
DAC Beachcroft Expands in Chile with Litigation Boutique Acquisition
By acquiring a litigation boutique in Chile, DAC Beachcroft has expanded its clientele in a crucial Latin American market. According to the company, Ríos Abogados has a highly qualified and esteemed staff with a wealth of expertise assisting the Chilean insurance market with difficult claims and arbitration, as well as with corporate and regulatory issues.
Technology & Innovation:
Three Reasons CLOs Are Critical to the Successful Adoption of Generative AI
CLOs are now important players that influence GenAI choices. When it comes to carrying out crucial choices regarding the acquisition, creation, and deployment of GenAI-powered solutions, their capacity to advise the company on how to proceed with GenAI initiatives while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements complements that of other executive-level leaders.
Is AI Worth the Risks in Criminal Justice System?
Although some experts have concerns about the technology’s decision-making capabilities, developers are coming up with innovative ways to integrate technology into the criminal justice system.
Legal Drafting Startup DocDraft AI Launches Drafting, Attorney Service Platform
The platform’s primary goal is to meet the legal needs of users who might be looking for tools for self-representation as well as professional legal assistance.
Luminance Launches New Contract Negotiation Tool Lumi Go
The new offering allows counterparties of customers to access certain Luminance features.
Linklaters Sets Up Sandbox to Test AI Ideas
In order to facilitate the rapid development of AI solutions, Linklaters has introduced an AI Sandbox. To avoid disruptions, security lapses, and unexpected outcomes, AI systems can be evaluated and isolated from the primary systems in a controlled setting known as the sandbox.
Independent law firms can stay competitive in race to adopt AI
According to a LexisNexis survey, nearly half (49%) of in-house counsel anticipate that legal companies would deploy generative AI in the upcoming year.
Market Commentary:
Many Southeast-Born Firms Hired More First-Year Associates in 2024
According to recruiters, more hiring shows that businesses are confident about rising demand in 2025.
Law Firms’ ‘Failed Hires’ Expected to Climb as Lateral Hiring Ramps Up
According to industry analysts, there is a “high likelihood” that the number of newly employed lateral equity partners will expand.
Is London’s Litigation Market in Trouble?
The Mastercard settlement this month, which came against the backdrop of PACCAR, rocked a litigation industry that has been threatened by near-existential dangers, according to some.
Visa CLO-Turned-Vice Chair Seeing Payoff from Expanded Role
Kelly Mahon Tullier is one of many American executives who have risen to more senior positions in recent years by using their positions as legal chiefs.
As Atlanta Partners Moved to Am Law 200 Firms at a Higher Rate in 2024, 2 New Arrivals Benefited
More than one out of three attorneys who were on the move ended up at either Barnes & Thornburg or Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, which are well-known firms, or newcomers Clark Hill and Buchalter.
Chinese Firms Push for Growth Overseas
Chinese legal practices are still working to expand internationally.
Pay Is No. 1 Reason Associates Stay at Their Firm, Says New Study of Canadian Lawyers
According to Trevelyan Hornblower, the main risk indicators for law firms are whether or not their associates believe they are not provided with an opportunity to gain experience and advance in their careers.
Moves:
In-House
Emerson Electric Opens Wallet to Reward New CLO for Fast Start
Michael Tang has already reorganized the company’s legal department and enhanced the expertise of its board of directors.
FactSet Finds New Legal Chief at Financial Data Rival S&P
As FactSet and its rivals compete to use generative AI to deliver better analytics to investing professionals more quickly, Christopher McLoughlin is taking over the company’s legal leadership.
Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel Is Newest Magistrate in Chancery
Danielle Gibbs was a corporate litigator at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor for 16 years prior to joining the state of Delaware.
In-House Moves of Month: Discover Fills Awkward CLO Opening, Allegion GC Lasts Just 3 Months
Discover announced it had hired former U.S. Department of Commerce General Counsel Kelly Welsh as interim CLO. Also, only three months after handing off the general counsel position at Allegion to Stacy Cozad, Jeff Braun is reclaiming it.
Another Senior Boeing Attorney Exits, This One for CLO Post at Jet-Maintenance Company
According to Neil Book, CEO of Jet Support Services Inc., Carly Anderson “is a world-class attorney, businessperson, and team player who brings deep aviation expertise.”
Nation’s Largest Utility Parts Ways with CLO Who Helped It Navigate Bribery Scandal
Colette Honorable will take over Exelon’s legal responsibilities from Chief Legal Officer Gayle Littleton, who will remain an adviser until her departure in March 2025.
Carrier Legal Chief Departs for GC Post at Defense Giant Lockheed Martin
Kevin O’Connor is taking over the legal department of the biggest defence contractor in the country, which employs 122,000 people and generates $68 billion in revenue.
Professors Association Appoints New GC at Fractious Time
Veena Dubal, the new general counsel of the American Association of University Professors, stated that academic freedom is essential to not only research and higher education but also to our larger political, social, and economic liberties.
Ex-Google Exec Joins AI Company as First CLO
Catherine Lacavera, chief legal officer at Turing Enterprises, stated, “This is a pivotal moment, not just for Turing, but for the entire AI ecosystem.” “AI is reshaping industries, and companies need strong legal frameworks to navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents.”
Irish lawyer to head Trump’s antitrust team
The incoming Trump administration has named Irish attorney Gail Slater to head the US Department of Justice’s antitrust section. Ms. Slater is a graduate of the UCD Sutherland School of Law and is originally from Dalkey, County Dublin. She has been a US resident since 2003 and holds dual US and Irish citizenship.
UK & Ireland
Gibson Dunn Adds Jones Day M&A Veteran in London
With the hiring of a partner from Jones Day, the U.S. firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has further enhanced its transactional capabilities in London. Gibson Dunn announced that Will McDonald would be joining the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. After nearly eighteen years, McDonald, a Jones Day lifer, is departing the company.
Former Head of Finance at DLA Piper and Freshfields Quietly ‘Struck Off’
The UK regulator has revoked David Trott’s license to practice law. Trott was the former global head of finance at DLA Piper and Freshfields. Trott, who spent more than 34 years at Freshfields before joining DLA Piper in 2021, departed the company in May 2023 after just two years.
Brown Rudnick Expands Global Real Estate Practice with Partner Hire in London
Angus Ford has joined the international legal firm Brown Rudnick as the head of UK & European Real Estate in London, the business announced today. Ford brings with him more than 20 years of real estate law experience from Eversheds Sutherland, where he co-directed the Investment Management Services Product Group and oversaw the worldwide logistics group.
Leading construction partner joins Simmons
Marianne Toghill, an experienced partner, has joined the London office of international law firm Simmons & Simmons. After working for several decades at the London office of another international law firm, Marianne joins Simmons with a market-leading reputation in the construction industry, having provided advice on some of London’s most iconic buildings, such as the Shard, Battersea Power Station, the O2 Arena, and Canary Wharf.
White & Case hires fund finance partner in London
By hiring a senior partner from a competing US law firm in London, White & Case has stepped up efforts to broaden its fund finance service. Emma Russell, the London head of finance at Haynes & Boone, was hired by the business.
Proskauer Adds London Finance Partner
Last week, Jonathan Goldfinch, a former partner at A&O Shearman, was also hired by Proskauer Rose, a prominent finance firm based in the United States. After less than a year at A&O Shearman, Goldfinch resigned in September after it was revealed that he had left the company due to a conviction for drunk driving.
Clifford Chance Swipes Wilkie Farr’s Global European Competition Chair
With the acquisition of Wilkie Farr & Gallager’s chair of European competition, Clifford Chance has further strengthened its competitiveness. Having worked at Wilkie Farr for eight years, Philipp Girardet has decades of knowledge with both UK and EU competition law.
APAC
Ashurst Bolsters Singapore Offering With A&O Shearman Hire
According to Ashurst, Kok Jin Ong will become a partner after receiving regulatory permission and joining the firm’s corporate transactions practice. After eight months as counsel, Ong departs A&O Shearman. Prior to that, he was employed at Legacy Shearman & Sterlin.
Clayton Utz M&A partner Niro Ananda set to resign; KWM eyed
Sources with knowledge of the subject say Ananda is to leave Clayton Utz, and that he is set to join KWM. Ananda specialises in guiding financial sponsors and their portfolio companies through complex M&A transactions, encompassing private and public M&A, securities offerings, and capital restructures.
29 years is enough! Herbert Smith Freehills’ Tony Damian jumps ship
Tony Damian, Herbert Smith Freehills lifer and leading M&A lawyer is retiring from the partnership after almost three decades, the firm has confirmed.
Gibson Dunn Hires Again in Singapore After Cutting Partnership Weeks Ago
Hagen Rooke was Reed Smith’s sole fintech partner in Singapore and one of the company’s two regulatory partners for financial services in the city-state.
Former Bakers TMT lawyer joins SG boutique Magellan Law as partner
Alex Toh, a former local principal at Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, has joined Singapore boutique law firm Magellan Law as a partner in its technology and telecommunications (TMT) department. Toh, who spent more than five years with Baker McKenzie before leaving in November 2023, is an expert in contractual, advising, and regulatory issues pertaining to TMT and information and communications technology (ICT).
EMEA
Maarten Stassen, Eversheds Sutherland’s most recent lateral partner hire, has enhanced the company’s cyber security and privacy expertise throughout the Benelux region. Maarten brings a wealth of experience from working both in-house and as external counsel to clients in the public and private sectors worldwide to the firm’s TMT division in Brussels, having previously worked at Crowell & Moring.
Noerr strengthens international trade law practice with addition of Tobias Zuber in Brussels
Noerr is bolstering its highly successful international trade law practice with the addition of Tobias Zuber, who was sent to join the Brussels office from the 1st of December.
CMS further bolsters Real Estate practice with partner appointment in Bratislava
It is with great pleasure that CMS CMNO announces Martin Jurecko as a partner in its Bratislava real estate practice. His hiring will help the team’s ongoing development and bolster the company’s real estate skills.
Clifford Chance Adds Two Goodwin Leveraged Finance Specialists as Partners in Paris
Clifford Chance has picked up two banking and finance partners from Goodwin Procter to boost their ability to advise clients in the financial services sector. Arnaud Fromion represents banks, debt funds, financial sponsors and corporate borrowers in various types of bank financing and complex restructuring transactions. Frédéric Guilloux specializes in leveraged finance, corporate finance, as well as restructuring. He advises private equity sponsors, private debt funds and banking syndicates.
Top German Banking Partners Seiler & Rath Rejoin Latham After White & Case Stint
After only a few months at White & Case, Oliver Seiler and David Rath are returning to Latham’s German capital markets division.
AC&H hires Dubai disputes partner
Alex Layden has joined the Dubai branch of Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota (AC&H) as a disputes partner. With qualifications in Ireland, England and Wales, and the United Arab Emirates, Layden is a barrister with over ten years of experience in complex business disputes. He has represented clients in the Middle East and abroad in cross-border cases and is admitted to the courts of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Bowmans, Matouk Bassiouny & ALN Make Strategic Hires in Africa
To strengthen their project, finance, and dispute resolution capabilities, African firms Bowmans, Matouk Bassiouny, and legal network ALN have recruited top attorneys from outside. Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (MBH) appointed former Securities and Commodities Authority lawyer Ayman Heikal to head the firm’s capital market offering in the UAE. Bowmans reported that Jeremy Connick, a former Clifford Chance lawyer based in the U.K., is joining as a consultant in January 2025. Furthermore, A&O Shearman partner, Deborah Carmichael, rejoins ENS. The banking & finance lawyer spent 13 years at ENS before departing for the legacy A&O last year.
The Americas
People in the News—Dec. 2, 2024—Marshall Dennehey, Pollock Begg
Nicole M. Ehrhart has returned to her position as special counsel in the health care division of Marshall Dennehey’s Harrisburg office.
Freshfields Hires SEC Associate Director in Latest D.C. Lateral Hiring Spree
Melissa Hodgman has joined Freshfields as a litigation partner in Washington, D.C., the firm announced on Monday. Hodgman was most recently an associate director in the Enforcement Division of the SEC.
Kirkland Hires Real Estate Finance Partners in New York
Matthew Bettinger and Seth Henslovitz have joined Kirkland & Ellis as partners in the Real Estate Practice Group.
Hogan Lovells, Reed Smith Add Tax Partners in DC, San Francisco
Jay Singer joins Hogan Lovells from A&O Shearman while Saba Shatara moves to Reed Smith from Deloitte.
People in the News—Dec. 4, 2024—Post & Schell, Tucker Arensberg
Abraham Rein, a white-collar defence lawyer with almost 20 years of experience, was chosen chair of Post & Schell’s white collar and internal investigations practice area, the company reported.
Moore & Van Allen Adds Finance Partner from Morris Manning
The Charleston office of Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is delighted to announce the addition of David M. Freda, who will work in the Commercial Real Estate group with an emphasis on real estate equity finance. Freda leaves Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP to join MVA.
Skadden Hires IP, Technology Litigator in Palo Alto
Bijal Vakil leaves A&O Shearman after eight months to join Skadden’s intellectual property litigation division.
People in the News—Dec. 5, 2024—Flaster Greenberg
Flaster Greenberg has added Michael J. Egnal as a lawyer in the environmental and real estate law divisions.
Freshfields Adds Cap Markets, Employee Benefits Partners in Silicon Valley
Calise Cheng, a capital markets partner at Cooley, has joined Magic Circle UK, a move that the firm claims confirm its standing as “the premier law firm for tech clients”. Heather Brookfield, a former Goodwin compensation and benefits lawyer for Uber, has also joined the company.
Linklaters Duo Jumps to Reed Smith’s Structured Finance Practice
After just over two years with Linklaters, Peter Williams and Elizabeth Walker decided to move to New York City to work with Reed Smith.
Husch, Winstead, Dentons Add Texas Partners as 2024 Hiring Season Winds Down
The lateral hires who started working at Texas firms are involved in environmental, health care, and fiduciary disputes. Two of the lawyers left in-house positions to return to private practice: Kate Sullivan Morgan, counsel at Dentons earlier in her career, came from Austin’s ‘Transcarent’, where she held various positions including senior vice president and associate general counsel; and Jordan Rodriguez, who formerly was senior counsel for environmental, health and safety at Huntsman Corp. in The Woodlands.
People in the News—Dec. 6, 2024—Hamburg Rubin, Pietragallo Gordon
Michael S. Gill, a real estate lawyer who represents clients on all sides of commercial real estate problems, has joined Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin.
Pullman & Comley Adds Member and Counsel
Attorneys Kate Boucher and Tyler Hokanson have joined Pullman & Comley’s land use, energy, real estate, and environmental practices.
Bracewell Adds Transactional Tax Partner in Dallas
Peter W. Rogers has joined Bracewell’s tax department as a partner in the Dallas office, the firm stated. Rogers leaves Vinson & Elkins for Bracewell. Rogers spent seven years practicing law at Cravath, Swaine & Moore before joining Vinson & Elkins.
Team Moves
According to Charlotte Harris, co-chair of the brand and reputation management team, “we are not feeling any loss from that perspective.”
Another Insurance Team Departs Clyde & Co in Australia
Wotton Kearney, an Australian law practice that specializes in insurance, has acquired another insurance partner and team from Clyde & Co., making it the sixth insurance team to depart the British firm in the last 12 months. The addition of Jacques Jacobs and his six-person team to Wotton Kearney’s Sydney office, according to the firm, solidifies its standing as a financial line’s leader.
DLA Piper Grows its Vancouver Office with 8 Lawyers from Regional Rival
The second sizable group to go from Vancouver firm Clark Wilson in recent months is the group of litigators from the insurance, construction, and aviation sectors.
Five-lawyer Withers IP team exits for Sullivan & Worcester in US
Boston-based Sullivan & Worcester has hired a five-lawyer IP team led by partners Tom Meyers and Zachary Hyde from top 30 UK firm Withersworldwide.
Financials:
Wilkinson Stekloff Tops Big Law, Doles Out 150% Above-Market Bonuses
In addition to special bonuses ranging from $6,000 to $25,000, the litigation boutique will offer its colleagues above-market bonuses, with the class of 2024 starting at $22,500 and the class of 2017 and later topping out at $172,000.
Are Associate Sign-On Bonuses Back? Not Just Yet, Recruiters Say
Infrequently, mid- and senior-level employees receive incentives, but a predicted rise in M&A in 2025 may make sign-on bonuses common once more.
Highest-Earning Partners May Be Looking to ‘Cash in’ on Early Retirement
Some of the highest-paid partners are eager to retire early due to rising partner compensation.
Promotions & Appointments
Delaware Governor Names Magistrate Judge as Next Vice Chancellor
For almost two years, Bonnie W. David has been a magistrate on the court.
DeSantis Joins the Broward Circuit Court Bench as an Assistant US Attorney
Jonathan D. Lott, who will fill the judicial vacancy, stated, “I doubt I’m the youngest judge to be appointed to the bench, but I’m probably younger than the average judge.”
Midsize Texas Firm Kane Russell Takes Another Step Toward Second-Generation Leadership with New CFO
As founding director Raymond Kane serves what he anticipates being his final term as chair before having a board made up entirely of practice leaders, Kane Russell Coleman Logan’s transition to second-generation leadership at the midsize Texas business is becoming closer to reality.
Trump Nominates Paul Atkins as SEC Chair
The CEO of Patomak Global Partners, a financial services consulting firm with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., is Paul Atkins.
Burns White Names Conshohocken Litigator as New CEO
In the past, Stuart O’Neal co-chaired the cybersecurity and professional liability divisions of the business and was its first chief privacy officer. He replaces the company’s first female CEO, Mary-Jo Rebelo, who departed to work as general counsel for a client.
Webber Wentzel Shakes Up Management with Elections for Top Partners
In March 2025, Safiyya Patel and Gareth Driver were named managing and senior partners at Webber Wentzel, replacing Sally Hutton and Christo Els.
Fieldfisher Expands Leadership of Growing Spanish Practice
Fieldfisher has a new leadership team overseeing its Spanish operations as the firm expects to close the year with revenue gains upwards of 15% from 2023. Héctor Jausàs, a regulatory partner and head of the life sciences group, is the new president of Fieldfisher’s practice in Spain. Rodrigo Martos, a corporate M&A partner, and Talmac Bel, a labour and employment partner, are co-managing partners.
Clark Hill appoints Conor Linehan SC to lead environmental and natural resources team
Conor Linehan SC is now the head of the environmental and natural resources team at the international law firm Clark Hill in Dublin. Mr. Linehan joins Clark Hill with over 25 years of environmental law experience.
Diversity & Inclusion:
King & Spalding E-Discovery Director Jumps to Nebraska Women-Owned Firm
Rose Jones was a founding member of King & Spalding’s e-discovery team, which currently consists of around 90 lawyers spread across 10 offices. She intends to assist in expanding Hilgers Graben’s e-discovery practice in search of a fresh challenge.
‘Glass ceiling remains powerful’ – IBA takes stock on progress achieving gender equality in law
A progress report released this week by the International Bar Association (IBA) on its flagship 50:50 by 2030 project identifies mentoring, leadership development, and flexible work arrangements as among of the most successful strategies for enhancing gender quality in the legal industry.
Office Openings & Closing:
Paul Weiss, Trailblazer for US Firms in China, to Close Beijing Office
At least a dozen American companies have shut down some or all of their offices in China, including this one. That trend is unlikely to be stopped by the incoming U.S. administration.
Embracing Hybrid Work, ArentFox Schiff Downsizes LA Digs
Aaron Jacoby, managing partner at ArentFox Schiff Los Angeles, stated that “a lot of what goes on in the law in motion part of law practice now happens online.”
Freeman Mathis & Gary Taps Orlando for Third New Florida Office This Year
With six lawyers from Orlando boutique Beytin, McLaughlin, McLaughlin, O’Hara & Bocchino, the new office marks the firm’s fourth Sunshine State location.
GrayRobinson Opens Office in Pensacola, Marking First New Office Since 2019
In order to increase its physical presence in a region of the state where it had not yet had an office, the Second Hundred company is adding five attorneys to its recently launched Pensacola office.
Dilworth Paxson Moving to One Liberty Place
The firm is following in the footsteps of Fox Rothschild and Goodwin Procter, who earlier this year moved into new offices in Philadelphia, after 17 years at 1500 Market St.
Milbank Becomes 14th U.S. Firm to Close Mainland China Office This Year
Paul Weiss, the oldest American law firm in China, have announced the closure of its Beijing office.
FGvW unveils plans to open in Düsseldorf
Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partners (FGvW) has declared that it will launch its sixth office in Germany in Düsseldorf at the start of May. Jessica Hanke and Gregor Lamla, partners in real estate law, and Sven Köhnen, a specialist in antitrust and commercial distribution, will head the office.
Ropes & Gray Registers Paris Services Company Amid Talk of France Office Launch
According to French government documents, the chief financial officer of Ropes & Gray, who is headquartered in New York, has formally registered an eponymous French company in Paris, ahead of what many anticipate being the opening of an office there.
Mergers & Alliances:
Ogletree Deakins Expanding to Baltimore, Adding 16-Lawyer Boutique
They are labour and employment law pioneers. Regarding merger partner Shawe Rosenthal, Ogletree managing shareholder Liz Washko stated, “Quite frankly, we did not expect them to be open to a conversation about it.”
Frost Enters Arizona Market with Acquisition of Litigation Boutique
Name partner Christopher Frost stated, “We want a stranglehold in Arizona, not just a toehold.”
Morais Leitão Expands in Asia with Timor-Leste Partnership
Through an exclusive agreement with JLA, Advogados e Consultores in Timor-Leste, the Portuguese legal firm Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has increased its footprint in Asia. The collaboration expands Morais Leitão’s network in Asia, where the company opened an office in Singapore last year, and the Lusosphere at the same time.
Technology & Innovation:
Thomson Reuters Plans to Spend Big in AI. Here’s How
According to Raghu Ramanathan, President of Legal Professionals, the business will keep spending money on development and acquisitions to enhance its generative AI products.
AI Adoption, Data Center Building Boom Opening More Doors for Cybercriminals, Many of Them Teenagers
Michael Bruemmer, vice president of worldwide data breach response at Experian, stated, “We’ve seen a lot more activity with gangs that are powered by teenagers, and it makes sense because the teens are being recruited because they’re tech savvy, they’re into gaming, and they know about AI.”
UK Startup Wexler AI Announces $1.4M Preseed Funding
With the money, the legal intelligence platform hopes to grow its clientele abroad and enhance its litigation-focused skills.
Baker McKenzie Builds on AI Foundation, Crafting Tools to Help Lawyers Work ‘Better, Smarter’
The company has recently welcomed the emergence of generative AI after initiating an AI program in 2017 that was centered on cloud migration.
Lawyers Drowning in Cases Are Embracing AI Fastest—and Say It’s Yielding Better Outcomes for Clients
Aaref Hilaly, a partner at Bain Capital Ventures, which makes investments in businesses that automate legal documents, stated that “no lawyer can ignore this first technological wave.”
Contract Lifecycle Management Company ContractPodAi Unveils Leah Drive
In order to improve user accessibility, Leah Drive unifies the unstructured data in the Leah Intelligence Suite.
Consilio Announces ‘Native AI Review,’ Expanding Its Gen AI E-Discovery Offerings
Users will be able to build privilege logs on Consilio’s servers and conduct document assessments with the help of the sizable language model-powered tool.
How Latham & Watkins Is Using Online Training to Expand the Legal Pipeline
The most recent in a series of job simulations created to introduce aspiring attorneys to a range of practice areas is the firm’s new Data & Technology Transactions Job Simulation.
A summary of the past week in the legal IT industry, including new collaborations and product debuts.
Lawyers Should Only Use AI For Low-end Tasks, Regulators in Australia Say
To help attorneys understand their expectations when using AI, the Law Society of New South Wales, the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, and the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner have released a statement on the use of AI in Australian legal practice.
Linklaters launches AI sandbox to drive innovation
In order to “quickly build out AI solutions, many of which have stemmed from ideas suggested by its people,” Linklaters has established an AI sandbox, according to the company.
Market Commentary:
New Partner Class Sizes Shrink for Second Year in a Row
In recent promotions, law firms prioritized banking and finance, investment funds, and litigation.
Bridge the Communication Gap: The Benefits of Having (and being) a Bilingual Mediator
A bilingual mediator can assist in bridging the communication gap when clients are not fluent in English, ensuring that all parties feel heard and understood. This will assist set the stage for resolution and is one of the main objectives of mediation.
‘This Trend Isn’t Over’: Law Firm Partner De-Equitizations Expected to Continue
In recent months, a number of Am Law 100 firms, along with smaller and regional law firms, have de-equitized their partners. There will probably be more.
Lateral Partner Movement in Miami Remains Brisk in 2024, Even if Down from Market’s Apex
Of the six markets that lateral hire intelligence company Decipher tracks, the increase in partner mobility from 2023 to 2024 is the largest.
Spain Gears Up for M&A Growth, Litigation Surge & High-Stakes Political Challenges
Salvador Sánchez-Terán, managing partner at Uría Menéndez, anticipates a “tense” year for litigation.
French Government Collapse Brings Uncertainties & Opportunities for Law Firms
The economic and political instability brought on by the political upheaval presents opportunities for law firms as well as difficulties for dealmakers.
Luxembourg Hot, Beijing Not: In Today’s Cutthroat Market, Regions Need a Business Case
According to the Global Lawyer, CEOs are paying far closer attention to their geographical dispersion, regardless of how “global” a law company is.
Moves:
In-House
Legal Chief of Retailer Beyond Exiting at Tumultuous Time
The business recently announced that its $40 million investment arrangement with the struggling Container Store brand is in jeopardy.
United Soccer League Scores General Counsel
The United Soccer League’s general counsel, Andrew McIntosh, stated, “The league’s rapid growth is bringing increased interest from international investors and raised expectations for strong corporate governance, and I look forward to providing support in these crucial areas.”
UK & Ireland
Gibson Dunn Adds Jones Day M&A Veteran in London
Will McDonald is joining Gibson Dunn’s mergers and acquisition practice. McDonald, a Jones Day lifer, is leaving the firm after almost 18 years, in which time, he built out a practice specialising in public U.K. M&A deals.
APAC
DLA Piper Takes Greenberg Traurig’s Corporate Partner for Seoul
DLA Piper has appointed Jang Hyuk Yeo, a former shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, as a partner in its Seoul corporate practice. Qualified in New York and registered as a foreign legal consultant in Seoul, Yeo advises on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital markets listings, foreign direct investments and private equity transactions.
Reed Smith Hires DLA Piper’s Former Equity Capital Markets Partner in Hong Kong
Reed Smith has hired DLA Piper’s former partner and co-head of its regional equity capital markets practice in Hong Kong, Arthur Tso.
Ashurst Bolsters Singapore Offering With A&O Shearman Hire
Kok Jin Ong is set to join the firm’s corporate transactions practice and will be named partner following regulatory approval, Ashurst said. Ong leaves A&O Shearman after serving as counsel for eight months, before which he assumed the role at legacy Shearman & Sterling.
The Americas
Morrison Cohen Adds White Collar Partner; Corporate/Securities Partner Joins Olshan
Tracy Burnett has joined Morrison Cohen as a partner in our Regulatory Enforcement and White-Collar Practice. White-collar criminal defence, internal and governmental investigations, and regulatory enforcement issues are the main areas of her practice.
High-Profile Sidley M&A Partner Heads to Covington
Phil Cheveley is now a partner in the London-based cross-border M&A practice department of Covington & Burling.
2 Carter Arnett Litigators to Join Baker & Hostetler in Dallas
The name partners of Dallas trial firm Carter Arnett Bennett & Perez, Courtney Barksdale Perez and Joshua Bennett, will join Baker & Hostetler in Dallas on Monday.
A&O Shearman’s Former U.S. Co-Chair to Leave Partnership
After Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged, Karen Seward was considered by many to be Wim Dejonghe’s successor.
Team Moves
Chiesa Shahinian Bolsters Corporate Practice With 5 From Newark Boutique
The real value add here, according to Glenn Stein, chair of the corporate and securities group at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi, is the privately held midmarket client that spins off not only M&A work but also financing work, contract and commercial transactions, intellectual property, environmental, and real estate.
Another Insurance Team Departs Clyde & Co in Australia
Clyde & Co has lost another insurance partner and team to Australian insurance-specialist law firm Wotton Kearney, becoming the fifth insurance team to leave the British firm in the past year. Jacques Jacobs and his team of six join Wotton Kearney’s Sydney office.
Financials:
2 Years After Paul Plevin Merger, Quarles & Brady’s Revenue Up More than 13%
The merger added roughly 55 people to Quarles’ team in 2022.
Polsinelli’s Revenue and Profits Surge Amid Partner De-Equitizations, Retirements
Practices like health care, real estate, labour and employment, and litigation were “clicking on all cylinders,” according to the CEO of the company, whose revenue was up 13%.
Akin, Baker Botts, Vinson & Elkins Are First Texas Big Law Firms to Match Milbank Bonuses
Since several Big Law firms have also made similar announcements, the three Texas-based homegrown firms that are all part of the Am Law 100 are paying the market rate for year-end plus unique bonuses set by Milbank.
Revenue Up at Homegrown Texas Firms Through Q3, Though Demand Slipped Slightly
According to Wells Fargo’s Legal Specialty Group Nine-Month 2024 Survey Results, billing rates for domestic Texas businesses increased by 7.9% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023, which is almost the industry’s rate increase of 9% during the same period.
Promotions & Appointments
Daniel Habib to Serve as Next Attorney-in-Charge of NY Federal Defender Appeals Unit
Habib has previously worked at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
People in the News—Nov. 26, 2024—Barley Snyder, McNees
Salvatore Anastasi, a partner at Barley Snyder and the chair of the intellectual property practice group, has been chosen as the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s (AIPLA) next president.
Weil Advances 18 to Partner, Largest Class Since 2021
The firm stuck to an approximately 50/50 split between New York and other offices.
Diversity & Inclusion:
By addressing the health, safety, and well-being of its employees, PepsiCo Beverages North America has improved employee progression and retention rates over the past year, demonstrating its support for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
How Qualcomm’s General Counsel Is Championing Diversity in Innovation
Ann Chaplin, general counsel at Qualcomm, stated, “I’ve discovered that it is always better to have more voices at the table, and to strive for an environment in which more people are encouraged to speak up.”
Office Openings & Closing:
Law Firm Real Estate Strategy: Attorney Offices Are Out, Conference Rooms Are In
Law firms’ approaches to office space are undergoing a paradigm shift. This change has changed how law firms handle their real estate demands. As flexible workplaces become more popular, businesses are seeing that when their attorneys do come into the office, the primary objective is to meet and engage with peers.
US Law Firm Leasing Up Nearly 30% Through Q3, with a Growing Number of Firms Staying in Place
Due to rising upgrade costs and a lack of high-quality space in certain core areas, most U.S. law firms who signed leases through Q3 of 2024 are expected to remain in their current locations, following a pattern that began in 2023.
Weil Grows Footprint in London
Joining the line of law firms looking for new office space in London are Weil and Herbert Smith Freehills.
Mayer Brown’s Hong Kong Split to Take Effect
While JSM will take over Vietnam, mainland China, and most of Hong Kong, Mayer Brown will keep about ten partners in Hong Kong and control of its offices in Singapore and Tokyo.
Simpson Thacher adds partners from A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance for Luxembourg launch.
The company is recruiting Clifford Chance’s Luxembourg co-head of investment funds and the Luxembourg co-head of funds at A&O Shearman.
Japan Big Four Firm Mori Hamada Launches Second US Office
Big Four Japanese firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is strengthening its U.S. presence by opening an office in the San Francisco Bay Area, following New York in 2023. Operations in San Francisco are scheduled to commence in 2025. The office will be led by two partners. Mikito Ishida and Stephen Overton.
Mergers & Alliances:
Baker McKenzie Accepts Defeat on Australian Integration with Firm’s Asia Practice
A partner vote opposing administrative and financial integration led to the conclusion.
BCLP Exploring Merger Prospects as Profitability Lags, Partnership Shrinks
The quest to form a global firm with a shared profit pool has resulted in some U.S. partner tensions.
Technology & Innovation:
AI Expected to Transform Legal Field Even More as Technologies Evolve
“The demand for legal services is increasing. “How will that need be met?” is the query. Prof. Richard Susskind, a globally renowned expert in the field of artificial intelligence, stated.
New Research Study Predicts Continued Growth for Generative AI in Legal
David Horrigan, the director of legal education and discovery counsel at Relativity, adds, “The study found that half of legal professionals increased their use of AI generally over the past two years.”
Litera Acquires Office & Dragons to Bolster its Drafting and Transact Offerings
The platform for automated document creation and editing is the most recent in Litera’s lengthy string of M&A transactions.
The Increase in Artificial Intelligence-Related Securities Class Actions
On March 24, 2020, the first-securities class action lawsuit pertaining to AI was filed. Since then, 38 filings pertaining to AI have been made. There were five lawsuits in 2020, eight in 2021, six in 2022, six in 2023, and thirteen in 2024 thus far.
Michelle Schapp and Frank Xavier Wukovits of CSG Law argue, “It is imperative to review the variables involved in the adequate planning of a data breach.”
Productivity Suite Startup Macro Announces $12 Million Funding Round
Macro wants to use AI to increase productivity by combining coding and PDFs into a one tool.
Market Commentary:
Stars and Gripes: Merging Firms Need a ‘Superstar Culture’ for US Success
If Herbert Smith Freehills and others wish to compete in America, they must take a Paul Weiss-style approach to concentrating on important people.
Transforming Dispute Processes in Law: The Impact of Large Language Models
This article examines the classification of “patent trolls” within the United States patent system.
The Essential Role of Partnership Agreements in Health Care Private Practices
A partnership agreement, which outlines the rights, obligations, financial interests, and expectations of co-owners, is a vital component of a successful practice’s ownership, governance, operation, and longevity.
Big Firms May See ‘Uncomfortable Flashbacks’ as Cost Pressure Grows
Wells Fargo’s Les Starck noted that “There continues to be quite a bit of expense pressure,” contributing to big firms pressing forward with billing rate increases.
Remote Work and Cybersecurity: Keeping Law Firm Data Safe Beyond the Office
According to Gregory Hoffman of Lindabury, “Remote work opens a variety of vulnerabilities that may not exist within a traditional office setting.”
Red Tape, Talent Wars & Pricey Office Space Greet Firms Entering Saudi Arabia
Strict hiring quotas, lengthy licensing processes, and intense competition for resources are putting businesses’ resolve to the test as they compete to enter the Kingdom.
Moves:
In house
High-Flying Genetics Testing Firm GeneDx Hires Ex-Zoetis GC as Legal Chief
Heidi Chen is a “celebrated and well-respected business leader and general counsel who brings extensive industry experience to GeneDx,” said CEO Katherine Stueland.
Porsche’s Venture Capital Arm Adds General Counsel from Clifford Chance
Early-career attorney Lynn Nussbaum is taking the legal reins of Porsche Ventures as it presses forward on its next phase of growth.
After Mysterious Parting with Last GC, Photronics Fills Vacancy
Richelle Burr left Photronics this month, and the firm has not said why she was placed on leave earlier this year. According to her separation agreement, she will be paid for a full year.
Contract Software Unicorn Ironclad Hires Former Pinterest Lawyer as GC
Jasmine Singh served as assistant general counsel at Patreon for six months before joining Binti two years ago. In 2018–2022, she was Pinterest’s assistant general counsel.
Christelle Adjémian becomes Legal and Ethics Director at Engie Solutions
Christelle is the newly appointed head of Engie Solutions’ legal division. She is currently serving as the Legal and Ethics Director of the Engie organization, which unifies all energy efficiency initiatives for French businesses, industries, and local governments, is Christelle Adjémian.
US restaurant franchisor Craveworthy Brands hires inaugural general counsel
John Silvestri, a seasoned corporate attorney, has been appointed as the first general counsel for Craveworthy Brands, a restaurant franchise. Silvestri comes from The John Buck Company, a US real estate company where he served as general counsel for more than 20 years.
Trump Taps Former Fla. Attorney General for AG
The nomination comes hours after Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for the position.
UK & Ireland
Linklaters Sees Latest Partner Exit as UK Leveraged Finance Partner Walks to Simpson Thacher
Simpson Thacher, who has been developing the company’s European finance and private equity business, hired Dan Peach from Linklaters. Since Ian Barratt and Sinead O’Shea of London left last year, Simpson Thacher has been trying to bolster its roster.
Dentons adds high yield partner in London from Linklaters
Colin Chang joins as Dentons looks to take on increasingly complicated, large-scale deals that call for high yield knowledge.
White & Case lands ‘elite’ M&A partner from A&O Shearman in London
After more than 30 years with the Magic Circle business, Richard Browne joins as a partner. He focuses on helping worldwide corporations and UK public and private enterprises on recommended and hostile public takeover bids, auctions, and private transactions.
Alastair Keith joins Davidson McDonnell as director
Alastair Keith has joined the corporate team of Belfast-based commercial law firm Davidson McDonnell as a director. Mr. Keith mostly handles business transactions, both domestically and internationally, with a focus on Northern Ireland.
Arthur Cox welcomes Denise Murray as head of financial services compliance and regulatory relations
Denise Murray has been named head of regulatory relations and compliance for financial services by Arthur Cox. Ms. Murray has over 20 years of experience in the sector and in regulation, including more than 15 years as the top risk and compliance officer at Mediolanum and the Central Bank of Ireland. She was in charge of the Central Bank’s asset management supervisory section.
Proskauer Rose hires John Goldfinch after A&O Shearman drink-driving exit
Proskauer announced that they have hired former A&O Shearman and Milbank partner John Goldfinch into its global finance practice. He will start at the firm’s London office on 2nd December.
EMEA
DLA Piper strengthens Dusseldorf real estate practice with partner hire
Dr. Gerold Jaeger has been appointed as a partner in DLA Piper’s Dusseldorf office, bolstering the firm’s German real estate practice, with effect from January 1, 2025.
Hogan Lovells strengthens litigation practice with new partner
Thomas Nebel, a disputes partner, has been welcomed to the Düsseldorf litigation office of a global legal firm. He will formally join the firm early next month. Nebel was co-head of a multinational legal firm’s practice in Germany before joining Hogan Lovells, where he focused on local and international commercial and civil law conflicts.
Morgan Vail, a tax partner at Ashurst, joins the tax team at the Paris office, which has been overseen by Emmanuelle Pontnau-Faure since 2017. For more than 15 years, Morgan has provided clients with business tax advice. He is especially knowledgeable in the taxes of digital activities and the new technologies, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector.
Christine d’Ovidio joins Grant Thornton Société d’Avocats as a partner
Christine d’Ovidio is welcomed by Grant Thornton Société d’Avocats, a partner firm of the Grant Thornton audit and consultancy business. The attorney will assume the role of partner in the corporate law division.
Cohen & Gresser Expands Paris White Collar Practice with the Addition of Vincent Desry
Vincent specializes in general criminal law and white-collar crime, with a particular focus on cross-border matters. In high-profile business, political, and financial disputes, including intricate financial criminal prosecutions, he counsels and defends executives, public personalities, and corporate entities. At the French law firm Temime, Vincent most recently worked on a number of historic cases.
Goodwin Further Expands Investment Funds Team in Luxembourg
Global law firm Goodwin announced that Codrina Constantinescu will join the firm’s Private Investment Funds practice as partner in the Luxembourg office. Codrina’s arrival is the latest addition to Goodwin’s growing Luxembourg team that recently relocated to larger premises.
APAC
Former Gibson Dunn Asia arbitration head joins One Essex Court
Paul Tan, a former partner and head of arbitration for Asia at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, has joined One Essex Court, a commercial group of barristers’ chambers in London, as an international counsel and arbitrator.
Hogan Lovells poaches arbitration partner from Ashurst in Singapore
To strengthen its dispute resolution business in Southeast Asia, international law firm Hogan Lovells has recruited Rob Palmer, an expert in international arbitration, as a partner from rival Ashurst.
Makarim disputes lawyer joins local boutique as partner
Raditya Anugerah Titus, a former senior associate at Makarim & Taira S, has joined the Indonesian boutique law firm Batavia Advocatorum (B.Av) as a partner, strengthening its dispute resolution practice.
The Americas
O’Melveny, Bracewell Add Lawyers to Texas Energy Teams
Bracewell signed on Vinson & Elkins tax counsel Peter Rogers as a partner in Dallas, and O’Melveny & Myers recruited Jibin Luke, a partner in energy transactions at McDermott Will & Emery, as a partner in Houston.
Weil Practice Leaders Expected to Leave for Paul Weiss,
Brad Karp, the chair of the Paul Weiss committee, claimed in a statement that Anish Desai and Elizabeth Stotland Weiswasser were “two of the most accomplished and respected litigators in the country.”
Holtzman Vogel Taps Weil Gotshal Attorney to Lead Miami Expansion
Mark Pinkert has been hired by the GOP-aligned corporation to increase its footprint in Florida and will eventually assist in establishing a physical presence in the booming city.
People in the News—Nov. 21, 2024—Willig Williams, Hangley Aronchick
Willig, Williams & Davidson, a labour, employment, workers’ compensation, and family law company, announced the addition of lawyer Jesse Bernstein to its labour law practice.
Attracted to Thompson Hine’s Fee Flexibility, Morgan Lewis Litigator Switches Firms in Chicago
Gregory Fouts, a litigator with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, has joined Thompson Hine, a Thompson Hine firm that is ranked in the Am Law 200, as a litigation partner in Chicago. He plans to expand his business there.
Holland & Knight, Akin, Crowell, Barnes and Day Pitney Add to DC Practices
Holland & Knight, Day Pitney, Akin Gump, Barnes, and Crowell announced new lawyer recruits this week in the most recent round of lateral hiring in D.C.
Polsinelli Adds Health Care Litigator in Nashville, Ex-SEC Enforcer Joins BCLP in Atlanta
Polsinelli has welcomed Kevin T. Elkins to its Health Care Litigation Practice Group as a shareholder in Nashville. Elkins is an experienced litigator who focuses his practice on representing health care clients in managed care and payor disputes along with other related litigation.
Crowell & Moring Adds International Trade Partner Erik Woodhouse
Erik Woodhouse rejoined Crowell & Moring as a partner in its international trade and financial services groups in Washington, the firm announced Tuesday. Woodhouse will advise clients on complying with US economic sanctions and anti-money laundering rules and regulations.
Scott Bailey Joins Jones Day’s Corporate Practice in Dallas
Scott Bailey has joined Jones Day as a lawyer in the Corporate Practice, the firm stated. He works out of the Dallas office of Jones Day.
Akin Welcomes Shawn Maree Bishop to Lobbying and Public Policy Practice
Shawn Maree Bishop, a former top health advisor for Senate Finance Committee Majority, has joined Akin as a senior advisor in the firm’s lobbying and public policy practice in Washington, D.C.
Team Moves
DLA Piper Takes 3-Lawyer Restructuring Team from Simmons & Simmons in Paris
The hiring of partner Sandra Esquiva-Hesse and her team will help DLA, which lost a three-lawyer restructuring team to Paul Hastings in May, regain its competence in restructuring transactions and related legal procedures, as demand for such counsel is growing.
Latham & Watkins makes quartet of restructuring partner hires from Weil, Paul Weiss
Ray Schrock, who will be the worldwide chair of Weil’s restructuring and exceptional situations practice, as well as Candace Arthur and Alexander Welch are among the new Weil attorneys.
Weil loses trio of high-profile partners to Paul Weiss and Latham & Watkins
Litigators Anish Desai and Elizabeth Stotland Weiswasser are going to Paul Weiss, and restructuring partner Ray Schrock is joining Latham.
Financials:
Collections Are Critical for Texas Law Firms Through Year’s End
According to current data, Texas’s demand and revenue growth trailed behind the sector during the third quarter, but domestic businesses can catch up by concentrating on recovering accounts receivable.
Law Firms Are ‘Pinching Themselves’ Amid Double-Digit Profit Growth and Billing Rate Hikes
The performance of law firms in 2024 is still influenced by the growth of billing rates.
Cravath Matches ‘Special’ and Year-End Bonuses
Paul Hastings, McDermott, and Cravath have all acknowledged that they are offering “special bonuses” that correspond to Milbank’s summer bonus structure.
DC Law Firm Growth Falls Behind Big Firms in Other Regions
According to a Q3 report from Citi, revenue growth for businesses in the D.C. area was 7.6% in the first nine months, which was less than the industry average of 11.9%.
More Big Law Firms Rush to Match Associate Bonuses, While Some Offer Potential for Even More
For year-end bonuses and additional incentives, some employees at Fried Frank, Ropes & Gray and McDermott could make even more than the Big Law scale.
Brach Eichler; Cooper Levenson; Marshall Dennehey; Archer; Sills Cummis
Cooper Levenson adds a lawyer; Brach Eichler welcomes a litigation partner; and other changes are made.
Bonus Parade Continues, With Additional Firms Matching Milbank
Cleary, Davis Polk, Weil, Skadden Arps, Cadwalader, and O’Melveny are the most recent firms to match Milbank’s summer and end-of-year bonus plan, even though they did not rush to match the company’s special bonuses in August.
Southern California Law Firms Boast Industry-Leading Revenue, Demand Through Q3
Gloria Gomez-O’Rourke, a senior client specialist at Citi, stated that Southern California is “outperforming most regions in almost all categories” in addition to the “really, really strong growth in revenue” that Southern California companies have experienced over the first nine months of the year.
Travers Smith’s £4k vacay giveaway for lucky lawyers
Travers Smith provided £4,000 for a lavish vacation to each of its fund practice associates. Management made the decision early last year that too many of the group’s attorneys were in danger of being lured away by prestigious US legal firms like Paul, Weiss, and Kirkland & Ellis, where even recently trained solicitors earn between £170,000 and £180,000.
Promotions & Appointments
Simpson Thacher Names Largest Ever Partner Class
The firm is set to promote 44 lawyers to partner, 12 more than in 2023.
Amir Ali, MacArthur Justice Center Director, Confirmed to DC District Court
Rebecca L. Pennell was also confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve in the Eastern District of Washington.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher Announces 19 Partner Promotions
“We congratulate these individuals on this milestone achievement,” said Matthew Feldman, co-chairman of the firm, in a statement. “They have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to our clients and firm, and we wish them continued success.”
Rawle & Henderson Hires New Del. Managing Partner
The Wilmington office of Rawle & Henderson has welcomed Loreto P. Rufo as a new managing partner.
Perkins Coie Boasts Diverse Partner Class
At Perkins Coie, 23 attorneys and senior attorneys will be promoted to partnership status.
Mayer Brown makes up 39 to partner in banking and finance-focused round
Mayer Brown, a top 15 US firm, has promoted 12 attorneys to counsel and 39 attorneys to partnership.
Five appointments at Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Cleaver Fulton Rankin has welcomed four solicitors and a new HR manager.
Enda McGarrity becomes youngest ever partner at PA Duffy & Co Solicitors
Enda McGarrity, 28, has been appointed as a director of PA Duffy & Co Solicitors, an All-Ireland law company, making her the youngest partner in the firm’s history. In 2018, Mr. McGarrity received his degree from Queen’s University Belfast, and in 2021, he became a licensed solicitor.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Lululemon Faces Legal Fire Over Its DEI Program After Bias Complaints Surface
Two shareholder concerns claim that the program “was not structured so as to meaningfully combat discrimination within Lululemon… as a result, Lululemon employees continued to experience discriminatory treatment.”
How Amy Harris Leverages Diversity to Give UMB Financial a Competitive Edge
UMG Chief Legal Officer Amy Harris stated, “If you have talented people and you give them a safe place to work, they’ll thrive.”
For Midsize Law Firms, Curbing Boys-Club Culture Starts with Diversity at the Top
A long-term endeavor, developing diverse leadership necessitates investing in staff members from the start, which may be more difficult for many midsize businesses to accomplish.
Inclusive cultures in your firm: add diversity and stir?
Reign Lee of Van Bael & Bellis and Nina Goswami of Clifford Chance discuss their diversity and inclusion session at the recent Law Firm Marketing Summit.
Office Openings & Closing:
Bolstering Southern California Presence, Sidley Austin Settles into Revitalized Downtown LA Office
Dan Clivner of Sidley stated, “We’re really proud of downtown LA and the investment we’ve made, but it’s part of a greater investment in California generally.”
Goodwin, Polsinelli, Fox Rothschild Find New Phila. Offices
Two businesses have already moved into their new locations, while a third has signed a new lease.
Akerman Opens Charlotte Office with Focus on Renewable Energy, Data Centre Practices
To open its 26th office in the United States, the firm recruited a new tax partner and energy partner from Moore & Van Allen.
Fowler White Burnett Opens Jacksonville Office Focused on Transportation Practice
In response to increasing demand, the midsize corporation with headquarters in Florida hired a new maritime partner to head the operation. Additionally, it is relocating its Miami office and growing in Fort Lauderdale.
Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Launches in Cairo and Abu Dhabi
Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes (GBS) is strengthening its roots in the Middle East and North Africa, positioning the firm to meet the region’s increasing demand for international arbitration expertise. The launch of offices in Cairo and Abu Dhabi will strengthen its focus on international arbitration fueled by high-value disputes in sectors like energy and infrastructure. Twelve of GBS’s 52 lawyers are native Arabic speakers and dual-qualified.
Mergers & Alliances:
AA Thornton joins forces with Venner Shipley
With 230 employees, the merged company will begin operations under the Venner Shipley name on December 1st.
Nordic Capital Plans to Acquire IP Management Solutions Provider Anaqua
After the acquisition, Anaqua intends to expand its clients and improve its technology solutions.
Chicago Midsize Firm Will Combine with Miami Boutique to Form Antitrust Powerhouse
The combined company will be called Sperling Kenny Nachwalter after the merger of Sperling & Slater and Kenny Nachwalter takes effect in December.
Clark Hill Acquires L&E Boutique in Mexico City, Adding 5 Lawyers
The head of Tenorio Abogados, Jorge Tenorio, stated that he hopes to grow his clientele at Clark Hill and add more foreign businesses to his list of clients.
Baker McKenzie Accepts Defeat on Australian Integration with Asia
In order to integrate with the firm’s Asian practice, Baker McKenzie will not be having another vote of its Australian partnership. The Australian partnership recently failed to reach the necessary 75% of partners in a vote on financial and administrative merger with the Asian partnership based in Hong Kong.
Technology & Innovation:
Leopard Solutions Launches AI Navigator, a Gen AI Search, Data Extraction Tool
AI Navigator was created by the legal business intelligence company with the intention of helping legal practitioners conduct research more quickly.
The Future of Law: Harnessing AI Without Compromising Integrity
Success in this changing environment depends on striking the correct balance: AI must complement human skill rather than replace it. The secret is to use AI to its full potential—data analysis and process automation—while maintaining the fundamental principles of legal practice.
Knowable Launches Generative AI-Powered Tool Suite Ask Knowable
To assist attorneys in navigating and interacting with data and insights on completed contracts, the contract management company is launching a new line of tools.
Pinsent Masons Launches AML AI Tool in Wake of SRA Crackdown
The firm expects certain due diligence and AML challenges to be reduced considerably going from weeks to hours.
Pramata Launches AI Contract Management Tool AI Design Studio
The AI Design Studio offers playbook templates in addition to contract drafting support.
OpenAI, NYTimes Counsel Quarrel Over Erased OpenAI Training Data
The recovery of deleted data has been a point of contention in the legal struggle between OpenAI and the New York Times Co. over the AI developer’s purported use of copyrighted New York Times content to train its generative AI models.
Market Commentary:
Saying Your Goodbyes—Ethical Obligations When Transitioning to a New Firm
Here are some pointers to assist you handle these separations with professionalism and, if at all possible, steer clear of conflict.
Battle for Top Talent Accelerates Amid Profit and Demand Surge
“With very few exceptions, there is essentially no firm that is immune to market pressure,” one legal recruiter stated.
How Marsh & McLennan’s Small but Mighty Legal Innovation Team Builds Solutions That Bring Joy
The chief legal innovation counsel at Marsh McLennan, Farrah Pepper, stated, “Everything that we do and that we build is…to help our colleagues achieve their dreams.”
Florida-Based Law Firms Start to Lag, As New York Takes a Bigger Piece of Deals
Sunshine State firms have been struggling to keep up with their competitors to the north, after an interval where they were outpacing these rivals, according to a Wells Fargo legal market survey.
To Thrive in Central and Eastern Europe, Law Firms Need to ‘Know the Rules of the Game’
Big American and British companies have discovered that Central and Eastern European rates and profitability are not up to par. However, some businesses are succeeding there.
Ropes & Gray Reduces Time Off Allowance
Ropes & Gray has altered its associates’ contracts to remove five days’ holiday, reducing their annual allowance from 30 days to 25.
Billables and Bad Partners: Why Associates Are Still Not Happy
A survey of nearly 200 London associates has outlined the most common frustrations among junior lawyers.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Latham Departures Continue as Capital Markets Partner Joins Greenberg Traurig
Fritz Ernemann is now a stakeholder in London, further enhancing Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s global capital markets expertise. Ernemann is the ninth new shareholder this year to join the London office, having previously been a partner at Latham & Watkins.
Pinsent Masons Hits K&L Gates for Double Partner Hire
To expand its London real estate portfolio, Pinsent Masons has brought on two new partners. Partners Tim Webb and Emma Maher are leaving K&L Gates to join the firm’s real estate practice. The two are experts in providing corporate real estate advice, especially in the residential build-to-rent market.
Pillsbury secures senior Taylor Wessing disputes partner in London
Laurence Lieberman, a disputes partner, has left Taylor Wessing to work in Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s London office. Many people considered Lieberman to be an important part of Taylor Wessing’s disputes offering.
Squire Patton Boggs hires André Vermeulen to establish new tax practice
André Vermeulen has been named director of Squire Patton Boggs in order to set up the company’s benefits and tax strategy in Ireland. Mr. Vermeulen specializes in providing advice to multinational corporations and large corporations on a variety of Irish corporate and transactional tax issues, with an emphasis on M&A, corporate restructurings, and foreign direct investment in Ireland.
EMEA
CMS strengthens Dubai tax practice with partner relocation
A significant member has moved to Dubai, strengthening CMS’s Middle East tax department. Andre Anthony joins from the London office of the global firm. He has been elevated to partner in addition to moving.
Kirkland grows Saudi construction practice with partner relocation
The company has set up its regional headquarters in Riyadh, and Ahmed Alrikhaimi moved there from Houston.
APAC
CMS Grows Hong Kong Office With Another Private Equity Hire from Mayer Brown
Amber Warren, a longtime partner, has been elected as Dentons’ first female Australia chair, and she will begin her term on January 1. As a member of Dentons’ Australian and international boards, Warren has been a partner since 2010. He is part of the firm’s regulatory advice unit for financial services, banking and finance, and litigation.
CMS boosts HK funds practice with another Mayer Brown hire
Helen Wang, a former counsel at Mayer Brown, has joined CMS, an Anglo-German legal firm, as a partner, bolstering the business’s Hong Kong funds practice. Wang was hired a few months after CMS hired senior associate Gigi Ma, also from Mayer Brown, and funding partner Paul Moloney.
Australia’s MinterEllison Loses More Partners from Canberra Practice
Following Holding Redlich’s appointment to all fields of law on the new Whole of Australian Government Legal Services Panel, Nevin Agnew and Jeremy Johnson joined the Australian company. A panel, most recently modified and merged in August, is typically used by the government to select its private sector companies. In three of the five distinct practice areas mentioned, MinterEllison was authorized to perform legal services.
Makarim disputes lawyer joins local boutique as partner
Raditya Anugerah Titus, a former senior associate at Makarim & Taira S, has joined the Indonesian boutique law firm Batavia Advocatorum (B.Av) as a partner, strengthening its dispute resolution practice.
Deacons bolsters disputes practice with hire from Bakers
Gillian Lam was a senior associate at Baker McKenzie before joining Deacons, the biggest legal firm in Hong Kong, as a partner in its litigation and dispute resolution division.
K&L hires Singapore energy duo from Gibson Dunn
Partner Brad Roach and senior associate Alexandra Jones, both energy attorneys from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, have joined K&L Gates Straits Law, the Singapore office of K&L Gates, to strengthen its energy practice in Singapore.
In house
Quantum Computing Company to Part with General Counsel
After working for Kymeta, a satellite antenna manufacturer, for little over a year, Rick Danis joined Rigetti in 2019.
Sustainable Packaging Company Packsize Finds New Legal Chief a Perfect Fit
After selling his previous two companies for a total of $2.1 billion, JD Ellis now works at Packsize.
Lockmaker’s Veteran GC Takes Old Job Back After Successor Lasts Just 3 Months
Allegion refused to provide an explanation for the departure of Stacy Cozad and the return of Jeff Braun as legal head.
Trump Picks William McGinley as White House Counsel
During the first term of President-elect Donald Trump, McGinley served as the White House cabinet secretary and the president’s assistant.
Trump Selects Matt Gaetz as Attorney General
Many aspiring DOJ lawyers might be surprised by the selection. Gaetz has recently become a fervent supporter of Trump.
As Uncertainty Hovers Over PGA Merger, LIV Golf Hires Entertainment Industry Veteran as Legal Chief
John Ruzich comes to the controversial Saudi-backed pro golf organization from Legends Hospitality, a provider of food and beverage services to venues, where he was legal chief for 12 years.
The Americas
Amid Ripple of Marketing Moves, Paul Hastings Hires 2 Pros from Skadden
There are some musical chairs as a result of the relative lack of applicants who have either held the position of CMO before or have risen to it.
Wilmer, Miles & Stockbridge, and Polsinelli Hire Litigation, Government Contract Attorneys
According to a new industry report released on Monday, “it looks like clear sailing for firms to outperform all but their profit heights of 2021” in 2024.
People in the News—Nov. 12, 2024—Fitzpatrick Lentz, Duane Morris
Ronald J. Reybitz has returned to Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, the firm said.
Morgan Lewis Snatches Up Former Orrick Partner in Boston
Stephen Hall is a litigator who specializes in defending businesses in a range of regulated sectors, including the life sciences and technology.
Polsinelli Hires Data Privacy, Tech Transactions Partner from Kirkland & Ellis
After over two years at Kirkland’s San Francisco office, Laila Paszti joins Polsinelli.
Lowenstein Hires Ex-FTX US General Counsel Ryne Miller to Lead Its Commodities, Derivatives Practice
Miller “has served on the front lines of the digital currency revolution, having been an essential and trusted adviser to many builders in the crypto ecosystem,” according to Lowenstein Sandler partner Ethan Silver.
Kirkland Tech Transactions Partner Heads to Polsinelli
After over two years at Kirkland’s San Francisco office, Laila Paszti joins Polsinelli.
Finance Lawyer Joins Mayer Brown in Charlotte After Hiring Mixup
Following his prior announcement that he will be joining Winston & Strawn, Jeff Mabrito has joined the Am Law 50 firm’s real estate practice.
Burr & Forman Adds Carlton Fields Lawyer to Lead Health Care Practice
Ogletree hires lawyers from Steptoe and McCarter & English in Boston and Texas, while an employment lawyer from D.C. is relocating to Morris Manning to head the employee benefits practice.
Proskauer Hires New C-Suite Officer After Litigation with Ex-COO
Carol Sawdye was Skadden’s CFO, she has notable experience within Big Law.
Team Moves
Brown Rudnick Picks Up Bochner Patent Trial Team in Houston
Brown Rudnick’s new and expanding office now includes a patent trial team in Houston from the midsize company Bochner, based in New York.
DWF Swoops in on Australian Firm For 9-Partner Hire
In the biggest partner defection in Australian history this year, nine partners from Hall & Wilcox have joined international insurance-focused legal firm DWF. Under the direction of partners Matt Curll and Rachael Arnold, the whole London market team of Hall & Wilcox will join DWF in Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle, and Melbourne.
Financials:
Milbank Leads Bonus Race, Rolling Out Year-End Pay News
The memo released on Monday details the total compensation from summer and year-end incentives, increasing pressure on law firms to equal Milbank for both.
‘Strength of the Market’: Big Law Revenue, Demand Continue to Climb
Gretta Rusanow of Citi said, “Not only are we seeing lawyers busier, but we’re also seeing them busier across a pretty broad cross section of practices.”
Texas Trial Boutique Matches Milbank Bonuses, Paying Up to $140K
Along with Milbank’s newly announced year-end bonus scale and the company’s summer bonus scale, Vartabedian Hester & Haynes, a spinoff of Alston & Bird that opened in Fort Worth in January, announced a year-end bonus scale that will pay colleagues $21,000 to $140,000.
Partner Compensation, Billing Rates Are Trending Higher in Dallas Than Houston
The recruiting company Major, Lindsey & Afric’s 2024 Partner Compensation Survey found that hourly billing rates for partners in Dallas and Houston averaged over $1.1 million, which is about the national average.
The Law Firm Disrupted: It’s Bonus Time
Milbank is the pioneer once more, and other companies will probably follow. However, there are still two questions. Which figure will they match? When?
Millar McCall Wylie reports 12 per cent increase in turnover
Although the independently held company has not released any financial data, it claims to have already exceeded the five-year growth goal of fifty percent that it set in 2021 and has expanded by seventy-five percent since then. This year, the company’s workforce grew by 30% at both its new city centre headquarters in the Printworks on Queen Street in Belfast and its east Belfast office.
Promotions & Appointments
Dechert’s Restructuring Co-Chair Heads to DLA Piper
The partner played significant roles in well-known cases including the BHS and Lehman disasters.
Cravath Elevates 7 to Partnership, Up from Last Year
The corporate practice group includes six of the firm’s seven new partners.
Freshfields Hires DOJ Official, Squire Taps Paul Hastings Atty for US Antitrust Head
Michael Wise, a partner at Paul Hastings, has departed to lead Squire’s antitrust practice in the United States.
Trump Picks Personal Criminal Defense Lawyers for Solicitor General, Deputy Attorney General
Trump Nominates Ex-SEC Chief Jay Clayton to Helm Southern District of New York US Attorney’s Office
The former president’s attempt to appoint Clayton, a seasoned regulator and partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, as Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor was thwarted during his first term. Clayton would be serving as a criminal prosecutor for the first time in his role as U.S. attorney.
Wilson Sonsini Promotes 16 Lawyers to Partner
Five members of the firm’s litigation department and seven from its corporate department make up the new class.
Dentons Elects Amanda Warren to Chair Australian Practice
Amber Warren, a longtime partner, has been elected as Dentons’ first female Australia chair, and she will begin her term on January 1. As a member of Dentons’ Australian and international boards, Warren has been a partner since 2010. He is part of the firm’s regulatory advice unit for financial services, banking and finance, and litigation.
DLA and Kingsley Napley Name New Managing Partners
Liam Cowell, who has been in charge of the U.K. division since January 2019, will hand off to Andrew Dyson on December 1. Since joining the company in 2003, Dyson has held the roles of global co-chair of data, privacy, and cybersecurity and office managing partner for Leeds.
Travers Smith Appoints New Private Equity Head Following Latest Partner Departure
After yet another well-known partner left the company, Travers Smith has hired its third new head of private equity in three years. Following the announcement that Lucie Cawood, the previous leader of Travers’ private equity group, was leaving the company, Will Yates, a deputy head of private equity, was named the new head.
Malaysia’s JLPW gets new disputes head from Skrine
Hui Wen Tan was a senior associate at Skrine before joining the Malaysian law firm Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong (JLPW) as a partner and head of dispute resolution.
SIAC registrar appointed LCIA’s new director general
After ten years in the position, Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof will step down and be replaced by Kevin Nash.
US real estate financing business Walker & Dunlop promotes deputy to GC
Richard Lucas, who left the company earlier this year, is replaced by Dan Groman.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Newly Formed DEI Practices Expect Heightened Demand During Trump Administration
Regarding the ambiguity in the rules governing DEI matters, Gibson Dunn labour & employment co-chair Jason Schwartz observed, “It is regrettable that the only people who gain from this are the lawyers.”
Guiding LGBTQ+ Clients on Safeguarding Their Rights and Protections in Uncertain Political Climates
This article contains a detailed overview of the advice firms can provide to LGBTQ+ clients to ensure they are well protected.
Office Openings & Closing:
On a Texas Growth Surge, Paul Hastings Signs New Leases in Houston, Dallas
Paul Hastings will relocate into the Knox Street Development in Dallas, which is currently under development, and 609 Main in Houston, which has more than tripled the number of attorneys in Texas since 2023.
Gordon Rees Opens 80th Office, ‘Collaboration Hub’ in Palo Alto
According to managing partner Adam Sugarman, Gordon Rees’ Palo Alto location would cater to “major university” and IT clients.
Carlton Fields Downsizes in Move to New Atlanta Office
After 20 years in its first headquarters outside of Florida, the Tampa-based Am Law 200 business is moving to a new location.
More Than 2 Dozen Lawyers Leave DLA Piper Affiliate in Brazil to Form New Firm
Twelve partners make up the new full-service business COSRO Advogados, some of whom were in high positions at DLA Piper and its affiliate, Campos Mello.
Tokyo International makes Singapore debut with SE Asia in its sights
In January 2025, Tokyo International Law Office (TKI), a Japanese boutique, will launch its first overseas office in Singapore, marking a major turning point in the quickly growing firm’s global strategy.
TMI launches in Brussels as Japanese firms continue European push
To assist its Japanese customers wishing to conduct business in the EU, especially in the areas of data protection and antitrust, renowned Japanese legal firm TMI Associates has extended its global network to Brussels.
Kramer Levin’s Paris office to spin out ahead of HSF merger
It has been revealed that Kramer Levin’s Paris office will be split out prior to the New York firm’s historic merger with Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF).
Mergers & Alliances:
Herbert Smith Freehills to Merge with Kramer Levin
In one of the biggest transatlantic mergers in the industry, the companies will merge into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, a single, completely integrated company.
King & Spalding to Enter Merger to Strengthen Saudi Arabia Presence
After obtaining a foreign law license to conduct business in Saudi Arabia last year, this transaction represents the company’s next stage.
Miles & Stockbridge to Combine With DC-Based Real Estate Finance Firm
In late December, roughly fifty lawyers, paralegals, and employees from Krooth & Altman will join Miles & Stockbridge, forming a combined group of over 200 lawyers, according to the businesses.
Kramer Levin, HSF Leaders Set Out Merger Timeline, Structure
The heads of both firms discussed the timing, structure, and priorities of the combined firm in their first interview with Law.com since announcing a transatlantic partnership.
Technology & Innovation:
Robin AI Announces Previously Undisclosed $25 Million Raise
According to the contract drafting and review service, the increase took place “earlier in 2024” and was financed by current clients and investors.
Lex Machina Launches Full Federal, Expands Legal Analytics to All Federal District Courts
Data analytics from 3.7 million federal court cases in 22 practice areas will be stored at Full Federal.
As Gen AI Acceptance Grows, Lawyers Race to Mitigate Risks
The ideal way to strike a balance between risk management and AI innovation was covered by speakers at EDRM’s webinar, “Balancing Ethics and Efficiency in GenAI and Legal.”
Ironclad Officially Launches New Gen AI Assistant Jurist
Jurist seeks to make legal practitioners’ contract management procedures more efficient and transparent.
AltaClaro Publicly Releases Feedback Tool Benchmark360
Associates participating in AltaClaro’s group training programs can receive data-based assessments of their training performance from Benchmark360.
Gowling WLG’s Commitment to AI and Innovation Attracts New Director of AI
Al Hounsell leaves Norton Rose Fulbright at what he sees as a turning point in the legal profession.
Market Commentary:
As Associate Business Development Gains Steam in Big Law, Mayer Brown Expands Networking Program
Sydni Eibschutz, an associate at Mayer Brown, said of a networking program, “It really is empowering from an associate’s perspective, because typically we’re put in situations engineered by partners.”
Why Litigation Demand Might Break Firms’ Boom-and-Bust Cycle
According to a recent Thomson Reuters study, law firm litigation practices were once again a major contributor to the third quarter of 2024’s robust economic performance.
New Battleground: Wall Street Law Firms Eye London Growth
As a hint that the U.K. market was growing more significant for Wall Street companies, Davis Polk created a finance unit in London and Cravath stole a staff from Linklaters.
Climate Groups Demonstrate Outside A&O Shearman and Akin London Offices
According to the demonstrators, a survey on which legal firms take on work related to fossil fuels gave Akin and A&O Shearman the lowest possible rating.
The New Hybrid Legal Professional: Equal Parts Law and Business
A new type of legal practitioner that is not only an expert in the law but also has keen business sense is required to meet multidisciplinary demands. Approximately 63% of CLOs concur, stating that they would most want to see their lawyers acquire commercial acumen.
‘Rebound’ In Demand for Legal Services Places Southeast Among Top 3 Regions in U.S.
Michael McKenney of Citi stated, “I think it’s a favourable setup for a strong year for [surveyed firms] in the Southeast,” which includes Miami and Atlanta.
Big Law Profits from Germany’s Painful Economic and Political Woes
Law firms are expected to do well in regulating and advising on the nation’s transformative issues, despite the fact that Europe’s superpower appears to be suffering.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Davis Polk Hires Sidley Restructuring Heads in London
By bringing on London restructuring leaders, Mark Knight and Jifree Cader, from competitor firm Sidley Austin, U.S.-based Davis Polk & Wardwell has strengthened its London offering.
Travers Smith Incentives Head Exits for A&O Shearman
After more than 26 years at Travers Smith, the incentives head has gone to A&O Shearman. Mahesh Varia, who was highly regarded, was in charge of incentives and compensation at Travers Smith.
Browne Jacobson hires former SRA enforcement head as first general counsel
Oliver Sweeney was hired as general counsel by top 50 UK and Ireland business Browne Jacobson, a newly established position designed to support the company’s internal legal and compliance operations. After serving as head of legal and enforcement for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in 2004, Sweeney rejoins Browne Jacobson, the firm where he began his career.
Ogier recruits Richard Kelly as banking and finance partner
Richard Kelly, a specialist in capital markets and structured finance, has joined Ogier’s banking and finance unit in Ireland. Mr. Kelly offers domestic and foreign client’s advice on all facets of transactions involving debt capital markets.
EMEA
CMS strengthens Dubai tax practice with partner relocation
Andre Anthony joins from the London office of the global firm. He has been elevated to partner in addition to moving. He provides corporate and individual clients with advice on a wide range of domestic and international tax matters as a chartered accountant and solicitor.
Kirkland grows Saudi construction practice with partner relocation
The company has set up its regional headquarters in Riyadh, and Ahmed Alrikhaimi moved there from Houston. James Clark, who joined the business in October 2023 to open the practice in Riyadh, will collaborate with Alrikhaimi on building and projects.
APAC
Singapore: Mayer Brown finance partner joins DLA
The international legal firm DLA Piper has added Soumitro Mukerji as a partner in its Singapore office, broadening its banking and finance offerings. Joining Mayer Brown from Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee in 2022, Mukerji provides fund finance, sponsor-backed financing, structured lending, limited recourse financing, and corporate lending advice to funds, banks, financial institutions, corporations, and financial advisers across Asia and Europe.
Another Insurance Partner Defects from Clyde & Co Australia
David Kerwin left Clyde & Co. for the Australian business Sparke Helmore, continuing the migration of insurance partners from Clyde & Co.
K&L Gates Hires Energy Partner from Gibson Dunn in Singapore
Brad Roach, a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, has joined K&L Gates in Singapore as an energy, infrastructure, and resources partner. Alexandra Jones, an associate who has been with Gibson Dunn for nearly seven years, goes with him.
British Disputes Boutique Seladore Hires HSF Lawyer, Plans Singapore Launch
Liang-Ying Tan, a lawyer from New York, has joined British disputes boutique Seladore Legal as a partner as the firm prepares to open in Singapore. In order to propel the company’s expansion in the city-state of Singapore, Tan will eventually move there.
Yoon & Yang bolsters regulatory practice with senior BAT exec hire
Adrian Bae, a top foreign attorney in Seoul, has bolstered the regulatory capabilities of Yoon & Yang, a South Korean law company. Bae formerly held the position of vice president for North Asia at British American Tobacco (BAT), where he now joins.
HK: Ex-Mayer Brown, Deacons IP partner joins PRC firm Jingtian
Benjamin Choi, a seasoned intellectual property attorney who previously served as managing director and consultant at Oldham Li & Nie’s OLN IP Services, has joined PRC law firm Jingtian & Gongcheng as a partner in Hong Kong.
In house
Discover Hires Interim Legal Chief as $35B Sale to Capital One Faces New Hurdles
Before Hope Mehlman leaves as legal chief on November 27, Discover had intended to close the deal. However, Capital One has admitted that it is no longer possible to complete the deal this year.
The Americas
McGuireWoods Hires Digital Healthcare Lawyer
In New York, Jennifer K. Shanley joined the company’s technology and digital health division.
Digital health providers, pharmaceutical, biologic, and medical device manufacturers, clinical laboratories, pharmacies, health systems, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, provider practice groups, home care agencies, health insurers, charitable foundations, and businesses that support or invest in the healthcare sector are among the clients of Shanley that receive regulatory advice.
Duane Morris Adds Corporate Partner
Duane Morris LLP has brought on a former Stinson LLP partner for its corporate practice group in New York. Cris Cicala is a corporate, finance and banking attorney with more than 20 years of domestic and international experience.
Simpson Thacher Partner Moves to Vinson & Elkins as Co-Head of Strategic M&A
Sebastian Tiller practiced at Simpson Thacher for 19 years, and he became a partner in 2016
Morgan Lewis, Mayer Brown Add New Partners in Chicago
Morgan Lewis acquired private equity partner Jonathan Dhanawade from Paul Hastings after hiring tech partner Marina Aronchik from Mayer Brown.
Former Federal Prosecutor Joins Latham & Watkins
In her most recent roles as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and Co-Chair of the Artificial Intelligence Working Group, Margaret Graham served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for the previous eleven years.
Simpson Thacher hits Kirkland, Jones Day for M&A lawyers
Simpson Thacher opened a Boston office earlier this year, and Matthew Fisher came from Kirkland & Ellis as the fifth partner. Adam Cromie joined from Jones Day in New York and will transfer to the firm’s Washington, DC office next year.
Latham & Watkins Adds Regulatory Partner to Strengthen West Coast Crypto Presence
According to Tad J. Freese, a managing partner in the California office of Latham & Watkins, “the majority of our regulatory expertise at Latham sits in our East Coast offices.”
Paul Hastings Adds Morgan Lewis Environmental Partner
Premier environmental litigator and crisis management advisor Stephen Fitzgerald has joined Paul Hastings LLP as a partner in Dallas, further growing the company’s industry-leading environmental litigation practice.
On the Move and After Hours: Bressler; Brach Eichler; Sarno da Costa; Cooper Levenson
A corporate litigation principal is added by Bressler, a health care counsel is welcomed by Brach Eichler, and other changes are made.
O’Melveny, Vinson & Elkins Recruit Energy Partners in Houston, DC
O’Melveny announced that highly regarded energy transactions lawyer David Aaronson has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner in its Energy Industry Group
Team Moves
Weil Gotshal London Trio Defects to Freshfields
Global law firm Freshfields has today announced the appointment of leading private capital lawyers Paul Stewart, Mark Davis and Nick Fortune as partners to its Global Transactions practice in London. Stewart will serve as Global Co-Head of Private Credit & Capital Solutions alongside New York-based partner Damian Ridealgh.
Seyfarth Launches Energy Transactions Practice in Houston with Polsinelli Team
In order to establish an energy transactions practice at Seyfarth Shaw, a group from Polsinelli, headed by partner Chris Cottrell, relocated to the Houston office.
Financials:
The Law Firms Generating 8-Figure Fees on the Year’s Big Ticket UK Deals
According to Law.com International study, a few elite law firms have benefited greatly from the U.K. M&A market recovery, with one firm in particular showing remarkable productivity.
Promotions & Appointments
Veteran Delaware DOJ Lawyer Has Become New Magistrate in Chancery
It is anticipated that the new addition will boost the business court’s capacity as part of a “sustained expansion.”
As EV Startup Canoo Starts to Sink, Legal Chief Heads for Dry Land
General counsel Hector Ruiz has been replaced by associate general counsel Sean Yan at the Justin, Texas-based firm, which sold just 22 electric vehicles in 2023.
AT&T General Counsel Joins ADM Board as Company Reels from Accounting Scandal
Although he has experience guiding a company through turbulent times, this is David McAtee’s first director position.
Morris Nichols Promotes Bankruptcy & Restructuring Attorney to Partner
Matthew O. Talmo, a bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer, has been invited to join Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell, with effect from January 1, 2025.
Latham’s Partner Promotion Round Shrinks Again
On Wednesday, Latham & Watkins announced that it was elevating 24 associates to partner status, including seven attorneys from Europe and the Middle East and 17 from the United States. In recent years, Latham’s fall promotions have been getting smaller. With effect from January 2025, the number of colleagues promoted to partner has decreased by 10 compared to the 34 associates Latham promoted to partner in November of last year. The company said that it was advancing 44 colleagues to partner status in 2022, which was the same number as the year before.
Baker McKenzie Appoints New India Practice Chair and Other Asia Pacific Moves
The head of Baker’s Asia Pacific capital markets business and Singaporean principal Ashok Lalwani will be replaced as the firm’s Indian practice leader by Mini Menon vandePol, who has been with the company for over 25 years. Lalwani, who has been in the position for 12 years, will remain a member of the steering committee for India practices, which is made up of 14 other attorneys from around the world.
DLA Piper Names Tax Practice Leader as France’s Managing Partner
According to DLA Piper, employment law partner Philippe Danesi joined the firm’s executive committee on November 1st, and Fanny Combourieu took over as the country managing paper for France on the same day.
Malaysia’s JLPW gets new disputes head from Skrine
Hui Wen Tan was a senior associate at Skrine before joining the Malaysian law firm Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong (JLPW) as a partner and head of dispute resolution.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Law Firm Diversity Pros Fear for Future of DEI Efforts Under Trump Presidency
Diversity consultant Joelle Emerson made the argument that “law firms should talk more about what they’re doing.” “One of the things that makes this so controversial is that people don’t know what these programs are.”
Employers nationwide have been coping with an increase in lawsuits aimed at workplace diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) policies and initiatives since the historic ruling.
Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are going unrewarded at law firms
Dana Denis-Smith, CEO of Obelisk Support, claims that legal leaders are not getting paid for their efforts to implement and enhance DEI.
Office Openings & Closing:
Eversheds Shuts in Beijing, Targets Singapore Re-Entry
Although the reasons and conditions are different from those of its American counterparts, the closure makes it the first legal practice based in the United Kingdom to close an office in Mainland China.
830 Brickell is Open After Two-Year Delay That Led to Winston & Strawn Pulling Lease
While tenants fill their temporary office spaces, the eagerly anticipated Grade A commercial building is already operational.
Japan’s TMI Associates Lands in Brussels, Expands European Offering
TMI Associates, a Japanese law company, has opened an office in Brussels as part of its European expansion. After Paris and London, this is TMI Associates’ third trip to Europe. The business said in a statement that the new office is part of its mission to “give clients information on the latest trends in [European Union] law.” It will work closely with its offices in France and the United Kingdom.
Japanese Boutique Marks First Foray Overseas with Singapore Opening
Tokyo International Law Office (TKI), a Japanese boutique, is opening its first overseas office in Singapore. The company is scheduled to start operations in January of next year after receiving its license to practice foreign law. The new company will be led by Koki Yamada, a co-founder and co-managing partner of TKI.
Mergers & Alliances:
Lippes Mathias Enters South Florida Via Combination with Local Firm
Lippes Mathias is opening its second Florida office and growing past 200 lawyers after merging with West Palm Beach boutique Ward Damon as both seek scale to hire more talent in the region.
Technology & Innovation:
Authentication and Reliability of AI and Digital Evidence – What Must the Expert Demonstrate
This article delves into discussions about artificial intelligence and its impact in the courtroom.
AI Gives Legal Departments New Leverage to Demand Speed, Efficiency from Law Firms
“Lawyers accustomed to week-long turnarounds for contract reviews may find their clients demanding same-day service to keep up with sales/growth teams,” according to Aaron Boersma, author of “Keeping Pace: Law Firms in the Era of AI-Driven Business.”
Is AI Regulation Attainable on a Global Scale?
At the New York City Bar Association’s “UN Summit of the Future: International Regulation of AI” webcast, speakers from a range of international organizations talked on the obstacles to and potential for global AI regulation.
How Gen AI Is Changing Legal Work for In-House Counsel
At a recent Association of Corporate Counsel gathering, legal chiefs stated that they want outside counsel to be transparent and collaborative when it comes to generative AI deployment.
As Tech-Focused Roles in C-Suite Expand, Newcomers Embrace Big Law Opportunities
“We’re not just looking to research AI and other areas, we’re looking to actually embrace it and lead out front with it,” stated Jared Kaplan, the newly appointed chief innovation and information officer of Lowenstein Sandler.
Although in-house legal teams are at ease offering legal counsel on AI-related issues, a large number of workers are expressing difficulty keeping up.
What About the Old Partners Who Have No Interest in AI?
Several big legal firms claim that new hires are far more interested in AI than partners, so what can be done?
Market Commentary:
Climate Disputes, International Arbitration, and State Court Limitations for Global Issues
This contains a report from a distinguished panel of experts about the most recent international decisions, approaches to arbitration and mediation, and tactics for resolving discrepancies in court decisions in matters pertaining to climate change.
How New York Is Ethically Leveraging AI in the Courtroom
Chief Desmond Racicot (Ret), senior director of business development at Cellebrite, and Andrew Wylie, the district attorney for Clinton County, talk about the increasing use of AI in digital investigations and how New York practitioners might use the technology to expedite but still uphold the law.
‘Not Enough Lawyers to Meet That Demand in Dallas:’ New Squire Office Leader Eyes Hiring
Squire Patton Boggs Dallas managing partner Jon Mureen stated that he plans to recruit several corporate attorneys and grow the office’s data privacy division in the near future.
Latham’s New Partner Class Leans Toward Corporate Practices
In recent years, Latham’s fall promotions have been getting smaller.
Southeast Firm Leaders Predict Stability, Growth in Second Trump Administration
“If he doesn’t do anything radically different than what he did his first term, we’re probably not looking at any tectonic shift in how the outlook is for law firms in the United States,” Kevin Broyles, founder and CEO of FisherBroyles.
Brazil Is Quickly Becoming a Vital LatAm Market for Greenberg Traurig, Other US Law Firms
For some customers, having a physical location in the biggest economy in the area provides more comfort in addition to tax advantages. Some businesses, however, are happy to serve the nation from a distance.
Labor & Employment Firms Expect Demand Surge as Bosses Face Uncertainty Over Rules Changes
“There are some similarities between the current situation and the environment that employers encountered during the pandemic. Regarding her expectations for the upcoming Trump administration, managing partner and head of Seyfarth Shaw Lorie Almon stated, “Businesses had to make business decisions without knowing what the future would hold.”
Luxury brands must prepare for changes in UK, EU and US sustainability legislation
According to a recent analysis by Baker & McKenzie and Positive Luxury, upcoming global ESG standards will be a catalyst for reform within the luxury sector.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Latham Suffers Latest Departure as Skadden Swoops for London IP Head
Partner Deborah Kirk works on a variety of IP and technology issues across several industries. She will be leading the practice of intellectual property and technology transactions at her new firm. Her business specializes on helping clients navigate the tech and intellectual property sides of complicated transactions, including large-scale carve-outs, while protecting and commercializing their intangible assets.
McDermott Strengthens Global Private Equity Offering with New Hire in London
Jason Zemmel has joined the Transactions Practice Group at McDermott Will & Emery, an international law firm. Jason is a London-based lawyer specializing in private equity (PE) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the healthcare industry.
Welcoming a new partner to Taylor Wessing’s London financial services regulatory offering
Martin Dowdall has joined Taylor Wessing as a partner, based in their London office. Martin comes from a top US company. Martin’s joining underscores our ongoing commitment in this area of their business and will enhance the firm’s capacity to offer UK and international client’s comprehensive guidance on all facets of UK and EU financial services legislation and regulation.
Clark Hill recruits Conor Kenny as international business co-ordinator
Conor Kenny has joined the transatlantic practice of international law firm Clark Hill as an international business coordinator. Mrs. Kenny, who is based in Dublin, will promote American companies growing in Ireland and Europe while also concentrating on bringing European-based companies to the US.
EMEA
Addleshaw Goddard boosts tax practice in Germany
Dr. Anders Kraft joins along with his team, which includes associate Steffen Bellmann and counsel Dr. Susanne Knoch, he joins from Ashurst. In the context of M&A, private equity, real estate, finance, and capital market transactions, Anders Kraft is a tax counsel and lawyer who focuses on both domestic and international tax issues.
Addleshaw Goddard strengthens with partner Katharina Feddersen
Katharina Feddersen comes from Osborne Clarke, where she worked as a partner for over 11 years and was instrumental in setting up the Hamburg office. Her practice focuses on construction project development as well as legal advice on planning and construction of lengthy and complex construction projects in the city centres of major German cities.
Herbert Smith Freehills strengthens EMEA competition litigation team with partner hire
Thorsten Matthies has joined Herbert Smith Freehills, a renowned international law firm, as a Disputes partner in Düsseldorf, enhancing the firm’s presence in EMEA competition litigation. Coming from Freshfields, Thorsten joins. His areas of expertise include antitrust litigation, strategic defense against global mass claims, negotiating and crafting custom settlements, and defending clients in court and out of court in cartel damage claims.
Didier De Vliegher joins Jones Day’s Real Estate Practice in the Brussels Office
As a corporate finance lawyer in Brussels with over 30 years of experience, Mr. De Vliegher focuses on capital markets, public-private partnerships, project finance, real estate finance, and M&A transactions in the real estate sector. For Belgian and foreign businesses, such as banks, insurance providers, and REITs, he specializes in lease contracts, sale and lease-back agreements, and other real estate transactions.
Andries has more than 20 years of expertise advising companies and financial institutions on a variety of topics related to European and Dutch financial legislation and transactions, including both domestic and international acquisitions.
CMS strengthens Dubai projects and maritime team with partner relocation
Eleanor Lane, who was formerly located in Scotland, joins the firm’s maritime practice and Middle East projects. She has more than 20 years of expertise providing advice on infrastructure and maritime projects, including strategic outsourcing initiatives, public-private partnerships, and public service concessions.
Kennedys strengthens international arbitration practice with new Paris-based partner
Thomas joins as one of the lead partners in their growing commercial and investment arbitration practice, and will work as part of the leadership team across various jurisdictions on developing the offering. Joining from Hogan Lovells, Thomas has specialised in international arbitration for over twenty years, acting for multinational companies in commercial arbitrations under all the major rules and institutions, and for both Nation States and investors in investment treaty arbitrations.
APAC
Indonesia’s AVYA builds construction expertise with new partner
Ryand Armilis has been appointed as a new partner to head the building and infrastructure practice division at the Indonesian legal firm AVYA legal.
Former Cavenagh Law disputes partner joins Oon & Bazul
In an effort to bolster its dispute resolution expertise, local firm Oon & Bazul has hired Elan Krishna, a former partner at Cavenagh Law, the Singapore Formal Law Alliance (FLA) subsidiary of Clifford Chance.
Malaysia’s Zul Rafique welcomes back real estate pro from in-house role
Ainal Marlinda Md Said, who previously served as the legal head of Sime Darby Property, has joined the Malaysian law firm Zul Rafique & Partners, strengthening its real estate expertise.
Udaan assistant GC rejoins CAM in Bengaluru
Lakshmi Rajagopalan, the assistant general counsel at the B2B e-commerce platform Udaan, has joined Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as a partner in the company’s Bengaluru financial services and technology practice.
In house
Ex-Philly Museum of Art GC Takes Legal Reins of Twilio-Backed Messaging Business
William Peterson has returned to the field of mobile communications. Prior to spending three years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, first as general counsel and subsequently as chief operating officer, he held a number of high positions at Verizon for fifteen years.
$17B Episcopal Church Pension Fund Hires New Legal Chief as Staff Changes Continue
CEO Mary Wold said that Julian Chung’s “breadth of experience as a corporate attorney, incorporating legal strategy and business strategy, spans more than 25 years and will benefit us greatly.”
Growth-Hungry Bitcoin Miner Hires ‘Thought Leader’ as First US GC
According to Bitfarms, employing Rachel Silverstein will lower the cost of hiring outside counsel and instantly establish the company’s credibility with other bitcoin miners and data center builders in this nation.
King Kullen—the Nation’s First Supermarket—Hires Outside Counsel as GC
When Michael J. Cullen’s plan for far larger, primarily self-service stores didn’t work out with his previous employer, Kroger, he launched the supermarket business in 1930 they have now hired Christoper Mansfield as their GC.
Longtime Trenton Insider Named Gov. Murphy’s New Chief Counsel
“I am thrilled to welcome Kate McDonnell back to the Governor’s Office as my new Chief Counsel,” Gov. Phil Murphy disclosed in a statement. “Her decades of service to the Garden State and her strong background in public policy demonstrate the ideal skillset to excel in this role.”
Crypto asset manager CoinShares hires former Sidley Austin lawyer as group GC
Lisa Avellini has been appointed as group general counsel by CoinShares, a digital asset investment management company. Graeme Dickson left the company at the end of September to explore another opportunity. Avellini most recently served as deputy general counsel at Balyasny Europe Asset Management.
Former Fried Frank, Orrick partner hired as CLO of Episcopal Church Pension Group
Julian Chung has been appointed as the next chief legal officer of the US Episcopal Church’s Pension Group. Nancy Sanborn will retire at the end of this year. Chung comes from Enveritas, a sustainability assurance company, where she serves as head of compliance and general counsel.
The Americas
Chief Counsel to Gov. Murphy Set to Move to Lowenstein Sandler
The most recent lawyer to leave the governor’s office of New Jersey to work at Lowenstein Sandler is Parimal Garg.
Connecticut Movers: City Firms Announce Latest Hires
Two new associates join Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, and a partner rejoins Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey.
Cleary Adds Longtime Federal Prosecutor in San Francisco
In his new position as a partner in Cleary’s Americas litigation practice, Matthew Yelovich brings both appellate and white-collar experience to the table.
King & Spalding Adds Veteran Antitrust Litigator from White & Case in New York
Ross Elfand rose from associate to partner at White & Case, where he has worked for the past 18 years.
Clark Hill Adds to Litigation Team in Wilmington
Brian O’Neill has become a member of Clark Hill’s Wilmington office, joining the firm’s litigation division.
Partner Joins Jackson Walker’s Electric Regulatory Practice
Austin partner Catherine Garza has joined Jackson Walker’s Electric Regulatory practice, the firm announced this week. Garza spent nine years working as a lawyer at Eversheds Sutherland before that.
White & Case Lures DLA Piper’s Vice Chair for FDA Regulation
Peter Carney, chairman of White & Case’s life sciences and health care sector group, stated that Bethany Hills’ FDA regulatory skills “are a crucial component to maintaining a top global life sciences offering.”
BCLP Adds Former Seattle Mayor to Lead White Collar Practice
From 2017 to 2021, Jenny Durkan served as Seattle’s mayor. Prior to that, she was the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington and oversaw Quinn Emanuel’s cyber business.
Mayer Brown Adds Private Credit Partner from King & Spalding
Last month, the firm’s New York branch welcomed Sheel Patel as its second private credit partner.
People in the News—Oct. 31, 2024—McNees, Dilworth Paxson
William McLaughlin joined McNees Wallace & Nurick as director of marketing, completing the firm’s leadership team in marketing and business development.
Team Moves
4-Partner A&O Shearman Group Decamps to Linklaters
At A&O Shearman, David Lucking served as the worldwide co-head of financial markets.
Award winning Real Estate team grows in Germany
Leading real estate attorney Nicolas Deuerling has joined the growing Frankfurt office of Gowling WLG, a global top 100 law firm, as part of the business’s expansion strategy in Europe. To bolster the firm’s real estate practice in Germany under the direction of Dr. Wolfram Paetzold, Nicolas Deuerling will be joined by his team of two associates, Kai-Steffen Knapp and Susanne Schaad, and a counsel, Matthias Fischer. Everyone is coming from Ashurst.
A&L Goodbody appoints five new partners
Five new partners have been hired by A&L Goodbody, including one in Belfast and four in Dublin. The technology team’s Clare Carroll and Stephen King, the disputes and investigations team’s Denise Daly Byrne, and the construction and engineering team’s Siobhan Kearney are the new Dublin partners.
Financials:
Average Partner Comp Hits $1M in Phila.
The number increased by $260,000 from the year before, according to a recent Major, Lindsey & Africa poll.
Texas’ Highest-Paid GCs: Companies New to State Snag Top Spots
Last year, Caterpillar relocated to the state, and Suzette Long, the company’s chief legal officer, made her debut at number five on the list.
Partner Pay Transparency Is Eroding, even if ‘Black Box’ Systems Haven’t Caught On
One consultant noted that some firms now make partner pay data less accessible. Opening up pay data can lead to “a lot of partner dissatisfaction and angst.”
Taylor Wessing Germany Ups Associate and Salaried Partner Pay
The change brings Germany’s pay closer to that of the UK, where the firm raised the salary of freshly trained lawyers to £115,000 in August.
Promotions & Appointments
Becker & Poliakoff Expands Leadership Roles, Attempting to Encourage Innovation and Mentorship
In response to the necessity for succession planning and the growing competition throughout Florida, the company is giving some of its more seasoned stockholders new leadership roles.
Nike Promotes Legal Chief to Marketing Chief as New CEO Launches Turnaround
Ann Miller, an 18-year Nike lawyer, “will inspire, innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible” in her new position as executive vice president of global sports marketing, according to new Nike CEO Elliott Hill.
Arnold & Porter Elects New Co-Chair Leadership Amid C-Suite Changes
Richard Alexander, who has been chairman for the last nine years, will be replaced by the new co-chairs. Additionally, the company has appointed a CEO, a newly created role at Arnold & Porter.
Kilpatrick Names 10 New Partners for 2025, Favouring Atlanta, Seattle
The 2025 partners are all female, with the exception of one, and they work in the fields of technological transactions, complicated commercial litigation, and trademark and patent litigation.
Procopio Elects Managing Partner
John Alessio, who held the position for almost seven years before passing away in September, is replaced by Dennis Doucette.
MPs from array of legal backgrounds appointed to justice select committee
The justice select committee of the House of Commons has been composed of members with a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise in law.
Siobhán Caslin appointed to Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
Siobhán Caslin, a barrister, has been appointed to the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Council. Ms. Caslin has more than 12 years of expertise in public and regulatory law.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Female GCs Joining Corporate Boards in Large Numbers, Overcoming Biases and Stereotypes Along Way
According to Tara Giunta, a partner at Paul Hastings, “the biggest barrier is breaking into the networks, which traditionally have not included women and other diverse constituencies.”
Retail reality check: the neurodivergent customer experience
According to Nicola Conway of Bird & Bird, reimagining retail for neurodiverse consumers is becoming popular. Will these lessons be learned by luxury?
Office Openings & Closing:
Wilmer to Become 12th U.S. Firm in Past 18 Months to Close Office in Greater China
Wilmer won’t have any offices in Asia after the China office closes, which is anticipated to happen by the end of November.
Clifford Chance Splashes $20M on New Houston Office
The action emphasizes how crucial Houston is to businesses looking to break into the US market.
Vinson & Elkins Launches Office in Energy-Rich Denver Market
Vinson & Elkins, a Houston-based firm, opens an office in Denver and initially employs three transactional partners due to the growth of its clientele in the Denver area.
Big Four Japanese Firm Nagashima Ohno Launches First European Office in London
The Big Four In keeping with a trend of international development by some of Japan’s most prominent law firms, Japanese firm Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is scheduled to open its first European office in London in January. This month, Kiyoshi Honda, a partner in the firm’s infrastructure, energy and environmental, and real estate practices, will move from Tokyo to London to lead the office.
Mayer Brown Shutters Mexico City Office, Lawyers Scatter
The office’s initial goals in 2015 were to capitalize on the opening of Mexico’s oil and gas industry to private investment; however, those intentions were dashed three years later when energy nationalism Andrés Manuel López Obrador was elected president of Mexico.
Mergers & Alliances:
CMS in Tie-Up Talks with Indian Law Firm
The possible partnership follows a number of significant departures from IndusLaw this year and is in line with CMS’ goals for worldwide consolidation.
Wickard AI Partners With Law School to Bring Legal AI Training to Ethiopia
As the nation’s legal sector expands, the startup is organizing a two-day training course alongside Addis Ababa University Law School.
Harbor Acquires U.K.-Based Legal Tech Services Company Ascertus
Harbor’s third M&A transaction since its founding, the acquisition of Ascertus, broadens its global reach.
A&O Shearman Becomes First Long-Term Corporate Partner to UN Refugee Agency
Over the next five years, the firm will contribute up to £500,000 of partner revenues to the emergency fund as part of the agreement.
Technology & Innovation:
Law Firms ‘Still Lacing Up Their Shoes’ in Gen AI Race, Report Says
A recent article titled “Keeping Pace: Law Firms in the Era of AI-Driven Business” claims that “corporate America is sprinting ahead.”
K&L Gates Looks to Extend Gen AI Expertise to Access to Justice Fight
The firm organized the first AI & Access to Justice Summit in collaboration with Stanford Law School’s Legal Design Lab.
Could AI Investments Be Another Driver of Law Firm Mergers?
Some legal firms have expressed interest in merging with a bigger firm, in part “to have the scale necessary to properly invest in technology,” according to a merger consultant.
Latham’s New Academy Starts Associate Training on AI
The legal firm will first concentrate on training associates in their first through fourth years, but as the program grows, additional lawyers—including partners—will join.
Pre/Dicta Expands Litigation Analytics Platform to California, Its First Venture into State Courts
The company will forecast case timetables and motion results in California Superior Courts as part of an expansion made possible by the 2023 acquisition of Gavelytics, with plans to soon expand to other jurisdictions.
UK-Based Legal Entity Management Startup Kuberno Announces £9.5 Million Series A Investment
With this financial announcement, Kuberno intends to attract more law firm clients and incorporate AI into its Kube platform.
Inside Travers Smith’s AI Training, Development Efforts
In order to keep up with the rapidly changing technology, the company wants to introduce its staff to gen AI through training modules and experiments.
Market Commentary:
Addressing REIT Practice ‘Barrier to Entry,’ Paul Hastings Turns to DLA Piper, Goodwin for Hires
The two new recruits fill a “gap” in the firm’s real estate business, which is already “mature,” according to chair Frank Lopez. They also help the firm’s strategy in a number of related professions.
‘We Have That Equal Responsibility’: One Am Law 50 Firm’s Approach to Lateral Integration
“The proposition is 50/50. Craig Budner, global strategic development partner at K&L Gates, stated, “We’re not the ‘show me’ firm, where we bring in the lateral and say, ‘Show me your book and how you’ll help us.’?”
Big Law Firms Increased First-Year Associate Hiring in 2024
Among the firms who provided data, the median change in class size was an 11% rise, while the average class size in the Am Law 50 increased by 14%.
Latin American Wealth Spurs Boom for Miami Lawyers
“A lot of the clients are saying, ‘Do me a favour and meet me in Miami,'” said Michael Silva, who co-heads McDermott Will & Emery’s Latin America business and leads the Miami Tax group.
From Courtroom to Cradle: Practical Advice for Young Attorneys About Parental Leave
Although the legal profession has made progress in accommodating attorneys’ need for time off after a child is born or adopted, paid parental leave is regrettably not a common practice, and outdated beliefs about it persist.
Why Retirement Might Be Increasingly Top-of-Mind for Older Attorneys
Some elder attorneys are beginning to question whether this is the proper moment to retire due to a rapidly evolving technological landscape and generational dynamics that drive the need for succession planning.
Rivals Seize Opportunity as A&O Shearman, Hogan Lovells Vacate South Africa
Following the surprise departures of A&O Shearman and Hogan Lovells, both of which are anticipated to leave by the end of 2024, law firms are adjusting their South African plans. In addition to adding a Hogan Lovells M&A partner and associate to its team on Friday, Bowmans has already hired 14 A&O Shearman attorneys, including eight partners who begin work in early 2025. Samantha Joshua, a senior associate, joined Wessel Badenhorst, the former managing partner of Hogan Lovells, when he started his own business.
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