Moves:
UK & Ireland
Senior arbitration talent departs Matrix Chambers for 3 Verulam Buildings in London
International arbitration specialist Professor Zachary Douglas KC has joined 3 Verulam Buildings (3VB) in London from Matrix Chambers, marking the latter’s second major silk exit since the start of last month.
A&O and CMS hire in-house talent as gunnercooke launches stateside
In the City, Anneliese Foster has re-joined Allen & Overy from Goldman Sachs, where she spent eight years as a managing director. CMS has also looked in-house for its most recent hire. The firm bolstered its financial services regulatory practice with the addition of Chris Glennie from the Bank of England, where he was senior legal counsel.
DLA Piper adds Africa-focused projects partner in London from Fasken
DLA Piper has added an Africa-focused projects partner in London from Canadian law firm Fasken. Karim Maalioun specialises in the energy and natural resources sector and brings more than 20 years of experience in projects across the Middle East and Africa. Before joining Fasken in 2018 he was a partner at Squire Patton Boggs in Paris and London and earlier was general counsel for EMEA at US oil and gas company ContourGlobal.
Reed Smith Strengthens London Office With Kirkland Partner
Reed Smith has bolstered its London base with addition of Kirkland & Ellis partner Romin Dabir. Dabir has spent the last four years as a partner in Kirkland & Ellis’ City outpost, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously spent time as a lawyer at Macfarlanes and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as well as a management consultant at EY.
Bank of England Lawyer Joins CMS As Partner
CMS has added a lawyer from the Bank of England. Chris Glennie has joined the firm as a partner in its financial services regulatory team. He was senior legal counsel & manager at the Bank of England. He has joined CMS as a partner having spent previous years at Travers Smith.
EMEA
McDermott hires corporate partner duo from Reed Smith in Frankfurt
McDermott Will & Emery has hired a senior duo from Reed Smith to strengthen its German corporate coverage. Rolf Hünermann and Philip Schmidt both join the firm’s transactions practice group in Frankfurt as partners. They bring with them around three decades of combined experience advising clients on domestic and cross-border M&A, as well as matters related to corporate law, compliance and environmental, social and governance considerations such as supply chain issues.
King & Spalding Hires Tax Trio in Paris
The three-lawyer, partner-led team is part of a strategy to build out the firm’s M&A and private equity capabilities in the French capital.
APAC
White & Case Hires Norton Rose Antitrust Partner in Sydney
Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its Global Antitrust Practice with the addition of Belinda Harvey as a partner in Sydney.
Jingtian & Gongcheng Continues Domestic Expansion with Five New Partners
Jingtian & Gongcheng has added five new partners to its Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou offices.
Shihui Partners Adds Beijing IP Team of 30 including King & Wood Partner
Chinese law firm Shihui Partners has hired a team of over 30 intellectual property (IP) practitioners, including patent lawyers, and patent agents and process managers.
Clyde & Co Adds Singapore Duo from Addleshaw Goddard and RPC
Clyde & Co Adds Singapore Duo from Addleshaw Goddard and RPC Clyde & Co has added two lawyers in Singapore. It’s Singapore office now count 13 partners. Ton van den Bosch, who was a partner and head of Singapore at Addleshaw Goddard, will be joining Clyde & Co’s energy, marine and natural resources practice.
The Americas
Proskauer Rose announces record promotions in New York-dominated round
US firm Proskauer Rose has promoted 33 lawyers in its largest ever round, with 25 making partnership and eight elevated to senior counsel roles. The promotions are spread across more than a dozen practices and include members from nine of the firm’s offices, mainly in the US.
Allen & Overy continues West Coast growth with private equity partner hire from Winston & Strawn
UK magic circle firm Allen & Overy has added a private equity partner in Los Angeles from Winston & Strawn as it continues its eye-catching push into the US market. Joshua Birenbaum advises clients on complex matters related to both public and private companies and across M&A, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, strategic acquisitions and equity financings. His experience covers industries including technology, consumer products and services, manufacturing and healthcare.
Partner Moves in Salt Lake, Seattle Show ‘Massive’ Rise, While Nashville Fell Off
Partner moves in Salt Lake, Seattle show ‘massive’ rise, while Nashville fell off appetite for laterals in smaller U.S. cities has grown this year, including Salt Lake, where partner moves rose 234% in the first three quarters of the year.
Greenberg Traurig Swoops on McDermott For Corporate Partner Team
Greenberg Traurig has hired four corporate partners from U.S. rival McDermott Will & Emery bolstering its Israeli and New York operations.
In-House
Ex-Slaughters lawyer joins infrastructure PE firm as GC
Tom O’Neill has joined infrastructure investment firm Basalt Infrastructure Partners as its new general counsel. O’Neill trained as a solicitor at Slaughter and May, qualifying into corporate and M&A. He spent over six years at the firm before moving in-house to private equity business Pollen Street Capital, where he worked his way up to legal director over a further six-year period. Basalt Infrastructure Partners is an infrastructure equity investment firm focused on mid-market deals.
Promotions & Appointments:
Clifford Chance names new UK COO
UK magic circle law firm Clifford Chance (CC) has named the ex-chief of staff to former global managing partner Matthew Layton as its new UK COO, marking the latest in a series of leadership changes.
‘People are our biggest asset’: Linklaters’ incoming Paris head Maigrot outlines strategy
Linklaters has elected its head of real estate in France, Françoise Maigrot, as its new managing partner in Paris. Taking over from banking, energy and infrastructure head Bertrand Andriani, Maigrot will begin her four-year term on 1 January 2023.
Baker McKenzie names new Asia Pacific chair
Baker McKenzie has appointed Hong Kong-based IP partner Shih Yann Loo as its new Asia Pacific chair. Loo took up the new position on 21 October and succeeded Michael Wong, who has returned to his corporate and tax practice in the firm’s Taipei office at the conclusion of his two-year term.
Freshfields Refreshes International Arbitration Leaders
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has refreshed the leadership of its international arbitration group. Noiana Marigo has been at Freshfields for over 20 years.
Mergers & Alliances:
Child & Child acquired by ex-Ince CEO in pre-pack deal
The former chief of The Ince Group has bought London firm Child & Child. It was revealed in late July that Adrian Biles would be stepping down as Ince’s CEO, having led on the reverse takeover of Ince & Co by Gordon Dadds in 2018. Since his departure in September, Biles has now set his sights on a new venture, buying Child & Child in a pre-pack deal funded from his own resources. Biles took control of the firm yesterday, with the announcement being made to the firm in the morning. It is understood that his father John Biles, the former finance head of Ince, and brother Robert, an ex-Ince partner, will also be joining.
Perkins Coie acquires New York start-up advisory boutique Kluk Farber Law
US firm Perkins Coie has acquired start-up-focused New York boutique Kluk Farber Law as it seeks to expand its emerging companies practice. The deal adds 12 lawyers and six business professionals, including partners Agatha Kluk, Sonia Farber and Eitan Hoenig. They will lead Perkins Coie’s emerging companies and venture capital practice and will be based in the firm’s new start-up and emerging companies centre in New York’s Flatiron District. The Kluk Farber team regularly advise start-up and high-growth companies on corporate strategy, venture capital investments and exits.
DWF Acquires Leading Canadian Firm
Billed as the ‘next step’ in the firm’s North America strategy, the acquisition will give the firm offices in Vancouver and Calgary, as well as 16 partners and more than 200 people in total.
Office Openings & Closing:
WFW kickstarts search for new City premises
Watson Farley & Williams, which has been based in its London home for three decades, is the latest firm to have secured the services of a real estate consultancy to help it find new space. The firm, based on Appold Street behind Liverpool Street station, has sought out the advice of Squarebrook. WFW occupies 80,119 sq ft in its London HQ at a cost of £5.8m over 2021/22
Kennedys shuts up shop in Bangkok after reviewing Thai business
UK law firm Kennedys has shuttered its Bangkok office following a review into its Thailand business, leaving it with two offices in the Southeast Asia region.
Charles Russell Speechlys Aiming For 2023 Singapore Office Launch
Charles Russell Speechlys is set to join the throngs of international outfits opening offices in Singapore. Singapore continues to attract law firms with a private wealth focus.
Financials:
City associates offered partner-style pay in Boies recruitment drive
Boies Schiller is giving UK associates the option of either partner-style “formula compensation” or standard salaries to recruit and retain new talent, The Lawyer can reveal. Each City associate at Boies Schiller can now choose whether to receive a standard market competitive annual salary or instead be paid a percentage of the number hours they have worked that year.
Dentons Aims to Double Revenue in Australia Within 5 Years
The Australia arm of global law firm Dentons is planning to double its revenue within the next five years, largely through aggressive lateral partner hiring, hiring, according to Doug Stipanicev, the firm’s Australia chair and Australasia region CEO.
Technology & Innovation:
Louisiana Judge Schlegel, Founder of an ‘Online Court,’ Explains Why Zoom Doesn’t Cut It
Already experienced in creating virtual court processes, with the assistance of the LASC Tech Commission & IT Louisiana Judge Scott U. Schlegel’s latest program seeks to improve upon Zoom.
Work Better: What happened when Cornerstone asked Osborne Clarke for tech help
Mobile infrastructure company Cornerstone tasked Osborne Clarke (OC) to create a bespoke system to support their business with managing and reporting on legal instructions. The firm had senior sponsorship of the project from both sides, with head of legal and compliance Phil Warren leading at Cornerstone, and property disputes partner Leona Briggs and property partner Dolf Darnton sponsoring the project at OC.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Baker McKenzie breaks up UAE alliance following homophobic tweets
Baker McKenzie in September announced that it is ‘parting ways’ with Dr Habib Al Mulla, name partner of member firm Habib Al Mulla & Partners, following a series of anti-gay Twitter comments. Confirming that the ‘separation process is underway’, the firm said in a statement that it ‘strongly believes that however much we may disagree with the beliefs and personal views of others, we must find ways to disagree respectfully, encourage inclusive dialogue and to ensure an inclusive work environment for all.’
Pro Bono Work Dipped at Largest Law Firms in UK Amid Transactional Boom
The number of pro bono hours undertaken by the largest firms in the U.K. dipped in the last financial year.
Governments in Latin America, Europe and Asia are implementing formal FDI policies or informally blocking deals for politically motivated reasons.
Harry Potter star Emma Watson urges men to step up in gender equality push
Harry Potter actress Emma Watson added a touch of stardom to the IBA Diversity and Inclusion Council’s session on gender diversity in the legal profession at the IBA conference in Miami on Tuesday. Addressing a standing-room-only audience, Watson – together with her father CMS Cameron McKenna partner Chris Watson, the council’s co-chair – was part of a distinguished panel including IBA president-elect Almudena Arpón de Mendí of Madrid firm Gomez Acebo & Pompo Abogados and chaired by the IBA’s Sara Carnegie.
Associates – a clever move can lead to promotion
Last year, a key talking point about Latham & Watkins’ promotions was that members of the London cohort were the first to progress from trainee to partner since the establishment of its City graduate programme in 2007. This year, however, the takeaway is different. While over half of the nine-strong intake in 2021 were homegrown, there were just two lawyers, or 20 per cent, made up this year who were born and bred Latham (Katie Peek in M&A and Ben Wright in banking).
Diversity Lab certifies more than 40 in-house teams for D&I efforts
More than 40 in-house legal departments including HP, Ford, PayPal and Pfizer have earned the Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Certification, underscoring their commitment to the Lab’s NFL-inspired diversity rule.
Reed Smith Offers Solicitor Qualification Route in Middle East
The new academy, which offers a route to qualifying as a solicitor in England & Wales, comes amid the rise of major institutions such as the DIFC, which often use English law.
COP 27: Your Net Zero Strategy Says a Lot About You as a Firm
Clients and job seekers are starting to interrogate firms as they become more familiar with the ins and outs of target-setting. When advising clients on climate-related issues, there’s an unfortunate void when it comes to having clear industry standards on setting net zero and other “green” targets. This is a problem for many reasons, not least the risk that companies will either inadvertently or knowingly make bold claims that fall short of what scientists and global authorities deem sufficient.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Ukraine Prosecutor General and US Ambassador Weigh Possible Civil Damages Against Russia
“Now what we can be doing is making a registry of claims, so that those claims are preserved, they’re documented and they’re available for when there is a pot of money that can go to recognizing and executing upon those claims,” said Dr. Beth Van Schaack, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Paul Hastings doubles down on debt finance with team raid on Weil
Paul Hastings hired a finance capital markets duo from Weil Gotshal & Manges, despite the recent slowdown in deals activity in the market. Partner Patrick Bright, who heads Weil’s European high yield team, and partner Alexander Horstmann-Caines are leaving the firm to bolster Paul Hastings’ finance practice.
Gibson Dunn lands outgoing European Court of Human Rights president in London
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher hired European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) president Judge Robert Spano, whose term at the court ends this month. Spano will join the US firm in London as of counsel at the start of January, where his practice will focus on advising clients on multi-national disputes related to digital rights, public international law and investor-state arbitration as well as matters related to business and human rights, environmental, social and governance and government affairs and public policy.
EMEA
Gibson Dunn swipes Shearman & Sterling corporate partner in Middle East
Shearman & Sterling took a hit in the Middle East through the exit of one of its corporate practice heads to Gibson Dunn. Marwan Elaraby has left the firm after more than nine years in Dubai, where he led the office. Elaraby previously served as a managing director at Citadel Capital (now Qalaa Holdings) and as an executive director at EFG Hermes Investment Banking.
Allen & Overy boosts Italian litigation practice with partner hire from Delfino Willkie
Allen & Overy hired disputes lawyer Francesca Petronio from Delfino Willkie Farr & Gallagher to strengthen its commercial litigation practice in Italy. Petronio joins as a partner in the magic circle firm’s Milan office, bringing with her more than two decades of experience in domestic and international litigation and arbitration cases. She has a focus on bankruptcy and commercial disputes and expertise in proceedings related to investigations, white-collar crime, administrative liability and compliance.
Cuatrecasas Adds to Madrid, Barcelona Ranks With 6 Hires
Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas hired several partners and associates across its Madrid and Barcelona offices in insurance, real estate and white collar crime, as the outfit continues to strengthen its domestic bases.
APAC
Japanese Firm Nozomi Sogo Brings on First Ever Foreign Partner
Nozomi Sogo Attorneys At Law hired the president of European Business Council in Japan as the Tokyo-based firm’s first foreign partner. Swiss-qualified Michael Mroczek, who previously spent a nearly ten-year stint as the first foreign law partner at Okuno & Partners, specializes in international dispute resolution.
Yoon & Yang Takes Veteran Aviation Partner From Lee & Ko, Adds Two Others to Practice
The Big Six Korean law firm added three lawyers including a veteran partner from rival firm Lee & Ko to its aviation practice. Hye Kyung Helen Sohn, who spent 27 years at Lee & Ko, will join Yoon & Yang’s corporate advisory and finance practice group as a senior foreign attorney.
The Americas
Katten targets advertising sector with hire of senior IP litigation partner from Crowell & Moring
Katten Muchin Rosenmann hired advertising litigator Christopher Cole from Crowell & Moring to strengthen its IP department and help it build a full-service advertising practice. Cole joins as a partner and chair of Katten’s advertising, marketing and promotions practice group in Washington DC. His practice focuses on advertising, unfair competition, brand disparagement, reputation and IP matters, with extensive experience in litigating Lanham Act and consumer class action cases.
Perkins Coie hires former DOJ lawyer to boost Washington commercial litigation practice
Perkins Coie hired former US Department of Justice lawyer Michael Huston to co-chair its appeals, issues and strategy practice.Huston joins as a partner in Washington DC, bringing with him more than a decade of appellate and litigation experience in government and private practice.
Akin Gump targets Boston launch with twin partner hire from local firm
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld made its first hires in Boston ahead of a planned office launch in the city. Partners Tim Becker and Wells Miller have joined the firm’s tax practice from Boston-based Choate Hall & Stewart and bring extensive experience advising funds clients.
Greenberg Traurig Recruits Latin America Partner for Brazil Work
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP expanded its Corporate Practice with the addition of Shareholder Steven Sandretto, whose practice focuses on cross-border transactions in Brazil and throughout Latin America.
Holland & Knight Lands Former Head of Colombia’s National Copyright Directorate
Holland & Knight recruited a former director from Colombia’s National Copyright Directorate, continuing its moves to bulk up its expertise in various practice areas in the country.
Cozen O’Connor Presses On With Canadian Expansion, Hiring Veteran Litigator
Cozen O’Connor continues its Canadian growth drive with the hiring of Michael Osborne as chair of a new antitrust practice.
Promotions & Appointments:
Dechert Replaces Hong Kong Head 10 Months After Predecessor Left
Dechert appointed its next Hong Kong managing partner 10 months after the former office leader left the firm. Asia head and global co-head of white collar, compliance and investigations at Dechert Maria Sit has been appointed to the role, replacing David Cho who left the firm in January.
HSF Appoints Global TMT Co-Heads As It Zones In On New Strategy
Law Firms Herbert Smith Freehills appointed global co-heads of its technology, media and telecoms sector, with one of the appointments based in its Singapore office for the first time. Their appointment follows the launch of the firm’s new strategy, Ambition 2025. As part of that strategy the firm is strengthening to advise current and future tech companies and building on the opportunities created by both established and growth technology companies.
DLA Piper and Pinsent Masons Refresh German Leadership
DLA Piper and Pinsent Masons refreshed their German leadership as they look to the future of their continental Europe bases. DLA Piper appointed two co-country managing partners in Germany, Kai Bodenstedt and Martin Haller, effective November 1.
Latham’s partner promotions prove litigators are on the rise
Latham & Watkins promoted 44 associates to partner, with 10 elevated in London. Effective from January 2023, this is a virtually identical story to last year, which saw 44 members jump to partnership globally and nine promoted to partner in London.
Jones Day elevates 45 to partner in latest US-dominated promotions round
Jones Day promoted 45 lawyers to partner in its latest round, a slight drop on the 48 who made the grade last year. Women made up 22 of the promotions, or 49% of the overall cohort, up from 44% last year. US promotions dominated, with 80% of this year’s intake working across its domestic network, 16% in Europe and 4% in Asia. The lawyers will assume their new roles at the start of next year.
Pinsent Masons names new head of Germany
Pinsent Masons appointed a new head of Germany to replace Rainer Kreifels, who has been in the role since 2015. Partner Thomas Peschke took over the head role from 1 October 2022, overseeing the firm’s three German offices in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich.
Linklaters refreshes Paris office with new head
Linklaters replaced its Paris office managing partner with its French head of real estate Françoise Maigrot who will take over from January for a four-year term. Maigrot succeeds partner Bertrand Andriani, who’s been in post for three years and leads the firm’s financing, energy and infrastructure team in Paris, as well as the Francophone Africa group.
Mergers & Alliances:
Mayer Brown lands JV with Singaporean firm
Mayer Brown established a formal joint law venture (JLV) with Singapore firm PK Wong & Nair. The JLV will be known as Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair and will offer clients services on international and Singapore law. Mayer Brown first set up in Singapore in 2011 and has since grown to 25 lawyers, including 13 partners.
Office Openings & Closing:
New Private Equity Boutique Law Firm Launches in Paris
A new private equity-focused law firm opened in Paris, the latest in a stream of boutique launches in the French capital seeking to capitalize on a busy sector of the legal market. Duroc Partners opens with nine lawyers, including two partners: Erwan Bordet and Alexandre Dejardin.
Littler bolts on Zurich boutique to enter Swiss market
US Employment and labour law specialist Littler Mendelson entered the Swiss market through the acquisition of a practice in Zurich. The office will operate under the name Littler | LEL Lawyers and will be led by LEL founder Dr Ueli Sommer, who has joined Littler as a partner. Earlier he practised for more than 20 years at Swiss firm Walder Wyss.
Goodwin Procter Set To Double London Space With St Paul’s Move
Goodwin Procter is planning a London office move that will double its space in the city, as more law firms hone in on new bases in the U.K. capital. The firm has been eyeing an office move since earlier this year, after several years of major expansion in London.
Macau Law Firm Launches in Portugal to Target China-Related Deals
Macau firm, MdME Lawyers, launched an office in Lisbon, Portugal, aiming to target work relating to investments from Portugal into China.
Spanish heavyweight Pérez-Llorca to open in Singapore as its targets Asia-Pacific growth
Pérez-Llorca is set to open an office in Singapore in the first quarter of 2023, becoming what it claims is the first Spanish law firm to have a base in the Asian city state. Pérez-Llorca said it will use the office as a hub from which it will develop its strategy across the Asia-Pacific region. The launch will also see the firm make good on its plan have a physical presence in the global financial capitals of New York, London and Singapore as well as in Europe’s regulatory capital of Brussels.
Financials:
‘A Painful Period’: Big Law’s High-Yield Bond, Leveraged Finance Practices Take Hit
A slow deal period and market instability have seen banks write down over $1 billion in loans through the second fiscal quarter of 2022. “From a practice standpoint, it is a painful period, but it is temporary,” said Jonathan Schaffzin, corporate partner, and executive committee member of Cahill Gordon & Reindel.
Linklaters Cuts Cash Reserves Again, LLPs Show
Linklaters cut its cash position for the second consecutive year; its latest LLP accounts show. According to its consolidated cashflow statement for the financial year to April 2022, the firm’s cash and cash equivalents are down 19% to £180.3 million. That follows a 39% decrease the previous year.
Technology & Innovation:
4 Ways a Recession May Affect Firms’ Tech Stacks
As the legal industry prepares for a potential recession in 2023, experts are seeing those concerns reflected in law firms’ tech stacks and procurement decisions. While some tools are in danger of being snubbed in a tough economy, other products might be embraced further for their durability and malleable nature.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Mishcon knuckles down on sustainability with pro bono and ESG case tracker
Mishcon de Reya introduced a new case management system that allows lawyers to better record and track pro bono and ESG-focused work. In the same way that fee earners are required to fill out money laundering and client conflict questionnaires when opening new matters, Mishcon lawyers must now answer mandatory data-capturing questions to measure the impact of work relating to its sustainability business, Mishcon Purpose.
Black judges to be under-represented until 2149, says Law Society of England and Wales
It will take more than 125 years for the judiciary in England and Wales to reflect the proportion of women, Black and Asian people in the wider population at the current rate of progress, according to analysis from the Law Society. With the proportion of Black judges barely growing over the past eight years from 1.02% to 1.09%, the society found it will take until 2149 for their representation to match current estimates for the general population (3.5%). Although the proportion of women judges and those of Asian ethnicity is increasing more quickly, the report found they are also ‘being held back by the glacial progress of diversity on the bench.’
European employers mull reducing pandemic remote working options, study finds
Almost a third of European employers are requiring workers to be in the office full-time as pandemic-era remote working programmes are increasingly wound down, according to Littler’s annual European employer survey. Some 30% of employers are demanding staff work fully in-person, while 27% have introduced hybrid schemes that expect employees to work more days in the office than at home, the data showed. As many as 73% of organisations that don’t already require workers to be in the office full-time are considering reducing the amount of days employees can work remotely.
Slaughter and May Tells Lawyers No Need To Check Emails Between 10PM And 8AM
Magic Circle law firm Slaughter and May has launched a new ‘Working Practices Code’ with the aim of rectifying “unnecessary incursions” into their lawyers’ downtime. Among the new policies are allowing those on video calls to turn off their cameras between the hours of 8pm and 8am and setting limits on the times when emails should be checked.
Why Do We Ignore Partner Mental Health in Big Law?
The preliminary conclusion is that the legal industry still has a long way to go when discussing matters relating to anxiety and mental health.
CEOs Are Starting to Hit Brakes on ESG to Weather Expected Recession
The environmental, social and governance programs that many legal departments have been ramping up could take a hit as companies put resources elsewhere, according to a new survey by KPMG.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Kirkland & Ellis hired M&A specialist Toby Parkinson from Clifford Chance to boost its infrastructure transactions coverage in Europe. Parkinson was co-head of Clifford Chance’s global infrastructure group and now joins Kirkland in London as a partner and will co-lead the firm’s expansion in the European energy and infrastructure sector. Parkinson’s practice focuses on domestic and cross-border infrastructure, energy and renewables deals.
EMEA
Meta associate GC among five partners joining DWF
UK law firm DWF added five partners in one week to its corporate, dispute resolution and finance & restructuring teams across the UK and in Saudi Arabia, including an associate general counsel from Facebook owner Meta.
Norton Rose Fulbright completes double partner hire from Gide and Pinsent Masons in Paris
Norton Rose Fulbright made a twin partner hire from Gide Loyrette Nouel and Pinsent Masons to further expand its Paris office. The duo comprise real estate finance partner Kamel Ben Salah, who joins from Gide, and M&A partner Pierre François, who joins from Pinsent Masons. Salah takes up residence in the firm’s banking and finance practice, where he will focus predominantly on real estate asset finance, corporate finance and project finance.
Gide Loyrette Nouel adds seven-strong team in Paris from Shearman & Sterling
Leading French law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel added a pair of partners and their team from Shearman & Sterling in Paris to set up a new employee shareholding practice. The team is led by the head of Shearman’s European governance and benefits team, Sami Toutounji, alongside newly-minted partner Françoise Even.
De Brauw Veteran Partner Leaves for Loyens & Loeff
Dutch firm Loyens & Loeff hired long-time partner and civil law notary Mark Rebergen from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek’s Amsterdam practice.
APAC
HFW Adds Disputes Partner to Hong Kong Office
Joining from Hong Kong law firm Tanner De Witt is disputes lawyer Kevin Warburton. Kevin’s practice spans international arbitration, commercial litigation, regulatory investigations and inquiries, and privacy/cyber. The firm now counts 55 lawyers in the city, including 20 partners.
Clayton Utz Disputes Lawyer Leaves for Thomson Geer in Sydney
Thomson Geer welcomed Jack Fan to its construction team in Sydney as its newest partner. He joins from Clayton Utz, where he previously served as a special counsel. Fan has significant experience in complex disputes involving the construction, engineering, energy and infrastructure sectors.
The Americas
Willkie Farr & Gallagher hires trio of real estate partners from Munger Tolles in LA
Willkie Farr & Gallagher hired a trio of senior real estate lawyers from Munger Tolles & Olson to add further experience to its recently launched Los Angeles office. The team includes Misty Sanford, Karen Lorang and Aimee Contreras-Camua, all joining as partners in the firm’s real estate department, with Sanford becoming chair of its West Coast real estate practice.
Freshfields Hires Longtime Weil Gotshal Leveraged Finance Partner in New York
Allison Liff, a leveraged finance partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges for almost a decade, left to join Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as a partner in New York, the firm announced. Prior to joining Weil in 2013, she spent six years at Goldman Sachs, where she led the bank’s leveraged finance legal team in the United States.
In-House
BCLP London Partner Takes In-House Role At Google
Partner Sarah Klein announced that she us set to join Google in the role of senior legal counsel. Klein will focus on investigation and strategy at Google, as well as Alphabet’s regulatory response. Prior to this she has spent nearly two years at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and before that was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.
Siemens Litigator to Lead Germany’s Top Arbitration Institution
Germany’s top arbitration body, the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), hired its next secretary general from Siemens Energy. Starting her term on January 1, 2023, litigation specialist Ramona Schardt will head up the institute following a 13-year in-house career at the German energy giant working in international litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, according to the Institute’s statement. She has been Siemens’ division litigation counsel for the past three years.
Promotions & Appointments:
Osborne Clarke elects new UK leader as Berg stands down
Osborne Clarke’s UK managing partner Ray Berg is passing on the reins after two terms in charge. Berg will be replaced by Conrad Davies, who will take up the post from January next year. As the firm’s international head of the urban dynamics group, Davies specialises in corporate real estate advice, which has seen him work with clients on the rapid changes taking place in modern cities and towns.
Paul Hastings ushers in new London and global leadership
Paul Hastings appointed Ross Anderson and Mei Lian as the two new co-chairs of the firm’s London office. Lian is a corporate and restructuring partner who joined Paul Hastings in May 2020. She previously spent 19 years at Shearman & Sterling. Finance partner Anderson meanwhile joined Paul Hastings in July 2022 as part of the group move from Latham & Watkins. He previously spent more than 12 years at Latham and three years at White and Case.
HSF disputes partner elected as president of the Law Society of Western Australia
A commercial disputes partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, Ante Golem, was elected unopposed as the Law Society of Western Australia’s president for 2023. Golem, who was first elected to that Law Society’s council in 2018, was the senior vice president for 2022. He is head of the HSF’s Perth disputes team, with a focus on disputes in the construction, engineering, mining, energy and resources and infrastructure sectors, all of which are key industries in the state.
Reed Smith names M&A lawyer as new Frankfurt managing partner in latest German shake-up
Reed Smith made more changes to its German management team by appointing corporate lawyer Octávio de Sousa as its new Frankfurt office managing partner, replacing Rolf Hünermann who has departed for McDermott Will & Emery. De Sousa joined the firm in 2015 from Willkie Farr & Gallagher as one of the founding partners of Reed Smith’s Frankfurt office alongside Hünermann. The Frankfurt leadership change follows the appointment of commercial disputes lawyer Daja Apetz-Dreier as the firm’s Munich office managing partner back in April, taking over from fellow disputes lawyer Oliver Rathje.
Mergers & Alliances:
BDB Pitmans and Womble Bond Dickinson in merger talks
BDB Pitmans and Womble Bond Dickinson are in merger discussions in a tie-up that would create a £440m revenue firm. BDB Pitmans is the product of a 2018 merger between Bircham Dyson Bell and Pitmans, which also acquired City-based Portrait Solicitors in April 2022. Similarly, Womble Bond Dickinson is also no stranger to mergers; legacy Bond Dickinson tied up with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice in 2017 to create the latest transatlantic firm.
Over 40 BLM partners to take legal director roles at Clydes
Clyde & Co is nearing the end of its consultation process with BLM’s partnership, with some members moving onto a new salaried tier and others taking on legal director roles.
Mori Hamada Breaks into Indonesia with Domestic Firm Alliance
Big Four Japanese firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto entered into a strategic business alliance with Indonesian law firm ATD Law, paving the way for the planned opening of its first office in Indonesia at the beginning of next year.
Office Openings & Closing:
Brown Rudnick shutters Paris office after nine years
US law firm Brown Rudnick closed its office in Paris. The Boston-based firm shuttered the office last month having launched in the French capital at the end of 2013 with the hire of partner Sébastien Bonnard from French firm Lacourte Raquin Tatar alongside a team of associates and trainees. The firm said at the time that the office would boost its arbitration strength and connect its English and French civil and common law offerings to its broader focus on US litigation.
Leading US class action lawyer sets sights on UK with Manchester law firm opening
The founder of a leading US claimant class action law firm is opening a new firm in the UK. Mark Lanier, founder of Texas-based Lanier Law Firm, is setting up the new firm – Lanier Longstaff Hedar & Roberts (LLHR) – in Manchester to target group legal actions such as pharmaceutical claims, product liability and competition liability.
Gowling hires seven-strong team for Leeds launch
Gowling WLG hired a team of real estate lawyers from Womble Bond Dickinson’s (WBD) Leeds office to kickstart the firm’s entry into the city. Seven lawyers have been hired by Gowling to bolster the firm’s housing development and regeneration (HDR) practice and better serve its national and northern-based residential development, social provider and regeneration clients. Julia Dacre Field will be joining the firm as a partner. She will lead the team and will work with national head of HDR Ashley Mitchell and senior HDR partner Richard Bate. Kathryn Wood and James Lawson will join as legal directors, and Mark Owen has been appointed as of counsel. They will be joined by Patrick Jackson and Emma Speight as principal associates and Liam Turner as senior associate.
Clifford Chance Lines Up New London HQ, Set to Leave Canary Wharf
The firm’s shift west to the City after two decades in Canary Wharf. The redevelopment is taking place over the old City Place House site at 55 Basinghall Street, the former location of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.
Davis Polk to Close Paris Office by End of 2022
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP will close its Paris office at the end of the year to prioritize its British and American operations. The office, which opened in 1962 and was the firm’s first outpost outside the U.S., today counts five lawyers, including one partner, who are all being outplaced, the firm said.
New Dentons Compliance and Investigations Unit Aims at Traversing Legal and Non-Legal Services
To address the dramatically changing and increasingly complex web of criminal and regulatory laws governing multinational corporations, Dentons launched a new Global Compliance and Investigations offering (“GCI”). GCI brings together a team with nearly a decade of experience, providing clients with local insight into culture and law, backed by the global experience and breadth of expertise of the world’s largest law firm. This newly launched Global Compliance and Investigations group will work with the firm’s Global Advisors to provide linked-up services beyond the traditional legal services offering.
Fragomen Opens Office in Geneva as Global Growth Strategy Kicks In
Fragomen announced that it opened an office in Geneva, Switzerland, its second in the country and the firm’s ninth European office which will be led by Partner Timo Heck and supported by Europe Managing Partner George Koureas. Together with the firm’s global talent network, this office will further enable the firm to effectively assist both current and new clients across Switzerland’s 26 Cantons and their specific immigration processes. The firm is looking to open three more offices by the end of the year, according to its newly named co-chairs.
Financials:
Top 100 UK firms see average fee income grow over past financial year, study finds
The top 100 UK law firms saw fee income grow by 9% on average over the past financial year, though many firms are bracing for a tougher period ahead, according to PwC’s annual Law Firm Survey. The survey showed that top 10 firms saw a double-digit rise in fee income, clocking in at 10.2% – more than double the 4.5% fee income growth they had forecast.
Technology & Innovation:
The importance of quickly finding relevant, contextual information from multiple information systems
Sean Wilson explains how SimSage’s AI-powered search platform can instantly find crucial information. The amount of data being captured and held within businesses globally is growing at unprecedented rates, with analysts suggesting data growth in companies now easily exceeds 30% per month. The additional complexity means even small law firms now use many types of systems to capture and store their information, including email; Sharepoint; Google docs; iManage and many others. As data volumes grow, many of these systems require users to spend time tagging information to make it easier to find it later. SimSage is a company that specialises in helping organisations of all types and sizes globally with managing these issues, with rapidly increasing engagement at present with the legal, insurance, health, and finance sectors.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Firms including DLA Piper, Linklaters back study into lack of black partners in the UK
Five of the world’s biggest law firms have contributed to a new study looking into the underrepresentation of black lawyers holding senior positions in the UK. DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells, Latham & Watkins and Linklaters supported ‘The 1% Study’, which examines why there is a lack of black partners in UK law firms and outlines steps to improve representation at partnership level.
Travers Latest Firm to Introduce Menopause Policy
Travers Smith is the latest law firm to support employees experiencing menopause, with others, including Freshfields and Linklaters, having done the same. Menopause policies are gaining in popularity at law firms and other organizations as awareness rises about the need to protect women experiencing such health difficulties.
Dechert, DLA Piper Take On Displaced Afghan Lawyers In UK
The Displaced Legal Talent Initiative (DLTI) was launched at the PILnet Global Forum in Dublin this week by the charity Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) working with Dechert and DLA Piper to support law firms to hire displaced legal professionals. It is a global organization that matches skilled refugees with employers. The initiative, which aims to secure skilled worker visas for Afghan lawyers, is looking for five more firms to join the ‘Spring/Summer 2023 cohort’.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Marie Yovanovitch told an audience at the Women, Influence & Power in Law conference of the behind-the-scenes events leading up to her removal as ambassador and the power of disinformation campaigns.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Dentons continues to build in Dublin with hire of William Fry’s debt capital markets head
Dentons hired banking and finance partner Matthew Cahill from William Fry as it continues to build up the Dublin office it launched in 2020. Cahill joins as a partner, bringing with him more than three decades of financial services advisory experience. His practice focuses on structured finance, securitisation, capital markets and derivative transactions, as well as general banking matters.
Freshfields hires leading environmental consultant to head client sustainability offering
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer hired environmental consultant Jake Reynolds from the University of Cambridge as its new head of client sustainability and environment. Reynolds, who was executive director at the university’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership, will be responsible for driving the magic circle firm’s global sustainability client offering across five key areas – energy transition, human rights, corporate governance, climate change and sustainable finance.
EMEA
Squire Patton Boggs hires data privacy and cyber team from Steptoe in Brussels
Squire Patton Boggs hired a team of privacy and cyber lawyers from Steptoe & Johnson in Brussels to expand its data privacy, cybersecurity and digital assets practice group. The team is led by partner Charles-Albert Helleputte, who comes onboard as the firm’s new head of its EU data and cybersecurity practice and will split his time between Brussels and Paris. He is joined by Brussels and Milan-based counsel Diletta De Cicco and two associates who work in Brussels and London.
Jones Day Paris Litigator Leaves for Dentons
Dentons reached into Jones Day for a new member of its Paris-based litigation team, according to firm’s leadership. The lawyer joined Jones Day in May 2021 from Gide Loyrette Nouel as part of a five-lawyer team hire.
Covington Hires Baker McKenzie Brussels Competition Partner
Covington & Burling hired a competition partner from Baker McKenzie for its Brussels antitrust practice. Sibel Yilmaz, a Swedish national, joined Baker McKenzie’s Brussels office as a partner in April of 2021.
Latham & Watkins Lawyer Rejoins Firm as Partner After 4-Year EU Commission Stint
Latham & Watkins announced that Christos Malamataris has re-joined the firm’s Brussels office as partner in the Antitrust & Competition Practice. Malamataris joins from the European Commission’s Director General for Competition, where most recently he served as an official focused on merger control, policy and strategy, and new merger-related legislation. The move continues a trend of EU competition officials jumping ship to join (or rejoin) elite law firms.
APAC
Han Kun Hires Shanghai Partners After Deloitte Legal’s China Closure
Two former Deloitte Legal partners joined the Shanghai office of China’s Han Kun Law Offices. Partners Weiheng Jia and Cody Chen, who were previously partners at Deloitte’s now defunct legal China affiliate Qin Li Law Firm, are corporate lawyers who specialise in multiple practice areas, notably cross-border M&A and corporate regulatory compliance.
Dentons’ Sydney Office Head Jumps to Australia’s Gadens
Australian law firm Gadens hired Dentons’ Sydney office head, who was also its real estate leader in Australia. Sally Tuckfield joins the national firm as partner in its real estate and construction group in Sydney.
The Americas
Morgan Lewis adds highly-rated global aviation finance team from K&L Gates
Morgan Lewis & Bockius added an eight-strong aviation finance team in London, Dubai and Singapore from K&L Gates. Partners Sidanth Rajagopal, James Bradley and Manuela Krach are joining the firm alongside counsel Sourabh Bhattacharya and Terry Chang and three associates. The team focuses on complex cross border financing, leasing, and restructuring issues in the aviation industry and represents industry players including financial institutions, lessors, restructuring specialists and airlines.
A&O Adds Goodwin Funds Partner to Los Angeles Office
Allen & Overy hired an investment funds partner from Goodwin Procter to join its Los Angeles office. Zeeshan Ahmedani has joined the firm as a partner in A&O’s Global Funds practice.
In-House
Ex-White & Case partner joins new real estate lender
A new real estate lending business hired a former White & Case partner as its new general counsel. Emma Parr moved to Birchwood Real Estate Capital, a London-based lender backed by Connecticut’s WR Berkley. Parr joins from Get Living, a rental management company, where she was also its general counsel for over a year. Prior to this, she was a partner in the corporate and PE practice of White & Case for five years.
London Kirkland Partner Exits For General Counsel Role At Private Equity Client
A London Kirkland & Ellis partner is leaving the US law firm’s London office to join UK private equity firm TDR Capital. London partner David Holdsworth is set to join private equity fund TDR Capital as its general counsel.
Promotions & Appointments
DLA names new London managing partner
DLA Piper appointed media and IP litigation partner Ruth Hoy as London managing partner for a three-year term. Hoy, who has led the UK intellectual property group since 2012, will succeed Tom Heylen who has been in the role for six years.
Verizon appoints chief legal officer as former GC steps up to lead new services business
Verizon created a new chief legal officer role as part of a broader shake up of its operations that sees previous general counsel Craig Silliman promoted to lead the company’s new services business.
Mergers & Alliances
Mishcon lawyers gain access to two more UK cities with merger
Mishcon de Reya’s lawyers will be able to use Taylor Vinters’ office in the City of London, plus two regional bases, once the merger launches next year. Taylor Vinters’ offices will be available in Oxford and Cambridge.
Morrison Foerster absorbs ‘stellar’ Californian litigation boutique Durie Tangri
Morrison Foerster (MoFo) is teaming up with Californian litigation boutique Durie Tangri and its team of 36 lawyers, strengthening MoFo’s West Coast intellectual property offering. The incoming team comprises 12 partners, including Durie Tangri’s founders Daralyn Durie, Ragesh Tangri, Mark Lemley and Joseph Gratz. In addition to its IP expertise, the firm’s practice also focuses on civil litigation, professional liability, white-collar crime and investigations, contract and commercial disputes and class actions.
Dentons announces ‘historic’ combination with India’s Link Legal
Dentons announced a combination with India’s Link Legal, in a move the BigLaw player says marks the first time an international law firm has combined with a law firm in India.
Japanese Firms City-Yuwa and Soga Law Merge to Expand China Offering
City-Yuwa Partners expanded the firm’s China practice and overseas listing service offering by merging with boutique China-focused Soga Law Office.
Office Openings & Closing
Goodwin is going long on Singapore finance
US firm Goodwin Procter announced that it was launching an office in Singapore. It announced the relocation of two partners from its Hong Kong office to kickstart the operation. Investment funds partner Greg Barclay will chair the office with private equity partner Abhishek Krishnan joining him, while Barclays’s colleague in the funds team and partner Elyn Xing will split her time between Singapore and Hong Kong.
Clyde & Co hires insurance quartet from McLennan Ross to launch in Calgary
Clyde & Co hired four insurance partners from McLennan Ross to open a Calgary office, its fourth location in Canada.The quartet include Don Dear KC, Alexis Moulton, Jeff Weidman and Cynthia Aoki, bringing with them a wealth of experience across a range of litigation and disputes areas, such as class actions, product and professional liability claims, property claims and commercial insurance defence.
Orrick energy team spins out to launch sustainability boutique in Italy
A team of 21 energy and infrastructure lawyers left Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe to launch a new sustainability-focused boutique in Italy. The new practice, known as Green Horse, will be led by Carlo Montella and Andrea Gentili, both of whom were partners at Orrick. Newly minted partners Francesca Isgrò, Celeste Mellone and Maria Teresa and a trio of counsel have also moved over alongside a team of 13 associates.
Financials
The mid-tier are beating the magic circle for international growth
The mid-tier firms are powering growth outside the UK. The country’s top firms have seen revenues rise by 20 per cent since 2020. According to the latest HSBC Investment and Growth Strategies in Law Firms report non-UK growth is a top priority for 61 per cent of respondents which already have international offices. However, it is the mid-tier firms leading the charge for international growth. The data provides compelling evidence as to why: even with the UK boom of the last two years, growth overseas is outstripping growth at home.
Baker McKenzie Growth Slows, With Flat Profits After Bumper Previous Year
Baker McKenzie’s global financial profits growth slowed after last year’s huge up-tick, according to revenue figures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. After a significant profit rise of 36.7% last year to $1.24 billion, that figure has stayed flat since then.
Diversity & Inclusion
Women and Diversity in Law Awards unveils 300-strong list of nominees
More than 300 individuals, businesses, legal teams and not-for-profit groups are unveiled today as nominees for the inaugural Women and Diversity in Law Awards. The awards will serve as a showcase for people working within the UK legal sector who are dedicating their professional careers to moving the DE&I needle or using their positions of influence to help facilitate change.
Law Society of England & Wales elects first Asian and Muslim president
Lubna Shuja has become the first Asian and first Muslim president of the Law Society of England & Wales. Shuja, a sole practitioner from Birmingham-based Legal Swan, specialises in professional regulation and disciplinary law. She has acted as deputy clerk to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and in various leadership roles on conduct committees for accountants, social workers, healthcare professionals and chiropractors. She also acts as mediator in civil, family, probate and commercial disputes.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
King & Spalding secures Dickson Minto private equity partner in London amid Europe growth push
King & Spalding added a private equity partner in London from highly rated corporate law boutique Dickson Minto as part of a wider European transactional growth push. Paul Barron joined K&S’s corporate, finance and investment practice group after almost 20 years at Dickson Minto. He advises on a range of corporate finance matters, with a focus on private equity and M&A transactions.
EMEA
Charles Russell Speechlys adds disputes partner in Switzerland from local boutique
Top 35 UK law firm Charles Russell Speechlys added disputes partner Simon Hofstetter in Zurich from local law firm MBH Attorneys at Law. Hofstetter is a Swiss qualified lawyer and brings more than 15 years’ experience in domestic and international commercial litigation, asset recovery and bankruptcy proceedings as well as Swiss corporate law.
DLA Piper Expands Dubai IP Bench with Partner
Global law firm DLA Piper appointed Saba Al Sultani as a Partner in its Intellectual Property and Technology group, based in Dubai. The hire comes amid an expanding digital universe in the Middle East and North Africa.
Clyde & Co Hires Away Al Tamimi Lawyer for Middle East Advocacy Unit Launch
Clyde & Co hired a partner, Patrick Dillon-Malone, in Dubai to lead a new advocacy unit in the Middle East and Africa. The hire underscores Clydes’ Middle East push and its focus on expanding its advocacy portfolio.
White & Case Launches Madrid Litigation Practice with Ex-Linklaters Partner
White & Case established a new commercial litigation practice in Madrid, hiring a former longtime Linklaters partner for the launch. Litigator Francisco Málaga joins the firm having left Linklaters in July after a 13-year term.
APAC
Withers Hires Corporate Partner in Tokyo; Launches Tokyo-Based M&A Team
International law firm Withers continues to build on its range of legal offerings in Tokyo with the appointment of corporate partner Kazumitsu Goto. The ability to offer corporate advice out of Tokyo will allow Withers to provide more investment-related advice and also cater to a wider spectrum of clients across Asia, Europe and the U.S., firm business division CEO Jeremy Wakeham said.
Allen & Overy adds Hogan Lovells partner in Perth to co-lead global mining practice
Allen & Overy hired a partner from transatlantic rival Hogan Lovells in Perth to co-lead its mining practice. Matthew Johnson is set to join the UK Magic Circle firm after six years at Hogan Lovells, where he is currently global head of mining and a partner in the firm’s corporate practice
Linklaters and Slaughters add Hong Kong partners from US and Magic Circle rivals
Slaughter and May and Linklaters hired a partner apiece in Hong Kong from US firm Debevoise & Plimpton and UK Magic Circle rival Allen & Overy respectively. Ralph Sellar will join Slaughters as a disputes partner 1 November. Meanwhile, Linklaters added Richard Woodworth to its restructuring and insolvency practice in Hong Kong from Magic Circle rival Allen & Overy.
Jones Day Hires IP Partner from Clayton Utz in Melbourne
Jones Day hired an intellectual property partner from Australian corporate firm Clayton Utz to join its Melbourne office. Richard Hoad, a lawyer at Clayton Utz for 21 years, became partner in 2012, gaining expertise in the full breadth of IP work. The Melbourne office underlined the importance of its IP practice earlier this year when it made IP lawyer Lisa Taliadoros its partner-in-charge.
Morgan Lewis Adds Singapore Disputes Partner from Local Set
Continuing to expand its global litigation and arbitration capabilities, Pardeep Khosa joins Morgan, Lewis & Bockius as a partner and Morgan Lewis Stamford as a director, resident in the Singapore office. Pardeep has a broad practice covering commercial litigation and international arbitration, and corporate crime and investigations. The hire follows the addition of a tax litigator, as international firms build their presence in the island country.
Pinsent Masons Hires Sydney Corporate Partner from PwC
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons hired corporate energy and technology partner Joni Henry in Sydney, Australia. Joni is a highly experienced corporate and commercial lawyer advising public and private complex M&A, joint ventures, high net worth advisory work and corporate governance with particular focus on the energy, technology, science, and industry sectors. The hire comes after the firm revamped its Asia Pacific management last year.
Nagashima Ohno Hires First Singapore-Qualified Disputes Partner for Southeast Asia
Japanese Big Four firm Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu hired its first Singapore-qualified contentious practice partner as it seeks to boost its dispute resolution capability in Southeast Asia.
Dentons Continues Australian Expansion With Hiring of Compliance Partner
Christopher Niesche International firm Dentons hired compliance partner Toby Blyth from Australian firm Colin Biggers & Paisley as it builds out its regulatory and compliance practice. Blyth, who is based in Sydney, specializes in compliance, with a particular focus on the insurance sector.
Reed Smith Hires Third Partner in Greater China in Two Months, Adding Beijing Lawyer From PwC
Reed Smith brought on its third new partner for Asia in less than two months. Corporate lawyer and tech specialist Barbara Li joined Reed Smith in Beijing. She was previously a PwC partner and former head of corporate at the now defunct Rui Bai Law Firm.
The Americas
Willkie rehires high-profile US bankruptcy judge Shelley Chapman in New York
Willkie Farr & Gallagher rehired US bankruptcy judge Shelley Chapman to lead its new alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice in New York. Chapman rejoins the firm as senior counsel after a 12-year hiatus serving as bankruptcy judge for the Southern District of New York.
Mayer Brown Boosts Brussels Competition Team with Partner Hire
Mayer Brown announced that Dr. Andrea Pomana joined the Firm as a partner in its Antitrust & Competition practice in Brussels. She joins from Advant Beiten, in Frankfurt, where she was a partner.
Clifford Chance Adds Fried Frank Partner In New York
Clifford Chance bolstered its U.S. offering with the addition of another partner in New York. Joining from U.S. headquartered Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, derivatives, and structured finance partner Darren Littlejohn will strengthen the firm’s U.S. structured finance team.
In-house
Ex-Allen & Overy Managing Partner Joins UK Government Investment Vehicle
Former Allen & Overy managing partner Andrew Ballheimer joined the U.K. Government’s investment vehicle as a non-executive director. Andrew Ballheimer will help advise on the U.K. Government’s investment portfolio, which includes interests in companies including NatWest, The Post Office and Channel 4.
Legal Tech Company Taps London Lawyer as First GC
Legal tech company SirionLabs has tapped London-based attorney Evangelos Apostolou to lead the company’s legal department as its first-ever general counsel.
Promotions & Appointments:
Partner promotions: Kirkland makes up 26 in London
Kirkland & Ellis promoted 193 lawyers to partner worldwide, with London the third most popular jurisdiction after two of the firm’s largest US offices. Non-US promotions took place in London, Munich, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. London accounted for 26 promotions in total, coming behind Chicago and New York.
White & Case elevates 10 to partner in the City
White & Case promoted 46 lawyers to partner globally, with 10 London lawyers making the grade. The double-digit partner cohort in London is larger than last year’s, when eight were added. Overall, the total number of promotions is smaller than 2021, when White & Case elevated 59 lawyers in total.
Frasers Group appoints new head of legal
British retail giant Frasers Group – which owns several famous names including House of Fraser, Jack Wills and Sports Direct – has hired a new head of legal. Emma Reid has been promoted to the role, after spending four years as the company’s senior legal counsel.
SoftBank Investment Advisers promotes ex-Linklaters lawyer to GC
SoftBank Investment Advisers (SBIA) appointed a new general counsel to replace Spencer Collins, who left to join Arm this year. Amanda Sanchez-Barry has been promoted to general counsel at SBIA, having been a partner within the company since 2018.
City quartet make the cut in Covington promotions
Four lawyers have been promoted to partner in Covington & Burling’s London office, while 10 more have made the cut across the US.
DLA Piper Replaces Bob Bishop as Global Corporate Co-chair
DLA Piper appointed Germany-based partner Dr Benjamin Parameswaran as new Global Co-Chair for the Corporate practice succeeding London-based partner Bob Bishop, who is stepping away from this position on 31 October 2022 after eight highly successful years in this role.
Office Openings & Closing:
Hogan Lovells to close Perth office
Hogan Lovells is to close down its Perth office following a review of its Australia operations. The office was opened in 2015 alongside a Sydney base when the transatlantic firm launched in Australia with the hire of two partners from Linklaters’ Australia ally Allens. News of the move follows the hire earlier today by Allen & Overy of Hogan Lovells’ global head of mining Matthew Johnson, who was based in Perth
Ashurst launches UK risk advisory business
Anglo Australian law firm Ashurst added two new partners as it plans to expand its global consulting business by opening a risk advisory unit in the UK.
Goodwin launches in Singapore, promotes 58 to partner
Top 20 US law firm Goodwin Procter opened doors in Singapore and promoted 58 lawyers to partner in its largest round to date. The new office is Goodwin’s second location in Asia after Hong Kong and is intended to serve clients raising, deploying and lending capital in the region and globally, the firm said.
Freshfields Picks Bratislava For Latest Support Office
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is launching another support office to its global network-this time in Bratislava. The new base in the Slovakian capital will house finance and controlling staff and will exist alongside with and coordinate with the firm’s flagship operational hub in Manchester, according to a person at the firm.
Financials:
Australian Firm Pioneers Employee Share Scheme to Give Associates Stake in Business
Australian firm pioneers Employee Share Scheme to give associates stake in business. Johnson Winter & Slattery is incentivizing lawyers with a share plan as it aims to raise its profile.
Ince Director To Pay Nearly £500K For Firm’s Gibraltar Business
UK-listed law firm Ince continues to clean house amid financial and operational upheaval by selling its Gibraltar business. The firm has disposed of its Gibraltar business as it restructures several offices globally. Earlier in October, Ince said in an update to the London Stock Exchange that it had agreed to sell its Gibraltar business to the base’s directors for £490,000.
Technology & Innovation:
Inhouse Legal Tech Use In Japan: Gradual Change – Artificial Lawyer
Despite being one of the largest economies and home to numerous global corporations, legal innovation in Japan remains limited. Although we have seen some great points of light, such as the NLP-driven doc analysis startup Legal Force, a survey by Epiq Global presents a picture of gradual change and limited tech adoption.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Gender balance at Australia’s top court tips in favour of women for first time
The High Court of Australia – the nation’s apex court – announced the appointment of a new woman judge, tipping the gender balance of the bench in favour of women for the first time.
Linklaters Latest to Credit Diversity Work in Billable Hours Globally
Linklaters LLP said week that it will implement a new policy next month to recognize attorneys’ diversity, equity and inclusion efforts by giving them billable hour credit and performance bonuses.
In Stay-Go Calculus, Women and Lawyers of Colour Value Culture
More than two-thirds of women and lawyers of colour said a better work-life balance is very or extremely important for them in deciding whether to switch jobs. Remote work opportunities are the trending topic, but lawyers’ perceptions of culture—factors such as work/life balance, collaboration, increased compensation, and quality of work—still register high on the list of what matters when deciding whether to switch jobs, particularly for women and people of colour.
Moves:
Making Sense of London’s Crazy Hiring Market
The relentless London partner vacuum cleaner that is Kirkland & Ellis clicked on again this week and sucked in top individuals from Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance, while Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Dechert all made hires. Few, if any, of these moves are shocking though and there is some method in the madness.
Paul Hastings’ Big Talk, Big Hires and Big Expectations
The firm has made waves over the last year with a series of high-profile lateral gets, like the 43-lawyer team from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan in New York or the finance quartet from Latham & Watkins in London. It has shown consistently strong financial performance year after year under outgoing chair Seth Zachary and currently sits at No. 26 in the Am Law rankings—a position it has hovered around for the past decade.
The 2022 Global 200 Ranked by Head Count
Headcount growth was driven largely by the 100 largest law firms and those firms based in China.
Busiest Summer For London Lateral Hires In Five Years, Research Finds
There were 60 partner moves in the U.K. capital over the last two months—the highest number recorded in five years.
Inflation, economic slowdown, stiff competition for work and talent, changing expectations of clients and lawyers: Is this the time for another full-service international law firm to make waves in the European market? Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has more than tripled its lawyer head count in Paris since 2020 with team and partner hires from rivals like White & Case, Allen & Overy, Brown Rudnick, CMS and EY. In Germany it also has expanded, bringing its head count there to 60.
UK & Ireland
Reg Dhanjal was appointed as the new general counsel at Aldermore Bank. Dhanjal replaced Jonathan Lagan who had been general counsel at Aldermore for two years.
Pinsents partner joins Severn Trent as GC
Severn Trent recruited a new general counsel. Didar Dhillon was been appointed as the water company’s new legal chief. Dhillon will take over as GC for both Severn Trent and Severn Trent Water, effective from early December.
White & Case Partner Departs For Clifford Chance
Dominic Ross has exited the U.S. firm to join Clifford Chance’s corporate transactions & advisory team after four years at White & Case.
Kirkland Secures Major Allen & Overy Hire
Kirkland & Ellis has made another major hire to its London office with the addition of Allen & Overy infrastructure partner Sara Pickersgill.
Kirkland Hits Clifford Chance For Second Major London Partner Hire In A Week
Clifford Chance finance partner James Boswell is joining the U.S. firm, according to a person with knowledge of the move. Boswell was promoted to partner in 2012.
Kirkland adds third London partner in a week from Magic Circle rivals
Kirkland & Ellis has added ‘rising star’ Paul Sampson to its investment funds group in London from Allen & Overy (A&O), marking the third instance in the past week the Chicago giant has added top talent from a Magic Circle firm. Sampson brings extensive experience advising investment fund sponsors on fund formation and operational matters with a particular focus on infrastructure, energy, transportation and real estate funds. He also advises on a variety of more bespoke arrangements including funds-of-one, separately managed accounts, joint ventures, and co-investment programs.
Clyde & Co secures CMS construction co-head in London
Clyde & Co has added the co-head of construction from CMS in London as it moves to build its construction capabilities globally. Victoria Peckett has joined the firm’s global projects and construction group as a partner after almost 30 years at CMS. She advises on the drafting and negotiation of complex construction contracts for international and domestic projects and also has extensive experience assisting clients with dispute resolution, including through arbitration and mediation.
RPC secures insurance partner from Foot Anstey in Bristol
UK law firm RPC has added a financial services disputes specialist from Foot Anstey to its insurance group in Bristol. Partner Terence Dickens moves across after nine years at Foot Anstey, where he led the contentious side of the firm’s retail financial services offering.
Squire Patton Boggs hires six senior lawyers in London from Brown Rudnick, Shearman & Sterling
Squire Patton Boggs has made six senior hires in its London office across its restructuring and financial services practices. The new recruits include a team of five restructuring and insolvency lawyers from Brown Rudnick and a derivatives and structured finance partner from Shearman & Sterling.
Hogan Lovells hires Birchal’s Irish legal chief to bolster Dublin regulatory practice
Hogan Lovells has hired Birchal Ireland’s chief legal officer Eimear O’Brien to strengthen the firm’s global regulatory practice. O’Brien rejoins as a partner in the firm’s 18-month old Dublin office, having previously worked for Hogan Lovells in its London financial services practice between 2015 and 2017. Her experience spans a range of financial regulatory issues, including fintech and banking regulation and retail financial services.
HFW hires labour law partner from Memery Crystal to lead London employment practice
HFW has hired Memery Crystal’s former head of contentious employment Michelle Chance to lead the firm’s London employment practice. Chance joins as a partner, bringing with her 20 years of experience across a range of employment matters, including class action discrimination claims, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, internal investigations, and bonus disputes. She advises clients across HFW’s core sectors – insurance, shipping and energy – as well as the media, professional and financial services industries.
Ince CEO “removed” as director amid firm’s financial woes
The CEO of The Ince Group, Adrian Biles has been “removed” as a director of the company with immediate effect. News from the London Stock Exchange went on to add that his removal was “as a result of circumstances which may give rise to a conflict of interest between Biles and the company”.
Law firm King & Spalding adds Morrison & Foerster partner in London
Amit Kataria joins the firm after over seven years at Morrison & Foerster, where he was promoted to partner in 2017. He also has prior experience at Davis Polk & Wardwell and Debevoise & Plimpton, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Deloitte Legal Adds Former DLA Piper Employment Head
Julia Gorham was DLA Piper’s head of employment in Hong Kong between 2014 and 2017, and joins Deloitte Legal from Seyfarth Shaw, where she has spent just over four years as a partner.
Fried Frank Swoops On Travers Smith For London Private Equity Partner
According to a person with knowledge of the hire, James Renahan has joined U.S. headquartered Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson, after just over 20 years with Travers Smith.
Dechert has hired a London finance partner from rival Kirkland & Ellis
Partner Colin Sharpsmith has returned to Dechert’s financial services and investment management practice after he previously left to join Kirkland as a partner four years ago.
Hogan Lovells Hires London DLA Piper Partner
Finance and fintech partner Bryony Widdup is set to join the firm later in 2022, a firm statement said on Wednesday. She leaves DLA Piper after six years, with four of those spent as partner, according to LinkedIn.
Emma Willing, a partner in Mishcon’s family department, has rejoined her former firm Penningtons Manches Cooper, where she began her career as a trainee. Willing joined Mishcon in 2009, and became a partner in 2021.
HFW Flies In BCLP Aviation Partner
HFW has bolstered its London base with the hire of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner partner Rebecca Quayle. She joins the firm’s aviation finance and leasing practice.
Dentons Bolsters Dublin Base, Hires William Fry Partner
Dentons has strengthened its Ireland offering with the addition of banking and finance partner Siobhan Carlin to its Dublin base. Carlin joins the firm from William Fry, where she has spent the last 12 years according to her LinkedIn profile.
Locke Lord Bolsters London Base with Clyde & Co Partner
Nick Elwell-Sutton has been a partner at Clydes for 11 years, having spent a total of over 22 years at the firm, according to his LinkedIn profile.
US Law Firm Simpson Thacher Add Linklaters Partner To London Office
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has added Linklaters partner Sarah Lindley, to its London tax practice.
Akin Gump Doubles Down On Energy Practice, Hires Second Norton Rose Partner
Daniel Giemajner has spent the last 14 years at the firm, according to his LinkedIn profile, two of which were as partner. He also spent 2014-2015 based in the firm’s New York office, as well as some time in Norton Rose’s Singapore offering.
CMS Adds Three Lawyers In UK, Including DLA Piper Partner
International law firm CMS has hired three partners in its U.K. offices, including a partner from DLA Piper. John Cloke joins the firm’s TMT practice in London, and leaves DLA Piper after 17 years at the firm, including six as a partner.
Eversheds Adds Former Cooley Insurance Head
Eversheds Sutherland has hired the former head of Cooley’s global insurance practice group. Mark Everiss, who stepped down to a senior counsel role at Cooleys in January, joins as a partner in London, according to a statement from the firm.
EMEA
Ashurst Hires McDermott Will & Emery International Arbitration Global Co-chair
Ashurst has appointed Arne Fuchs as a partner in its dispute resolution practice in Frankfurt, where he will take on the role as head of public international law & investment arbitration.
Squires lands new restructuring hire in Paris.
Another partner from Brown Rudnick’s restructuring team joined Squire Patton Boggs, this time in Paris. Arnaud Moussatoff moved to Squires after nearly four years as a partner at Brown Rudnick. Before that he was a counsel at DLA Piper.
Real estate developer Trammell Crow appoints Europe GC
Texas-headquartered real estate developer and investor Trammell Crow Company appointed Sean Gray as its general counsel responsible for commercial development business in Europe.
Fast fashion giant Shein hires ex-CC lawyer as GC
Online fast fashion retailer Shein hired Yinan Zhu as its new general counsel (GC) of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Zhu, who joined from My Inhouse Lawyer after a three-years as principal, was brought in to support the company’s activity in the region.
Irwin Mitchell hires in-house lawyer of 20 years as French desk lead
Irwin Mitchell recruited Catherine Palmer to lead its French desk, moving her back into private practice after spending nearly 20 years in-house. She made the move from food company KellyDeli, where she had been general counsel (GC) for nearly three years.
Honigman hires five Wall Street lawyers to launch US law-focused Israel subsidiary
Honigman has hired five lawyers to launch a subsidiary for US attorneys looking to practise US law from Israel. The firm has recruited five New York-based lawyers to lead the charge, all of whom will be moving across from their former firms in the US to Honigman in Israel. The group includes corporate partner Sam Katz from Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, M&A lawyer Inbar Rauchwerger from Goodwin Procter and finance expert Aviv Avnon from Davis Polk & Wardwell. Also joining the venture is tax lawyer David Snyder from Roberts & Holland and corporate and capital markets lawyer Rachel Rhodes from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman.
Squire Patton Boggs adds private equity team from Lamy Lexel in Paris
Squire Patton Boggs has hired a three-strong team of private equity lawyers in Paris from French law firm Lamy Lexel as it moves to build its PE bench in Europe. Partner Arnaud Lafarge, previously co-head of Lamy Lexel’s corporate practice, has moved over alongside associates Nicolas Leveque and Eva Jouannic. The hires form part of a broader effort by the US firm to build private equity strength across key European hubs.
Linklaters rehires M&A partner from Latham & Watkins in Spain to boost corporate practice
Linklaters has rehired veteran M&A partner Sebastián Albella from Latham & Watkins to strengthen its corporate practice in Spain. Albella is due to rejoin the firm’s Madrid office in mid-December after a six-year absence, bringing with him even more experience in the Spanish M&A market advising large companies and private equity firms on a range of deals and corporate matters. He also has a deep knowledge of financial regulation and capital markets transactions.
Clifford Chance names women as new managing partners of Singapore and Luxembourg offices
Clifford Chance (CC) has elected two women to lead its offices in Singapore and Luxembourg following a wider leadership shakeup conducted by the firm’s global managing partner, Charles Adams. The Magic Circle UK firm said today that M&A and corporate partner Valerie Kong will take over leadership of the Singapore office on 1 October while fellow M&A and corporate partner Katia Gauzès has been made the new managing partner in Luxembourg.
Skadden hires private equity partner from Winston & Strawn in Paris
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has hired private equity lawyer Nicola Di Giovanni as a partner in Paris, as US firms continue to push their private equity benches in Europe. Di Giovanni joins from Winston & Strawn, where he was a corporate partner. His practice focuses on domestic and cross-border private equity matters, including acquisitions, buyouts and joint ventures on behalf of private clients.
Van Bael & Bellis adds four more transactions lawyers from DLA Piper in Brussels
Belgian independent law firm Van Bael & Bellis (VBB) has hired four more lawyers from DLA Piper to boost its transactions team in Brussels. Partner Caroline Daout, who previously led DLA Piper’s corporate practice in Brussels, has joined the firm alongside senior associate Virginie Lescot and associates Jens Westerwoudt and Charles-Antoine du Bus.
McDermott boosts Paris arbitration offering with King & Spalding partner hire
McDermott Will & Emery has bolstered its disputes offering in Paris with the hire of partner Amy Frey from King & Spalding (K&S). Frey primarily practices in international arbitration and associated enforcement actions, including supportive litigation procedures such as injunctions, annulments and interim relief. She also advises on investor-state disputes and risk management.
King & Spalding adds partners in London, Paris and Frankfurt amid European transactional push
King & Spalding has added five partners to its corporate, finance and investments (CFI) practice across its Paris, Frankfurt and London offices from rivals including Reed Smith, Bredin Pratt and Paul Hastings. Two partners are joining the top 30 global firm in Paris, a partner and his four-strong team have been brought on board in Frankfurt, while in London a duo have arrived from Paul Hastings.
RPC hires technology partner from Rajah & Tann in Singapore
UK law firm RPC has hired tech lawyer Nicholas Lauw from Rajah & Tann in Singapore to boost its commercial group. Lauw joins as a partner in RPC’s Singapore joint legal venture RPC Premier Law and will sit in its technology practice. He brings with him more than 16 years of experience covering contentious and non-contentious intellectual property and tech-related work. RPC’s tech practice provides advice on digital, data, consumer and regulatory matters, as well as transactional and dispute work.
Baker McKenzie hires Addleshaw Goddard’s Hong Kong dispute resolution head
Baker McKenzie has hired arbitration lawyer Ronald Sum JP from Addleshaw Goddard to strengthen its Hong Kong disputes team. Veteran arbitration lawyer Sum was previously the head of Addleshaw Goddard’s dispute resolution team in Hong Kong, which said it was exiting its Hong Kong business back in May. Sum joins as a partner, along with associates Plato Cheung and Beryl Wu.
KPMG Law Germany Hits Clifford Chance and PwC for Triple Hire
KPMG Law has added one partner and two senior managers, including ex-Clifford Chance and PwC Legal lawyers, in a boost to its Germany presence.
Linklaters Adds Dubai Energy Partner from Covington & Burling
Linklaters has appointed a partner to its energy and infrastructure practice, based in Dubai, in a lateral hire from Covington & Burling. Over a 20 year career, David Miles has developed an expertise in the project development and finance group in London, where he spent six years at Covington and, before that, was a partner at Allen & Overy, where he worked for over 16 years, in the UAE, London, Hong Kong SAR, Tokyo and New York, Linklaters said in a statement.
DWF Appoints 5-Person Corporate Team in Paris
DWF’s Paris office has hired a five-lawyer team from French firm De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés. The U.K.-listed law firm has appointed Philippe Feitussi as a partner along with his team to its corporate practice. He brings with him senior associates, Géraldine Salem, specialist in health law, and Anthony Sarciaux, practising in private equity and M&A, alongside Marie Guégot as a corporate/litigation associate, and paralegal assistant Stéphanie Barbara-Vageon.
Pinsent Masons Hires Rival’s Madrid Banking and Finance Head
Pinsent Masons has hired Penningtons Manches Cooper’s Madrid head of banking and finance to join the firm’s finance practice in the Spanish capital. José Millán Martín will lead the U.K.-headquartered law firm’s financial services practice in Madrid in November, the firm told Law.com International.
KPMG Law Expands Polish Banking and Finance Practice With DWF Hire
Financial regulations partner Adam Stopyra joins the Big Four operation as a partner after three years at DWF, where he was head of banking according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to DWF he was a partner at K&L Gates for over a year.
Law Firm HSF Lures Webber Wentzel Partner to Boost Johannesburg Finance Team
Carey-Anne Jennings, who becomes a director which is the equivalent to a partner at the firm, joins from African firm Webber Wentzel, where she spent almost seven years, during half of which she was a partner, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Law Firm DLA Piper Hires Veteran to Expand Johannesburg Finance Practice
Amelia Heeger joins the firm after a 23-year legal career in which she has developed a mix of experience or working in-house and in private practice.
DLA Piper Takes Partner from Bowmans in Johannesburg
Livia Dyer becomes the IPT practice’s first partner in South Africa, according to the firm’s statement.
Linklaters Hires Former Chair of Spain’s Financial Watchdog From Latham
Sebasián Albella was a Linklaters partner for about a decade before he was named chairman of the Spanish Securities and Exchange Commission.
Herbert Smith Freehills Loses Four Finance Lawyers in Paris to Rival Firms
Herbert Smith Freehills has lost four lawyers, including two partners, from its banking and finance practice in Paris to rival international firms in the French capital. Eric Fiszelson joins Ashurst as a partner in the firm’s global loans team in Paris. He was regional head of HSF’s financial practice for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and a specialist in acquisitions, property financing and debt restructuring.
Law Firm Osborne Clarke Hires CMS Brussels Lawyer to Head EU Law Practice
Roderick Nieuwmeyer joins the firm as a partner from CMS, where he has spent over a decade as an attorney-at-law, according to his Linkedin. He will head the firm’s Brussels and Amsterdam EU law practice.
Latham & Watkins Lures Linklaters Spain Senior Partner
Alejandro Ortiz, who will join Latham & Watkins as a partner in Madrid, has been a private equity and M&A partner at Linklaters since 2000, and its senior partner in Spain since 2017, according to his LinkedIn profile.
DLA Piper Loses 5-Strong Real Estate Team to Italy’s Gianni & Origoni
Filippo Cecchetti, a real estate and corporate law specialist, joins Gianni’s real estate department in Rome where he will co-head the practice along with partners Davide Braghini and Domenico Tulli.
Norton Rose Adds to Cape Town Ranks, Continuing South Africa Hiring Campaign
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa has rehired the former Cape Town legal risk team leader and real estate specialist of top South African private bank Investec, Diane Johannes, as a director.
Belgium’s Van Bael & Bellis Lures DLA Brussels Corporate Head and 4 Others
Caroline Daout is joining VBB as a corporate M&A partner along with senior associates Virginie Lescot and Cedric Hauben and associates Jens Westerwoudt and Charles-Antoine du Bus, according to the firm’s announcement.
King & Spalding Adds Five-Lawyer Corporate Team In Germany
King & Spalding has added a five-person private equity team led by former Milbank partner Peter Memminger to its corporate, finance & investments practice in Frankfurt.
The Americas
Morgan Lewis hires five-strong patent prosecution team from Duane Morris
Morgan Lewis & Bockius has hired a five-strong intellectual property team from Duane Morris to boost its IP litigation practice in Silicon Valley. The team is led by Duane Morris’s former Silicon Valley managing partner Manita Rawat, alongside counsel Daniel Tarr, associate Tarian Wang, patent specialist Mona Batmani and senior paralegal Sherlin Yaghoubzadeh. The team specialises in tech-focused patent prosecution, as well as patent procurement, enforcement and licensing and patent litigation in diverse technical areas.
Willkie hires crypto partner from Perkins Coie as it bolsters digital assets leadership
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has hired crypto lawyer Kari Larsen from Perkins Coie to boost its digital assets business in New York. Larsen joins the Wall Street firm as a partner and co-head of the firm’s digital works practice, which she will jointly lead with existing co-head Christopher Giancarlo and newly appointed co-heads Aliceson (Kristy) Littman asset management partner Justin Browder.
White & Case nabs debt finance partner duo from A&O in New York
White & Case has hired two debt finance partners from Allen & Overy (A&O) in New York. Rajani Gupta and Judah Frogel both join White & Case’s global debt finance practice after six years at A&O, where they were partners.
Womble Bond Dickinson adds Wilmer & Lee partner trio as it opens in Huntsville, US
Womble Bond Dickinson has hired a trio of US government contract lawyers from Wilmer & Lee to expand its corporate and securities group. The new arrivals include Richard Raleigh, Christopher Lockwood and Jerome Gabig, with all three joining as partners in the firm’s Huntsville, Alabama office. The trio bring with them experience in government contracts procurement and litigation, advising clients on bid protests, size issues, contract disputes and regulatory matters.
Holland & Knight lands sports and entertainment law partner trio from Mintz Levin
Holland & Knight has hired a trio of partners from Mintz Levin to expand its sports and entertainment law practice in the US.The new recruits include Keith Carroll, Anthony Mulrain and O’Kelly McWilliams, who reunite with former Mintz colleague Tyrone Thomas, who joined the firm in July. Carroll, Mulrain and Thomas will co-chair Holland & Knight’s sports and entertainment practice.
McGuireWoods adds IP litigation duo from Winston & Strawn to bolster US life sciences coverage
McGuireWoods has hired a pair of experienced trial lawyers from Winston & Strawn to broaden its life sciences patent litigation coverage. Michael Nutter and Merritt Westcott join the firm as partners, with Nutter taking up residence in Chicago where he will lead the firm’s pharmaceutical and life sciences patent litigation group, while Westcott will be based in Houston.
Gunderson Dettmer hires seasoned fintech GC in San Francisco
Silicon Valley law firm Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian has hired veteran in-house counsel Sangeetha Raghunathan as a corporate partner in San Francisco. Raghunathan joins the firm’s corporate and securities practice from fintech company Earnin.
Brown Rudnick secures four-partner crypto team from Anderson Kill
Brown Rudnick has hired a team of four partners from Anderson Kill in the US to add expertise in cryptocurrencies, digital assets and blockchain to its digital commerce practice. Partner Stephen Palley joins the firm in Washington DC as a partner and co-chair of its digital commerce practice, while Matthew Richardson, Preston Byrne and Hailey Lennon join as partners in Orange County.
Holland & Knight builds Latin American private client practice with Miami partner hire
Holland & Knight has hired international tax lawyer Eduardo Arista to grow its private wealth services team in Florida.Arista joins as a partner in the firm’s Miami office where his practice will focus on tax, corporate and estate planning for domestic and international private clients.
Freshfields Hires Wilson Sonsini Partner as September Stays Hot for Washington DC Antitrust Hiring
Jamillia Ferrisis the latest lawyer to find a new home in what has been a hot September for antitrust lateral movers in Washington D.C. The same day Ferris joined Freshfields, Justice Department antitrust division lawyer Ryan Sandrock left for Shook Hardy & Bacon as co-chair of its antitrust practice, splitting his time between D.C. and San Francisco.
APAC
HFW continues Australia growth with shipping partner hire from local boutique in Perth
HFW has boosted its practice in Western Australia with the hire of shipping partner Ashwin Nair in Perth from local maritime boutique Cocks Macnish. His hire continues a period of sustained investment by HFW in Australia, which is its third-largest market globally after London and Hong Kong.
Law Firm RPC Adds Singapore Tech Partner from Rajah & Tann
Nicholas Lauw, who advises on high-value contentious and non-contentious intellectual property and technology-related deals and matters, was most recently a partner at Singapore firm Rajah & Tann, where he had practiced for almost 14 years.
Eversheds Hong Kong Partner Joins Australia’s Thomson Geer
Jae Lemin, who will work in Thomson Geer’s Melbourne office, had been a partner at Eversheds since 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile.
DLA Piper Adds Three to Energy and Resources Team in Perth
In the latest of a spate of natural resources and energy partner moves in the West Australian city, Owen Alcorn joins as a finance, projects and restructurings partner from Herbert Smith Freehills in London where he was a senior associate, while former Gilbert + Tobin partner Matthew Watkins will join as an mergers and acquisitions lawyer.
In-House
Freshfields’ capital markets partner leaves for Morgan Stanley
A former co-head of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s international capital markets group joined Morgan Stanley. David Ludwick joined the investment bank as a managing director in its legal and compliance division where he will serve as global conflicts officer.
HSBC hired a new GC to oversee its group M&A section. Evelyn McAdam joined from GE Renewable Energy. McAdam joined Bob Hoyt who was appointed the group chief legal officer in January 2021.
Jaguar Land Rover hires new GC
David Berry left legal director role at Tesco and joined Jaguar Land Rover as its GC. Berry joins JLR at a time when a number of difficulties are facing the motor industry.
Banking and payments provider OpenPayd hires new GC
OpenPayd appointed a new group general counsel from fellow financial platform 10x Banking, a tech provider for banks and providers of financial services. Richard Given has landed the role after five years as general counsel and company secretary at 10x Banking.
Mozilla hires former Salesforce associate GC Carlos Torres as chief legal officer
Internet company Mozilla has hired former Salesforce associate general counsel Carlos Torres as its new chief legal officer. Torres will be responsible for leading Mozilla’s global legal and public policy teams and developing legal, regulatory and policy strategies for the business, reporting to CEO Mitchell Baker.
Peloton names Uber veteran new CLO amid wider leadership shakeup
Peloton has hired Uber’s chief deputy general counsel as its new top lawyer as part of a wider leadership shakeup after a tumultuous period at the company that saw its value tumbled. San Francisco-based Tammy Albarrán will step in as the US fitness company’s chief legal officer and corporate secretary.
Waterstones General Counsel Exits After Less Than A Year
Elisabeth Sullivan, who took on the role at Waterstones in December 2021, has joined tech-enabled procurement and supply chain consultancy Efficio as its next general counsel.
Partners Group’s legal head takes on new role.
Investment group ED Group appointed a new general counsel from Partners Group. Sam Rozati previously spent nearly 10 years at Zurich-based private equity house Partners Group. ED Group is a private markets investor and operator with interests across Europe and the United States in real estate, private equity and financial services.
Vodafone Group’s longstanding GC set to depart.
Vodafone Group hired a new general counsel from another FTSE giant, as Rosemary Martin prepared to retire after more than decade at the telecommunications business. EasyJet’s legal chief Maaike de Bie was appointed to the role of general counsel. De Bie is herself a FTSE in-house veteran, having been group general counsel for Royal Mail and then easyJet, where she led the team for over three years.
GC appointed at restaurant and pub giant Mitchells & Butlers
Andrew Freeman was appointed GC and company secretary at Mitchells & Butlers, the owner of brands including All Bar One, Browns and O’Neill’s. Freeman is making the move from his role as GC and company secretary at PPHE Hotel Group.
Promotions & Appointments:
Morgan Lewis Promotes Large Cohort To Partnership
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has promoted 47 of its lawyers to its partnership in its 2022 promotion round, seven more than last year.
Crown Commercial Service appoints nearly 60 firms to new panel
The UK Government’s Crown Commercial Service (CCS) appointed 58 firms to its refreshed public sector roster. The review process began last year, and the panel replaced the one established in 2018 when 69 firms were appointed across six lots. The GSP lot for England & Wales is the largest, comprising 45 firms. Names include Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons and TLT, while smaller firms such as Bevan Brittan and Mills & Reeve also made the cut.
Four firms win places on new £16m Department for Education panel
Four firms have been appointed to a new panel worth £16m for the Department for Education.The appointed firms are DAC Beachcroft, Dentons, Gowling WLG and Mills & Reeve. All firms have experience on public sector panels. This new contract, will run from 21 July 2022 to 20 July 2025.
Simmons reshuffles departments in dispute resolution overhaul
Simmons & Simmons reorganised its dispute resolution offering in the UK to improve integration and increase learning opportunities for junior lawyers. The firm combed its litigation and arbitration (L&A) team with its contentious regulatory, crime and competition (CRCC) department into a single group: disputes and investigations.
Law firm Clifford Chance Appoints New Italy Managing Partner
Clifford Chance has appointed a new managing partner for its Italian offices. Corporate partner Paolo Sersale will begin his term on the October 1, according to a statement by the firm on Wednesday. Sersale takes over from Giuseppe De Palma, who was Italy managing partner for eight years, after he was appointed regional practice area leader for global financial markets in Continental Europe.
A Way to Retain Talent? Equity Partnerships Grow By Highest Rate in Six Years Across UK Top 50
Equity partnership has long been one of the most closely guarded parts of the legal industry. Even as overall partnership numbers have swelled over the last two decades many management teams have been reluctant to share the ownership of the firm with too many others. But in the last financial year the average change in the number of equity partners across the U.K.’s largest 50 law firms increased at its highest rate in six years.
Clifford Chance has appointed its next Singapore office managing partner
Clifford Chance has appointed its next Singapore office managing partner, as international firms continue to cement their presence in the country. Corporate partner Valerie Kong will begin her term in the position on 1 October 2022, according to a statement by the firm on Wednesday. She becomes the first woman to take on the position.
Clifford Chance Appoints New Dubai-Based Chief Operating Officer
Gavin Goodwin, who is based at the firm’s Dubai office, will be taking over the position from Caroline Firstbrook, who has held the role since January 2015 but is now leaving the firm.
Baker McKenzie elects Bangkok and San Francisco partner duo to global leadership team
Baker McKenzie has elected two new members to its global executive committee as part of its latest round of leadership changes. The duo include San Francisco-based international commercial partner Joyce Smith and Bangkok-based corporate and M&A partner Peerapan Tungsuwan, whose four year terms begin in October.
Slaughter and May names next senior partner in Hong Kong
Magic Circle firm Slaughter and May has named long-serving corporate lawyer Benita Yu as the next senior partner of its Hong Kong office. Yu will take up the role 1 October following the planned retirement of current Hong Kong senior partner, Peter Brien. Slaughters veteran, Yu joined the firm in 1994 and has been a partner since 1996. Her practice covers M&A and corporate finance transactions as well as high-profile securities matters.
Young Partner Takes the Lead at HFW’s Houston Office in a Changing of the Guard
U.K. firm Holman Fenwick Willan, which entered the U.S. market in 2017 by merging with Houston civil trial firm Legge, Farrow, Kimmitt, McGrath & Brown, has tapped mid-career partner Amanda Kujda as office head in Houston as founding partners reach or near retirement.
Mergers & Alliances:
Grant Thornton Spain Forms Joint Venture with Seville Law Firm
The joint venture with law firm Sanguino Abogados, to form Grant Thornton Sanguino, will offer clients advice in the corporate, commercial, labor, civil, bankruptcy, tax and family law, as well as administrative, town planning and environmental law spaces. These legal services expand alongside Grant Thornton’s traditional offerings in auditing, business consulting, financial advice and outsourcing.
Cayman Islands plans new arbitration venue on Grand Cayman in Canadian joint venture
The Cayman International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (CIMAC) and Toronto’s Arbitration Place are joining forces to open a new arbitration venue on the Cayman Islands. The new facilities are located in George Town on Grand Cayman, with CIMAC running the state-of-the-art centre and Arbitration Place providing technology and case management support.
Office Openings & Closing:
Addleshaws to move its City HQ in 2024
Addleshaw Goddard is one of the latest firm finalising a real estate hunt in the City, landing on new space near the Bank of England. The firm will move from Milton Gate to 41 Lothbury. The firm will occupy eight floors of the building from 2024 for 15 years.
Hill Dickinson plans downsize of Manchester office
Hill Dickinson is searching for a new Manchester office. The firm is using the opportunity to substantially reduce the amount of real estate it occupies and configure the remaining space in line with hybrid working. Hill Dickinson has already reduced its Liverpool headquarters, as part of its wider real estate portfolio review.
Gowling WLG zeroes in on Leeds launch
Gowling WLG is to open a hub in Leeds. The firm, which already has UK offices in Birmingham and London. Although Gowling WLG is starting with a development and regeneration team in the city, its presence will make it the third largest law firm by revenue (£505.6m) in Leeds.
Lewis Silkin hires four-strong team for Manchester foray
Lewis Silkin is to enter the Manchester legal market, hiring an employment team to kickstart operations in the North of England. Sally Hulston, a partner at Knights, is making the move along with managing associate Carly Mather, senior associate Ed Gregory and associate Hayden Whitman.
Law firm Baker Botts re-enters Asia with Singapore office launch
Baker Botts has relaunched its Asia strategy and is set to open in Singapore, as many international law firms plump for investment in the city. Baker Botts had previously pulled out of Asia entirely with the closure of its Hong Kong office after several partner exits from the base last year.
Japanese ‘Big Four’ Law Firm Launches in London
One of Japan’s ‘Big Four’ law firms, Anderson Mori & Tomostune, has launched an office in London—its first European office. The new office, which is headed by the firm’s former Singapore office head, Atsutoshi Maeda, will focus on cross-border M&A and real estate transactions, which are in particularly high demand among U.K. and Europe-based companies entering the Japanese market, the firm said in a statement.
Norton Rose Opens in Düsseldorf, Raids Rivals for 9 Lawyers in Significant M&A Expansion in Germany
Norton Rose Fulbright has opened an office in Düsseldorf, its fourth in Germany, and added nine lawyers from Eversheds Sutherland, Allen & Overy, Pinsent Masons and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to its German corporate practice. The expansion is the latest in a recent series of moves by international law firms to bolster their teams in Germany.
Resourcing specialist LOD and legaltech consultancy SYKE team up to open first US office
Resourcing specialist LOD and legaltech consultancy SYKE have extended a partnership forged last year to launch their first US office in New York. The office will offer in-house legal teams a range of services including secondments, managed services, legal operations consultancy and legaltech implementation.
Littler launches in Copenhagen with team hire from local boutique
Employment and labour law specialist Littler Mendelson has added a four-strong team from Danish boutique Skau Reipurth to launch in Copenhagen – marking the San Francisco-based firm’s entry into its 13th European country. The Skau Reipurth team is led by partner Bo Enevold Uhrenfeldt and includes associate Christian Bonne Rasmussen and two legal trainees.
Another German Law Firm Debuts in London, Hires From Luther
German law firm GSK Stockmann has opened an office in London, its second outside Germany, recruiting the longtime managing partner of Luther’s London office to help expand the firm’s international presence. York-Alexander von Massenbach, who managed the London office of Luther for nine years, will co-manage the new GSK office along with partner Andreas Dimmling, who moves over from Munich, according to a person at the firm.
Financials:
Ince to pay former CEO £15,000 in settlement agreement.
Following the departure of The Ince Group’s CEO earlier this month, it has been revealed that a payment of £15,000 will be paid to him and the company’s former head of finance for loss of office. According to an announcement on the London Stock Exchange, he will receive the payment as part of a settlement agreement.
Burges Salmon’s revenue increases by 10 per cent
Bristol-headquartered Burges Salmon reported a revenue growth of 10 per cent from £108.7m to £119.2m for the financial year 2021/2022. The firm also saw an uptick of 5 per cent in operating profits and an increase in 1 per cent in profits per equity partner (PEP) from £512,000 to £517,000.
Taylor Rose MW passes £70m and ‘considers options’ for future growth
Taylor Rose MW saw an increase in revenue in 2021/22 and is considering its future options having massively increased turnover in the last half-decade. Taylor Rose MW, which has a 30 September year-end, is now forecasting turnover in the region of £77m, up on £68m the previous year.
Ince to remove £2.9m from balance sheet in asset sale
The Ince Group is to sell off one of its businesses, in a move that will remove a £2.9m payment from the listed firm’s balance sheet. The business being sold is CW Energy, a tax consultancy to the UK oil and gas industry. It was bought by Ince in 2017. Now it is to be sold back to the original vendors, Phil Greatrex and Paul Rogerson, through PPJ Oiltax Partners LLP.
Keystone’s revenue jumps 10 per cent while profits flatline
Revenue at Keystone Law hit £36.8m for the first six months of 2022 ending 31 July, a near 10 per cent increase compared to its last set of half-year results. CEO James Knight said the revenue increase was “largely built on a mixture of strong client demand” and “additional recruits who have joined the firm and introduced new clients”.
Mid-market firms respond to pay pressures with £10k NQ hikes
Harbottle & Lewis, Howard Kennedy and Womble Bond Dickinson have each raised the starting salaries of their London-based newly qualified (NQ) solicitors by £10,000. These substantial salary changes, which have already come into effect, are the latest examples of the pressure on UK heritage law firms to increase base rates.
Midsize US firms see demand growth outpace top 100 firms for first time since 2015 – study
Midsize US firms saw faster demand growth than their larger counterparts in the first half of the year for the first time since 2015, according to a new report from the Thomson Reuters Institute. The 2022 Report on the State of the Midsize Legal Market showed that midsize firms saw demand tick up 1.7% in the first six months of the year compared to the same period a year ago.
UK-listed virtual law firm Keystone Law has reported a 9.3% increase in revenue to £36.8m against a 2.5% dip in profit-before-tax to £4.5m for the first half of the financial year. The results build on the progress exhibited during the same period last year when the remote firm saw its profit-before-tax skyrocket by 118%, while revenue grew 37.6% amid ‘buoyant’ market conditions. Earnings per share, meanwhile, went down slightly from 10.8p to 10.5p.
Irwin Mitchell profit tumbles following bumper FY21 as revenue dips to £275.7m
National UK law firm Irwin Mitchell saw its pre-tax group profits tumble in the year to 30 April against a fall in group turnover of just under 3% to £275.7m, though the firm saw revenue for its ‘core’ business grow slightly. Profits fell from £43.1m last year to £21.2m.
Signature Litigation sees revenue growth slow to 1.4% this year after bumper 2021
Specialist commercial disputes firm Signature Litigation saw its revenue growth slow to 1.4% during the past financial year after jumping by more than a fifth in 2021. Revenue edged up slightly to £27.8m from £27.4m during the same period a year ago. While revenue growth has slowed over the past 12 months, revenue has more than doubled over the past five years and has achieved an annual compound growth rate of 23.4% since its launch a decade ago.
Osborne Clarke Boosts NQ Pay For First Time In Over A Year
Osborne Clarke has upped its salary rates for newly qualified lawyers after holding its rates steady for more than a year. NQ’s in the firm’s London base will now take home £90,000, up from £80,000.
The 2022 Global 100 Ranked by Profits Per Equity Partner
The 100 largest law firms in the world posted exceptional profitability growth in the 2021 fiscal year, pulling in a 16.8% increase in profits per equity partner.
The 2022 Global 200 Ranked by Revenue
The 200 largest law firms in the world have collectively grown their revenue 14.7% in the 2021 fiscal year, which for many included several months into 2022. While U.S. firms made up the bulk of the Global 200, firms based in China, Australia and Europe were among the biggest movers up the ranks.
UK Top 50 Ranked By Revenue: Fee Income Surges Despite Headwinds
The firms grew their fee income by 10.9% on average in the last financial year, a noticeable improvement on the previous year, when the average rise was 5.9%. It was the largest average rise in revenue since the 2007-08 financial year, when turnover rose 12.5%.
Akin Gump Caps London Pay As Pound Plunges
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has acted to prevent its London lawyer salaries spiralling after intense currency fluctuation this week. The U.S. headquartered firm has introduced a ‘collar and cap’ style approach to lawyer salaries in the U.K. as the pound plunged this week.
‘The Response to the Crisis Has Been Woeful’: Partners React to UK Economic Turmoil
London law firm partners are bracing themselves against significant economic market volatility in the U.K. this week, with many expecting their practices to be affected. “Shocked and surprised” is how one London corporate partner at a U.K. Top 50 firm said they and their peers were feeling about the new Conservative leadership team’s decision to shift the U.K.’s economic policy to the right, with substantial effects.
Technology & Innovation:
Freshfields On Cyber Attacks: Should You Pay the Ransom?
Speaking at this month’s Legal Geek tech conference, two Freshfields lawyers explain when it might be justified to pay a ransom, and it might land you on the ‘sucker’s list’.
UK Proposal Extending Property Right to Digital Assets Could Have Sweeping Consequences
As the market for Web3 technologies continues to grow in maturity, companies increasingly turn to legal professionals for advice on how to best navigate this nascent space. As a lot of the uses of Web3 innovations, such as nonfungible tokens or the metaverse, are still coming into focus, many questions are still up in the air regarding how centuries-old bodies of law will apply to these emerging technologies.
TikTok Facing £27 Million Fine For Not Protecting Children’s Privacy Rights
TikTok could face a fine of up to £27 million after the U.K. Information Commisioner’s Office (ICO) found that the company may have breached U.K. data protection law and put children’s data privacy at risk.
Jones Day launches accelerator programme for fintech start-ups
Top 10 US firm Jones Day is launching an accelerator programme to help equip more than a dozen fintech start-ups with the legal skills and business connections to fast-track their growth. The ‘FinAccelerate Empowered by Jones Day’ programme is designed to give fintech entrepreneurs wide-ranging legal knowledge and connect them with financial institutions, investors and potential joint-venture partners. The three-day programme is due to take place on 25 October until 27 October across the firm’s San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Lawyers should be at the heart of resolving the climate crisis, and Mishcon Purpose is the firm’s attempt to make big changes. Mishcon Purpose is developing its own framework discussing risks and how they can be dealt with by companies. Paul Clements-Hunt, once part of the UN team that coined the term ‘environmental, social and governance’ (ESG) back in 2004, is focusing exactly on that: how companies can govern themselves amid the shifting ESG landscape and how this affects their future plans – and their lawyers. Now a director at Mishcon Purpose he argues that it is time for lawyers to be taking the reins.
Free Representation Unit calls on lawyers to donate additional wealth
As part of chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget that was announced today, The Lawyer reported that lawyers earning £1m per year will be £55,000 richer now because of the new tax cuts. The Free Representation Unit (FRU) has asked lawyers, and anyone else who will benefit from the UK Government’s latest tax cuts, to donate their additional wealth to help improve access to justice and to fund pro bono work.
The UK Legal Diversity Rankings 2022: How the Top Firms Fared
In recent years, law firms have been talking the big talk about diversity. Terms such as ‘diversity committee’, ‘targets’ and ‘mentoring’ are now commonplace within firms, as they attempt to improve the make-up of their ranks, to better reflect the societies they operate in. But it is hard to know how well firms are really doing without comparing them. Law.com International’s 2022 diversity rankings have revealed how far the statistics are matching up to these efforts and how much of an uphill climb is left to ensure true equality in the industry. This year, firms were asked to split their diversity data across different qualification levels, including partner (both equity and non-equity), trainees, NQ lawyers-2PQE, and 3PQE+, in order to get to the bottom of the industry’s retention problem. Sixty-eight major legal institutions provided data for the survey—which was sent to Top 50 U.K. law firms and large U.S. law firms operating in London with a U.K. headcount of over 50 lawyers.
Clifford Chance’s global head of diversity & inclusion, Tiernan Brady and recently-appointed UK head, Nina Goswami, talk through previous failures in the D&I world and where to go next.
Law Firm Staff Are Flouting Office Returns—And Will Leave for More Remote Work
Big Law support staff aren’t just ignoring in-office mandates and flouting office policy rules. Like many of their lawyer counterparts, they’re also saying they’ll leave their current jobs to pursue greater remote-work flexibility, according to a new report this week. In a survey of law firm support staff, 55% of North American respondents and 48% of respondents in the U.K. said they would look for a new job if required to work more than three days in the office.
Silver Exodus: Tackling Ageism in the Legal Industry
A ‘silver exodus’ from U.K. workplaces has seen the number of people aged 50-64 who are economically inactive in the U.K. reach 3.6 million, according to the Office of National Statistics—a rise of almost 10% since before the pandemic. According to the SRA, only 8% working at larger law firms are aged 55 to 64, and while the current war for talent has meant law firms have focused on attracting and retaining lawyers early on in their careers, we rarely hear about efforts to recruit and retain older lawyers. Too often ageism counts against them and law firms fail to accommodate a group that offer valuable skills and experience.
‘More Than a Wheelchair’: A Lawyer’s Life With Cerebral Palsy
‘The person with the disability often thinks if they don’t prove themselves, then the employer will not invest in other people with disabilities’, says Reed Smith associate Vaibhav Adlakha.
Diversity is a matter of justice, and the issue of diversity in the composition of the arbitral tribunal—both gender and disability diversity—is an issue of legitimacy, lawyers at the event said.
A Freshfields Lawyer on Living With Fibromyalgia and Inflammatory Arthritis
‘Having a visible role model would definitely have helped me with feelings of acceptance and it may have helped to combat my feelings of isolation and otherness in the early days of my disability,’ says Reena Parmar.
The State of Social Mobility at the UK’s Elite Law Firms, 2022
In-depth research shows the firms with the highest proportion of state-school educated lawyers and partners, with campaigners saying the industry is still taking far too narrow a view of ‘talent’.
Dana Denis-Smith, CEO of Obelisk Support and founder of the First 100 Years campaign, talks about what law firms can do to boost diversity in leadership roles.
Law Society of England and Wales unveils workplace diversity and inclusion road map
The Law Society of England and Wales has published a diversity and inclusion framework to help the l-egal industry create faster and lasting change. The framework has been devised with the help of consultancy Delta Alpha Psi, whose clients include Magic Circle UK law firm Linklaters, as well as the BBC, the NHS and HM Revenue & Customs. It includes an action plan template, links to additional guidance and resources, and a call for law firms to submit diversity and inclusion case studies so that ‘best practice that actually worked’ can be shared.
Adams and Reese launches practice dedicated to historically black colleges
Am Law 200 firm Adams and Reese has launched a multidisciplinary practice dedicated to advising historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority serving institutes (MSIs). Led by partner B. Jeffrey Brooks and special counsel Roy Hadley, the practice advises on a range of matters including federal funding, cybersecurity, government relations, employment, athletics and legal issues relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Women solicitor ranks growing at more than three times rate of men in England and Wales
The number of solicitors on the roll has reached an all-time high while the number of women with a practising certificate has been growing at more than three times the rate of men, according to new report from the Law Society.
Lawyers urged to warn clients when deals could undermine climate change targets
A group of 150 prominent UK and international lawyers has called on law firms and in house lawyers to be ethically obliged to advise clients of the risks associated with deals at odds with the UN’s climate change targets.
‘Everyone’s been excluded’: Accenture Legal’s global diversity head on the power of empathy
Annabel Dumbell, managing director of litigation and dispute management for EMEA North at Accenture Legal, discusses her role as global I&D lead and how working with schools can improve diversity.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
How Ukraine’s Law Firms Have Survived 6 Months of War
The country’s legal institutions have set themselves up to become firms “fit for the market in wartimes.”
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Quinn poaches RPC’s competition head
The US disputes specialist firm has recruited Lambros Kilaniotis to jointly lead its UK competition practice with partner Kate Vernon.
Skadden hires corporate partner from Slaughter and May in London
Robert Chaplin will join Skadden’s corporate practice in London after 25 years at Slaughters where he specialised in corporate, public and private equity transactions in the insurance sector having joined the partnership in 2006.
Law Firm McDermott Hires Duo of Lawyers From Rival Paul Hastings in London
McDermott has added Jack Thorne and Alison Morris to its dispute resolution practice. The moves follow the firm’s hire of white collar specialist Simon Airey in 2021, also from Paul Hastings.
Quinn Emanuel London Partner Quits for Transatlantic Firm
A Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan London partner has left the firm to join transatlantic outfit Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in the city. The firm has brought on board Ravi Nayer in its litigation and investigations practice, according to a statement on Tuesday. He joined Quinn Emanuel in July 2021 from Brown Rudnick.
EMEA
DLA Piper hires Hausfeld’s former Brussels, Paris head amid ongoing European antitrust push
DLA Piper has hired Hausfeld’s former Brussels and Paris office managing partner Laurent Geelhand to expand its Brussels competition practice.
DLA Piper to Expand Private Equity Team in Paris With Partner, 2 Associates
Thomas Priolet will join on Sept. 12 from D’Ornano & Co., a multidisciplinary finance, corporate, IP and tax firm in Paris, where he has practiced as a partner since 2021. He began his career at Salans, now Dentons, in 2010 and joined Bredin Prat in 2014, rising to counsel.
The Americas
Squire hires financial crimes expert from consultancy Guidehouse in Washington DC
Squire Patton Boggs has hired financial crimes defence lawyer Adam Klauder from consultancy firm Guidehouse to bolster its government investigations and white collar practice on the East Coast.
Wilson Sonsini hires Daiichi Sankyo associate GC to boost New York life sciences bench
Seth Flaum has joined Wilson Sonsini’s New York office as a partner, ending a long association with Daiichi Sankyo spanning 16 years.
Paul Weiss secures veteran litigation partner duo from Winston & Strawn in New York
Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison has made a twin partner hire from Winston & Strawn in New York to expand its litigation department in a move that promises to deepen its relationship with longstanding client Goldman Sachs. Robert Sperling and Staci Yablon join as partners, bringing across more than three decades of experience between them across a range of disputes and investigations.
APAC
Clyde & Co Relocates Shipping Duo from London to Singapore
Clyde & Co partner, Andrew Bicknell, has relocated from the firm’s London office to Singapore. He has joined the firm’s Asia Pacific energy, marine and natural resources practice, and brings along with him one associate, Callum Gerrish, who has a focus on shipping and trade disputes including marine insurance recovery claims and casualty matters.
The Exodus Continues: More Senior Lawyers Have Left Hong Kong
Lawyers who work at international law firms in Hong Kong continue to leave the city—once considered a vibrant hub for global law firms and ex-pat lawyers. According to research by Law.com International, 24 more law firm partners have left Hong Kong in the past 12 months, adding to the 22 departures first reported in April.
In-House
BigHand acquires DE&I-focused cost analytics platform Digitory Legal
Legaltech provider BigHand has acquired cost analytics platform Digitory Legal to strengthen its resource management and matter pricing products.
Ex-Airbnb In-House Leader Takes Legal Chief Role at Switzerland-Based Software Company
Airbnb’s former associate general counsel has jumped to Swiss open source software development firm SonarSource to serve as its first-ever legal chief. Derek Smith is taking control of Sonar’s legal department after the Geneva-based company announced earlier this year that it had raised $412 million from investors at a $4.7 billion valuation.
Promotions & Appointments:
Rouse names new deputy CEO and China lead ahead of growth push
UK Intellectual property outfit Rouse has shuffled its senior leadership team, appointing current China general manager Linda Chang as deputy CEO and China trademark lead Hatty Cui as head of its China business.
Eversheds Sutherland Elects International Chair, As Incumbent Retires
Eversheds Sutherland’s international operation has announced that partner Kathryn Roberts has been elected its chair for a term of four years. Roberts has replaced the previous chair, Bruce Dear, who was elected six months earlier, but has been forced to retire due to ill health.
Mergers & Alliances:
Australian IP Group to Acquire Canada’s Smart & Biggar’s Patent and Trademark Agency
Canadian intellectual property firm Smart & Biggar, the largest IP firm in Canada, is merging with Asia Pacific patent and trademark group IPH Ltd., a network of IP firms based in countries across the Asia Pacific.
Financials:
Travers’ PEP dips to £1.1m as NQ pay rises
Travers Smith’s revenue rose by 5 per cent over 2021/22, while average profit per equity partner (PEP) fell after soaring the previous financial year. The firm’s turnover reached £195.2m, having been £185.7m in 2020/21. Growth last year was slower than in 2020/21. In the previous financial year, revenue was up 15 per cent, while PEP jumped 21 per cent to hit £1.2m. Over 2021/22, PEP went back down to £1.1m, a dip of 8 per cent.
Stewarts smashes through £100m revenue barrier
Stewarts has broken the £100m revenue barrier for the first time in its history, with net profit and average profit per equity partner (PEP) also soaring. Revenue at the firm grew by 43 per cent from £79.7m to £114m in the 2021/22 financial year, while net profit rose a staggering 93 per cent from £30.1m to £58.1m.
Burness Paull issues staff bonus and new incentive after positive financial performance
Revenue and profit are both up at Scottish independent law firm Burness Paull, triggering an all-staff bonus and a new reward for partners. Revenue increased 9 per cent from £71.5m to £78.6m for the 2021/22 financial year, while profit jumped 7 per cent from £33.2m to £35.7m.
White & Case salary costs jump 15 per cent after headcount rises
A boost in fee-earner and non-fee-earner numbers in the White & Case London office has contributed to a 15 per cent jump in costs for wages and salaries, according to the firm’s LLP accounts. Overall, the firm handed out a total of £67.8m in wages across 2021, compared to £58.9m in 2020.
Howard Kennedy surpasses £60m in revenue against 9% PEP fall
London law firm Howard Kennedy has surpassed £60m in revenue for the first time on record, but a 6% rise in turnover wasn’t enough to keep profit per equity partner (PEP) in an upward trajectory. The firm’s latest revenue figure represents a 6.3% increase on the previous financial year, when it brought in £56.9m. Profits increased by a modest 2% to hit £16.7m from £16.4m in FY2020/21. PEP, meanwhile, fell 9% to £315k from £348k, a change the firm chalked up to investment in its new partners
Is Norton Rose’s Ambitious Africa Strategy Paying Off?
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa has reinvented itself over the last four years, including revamping its management team and changing the way partners are remunerated. This has enabled the firm to drive down costs, increase revenues and embark on an aggressive on-going lateral hiring campaign, said the firm’s South Africa CEO Andrew Robinson.
Is This the Unexpected Fall-Out From the Salary Explosion?
“Where will it all end?” questions have sounded either rhetorical or ruthlessly pragmatic, as people consider the inexorable rise in lawyers’ salaries. Though some firms have chosen not to compete on these terms (and/or have realised they really can’t) others daren’t throw in the towel in this financial slugfest. Usually, this kind of increase in firms’ costs has only one outlet: through their client charges. And that is where most of the pragmatists have seen “it all ending” – without actually giving much detail.
Technology & Innovation:
‘Custodians’ of Tech – Harnessing The Risks And Opportunities Of Technology
Co-head of Clifford Chance’s tech group Jonathan Kewley discusses the group’s growth and the increasing presence of technology in our lives.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Apprentices shine as first SQE2 exams result in 77% pass rate
First-class undergraduate degree holders had a pass rate of 92 per cent, compared to 57 per cent who got a 2:2 degree. The pass rate among the 22 legal apprentices was well above the overall pass rate. Women (79 per cent pass rate) did slightly better than men (75 per cent). Those who had completed some qualifying work experience also generally did better. While 85 per cent of white candidates passed, that number dropped to 72 per cent of Asian/Asian British candidates and 53 per cent of Black/Black British candidates. Ninety-two per cent of candidates in mixed/multi-ethnic groups passed.
Global law firms boosted UK productivity during pandemic, study finds
Global law firms managed to boost their productivity last year, achieving a 12.2% increase in hours worked with a headcount that rose by just 2.6%, according to a new report by Thomson Reuters. M&A work led the way, clocking up year-on-year growth of more than a fifth (21.5%) amid a record year of global deals activity. Tax lawyers were also busier, with billing hours increasing by 15.5%. Overall corporate work, which includes M&A, grew by 11.3%. But it also suggests firms have risen to the challenge posed by remote and hybrid working by boosting their efficiency. There are, however, concerns over the long-term impact on firm culture of remote working and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer this month tweaked its policy so UK fee earners will spend the majority of their working days in the office from September.
Nominations Open For WIPL UK Awards With New Categories Added
Nominations are now open for the Women, Influence and Power in Law (WIPL) awards 2023. Hosted by Law.com International, the event is set to honour top legal professionals who have made a remarkable difference in the industry during the past year—whether in achieving exceptional results for their law firm or company, mentoring the next generation or being a stand out junior member of the profession. The awards will coincide with International Women’s Day in March 2023 and take place midway through the accompanying two-day WIPL conference.
Battling Greenwashing: Law Firms Increasingly Wield Data to Back Up Client ESG Claims
Tech entrepreneur Matt Ellis isn’t at all surprised about the boom in ESG—environmental, social and governance—practices at law firms over the past decade. He saw it coming a mile away. “Law firms are in the business of mitigating risk,” he said. “When their clients started to understand that sustainability was becoming a material risk, law firms were always going to see a business service opportunity.”
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
IBA Condemns Detention of Russian Lawyer Who Criticized Ukraine War
The International Bar Association (IBA) has condemned the arrest and extended pre-trial detention of a Russian lawyer over critical comments about the Ukraine war he posted to social media The IBA described the arrest of lawyer Dmitry Talantov as an “indisputable” human rights violation. In a statement, IBA president Sternford Moyo called for his release and for all charges against him to be dropped.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
BCLP partner exits for Kirkland
Louisa Cobbe has joined Kirkland’s London office. She trained at legacy BLP, qualifying in 2010. She made partner at the newly-merged firm in 2019.
Kirkland bags investment funds partner from Ashurst
Kirkland & Ellis has bolstered its investment funds practice by swiping a partner from Ashurst’s London office. Catherine Gokah makes the move after being appointed partner at Ashurst in May 2021.
Eight Partners Have Left Law Firm Ince Since Late March, Research Finds
Eight partners have left the Ince Group since the end of March, according to an analysis of Companies House documents, as the embattled U.K.-listed law firm continues to grapple with financial challenges and share price woes. An examination of a series of documents found on Companies House, one of which is for an Ince Group entity not listed on the law firm’s website, shows that the U.K. partners all left within the last five months, in one of the biggest flights of talent seen at the firm since a sweep of top partners quit in early 2020.
EMEA
Robert Lawrence and Ian Chung, who collectively have more than 30 years’ experience in the Middle East, will join HFW’s Dubai office in the coming weeks.
EY and KPMG Legal Arms Continue Europe Expansion With Hires from Novartis, Norton Rose
The legal arms of Big Four accountants EY and KPMG have made more hires this week in Europe, as they continue to expand their offering. EY Law has appointed a head of legal consulting for the entire Western Europe region, while KPMG Law has announced a new head for its legal financial services solution line in Frankfurt.
DLA Piper Boosts Brussels Office With Hire of Baker McKenzie Partner
The firm has hired Joost Haans, who joined Baker Mckenzie as counsel in 2010 and was promoted to partner in 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has also worked in-house, as senior legal director at medtech giant Philips, as well as a public servant for the Dutch justice ministry.
The Americas
Squire Hires Silicon Valley Trademark Partner With Asia Practice
Squire Patton Boggs has grown its intellectual property team in Northern California with the addition of trademark partner Candice Kwok.
Brazil’s Lefosse Hires Partner to Lead Compliance Practice
Adriana Dantas has brought lawyers Marina Nicolosi, Alba Duarte and Eduardo Bassani, plus administrative staff, with her to Lefosse and dissolved her boutique, Adriana Dantas Advogados.
Holland & Knight Launches Mexican Construction Practice to Advise Nearshoring Clients
The practice will be led by Claudio Rodríguez, an energy and infrastructure partner who headed the Mexico City office of Thompson & Knight before that firm merged with Holland & Knight in 2021.
APAC
Reed Smith Adds Hong Kong Partner from Fangda
Reed Smith has added Fangda Partners counsel, Matthew Townsend, as a partner for its Hong Kong office.
Baker McKenzie Adds Transactions Partner in Brisbane
Trudi Procter, who joins from Australian firm McCullough Robertson, advises on all facets of financial services regulation and compliance, Baker McKenzie said.
Allen & Overy hires co-head of corporate at India relationship firm Trilegal
Harsh Pais will move from Delhi to London to lead the Magic Circle UK firm’s India corporate practice which forms part of a larger India group comprising more than 100 partners, according to the firm.
In-House
A senior lawyer at Uber has been hired as the new general counsel of holiday and leisure company Bourne Leisure. Helen Hayes trained in private practice at DLA Piper where she practised as an associate in the commercial litigation department for 10 years.
Promotions & Appointments:
CIFC Asset Management shakes up legal and compliance team with two senior appointments
US alternative credit provider CIFC Asset Management has named Asha Richards as its new general counsel and hired Sound Point Capital Management’s former chief compliance officer Lily Wicker as the firm seeks to strengthen its legal and compliance team.
Mergers & Alliances:
Norton Rose Fulbright absorbs 10-strong renewables-focused Chicago real estate boutique
Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has hired a group of seven renewable projects-focused real estate lawyers and three support staff as it continues to grow its recently opened Chicago office. The seven lawyers include partners John Young and Christine Fernandez Owen, five counsel and an additional three paralegals, who all join from Chicago renewables-focused real estate boutique Clean Law.
Financials:
White & Case salaries jump 15 per cent after rising headcount
A boost in fee-earner and non-fee-earner numbers in the White & Case London office has contributed to a 15 per cent jump in costs for wages and salaries, according to the firm’s LLP accounts. Overall, the firm handed out a total of £67.8m in wages across 2021, compared to £58.9m in 2020.
Shoosmiths implements firmwide bonus scheme
The bonus scheme is based on targets and non-financial goals by paying the same bonus to all fee-earning and non fee-earning employees, excluding partners. The firm has a target to pay all employees 5 per cent of their basic salary for the financial year in question. There is also the option to earn 7 per cent of their salary, depending on the firm’s performance.
“Sitting here doing nothing is not acceptable”: Ashfords’ CEO makes plans for the future
Exeter-headquartered Ashfords is making plans to secure the longevity of the firm, whether that be through merger, acquisition or organic growth. CEO Louise Workman said the firm’s financials have stabilised following the “bizarre” Covid-19 years, meaning now is the time to start considering the future of Ashfords.
As Big Law Profits Plunge, Financial Uncertainty Looms Over Associate Classes, Lateral Hiring
Profits per partner plunged by double digits through the first half of the year, and most firm leaders, in a recent survey, are now uncertain whether revenue can increase for the rest of the year. That represents a significant shift in sentiment, as more than half of survey respondents said they expected increases after the first quarter.
Australia’s Corporate Law Firms Upbeat in Face of Slowing Economy
Corporate law firms in Australia are expecting another strong year, as mergers and acquisitions continue and companies keep investing in decarbonizing their operations. In fact, many firms see opportunities in a possible economic downturn, with any slowdown in economic activity likely to lead to more commercial disputes, distressed asset sales and a resulting pickup in M&A activity.
Technology & Innovation:
Roundtable: How can law firms improve productivity in 2022 and beyond?
Since the pandemic, digitisation and remote working have quickly moved to the forefront of the legal industry’s mind. Businesses have successfully adapted to remote working, but the pandemic has left additional challenges, such as how do we retain employees who feel burnt out in an increasingly competitive industry. How do we keep integrating technology to make the business efficient and deliver high standard clients services?
Diversity & Inclusion:
Diversity concerns raised over “disappointing” Supreme Court reshuffle
A Blackstone Chambers silk has described the Supreme Court’s recruitment process as “completely opaque”, after the appointment of two recently retired judges sparked fresh concerns over diversity at the Bar.
“There is no simple solution”: Supreme Court responds to reshuffle backlash
The reshuffle sees Lord Lloyd-Jones rejoin the Supreme Court just seven months after stepping down in January. Sir David Richard, who retired from the Court of Appeal last year, will be replacing former Supreme Court justice Lady Arden, who departed in January. Critics on social media noted that the Supreme Court remains all white, and now consists of 11 men (three of whom are called David) and one woman.
First Indigenous Judge Nominated to Canada’s Top Court
The prime minister of Canada has nominated the first ever Indigenous person to the country’s top court—a move being lauded as a historic moment for Canada. Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin is bilingual—fluent in English and French—and is an Abenaki member of the Odanak First Nation.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Latham and Sayenko Kharenko take lead roles on Ukraine’s $20bn debt restructuring
Latham & Watkins and leading Ukrainian firm Sayenko Kharenko have emerged as key legal advisers in the successful restructuring of Ukraine’s sovereign debt. The duo advised JPMorgan in its role as solicitation agent for Ukraine – advised by White & Case and Ukrainian firm AVELLUM – in connection with a two-year freeze on payments on almost $20bn in outstanding Eurobonds and GDP-linked securities.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Paul Hastings lands IP hire from Bakers
Jason Raeburn joins the ranks of the firm after 12 years at Baker McKenzie. He specialises in intellectual property disputes relating to software development and licensing, cloud, and AI-related implementations.
Paul Hastings finance duo to exit firm
Duo Richard Kitchen and Amin Doulai are making the move. Kitchen was promoted to partner in 2017 and acts for both borrowers and lenders, while Doulai was promoted to partner in July last year and advises both private equity sponsors and borrowers.
Freshfields bolsters London leveraged finance and restructuring teams with double partner hire
The new arrivals are leveraged finance specialist Carol Van der Vorst and restructuring lawyer Lisa Stevens, who are joining from Ropes & Gray and Kirkland & Ellis respectively. Van der Vorst’s practice focuses on advising financial sponsors on cross-border debt financing transactions, while Stevens’s practice focuses on bespoke and complex special situations debt transactions.
White & Case hires M&A specialist from Slaughter and May
Top 10 global law firm White & Case has boosted its M&A practice in London with the addition of new partner, Di Yu, from Slaughter and May’s corporate team.
Kennedys Adds Transformation Director From Hogan Lovells
Karen Peskett-Hall leaves Hogan Lovells after five years, according to her LinkedIn profile, during which time she set up and led an in-house transformation consultancy, described by Kennedys in its statement as “the first of its kind in a law firm”.
EMEA
Milbank Hires 3-Lawyer Capital Markets Team From Clifford Chance in Germany
Philipp Klöckner, Nico Feuerstein and Mira Zimmerman will join the firm’s capital markets practice, advising listed and private equity clients and providing advisory services for initial public offerings in Germany, according to the firm.
Law Firm Al Tamimi Rehires Partner as Digital and Data Head
David Yates returns to the firm’s Dubai office as partner and regional head of digital and data, to lead a team that boasts extensive know-how and presence in the region, the firm said in a statement.
PwC Legal Refreshes CEE Management
PwC Legal has appointed former Allen & Overy partner Hugh Owen as its next head of legal in Central and Eastern Europe, after the exit of long-standing head Karl Paadam.
The Americas
With Demand High in LNG Sector, White & Case Partner Transfers to Houston From Singapore
White & Case partner Jamie Franklin has moved from the firm’s Singapore office to Houston, Texas, expanding the energy team in that office. which has doubled its lawyer head count since early 2021.
Littler Affiliate in Brazil Hires Former Judge to Launch Workplace Policy Practice
Márcio Eurico Vitral Amaro comes on board as a partner as lawyers in Brazil prepare to play a more active role in the preparation of legislation and regulations. As a former justice of the Brazilian Superior Labor Court, Amaro has deep experience handling strategic and highly complex cases throughout Brazil.
APAC
Hires Across Asia for Howse Williams, Ashurst, CAM and Haiwen
Hong Kong firm Howse Williams now has 33 partners in Hong Kong while Ashurst has expanded further in Tokyo.
In-House
Evelyn Partners has hired Charlotte Davies of Provident Financial Group as its next GC. Having spent three years as group GC and company secretary at Provident, she replaces Evelyn’s current GC Nicola Mitford-Slade who is retiring from the role. Davies will begin her new position on 1 September 2022.
Ericsson Brings in Legal Head From Telecoms Rival
Swedish telecom company Ericsson has hired a head of global legal affairs and strategy from a telecommunications rival. U.K.-based Cheryl Yuan has joined from Dutch telecoms company VEON Ventures, where she was most recently general counsel for just under two years and prior to that, deputy general counsel for seven years, according to LinkedIn
Promotions & Appointments:
American Bar Association swears in Deborah Enix-Ross as its new president
The American Bar Association has sworn in senior Debevoise & Plimpton adviser Deborah Enix-Ross as its new president, replacing Clark Hill partner Reginald Turner in the top seat. Enix-Ross was sworn in by recently retired US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer at the conclusion of the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago. She becomes the 11th female to hold that office.
Mergers & Alliances:
US legaltech firm Aderant acquires people management platform viGlobal
US legaltech firm Aderant has agreed a deal to acquire Toronto-based people management platform viGlobal to bolster its front and back office product offering for law firms. The deal will give Aderant’s users access to viGlobal’s suite of people management tools designed to improve the recruitment and retention of staff, something that has become increasingly important for law firms amid the broader ‘great resignation’ trend, which saw almost 50 million people quit their jobs last year in the US alone.
Office Openings & Closing:
Capsticks opens in seventh UK location
Capsticks has opened an “office hub” in Colchester to support its new insurance team. The workspace opened in May 2022 and is located at Lodge Park Business Centre in Langham, a 15-minute drive from the heart of Colchester.
Gowling WLG Bolsters Middle East Presence with Abu Dhabi Office
Gowling WLG is expanding its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a new office in Abu Dhabi, bringing its offices in the region to a total of three. In a statement, the firm described the move as a “logical next” step, with Abu Dhabi clients “already accounting for 30% of the firm’s revenue in the UAE”.
The U.K.-based plaintiffs firm PGMBM, which operates as a partnership between British, Brazilian and American lawyers, is launching an office in Rio de Janeiro following a significant win for claimants harmed by a dam collapse at a mine co-operated by BHP Inc. in Brazil.
Financials:
Law firm profitability declines for fourth quarter in a row, Thomson Reuters index shows
Law firm profitability declined for a fourth straight quarter in the second quarter of this year, with the Thomson Reuters Law Firm Financial Index ‘flashing warning signs’ for the near term outlook if current trends continue unabated. The four-quarter losing streak is the longest slide in the index’s history and comes after two years of record profitability for firms.
At a time when high profits and pay are being scrutinised, CMS’s managing partner believes lawyer high pay is a reflection of the elite services on offer.
Strong pound and reduced headcount drags HFW’s revenue below £200m
The 0.8 per cent dip stands in contrast to the previous year, when HFW broke the £200m barrier due to a 2.6 per cent growth in turnover from £195.2m. According to HFW, the latest figures are due to the reduced lawyer headcount across the firm’s six sectors following “prudent management of the business” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mills & Reeve distributes £2.4m in bonuses after record turnover
The staff bonus pool has grown 9 per cent from £2.2m to £2.4m for the 2021/22 financial year, meaning each employee received over £2,000 in July. Staff who had worked at the firm for the whole of the last financial year received £2,231, while employees with five years service or more received £2,566. Partners were exempt from the bonus.
UK PEP at CMS finally hits £1m milestone
CMS’s UK average profit per equity partner (PEP) has broken through the £1m barrier, having fallen shy of the mark the year before, The Lawyer can reveal. The result shows a 14 per cent increase, from £912,000 to £1.04m. This growth is double that of the previous year, which saw UK PEP rise 7 per cent, from £850,000.
Clydes’ PEP dips in post-BLM merger results
Clyde & Co’s total revenue climbed 1.6 per cent from £639.6m to £650m over 2021/22, as revealed in its first set of financial results since the BLM merger was finalised earlier this year. Net profit increased 4 per cent from £152.8 to £159m, while profit per equity partner (PEP) dipped 1 per cent from £715,000 to £708,00.
Linklaters’ PEP continues rebound as it nears £1.9m
Linklaters’ revenue has risen 6.5 per cent to £1.78bn, a better result for the magic circle firm after its modest results last year. The results contrast with those posted for the financial year 2020/21, in which turnover went up by just 2 per cent to £1.67bn. Average profit per equity partner (PEP) continues to rise after falling in 2019/20. It was up 5.4 per cent on the previous financial year to £1.86m. Last year, PEP rebounded by almost 10 per cent after a 5 per cent drop from £1.61m to £1.77m.
Dentons’ UK revenue up by 14 per cent
Dentons has added £31m to its top-line across the UK, Ireland and Middle East (UKIME), bringing its total revenue to £260.4m. The uptick of 14 per cent from £229.1m is a significant improvement on 2020/21, when revenue nudged up by just 1 per cent.
DAC Beachcroft’s profits per partner down for first time in eight years
DAC Beachcroft’s profit per equity partner (PEP) has fallen for the first time in eight years, the firm has announced in its unaudited financial results for the FY year end 2022. It fell by around 7% to £652,000, from what the firm described at the time as its best ever figure of around £700,000.
Clyde & Co clocks up 24th straight year of revenue growth but PEP dips
Clyde & Co saw revenue grow by 1.6% in the last financial year to £650m, the 24th consecutive year the firm has increased revenues. That growth jumps to 2.6% when measured on a constant currency basis, according to the firm, which generates more than half of its revenue outside the UK. It has also reported a 4% increase in profit to £159m. However, profit per equity partner fell marginally to £708,000 from £715,000 in the previous financial year due to an increase in the number of equity partners.
Stephenson Harwood turnover stands still at £200m
In 2018/19, the firm announced a 12 per cent turnover increase to hit £213m. However, this figure remained unchanged in 2019/20 and then dropped to £206m in 2020/21, where it flatlined over the last financial year. Average profit per equity partner (PEP) also remains stagnant, as the firm posted the same figures as the year before. The firm declined to publish its PEP in 2020/21, but it is now understood to have been £685,000. This has fallen from the £727,000 it reported in 2018/19, which was up after a two-year slump.
London associate pay war bleeds into holiday season as Jones Day raises NQ rate to £140k
Jones Day has increased salaries for its newly qualified (NQ) associates by an eye-watering 27%, taking its pay from £110,000 to £140,000, according to Legal Cheek. Although the firm would not comment on its rate, the salary is outlined on its website. Trainee salaries start at £54,000 rising to £61,000 after 12 months.
Mishcon pursues tech overhaul without IPO investment
Mishcon de Reya is reconsidering other forms of investment to replace funds it had earmarked from its now postponed IPO. The firm has commenced costly plans to revamp its practice management system, kickstarting the two-year process this summer to redesign its tech platforms. The aim is to create a frictionless environment for lawyers to service clients more efficiently.
Dollar’s Strength May Influence Billing, Talent and Expenses in Big Law
Law firms won’t totally pivot their international strategies based on the fluctuating value of currency. But the dollar’s increased strength may influence how U.S. law firms manage certain expenses, set billing rates and perhaps give them a boost when they’re trying to attract laterals around the globe, say law firm leaders and industry analysts.
Technology & Innovation:
Loeb & Loeb creates new Web 3.0 manager position to help clients with blockchain projects
US firm Loeb & Loeb has hired crypto expert Gian Pastore as its Web 3.0 manager, a newly created position to help support clients and the firm with blockchain and Web 3.0-related projects. Pastore joins the firm in its Los Angeles headquarters from US software company MarkMonitor, where he was a domain portfolio advisor. He brings with him non-legal technical experience in cryptocurrencies, NFTs, blockchain domains and the metaverse.
Transactional Work Is Changing. Law Firms Are Getting Ready
Law firms are positioning themselves to compete in a new era of M&A that involves technologies such as blockchain, DeFi and Web3, says Gilbert + Tobin’s Peter Reeves.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Even working class Oxbridge graduates fail to prosper, study into socio economic diversity finds
Boyce – the first black law society president – was commenting on the Building The Baseline: Breaking the Class Barrier Report published today (11 August) by The City of London Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce. It found that 64% of senior leaders are from a family with a professional background, a markedly higher proportion than the general UK population (37%). Employees from a family with a professional background were also 43% more likely to be at a senior level than their working-class colleagues while more than one quarter (26%) of senior employees attended fee-paying schools – three times the national average of 7.5%.
‘I Felt Like a Quota’: One Registered Blind Lawyer Lays His Law Firm Experiences Bare
“Disability is at the bottom of the profession’s agenda compared to other protected characteristics”, said Travers Smith associate Kaleem Khan.
Law Firm HSF’s Sydney Office Switches to ‘100%’ Renewable Energy
Herbert Smith Freehills has signed a power purchase agreement by which its Sydney office will become powered entirely by wind and solar energy. The firm has signed a virtual power purchase agreement with wholesale electricity retailer Flow Power, which came into effect on 1 July, the firm announced.
Destroying the Myth of the ‘Gladiator’ Lawyer
George Strathy, the chief justice of Canada’s largest court system, is urging law firm leaders to help combat stress and anxiety in the legal profession. Law firms are listening.
Thanks to US Government Regulators, Law Firms See Increasing Business in ESG
As the U.S. government moves closer to regulations requiring climate disclosures, large law firms are staffing up on ESG lawyers and are already seeing more business from corporate clients rattled by the potential changes. The Securities and Exchange Commission in March proposed rules requiring climate-related disclosures in registration statements and periodic reports, although the climate disclosure rule had been on the SEC’s agenda for two years.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Inner and Middle Temple come together to help Ukrainian lawyers find UK legal work
Inner Temple and Middle Temple are looking to provide practical employment support to Ukrainian lawyers through a new ‘matching scheme’ launched this week. The Inns say the programme is open to Ukrainian lawyers and legal professionals currently based in the UK, many of whom have been seeking opportunities to work within the UK legal profession since fleeing the war in their home country.
“Every Ukrainian who learns English will be much more aware of European life. This will also help the formation of Ukraine’s subjectivity in the world globalization processes. In addition, after our victory, it will affect the growth of Ukraine’s investment and tourist attractiveness,” said the deputy minister.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Armstrong Teasdale adds IP quartet from Phillips & Leigh as London expansion continues
The quartet include Jim Boff, Martin Hammler, Arthur Boff and James McAllister, who will be joined by a number of support staff. The team focuses on a range of IP, including patents, trademarks, designs, domain name registrations and copyright. They also provide advice on IP strategy.
Dentons hires veteran Dublin disputes lawyer from McCann FitzGerald
Dentons has hired Dublin disputes lawyer Karyn Harty from McCann FitzGerald as its new head of litigation for Ireland.
Clifford Chance Appoints New UK Head Of Inclusion
Clifford Chance has created a U.K. head of inclusion role, as the industry seeks to improve its standing in many areas of diversity and inclusion. The law firm has appointed Nina Goswami to the new position.
Dechert Adds Funds Partner To Growing Irish Office
The firm has hired Emmet Quish from Dillon Eustace, where he was a lawyer for over 17 years according to his LinkedIn profile, specialising in asset management and investment funds.
Bryan Cave’s Manchester Head Leaves For DWF in London
Damian Fleming will bolster the firm’s London team from September, having spent the last 16 years at BCLP, originally joining legacy firm Berwin Leighton Paisner. The last five years have been spent as managing partner of the firm’s Manchester office.
Norton Rose Fulbright Energy Partner Quits for Akin Gump in London
Matthew Hardwick has spent the last 13 years at Norton Rose Fulbright, seven of which were as partner, according to his LinkedIn. He will join Akin Gump in September, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
EMEA
Latham targets real estate PE deals with Linklaters partner hire
Carsten Loll joins the firm after five years at Linklaters, where he was a partner in the Magic Circle firm’s real estate group.
Goodwin Procter grows Munich presence with private equity partner hire from Shearman & Sterling
Winfried Carli joins the recently-launched Munich office having spent his entire professional career at Shearman, including 14 years as a partner.
The Americas
Perkins Coie replenishes West Coast ECVC ranks with double partner hire
Former Perkins Coie counsel Chris Grogan is re-joining the firm in Los Angeles from his role as general counsel of California fintech startup Stealth, while Steve Davis is moving across to its Portland office after 15 years at rival Seattle firm Davis Wright Tremaine.
Bain GC Moves to Ropes & Gray, Underscoring ‘Symbiotic’ Relationship Between Firms
A general counsel at Bain Capital, David M. Hutchins, is moving to Ropes & Gray as a partner in its private equity practice. The move further solidifies the Boston-based law firm’s longtime “symbiotic” relationship with the private equity giant, even as Ropes continues to face increasing firm competition in the PE world.
APAC
Ashurst’s Singapore ally snaps up M&A team from Allen & Gledhill
Ashurst’s Singapore ally ADTLaw has hired a senior M&A team from local powerhouse Allen & Gledhill. The team is led by partner Tao Koon Chiam, who has joined the firm as head of M&A for Southeast Asia. Partners Xiaozheng Ko and Yi Ming Choo have moved over with him alongside counsel George Kho.
Promotions & Appointments:
Savills Taps Associate GC as New Legal Chief, as Longtime GC Retires
Stanton Towne has retired as Savills’ North American executive vice president and general counsel after more than 14 years with the London-based real estate company. He is succeeded by James Repking, who joined the company in December as associate general counsel.
Mergers & Alliances:
Clyde & Co further expands Latin America footprint with Chile merger
Clyde & Co is opening a permanent office in Chile as part of a merger involving its local partner firm Grasty Quintana Majlis and construction lawyers Halpern Pino as it seeks to further Latin American growth.
Office Openings & Closing:
Eversheds Sutherland secures PwC Legal’s Germany head for Frankfurt launch
Steffen Schniep, who also led the Big Four accountancy firm’s global M&A practice, will join Eversheds Sutherland in the autumn ahead of the office’s planned launch in January.
Arnold & Porter targets EU life sciences sector with Amsterdam office launch
The office, the firm’s third in Europe after London and Brussels, will be led by partner Carla Schoonderbeek, who has joined from Dutch firm Hoyng Rokh Monegier along with newly-minted partner Bart Jong.
Fieldfisher zeroes in on Europe under new strategy
Managing partner Rob Shooter took over from Michael Chissick, who led the firm for a decade. Shooter, Fieldfisher’s former head of the technology, data and outsourcing practice, has made European growth a key goal of his tenure. This could include office openings, but also greater integration between the firm’s current bases.
Financials:
Want a £100,000 pupillage award? Join a specialist set
News that Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers has increased its pupillage award by 43 per cent, from £70,000 to £100,000, has been met with shock by sources within the barrister community. The enormous leap means that the specialist tax set is now believed to be offering the highest pupillage award at the Bar. Pupils will have the option to draw down £25,000 in advance to cover postgraduate legal training fees.
Trowers follows rivals with regional NQ pay hike
Average profit per equity partner (PEP), newly-qualified (NQ) salaries and revenue are all up at Trowers & Hamlins since a shake-up in management in April 2021. For NQs in London, this month the firm upped their salaries from £72,500 to £80,000. Junior lawyers in the regions will now earn £60,000, a £13,000 jump (equivalent to 28 per cent) from the £47,000 they were earning before.
Norton Rose increases NQ salaries with potential £147,000 for top performers
Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has increased its NQ salaries from £95,000 to £105,000, an 11 per cent uplift. The firm said in a statement newly-qualified lawyers who achieve the required hours may also receive a bonus between £118,125 to £147,000, inclusive of base salary and performance bonus.
Addleshaws’ global revenue hits £377m
Addleshaw Goddard’s global revenue increased by 18 per cent to £377mm over 2021/22, while total profit rose by £21m to £155m. The previous year, the firm’s revenue smashed through the £300m barrier, posting a figure of £321m.
Law Firm Freshfields Says US Efforts Are Paying Off as Revenue Catches Up
Despite slower revenue growth during the financial year 2021/22, the U.S. offering was its saving grace. While the firm did not provide specific revenue breakdown for its jurisdictions, global managing partner Alan Mason told Law.com International that the U.S. drove “a significant portion” of its 10% revenue growth.
UK law firm Charles Russell Speechlys’ PEP has fallen
Charles Russell Speechlys’ financial growth has shrunk after a standout 2020-21 year, including a drop in profit per equity partner (PEP). Its PEP slid down by 1.3% to £526,000, marking it an outlier in a bumper crop in PEP increases this year among law firms announcing their April 2022 year end results.
Technology & Innovation:
LawtechUK receives a further £4m in funding from UK government to develop legaltech
The UK government is investing a further £4m to boost digital transformation in the legal sector as it strives to become the go-to market for digital legal innovation. The new investment from the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will deliver the second phase of the Lawtech UK programme, which was launched in 2019 when the MoJ invested an initial £2m to kickstart the initiative.
Bigger law firms lagging on content marketing, new study finds
The research, by content marketing software provider Passle, underscored that the explosion in online content during the Covid-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating. Smaller firms are catching up with their larger rivals, however, with those with more than 1,500 lawyers seemingly struggling to give their experts a voice in the market.
UK’s New AI Regulatory Approach Diverges From EU, But Shares Common Principles
More than a year after the European Union became the first entity to propose regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence, the U.K. has now released a policy paper revealing what its own regulatory approach to AI could look like in a post-Brexit world. While both the U.K. and the EU ultimately aim to protect similar core principles, such as transparency and safety, the U.K. offers a unique approach for other regulators looking to draft their own laws—one that aims to avoid overregulation and remain future-proof as new technologies continue to emerge.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Lawyers as Ethical Leaders. Really?
The debate over how removed law and ethics should be from one another is as old as the law itself. Good thing, then, that we don’t need to get bogged down in all that right now. The question for now is, given the role they play in society and the business world, should law firms be ethical bellwethers, or is it right that they stay ethically neutral when considering an instruction?
Which Top Law Firms are Turning Down Clients on Ethical Grounds?
A Law.com International survey of over 30 firms highlights the sectors where firms are more likely to decline instructions, as firms ramp up ESG policies following the Ukraine war. Law firms have traditionally been reluctant to draw ethical lines in the sand. The profession prides itself on the premise that everyone is entitled to legal representation. But recent events have forced them to start taking an ethical stance where they might not have previously.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Amnesty regrets ‘distress’ after report claiming Ukraine violated international law
Amnesty International said Sunday it “deeply regrets the distress and anger” caused after it alleged that Ukrainian forces were flouting international law by exposing civilians to Russian fire. The rights group said, “We fully stand by our findings,” but stressed that “nothing we documented Ukrainian forces doing in any way justifies Russian violations.”