Ukrainian Legal Developments:
U.S. law schools are funding degrees for Ukrainian lawyers
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law is working to bring a half dozen Ukrainian lawyers to the United States to spend a year studying and doing pro bono work related to their home country. The initiative is part of the school’s Ukrainian Legal Assistance Project, which aims to apply human rights law and other legal remedies to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The university committed to paying the Ukrainian LL.M. students’ tuition and covering their travel and living expenses as needed.
A Lawyer’s Advisory Role in the Global Discussion About Energy Security
This week, Hogan Lovells partner and global energy practice leader Amy Roma discusses international energy security challenges in light of the war in Ukraine and her legal advisory role with E.U. as well as U.S. stakeholders.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Morgan Lewis loses partner to Paul Hastings
Tom Cartwright, private equity partner, has left Morgan Lewis for Paul Hastings.
London A&O Arbitration Partner Departs Firm
Suzanne Spears, former Co-Head of Allen & Overy’s global business and human rights practice has left to found her own Boutique in London.
Cooley has strengthened its life science corporate partnering & licensing practice
Frances Stocks Allen joins Cooley after more than eight years at Latham.
Listed law firm Ince hires former Slaughter and May partner Oliver Storey
Financing partner Oliver Storey has left White & Case for Ince.
Matthew Cowie, white collar and securities litigation partner, has left Dechert.
Law Firms Akin Gump And Norton Rose Fulbright Bolster London Finance Teams
James Collis, former Ashurst managing partner, joins Norton Rose Fulbright.
Keating Chambers CEO to depart for risk consultants Kroll in London
Keating Chambers CEO Declan Redmond is leaving the set to join corporate investigations and risk consulting firm Kroll in London.
EMEA
White & Case Spanish Office Adds Freshfields Madrid Partner
Javier Monzon, corporate partner, has joined White & Case’s Madrid office from Freshfields.
Law Firm Cleary Hires Herbert Smith Freehills Managing Partner
Corporate partner Nico Abel, formerly the managing partner of HSF, joins Cleary’s Frankfurt office.
Squire Patton Boggs adds two real estate partners in Paris
Estelle Vernejoul joins the firm from her role as founding partner of AVOCATALYSE, which she established in 2018. She moves across alongside associate Angélique Charrier. Thomas Coëffé joins from Taylor Wessing where he was a real estate counsel. He joins the firm along with real estate associate Elise Milani.
Webber Wentzel Hires 3-Lawyer Fintech Team from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Webber Wentzel has rehired a fintech partner from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, along with two other lawyers.
Law Firm Jones Day Adds Paris White Collar Expert
Vincent Ohannessian joins the firm from French outfit Wan Avocats, where he has spent the past two years.
The Americas
WilmerHale hires former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara
US firm WilmerHale has landed a high-profile partner hire with the arrival of former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara.
Holland & Knight adds veteran tax partner in Colombia as LatAm growth continues
Holland & Knight has made its second lateral partner hire in Columbia this year after persuading tax expert Gustavo Pardo Ardila to incorporate his independent practice into the firm.
APAC
Clifford Chance adds funds partner in Hong Kong from Kirkland & Ellis
Liyong Xing, funds and investment management partner, has joined Clifford Chance from Kirkland & Ellis.
In-House
Clare Lynch, former head of legal at Vodafone, will join Ocado in September.
Warburg Pincus’ new pharma purchase appoints GC
Pharma Intelligence has appointed Vicky Harris as general counsel from Warburg Pincus, where she was a consultant.
Six Flags adds chief legal officer from Sabre six months after axing GC role
Aimee Williams-Ramey has joined the Dallas-based amusement park operator as one of a number of leadership appointments the company said underscored its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Promotions & Appointments:
Cripps gets new managing partner and drops Pemberton Greenish name as it passes £40m
James Beatton will replace Gavin Tyler from May 2023, who will retire upon stepping down ater 39 years at Cripps.
Freshfields promotes London disputes head to lead global practice
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed London disputes leader Sarah Parkes as its next global disputes head as it presses on with plans to grow a heavyweight US practice and an innovative mass claims unit in Germany.
Shearman & Sterling looks to home for latest partner promotions round
Shearman & Sterling stayed close to home in its latest partner promotions round with nine of the 12 spots going to lawyers in the US. The US focus marks a pivot from the New York firm’s round last year, when nine of the 14 promotions were made across its international network following a six-month delay. The latest promotions arrive a year after the delayed round was unveiled last June. Four of the new partners are women (33%), representing a slight dip on last year when six of the 14 made up were women, or 42% of the total.
Brown Rudnick elects tax partner as next chair and CEO
Brown Rudnick has elected New York-based tax partner Vincent Guglielmotti as its next chief executive officer and chair of the firm’s management committee, succeeding William Baldiga.
Herbert Smith Freehills’ CEO appointed to ICC’s executive board
Herbert Smith Freehills’ chief executive, Justin D’Agostino, has been appointed to the executive board of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in a move that promises to grow his profile in the wider business community.
Top Canadian Litigation Boutique Names New Managing Partner
Commercial litigator Emily Lawrence is the new managing partner of Canadian litigation boutique Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein.
Mishcon Board Directors Step Down Following IPO Postponement
Four non-executive board directors have stepped down from Mishcon de Reya, following the news that the firm’s planned IPO has been postponed “for the foreseeable future”. The directors were appointed to the board of Mishcon de Reya Group in February this year, along with the firm’s current chief financial officer Matt Hotson, who joined the firm in the newly established role in December 2021.
Mishcon opens up international seats for trainees
Mishcon de Reya has launched an international seat for its trainee lawyers as the firm bids to make best use of its fledging Asia-Pacific presence. The international seat was set up earlier this year with the trainee, Laura Price, beginning in Singapore on 21 March for a six-month period.
Mergers & Alliances:
Davis Wright Tremaine bolsters financial services offering with boutique tie-up
AmLaw 100 firm Davis Wright Tremaine is to merge with financial services boutique law firm McGonigle in a move that will double the size of its banking and financial services practice and add two bases to its national platform.
Fennemore agrees tie-up with 113-year old East Bay firm Wendel Rosen
US national firm Fennemore has continued its West Coast expansion with its second Californian merger in two years, this time joining forces with Wendel Rosen, one of the oldest firms in the East Bay region. The combined firm will be known as Fennemore Wendel in Northern California where Wendel Rosen has three offices, in Oakland, Modesto and Walnut Creek. The tie-up adds 56 lawyers to Fennemore’s roster, taking its total attorney headcount to 250. Wendel brings a full-service offering with particular expertise in real estate, land use, litigation and trusts and estates. The merger will be effective from the start of July.
Australian Law Firm Wotton + Kearney Sells Minority Stake to Private Equity Investor
Australian and New Zealand law firm Wotton + Kearney has sold a 30% stake to local private equity firm Straight Bat to fund its expansion. As part of the unusual deal, Straight Bat will appoint two non-executive directors to the specialist insurance firm’s board to provide insight and “challenge our traditional thinking,” Wotton + Kearney said.
Financials:
Osborne Clarke pays out 5 per cent profit share to staff
Osborne Clarke will hand out at least £2,500 to each UK staff member as the firm offers a profit share award on the back of positive financial results. The rewards come as the firm reports 20 per cent growth across its UK offices from £166.4m to £199.1m over 2021/22.
Corporate legal spend shifts more in-house, report finds
In-house legal teams, particularly at smaller companies, are spending more of their legal budget internally and less on outside counsel, according to new research by the Association of Corporate Counsel and Major Lindsey & Africa. The 2022 Law Department Management Benchmarking Report found that more than half (54%) of legal spend was in-house, a shift from last year’s survey, which tilted slightly toward a larger external spend – 51% on average.
Gateley Reaps Rewards From Year Of Acquisitions
The firm said its revenue increased by 13% to £137 million, improved growth on 2021 when it posted a 10% top line rise. Additionally, the firm’s underlying adjusted profit before tax jumped by 11%, up to £21.5 million.
UK Law Firms Slash Debt Post-Pandemic
Seven firms—DLA Piper, Eversheds Sutherland, Norton Rose Fulbright, Irwin Mitchell, Fieldfisher, Gateley and Weightmans—reduced their debt by 100% as of April 2021, according to analysis of their most recent limited liability accounts on Companies House by auditor Evelyn Partners.
Technology & Innovation:
Complex EU data rules hindering data-driven business models, survey finds
More than two thirds of general counsel in Europe say complex data rules are preventing their organisations from embracing data-driven business models, according to a new study by Osborne Clarke and the European Company Lawyers Association (ECLA).
Why systems support is the way to a good night’s sleep
The need to maintain legaltech has an important regulatory angle, explain 3Kites’ Paul Longhurst and Richard Kemp of Kemp IT Law.
Diversity & Inclusion:
The Top Law Firms For LGBTQ+ Representation in the UK, 2022
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, White & Case and Herbert Smith Freehills are the firms with the highest proportion of LGBTQ+ representation in its U.K. lawyer ranks, research by Law.com International has found. Sixty-eight major legal institutions provided data for a comprehensive 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, asking for the proportion of lawyers who identify as LGBTQ+.
Could The Four-Day Week Work in Big Law?
Thousands of workers across the U.K. have this month started working a four-day week as part of a nationwide trial. Thought to provide significant benefits to well-being, productivity, revenue, as well as the environment, it’s a concept that is taking off in other European nations, such as Belgium. The trial, which started last week, involves around 3,300 workers at 70 companies who will enjoy a four-day week with no effect on pay. But can a four-day week fit within the confines of the hyper-competitive legal industry, where meeting client needs and round-the-clock availability have been prioritised for so long? Has the advent of flexible working enabled industry leaders to rethink what is possible?
It is Time Law Firms Embraced Menopause Training
Figures published by Sky News, suggests that 1 in 10 women left employment because of the detrimental impact that menopause had on their working lives. Gender equality has long plagued the legal profession and has clouded the career ladder for many women. With more women going into and staying in the legal field, there will inevitably be more people dealing with the menopause at some point in their career, so ignoring this topic is no longer an option.
Travers Smith scales up eat-for-free canteen
Travers Smith is set to offer its London workers three meals a day, five days a week – all for free. The UK law firm is preparing to launch a limited evening service this summer, whereby all staff – including business service professionals – can eat dinner free-of-charge from its office cafe, Braithwaite’s. Travers’ free dinner scheme will start officially in September, when there will be a full selection of meals available.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
UK Law Firm Leads Mass Civil Claims Against Russia
Together with a coalition of Ukrainian, U.S. and European firms, U.K. human rights boutique McCue Jury & Partners is to coordinate hundreds of civil claims against Russian officials and oligarchs over property damaged in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The civil claims will seek to obtain compensation for destruction to private property as well as governmental, national, infrastructural and other types of property, a person close to McCue Jury told Law.com International.
Three Am Law Firms May Soon Finally Be Free to Withdraw From Representing Sanctioned Russian Banks
Three large Am Law firms representing Russian banks that were sanctioned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—White & Case, Debevoise & Plimpton and Latham & Watkins—will be able to withdraw from the case provided that substitute counsel file notices of appearance this month. White & Case and Debevoise & Plimpton were granted permission to withdraw provided that substitute counsel file a notice of appearance by June 24. Latham & Watkins, which already missed one deadline to get substitute counsel to file an appearance notice, has been given until June 15.
IBA launches major project examining lawyers’ role as ethical gatekeepers
The Gatekeepers Project was announced following what the IBA called ‘existing and sustained charges levied against the profession,’ arising not just from the Russian-Ukraine war, but also in relation to perceived facilitation of illicit financial activity, greenwashing of climate change activity and frustration of the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
EY Law Hires Dentons Employment Head
EY Law has is continuing its U.K. expansion with the hire of Dentons partner and UKME head of employment Virginia Allen.
All change as Harbottle appoints new leader
Charles Leveque, who has been at the firm since 2007, has succeeded Glen Atchison as managing partner.
RPC and Pallas Partners secure key arbitration hires in London
RPC is celebrating the arrival of Shai Wade from London rival Stephenson Harwood while Boies Schiller Flexner’s former deputy chair, Natasha Harrison, has secured her new firm’s first lateral partner recruit: Debevoise & Plimpton counsel Nelson Goh.
Linklaters Hires London Ashurst Partner
Jessica Jenner will join the firm’s real estate finance practice in London later this year, according to a statement by Linklaters on Tuesday.
Former Linklaters veteran takes on vacant MoJ role
Christopher Bellamy, who returned to Monkton Chambers in 2020, has been named by the UK Government as a Parliamentary Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice.
Clifford Chance hires first-ever global ‘head of wellbeing’ from Aon in London
Charles Alberts will create and lead the firm’s wellbeing strategy and consult on mental health and general staff welfare concerns.
BCLP real estate partner exits for Addleshaws
Simon Pollock has joined Addleshaw Goddard’s investment management group after nearly 29 years with BCLP.
Matheson hires Mason Hayes & Curran partner to lead EU competition and regulatory practice
Niall Collins joins from Mason Hayes & Curran as head of the EU, competition and regulatory practice, while Karen Sheil joins from William Fry as a commercial property partner.
Law firm Clifford Chance has lost one, hired one in its London partner ranks
Restructuring partner Adrian Cohen has left the firm after over 30 years to join U.S. firm Proskauer Rose, while former leveraged financing partner Matt Dunn is rejoining the firm after a stint at Irish firm Arthur Cox. Cohen joins after almost 32 years at Clifford Chance, according to his LinkedIn.
RPC bolsters insurance ranks with partner hire in London from Mayer Brown
RPC has added insurance lawyer Mike Newham as a partner in London from Mayer Brown.
Law firm Weil Gotshal Adds Akin Gump Partner to Its Restructuring Team
Weil, Gotshal & Manges has strengthened its London-based restructuring practice with the hire of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld partner Lois Deasey.
Law Firm Crowell & Moring Hires Baker Botts London Partner
Crowell & Moring has added to its London corporate team with the hire of partner David Ramm from Baker Botts.
Six-Lawyer BLM Team Departs For Browne Jacobson
The group of professional indemnity lawyers is led by partner Michael Appleby and includes two senior associates, two associates, and one other lawyer. The group will join Browne Jacobson in Manchester.
EMEA
Ince bolsters Greek presence with seven new faces for Piraeus office from rival firms
Listed UK law and professional services firm Ince has added seven new faces from rival firms to its office in Piraeus, Greece, in a move it says has been triggered by an increased volume of business.
Squire Patton Boggs makes third lateral partner hire in Paris this month
Maxime Deuquesne has joined Squire Patton Boggs from private equity boutique Lamartine Conseil.
5-Lawyer CMS Tax Team Exits for Gianni & Origoni in Milan
Partner Mario d’Avossa leads the move after practising for two years at CMS Adonnino Ascoli & Cavasola Scamoni.
Eversheds Paris Adds a 7-Lawyer Corporate/M&A Team From French Rival
Eversheds Sutherland in Paris has added a seven-lawyer corporate/M&A team, including two partners, from CMS Francis Lefebvre. The team is led by partners Jean-Robert Bousquet and Alexandre Morel and includes counsel Célia Mayran and Geoffroy Loncle de Forville, and associates Anaïs Fritzinger, Jade Huard and Victor Grillo.
The Americas
Paul Hastings celebrates ‘milestone’ hire of Gibson Dunn’s M&A co-chair in New York
Eduardo Gallardo is the latest addition to join Paul Hasting’s New York office as the headcount nears 400.
McDermott continues run of transactions partner hires with trio in New York and Atlanta
Partners Luc Jansen and Prem Amarnani have joined the firm in the Big Apple from Kirkland & Ellis and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom respectively, while Nathan Mihalik, previously counsel at King & Spalding, has joined as a partner in Atlanta.
Goodwin raids Latham & Watkins for corporate partner trio in Santa Monica
Chris Shoff, David Ajalat and David Pendergast join from Latham & Watkins, bringing with them experience representing emerging-growth companies and venture capital firms.
Morrison Foerster adds another West Coast partner from Perkins Coie
Matthew Ferry has joined the San Diego office as a partner after six years at Perkins Coie, where he served as counsel and focused on IP litigation and technology transactions.
Allen & Overy and Linklaters eye US growth with lateral partner hires
A&O has hired corporate partner Jesse Debban in Silicon Valley from Farella Braun + Martel, while Linklaters has secured Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison employment partner Andrew Gaines in New York.
Barnes & Thornburg hires healthcare compliance team from Bass Berry in DC
John Kelly, who served as Nashville-based Bass Berry’s managing partner in DC for just over a decade, joins the firm to chair its 80-lawyer healthcare department and healthcare industry practice. He arrives alongside Jacquelyn Papish, who joins as a partner after a year as an associate at Bass Berry, and associate AJ Bolan.
Goodwin adds private equity heft in the US with partner hires from Kirkland and Gibson Dunn
Andrew Kimball has joined the firm from Kirkland & Ellis in DC, while Andrew Cheng has moved over from Gibson Dunn in Santa Monica, the firm said.
Norton Rose Fulbright boosts US West Coast projects team with MoFo partner hire
Norton Rose Fulbright has hired US renewable energy lawyer Elizabeth Sluder from Morrison & Foerster as it seeks to strengthen its West Coast projects team.
Eversheds Adds Hotel In-House Veteran, as Firm Builds Hospitality Team
Wendy Hansen, who was vice president and legal counsel at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for the last 14 years, has joined Eversheds’ Atlanta office.
APAC
Former HSF global CEO Mark Rigotti departs legal practice for business leadership role
Mark Rigotti, the former global CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills, is set to leave the firm to take up a leadership role at the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
In-House
De La Rue GC takes on new legal role
Jane Hyde ha moved from currency printing service and authenticator De La Rue to RWS Holdings, an intellectual property group, as their general counsel.
Former CNBC lawyer joins executive recruitment platform True as GC
Aisha Christian has joined True from the GC role at KIPP NYC, a network of private schools in New York.
Promotions & Appointments:
Brown Rudnick promotes Johnny Depp’s lawyer to partner
Brown Rudnick has promoted litigation specialist Camille Vasquez to partner as a direct result of her role in winning a $15m jury verdict for actor Johnny Depp’s defamation claim against ex-wife Amber Heard.
NautaDutilh appoints new managing partners, creates inclusion partner role
Under the changes, corporate M&A head Lieke van der Velden and disputes head Sjoerd Meijer will take up co-managing partner roles alongside incumbent Chris Warner, who is staying as one of the firm’s three co-heads. Stepping down are Jaap Jan Trommel and Petra Zijp, who will return to their M&A and capital markets practices respectively.
Part-time partners included in largest promotions round to date at Australia’s Lander & Rogers
Australian independent Lander & Rogers has added seven partners as part of its largest promotions round yet, including two who work part-time.
Freshfields Names Next Global Disputes Head
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed London partner Sarah Parkes as its next global head of dispute resolution.
Sheppard Mullin names next Chicago managing partner ahead of office relocation
Liisa Thomas succeeds Larry Eppley, who took charge of the Chicago office when it opened in 2012. Eppley is set to remain with the Los Angeles-based firm as the leader of its hospitality industry team.
Hogan Lovells names new head of Silicon Valley base ahead of Redwood City move
Hogan Lovells has named corporate and finance partner Jane Ross as its office managing partner in Silicon Valley ahead of its move to a new office space in Redwood City.
Women dominate Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s partner promotions round
Australian Big Six firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth has promoted eight lawyers to partner in its latest round, six of them women.
Baker McKenzie turns to rising star to revamp Johannesburg leadership
Baker McKenzie has unveiled a new Johannesburg leadership team more than nine months after implementing a ‘three-step plan’ to address management issues at the office. South Africa head of competition and antitrust Lerisha Naidu will become managing partner of the office from 1 July at the head of a management team that also includes head of employment and compensation Johan Botes and corporate partner Marc Yudaken.
Mergers & Alliances:
Law firm mergers: the cultural iceberg below the surface
The global economy has seen more M&A activity in the last 12 months than for a number of years. It is therefore no surprise to see this reflected in the legal services market, where law firm mergers and acquisitions are on the rise.
The firm has added local firm Kenny Solicitors to its ranks, which comprises eight partners and is led by partner Graham Kenny.
Nigerian firm Aluko & Oyebode joins African legal alliance ALN
Nigeria’s Aluko & Oyebode has joined African law firm alliance ALN to bolster its cross-border and pan-African capabilities. The alliance takes ALN’s jurisdiction count across the continent to 16 and gives existing partner firms and their clients access to legal expertise in Africa’s largest economy. It also provides member firms access to Aluko & Oyebode’s broader pool of specialist teams and resources, which bring vast regional and international experience to the table.
Office Openings & Closing:
Browne Jacobson unveils first overseas office
Browne Jacobson, a firm with five offices across the UK, is to open its first base overseas later this month in Dublin. Permanently based in the office will be technology and IP litigation partners Jeanne Kelly and Ciaran Markey, who join from LK Shields. The firm has also hired senior associate Darragh Killeen from LK Shields, along with two further associates joining in the summer.
Law Firm Freshfields Adds More Bases in Germany to Service Big Scale
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is building presences in the German cities of Nuremberg, Mannheim and Hanover as part of its expansion of its Dieselgate-style mass litigation unit.
Hogan Lovells’ Moscow office spun out to create new independent firm
Level Legal Services launched this month alongside relocations and ‘some’ expected redundancies.
Financials:
⭐ Financial Results 2022: Live
The Lawyer has created a live-update blog as firms release their data from the 2021/22 year.
World’s oldest firm nears £30m mark with ninth consecutive year of growth
Thomson Snell & Passmore, the Kent law firm acknowledged by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest, has posted fee income of £27.7m for the 2021/22 financial year, an increase of 11 per cent.
Peterborough’s Buckles vows to hit £30m after record year
Peterborough-founded firm Buckles has stated its aim to become a £30m firm by 2028 after almost doubling in size in the last five years. The growth has come organically and through a series of mergers. Buckles acquired DCH Law of Nottingham in 2018, Lyndales Solicitors, which was based on Furnival Street in London, in 2019, followed by Cambridge’s Miller Sands Solicitors in 2020.
Mishcon de Reya Scraps IPO Plan ‘for Foreseeable Future’
In a statement on Wednesday, a firm spokesperson said: ”We can confirm that we have decided to put our IPO plans on hold for the foreseeable future due to market conditions. We remain an ambitious and bold business with a clear strategy and vision for our future.”
Technology & Innovation:
Founders Forum invests in fintech-focused virtual law startup Chronos Law
Three-year-old virtual law firm Chronos Law has received financial backing from entrepreneur community Founders Forum Group to further accelerate the firm’s growth. The deal will see Chronos – which specialises in legal advice for scaling fintechs – rebrand as Founders Law and become part of Founders Forum’s growing professional services offering. That will enable the firm to provide legal services to tech scale-ups in the Founders Forum network. Chronos was founded in 2019 by former White & Case lawyer and fintech specialist Tom Bohills with the idea to combine private practice expertise with the accessibility of in-house legal counsel.
Cybersecurity experts say law firms need to act more proactively on cyber risk
A 2020 report from the Solicitors Regulation Authority found that 75% of firms in England and Wales have reported being victims of a cyber attack, with almost a quarter of those being directly targeted resulting in more than £4m of client money being stolen. Half of those firms were found to have allowed unrestricted access to external data storage, the report said.
LawtechUK ‘created a sense of urgency’ around tech adoption in legal sector, impact assessment says
The government-backed LawtechUK initiative launched in collaboration with tech industry body Tech Nation has created a ‘sense of urgency’ around the development of legaltech, according to an external impact report.
Max Schrems: The World Renowned Privacy Advocate Is Still Fighting to Create a Culture of Compliance
As a well-known privacy activist and founder of one of Europe’s most influential privacy enforcement NGOs, Austrian lawyer Max Schrems seems surprisingly sympathetic to companies that are not complying with the General Data Protection Regulation, commonly known as GDPR—Europe’s trailblazing 2018 privacy law.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Making the hybrid work model for your firm and clients
As the ructions of Covid-19 continue to trail two years after the pandemic started, the concept of hybrid working continues to populate law firms’ priority lists. This topic was debated in a roundtable hosted by Speech Processing Solutions’ Ryan Prins and Ben Capstick at The Lawyer’s Business Leadership Summit. The spectre of Covid-19 infections remains prevalent globally – prompting questions as to how this will play out in the future of the workplace.
The Gender Cliff Edge: The Point Where the Legal Industry Loses Female Talent
Top U.K. law firms hire far more female lawyers than male at trainee level, but there is a massive drop-off in female retention after the three-year post-qualification point, new research has found.
Undervalued lawyers more likely to suffer well-being issues, study finds
Law firms that put financial performance and productivity above all else could create unhealthy working practices that harm lawyer well-being, according to a study by Krill Strategies and the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Addressing the Burgeoning Culture Crisis in the Legal Sector
New research from the CIPD Health and Wellbeing at work 2022 report shows that almost half of employees strongly agree that health and wellbeing activity at work encourages a more inclusive culture. However, the same report reveals that there has been a 16% drop in management focus on health and wellbeing in the workplace compared to the first year of the pandemic.
Herbert Smith Freehills named principal legal partner of Sydney WorldPride
Herbert Smith Freehills has been named the principal legal partner of next year’s WorldPride festival taking place in Sydney. HSF will provide the Sydney WorldPride event organisers with legal advice and support ahead of festival, which takes place between February 17 and March 5 next year in conjunction with the 2023 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Pride Stories
My Pride Story: I had to hide that I was a gay mum for many years
My Pride Story: Coming out to someone new was always a choice. Then I had a child.
My Pride Story: Out in the office
My Pride Story | Legitimacy: we have it. Next stop: authenticity.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Listed Law Firm Ince Blames Cyber Attack For Dip in Revenue
The firm’s unaudited revenue for the financial year to March 2022 was “approximately” £97 million, according to a trading update published to the London Stock Exchange, a dip of just over £3 million on 2021, when it posted a £100.2 million top line. The dip, the firm says, is due to a combination of the Ukraine war and the COVID pandemic, both of which hit regional offices hard, but also a cyber attack which took place on March 13 this year.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Osborne Clarke adds five-strong pensions team from BDB Pitmans
David Hosford and Chris Netiatis join as partners, alongside legal director Lee Colgate and senior associates Catriona Darnell and Sarah Miller.
The head of PwC Legal’s real estate investment team has left for CMS.
Amit Unadkat, head of PwC’s real estate team, has joined CMS.
Taylor Wessing Hires From Linklaters & McDermott in London
Claire Matthews, a senior managing associate at Linklaters’ Singapore office, will relocate to Taylor Wessing’s London office.
White & Case Hires Winston & Strawn Partner in London
Monica Barton, acquisition and leverage finance partner, has joined White & Case from Winston & Strawn.
PwC Legal Partner Departs For Katten in London
Oliver Williams, corporate partner, has left PwC for Katten.
EMEA
Dust settles on Dubai arbitration reforms as DIFC-LCIA’s Robert Stephen joins boutique
The DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre’s (DIFC-LCIA’s) former registrar, Robert Stephen, has joined Dubai disputes boutique Ghaffari Partners as its second partner and chief operating officer.
The Americas
Skadden adds DLA Piper energy co-chair in Houston
Drew Baldinger joins the New York firm after six years at DLA Piper, where he also worked as vice chair of the firm’s M&A practice.
Law Firm Mayer Brown Hires Clyde & Co New York Managing Partner
Vikran Sidhu, Clyde & Co’s New York office managing partner, has rejoined Mayer Brown after seven years.
Promotions & Appointments:
CMS appoints new managing partner for Kyiv office
Energy specialist Vitaliy Radchenko has taken over from Graham Conlon as head of the office, which was shuttered on the day of the invasion.
Fried Frank rejigs London leadership – for now
Ashar Qureshi will take on the reins of the City office until the new year as Mark Mifsud takes a six-month sabbatical.
Fieldfisher names finance and corporate duo as co-managing partners for Netherlands
Marinus de Waal and Frans-Jozef Crousen take over from Marcel Willems in Amsterdam.
Netherlands Law Firm De Brauw Managing Partner Steps Down
Marnix Leijten, managing partner of Netherlands-based law firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, is stepping down from the position after just over two years.
Serle Court’s new boss on why she’s not a CEO
Serle Court’s decision to appoint barrister Kathryn Purkis as its new chambers director heralds the start of a modern era for the chancery and commercial set. Look no further than the job title chosen by Purkis: “CEO to me is quite a macho title – I’m not really like that,” she tells The Lawyer.
DAC Beachcroft’s advocacy unit to offer pupillages
8 DAC Beachcroft Buildings, or 8DB, will recruit two pupils under its new training programme, having been granted status as an authorised education and training organisation by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) in February.
Mergers & Alliances:
DWF strikes Hong Kong deal with local firm
DWF has struck an alliance with a Hauzen, a Hong Kong firm, over a year after agreeing a similar deal with Singapore-based Eldan Law.
Shakespeare Martineau enters Bristol with another merger
GL Law, which has offices in London and Bristol, will take the name of Shakespeare Martineau, unlike Mayo Wynne Baxter, which merged into the group on 1 May 2022 but retains its own identity as part of Ampa’s ‘house of brands’.
Shakespeare Martineau CEO: Why our mergers with smaller firms aren’t takeovers
Shakespeare Martineau’s leader Sarah Walker-Smith argues that “merger without the acquisition” is a more relevant commercial approach for a post-pandemic world.
France’s Mermoz Avocats doubles lawyer headcount following merger with local PE boutique
Parisian boutique Mermoz Avocats has doubled its lawyer headcount within six months of launching following a merger with local firm HPML. The deal sees the two private equity and M&A-focused firms join forces to create a shop with 50 lawyers – twice the number Mermoz had when it was opened in January by a group of senior French lawyers to take advantage of the country’s mid-market PE and M&A deal-making boom
Dentons adds 17th Africa office with Tunisia tie-up
The combination with Tunis-based Zaanouni Law Firm (ZLF) gives Dentons a footprint in its 17th location in Africa across 12 countries and adds two partners and 10 lawyers to its regional network, which has more than 250 lawyers. The firm said it expects the combination to be completed in the coming months subject to regulatory requirements and approval by its partners.
Office Openings & Closings:
Addleshaw Goddard to close down Hong Kong office
The closure will be from September this year upon the expiry of its office lease. Addleshaws has had a Hong Kong operation since 2012 and, as of today, has a total headcount of 36. This comprises seven partners, 20 other fee-earners and nine business services staff.
K&L Gates hires four renewables partners from Husch Blackwell as it launches in Kansas City
The new recruits include partners John Crossley, Jim Goettsch and Brogan Sullivan, who join in Kansas City, and Maria Faconti, who joins the firm’s existing office in Austin. They are also joined by two associates, with the firm adding that additional lawyers are likely to be added in the coming weeks.
Bird & Bird Announces Date For Irish Office With Partner Duo Addition
Bird & Bird is set to open in Ireland next month with two partner hires.The firm has announced that its Dublin office will open on June 13, and will be based in George’s Dock, close to Dublin’s tech hub Grand Canal Dock.
Australian Law Firm Wotton + Kearney Expands to Adelaide
Fresh from its 18-strong raid of DLA Piper earlier in 2022, Wootton + Kearney’s latest office opening is intended to enable lawyers to work from their own town in South Australia.
Financials:
Clifford Chance hikes NQ pay to match Freshfields
Clifford Chance has increased its base pay for NQ’s to £125,000, raising 16%.
Latham sets out ambitions to boost City litigation revenue
Across Latham, the litigation department accounts for 30 per cent of global turnover. Over 2021, Latham’s revenue soared 27 per cent to nearly $5.5bn, meaning disputes alone would total around $1.65bn. In London, however, disputes brings in a much lower proportion of its office revenue of between 10 to 15 per cent. The intention is therefore to bring that figure up to match the global level.
Clydes to overhaul BLM’s salaried partner tier
The review of BLM’s salaried partner tier is due to the fact Clydes will only have salary partners in its casualty practice. Those fitting the bill at BLM will need to apply for new salaried partner and equity partner roles, again subject to consultation.
Technology & Innovation:
Osborne Clarke helps Paris crypto-asset manager secure regulatory landmark
Osborne Clarke has advised Paris crypto-asset adviser Arquant Capital on its successful bid to become the first crypto specialist to be authorised as an asset management company by France’s financial regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF).
Can Law Firms Keep Up With Crypto?
Digital currencies and blockchain technology offer large law firms plenty of possibilities, but many in the UK are struggling to meet client demand either due to a lack of lawyers or a fear of the unregulated nature of the sector.
Call to Action: Modernizing the ‘War Exclusion’ for the 21st Century
Many prudent businesses are revisiting their insurance portfolio, seeking confirmation that their coverage will adequately protect them if they are victimized by increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, including those connected to the acute conflict in Ukraine.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Dentons extends WFH full-time option until end of year
Dentons has lengthened its flexible working trial until the end of 2022, as firms review how well their post-Covid-19 measures have been adopted over a year on.
Six London law firms back creation of new black British civil rights organisation
Six London-based law firms including Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May are backing the launch of a new black British civil rights group, the Black Equity Organisation (BEO). The BEO aims to promote economic, political and social equity for black communities in the UK to ensure equal opportunity for progress and prosperity.
Clients Must Fire Firms Who Fail On Diversity, Leaders Say
Speaking during a panel session at Law.com International’s Women, Influence and Power U.K. conference on Thursday, Catherine McGregor — an independent advisor to law firms and legal departments — said that clients need to “push more” on D&I matters. If firms fail to bring diverse team to matters and pitches, or fail to be transparent on diversity metrics, McGregor said clients should “fire firms if [diversity and inclusion] is really important to your organisation”. More concerted action, she said, will help change the narrative around D&I, with the topic currently often considered as “fluffy”.
Squire Hits UK Ethnicity and Gender Diversity Targets
Squire Patton Boggs has hit female and ethnic partner targets it had set last year, it has announced. As part of a five year plan put in place in April 2021, the firm set specific targets for its U.K.-based office, which included upping the percentage of female partners by 3% to 20% within two years, followed by a further increase to 25% by 2026.
Revealed: The U.K. Law Firm Female Equity Partnership Scorecard
The largest U.K.-based law firms continue to lag their international counterparts and mid-tier rivals on gender diversity rankings, according to research by Law.com International. Only two of the largest 20 U.K.-headquartered law firms feature in a table of top 25 firms that have the highest proportion of female partners in the U.K., the survey of 68 major legal institutions found. The diversity survey—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—reveals the strong gender inequality that still exists at the top level of the industry with women making up less than a quarter of equity partnerships on average.
Age Discrimination: Are UK Law Firms Out of Touch?
As part of their wider D&I programme, firms need to reflect society in all its diversity – including our ageing population. Multinationals are increasingly requiring evidence of law firm diversity of all types in client pitches. The greater role of technology and AI in legal services means that the experience, judgment and long-term client relationships of older partners carry a premium.
Legal Career Coach Describes ‘Devastating’ Uptick in Burnout Cases
The comments were made during a roundtable discussion at the Women Influence & Power in Law conference, where women in the industry also discussed how they switch off at home.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Picking up the pieces: claiming compensation in Ukraine
Taras Bezpalyy, head of criminal law at Ukrainian law firm Legal Alliance, considers how businesses can collect compensation for damage caused by an aggressor state.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Linklaters Adds London Norton Rose Fulbright Partner to Ranks
Paul Joseph, intellectual property partner, has joined Linklaters’ London office.
Dentons expands in Dublin with triple partner hire
Colm Ó hUiginn, David McGuiness, and Michael McDonald have joined from Shearman & Sterling, Allen & Overy, and Gilbert & Tobin respectively.
BLM Partner and Board Member Leave As Clydes Merger Approaches
Siri Siwardene has left BLM for Irwin Mitchell, while Gemma Brannigan of Clyde & Co has joined DAC Beachcroft.
Another Exit at BLM as Partner Joins DWF
Rosie Shapiro, healthcare partner, has joined DWF from BLM.
Eversheds Sutherland has hired a Brown Rudnick white collar crime partner
Anupreet Amole, formerly of Brown Rudnick, joins Eversheds’ London office.
EMEA
Joseph Marx and Simon Weiß, formerly at McDermott, have joined Willkie’s Frankfurt office.
BCLP Recruits 3-Strong Paris M&A Team From EY
Ronald Monfort heads the three-person team that has moved from EY to BCLP.
APAC
HFW Loses Partner to Australian Employment Law Firm Kingston Reid
Brendan Milne, employment and industrial relations partner, has left HFW for Kingston Reid’s Melbourne office.
Ashurst Hires 2 Project Partners from Australia’s Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Andrew McCormack has joined Ashurst in Brisbane, while Chris Campbell moves to the firms Perth office.
Fangda Loses IP Litigation and Veteran Partner to King & Wood Mallesons
Gordon Gao, formerly of Fangda, has moved to King & Wood Mallesons in Beijing.
The Americas
Paul Hastings lands high-profile infrastructure partner trio from Shearman & Sterling in New York
Robert Freedman, Alexandro Padres, and Gregory Tan have joined Paul Hastings from Shearman & Sterling. Freedman and Tan are set to co-chair the infrastructure and energy practice.
Freshfields Nabs Another Cravath M&A Partner
Jenny Hochenberg has joined Freshfield’s New York office from Cravath.
Juan Pablo Qin, formerly an administrative assistant at the Center for Asian Studies of Pontificia Universidad Catholica de Chile, has joined Carey, addressing the growing need for legal practitioners who can navigate the cultural nuances of South America’s top trade partner.
Kirkland Raids Proskauer for 6-Lawyer Registered Funds Group
New York-based Nicole Runyan and Brad Green, Washington, D.C.-based William Tuttle, Erin Lett, and David Marcinkus, and Boston partner Lisa Goldstein have joined Kirkland from Proskauer Rose.
Home Again: Smyser Kaplan’s Shaun Clarke Returns to New Orleans, Joins Phelps Dunbar
Shaun Clarke, criminal defense and civil trial lawyer, has returned to New Orleans to join Phelps Dunbar.
Atlanta’s Alston & Bird Continues West Coast Buildout With Environmental Litigator
Jason Levin, who previously spent 22 years at Steptoe & Johnson, has joined Alston & Bird’s Los Angeles office.
Promotions & Appointments:
Travers unveils 11-strong promotions round
Travers Smith has promoted 11 lawyers into the partnership – out of 11, four of those had trained at Travers Smith.
Germany’s Hengeler Mueller names next co-managing partners
German firm Hengeler Mueller has elected Thomas Müller and Bernd Wirbel as co-managing partners, succeeding Georg Frowein and Rainer Krause in the top roles.
Growth and demand lead US pair to up trainee intakes
Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Davis Polk have both increased the number of trainees they will take in starting next year.
Mergers & Alliances:
Law firm mergers and acquisitions
The Lawyer has compiled a table of mergers and acquisitions made by law firms since 2009.
Knights expands with South Coast merger
Knights has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Coffin Mew. The acquisition will add 102 fee earners to Knights, which has expanded rapidly through mergers in the last few years. Prior acquisitions include Spearing Waite, ASB, Shulmans, Mundays, Keebles, Archers Law and most recently Langleys.
Seddons-Lawrence Stephens merger collapses late on
The proposed merger between London firms Seddons and Lawrence Stephens will not take place after talks fell through. The tie-up looked to be a done deal after the pair announced in April they were in advanced discussions to combine in October 2022. The deal would have created a firm of over 180 people with turnover of £25m and in April the leaders behind the talks has stated an ambition to hit £30m and thus making the UK top 100.
Office Openings & Closing:
Kirkland relocates four partners for Miami launch
Kirkland & Ellis is one of two US firms set to open an office in Miami, recruiting lawyers to bulk out its headcount in the fledgling base. Four existing Kirkland partners will relocate to kickstart operations. They are Chicago trio Jeremy Liss, Matthew Arenson, Jeffrey Swatzell, who work in the firm’s corporate and private equity groups. Eduardo Leal is also moving over from New York.
Clifford Chance’s Newcastle office to “ramp up” transatlantic support
Clifford Chance’s UK shared services centre is to boost its support role to offices across the Americas. The North East England base is doubling down on efforts to support lawyers operating across the Atlantic, including those operating within the magic circle firm’s New York, Washington and São Paulo offices.
Quinn Emanuel sets out plans for fifth German office in Berlin
The office, which the firm said will open this summer in the centre of the city, will be led by Germany managing partner and IP litigation specialist Dr Marcus Grosch. An associate will join him for the launch, though the firm intends to build a team of up to 10 lawyers in the capital.
Multidisciplinary dispersed firm launches to target UK high-net-worth clients
A UK-based flexible law firm targeting high-net-worth clients has launched with the goal of bringing solicitors, barristers, chartered legal executives and paralegals under one roof. The new business, Wildcat Law, is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as an alternative business structure and is currently awaiting Financial Conduct Authority approval so it can begin providing financial services advice alongside legal counsel.
Are the Big Law Firms Hiring Remotely in Texas Planning to Open a New Office?
Three Big Law firms without Texas offices have hired lawyers who report that their primary practice location is in Texas, in what is a surge in remote hiring and may be an indicator of an office in the works.
Winston & Strawn Launches Miami Office, Hiring 6 Local Big Law Partners
Miami office managing partner Enrique Martin said Winston plans to build the office into a large full-service location.
Financials:
Shoosmiths hikes NQ salaries by 16 per cent
Shoosmiths has announced that salaries will rise by 16%. The London rate will raise to £87,000 and the regional rate will be upped to £58,000.
Davis Polk, Paul Weiss, Skadden, and Simpson Thacher have all hit an average revenue per partner (RRP) of $10m or higher.
Technology & Innovation:
Widespread War for Talent Wages On in the Growing, Yet Complicated, NFT Space
As the non-fungible token (NFT) market heats up, there has been a feeding frenzy at law firms to service spikes in demand. As a result, in-house teams, government agencies and law firms are all vying for a small pool of talent that can understand this increasingly important space. Corporate legal departments, in particular, are scrambling to find lawyers who are versed in NFT issues, amid an uptick in regulatory scrutiny and recent crypto market crashes.
On the heels of the arrival of several Big Law firms in Northern California, one of the world’s leading antitrust enforcers, the European Union, is planting its flag in the region as the clock runs down on a set of new competition rules aimed at the tech industry. The EU said last month it plans to open a San Francisco office in the fall, though the purview of the office is not entirely clear. The EU said the new outpost will operate under its Washington, D.C., office, which is overseen by the bloc’s foreign affairs branch.
UK legaltech firm Legl raises $18m in Series B round backed by Octopus Ventures
The Series B round, which was backed by Octopus Ventures, adds to the $7m it raised in March last year and comes amid sustained appetite for financing legaltech-focused startups despite a broader retreat from tech investments this year. Legl’s cloud-based platform helps law firms digitise their businesses by automating tasks such as compliance, onboarding and payments. The fresh round of capital will also be used to further develop and expand its product offering.
Australian Companies Face Increased Cyber-Risks, Law Firm MinterEllison Says
Companies are facing an increase in cyber-risk, and the issue is dominating board and management agendas, according to a report by Australian law firm MinterEllison. “A concerted focus on cyber risk and cyber resilience is more pressing than ever for Australian organisations,” MinterEllision wrote in its Perspectives on Cyber Risk 2022, citing an increased reliance on information and communications technology and hacking activities by Russia.
Are You Ready? Lawyers Have Questions About NFTs, the Metaverse and Everything in It
This special report examines a range of issues, from risks to competition, asset management in untested spheres, international rumblings, the metaverse, cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens or NFTs, and the emerging digital world.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Ex-White & Case Partner Claims ‘Toxic Work Environment’ in Employment Dispute
Former White & Case U.K. tax partner Michael Wistow has accused the firm of disability discrimination, claiming the firm had a “toxic work environment”, in part due to the behaviour of senior management.
Law Firm Sidley Austin Invests £500,000 as Part of YMCA Partnership
Alongside contributing financially to this new partnership, volunteers from Sidley will participate in a wide range of activities in and around the hub, including putting on community events, and providing mentorship for young people interested in developing professional skills and experience, according to a firm statement.
CMS brings bees to UK and international offices
CMS has decided to introduce beehives across its UK and international offices as part of the firm’s new sustainability programme. CMS’s new initiative to bring in beehives coincides with World Bee Day. As part of the move, CMS is expecting to establish “bee clubs”, where staff will be able to look after the bees and learn the basics of beekeeping, guided by professional beekeepers.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
UK Legal Sector Grew By 19% in March According to Data
Despite the Russia Sanctions hit, the UK legal industry’s turnover in March increased by 19% from February, as the industry continues to reap the rewards of a busy market.
How Quinn developed its relationship with Ukraine
A recent episode of a podcast hosted by Quinn Emanuel founder John B Quinn called ‘Law, disrupted’ revealed that the litigation powerhouse began building relationships via marketing trips from as early as 2013. Taking the initiative was Alex Gerbi, now co-managing partner of Quinn’s London office and one of the lawyers representing Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice pro bono in interstate proceedings against Russia for its breaches of human rights laws arising out of the invasion and ongoing war.
US firms begin relocations from Moscow offices
Cleary Gottlieb, Akin Gump, Baker Botts, and BCLP are among the firms that have started to relocate their Moscow offices
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Ex-Jones Day partner moves to the Bar
Baiju Vasani, former managing Partner for Ivanyan and Partner has joined Twenty Essex.
Herbert Smith Freehills hires workforce strategy head from PwC for new role
Helen Hopkin is set to become the director of global workforce strategy and implementation at HSF.
Addleshaw Goddard has hired Paul Ferguson as a partner
Paul Ferguson joins Addleshaw Goddards international disputes team from Ontier, where he was Head of litigation.
Weightmans grows national healthcare team with Newcastle appointments
Angela Kirtley and Robert Rushton have joined Weightmans from Ward Hadaway, along with a team of five associates.
Bevan Brittan announces hire of experienced property lawyer in latest boost for Leeds team
Simon Jackson has joined Bevan Brittan from Knights.
Kennedys adds counter fraud partner James Stevens to specialist team
James Stevens has joined Kennedy’s Manchester office from DWF.
BCLP construction duo exit for Mishcon
Marc Hanson and Adriano Amorese have moved to Mischon after almost a decade at BCLP.
Simpson Thacher secures finance hire from Kirkland
James Esterkin has returned to Simpson Thacher after joining Kirkland in 2017.
EMEA
Squire Patton Boggs invests in private equity practice in Paris
Anthony Guillaume, private equity partner, and Benjamin Marche, acquisition leverage finance lawyer, have joined Squire Patton Boggs from DLA Piper and Shearman & Sterling, respectively.
New Milan partner expands global private equity practice
Sara Belotti, corporate partner, joins Squire Patton Boggs’ Milan office from Baker McKenzie.
Feldfisher Spain appoints Rafael Sànchez Sevilla to lead criminal and compliance team
Rafael Sanchez Sevilla has joined Fieldfisher’s Barcelona office from Sánchez Sevilla – Defensa Penal & Compliance.
Dentons keeps growing in corporate M&A with partner Enrico Troianiello
Enrico Troianiello has joined Dentons’ Milan office with an associate from Crutis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle.
Addleshaw Goddard launches Paris IP/IT practice with arrival of team
The team, led by Elisabeth Marrache, have joined from Marrache Avocats.
APAC
HSF reveals corporate investment in Middle East and Asia
Joza Al-Rasheed has joined The Law Office of Mohammaed Altammami (in association with HSF) after a five months in-house at the chemical company Air Products.
Teguh Arwiko has joined Widayawan & Partners’ Jakarta office (in associate with Linklaters) from Hiwara Bunjamin & Tandjung (in association with HSF).
WFW expands Asia Pacific asset finance practice with new partner hire
Watson Farley Williams’ Hong Kong offcie has hired Simon Collins from White & Case.
The Americas
Prominent finance lawyer Andrew Vouziers joins Mayer Brown’s banking and finance practice
Andrew Vouziers, formerly of Sidley Austin, joins Mayer Brown’s Chicago office.
Winston & Strawn adds Corporate partner in Chicago
Sean F. Hilson has joined Winston & Strawn’s Chicago office from Kirkland & Ellis.
Norton Rose Fulbright expands oil and gas and LNG team with return of two energy lawyers
Craige Vogelsang has returned to NRF’s Houston office to lead the oil & gas practice from Baker Botts. He joins along with senior counsel Alex Niebruegge, who joins from Winston & Strawn.
Willkie Adds Private Equity Partner Caleb Vesey in Los Angeles
Caleb Vesey has joined Willkie’s Los Angeles office from Kirkland & Ellis.
Greenberg Traurig adds fund formation specialist to growing private funds team
Curtis Stefanak, formerly of Holland & Knight, has joined Greenberg’s New York office.
McDermott bolsters real estate transactions firepower in New York and Chicago
Marshall Brozost, Alykhan Shivji, and Billy Hillbold hace all joined MWE’s New York office, while Justin Bender has joined the Chicago office.
Latham & Watkins adds experienced emerging companies partner in New York
Eli Curi, previously at Fenwick & West, has joined Latham’s New York office.
Kirkland & Ellis strengthens M&A practice
Allison Wein has joined Kirkland’s New York office from Cravath Swaine & Moore.
Reed Smith expands its environmental offering in New York
Peter Trimarchi, formerly a partner at Nixon Peabody, has joined Reed Smith’s New York office.
Weil adds partner Mark A. Perry as co-head of appellate practice
Mark Perry has joined Weil’s Washington, D.C. office as co-head of the appellate practice from Gibson Dunn.
Gibson Dunn adds private equity partner
Jesse Myers has joined Gibson Dunn’s Houston office from Willkie.
Baker McKenzie adds leading tax M&A practitioner
Lane Morgan, formerly of Kirkland & Ellis, has joined Baker McKenzie’s Dallas office.
Gowling WLG welcomes new partner Erik Goldsilver to its international mining group
Erik Goldsilver has joined Gowling’s Toronto office from Borden Ladner Gervais.
In-House
Wizz Financial hires White & Case partner as next general counsel in Dubai
Adrianus Schoorl has joined the fintech Wizz Financial from White & Case.
Promotions & Appointments:
Dentons overhauls leadership team as MD steps down
Helen Simpson has been named as Dentons’ new practice partner, set to take over from Lisa Sewell who will be leaving in July.
HSF Appoints First North Asia Corporate Head Amid Rising Demand
Partner Andrew Blacoe will lead the firm’s corporate practice in Tokyo and Seoul, according to a firm statement.
Pinsent Masons Bets On Asia-Pacific Growth, New Regional Leader Says
James Morgan-Payler, the firm’s new APAC head, expects five or six years of dramatic growth in the region.
U.K. partners share tips and advice for newly promoted lawyers
For those fresh into partnership, several seasoned partners at top law firms including Linklaters, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Hogan Lovells share their advice, including: don’t behave like you’re in the Hunger Games, buy senior partners lots of coffees and think like a business owner…
Mergers & Alliances:
LexisNexis acquires Parley Pro to bolster its CounselLink enterprise legal management platform
LexisNexis has acquired Silicon Valley-based contract lifecycle management software provider Parley Pro to expand its CounselLink enterprise legal management platform business. The Parley Pro deal will enable CounselLink users to manage their contracts in real-time, from drafting and negotiating through to signing, all within one platform, according to LexisNexis.
International Law Firms Look to New Avenues of Growth in Japan
International law firms in Japan might have taken a big hit over the past two years when their Japanese clients, cowed by COVID, put outbound M&A deals on hold and plunged Japan’s outbound M&A activity to its lowest level in 20 years. Instead, many of those firms shifted gears along with their clients. And even as COVID fears subside, this change has given them new avenues for growth.
Regional UK Firms Eye External Investment, Research Shows
According to new research by litigation and arbitration funder Harbour, 87% of non-London partners said they were considering private equity funding to enable their growth and 88% of non-London partners were “actively considering a credit facility from a litigation funder”.
Office Openings & Closing:
HFW signs deal to move to new London skyscraper
HFW is set to move to a new building in its hometown of London next year, taking advantage of flexible working and more efficient use of space to reduce its footprint by 25% in the process.
Financials:
Law firm DLA Piper partners consider financial integration implications
Partner concerns around merging profit pools include possible de-equitisation of partners in the non-U.S. arm.
Evisort raises $100m in latest funding round led by venture capital firm TCV
US legaltech startup Evisort has secured $100m in its Series C funding round led by venture capital firm TCV. The fresh injection of capital – which includes both equity and debt financing – will help the San Mateo-based company to further invest in its no-code AI-powered contract intelligence platform and accelerate its global growth plans. The latest funding round also attracted investments from Breyer Capital and existing backers including General Electric, Microsoft’s venture capital fund M12, Amity Ventures and Vertex Ventures. TCV general partner Amol Helekar will join Evisort’s board of directors.
Law Firm Hogan Lovells Alters Bonus Structure After Partners Raised Concerns
The firm has increased the total possible salary bonus pay out for senior associates at the firm from 40% to 50%. The amount is still calculated by two measures, billable hours and a discretionary element based on business development activities including playing a role on pitches, pro bono work or winning new clients.
Technology & Innovation:
We find your lack of spreadsheet game disturbing
In the years immediately preceding the pandemic, investment in legal tech fell down the priority list. Research by The Lawyer and HSBC found that tech spend plateaued in the years between 2017 and 2019, with investment averaging around 4 to 6 per cent of revenue. The numbers revealed a legal market slow to embrace technological change en masse. But Covid-19 reversed that trend. Where once legal tech investment was seen as an annoying but vital budgetary spend, now it is a lucrative investment domain of its own. The choice for many firms as they emerged from the pandemic with healthy balance sheets was whether to invest in their own legal tech systems or buy from an ever-growing number of vendors.
Tech-savvy legal professionals transform working habits
Law firms often deal with a range of matters for their business clients beyond legal-specific issues. That has inspired several of the legal professionals featured here to develop new, complementary services in addition to their firms’ core activities.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Linklaters becomes latest UK firm to implement menopause policy
UK law firm Linklaters has introduced a global menopause policy and support package for employees who are directly or indirectly impacted by the menopause. The measures include: expanding the firm’s menopause support group globally to encourage people to talk openly about it; introducing an e-learning module for people across the firm with management or supervisory responsibilities; and creating a resources hub to support those experiencing the menopause, as well as those supporting a partner or family member.
Queen’s Speech: Law Society says UK Bill of Rights will “weaken rights for everyone”
The Law Society has criticised the UK Government’s plans for a British Bill of Rights, saying it will undermine the rule of law. The scrapping of the Human Rights Act in favour of a Bill of Rights has been a Conservative manifesto pledge since 2015, but was not followed through on; however, the ambition was included in today’s Queen’s Speech.
Women made up 49% of Fortune 500 general counsel appointments in 2021
The gender balance of general counsel appointments at US Fortune 500 companies reached near parity for the first time last year when 49% of the 59 new GCs unveiled were women. That near 50/50 balance compared to 42% of the 2020 appointments being female, up from just 28% in 2019, according to the Annual Fortune 500 General Counsel Report by leadership advisory and search firm Russell Reynolds.
Law Firm Slaughter and May Pledges New Emissions Target
Slaughter and May has unveiled a long-term emissions target as firms across the industry set improved targets as part of their environmental strategies. In a statement on Thursday, the firm said it is now aiming for a long-term target of a 90% absolute reduction of emissions by 2040 — a new threshold for the legal sector, a firm spokesperson added.
‘My path to law was not a linear one’: Louis Vuitton’s senior counsel on landing her dream job
Tiffani McDonough on how she arrived at Louis Vuitton, being mentored by Barbara Kolsun and creating the next generation of fashion lawyers.
BASF Legal Chief on Driving Diversity at Law Firms: Carrots Are More Effective Than Sticks
“The whole idea of firing the firms or hitting them with a punitive measure like that undermines what we’re trying to achieve together, honestly,” Matt Lepore said.
How Lawyers Can Prevent Burnout
Burnout prevention is not just about alleviating a negative; it is about building a sustainable high performing future. That is a future that maximises work performance and personal well-being. For many successful career-driven professionals, this may seem impossible or unattainable. The extent of mental health and burnout concerns are attributed to the long hours, tight client deadlines, and the intense drive towards billable hours. It is no wonder that many of my clients tell me they feel physically and mentally drained. By using a simple yet powerful mindset shift and adopting some easy to adopt habits, those in law can have it all – optimal performance and personal well-being.
Lawyers Won’t Accept Pay Cut for 100% Remote Working
A majority of U.K. lawyers said they would not take a pay cut in exchange for full time remote working, according to a survey by Law.com International, despite nearly 50% of the same poll believing that a pay cut for remote staff is a valid policy. In a poll of over 50 lawyers, when asked if they would opt for a pay cut alongside full time home working if their firm offered it, 72% of respondents said no. 15% said they would take the pay cut while 13% were undecided.
Pandemic Anxiety Wanes, but Legal Industry’s Mental Health Struggles Persist
The data from a Law.com and ALM Intelligence global survey shows that the legal industry may be coming to grips with the realities of the pandemic, and even benefiting from things like remote work. But historical triggers associated with law firm structures are still having negative effects.
Germany’s BASF Launches Global Expansion of Outside Counsel Diversity Program
BASF legal chief Matt Lepore has achieved one of his top priorities during his first year leading the German chemical giant’s legal department—the company has taken its data-driven diversity, equity and inclusion program for outside counsel in the U.S. and Canada and expanded it globally.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Fides Ukraine Initiative – Update
We wanted to take a moment to highlight our latest update to our Ukrainian Initiative.
We currently have over 100 CVs from Ukrainian lawyers, and out of those, 10 have received offers, and two have already started with their new firms. We are actively seeking firms and in-house legal teams who have any openings for these lawyers. We are more than happy to have an introductory call with you and your company, explaining the initiative and answering any questions that you might have. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at ukraine@fidessearch.com
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Norton Rose Fulbright adds EY partner duo to lead EMEA legal transformation arm
Alex Fortescue-Web and Daniel Marks have joined the firms legal managed services offering in the London offices after two years at EY.
Orrick raids RPC for ‘rising star’ London tech partner
Peter Sugden has joined Orrick from RPC.
DLA piper hires tax partner in Ireland
Declan Lavelle, formerly of William Fry, will join DLA Piper in July.
Katten UK adds new partner to insolvency and restructuring practice
Sonya Van de Graadd has joined Katten from Morrison & Foerster.
Greenberg Traurig continues to grow London white collar crime practice with top lawyer
Rebecca Meads is set to join Greenberg Traurig as Chair of the London White Collar Crime & Investigations team, along with two senior associates.
Eversheds Takes Ashurst’s UK Intellectual Property Head
David Wilkinson, formerly Ashurst’s intellectual property head, has joined Eversheds Sutherland.
Three More London Partner Hires For Addleshaw Goddard
Claire Edwards, formerly of Pinsent’s, joins Addleshaw Goddard’s commercial team along with two other partners.
Rainmaker Roger Barron Joins Transatlantic Firm As Senior Adviser
Roger Barron has joined Eversheds Sutherland from Paul Hastins, where he was global M&A Co-Chair.
EMEA
Norton Rose Fulbright builds in Germany with five-strong real estate team from Simmons & Simmons
Dr Oliver Beyer join NRF in Munich with three associates as counsel Dr Barbara Heinrich moves over in Frankfurt from Simmons & Simmons.
DWF hires senior banking expert in Paris
Richard Jadot has joined DWF from Ravet & Associes.
Christian Ahlborn joins Covington’s global antitrust practice
Christian Ahlborn, formerly of Linklaters, is joining Covington’s Brussels office.
Elmer Veenman joins CMS as a partner
Elmer Veenman, formerly of Eversheds Sutherland, is joining CMS’ Amsterdam office.
Ashurst boosts EMEA disputes offering with hire of new partner in Munich
Martin Eimer has joined Ashurst from Pinsent Masons.
Daniel Zapf joins White & Case as a partner in Germany
Daniel Zapf, a white collar partner, has joined White & Case’s Frankfurt office from DLA Piper.
Norton Rose Fulbright hires partner from Cliffe Dekker to lead Cape Town banking and finance team
Izaak Lessing has joined NRF from local firm Clidde Dekker Hofmeyr.
APAC
Crystal Chen has joined DLA Piper from Linklaters.
Bronwyn Lincoln has joined HWF from Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
The Americas
Daniel Feldman is returning to Covington’s Washington office after serving as Chief of Staff and Counselor to John Kerry for the past year.
Formerly from Squire Patton Boggs, Elliot Golding and Robin Campbell join MWE’s Washington office, while Rosa Barcelo will join the Brussels office.
Winston & Strawn adds corporate partner Thomas R. Millar in Washington, D.C.
Thomas R. Millar has joined Winston & Strawn from Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
Proskauer welcomes private credit partner in Chicago
Evan Palenschat, formerly of King & Spalding, has joined Proskauer.
Brian R. Michael has joined Morrison & Foerster’s securities litigation, enforcement and white collar defence group from King & Spalding.
King & Spalding adds finance partner Mary Liz Brady in Chicago
Mary Liz Brady, formerly of Kirkland & Ellis, joins King & Spalding.
Weil adds SEC enforcement and securities litigation partner Robert Stern in Washington, D.C.
Robert Stern has joined Weil from Orrick.
Mayer Brown further expands private funds group with addition of Kristin Rice-Gonzalez
Kristin Rice-Gonzalez has joined Mayer Brown’s Chicago office from Baker & McKenzie.
In-House
Tech provider Luminance hires first legal head
Luminance has hired Harry Borovick from LiveRamp, where he was a senior legal counsel.
Linklaters Tokyo Veteran Leaves For General Counsel Role
Matthew Bland has joined Jardine Matheson’s Hong Kong office as a general counsel.
Promotions & Appointments:
Charles Russell Speechlys unveils partner promotions
Six lawyers have been made up to partner, including three in London.
Kennedys makes up record tally of 22 partners including six in Australia
Out of the 22 promoted lawyers, 59% of them are women, a notable rise from last years group at 40%.
Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance refreshes global antitrust leadership team
Marc Brenson has been named global co-chair while Richard Blewett is leading the Brussels competition practice.
Slaughter and May names first responsible business director
Uzma Hamid-Dizier, who is based in London, stepped up to the role on 1 May from her position as head of the responsible business and inclusion team at the Magic Circle UK firm, which said her promotion reflected its commitment to putting responsible business and sustainability ‘at the heart of what it does’.
RPC makes up 10 to partnership in latest promotion round
RPC has promoted 10 lawyers to its global partnership, and 50% of their promotions are women, but from 30% last year.
HSF Appoints Next Johannesburg Head
Jean Meijer, competition partner, is succeeding Ed Baring as managing partner of the Johannesburg office.
Mergers & Alliances:
A Sweet Spot for Mergers, And A Law Firm That Got There Ahead of the Curve
Midsize law firms are looking to scale up to make themselves “a more credible choice for the board.”
Office Openings & Closing:
Brabners ventures over Pennines for Leeds launch
The firm has announced it will launch in Yorkshire in the summer as part of a “step-change” in the firm’s ambitions. The first partner through the door will be Marcus Armstrong, a corporate partner from Knights. This will be followed by further hires as Brabners aims to build a full-service offering in Leeds.
Fox Rothschild opens in Boston with IP team from Mintz Levin
Led by partner Pete Corless, the Mintz Levin team also includes counsel Nicholas Zachariades, associate Joohee Lee as well as patent agent Michael Mattoni. The Boston office is the Philadelphia-headquartered firm’s 29th nationwide, while the hires bring Fox Rothschild’s total lawyer headcount above 950.
O’Melveny continues march into Texas, opening Houston Office and adding three top dealmakers
Angela Olivarez, Steven V. Torello, and Ryan Cicero have moved from Willkie’s Houston office to open up O’Melveny’s third office in Texas.
Financials:
Fladgate kicks off UK financial reporting season with 30% revenue growth
Fladgate has announced that revenue has grown to £66.5m, while PEP is expected to exceed £875,000.
‘Once in a generation’ investment sees KPMG pledge to double size of UK legal arm
KPMG is set to double the size of its UK legal arm over the next three years as part of a ‘once in a generation’ investment in its wider business. The Big Four firm will look to take on a further 220 lawyers – including 45 partners and directors – by the end of 2024, which will see the total number of practising lawyers increase to more than 400.
Law Firms DLA Piper and Fieldfisher Lead AIM Client Rankings
DLA Piper and Fieldfisher are now neck and neck in rankings of law firms with the most clients listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market, while DWF leads the rankings for the largest clients on London’s Alternative Investment Market, Q2 data shows.
Technology & Innovation:
Allen & Overy unveils tech incubator’s ‘largest cohort ever’ as it kicks off sixth edition
Allen & Overy (A&O) has unveiled the latest batch of startups taking part in its Fuse innovation hub, the largest since the hub’s launch in 2017. This year’s cohort is made up of 16 companies from the legaltech, fintech and regtech sectors, all of which are based in the US and Europe.
Digital Law Firm Founder Stays on Top of Fast-Changing Tech
Natasha Blycha who founded digital law firm Stirling & Rose last year, says the structure of traditional law firms make it difficult to run a cutting-edge digital practice in which technological developments and regulations are constantly changing.
The Legal Innovation Awards 2022: Who Won What and Why
The 2022 Legal Innovation Awards took place in-person on Friday, to celebrate the best and brightest legal innovators driving pioneering change in the legal market. Among the big winners were DAC Beachcroft, Mayer Brown and DLA Piper. Here is a breakdown of who won in each category and why the judges chose them.
Diversity & Inclusion:
O-Shaped Lawyer scores first partnership with law firm
O-Shaped, the initiative founded by former Network Rail GC Dan Kayne, has partnered with its first law firm as it attempts to change the legal sector. Browne Jacobson says it will embed O Shaped’s purpose and vision into its own culture, including the Five Os Mindset and the 12 ‘O Shaped Attributes’. The firm will also support O Shaped events, including knowledge and best practice sharing, workshops and toolkit development for clients and participating in product pilots with the O Shaped network.
Want to Thin Your Law Firm’s Head Count? Require 3 or More Days in the Office
Lawyers overwhelmingly want more flexibility, and they’re willing to jump ship to get it, a recent survey of 350 Big Law attorneys found.
Asma Iqbal, a Hot 100 Lawyer and partner at Huddersfield-based law firm Chadwick Lawrence, has won the Outstanding Business Leader Award at the Yorkshire Hero Awards, part of the FB Fashion Ball.
How Small, Midsize Firms Can Expand Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
In Miami, very good Black lawyers are turning down offers from Miami firms and leaving the state because they do not feel they have opportunities to reach their full potential here.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
The Great Russian Spin-Off: What Big Law Firms Really Meant By ‘Exiting’ The Country
Nearly two months since Big Law firms made statements about pulling out of Russia, there are murmurings in the Russian market that the exits aren’t what many had expected. “That’s if they’re leaving at all,” said one skeptical Moscow-based lawyer. “They keep working with the same teams, on the same client matters, and sitting in the same offices.”
BCLP Splits Off Russia Base, Will Not Maintain Relationship With New Firm
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is spinning off its Russia base into a separate, independent law firm and has emphasised it will not maintain a relationship with the new outfit.
Meet the Moscow Lawyers Hitting Back at the West
Meet Grigory Chernyshov and Konstantin Lukoyanov of CLPLaw—two lawyers who previously worked at major international firms—who are now mounting legal challenges against some of the world’s largest companies in class actions on behalf of Russian consumers.
Eversheds ‘Completes’ Russia Exit But Maintains Association Office
Eversheds Sutherland has announced that it has completed the transition of its Russian operations, but maintains links to the region via an association with a newly-created firm peopled by former Eversheds staff.
Eversheds Hits Back At ‘Misunderstanding’ Over Its Russia Plans
Eversheds Sutherland has hit back at what it has called “an apparent misunderstanding” around its plans for its Russia operations, as law firms continue to finalise their exits from the country. The firm issued a statement on Wednesday to state again that it has ceased its Russia operations, after previously announcing all of its people would transfer to a newly-launched separate offering called Birch Legal.
Was There Another Reason Law Firms Left Russia?
When all the large international law firms that had a presence in Russia said they were leaving the country it seemed that Big Law was taking an ethical stance against its invasion of Ukraine. But some partners believe there was something else helping to drive their decisions—the difficulty in acquiring indemnity insurance.
Law firms will start judging their own clients
Another question arises: will other less controversial clients begin to baulk at their chosen law firm having, for example, polluters on the books? Maybe the lure of simply wanting the best lawyers will override their scruples – but remember, clients have already kicked up a fuss over diversity and managed to drive change within law firms as a result.
Big Law’s Regulators Aren’t Cutting It
Late last year the Pandora Papers shone a light on Baker McKenzie’s role in helping clients navigate the shadowy world of offshore tax dealings. In March, the war in Ukraine prompted extensive scrutiny of law firms that have advised Russian state-backed entities and also emboldened U.K. politicians to begin naming lawyers who have for years been aggressively helping to keep their oligarch clients’ names out of the press.
Moves:
Ropes & Gray lands three-strong Fried Frank team
Dan Oates, Simon Saitowitz, and Angela Becker, all private equity partners, have joined Ropes & Grey from Fried Frank.
Freshfields swoops on Dickson Minto for rare corporate hire
Rebecca Ward, private equity partner, has joined Freshfields from Dickson Minto.
DLA Piper taps Bates Wells partner to lead UK contentious public law team in London
Emma Dowden-Teale has joined DLA Piper from Bates Wells.
Ex-White & Case London Partner Joins Financial Services Group ING
Julia Smithers Excell has joined ING from White & Case.
Reed Smith Hires From Novartis For Latest London Partner Addition
Milan Thakker has joined Reed Smith from Novartis, pharmaceuticals giant.
WBD bolsters restructuring and insolvency offering with new partner
Kelly Jordan has joined WBD’s Newcastle office from Muckle LLP.
BCLP Real Estate Litigation Partner Jumps To Eversheds Sutherland
Rashpal Soomal has joined Eversheds Sutherland after over 26 years at BCLP.
Dentons Hires Eversheds Sutherland’s ‘Lead Relationship Partner to Top Clients’
James Batham has joined Dentons to sit on its executive committee and work as a clients and markets partner.
Trowers’ corporate team continues national growth strategy
Paul Ellaby and Victoria Robertson have joined Trowers & Hamlins’ Manchester office from DAC Beachcroft.
Schulte Roth Adds London Partner From US Rival
Stuart Axford has joined Schulte Roth’s derivatives group from Arnold & Porter.
Clifford Chance boosts employment law practice with lateral partner hire
Sebastian Ritz has rejoined Clifford Chance’s Dusseldorf office after being at Ebner Stolz for 8 years.
Willkie expands Brussels office with addition of corporate disputes attorney
Vincent Naveaux, who has previously practiced at White & Case and Allen & Overy, has joined Willkie’s Brussels office.
Skadden’s rainmaker China practice head joins ByteDance as CFO
Julie Gao, former head of Skadden Arps, has joined as CFO at ByteDance, the owner of TikTok.
Hogan Lovells adds IP litigator, former software engineer in Washington, D.C.
Damon Lewis has joined Hogan Lovell’s D.C. office from DLA Piper.
Latham grows mergers and acquisitions practice with energy and infrastructure partner
Ethan Schultz has joined Latham’s Washington, D.C. office after 16 years at Skadden Arps.
Kirkland adds three former senior SEC officials to global investment funds regulatory practice
Diane Blizzard, Melissa Gainor and Dan Kahl have joined Kirkland’s Washington, D.C. office as partners.
Elizabeth Boison has joined Hogan Lovells from the U.S. Department of Justice.
DLA Piper adds restructuring partner Oksana Lashko in New York
Oksana Lashko has joined DLA Piper’s New York office.
Freshfields adds former chief of SDNY’s complex frauds and cybercrime unit
Timothy T. Howard has joined Freshdields after 12 years with the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Technology transactions and intellectual property partner joins Vinson & Elkins
Michael Kurzer has joined Vinson & Elkins’ New York office from Paul Weiss.
Katten adds James Saling to health care transactions group in New York
James Saling, formerly of Troutman Peper, has joined Katten’s New York office along with one of his associates.
Health care veteran Craig Bleifer joins Akin Gump as partner in New York
Craig Bleifer, who served as general counsel for Novo Nordisk for 20 years, has joined Akin Gump in New York.
Reed Smith deepens bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and litigation bench with addition of two partners
Louis Curcio and David Pisciotta have joined Reed Smith’s New York office from Troutman Pepper.
Willkie adds asset management partner Gabriel Acri in New York
Gabriel Acri has joined Willkie’s New York office from hedge fund advisor Sovarnum Capial, where he was the chief compliance officer.
Kimberlie Pearlman joins DLA Piper’s real estate practice in Chicago
Kimberlie Pearlman, formerly of Polsinelli, has joined DLA Piper’s Chicago office.
O’Melveny adds capital markets partner in Austin
Michelle Earley, capital markets partner, has joined O’Melveny’s Austin office from Locke Lord.
Sidley accelerates expansion in emerging companies practice
Cynthia Bai and Nic Frey have joined Sidley’s Palo Alto office from Cooley and Baker Botts, respectively.
Twilio Recruits First-Ever Chief Privacy Officer From Hewlett Packard
Amy Holcroft, formerly of Hewlett Packard, has joined Twilio Inc.
Credit Suisse Replaces Legal Head Amid Continuing Issues At Bank
Markus Diethelm will join Credit Suisse as general counsel in July, replacing Romeo Cerutti.
Ashurst Adds KWM Lawyer to Australian Governance Advisory Practice
Miriam Kleiner, formerly of King & Wood Mallesons, has joined Ashurst’s Sydney office.
Squire Patton Boggs welcomes new employment partner
Kim Hodge has joined Squire Patton Boggs’ Perth office from McCabe Curwood.
Norton Rose Fulbright expands corporate team in Mexico City
Andrew Neito, formerly of Creel Abogados, has joined Norton Rose Fulrbight.
Promotions and Appointments:
HSF reveals bumper promotions round of 34
HSF has promoted 34 lawyers to partners, with 12 of them in London.
Stephenson Harwood unveils 2022 partner promos
Stephenson Harwood has promoted ten lawyers for 2022, with eight of them based in London.
Thirteen City lawyers make the grade in A&O promotions
Allen & Overy have promoted 39 lawyers, 13 of them being in London.
Ashurst promotions: Ten City lawyers make the grade
Ashurst has promoted 25 lawyers, its largest ever round, with all but three being in the London or Australian offices.
Clifford Chance adds 17 partners to London HQ in record promo round
Clifford Chance has made their largest ever round of promotions with 37 lawyers being promoted internationally.
DLA Piper Promotes 74 to Partner
DLA Piper has promoted 74 of its lawyers to partner in its 2022 cohort, with appointments spanning 38 of the firm’s offices across 21 countries.
Lucky 13: Simmons Unveils Partner Promotions
This year’s round comprises 13 lawyers from seven countries across the UK, Europe and Asia, and consists of the same number of promotions that were announced in 2021.
A&O Shakes Up Global Litigation Leadership
David Esseks has been appointed as global co-head of litigation alongside incumbent Karen Seward
BLM holds off partner promos until Clydes merger
A BLM spokesperson told The Lawyer that it decided several months ago to delay its partner and associate promotions until the merger with Clyde & Co goes live at the start of July. They said: “Any discussion or decision making with regards to this process will take place after this date.”
New CEO for Penningtons Manches Cooper as leader of 14 years steps down
Penningtons Manches Cooper’s CEO David Raine is to step down in October after nearly 15 years at the helm. He will be succeeded in October by Helen Drayton, the head of the firm’s business services division and a current member of its managing board.
Mergers & Alliances:
Kennedys Inks Associations in Bolivia, Ecuador
In Bolivia, Kennedys has linked with López del Solar, a decades-old firm that services insurance companies, while in Ecuador it has associated with Tobar ZVS, a firm with a highly regarded insurance unit.
The Key Considerations for a Successful Law Firm Merger
Whilst the pace of law firm mergers is yet to match pre-pandemic levels, 2022 has seen an uptick in merger activity in the U.K. market with the Clyde & Co and BLM merger (combined revenue approximately £700m) being the largest to be announced to date.
Office Openings & Closings:
Greenberg Traurig signs up Hogan Lovells trio to launch in Singapore
A trio of energy and infrastructure lawyers, led by Joseph Kim, have joined Greenberg Traurig ahead of plans to open their third office in the region.
Womble Bond Dickinson plants flag in New York with five-lawyer team from local IP boutique
A five-lawyer team, led by Julianne Abelman and Marie Anne Mastrovito, have joined from Abelman Frayne & Schwab to open a New York office, their 20th in the US and 27th worldwide.
Littler adds six-strong team from Cuatrecasas to open in Valencia
Littler Mendelson’s Spanish affiliate, Abdon Pedrajas Littler, has hired a six-layer team from Cuatrecasas to open in Valencia.
Greenberg Traurig nabs six-strong real estate finance team from Winston & Strawn
A six-strong team from Winston & Strawn have joined Greenberg Traurig to open a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Norton Rose Fulbright announced that the global law firm is expanding to Chicago as its 12th US location and 53rd office worldwide. Norton Rose Fulbright will be the first major law firm to base itself in Chicago’s vibrant Fulton Market District. The new office will be a modern and progressive workspace with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
Financials:
Weil’s London revenue soars by 43 per cent
Weils global revenue has increased 12% to $1.86bn, while their London revenue has increased 43% overall.
Keystone Law dishes out “special dividend” after bumper financials
Keystone Law’s revenue increased 26.5 per cent from £55m to £69.9m during the past financial year.
Stephenson Harwood Cuts Pay For Remote Workers
Stephenson Harwood is cutting pay for its people choosing to work remotely full time, as the firm rolls out its hybrid working policy. During the pandemic the firm hired lawyers who were not based in London for resourcing reasons, according to a person at the firm. Those hires working remotely full-time were paid reduced packages, the person added. That remote working deal has now been extended to all existing employees at the firm as part of its hybrid working policy, which comes at a 20% cost to their take home pay.
What Is The Am Law 100 Doing With All That Profit?
When Fenwick & West chair Richard Dickson looks back at his firm’s outstanding growth in profitability over the last several years, he finds the story isn’t necessarily about certain practices delivering outsized results. Corporate work and litigation have both been on an upward trajectory, but it’s easy for any law firm leader to say he’s focused on growing these twin engines.
Technology & Innovation:
Why Lawyers Aren’t Hooked on Legal Technology … Yet
Building technology for lawyers is hard. Building tech that lawyers will use instinctively is even harder. So far, law’s technical evolution has involved cracking the former, but looking ahead, how can we ensure that using legal technology becomes a habit?
Diversity & Inclusion:
UK partner promotions gender diversity tracker
Leading UK law firms have been scrambling to improve their diversity records through the publication of targets, the launch of new initiatives and also by appointing more women to top positions. The growing influence of the ESG movement and particularly its impact on clients – who are increasingly demanding more progress from their advisers – and recruitment seems to have jolted the profession out of its complacency. The fact that UK law firms are required by law to publish gender pay gap data has also been a major catalyst.
Infertility, pregnancy loss and lawyering: all in a day’s work?
“I often thought about quitting law altogether. Was the stress of lawyering causing my infertility? I struggled, juggling appointments (medical, acupuncture, counselling, coaching) with deadlines, and ‘visibility’ in the office. Tired, of disguising my injections in lunch boxes and administering them in the loo. Fed up, with hiding tears from colleagues when I got bad news (often).”
Diversity Awards 2022 – who’s on the shortlist?
Businesses have “long way to go to truly embed real change” when it comes to diversity, equality and inclusion, a report has claimed, but as FTAdviser’s Diversity in Finance Awards 2022 shortlist proves, great strides have been made by some.
Half of UK corporate lawyers expect to leave their job within two years, report finds
Almost half of corporate lawyers in the UK are actively looking for a new position as attitudes towards traditional work models in the legal profession continue to shift, according to research by legal services provider Axiom Law.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Kyiv-based lawyer features in record 60-strong CMS partner promotions round
A lawyer based out of CMS’s Kyiv office is among a record tally of 60 partners being promoted across the firm’s global network, up from 52 last year. Olga Shenk, a counsel who serves as Ukraine dispute resolution coordinator, is one of 39 lawyers being promoted across mainland Europe in a partnership round noticeably skewed towards the continent at the expense of the UK, where there are 15 promotions, down from 23 last year.
A U.S. congressman has written an open letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to deny U.S. visas to a number of U.K. lawyers caught up in criticism about Russia-related work. Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, argued that a travel ban is required for “foreign enablers of Russian oligarchs.”
‘Everyone’s Exhausted’: A London Barrister’s Struggle to Get Ukrainian Refugees Into the UK
Only 1,200 Ukrainians have arrived in the U.K. under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme according to the most recently available official data.
Don’t Criticise Lawyers For Representing Sanctioned Persons
“Recent criticism of solicitors and barristers acting for a sanctioned person is wholly misconceived. It comes from a place of ignorance and betrays a dangerous lack of understanding as to the way in which a civilised society operates when governed by the rule of law.”
Ex-Big Law Partners Launch Russian Class Actions Against Apple and Netflix
The two companies were part of a plethora of Silicon Valley giants to distance themselves from Russia in March in response to Putin’s offensive against Ukraine. Apple halted its payment service while Netflix said it would not add Russian state channels to its service and would cease all future projects in the country, according to people close to the matter. In launching the two separate actions, Moscow-based law firm Chernyshov Lukoyanov & Partners (CLP), led by former partners of White & Case and Linklaters, has argued that, by withholding services from Russian customers, both companies have breached local laws.
Clifford Chance Lines Up $1M Donation For Ukraine Aid
Clifford Chance has said it will donate $1 million to humanitarian relief efforts in response to the Ukraine war over the next 12 months. In an update to the firm’s alumni, the firm also announced a global match funding programme which will provide funding directly to seven NGOs, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Moves:
New GCs at Trust Payments and Zilch
Rickin Patel has joined Trust Payments from Starling Bank, meanwhile at Natalie Salunke has joined Zilch from RVU.
Network Rail GC stands down to focus on O-Shaped Lawyer
Dan Kayne has stepped down as Network Rail GC to pursue The O-Shaped Lawyer initiative he originally set up three and a half years ago. The purpose of The O-Shaped Lawyer is to drive positive and meaningful change with people and relationships at the heart of the legal profession. In his new role, he will be partnering with law schools, law firms and in-house teams, to bring behaviours, mindset and skillsets of The O-Shaped Lawyer to life in their organisations.
Former Skadden partner set for return to the Bar
Patrick Heneghan, who left Skadden in 2015 to assist Sir William Blackburne in his appellate role in relation to complaints concerning the Global Restructuring Group at RBS. He is set to join 3 Paper Buildings as a junior tenant.
Coca Cola adds senior Facebook lawyer as international GC
Willie Hernandez has joined the Coca-Cola Company from Meta.
Expert partner joins to head up law firm’s national charity team
Catherine Rustomji has joined Shakespeare Martineau after five years at Browne Jacobson.
Hogan Lovells Veteran Partner Heads to DACB
Joe Bannister has joined DAC Beachcroft after 36 years at Hogan Lovells.
Simmons & Simmons lands London real estate partner duo from Stephenson Harwood
Jonathan Wilkes, former Real Estate Head, and Ashley Davidson have joined Simmons & Simmons from Stephenson Harwood.
Gatwick adds new legal eagle from Capita
Rachel Ford, formerly of Capita, has joined Gatwick, succeeding GC Robert Herga ahead of his retirement this year.
Bank of America Assistant General Counsel Joins Dechert in London
Richard Pugh has joined Dechert after over ten years with Bank of America.
London Banking Partner Joins Latham After Five-Year Career Break
Tania Bedi has joined Latham & Watkins after a five-year career break. She was previously at Ropes & Gray.
Hill Dickinson grows healthcare property team with hire of partner Emma Brecknock
Emma Brecknock joins Hill Dickinson from Capsticks.
DAC Beachcroft bolsters its market-leading health sector team through another partner appointment
Oliver Crich joins DAC Beachcroft’s Manchester office from Hempsons.
Shakespeare Martineau appoints a Birmingham specialist corporate finance partner
Michael Stace has joined Shakespeare Martineau’s Birmingham office from Browne Jacobson.
BCLP boosts real estate disputes team with new partner
Victoria Blanchard, formerly a consultant at Lawyers of Demand, has joined BCLP as a partner.
TLT expands employment services expertise with appointment of business immigration specialist
Joanne Hennessy has joined TLT’s Glasgow office from Pinsent Masons
Norton Rose Fulbright bolsters Brussels antitrust team with senior hire from Covington
Miranda Cole, formerly of Covington & Burling, has joined Norton Rose Fulbright.
Greenberg Traurig Amsterdam continues strategic expansion
Jack Schrijver has joined Greenberg Traurig’s Amsterdam office from Dentons.
Brown Rudnick adds Cadwalader’s head of crisis management in Washington DC
Mark Grider, formerly of Cadwalader, has joined Brown Rudnick.
Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming joins DLA Piper’s environmental regulatory practice in Washington, DC
Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming has joined DLA Piper from Van Ness Feldman
Latham & Watkins taps White & Case for US energy and infrastructure partner duo
Christopher Peponis and Hamad Al-Hoshan, formerly of White & Case, have joined Latham and Watkins’ Houston and New York offices, respectively.
Daniel Forman joins Ropes & Gray in New York as a partner
Daniel Forman, capital markets partner, has joined Ropes & Gray from Proskauer Rose.
Goodwin adds financial restructuring partner Alexander Nicas in New York
Alexander Nicas has joined Goodwin from Kirkland & Ellis.
Corporate partner Jason Koenig joins Akin Gump in New York
Jason Koenig, previously at McDermott Will & Emery, has joined Akin Gump.
Katten adds global bank exec to financial markets and funds group
Stephen Morris, formerly an in-house counsel at Morgan Stanley, has joined Katten’s New York office.
Weil adds private equity partner in New York
Gareth Clark has joined Weil’s New York office from Dechert.
Baker McKenzie adds experienced commercial litigator
Nancy Nguyen Sims has joined Baker McKenzie’s Los Angeles office from DLA Piper.
Greenberg Traurig adds Austin Wyker to tax practice in Dallas
Austin Wyker as joined Greenberg Traurig’s Dallas office from Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr.
Winston & Strawn adds LeElle B. Slifer to Dallas litigation practice
LeElle B. Slifer, formerly of Burns Charest, has joined Winston & Strawn.
Womble Bond Dickinson adds M&A partner in Charlotte, N.C.
Damian C. Georgino, formerly of Norton Rose Fulbright’s New York office, has joined Womble Bond Dickinson’s Charlotte office.
Greenberg Traurig adds cross-border tax practitioner in Fort Lauderdale
Scott Bakal has joined Greenberg Traurig from Neal Gerber Eisenberg in Chicago.
DLA Piper adds major top-tier middle market private equity practice in Chicago
DLA Piper have added 27 attorneys to their Chicago office, including Harris Eisenberg, Alex Plakas, Nathan Wilda, and Drew Rosenberry, from local firm Honigman.
Cooley grows elite M&A practice in Seattle
Nicholas Davis, previously at Perkins Coie, has joined Cooley.
Lefosse hires infrastructure partner from Brazilian peer Stocche Forbes
Miriam Signor, formerly of Stocche Forbes Advogados, will head up project finance and project development at Lefosse’s Sao Paulo office.
Promotions and Appointments:
CMS adds eight partners to City HQ in record-breaking global promo round
CMS has appointed 60 lawyers across its international offices in the firm’s largest-ever promotion round. Out of the 15 lawyers made up across the firm’s UK offices, eight are women.
Osborne Clarke reveals UK 2022 partner promotions
Osborne Clarke has made up eight new partners, five men and three women, across their London and Bristol offices.
Stephenson Harwood launches ‘fast track to equity’ programme
The firm is revitalising its approach to partner development with its new ‘Accelerate’ programme designed to support the next generation of law firm leaders. The Accelerate programme was devised in collaboration with the Oxford Saïd Business School and will give junior partners guidance on people management, business development and career progression.
Fieldfisher Promotes Five To Partner
Of the five promotions, four are based in London and one is based in Brussels, with 60% being women.
Clydes unveils 23-strong promotions round
A total of 23 lawyers have been promoted to partner globally at Clyde & Co. Seven have been promoted in the UK, with six of those promotions based in the London office.
The most impressive US firm this year is neither Kirkland nor Goodwin
Willkie sits in first place in this year’s ranking of the fastest-growing US firms by headcount Willkie sits in first place in this year’s ranking of the fastest-growing US firms by headcount in April’s City Signal report. Over the past five years, lawyer numbers at Willkie have risen by 100 per cent, going from 53 to 106.
Mergers & Alliances:
London barristers’ sets announce merger to great 120-strong common law giant
London barristers’ chambers 9 Gough Chambers and 1 Chancery Lane have agreed a merger that will create a new set to be known as 5 Norwich Street.
Gateley Makes Largest Acquisition To Date
Gately has acquired Smithers Purslow, chartered surveyors, for £20 million.
Office Openings & Closings:
Goodwin opens long-awaited Munich office for German PE push
The Munich office will be led by PE Partner Jan Schinkoth, it will be Goodwin’s 14th office globally and their second German office.
Norton Rose Fulbright opens in Chicago as Midwest expansion continues
The Chicago launch will be spearheaded by an 11-lawyer team who join from a trio of firms including K&L Gates, DLA Piper and Polsinelli. The group bring with them expertise across technology transactions, intellectual property, projects and employment law and includes five partners: Andrew Cripe, Daniel Farris, Sameer Ghaznavi, Christopher Hines and Joe McClendon. Mary Kathryn Curry also joins as senior counsel.
Irwin Mitchell to open two new UK offices
Irwin Mitchell is opening in Cardiff and Liverpool, bringing the firm’s total number of UK offices up to 17.
Financials:
Ashurst ups maintenance grants for future trainees
The value of the grant has risen by 25 per cent from £8,000 to £10,000 and is for the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course LPC or LLM LPC.
Slaughters boosts NQ pay to £115,000 and enhances benefits package
The firm is increasing pay across all PQE levels by up to 20%, and NQ salary will be raised by 7.5% from £107,500 to £115,000.
Pinsents raises regional NQ pay by a third
Pinsent Masons regional NQ salaries will raise by 35.5% from £45,000 to £61,000, while Londond NQ’s will see a 22.6% pay increase to £92,000.
Weil Gotshal & Manges boosts NQ pay
Weil has raised NQ salary by £5,000, up to £150,000.
Irwin Mitchell dishes out ‘cost of living’ bonus to staff
All staff, excluding partners, are set to receive a one-off bonus of £900 to help them with the rising cost of living.
HFW hands out extra performance bonuses of up to £10,0000
Associates who meet certain performance-related criteria will receive a one-off bonus of up to £10,000 this month in recognition of the firm’s strong performance in the 2022 financial year.
What’s Significant About $5B and $6B Law Firms?
With Latham & Watkins grossing $5.48 billion and Kirkland & Ellis reaching $6.042 billion, the legal industry’s newest top-line figures reflect the speed at which law is moving beyond just a profession, to a business model that rivals a firm’s own clients and one that can bring top recruits. At the same time, a law firm’s exponential business growth comes with its own challenges—and few competitors are eager to try to keep up with these top-line figures.
Legal operations tips for controlling outside counsel costs
The strategic path to controlling law firm expenses often begins by getting the legal department’s affairs in good order first.
Technology & Innovation:
Baker McKenzie launches £100,000 fintech fund
The fund was initiated after the UK’s fintech week which took place 4-8 April. It’s purpose is to provide legal support to three budding fintech companies over the course over six months and is open to all fintech companies based in the UK.
Diversity & Inclusion:
HSF offers UK staff the ability to swap some public holidays
As part of Public Holiday Swap, UK employees will have the choice to take up to three public holidays at another time in the same calendar year. The UK generally has eight public holidays, but it will be nine this year due to the Queens Platinum Jubilee. This initiative is effective immediately but won’t be eligible for all public holidays in the UK this year. Employees can only swap New Year’s Day, early May bank holiday, Spring bank holiday and this year’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday.
Values and culture under the spotlight for industry health check
A poor culture can be disastrous for a firm. In these post-pandemic days of soaring demand and recruitment shortages, the pressures are higher than ever before. It one reason why so many firms are looking again at what their lawyers and BSPs value most in 2022, using survey after survey to understand what engages and motivates their people. Law firm leaders know an upbeat culture is not only good for their people, but also for attracting fresh recruits and keeping clients happy.
‘I Just Wanted to Fit In’: A Muslim Lawyer on Finally Embracing Her Faith at Work
‘Making it in the legal industry shouldn’t mean compromising on any aspect of your faith,’ says a young lawyer who has struggled to observe her faith in the workplace.
‘The Issue Is Much Wider Than Race’: Yapily’s CLO on Her Diversity Mission
“The current picture does not reflect well on our profession, and I’m surprised it is still this way,” says Selene Brett.
Hogan Lovells Launches Advisory Clinic Amid UK Cost of Living Crisis
Hogan Lovells has launched a cost of living advisory clinic to help those struggling as food and fuel prices surge, in its latest pro bono drive.
Are Older Lawyers Becoming More Welcome in UK Firms?
‘Across the Atlantic the approach in many walks of life has traditionally been to place a greater value on the wisdom and experience of the older generation’, writes Richard Beresford.
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Lawyers take part in Homes for Ukraine Scheme
OakNorth Bank’s head of legal Ben Wulwik posted on LinkedIn last week that he is taking part in the scheme and said: “I hope that we can play a small part in stabilising your lives through this awful ordeal.”
Simmons & Simmons disputes partner Ed Crosse has posted on LinkedIn that he has welcomed a Ukrainian family into his home, sharing a “starter fund” to support their first experience of living in Bristol.
Confiscate and Sell Russian Assets to Alleviate Ukraine’s Suffering, Local Lawyer Urges
Avellum’s Oleksii Maslov looks to a range of existing international laws to discuss the possible legal mechanisms that can be implemented to exert further legal and economic pressure on Russia.
US firm Covington & Burling, the UK’s Withers and French independent Sygna Partners have been appointed to a legal task force assembled by the Ukraine government to pursue allegations of war crimes and secure reparations in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Moves:
Kirkland secures competition hire from A&O
Alasdair Balfour, competition partner, has joined Kirkland & Ellis from Allen & Overy.
Another Kirkland partner joins investment firm
Kai Zeng, a recently promoted partner at Kirkland, has joined the investment team at Blantyre Capital.
Financial services litigator Andrew Bowden-Brown joins Shoosmiths
Andrew Bowden-Brown has joined Shoosmiths from Francis Wilks & Jones, where he was head of banking and finance.
King & Spalding adds energy partner Nina Howell in London
Nina Howell returns to King & Spalding after three years at Bracewell.
DLA Piper appoints new international projects partner in London
Iain Elder has joined DLA Piper from Shearman & Sterling.
Orrick adds global enforcement adviser to cyber and privacy practice in London
Kelly Hagedorn has joined Orrick from Jenner & Block.
Squire Patton Boggs adds six to global data privacy team including new UK head
Squire Patton Boggs has hired a team of six senior lawyers across London, Madrid, Cincinnati, and Leeds to expand its global data privacy, cybersecurity and digital assets practice as regulators worldwide step up their laws around data protection and the digital economy.
Tom Henderson joins Charles Russell Speechlys
Tom Henderson, formerly of Rawlinson & Hunter, has joined Charles Russell Speechlys as Head of Trusts.
Irwin Mitchell bolsters family law offering with the appointment of two new partners in London
Claire Filer and Fran Hipperson have joined Irwin Mitchell from BP Collins.
Mayer Brown broadens European equity capital markets offering with partner hire in Germany
Dr. Susanne Lenz has joined Mayer Brown’s Frankfurt office from Pinsent Masons.
Julien Vandenbussche joins Stephenson Harwood as partner
Julien Vandenbussche has joined Stephenson Harwood’s Paris office from DLA Piper.
Greenberg Traurig expands finance and restructuring capabilities with Thijs Elseman in Amsterdam
Thijs Elseman has joined Greenberg Traurig from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in Amsterdam.
Leading regulatory lawyer joins Paul, Weiss’s investment management practice
Aaron J. Schlaphoff has joined Paul Weiss’ New York office.
Renowned data privacy lawyer joins Mayer Brown’s growing Los Angeles office
Dominic Shelton Leipzig joins Mayer Brown from Perkins Coie.
Gibson Dunn adds leading finance and capital markets partner
Douglas Horowitz joins Gibson Dunn’s New York office from Cahill Gordon Reindel.
Duane Morris welcomes corporate partner Adam P. Beckerink in Chicago
Adam P. Beckerink has joined Duane Morris from Morgan Lewis.
Dechert continues California expansion
Nicole Macarchuk has joined Dechert’s San Francisco office from Angel Island Capital.
Womble Bond Dickinson adds capital markets duo in Washington
Laura E. Hoag and Joseph J. Ricotta have joined Womble’s Washington office from Squire Patton Boggs’ Cleveland office.
Orrick Bolsters national energy finance team
Jeff Kayes and Adam Griffin have joined the firm as partners in our Energy & Infrastructure Group in San Francisco and New York, respectively.
Wilson Sonsini launches strategic risk and crisis management group in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Dockham and Janet Kim have joined Wilson Sonsini.
Gibson Dunn adds former Federal Trade Commission chief of staff
Svetlana S. Gans has joined Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office.
King & Spalding broadens Texas healthcare bench
Sara Brinkmann has joined King & Spalding’s Houston office from Reed Smith.
Hunton Andrews Kurth welcomes financial services attorneys Josh McNulty and Rachael Craven
Josh McNulty and Rachael Craven join Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Dallas office from Apple and Bracewell, respectively.
Akin Gump welcomes leading international arbitration partner Ing Loong Yang in Hong Kong
Ing Loong Yang has joined Akin Gump from Latham & Watkins.
Promotions and Appointments:
Freshfields promotes seven in the City
Freshfields has announced a global round of 27, with seven making the cut in London. The magic circle firm has meanwhile made up 14 lawyers across Continental Europe. A further three new partners have been announced in both the US and Hong Kong.
City duo make the grade in Skadden promos
Nicole Stephansen in corporate restructuring and Aurora Luoma in antitrust are the two lawyers who have been promoted in London this year.
Eversheds unveils 31-strong promotions round
Eversheds Sutherland has elevated 31 lawyers to partner across its global offices, including seven in London and four in Cardiff, with women being 65% of the newly promoted partners.
Linklaters makes up 17 London partners in promos round
A total of 17 London lawyers will be promoted to partner this year at Linklaters, along with 24 other elevations globally. The global appointments include 17 women, the most ever promoted by the firm in a single round.
Dentons makes up seven new UK partners
A trio of London lawyers have made the cut in Dentons’ annual promotions round, with a further three in Edinburgh.
Eight make the grade in Macfarlanes promotions
Macfarlanes has given the nod to eight new partners across the firm, including three in corporate and M&A.
Penningtons makes up a dozen in bumper promos round
Penningtons Manches Cooper has promoted 12 lawyers to partner, with five elevations in London and three in Guildford.
Skadden Elevates 19 Lawyers to Partnership, Boosts Number of Women Promoted
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has promoted 19 lawyers in its latest promotions round, a firm statement said on Thursday. Meanwhile, eight promotions are women, up from six women in 2021.
Addleshaws Boosts NQ Pay and Announces Record Partner Promotions
Addleshaws has announced its partner promotions for the year, with an all-time record of 20 lawyers making the partnership across the U.K., Asia and the Middle East. This is more than double the number of lawyers who were promoted in 2021, with nine joining the partnership last year. Half of these promotions are made up by women, and the 20 promotions brings the firm’s total partner headcount to 340.
BCLP Appoints New Germany Head
Carsten Bremer has been appointed as the Germany managing partner.
Office Openings & Closings:
Addleshaw Goddard opens in Luxembourg
Addleshaw Goddard has opened in Luxembourg with the hire of Richard Ledain Santiago, who joins from Fieldfisher.
DWF Expands Into Southern Spain
DWF has opened a Seville office with the hire of three Cuatrecasas partners.
Financials:
Hogan Lovells NQs set for pay increase
NQ’s pay will rise 7%, with a new base salary of £107,500.
Two UK firms boost NQ salaries
Addleshaw Goddard has raised NQ salaries 16% in London, up to £95,000, while RPC has boosted their NQ salary 21.4% to £85,000.
Freshfields boosts NQ salaries to £125,000
Freshfields has raised their NQ salary to £125,000, expected to take effect from May 1st.
DLA Piper Revenue Increases 10.8% to Nearly $3.5B, as Firm Achieves Fifth Straight Year of Growth
Ample work in life sciences and technology both in the U.S. and globally helped push DLA Piper to its fifth straight year of growth, with revenue increasing 10.8% to $3.47 billion.
Kirkland Surpasses $6B in Revenue, Poised to Remain on Top of Am Law Rankings
With unprecedented demand last year, Kirkland & Ellis surged into $6 billion territory, growing to a staggering gross revenue of $6.042 billion, while average profits per partner reached more than $7.3 million.
Technology & Innovation:
Dentons New CIO Says Tech Is Key to Taking Firm From ‘Largest to Leading’
Ash Banerjee, a veteran of Hogan Lovells and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, rounds out a series of hires to Dentons global business team.
New Model Law Firms Growing 3 Times Faster Than Mid-Market Rivals, Research Shows
Alternative legal services firms which operate consultancy models, such as Keystone Law, are growing at a rate three times that of their mid-market rivals, fresh research shows. Analysis by Arden Partners, which looks at publicly available data between 2018 and 2020, reveals that consultant lawyer numbers have grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21%. The figure for mid-market law firms is just 7%.
Top-Tier Trio Secures €500M for a French ‘Unicorn’
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Hogan Lovells have helped secure a €500 million round of financing for one of the biggest “unicorns” in French tech and tele-healthcare. Doctolib, a start-up online medical reservations service, completed a Series G financing round of equity and debt led by the investment funds Eurazeo, BPIfrance, Accel, and General Atlantic.
Diversity & Inclusion:
US Litigator’s Death By Suicide a Lesson For the Industry as We Emerge From Pandemic
The death by suicide of a high-powered litigator in the U.S. this past weekend has highlighted the stressors lawyers may face as work picks back up and the world emerges from the depths of the pandemic. “I think this is also a lesson to a lot of us, who may take this work more seriously than it needs to be taken, that we need to sometimes decompress and take a break,” McLaughlin’s partner Paul Lauricella said.
‘It’s Quite Hard to Focus and Concentrate’: The Experiences of Muslim Lawyers During Ramadan
From struggling to concentrate to frustrations around a lack of firm awareness, lawyers observing the holy month of Ramadan offer their views and ideas around what more can be done to support staff during fasting.
For real equality in the legal sector
Bigle Legal’s Alejandro Esteve de Miguel argues successful business management can only be achieved by making equality the basis of corporate strategy.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light: it’s time to rethink mandatory retirement for partners
Law firms need a more positive and inclusive culture for older partners, write Clare Murray, Pooja Dasgupta and Andrew Pavlovic.
MoFo eases vaccine mandate for London office
At MoFo, those who were not vaccinated would still be able to work from home. However, The Lawyer has learnt that MoFo has since had a change of heart in light of the challenges for partners and staff who have been working from home for the past two years. In the last week, the firm welcomed back all partners and staff to its London office, including the few who have not been vaccinated. It is understood that the majority of MoFo’s headcount in the City had already received the Covid-19 jabs.
Dentons and ULaw launch new SQE prep schemes for paralegals
Dentons has launched a route to qualification for 10 of its own paralegals. Named Quali-FLY, the route will take the selected paralegals, or other professionals, through the process of preparing for and taking the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE). They will gain qualifying work experience over a two-year period, and will be able to apply for newly-qualified solicitor roles on passing the final SQE exams. Dentons is partnering with BPP to deliver the programme.
SRA announces first rise in SQE fees
The cost of the first part of the exam (SQE1) is to rise from £1,558 to £1,622 while the cost of SQE2 moves from £2,422 to £2,493, a total rise of £135. The cost of prep courses is not included in the price of the exam.
Bar Course Aptitude Test scrapped after nine years
The BCAT has caused controversy ever since its introduction, when the BSB charged students £150 to take it, more than double the initial proposed fee of £67. In addition, the Office of Fair Trading suggested the test would be anti-competitive, leading to “decreased quality and availability and increased prices in the final market for advocacy services.”
Ukrainian Legal Developments:
Linklaters to Pay Out At Least Six Months’ Salary for Displaced Russian Lawyers and Staff
Linklaters is set to pay out “generous” financial packages to its Russian-based lawyers and support staff unable to relocate roles within the firm, as the legal industry deals with the fall out from the war in Ukraine.
Greenberg Traurig Aligns with Avellum; Focused on the Future of Ukraine
Greenberg Traurig has aligned with Avellum, a Kyiv based firm. Initially, Avellum lawyers will be seconded to Greenberg Traurig offices in London, Amsterdam, and Berlin.
Linklaters to sponsor Ukrainian legal scholars at Polish universities
Linklaters has joined Weil Gotshal and Manges in contributing towards the Warsaw-based Legal Solidarity Fund.The fund was initiated by Adam Bodnar, the dean of the Law School of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw, and retired Weil partner Anna Frankowska. Each contribution is valued at PLN 100,000 (£18,184.71).
The task force will also include legal experts from U.S. firm Covington & Burling LLP, led by Nikhil Gore, the French firm Sygna Partners, led by Luke Vidal, as well as the Withers firm, led by Emma Lindsay. Each of these firms is already representing Ukraine, including at the International Court of Justice.
In rejecting the leading offshore firm’s application to ‘come off the record’, Mr Justice Jack held that VTB’s right to litigate had not been curtailed by the UK’s sanctions and that Ogier’s duties to the court ‘outweigh’ other considerations including reputational damage.
Moves:
CMS boosts London IP team with hire of HSF’s former global practice head
Mark Shillito, former head of IP at Herbert Smith Freehills, has joined CMS.
Dentons UK managing director to leave firm
Lisa Sewell is expected to carry out her duties and responsibilities until the post is transitioned.
David Herlihy has joined Allen & Overy’s litigation, arbitration and investigations team from Skadden.
Retailer Very hires new GC from FTSE100 insurer
Charlotte Heiss has moved to Very Group from RSA.
Eversheds Sutherland Hires Paris Corporate Criminal Team from McDermott
Alexis Werl leads the corporate criminal team that is joining Eversheds Sutherland from McDermott Will & Emery.
Kirkland strengthens tax practice with addition of Michael Ehret as partner
Michael Ehret joins Kirkland & Ellis’ Munich office from Allen & Overy.
Linklaters partner exits in Brussels for Cooley
Jonas Kopone, competition partner, is moving to Cooley’s from Linklaters
KPMG Law Taps Bird & Bird For Warsaw Co-Managing Partner
Pawel Banjo, formerly the head of private equity at Bird & Bird, has joined KPMG.
Debevoise hires former Skadden IP litigation practice co-chair in San Francisco
John (Jay) Neukom, veteran trial lawyer, has joined Debevoise from Skadden.
Cerence hires Lenovo’s global litigation head as next GC as part of wider leadership shake-up
Jennifer Salinas has joined Cerence, an AI software company that develops voice-powered digital assistants for the car industry.
Morgan Lewis adds labor relations partner in Chicago
Mark Stolzenburg has joined Morgan Lewis from Vedder Price.
Schulte Roth & Zabel expands investment management and M&A practices
Peter Greene, Benjamin Kozinn and Eileen Overbaugh have joined Schulte Roth & Zabel’s New York office.
White & Case continues to expand its private credit capabilities in Boston
Jessica Ball and Jessica Shearer have both joined White & Case from Proskauer Rose.
Kennedys Makes Further US Strides With Team Hires Across New York, Miami
U.K.-headquartered law firm Kennedys is continuing its U.S. growth push with the addition of four lawyers, including two partners, in its Miami and New York offices.
Gowling WLG welcomes George Elvira to its intellectual property group in Montréal
George Elvira has joined Gowling’s IP team from Smart & Biggar.
Akin Gump hires four-strong disputes team from Gibson Dunn in Dubai
A team of four, led by Graham Lovett, former head of Gibson Dunn’s Middle East disputes practice, has joined Akin Gump.
Holland & Knight raids DLA Piper for Mexican capital markets team
A team of six, led by Xavier Mangino, have joined Holland & Knight from DLA Piper in Mexico City.
Promotions and Appointments:
Pinsents unveils 23-strong promotions round (thelawyer.com)
Pinsent Masons has given the nod to 17 partners in its UK offices, with a further six making the cut across Continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
Clifford Chance Re-Appoints UK Managing Partner For Second Term
Clifford Chance has re-appointed Michael Baes as its U.K. regional managing partner.
Matheson promotes four women in latest 13-strong partnership round
This round of promotions brings the partner headcount for Ireland’s largest law firm up to 105.
Mergers & Alliances:
Clydes and BLM partners say “yes” to £700m merger
Clyde & Co and BLM have agreed to a merger between the two firms in a transformational deal for the legal insurance market. The vote was last week, with the combination going live in July. Under the merger, BLM will lose its name with the merged firm coming together under Clyde & Co’s brand.
Offshore giant Ogier unveils merger with eight-partner Dublin firm
The transaction between Ogier and Leman closed on 22 March and the two firms will combine to form the Ireland-registered LLP Ogier Leman in June.
Office Openings & Closings:
Mills & Reeve to expand into Oxford as partners relocate
Mills & Reeve is opening its seventh UK office in Oxford.
Eversheds Sutherland Opens San Francisco Office With Morgan Lewis Partner
Baird Fogel has joined Eversheds to become the Partner in Charge of the new Bay area office.
Financials:
Paul Hastings’ London office shines with 41% revenue spike as global income rises 20%
Paul Hastings has seen global revenue rise 20% to reach $1.57bn, while the London office has had revenue rise 40.6%.
Contract review startup Della raises $2.5m in first seed funding round
Della, an Anglo-French contract review legal technology startup – whose clients include Mishcon de Reya, Eversheds Sutherland, and Fidal – has raised $2.5m in its first seed funding round.
Simpson Thacher’s London revenue jumps by 43 per cent
Simpson Thacher’s revenue jumped 43% to reach $333m, and their headcount has risen 18%, up to 145 qualified lawyers.
Technology & Innovation:
Skadden, Kirkland and White & Case Scoop Roles on $10B Software Deal
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case are among the law firms advising on private equity firm HG’s investment in cloud software vendors IFS and WorkWave.
Technology used in the justice system is outpacing scrutiny and regulation
The Justice and Home Affairs Committee publishes its report Technology rules? The advent of new technologies in the justice system. The report explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced algorithmic tools in activities to discover, deter, rehabilitate, or punish people who breach the law in England and Wales. The report acknowledges the potential of these technologies but warns against the pace of their deployment and the absence of appropriate safeguards.
Diversity & Inclusion:
LOD Launches In-House SQE Programme
Alternative legal services provider Lawyers On Demand (LOD) has developed an in-house tailored Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam programme which will allow its trainees to train while also working at clients such as Adidas and Airbnb.
LSB will continue to focus on diversity, inclusion and innovation
The Legal Services Board (LSB) published its 2022-2023 business plan today, outlining it will continue to focus on diversity and inclusion (D&I) and technology and innovation in the profession.
Coca-Cola Scraps Diversity Policy for Outside Law Firms
The Coca-Cola Co. has officially walked away from race-based staffing requirements for law firms doing work for the company, following blowback from some investors and the removal of the executive who developed the plan.