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.
Ukraine Legal Developments:
Quinn Emanuel acts pro bono for Ukraine in human rights proceedings over Russia invasion
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has been appointed as counsel by Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice in European human rights proceedings being brought against Russia. The proceedings, which will be brought under the European Convention on Human Rights, arise from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the firm called ‘unprovoked, unjustified and unlawful acts of aggression’.
International law experts join campaign for ‘Nuremberg-inspired’ tribunal to investigate Putin
Justice for Ukraine calls for a tribunal modelled on the legal framework created to prosecute criminals from the Second World War in the Nuremberg trials. Its 140 signatories include Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Koleba, former prosecutor for the Nuremberg Military Tribunal Benjamin Ferencz, and former president of the European Court of Human Rights Sir Nicolas Bratza, as well as former UK prime ministers Sir John Major and Gordon Brown.
Baker McKenzie has resumed its operation in Kyiv following the earlier suspension of work resulting from the Russian attacks on Ukraine.
What Happens Next? The Practical Challenges of Leaving Russia
Whilst they think that any lawyers in either Moscow or St. Petersburg who are overseas citizens or there on secondment will most likely be relocated elsewhere, there is an issue with staff on the ground who are Russian. “Some firms will relocate their personnel to other regions, and some won’t. For the lawyers [in Russia] who don’t get relocated, the two fundamental questions for firms are—what do you pay them, and how do you pay them?”
Ukraine Has Changed the World. Has It Also Changed Law Firms?
Values. This is a topic that has come up again and again in both the corporate and legal worlds. International law firms have seen that it is no longer possible for them to sit on the fence—that they are in and of the broader world and cannot always be issue agnostic. They saw this after the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. They witnessed this as Jones Day, which represented President Donald Trump in post-election lawsuits aimed at overturning the 2020 election, was targeted by protesters, in social media, and even by some of its own lawyers.
After the Moscow Exodus, Where Will Big Law Go?
But as the West takes Russia offline, several emerging economies have maintained a deafening neutrality on Ukraine as they seek to hedge against Western dependence and maintain links with governments and investors in all parts of the world. Notable countries in this camp include Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China. And for law firms faced with the twin concerns of relocating Russian lawyers, where feasible, and rethinking international strategies post-Russia, this could spell opportunity.
‘They’ve Shattered the Playbook:’ MoFo Lawyers on Response to Russian Sanctions for War on Ukraine
Morrison & Foerster partners John Smith and Brandon Van Grack, both co-chairs of the firm’s national security practice, recently spoke with Law.com about how they’re managing the crisis for clients and why the U.S. government has “shattered the playbook” in its response.
Moves:
Freshfields partner exits for Eversheds
Alex Carver moves from Freshfields to Eversheds to boost its infrastructure practice.
Withers tech builds strengths with arrival of transatlantic venture capital partner Sarah Melaney
Sarah Melaney has joined Withers’ London office from Brown Rudnick.
WFW hires first GC from UK firm
Mary Mackintosh, formerly of Gowling’s, joins WFW as their first general counsel.
DLA Piper appoints Richard Harbot as Tax partner in London
Rich Harbot, formerly of BCLP, joins DLA Piper.
Morrison & Foerster expands global competition/antitrust and UK national security capabilities
Marie-Claire Strawbridge has joined Morrison & Foerster from Freshfields, where she was a counsel.
Dentons London Partner Leaves For US Rival
Martin Sharkey, finance partner, joins Schulte Roth from Dentons.
Dechert hires leading financial crime lawyer in London from Ropes & Gray
Judith Seddon, one of the UK’s top financial crime lawyers, has joined Dechert from Ropes & Gray.
Shoosmiths Manchester corporate team builds on ambitious growth strategy
Elia Montorio, corporate partner, has joined Shoosmiths’ Manchester office from DLA Piper.
Birmingham law firm’s family team bolstered with specialist partner appointment
Aasha Choudhary has joined Shakespeare Martineau’s family team in Birmingham from Mills & Reeve.
Simmons expands investment funds team with new Bristol partner.
Dan Faundez, private funds specialist, has joined Simmons & Simmons’ Bristol office from Osborne Clarke, where he was an associate director.
Leading arbitration academic and practitioner joins Clyde & Co
Loukas Mistelis has joined Clyde & Co’s London office.
Dr Marc Jacob joins DLA Piper’s Frankfurt office from Shearman & Sterling.
Ashurst strengthens Energy & Resources offering with trio of hires in Perth
Paul Lingard, Miriam D’Souza, and Jessica Davies have joined Ashurst’s Perth office from Norton Rose Fulbright.
Prada Hires Next General Counsel from US Chocolate Maker
Cristina De Dona, international chief counsel, has moved from The Hershey Company to Prada Group.
Littler adds experienced litigator Michelle Ann Clark as a shareholder in Fresno
Michelle Anne Clark joins Littler, the worlds largest employment and labor law practice representing management, from Quinn Emanuel in Fresno.
Jones Day welcomes Jennifer Bennett as a partner in San Francisco
Jennifer Bennett, IP specialist, joins Jones Day’s San Francisco office from Dentons.
Goodwin adds venture capital funds partner Eunice Choi in San Francisco
Eunice Choi, formerly a special counsel at Cooley, joins Goodwin.
Accomplished product liability litigator Patrick Clyder joins McGuireWoods in Chicago
Patrick Clyder joins McGuireWoods from Swanson, Martin & Bell, where he co-chaired the product liability practice group.
Global finance partner Steven Rutkovsky joins Sidley in New York
Steven Rutkovsky, formerly of Ropes & Grey, has joined Sidley Austin’s New York office.
Weil adds restructuring partner Jeffrey D. Saferstein in New York
Jeffrey D Saferstein, formerly of Paul Weiss, has joined Weil Gotshal.
Paul, Weiss adds private equity M&A partner in New York
Megan Ward Spelman has joined Paul Weiss’ corporate department from Kirkland & Ellis.
National litigator joins Winston & Strawn litigation practice
Chris R.J. Pace joins Winston & Strawn’s Dallas office.
DLA Piper expands its corporate practice
James Fischer and Alexander Meiseles join from Faegre Drinker and will be based in the Short Hills office and New York City office, respectively.
Amy Jane Longo joins Ropes & Gray’s Los Angeles office from the SEC’s Los Angeles Office.
Matthew Barnett joins White & Case as a partner in Los Angeles
Matthew Barnett, M&A lawyer, has joined White & Case from Sullivan & Cromwell.
Womble Bond Dickinson Welcomes Patent Litigation Partner in Atlanta
Rodney R Miller has joined Womble Bond Dickinson’s Atlanta office from Hall Booth Smith.
Former senior SEC enforcement division official Anita Bandy joins Skadden
Anita Bandy, formerly of the SEC, joins Skadden’s Washington, D.C. office.
Greenberg Traurig adds Jeffery M. Chiow to government contracts practice in Washington, D.C.
Jeffrey M. Chiow joins Greenberg Traurig from Rogers, Joseph, O’Donnell.
Erin Ashwell Joins McGuireWoods as Partner in Richmond
Erin Ashwell, former Virginia Chief Deputy AG, joins McGuireWoods.
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP welcomes Partner Deepak Gill to the Vancouver office
Deepak Gill, formerly of Cassels Brock & Blackwell has joined DLA Piper in Vancouver.
Phil Kennedy rejoins Gowling WLG’s litigation team in Hamilton
Phil Kennedy rejoins Gowling’s Ontario office after five years at other national firms.
Promotions & Appointments:
New Square Chambers’ new head sets out her vision
Twenty years after joining New Square Chambers as a receptionist, Michelle Greene has worked her way up to become the set’s top-ranking clerk. Now in the top role, she wants to stamp out “doing as it’s always been done” attitudes.
Eight make the cut in Slaughters’ promotions
In London, the lawyers who made the cut are: Richard Hilton (corporate and M&A), Kevin Howes (financing), Charles Osborne (tax), Megan Sandler (disputes and investigations) and Chris Sharpe (pensions, employment and incentives).
Crypto trading firm appoints new GC
Ehsan Haque joined Amber Group, a Singapore-based crypto trading firm, as the first GC for the EMEA region.
Tui names next legal leader as it refocuses on growth following heavy pandemic losses
Dr Nina Scherf will begin as the Hanover-based company’s chief legal counsel on 1 April and succeeds Dr Hilka Schneider, who left Tui at the start of the year to be general counsel for chemicals manufacturer Akzo Nobel in Amsterdam.
Office Openings & Closings:
Addleshaws continues European expansion with two German offices
Addleshaw Goddard has opened offices in both Frankfurt and Munich, bringing in four new teams to strengthen its commercial litigation, global investigations, tax, and intellectual property offerings.
Addleshaw Goddard opens in Luxembourg with corporate trio from Fieldfisher
Addleshaw’s has opened in Luxembourg with the hires of Richard Ledain Santiago, a corporate lawyer who is spearheading the launch, Benjamin Devouassoux, a banking and finance lawyer, and Theodoros Karantanos, a corporate finance expert.
Mergers & Acquisitions:
DWF builds LatAm and Africa expansion potential with Iberian associations
Listed UK law firm DWF has unveiled two exclusive associations with a Portuguese law firm and a Spanish loss adjusting business in a move it says will enhance its ability to expand in Latin America and Africa. The association with Nobre Guedes & Associados (NGA) will see 19 lawyers, including four partners, join DWF in Lisbon and Porto, where NGA has offices. Led by managing partner Luis Nobre Guedes, the firm regularly advises clients outside Portugal in the UK, Spain, France and Lusophone Africa and Brazil.
Abreu Advogados Acquires Portuguese Rival With Global Reach
Abreu Advogados has acquired Acrlex Advogados, a firm that is a member of an alliance of independent law firms including Perkins Coie and Taylor Wessing.
Financials:
Debevoise’s London turnover nudges up to nearly $173m
Revebue worldwide has a 9% rise, totalling $1.329bn, while the revenue per London partner rose by nearly 14%, reaching $8.8m.
Orrick’s London revenue soars to over $90m
Orrick’s London revenue rose by 45%, jumping to $90.9m.
Dentons overhauls bonus scheme for fee-earners
Dentons is boosting its base pay for newly-qualified lawyers by 15 per cent, with further rewards on offer for fee-earners hitting chargeable hours targets. The pay for NQs in London is increasing from £80,000 to £92,000. However, a change in the firm’s bonus scheme means that those recording as many as 1,700 chargeable hours will receive a total compensation package of £107,640.
Latham’s turnover soars to hit nearly $5.5bn
Following a rise of 27 per cent, Latham & Watkins’ global turnover has jumped to nearly $5.5bn.
WFH culture is hammering Knights’ share price
Knights’ share price dropped this week after the market’s self-proclaimed consolidator issued a warning to investors over its second-half performance. Omicron and recent macro conditions, the firm said, meant people weren’t returning to office working, hampering its “team-based culture” while economic confidence was waning and corporate work is slowing. How did the market respond? On Monday (21 March) Knights’ shares were trading at 365p; by the time the markets closed on Thursday (24 March) it had dropped to its lowest point ever: down 65.4 per cent to 145p.
To Stem Lateral Movement, Firms Are Adding Clawback Clauses in Partnership Agreements
Since January, three Am Law 30 firms have incorporated clawback provisions into their partnership agreements that make it more difficult for a partner to leave, according to legal recruiter Larry Watanabe. These agreements “will impact the complexion of the market, as firms try to retain laterals more aggressively than ever,” Watanabe says. Such arrangements could allow firms to go after bonus payments in 2022, he says. For instance, a partner with a $1 million compensation plan could be entitled to a bonus of up to $5 million expressed in January, but paid in April or the summer.
Technology & Innovation:
Law Firms May Be Unprepared for Increased Cyberrisk From Russian-Ukraine War
For U.S. law firms, an increased threat of cyberattacks and data breaches, whether from Russia or other bad actors using the conflict as an opportunity, may be inevitable. Unfortunately, cybersecurity experts don’t think most of the legal sector is prepared for what is likely to come.
Freshfields New US Tech Leader says the Invasion of Ukraine Could Ease the Crackdown on Big Tech
The effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have already rippled through Big Law, prompting firms to shutter offices and kicking national security practices into high gear. But the longer-term implications of the war and its aftermath could transform the Big Tech economy as we know it, according to Boris Feldman, the new co-leader of Freshfields’ technology, media and telecommunications group.
Is Employment Law Ready for the Metaverse?
As the metaverse continues its march towards the working world, we can expect employees to spend more and more time in the virtual world. Many employers will be keen to adopt this technology as a means of bridging geographical spaces between their global workforce, and for employees, the ability to work in an immersive way with their colleagues from the comfort of their own homes, will be hugely appealing.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Lowering the Bar on Disability in London Law
Many lawyers and legal staff will be relishing the prospect of returning to their offices following revisions to the Government’s guidance on working from home. While re-connecting with colleagues and feeling a sense of “normality” will be a happy prospect for some, disabled legal staff may face a very different reality – one that involves difficulties in finding accessible methods of public transport for the daily commutes, as well as navigating unaccommodating and antiquated offices.
Hire Smarter: DWF’s Ethnic Minority Access Scheme
DWF partner and head of the firm’s diversity and inclusion leadership group Seema Bains led the initiative. She says: “The Black Lives Matter movement had raised a lot of important questions about representation for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority candidates within the legal industry.” Having already done a lot of work on diversity, particularly emerging talent, DWF decided to build on that momentum by collaborating with Aspiring Solicitors to create the Ethnic Minority Access Scheme.
Diversity fears as NQs shun race disclosure
The Law Society’s Annual Statistics Report 2020 paints a picture of a profession that is majority female and in which the proportion of people from a minority ethnic background exceeds that of the general population in most of the country. However the statistics indicate that the more senior and higher paying ranks of the profession remain a disproportionately white male preserve.
Street Law program hopes to increase diversity in legal professions
Welle describes the Street Law program as a mini law school. It takes place during the spring semester and is in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. Students meet other weeks to go over various aspects of the law and put them into practices, that includes everything from mock contract negotiations to an argument in front of an appellate judge panel and a mock investigation of a sexual harassment allegation.
Ukrainian Conflict Legal Developments:
London Partner Travels to Ukraine Border to Hand-Deliver Aid
James Goold, a partner in Taylor Wessing’s private equity practice, is making the trip with his wife, Sarah Marris, according to a post on his LinkedIn profile. They began their journey on March 16, and are travelling with 400 sleeping bags, donated by Mountain Warehouse, as well as a consignment of medical kits.
Covington acts for Ukraine in claim against Russia
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that the Russian Federation should suspend its military operations in Ukraine.
How the German Heavyweights are Responding to the Ukraine War
Noerr is among the major German firms to recently provide a statement, telling Law.com that the firm would no longer accept mandates for Russian clients or companies that are “under Russian control or are attributable to the Russian sphere of influence.”
Last Major International Law Firm Confirms Plan to Leave Moscow
Akin Gump’s withdrawal means all 25 large international law firms that had a base in the country have now confirmed they are leaving.
London’s mid-size firms are one domino away from a Russian reputational catastrophe
As the war in Ukraine continues, attention has landed squarely on the largest corporate law firms and their work for Russian clients. Most of them have now made some statement, however limp, though there are still a few holdouts among the transatlantic elite.
In Warsaw, Lawyers Are Opening Their Hearts—and Homes—to Ukrainian Refugees
As the flood of refugees from the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches 3 million, humanitarian efforts by international law firms are gathering pace—and Warsaw is becoming a headquarters city for a broad cross-section of initiatives. Many firms with offices in the city, including Clifford Chance, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Hogan Lovells, and Eversheds Sutherland, are helping in various ways.
US Immigration Attorney Seeks ‘Travel Lane’ for Ukrainians to United States
While President Joe Biden says the United States will welcome Ukrainians “with open arms,” he has yet to articulate how a pathway for them to relocate to American soil will work. And in the meantime many seeking refuge from Russia’s onslaught are having their requests for tourist visas declined. Dana R. Bucin, chairwoman of Murtha Cullina’s immigration practice, says the current system is inadequate to allow Ukrainian refugees into the United States. She’s advocating for a “travel lane” to help Ukrainians with relatives in the United States to reach the country—and stay for the foreseeable future.
DLA Piper to Shut Both Russia Bases
DLA Piper and Hogan Lovells are set to leave Russia, becoming the latest law firms to pull out of the country.
Baker McKenzie to spin out Russia arm it launched in Soviet era
Baker McKenzie has announced the spin out of its Moscow and St Petersburg offices into an independent law firm, completing the withdrawal from Russia of all but three of the major international law firms that were based there when the invasion of Ukraine began.
Moscow Offices Struggled Before Closures, LLPs Reveal
The analysis of the regional Limited Liability Partnership accounts filed in the U.K. for Norton Rose Fulbright, Hogan Lovells, Herbert Smith Freehills, Allen & Overy and Linklaters reveal an array of challenges for their Moscow offices. The numbers also shine a light on the very modest contributions the operations made to their global turnovers, although some argue the numbers do not reflect an accurate picture of their Moscow operations and the wider contribution those offices made.
Dentons to spin out 250-strong Russian arm into independent firm
Dentons has announced the spin out of its Russian arm into an independent firm in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but says it hopes it will be able to rejoin the global giant ‘when it is lawfully and practically possible to do so’.
Russian Boutique Work Surges As International Firms Ditch Clients
Several local firms say they are picking up mandates dropped by international firms that have hurriedly exited Russia leaving some clients without legal counsel.
Moves:
Squire Patton Boggs strengthens energy capabilities
Christopher Thomson has joined Squire Patton Boggs from Dentons
Squire Patton Boggs appoints European GIWC practice head as part of group hire
Hannah Laming joins form Peters & Peters as the Head of European Government Investigations & White-Collar practice. Wayne Barnes joins from Fulcrum Chambers. Ben Ticehurst joins as a director from Howard Kennedy. Marion Seranne joins the Paris office from ebl Lexington Avocats.
Orrick energy trio exits for Osborne Clarke
John Deacon, Hannah Rose, and Dominic O’Brien will move from Orrick to Osborne Clarke next week.
CMS competition partner exits for Cooley
Caroline Hobson, competition partner, has left CMS for Cooley.
Major lateral hire sees respected environmental partner join Mills & Reeve
Claire Gregory, formerly a Legal Director at Pinsent Masons, has joined Mills & Reeve.
Kirkland partner takes on new role at investment manager
Karim Kassam, formerly of Kirkland & Ellis, has joined Centerbridge.
Linklaters lands finance trio from Vinson
Noel Hughes, Giacomo Reali, and Christianne Williams have left Vinson Elkins for the magic circle firm.
Atkin Chambers adds top international construction advocate to ranks
Stuart Catchpole QC has joined Atkin Chambers from 39 Essex Chambers.
Withers Lands Luxury Goods IP Team in Milan from Baker McKenzie
Carlo Alberto Demichelis joins as a partner and head of brand protection along with his three teammates.
Norton Rose Fulbright expands global financial services team with new Middle East partner
Matt Shanahan joins NRF’s Dubai office from Clyde & Co.
Cleary Gottlieb boosts Brussels and New York with two senior hires
Isabel Rooms, competition and antitrust partner, joins the Brussels office as a partner, and Matt Brigham, tax lawyer, joins as a counsel in New York.
Former Atlanta Mayor Joins Squire Patton Boggs
Kasim Reed has joined Squire Patton Bogg’s Litigation Practice from Holland & Knight
Former CFPB deputy enforcement director Jeff Ehrlich joins McGuireWoods in D.C.
Jeff Ehrlich, former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s deputy enforcement director, has joined McGuireWoods.
Prominent corporate partners join Morrison & Foerster in the Bay Area
Daphne Higgs and Teresa Tate join Morrison & Foerster from Perkins Coie.
Latham & Watkins adds prominent capital markets partner in San Diego
Teri O’Brien joined Latham & Watkins from Paul Hastings.
Goodwin adds Baker Botts’ California litigation head in San Francisco
Jonathan Shapiro has joined Goodwin from Baker Botts.
Former administrative patent judge at USPTO Jessica Kaiser joins Arnold & Porter’
Jessica Kaiser has joined Arnold & Porter’s Intellectual property practice.
Cooley builds antitrust litigation practice with former DOJ hire in Washington, DC
Ethan Glass has joined Cooley’s Washington D.C. office from Quinn Emanuel.
Dentons hires Virgin Group Holdings director as Caribbean head of corporate and commercial
Leonard Birmingham has joined Denton’s Trinidad and Tobago office.
Ericsson hires Veon’s ex-general counsel as next legal head
Scott Dresser joins Ericsson’s US office after eight years at Veon.
Promotions and Appointments:
Marsh McLennan promotes from within to replace longstanding GC Peter Beshar
Katherine Brennan, General Counsel of the insurance broking and risk management practice, has been promoted to take over from Peter Beshar, who was recently nominated to head up the US Air Force’s legal team.
Tesla appoints third new legal leader in two years
Tesla has appointed its head of compliance as acting head of legal and corporate secretary, the third person to lead the electric car giant’s legal team in the past two years. David Searle joined Tesla last February as deputy GC and head of compliance after an almost two-year stint at Walmart, where he served as VP and chief ethics and compliance officer.
Simmons Extends Managing Partner Term
According to a statement by the firm on Thursday, Jeremy Hoyland’s term has been extended by two years, with his term now ending in April 2025.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Epiq builds out knowledge management capabilities with Fireman & Co tie-up
New York-based legal service provider Epiq has acquired legal management consultancy Fireman & Co for an undisclosed amount in a bid to broaden its data and knowledge management expertise.
Financials:
City firms singled out as MPs tackle libel claims
Firms including Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Harbottle & Lewis were called out in a Parliamentary hearing yesterday, as scrutiny is heaped on law firms acting for oligarchs and influential businesspeople.
Fragomen’s UK revenue skyrockets by 60 per cent
The firm’s UK revenue rose 60% in the last year, increasing to $63m.
Heuking’s income dips to €185.4m as it adjusts to end of diesel emissions claims boom
German firm Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek has posted a 2.4% decline in revenue to €185.4m for 2021 as it continues to adjust to a profession-wide winding down in diesel emission collective claims in Germany.
Garrigues bounces back with 7.4% revenue increase to pass €400m mark in 2021
Garrigues’ revenue growth bounced back to 7.1% in 2021 to hit €414.2m after a lacklustre performance in 2020. The Spanish firm, which saw revenue increase by just 1.4% to €386.9m in 2020, claims its latest results make it the first Iberian law firm to see billings pass the €400m mark.
Amid Lateral Growth, Wilson Sonsini Sees Revenue Soar 18%
“2021 was a very good year, with strong client demand,” Wilson Sonsini managing partner Douglas Clark said, noting the firm added a record 20 lateral partners additions in the year.
With Demand at an ‘All-Time High,’ Clark Hill Revenue Up 11.7%, Profits Up 29.9%
Revenue improved by 11.7% and net income swelled by 29.9% at Clark Hill in 2021, as demand hit an “all-time high,” and the firm’s investments in practices and geographic expansion are paying off.
Technology & Innovation:
Beware bitcoin in the client account
Crypto assets have been on the rise for years and the first law firm to accept payment in that form must tread very carefully.
West Coast tech connection is rocket fuel for US City firms
The City has become used to US firms posting record results over the past few years but already in 2022 there are some astonishingly large numbers flying around. They are sure to be eyed by exasperated UK managing partners who recognise the City market is becoming ever more segmented, and not entirely to the latter’s benefit.
Getting to grips with information security – a quick start guide
3Kites’ Jon Howells offers practical steps for law firms to tackle an issue that can seem overwhelming
‘There’s No Plan B’: Belgian GDPR Decision Threatens Internet as We Know It, Lawyers Say
A few weeks ago, Belgium’s data protection authority released a decision that is likely to fundamentally alter Europe’s online advertising industry if it becomes enforceable once the legal process has fully played out. In its 127-page decision, the embattled data protection authority found a consent framework for online advertising developed by IAB Europe, the European trade association of the digital and interactive marketing industry, in violation of GDPR. Stating that its decision would “restore order” in the online advertising industry, the Belgian regulator – which has been roiled by infighting for months – issued the industry body a fine of €250,000 and gave it two months to address its concerns.
Diversity & Inclusion:
IWD 2022: Billable hours and gender representation: turning nouns into verbs
While statistics show a slow but steady increase in diversity among all lawyers (based on the SRA’s survey of diversity carried out in 2021, when compared with its 2019 survey) the gender gap at more senior levels remains a challenge, with just 35 per cent of partners being female (compared to 61 per cent of solicitors being female).
Innovations in Diversity and Inclusion, Law Firm: Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright has won the 2022 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law award for Innovations in Diversity and Inclusion.
Law Society president wins diversity award
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce has been honoured in the Burberry British Diversity Awards. She was named a joint winner of the award for Inspirational Role Model of the Year.
Ukrainian Conflict Legal Developments:
Linklaters announces closure of Moscow office ending presence spanning 30 years
Linklaters said it would wind down operations in Russia and close its Moscow office while continuing to support its Russia team, ‘doing all we can to help them transfer to new roles within Linklaters or otherwise’. CMS has placed their base under “critical review”.
Norton Rose Fulbright to close 50-strong Moscow office
Norton Rose Fulbright is to shut its 50-strong Moscow office and wind down Russian work connected with the regime as soon as possible in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The global firm has also pledged to donate any profits it makes from ongoing work it cannot immediately extricate itself from ‘to appropriate humanitarian and charitable causes’.
N.Y.’s Cleary Gottlieb suspends Moscow operations as other law firms exit
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is temporarily shutting down operations in Moscow, a spokesperson for the law firm said Tuesday. The New York-based, 1,100 attorney firm said it will halt its work in Russia “pending further developments, while continuing to support our Moscow colleagues.”
Ukraine crisis: UK’s latest sanctions against Russia
The United Kingdom is imposing new sanctions on Russia almost daily in response to the ongoing and deteriorating situation in Ukraine. The newest measures include asset freezes, economic prohibitions and other trade and financial restrictions.
Eversheds Sutherland to close Moscow and St Petersburg offices in response to Ukraine invasion
Eversheds Sutherland and Gowling WLG are pulling out of Russia, joining a growing number of international law firms calling time on their Russian operations in response to the Ukraine invasion.
DLA, Debevoise Join Firms Reviewing Russia Presences, Severing State Ties
Debevoise & Plimpton is terminating “several client relationships” based on “an ongoing review of our Moscow client base,” it said in a statement Wednesday.
‘Simply the right thing to do’ – five more law firms announce departure from Moscow
Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) and Winston & Strawn have joined the ever-expanding roster of law firms shutting down their Moscow offices in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow exodus continues: Latham, Freshfields and four other top firms announce plans to quit Russia
Six leading international law firms have announced plans to pull out of Russia today, including global giants Latham & Watkins and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Squire Patton Boggs, Eversheds Sutherland and Gowling WLG are also winding down their Russia operations, joining Norton Rose Fulbright and Linklaters, which announced similar plans on Monday and last Friday respectively. Akin Gump, meanwhile, has suspended operations ‘pending further developments’.
Four Firms Join Rivals in Abandoning Moscow Over Ukraine War
Four Big Law firms — including Baker Botts – said Thursday they’re closing their Moscow offices as Russia presses its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Skadden to Relocate Russian Lawyers Over ‘Anti-American Sentiment’
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom will maintain a Moscow base, its chairman has told its people in an internal memo, but will relocate its lawyers there due to “anti-American sentiment in the country.” In an internal memo obtained by Law.com, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom executive partner Eric Friedman said on Wednesday that, effective Thursday, the firm’s Moscow-based lawyers will have relocated outside of Russia “to ensure their safety in the face of increasing anti-American sentiment within Russia.”
Slaughter and May to Maintain Moscow Firm Relationship
Slaughter and May is to maintain its referral relationship with Moscow-based law firm Alrud, as elite firms across Europe reassess their links to the Russian capital.
Western law firms quicken Moscow retreat, leaving few hold-outs
White & Case, a New York-founded firm, said its Moscow office is open but it is no longer representing certain Russian and Belarusian clients or accepting new instructions from them.
‘Long Live a Free Ukraine’: Legal 500 Takes Down Russia, Belarus Pages
Legal 500 has removed its usual write-ups on the firms and lawyers active in the Russia and Belarus markets, replacing the page with a large color photograph of the Ukrainian flag, and an accompanying statement.
‘Nobody Is Going to Give Up’: How Ukraine’s Lawyers are Taking Up Arms and Facing Russia’s War
Reached by phone, Timur Bondaryev, founder and managing partner of the leading Ukrainian independent firm Arzinger, said some lawyers had taken up arms to protect their homes, while others were volunteering with charities or sheltering. Stressing that there was no difference between lawyers and the country’s population at large, he added: “It’s our country, we have to protect it. Therefore, everybody’s doing what he or she is best fitted for.”
Moves:
Mark Jones joins Jones Day’s law practice in London
Mark Jones, Competition and Antitrust Partner has joined Jones Day from Hogan Lovells.
Greenberg Traurig London expands real estate finance team
Daniyal Ansari, formerly of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, has joined Greenberg Traurig as a shareholder.
DWF builds real estate expertise in Dublin with new partner
DWF has hired Órlaith Molloy, formerly of Arthur cox, into their global real estate team.
White & Case London Partner Quits for In-House Return
Julia Smithers Excell has left White & Case after nearly four years at the firm to return to JP Morgan Chase.
Clyde & Co hires Partner in Madrid to strengthen global insurance group
Susana Martínez has joined Clyde & Co from Kennedys, where she was Head of Financial Lines and Cyber for Latin America.
Advant Beiten strengthens Brussels office
Gábor Báthory, EU trade and competition law specialist, has joined Advant Beiten as a partner from Van Bael & Bellis.
Wolf Theiss Warsaw office continues to grow
Wolf Theiss Warsaw continues to grow, as Anna Tomowicz joins the team in the role of partner in the real estate practice, and Adrian Krzyżanowski joins as counsel to foster project finance and leveraged finance expertise in banking & finance practice.
K&L Gates beefs up Boston IP offering with 12-strong team from local boutique
Partners Hannah Koyfman and David Lu have joined the Pittsburgh firm from Lando & Anastasi alongside a 10-person team of lawyers, patent agents and technology specialists.
Withers hires luxury law team in Milan from Baker McKenzie
Withers has strengthened their IP practice with the hire off Carlo Alberto Demichelis, who brings his one associate and two paralegals with him from Baker McKenzie.
Kennedys hires White and Williams litigator for Delaware launch
UK insurance law firm Kennedys has added a veteran commercial litigator from US firm White and Williams to open in Wilmington, Delaware.
BCLP Gets Boost with Addition of Transactional Real Estate Partner in Chicago
Heidi J. Azulay has joined the firm as a partner from DLA Piper, where she was the US Co-Leader of the Global Proptech practice.
Kirk Ogrosky has joined Goodwin’s Washington, D.C. office from Arnold & Porter.
Winston & Strawn Adds Paul B. Salvaty to Litigation Practice
Paul B. Salvaty has joined Winston & Strawn’s Los Angeles office from Hogan Lovells.
Partner From Freshfields’ Silicon Valley Launch Returns to Latham After Less Than 2 Years
Maj Vaseghi, a founding member of Freshfield’s Silicon Valley office, returns from Lathams.
Schulte Roth & Zabel Strengthens Business Reorganization Group
Ned S. Schodek has joined the firms’ New York office from Shearman & Sterling.
Gowling WLG is pleased to announce that Philip Augustine has joined the firm’s Family Law Group
Philip Augustine has joined Gowling’s Ottawa office.
Promotions & Appointments:
Corporate partner claims victory in DLA Piper elections
Jon Hayes, a London-based corporate partner, has been elected as the next senior partner, as Andrew Darwin’s four-year term ends.
Taylor Wessing adds tech specialist from Al Tamimi as head of corporate for MENA
Abdullah Mutawi joins Taylor Wessing as head of corporate for MENA from Al Tamimi & Company.
Privacy software unicorn OneTrust taps former HP legal chief as first-ever CLO
Kim Rivera has joined the Atlanta-based unicorn after six years at HP.
Office Openings & Closings:
White & Case’s Slovakian team break away to form new firm
The new firm Aldertree legal will be led by Juraj Fuska, a White & Case partner who currently heads the firm’s Bratislava base. The corporate lawyer was promoted to partner in 2017.
Financials:
Goodwin’s UK revenue up 60% for 2021
Goodwin Procter’s London revenue has increased more than 63%, reaching £122.47m for 2021.
King & Spalding grows revenue 20% to $1.83bn against 25% jump in PEP
King & Spalding’s Revenue has jumped 20% to hit $1.83bn, while their PEP has increased 25% to $4.37m.
Cooley feasts off record deal markets to post 28% revenue rise to $1.9bn
The Palo Alto-headquartered firm says it advised a record number of US public company clients in 2001, closing more than 385 fundings to raise $46bn in capital, and advising on more than 1,400 financings with an aggregate value of more than $93bn.
With Fewer Lawyers, Morrison & Foerster Sees Double-Digit Profit Growth
Gross revenue at the firm climbed 6% to $1.23 billion, picking up from just 1.6% growth in 2020. With the decrease in head count, revenue per lawyer increased 9% to $1.24 million.
Amid Leadership Transition, Gibson Dunn Posts 26th Straight Year of Growth
Ken Doran, the firm’s chair and managing partner since 2002, handed the reins last May to Barbara Becker, who was proud to be able to announce $2.48 billion in revenue, an increase of 14.8% from the previous year.
Greenberg Traurig Earned 16% More Revenue in 2021 as Transactional Work Boomed
Last year, Greenberg Traurig added fewer than 40 full-time equivalent lawyers but grew its revenue by $270 million for an RPL increase of nearly 14%. The firm also exceeded $2 billion in revenue for the first time.
Reversing 2020 Results, Shearman & Sterling Grew PEP 58% In 2021 On Double-Digit Revenue Gains
As part of their 17.5% revenue growth, the firm topped the $1 billion mark for the first time, coming in at $1.012 billion. Shearman also saw profits per equity partner jump from under $2 million in 2020 to just over $3 million in 2021.
Akin Gump’s London revenue inches up to $150m
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s London office revenue rose to $150.4m over 2021, representing growth of less than 1 per cent.
Technology & Innovation:
2022 Shortlist: Legal Innovation Awards 2022 (LIA)
Legal Week has released the 2022 short list, with categories including AI Innovation, Championing Diversity in Tech Innovation, and many others.
Why you should learn about legal innovation
Despite lawyers’ reputation for being averse to change, the reality is that the impact of innovation can be seen in many aspects of the law. In this context, lawyers cannot wait for innovation to come as a top-down initiative but should instead seek to develop their own innovative mindset to stay relevant.
How the legal market’s worst-named product forgot about the people
At its core, the idea of streamlined legal services is a great one. Where work has elements of repetition and doesn’t need the skills and strategy of a core in-house team, why not do it differently? Clients do still ask for this in multiple ways, grappling with how to get complex contracts done in a systematic efficient way. So why hasn’t the managed services idea scaled in the way so many people expected?
Diversity & Inclusion:
Rising Stars 2022: The UK’s Best Up and Coming Female Lawyers
To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, Law.com International has spent months researching and calling for submissions about exceptional up-and-coming female lawyers from across the top law firms.
Hogan Lovells has published new practical guidance for lawyers working with survivors of economic abuse to increase awareness surrounding economic abuse in the civil and criminal justice systems in the UK.
Driving positive change – the rise of female lawyers in Saudi Arabia
In recognition of International Women’s Day, Multilaw invited founder of their member firm Omar Alrasheed Law Firm in Saudi Arabia – Omar Alrasheed – as well as three of its female legal associates to provide their views and experiences on the rise of women in Saudi society, particularly their impact in the legal field
Legal education disruption has arrived, sort of
Enter the College of Legal Practice UK (CoLP), the wholly-owned subsidiary of the College’s Australian parent, which established itself as a training provider over here in 2019. As an exclusively online training provider it is banking on the market’s willingness to embrace hybrid learning, as opposed to the old way of learning by osmosis, permanently.
First-of-Kind Diversity Survey Provides Snapshot of Legal Department Workforce
The ALM Intelligence survey found that 62.2% of respondents believe their legal departments’ personnel was more diverse or much more diverse than their primary outside law firms.
How Two Simmons Lawyers Tackle Menopause and Microagressions in Their Gender Network
In 2008, Simmons & Simmons mid-level associate Emma Sutcliffe discovered a concerning statistic: her firm was at the bottom of a ranking of the number of female lawyers across London law firms. That stat was one of the major reasons she decided to launch the firm’s gender network, TNOC: The Number One Club. She is currently co-chair of the network, alongside London corporate partner Ania Rontaler.
It’s the men we feel sorry for
City firms have all recognised that they need to take steps to flex progression so that it better fits around the lives of women, rather than make women fit into an artificially-constructed ladder of reward. But creating an environment where both sexes can step off and on the carousel – and in particular, celebrating male part-timers – would do a lot more for women’s progress than an annual #IWD catchphrase.
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