Moves:
UK & Ireland
Wilmer Cutler Makes Rare London Lateral Hire
Fellow U.S. headquartered firm Dorsey & Whitney has also added to its London ranks in a rare move.
Osborne Clark UK Leader To Take Up San Francisco-Based Role After Term Ends
Osborne Clarke U.K. managing partner Ray Berg will take up a new role in the firm’s San Francisco office after his current term ends, as the firm seeks to drive forward its U.S. expansion. Berg, who has been U.K managing partner for eight years, is set to begin his next position in early 2023, following the end of his second term as U.K. managing partner on January 1.
EMEA
Portugal’s Abreu Hires Spanish Rival’s Litigation Head
Portuguese law firm Abreu Advogados has brought in a new partner to its litigation and arbitration practice from rival firm Goméz-Acebo & Pombo.
Paris Criminal-Defense Heavyweight Joins Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes
The arrival of Safya Akorri, who has represented the defendants in some of France’s most prominent terrorism trials, is part of a strategy by the firm to explore and strengthen the links between arbitration and criminal law
APAC
In One Fell Swoop, KPMG Conquers Southeast Asia With 275 New Lawyers
KPMG has implemented an expansion strategy that when completed will make it the largest Big Four accounting firm in Asia by lawyer head count.
The Americas
Greenberg Traurig Hires Team to Launch Tax Practice in Mexico City
The hires come as tax matters have taken on more urgency and complexity in Mexico, where the administration of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has adopted tough tactics in an effort to improve tax collection.
New Partners at Firms in Bridgeport and Stamford
Jeffrey Wisner, Douglas P. Morabito and Kelly Fitzpatrick have joined Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, while Carolyn Cavolo joins Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey.
Paul Hastings, Making Another Boost to Finance Practice, Adds Longtime Weil Partner
Paul Hastings, continuing to build its finance practice, has hired Weil, Gotshal & Manges partner Morgan Bale in New York, according to sources close to the firm.
McDermott Picks Up the Latest Prosecutor Departure in Chicago
White-collar and litigation hiring in Chicago continues to ramp up, with McDermott adding James Durkin from the Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Dianna Lee has joined Goodwin Proctor as a partner in the firm’s private equity practice. She joins from Latham & Watkins.
Akin Gump Lands Former Virginia Officials to Co-Lead State AG Practice
The arrival of Mark Herring and Martine Cicconi marks the first time Akin Gump has had a dedicated state AG practice with co-leadership.
In-House
Former HHS Counsel Joins Digital Health Company Ro
Gia Lee is taking the legal reins of an online pharmacy and telehealth company that was valued early this year at $7 billion but recently had layoffs.
Promotions & Appointments:
DA Bragg Names Justin McNabney as New Head of Special Victims Division
An 11-year veteran prosecutor, McNabney served as deputy chief of the Human Trafficking Response Unit beginning in 2019, and was appointed its chief earlier this year.
Morris Manning’s Partnership ‘Big as It’s Ever Been’ After Partner Promotions
he Am Law 200 firm considered economic factors when deciding promotions. “We look at the abilities of the attorney, the economic circumstances of the practices and the firm, and the market,” said firm leader Simon Malko.
Clifford Chance Elects New Senior Partner
Clifford Chance has elected Adrian Cartwright as its new senior partner. In a surprise move, Cartwright will take over the role from incumbent Jeroen Ouwehand for a four-year term from January 1, the firm announced on Tuesday.
Northwestern Mutual Elevates Longtime VP to General Counsel
In-house veteran Ryan Heinemann is moving into the GC slot as part of a slate of leadership changes at the 6,000-employee financial services giant.
All change as Pinsents elects new managing partner
Pinsent Masons has appointed a new managing partner to take over from John Cleland, who has held the position since 2015, The Lawyer can reveal.
Mergers & Alliances:
Saxton & Stump to Gain New Practices in January Merger With Lancaster Firm
The six attorneys of Kegel Kelin Litts & Lord will join the 95 attorneys of Saxton & Stump, which has its own roots in Lancaster.
Office Openings & Closing:
Mayer Brown, Snell & Wilmer Scale Up in Southern California
Mayer Brown took 55,000 square feet in downtown Los Angeles, while Snell & Wilmer grew to 12,000 square feet in the Del Mar Heights area of San Diego.
Financials:
A Recession Will Push More Lawyers Back to Office
A challenging economic environment will enable law firm leaders “to be more forthright in directing people back to the office,” industry analysts said. “We have already seen signs of this.”
As firms continue to face market competition over newly-qualified lawyer salaries, Weil Gotshal & Manges has increased its pay yet again for its junior lawyers. NQs at Weil are expected to receive a salary of £165,000 from the start of 2023.
Technology & Innovation:
Norton Rose Fulbright Global Chair Focused on Sustainability, Connectivity During Year as Leader
As global chair of Norton Rose Fulbright, London partner Farmida Bi, who is visiting Texas this week, selected a global charitable project to help a threatened fishing community in Cambodia.
How Will Big Tech’s Implosion Impact Legal Tech?
As Big Tech is battling with massive layoffs and having a “midlife crisis,” legal tech is unlikely to face the same fate, and companies that strategically chart a steady course will weather the coming economic storm.
Leading Into This Downturn, Cooley Has Been Tech’s Rightful Go-To
Though Cooley conducted layoffs last month as the tech industry cooled, it was that bench strength and long-time ties to the sector that earned it the Corporate Practice of the Year-Tech/Telecom honors for the specialty category as part of The American Lawyer Industry Awards.
Elon Musk Faces Class Trial Over Twitter Statements That Tesla Going Private
Elon Musk plans to testify in a Jan. 17 jury trial in which Tesla shareholders allege his 2018 statements on Twitter about going private were fraudulent.
Newly Launched Tool Helps Companies See How They Stack Up on DEI
“Many leaders want to build or improve their DEI program and are just unsure of where to start or how to move forward as they face limited time and resources,” said Jennifer Chen, executive director of the Association of Corporate Counsel Foundation.
Diversity & Inclusion:
6 Attorneys Face Consequences for Ethics Violations
In November, six Connecticut attorneys received the consequences of violating legal ethics rules, and one was reinstated, according to information from the Statewide Grievance Committee.