Moves:
UK & Ireland
Another Exit For Travers As Corporate Partner Walks To Linklaters
Richard Spedding, an M&A partner in Travers Smith’s corporate M&A and equity capital markets practice, joined in 1999 following five years as an associate at Freshfields.
Squire Patton Boggs adds partners across UK from four firms
SPB has employed Ellie Pinnells from Fieldfisher to lead its Birmingham litigation team.
Philip Lee welcomes Dr Alison Hardiman as planning and environmental partner
Philip Lee has made Dr Alison Hardiman a partner in the firm’s planning and environmental practice.
DLA Piper recruits former European Medicines Agency legal head
DLA Piper has hired Stefano Marino, the former head of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) legal department, as a senior consultant.
EMEA
Paul Weiss Expansion Drive Continues With Further Additions
Richard Pepper has worked with Macfarlanes for nearly three years and joined the firm in 2021. He worked as a counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton for ten years and trained at Slaughter and May.
Africa Moves: PwC Director and Shell Counsel Take Law Firm Roles
The director of legal business and solutions at PwC in Kenya has joined Spencer West, a fee-sharing UK law practice, as a co-founding partner in its Nairobi office. Joseph Githaiga joined the firm on May 1st and will work on the corporate, commercial, and data protection and cyber security departments, according to the announcement.
Isabelle Dauzet joins Stephenson Harwood as partner
Stephenson Harwood LLP has bolstered its international employment skills with the addition of partner Isabelle Dauzet, who will manage the firm’s Paris employment team.
Eversheds Hires Partner-Led Banking Team in Milan, in Latest Shearman-Related Exit After A&O Tie-Up
Pasquale Bifulco, who joined Eversheds, comes from Studio Legale Associato Shearman & Sterling, where he was a partner, and leads a team that includes a senior associate and an associate acquired from another firm.
Paul Weiss adds antitrust partner from European Commission for Brussels launch
Henrik Morch has joined the firm’s antitrust practice as a partner after spending more than three decades at the European Commission.
APAC
Korea’s Big Six Yulchon Adds Tech and Entertainment Expert from Lee & Ko
South Korea’s Big Six firm Yulchon has hired Chunghwan Choi to its intellectual property and technology practice in Seoul.
Loeb & Loeb Takes Two from CMS Hong Kong Affiliate
Shirley Lau and Polly Liu have joined Loeb & Loeb in Hong Kong as partners in the Capital Markets and Corporate department.
Yoon & Yang adds three former judges to bolster litigation bench
South Korea Big Six firm Yoon & Yang has continued to develop its litigation practice after adding three former judges Dongkeun Lee (L), Jae Ho Hwang, and Sungwook You to its rapidly expanded partner ranks.
The Americas
Former Federal Prosecutor Adds Name to New York Litigation and White-Collar Boutique’s Shingle
Lynn Neils has become a named partner at Elliott Kwok Levine Jaroslaw Neils, where she will be reunited with fellow Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison alums Mark Elliott, Ilene Jaroslaw, and Matthew Levine, who worked together as associates in the early 1990s.
Gibson Dunn, Cahill Hire NY Restructuring Partners as Practice Outperforms Most
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is delighted to announce that Caith Kushner has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner and member of the Liability Management and Special Situations Practice in the Business Restructuring and Reorganisation Practice Group.
After Stint at Freshfields, Antitrust Duo Returns to Wilson Sonsini
Jamillia Ferris, who previously led Freshfields’ U.S. antitrust practice, has rejoined Wilson Sonsini as a partner, alongside Matthew McDonald.
Mintz Hires Manatt’s Data Privacy Leader, 2 Colleagues in Boston Expansion
Scott Lashway, who founded Manatt’s Boston office in 2019, is now the co-chair of Mintz’s data privacy and cybersecurity practice.
Skadden Adds Sofi GC, Shearman Fintech Co-Chair to Lead Financial Regulatory Group
Mark Chorazak and Adam Cohen join in Washington DC and New York respectively amid increasing US bank regulation.
Energy Partners Make Big Law Moves in Texas
Andrew Lehman, a private equity partner at McDermott Will & Emery, has returned to Akin as a partner in Houston; Husch has hired Locke Lord energy regulatory partner Carrie Collier-Brown in Austin; and Clifford Chance has hired Shearman & Sterling tax partner Todd Lowther to its US tax practice in Houston.
Gowling WLG Snags Former Top Lawyer From Canada’s Largest Alcohol Retailer
Julie Lane joins the firm’s food and beverage group after working for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario for more than two decades.
Ashurst Hires Papua New Guinea Partner from PwC
Ashurst, a global law firm, has expanded its Port Moresby office by hiring Tureia Sample as their new Projects and Corporate partner. Tureia will become the Office Managing Partner (OMP) later this year. Her appointment demonstrates Ashurst’s commitment to the energy transition and its ongoing investment in Papua New Guinea.
Freshfields Antitrust Duo Returns to Wilson Sonsini
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the world’s leading provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth industries, announced that Jamillia Ferris and Matthew McDonald have rejoined the firm as partners.
Newsmakers: ‘I hope I make him proud:’ Alfred Ted Ruemke Joins PMR Law in Honor of Late Son
Esteemed trial lawyer Alfred “Ted” Ruemke has moved to Houston-brd Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke, or PMR Law, in honour of his late son, who co-founded the firm.
Steptoe, Nixon Peabody and Nelson Mullins Announce DC Litigation, Investigations Hires
Steptoe has hired Sandra Hanna, a partner at Miller & Chevalier, to expand its investigations and white-collar defence practice in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Kate Felton has joined Nossaman’s environment and land use division, while Jeff Sharkey has joined Balch & Bingham’s Washington, D.C. office as a senior regulatory adviser to expand the firm’s nuclear energy practice.
Alston & Bird boosts US litigation group with Pryor Cashman partner hire
Scott Schirick joins in New York, where he will focus on federal and state litigation, regulatory, and white-collar issues.
In-House
Collision-Repair Giant’s Executive Overhaul Includes Hiring PE Veteran as CLO.
Caliber Collision, the nation’s largest collision repair chain, has appointed Mark Chloupek as its chief legal officer.
Former Legal Exec at Hulu, Disney Joins Telecom Aiming to Narrow Digital Divide
Chadwick Ho, a member of the leadership team that founded the streaming website Hulu in 2007, is taking over legal control of Lumen Technologies, an old-school telecom that has transformed itself into a broadband provider for the masses.
Intercepted Memo Says NFL’s Legal Chief to Retire After Quarter-Century With League
Jeff Pash, the NFL’s executive vice president and general counsel, is ready to retire after 27 years with the organization.
Ex-Conagra General Counsel Takes Legal Reins of Rival Hormel
Colleen Batcheler has returned to the food sector after a two-year hiatus to help Hertz regain traction after its bankruptcy.
Former Simmons & Simmons lawyer takes legal reigns of Post Office Ltd.
Daniel Chumbley is leaving Simmons, where he was an adaptive consultant, to take on the position of Head of Legal at Post Office Ltd.
Space internet business AST SpaceMobile hires CLO
AST SpaceMobile, a US-listed space-based internet services company, has appointed Andrew Johnson as its new chief legal officer, succeeding outgoing general counsel Brian Heller.
Lumen Technologies names former Sabre CLO as next legal head
Chad Ho will be replacing long-time legal chief Stacey Goff, who is exiting after 26 years with the company.
Team Moves
Italian Practices Hire Up Amid A&O Shearman Launch
Fabio Fauceglia, an M&A partner at Studio Legale, has joined Orrick’s M&A and private equity division in Milan, along with five associates, beginning May 1st. Orrick has also hired Leonardo Pinta, an associate at Studio Legale, as an M&A counsel in Rome, starting May 1st.
Squire Patton Boggs Adds Partners From 4 Firms in UK Hiring Push
The London hires include finance lawyer Chris Hastings from Eversheds Sutherland, Georgie Messent who is the former director, and head of environmental and sustainability at PwC, and tax lawyer David Nisbet from Osborne Clarke.
Archer & Greiner has brought on eight associates to their office in New Jersey; Genova Burns adds two attorneys; and more moves.
JSA adds four-lawyer disputes team from K law
- Sagar Associates, an Indian law firm, has expanded its Mumbai-based disputes practice by hiring four lawyers from Krishnamurthy & Co (K Law), led by partner Ayush Agarwala.
Promotions & Appointments:
People in the News—May 7, 2024—Hamburg Rubin, Pietragallo Gordon
Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin announced that John F. McCaul has been elected to the board of directors for the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN).
People in the News—May 8, 2024—Raynes & Lawn
Community Legal Services and Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) recently welcomed two new members to their overlapping boards of directors including Joseph Z. Traub, a partner at Raynes & Lawn.
Vaughan McLean, Formerly Vaughan Baio, Appoints New Leader, While Pursuing Further Growth
Tracey McLean, headquartered in Syracuse, New York, will join Joseph Vaughan at the firm, which has also added workers in New Jersey, Florida, and Philadelphia.
People in the News—May 10, 2024—Archer & Greiner, Reger Rizzo
Debra S. Rosen, an Archer & Greiner partner, has been appointed to the Alice Paul Institute’s (API) board of directors.
Buchanan Ingersoll’s New Leader Eyes Strategic Growth in Existing Markets
On Thursday, Pittsburgh-based James Newell succeeded Joe Dougherty as chairman and CEO of the Am Law 200 business.
Fountain Court’s Matthew Gearing KC becomes first former solicitor called to Singapore Bar
The former A&O partner has joined Toby Landau KC and Jern-Fei Ng KC as UK appointments to the Law Society of Singapore.
McDermott Will & Emery refreshes London leadership team
Aymen Mahmoud will take over as London managing partner from Hamid Yunis, while Graham White will become senior partner.
McCann FitzGerald appoints Adam Finlay as head of technology and innovation
McCann FitzGerald has named Adam Finlay to lead the firm’s technology and innovation group.
Mergers & Alliances:
Midmarket Firms Based in New York and Connecticut Combine for Greater Shared Presence in Northeast.
Harris Beach, based in Rochester, is completing plans to merge with Murtha Cullina, a Connecticut-based firm with a presence throughout New England, to form Harris Beach Murtha, which will have over 250 attorneys working from 15 offices across three states.
Clark Hill Launches Boulder Office in Combination With Food, Beverage, Hospitality Boutique
Clark Hill, an Am Law 200 company, has expanded its Mountain West presence by combining with Boulder’s three-lawyer LaszloLaw.
Australia’s Thomson Geer Takes Over Perth Practice, Buys Stake in IP Business
The company announces that it has purchased a 4.9% share in takeover target Qantm.
Office Openings & Closing:
‘Macro Impacts’: How Much Am Law 200 Firms Have Reduced Their Space
In 2023, the Am Law 200 firms leased an average of 525,500 square feet of office space for $50.20 per square foot. This article shows how the stats have changed in recent years.
Top Biglaw Firm Opens Another Texas Outpost With The Help Of Some Lateral Partners
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, a firm that brought in $1,500,000,000 gross revenue in 2023, ranking it at No. 30 on the most current Am Law 100, is opening its latest office.
As More Law Firms Expand in Texas, Some Am Law 25 Firms Stay on Sidelines
Six of the Am Law 25 firms do not have an office in Houston. Is it more difficult to attract high-performing staff when other Am Law 100 firms have already relocated in?
Barnes & Thornburg Relocates Nashville Office Near Health Care Institutions
Barnes & Thornburg LLP has announced the launch of a new office in Nashville, Tennessee. The office will be led by five new partners in key areas for the firm, including capital markets partners Jay H. Knight and Taylor K. Wirth, healthcare partners J.D. Thomas and Elisa Harris, and white-collar litigation partner Joy Boyd Longnecker.
UK Firm Opens 11-Strong Office in Peru Led by Three Partners
The Lima office’s inauguration follows the firm’s March 2024 expansion in Mexico, when it acquired a 12-person team managed by three seasoned litigators.
Freeman Mathis & Gary Opens Fort Lauderdale Office, Plans for More Florida Growth
Managing Partner Ben Mathis said “Both in Tampa and now in Fort Lauderdale, (lawyers) are just busy. We could hire someone tomorrow with no business at any level and fill them up.”
Financials:
The 2024 Am Law 200: Ranked By Gross Revenue
Gross Revenue for the Second Hundred increased in 2023 by 5.9%, which is higher than the 4.2% increase in 2022.
S&P predicts “flat to 10% growth” in capital markets revenue relating to institutional lenders for 2024.
Pa.’s Second Hundred Sees Increased Revenue, Mixed Performance
The performance of Pennsylvania’s Second Hundred firms was more variable, with several struggling to meet the national average of 5.9% revenue growth.
Quinn Emanuel Hikes London NQ Pay to £180K
The news about the raise comes after Freshfields’ increase earlier this month, with some suggesting it signals a revival of the pay war.
Technology & Innovation:
Aderant Launches Stridyn, New AI-Powered Cloud Platform to Connect All Products
Stridyn will now power all of Aderant’s cloud applications with built-in AI capabilities offered via MADDI, the provider’s AI-powered virtual assistant that debuted last summer.
Reveal Acquires Onna to Enhance E-Discovery Platform’s Data Management Capabilities
Reveal, an e-discovery service, has announced the acquisition of Onna, a data management platform, confirming its ambition to develop an end-to-end electronic discovery tool powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
‘Making Sure the World Knows We Are Doing It’: Sullivan & Cromwell Formalizes AI Practice
The firm has been working on artificial intelligence since 2015, however the recent advancements in capability, along with growing amounts of money invested as well as ethical and political questions, demand a more focused approach.
Think Gen AI Is Mind-Blowing Today? Next Decade’s Advancements Will Be ‘Momentous’
Suffolk University Law School Dean Andrew Perlman stated, “I believe it is going to be the most significant technology ever created for the legal industry and many others, In a CLOC Global Institute keynote.”
CLOC Legal Tech Rundown: Ironclad Custom AI, New Lexis Tool and More
An update on product introductions and new alliances from the CLOC Global Institute 2024 conference in Las Vegas, featuring ContractPodAi, Evisort, Icertis, Ironclad, and LexisNexis.
Legal Tech Rundown: Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant, New DISCO Features, Taft AI Group and More
Aatos, a Helsinki-based legal technology and legal services software firm, announced plans to expand throughout Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Also, Adobe has announced the release of Acrobat AI Assistant for its enterprise customers.
Hence Technologies to Launch AI Software to Help Law Firms with Geopolitical Risks
The software promises to not only map geopolitical events and transform them into legal concerns, but it also aims to assist in-house legal departments in identifying potential political implications and infringements on their transactions and matters.
Clients are increasingly turning away from Big Law in search of that elusive personal touch, while young litigators want autonomy in their own companies.
Sullivan & Cromwell eyes artificial intelligence growth with new practice launch
Sullivan & Cromwell, a top 25 US firm, has launched a specialized artificial intelligence department to capitalize on the surge in generative AI technology and growing client demand for AI-related advice.
Diversity & Inclusion:
‘The Biggest Fallacy of the Industry’: How Flexible Working Policies are Failing Both Men and Women
Top lawyers and commentators highlight how policies fail women and how, owing to social pressure, men frequently avoid the subject entirely.
Market Commentary:
More Workers Seek Mental Health Accommodations, Creating Vexing Legal, HR Decisions for Firms
Littler Mendelson polled 400 in-house lawyers, executives, and HR professionals, and three-quarters of them observed an increase in requests for leaves of absence or other mental health accommodations.
‘We’re Watching A&O Shearman With Interest’: CMS’s New Senior Partner on US Merger Ambition
Charles Currier, who took the top job late last year, feels as if the firm has ‘good sense’ of the US market now.
As White & Case Celebrates 50 Years in D.C., Firm Focuses on Litigation and Regulatory Strengths
While other large legal firms are expanding their Washington, D.C. offices to become full-service, White & Case’s emphasis on difficult regulatory and litigation matters in the District demonstrates the firm’s strategy for remaining profitable in that area.
Texas Second Hundred Grows to Four With Addition of Chamberlain Hrdlicka
The four Texas-based firms on the Second Hundred join six other Texas firms on the American Law 100.
Filings for Hong Kong listings have surged, as have privatizations. Kirkland, Clifford Chance, Davis Polk, and Skadden take up employment.
Dominant Dubai: Fresh Data Shows Most Middle East Lawyers are Based in the City
Despite Saudi Arabia’s and Abu Dhabi’s best efforts, an in-depth examination reveals that around 60% of lawyers at the top Middle Eastern companies are based in Dubai.
What’s Going On at Paul Weiss?
According to The Global Lawyer, the US company has solid reasons to rapidly expand with top-tier lawyers in London. However, it has since established itself in Brussels and opened a Latin America practice. Is the New York corporation expanding globally?