Moves:
UK & Ireland
Paul Weiss Strikes Kirkland Yet Again in Latest London Partner Hire
The firm’s rapidly expanding London business will benefit from David Pritchett’s expertise, the most recent appointment, who specializes in funds regulation.
Debevoise Adds Another Goodwin Partner in London
After nearly five years at Goodwin, James Grimwood, who works on a variety of private equity transactions such as M&A agreements, leveraged buyouts, and venture investments, is scheduled to join Debevoise. Grimwood had worked at CMS for more than 22 years before joining the company in 2020.
Howard Kennedy bolsters disputes bench with hires from Paul Hastings, Mishcon de Reya
Heidrun Walsh from Mishcon de Reya, an expert in international arbitration, and Crispin Daly of Paul Hastings, a contentious insolvency lawyer, become partners in a London business.
Quillon Law bolsters fraud practice with Covington & Burling partner hire
Ian Hargreaves from Covington & Burling has joined Quillon Law as a partner, strengthening the litigation firm’s proficiency in managing intricate and sizable fraud cases and investigations.
Eversheds Sutherland hires David Kirton as IP, tech and data protection partner
David Kirton has joined the Dublin-based intellectual property, technology, and data protection unit of the international law firm Eversheds Sutherland as a partner.
Dentons welcomes new partner to London Regulatory and Investigations Group
Andrew Barber is a seasoned financial regulatory partner who has joined Dentons’ expanding UK Regulatory and Investigations unit. After serving as a Managing Associate at Dentons, Andrew returns to the company from Pinsent Masons.
Two new partners at Beauchamps
Fiona Egan and Yvonne O’Byrne have been named partners at Beauchamps. Ms. Egan, a partner in the projects, infrastructure, and energy team, joins the company from Arthur Cox. She has extensive construction and project management experience, specializing in both contentious and non-contentious matters in the areas of infrastructure, large-scale commercial and residential projects, manufacturing, logistics, energy and renewables, and more.
Bird & Bird strengthens London Tax practice with the hire of Jesse Dalton as partner
With the addition of partner Jesse Dalton, the law firm Bird & Bird has bolstered its London Tax unit. He will begin work on October 21.
Freshfields Private Capital Partner Exits for Macfarlanes
Victoria Hills leaves Freshfields after 2 decades with the firm in a rare hire by Macfarlanes.
Capsticks expands construction expertise with Mills & Reeve, Bevan Brittan partner hires
Construction law experts Catherine Kay from Mills & Reeve and Matthew Phipps from Bevan & Brittan join UK national firm Capsticks.
EMEA
Jones Day Expands European Footprint with Global Disputes Partner in Madrid
In light of the increasing complexity of European litigation and arbitration, Pablo Doñate Gazapo de Badiola joins Jones Day Madrid, strengthening its expanding global conflicts practice.
Clifford Chance Paris Hires Tech Partner Anticipating ‘Huge Wave’ of AI Projects
According to Patrice Navarro, Clifford Chance’s new partner in data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, his AI work currently makes up over a third of his practice, and he anticipates that number to rise in 2025.
A&O Shearman Hires Knowledge and Innovation Lead from Pérez-Llorca
Marisa Delgado oversaw the implementation of the Swedish generative AI tool Leya while she was in charge of Pérez-Llorca’s knowledge management division.
BCLP Hires Paris Corporate Partner From Orrick & Other French Moves
BCLP has added George Rigo, well established at Orrick, as a partner in Paris to improve its capabilities in meeting increasing demand for advisory services on complex cross-border transactions.
Clifford Chance Builds Private Capital Capability with Paul Hastings Partner Hire
Blake Jones leaves Paul Hastings after joining the firm in 2018. The move comes shortly after the firm’s London head of private equity, Chris Sullivan, left for Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison together with senior finance partner Taner Hassan.
APAC
Morgan Lewis Takes China Investigations Partner from White & Case
Bingna Guo joins Morgan Lewis from White & Case. Bingna has experience in representing global companies, audit committees, and clients in cross-border investigations and enforcement actions. She has also advised on compliance programs and training in addition to overseeing complex disputes.
Simmons & Simmons Shanghai Office Lawyers Move to Shanghai Alliance Firm YaoWang
Melody Yang, a 14-year Simmons partner, just joined YaoWang, which was founded in 2022 by former Simmons & Simmons partner May Lu.
Baker McKenzie Former Australian Head of Tax to Leave for Jones Day
John Walker was previously head of Baker McKenzie’s Australian Tax Practice, he is now set to join Jones Day. Well known for his knowledge of the tax dimension of M&A, the move is expected to bring further expertise to Jones Day’s capabilities within this specialism.
The tax implications of M&A and other transactions are John Walker’s area of expertise.
Baker McKenzie Loses Second Australian Partner Within Days
Charlie Detmold, a banking and financial professional, will join Johnson Winter Slattery, a local firm.
Malaysia’s Rahmat Lim hires tax partner from Halim Hong & Quek
Andersen Global member firm Halim Hong & Quek has recruited tax attorney Desmond Liew Zhi Hong as a partner at the Malaysian law firm Rahmat Lim & Partners, which is the association firm of Allen & Gledhill.
Offshore firm Ogier hires new funds, digital assets partner in HK
Dennis Li, a specialist in investment funds and digital assets, was hired as a partner in Hong Kong by offshore legal firm Ogier from rival Travers Thorp Alberga, where he served as a counsel.
Philippines: Ocampo & Suralvo bolsters disputes offering with new partner
Anthony RV Jacoba, a litigator, has been appointed as a partner and leader of the dispute resolution and insolvency practice group of Ocampo & Suralvo legal Offices, a Philippine legal company.
JSA hires corporate pro from AP & Partners in Gurugram
With the hiring of corporate lawyer Harshit Anand as a retained partner in its Gurugram office, JSA has maintained its position as the market leader in 2024.
Clyde & Co’s Loses Australian Regulatory Partner Amid Ongoing Exodus
Avryl Lattin is set to take on an in-house role at international development organisation Adara Group, adding to the growing list of partners exiting Clyde & Co.
The Americas
Cole Schotz Adds Corporate Member in Delaware
Pamela Millard joined Cole Schotz’s corporate department in Delaware, the firm stated.
Kirkland Adds FTC Lawyer Amid ‘Pivotal Time’ in Antitrust Practices
Stephen Mohr, who recently departed from the FTC, said he “anticipates agencies will continue to be aggressive in bringing merger enforcement challenges.
Holland & Knight Adds Former US Attorney in Nashville
As a partner, Henry Leventis joins the business with an emphasis on health care customers and their need for compliance and investigations.
Winston & Strawn Hires K&L Gates’ Former Digital Assets Co-Chair in Miami
Winston & Strawn originally opened in Miami in 2022, and since then, the office has not added many new partners in that area, despite hiring a number of founding partners. Since starting the practice, it is now hiring Andrew Hinkes, its second partner with a focus on cryptocurrency.
Davis Polk Capital Markets Attorney Heads to Morgan Lewis
The newest employee at Morgan Lewis with SEC experience is Rahul Patel. According to the firm, there are over 20 SEC graduates spread among its U.S. offices.
Joseph Profaizer’s hire is not the first time that Linklaters and Paul Hastings have traded partners.
Holland & Knight Snags 2 Insurance Partners in New York and Philadelphia from Goodwin
Following a Polsinelli raid in July, Holland & Knight is expanding its Philadelphia office with Alex Selarnick and adding Greg Hoffnagle in New York, Both attorneys left Goodwin Procter and have been collaborating in the insurtech industry since 2018.
McGuireWoods bolsters energy coverage with partner hire from Balch & Bingham – The Global Legal Post
David Martin Connelly, an energy lawyer from Balch & Bingham, has joined McGuireWoods to strengthen the firm’s enforcement and regulatory expertise.
In-House
Sports Attorney Rejoins Jets for Second Tour of Duty as GC
Jill Kelley, who left in July, is being replaced by Andrew Lee, who has over 25 years of experience in sports law.
Kristin Coleman Out as GC of Albemarle Amid Leadership Reshuffles
Deputy General Counsel Stacy Grant, who joined the specialty chemicals manufacturer last year, is taking Coleman’s place.
Team Moves
Jones Day Adding 3 Winston Energy, Infrastructure Partners in Dallas
Rodney Moore, a partner at Winston & Strawn, has already joined Jones Day and stated that Samuel Peca and Scott Delaney will move in shortly once they resolve any outstanding issues.
CMA taps Linklaters, European Commission as part of trio of senior legal appointments
Emma Cochrane joins from Linklaters, meanwhile Lourenço Ventura returns from the EC. Richard Romney joined CMA in 2019 on an interim basis and no takes on a permanent role as senior legal director for the mergers, markets and regulatory appeals team.
Proskauer Rose Investment Management Trio Jumps to Stradley Ronon
Stuart H. Coleman, David Stephens and William T. MacGregor are due to leave an Am Law 50 firm for a legal practice with more than 200 attorneys that excels in the field of investment management.
Australia’s Holding Redlich Hires Seven From KPMG
In an effort to secure more government work, Holding Redlich has strengthened its Canberra team by hiring Philip Jones-Hope, the head of KPMG Law’s government and defence group, and his six-person team.
Korea’s Lee & Ko adds arbitration veteran to head international disputes
Park Eun Young leaves Park Arbitration Chambers, where he had taken on the role of independent arbitrator in 2022.
Promotions & Appointments:
People in the News—Oct. 7, 2024—Dilworth Paxson, Royer Cooper
Attorney Linda Dale Hoffa has been named chair of the Pennsylvania State Committee for the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) for a two-year term, according to Dilworth Paxson.
Chamberlain Hrdlicka Hires New COO, First-Ever Chief Business Development, Marketing Office
In an effort to expand strategically, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry appointed Lisa Wilmore as its first chief business development and marketing officer and Erin Hulme as its chief operational officer.
Staples Chief Legal Officer Named Chair of 48,000-Member ACC
Tracy Preston, who has served as Macy’s Chief Legal Officer for the past year, will be replaced by Cristina Gonzalez.
North Carolina’s Brooks Pierce Elects New Managing Partner
Veteran commercial litigator James “Jimmy” Adams will take office Feb. 1st, 2025.
UnitedLex Appoints GC Renee Meisel as New CEO, Replacing James Schellhase After Short Tenure
In September 2023, Schellhase was named CEO of the alternative legal services company. Why he left the organization after only a brief period of leadership is unknown.
Clifford Chance, Freshfields and White & Case Make C-Suite Appointments
The high-ranking hires coincide with Big Law firms’ growing reliance on non-lawyers to spearhead expansion and growth plans.
Johnsons promotes Jonathan Calvert to partner
The firm’s defence and litigation practice is where Mr Calvert has spent the duration of his career since training with the team.
John O’Doherty re-appointed to National Gallery board
John O’Doherty is KOD Lyons’ managing partner and his tenure on the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland has been extended by a further 2 years.
Mergers & Alliances:
Clients ‘No Longer Need to Be Referred Out’: Womble and Lewis Roca Eye Merger Benefits
Kenneth Van Winkle, managing partner of Lewis Roca, states, “We have had extreme difficulty representing our client base from other jurisdictions in their work in California.”
Law Firm Mergers – Does Bigger Mean Smart
In light of the disruption caused by technology, law firms must reconsider their approach.
Smaller firms falling out of love with merger, research finds – Legal Futures
A LexisNexis 2024 Bellwether report has found that only one in ten small firms would consider a merger or acquisition, a figure which has declined steadily in recent years.
Partner Cuts: The Grim Reality of Post-Merger Integration
A familiar pattern emerges after the A&O Shearmen Merger as a string of partners are let go in the wake of the deal.
Office Openings & Closing:
Willkie Keeps Building in Chicago as Office Eclipses 100 Lawyers
The lateral moves are consistent with its strategy to stock up on “A-plus practitioners” in places where the firm is already strong, said Willkie Midwest office leader Craig Martin.
Quinn Emanuel’s Miami Office Cracks 20 Attorneys, Three Years After Arrival
“We have vastly more work in Miami than we can do,” stated co-managing partner John O’Sullivan. “Half my cases, I’m working with teams that are from the other offices.”
Wave of Office Closures Highlights the Weighty Stakes Surrounding Law Firm Growth
Major Lindsey & Africa consultant Jennifer Moss said, “Just because a certain legal market is hot does not mean that you should be there.”
‘No Holds Barred’: Why Alston & Bird Is Leaning Into Los Angeles
Partner in charge Jeff Rosenfeld stated, “I’d like equal weight on both sides of town,” referring to Alston’s goal of expanding its new Century City office to match its DTLA footprint.
Butler Snow Shutters in Singapore, Partner to Split Time Between 2 Cities
Three former Butler Snow attorneys joined rival British private client firm Charles Russell Speechlys earlier this year.
Financials:
Surpassing Cravath Associate Pay Scale, Boutique Seeks to Stay Above Market
The boutique’s management stated that it hopes to reward associates for their hard work on important projects this year and aid in hiring by increasing associate compensation above market.
Law Firm and In-House Salaries on the Rise in Canada, Survey Says
According to Robert Half Canada’s compensation guide, legal companies are expected to increase wages by 2% by 2025.
Technology & Innovation:
Securely Navigating the AI Sea
It’s wise that the majority of attorneys remain cautious. AI presents moral dilemmas. Lawyers need to stay away from its various traps. These risks include depending too much on AI tools, not securing sensitive client data, and not communicating with the client or the court in an appropriate manner.
Just 11% of Legal Departments Predict Gen AI Will Be ‘Transformative,’ as Its Honeymoon Phase Fades
According to Marko Mrkonich, businesses should set up their AI compliance framework early on rather than after staff members have been accustomed to using AI in particular ways.
Leopard Solutions Unveils Leopard Prowess, an Outside Counsel Hiring Solution
Leopard Prowess aims to increase exposure to smaller firms and give corporate counsel an advantage when engaging outside counsel.
The Rise of AI in Legal Practice: How Attorneys Can Adapt and Thrive – Vault
Travis Whitsitt considers how AI is currently reshaping how attorneys work and how they can leverage the technology to improve their practises moving forward.
How Legal Tech Providers Can Walk the Walk on AI, Not Just Talk the Talk
Chris Cartrett, CEO of Aderant writes that Instead of using their clients as test subjects for AI, legal tech vendors should lead by example and implement AI-powered transformations within their own operations to ensure innovative thought and ultimately, benefit for their clients.
Summize Releases AI Redlining Tool That Shows Its Work and Learns If You Don’t Like It
Based on redlining rejections, the AI redlining tool can learn a user’s preferences while operating within Microsoft Word.
JAMS Launches Initiative to Leverage AI Technology in Dispute Resolution
As part of the JAMS Next effort, the organization will use the court reporting and testimony management platform Prevail to provide AI transcript services, among other modifications.
The American Arbitration Association Unveils Gen AI-Powered Panelist Search Tool
In the upcoming months, parties will have access to AAAi Panelist Search, which enables case managers to conduct more in-depth panelist searches to suit the requirements of their cases.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Atlanta Law Firm Joins Mansfield Effort for More Leadership Diversity
Julie Sebastian of Smith, Gambrell & Russell said, “Diversity is very important here. We want everybody to walk into the office every day knowing that they can be their full selves”.
Experts that that it’s time to step back and re-evaluate exactly what diversity, equity and inclusion mean for the workplace and for America’s business communities.
The Best Law Firms for Disability Representation in UK, 2024
The statistics also show that corporation law’s representation of people with disabilities still terribly lags behind the national average.
Market Commentary:
London co-head Neel Sachdev says, “It shows that if you hire the top talent… then the London legal market is a fantastic investment for law firms”.
Setting Partner Comp: Are Law Firms Now Too ‘Short-Term Focused’?
One consultant noted, “People are less patient than they have ever been before. People want to be awarded now.”
Losing its ‘Sparkle’? Why Latham Has Faced a Stream of Exits in Europe, UK
Several top partners have left the U.S.-led law firm in Germany and the U.K., according to sources, who blame the departures on indecision and a move away from “less core” areas.
Mental health in the legal profession: Progress and challenges
On World Mental Health Day, Nikki Edwards, president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, considers the evolving perspective on mental health in the industry.
‘Who By Fire?’: Reflecting On Law Firms in a Tumultuous Year
Law companies may wish to take some time to consider the year’s events and what they might witness in the next 12 months, according to The Global Lawyer, after a year marked by conflict, office closures, and law mergers.