Moves
UK & Ireland
Reed Smith Snaps Up McDermott Arbitration Partner in London
Reed Smith has welcomed Michael Darowski, a seasoned arbitration partner from McDermott, who brings expertise in complex arbitration and holds qualifications in both London and Hong Kong.
Pinsents bolsters finance team with double partner hire
Pinsent Masons has hired Edward Smith from Travers Smith as a restructuring partner in London, and Seyavash Rahnema from Norton Rose Fulbright as a finance partner in Dubai. Smith brings over 25 years’ experience in restructuring, while Rahnema will help expand the firm’s finance practice across the Middle East.
Orrick’s growth spurt continues with Gibson Dunn duo
Orrick has hired oil and gas specialist Anna Howell (partner) and of Counsel Mitasha Chandok from Gibson Dunn to boost its London energy practice. Their expertise fills a gap in Orrick’s energy offerings, complementing its focus on renewables and infrastructure as part of broader global growth.
Reed Smith enhances corporate group with M&A and private equity partner in London
Reed Smith has appointed Andrew Houghton as a partner in its Global Corporate Group in London. With nearly 20 years of experience, Houghton specialises in cross-border corporate work, focusing on financial services and fintech sectors. He joins from Proskauer Rose, strengthening Reed Smith’s capabilities in private capital and complex transactions across the UK and Europe.
Lillian Mackenzie joins Burges Salmon
Lillian Mackenzie has joined Burges Salmon, marking the latest appointment at the firm, and strengthening its growing team.
Travers Partner Walks to Simmons in Busy Week for London Hiring
Simmons & Simmons has bolstered its derivatives and trading practice with the hire of Joseph Wren from Travers Smith. Wren, who spent 14 years at Travers and made partner in 2020, advises private market clients on a range of derivatives and trading matters.
Americas
Kirkland Lures Fintech Regulatory Partner from McDermott
Kara Kuchar, a financial technology regulation partner, was the most recent to leave McDermott Will & Schulte to join Kirkland.
Baker McKenzie Adds Second Ex-King & Spalding Partner to Boost NatSec Team in D.C.
Baker McKenzie has appointed Sumon Dantiki as co-chair of its national security practice in D.C., joining former Deputy U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. Dantiki brings over a decade of government experience and was previously a partner at King & Spalding.
Wilson Sonsini’s Latin America Practice Head Jumps to Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig has hired Matt Squires, former head of Wilson Sonsini’s Latin America practice, as it expands its focus in the region, particularly in Brazil. Squires reunites with former colleagues from both Wilson Sonsini and Milbank, where he spent nearly six years in the New York office.
Clifford Chance Adds Fried Frank PE Partner Amid Lateral Spree
According to global head of private equity Jonny Myers, Andrea Gede-Lange joined the company on Thursday, making her the 13th lateral partner to join in the last 12 months.
EMEA
Clyde & Co. Recruits Pinsents Dubai Partner as Head of Technology to Spur Practice Rebuild
Ruby Khnom has joined Clyde & Co. as head of technology in Dubai, recruited from Pinsent Masons to help rebuild the firm’s TMT practice amid the region’s rapidly evolving tech and regulatory landscape.
Ashurst set to hire Clifford Chance team for Casablanca launch
Ashurst has hired Clifford Chance partner Ouns Lemseffer to lead its new Morocco office, marking the firm’s entry into Africa. The team will focus on energy, infrastructure, and banking across Francophone Africa.
APAC
JWS appoints new real estate partner for its Sydney team
Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) has appointed Bhavini Sundarjee as a new partner in its Sydney real estate team. This addition strengthens JWS’s presence in the Sydney property market.
Lander & Rogers appoints new commercial disputes partner
Helen Sims, a partner with experience at top firms and government offices, joined Lander & Rogers’ national disputes practice in September 2025 to strengthen their expertise in complex commercial litigation, regulatory investigations, and public law.
PE Talent Wars: Clayton Utz Hires Partner from Allens Amid Private Capital Boom
With private capital investment booming in Australia, Clayton Utz has appointed former Allens partner Mark Malinas as head of private equity, joining other major firms like Ashurst, Corrs, and Clifford Chance in strengthening their PE teams.
Kirkland Hong Kong Partner Relocates to Singapore for Milbank
Maurice Conway, a partner specialising in private equity and mergers and acquisitions at Kirkland & Ellis, has departed the firm’s Hong Kong office to join Milbank in Singapore.
His move is part of Milbank’s broader global initiative aimed at strengthening its private equity capabilities across key markets
In-House
NYU Hires Its Former Law School Dean for Newly Created Chief Legal Officer Role
Trevor Morrison, who served as the NYU School of Law’s dean from 2013 to 2022, has been named New York University’s first chief legal officer.
US Olympic Committee Plucks Legal Chief from Southeastern Conference
Over the last ten years, during which time the SEC’s revenue has almost doubled, William King has been the agency’s associate commissioner for legal affairs and compliance.
Inmaculada Castelló joins Deloitte Legal as Corporate partner
Inmaculada Castelló has joined Deloitte Legal as a Corporate/M&A partner, bringing 20 years of experience from Dentons, Pinsent Masons, and other firms. Her expertise in M&A and alternative investments strengthens Deloitte’s Spanish legal team amid ongoing global restructuring.
Longtime Gibson Dunn Partner Tapped for SEC Corporation Finance Role
Longtime Gibson Dunn partner James Moloney has joined the SEC as head of the Division of Corporation Finance, following 25 years at the firm and co-leading its securities regulation and corporate governance group. His appointment supports the SEC’s push to modernize rules and ease disclosure burdens.
Team Moves
Three-Lawyer M&A, Private Equity Team Lands at Morgan Lewis in Boston
Morgan Lewis has added a mergers and acquisitions and private equity team consisting of partners Shannon Zollo, Joshua French, and Meghan Kelly. The trio, who have worked together for over seven years, expressed enthusiasm about the move and the support they’ve received from the firm.
With Market ‘Competitive’ as Ever, Mayer Brown Adds 6-Lawyer Infrastructure Team
Mayer Brown has brought on a six-lawyer projects and infrastructure team led by Elina Coss (from Wilson Sonsini) and Trevor Shelton (from Vinson & Elkins). Coss will work from London and New York, while Shelton joins in Los Angeles. The hires strengthen the firm’s global project finance and renewable energy capabilities. The team, which includes one counsel and three associates, is spread across five offices. Mayer Brown’s Joe Seliga said the additions meet rising investor demand in the infrastructure space. Both Coss and Shelton expressed enthusiasm for the firm’s global platform and finance strengths.
Orrick hits Cadwalader for eight-partner finance team in London and US
Orrick has boosted its finance practice by hiring eight partners from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft across the UK and US amid rising demand for CLO and private credit expertise. The London team includes David Quirolo, Claire Puddicombe, Daniel Tobias, and Alexander Collins, while the US group features Gregg Jubin, Joe Beach, Nate Spanheimer, and Skyler Walker. This move follows recent market shifts, such as Sushila Nayak and James Jirtle leaving Orrick for Dechert, and Cadwalader hiring Edward Holmes from Paul Hastings.
Ropes & Gray Opens Milan Office, Hires Latham PE Trio
Ropes & Gray has opened a new office in Milan, Italy, expanding its global private equity practice. The firm welcomed three private equity partners from Latham & Watkins, Cataldo Piccarreta, Giorgia Lugli, and Luca Maranetto, with two based in Milan and one in London. This Milan launch follows the firm’s Paris office opening six months earlier.
Promotions & Appointments
Cleary Elects New Managing Partner, While Gerstenzang Will Hold New Senior Partner Role
After leading Cleary since 2017, Michael Gerstenzang will be replaced by longtime partner Jeffrery Karpf.
Rapidly Growing Saxton & Stump Announces Next CEO
Saxton & Stump has announced its next CEO will be Thomas J. Kent Jr, who will assume the role at the beginning of 2026. Current CEO and founder James Saxton will transition to a chairman position at the start of next year. The leadership change comes amid an aggressive growth strategy in 2025, which has included a merger with a firm in York, Pennsylvania, and the launch of a new office in Pittsburgh.
GOLDLAW announces Kuvin as Shareholder
Spencer Kuvin, GOLDLAW’s Chief Legal Officer and Litigation Attorney, has joined the company as a stakeholder. Since 2012, Mr. Kuvin has held a Florida Bar Board Certification in Civil Trial.
Sparke Helmore names 5 new partners across key practice areas
Sparke Helmore appointed five new partners across key practice areas, effective 1 July 2025, including Alanna Lucchese, Adam Cunynghame, Max Calligeros, Alex Caldwell, and Matthew O’Sullivan. These promotions span five offices nationwide, reflecting the firm’s commitment to strengthening its regional presence and expertise.
Kennedys promotes two lawyers in Edinburgh
Kennedys has promoted Amy Dignan to legal director and Jenna Green to senior associate in Edinburgh as part of a global promotions round. The firm elevated 76 lawyers worldwide and continues to invest in talent following its record £428 million revenue in 2024/25.
Office Openings & Closing
Risking Buyer’s Remorse, Midsize Firms Are Launching Offices in a Hot Market
At least six midsize legal practices have opened additional offices since April, either by merging with a nearby firm or via lateral hiring. Of those launches, half represented growth beyond the area origins of the firms, while others maintained their regional foundations.
New York-Based Hospitality Firm Launches in Miami, Responding to Growing Culinary Scene
Miami-Dade County saw record-breaking tourism growth in 2024, attracting over 28 million visitors the highest number ever recorded in a single year. Capitalizing on the region’s momentum, a New York-based law firm has opened a new office in Miami and is also considering further expansion into Orlando, Tampa, and other Florida markets.
Carmody Celebrates Expansion into New London
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey has announced its combination with the the law offices of Waller Smith & Palmer
Global law firm confirms move to Aire Park
Eversheds Sutherland will move its 600+ team to Aire Park’s new Kellstone building in Leeds in early 2027, becoming its first tenant and joining the city’s major South Bank regeneration.
Mergers & Alliances
Fisher Phillips Joins with Boutique Elarbee Thompson, Boosting Atlanta Presence
Fisher & Phillips has officially combined with Atlanta-based labor and employment boutique Elarbee Thompson Sapp & Wilson, effective September 1. According to firm officials, the merger follows approximately a year of serious discussions between the two firms. The combination creates a 61-lawyer office in Atlanta, making it one of the largest among Fisher Phillips’ 41 U.S. locations and its largest office outside of California.
Morris Manning Loses 3 Partners in Atlanta in Advance of Merger With Taft
Partners have relocated to Maynard Nexsen, Burr & Forman, and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton throughout the last week. On December 31, the company will merge with Taft.
McCarter & English Snaps Up NYC Securities Boutique
McCarter & English LLP has acquired Ross Law Group, a New York firm focused on securities and corporate law, adding three lawyers and boosting its cross-border and venture capital expertise.
Eversheds relaunches in Ireland after abandoning William Fry merger
Eversheds Sutherland is fully integrating its Irish practice into its international LLP from 15 September, uniting its Dublin and Belfast offices under one structure. The combined team includes 26 partners and around 170 staff, with Pamela O’Neil as managing partner in Dublin and Gareth Planck leading Belfast. Focus areas include financial services, technology, life sciences, energy, and industry. This move follows the end of merger talks with William Fry earlier this year and aims to enhance the firm’s local and global reach.
Google-backed AI platform buys law firm in UK legal industry first
Lawhive, an AI-powered lawtech firm backed by Google Ventures, has acquired UK conveyancing specialist Woodstock Legal Services, marking its entry into the regulated legal sector. The deal aims to combine traditional legal expertise with Lawhive’s AI assistant “Lawrence,” which handles tasks like research and drafting. Woodstock, founded in 2014, focuses on property law and operates a consultancy model. Lawhive, which raised nearly £40 million last year, says the move will streamline services and let lawyers focus more on clients.
Financials
Mishcon de Reya breaks £100m profit barrier
Mishcon de Reya posted 9% revenue growth to £330 million and profits rose 14% to £110 million, surpassing £100 million for the first time. The firm added 16 partners and completed a decade-long strategy that tripled its size, including a 2023 merger with Taylor Vinters. Key wins included a £237 million fraud case payout and advising AI firm Wayve on a $1.05 billion funding round. Their AI tool deReyAI has been used over 355,000 times, with a new AI platform launched recently. Managing partner James Libson highlighted strong growth and future opportunities.
DWF Posts Latest Financials; Net Revenues Up 8%
DWF reported an 8% revenue increase to £466 million for the year ending April 2025. Key moves included acquiring Australian firm Proclaim, expanding insurance teams in London and Canada, and promoting 26 partners. The firm was named leader in Responsible Business and appointed Steve Varley as Independent Non-Executive Chair. With a strong client satisfaction score, CEO Matthew Doughty expressed confidence in growth through technology, global expansion, and sustainability efforts.
Mersey legal group revenues hit £33.7m amid UK expansion
Liverpool-based legal group MAPD Ventures has reported a 48% increase in revenue to £33.7 million for the year ending May 2024 but also widened its pre-tax losses to £2.6 million, largely due to one-off refinancing costs. Founded in 2019 by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies, MAPD now operates 11 brands across 15 offices with over 550 staff. The group is pursuing UK expansion and may take on more debt or private equity to support growth. Subsidiaries Jackson Lees and Bermans showed mixed results, with revenues steady but profits falling. MAPD also acquired Avidity IP, a specialist patent attorney firm.
Diversity & Inclusion
Influential Woman of the Year Finalists: Emily Westridge Black, A&O Shearman
Texas Lawyer will honor attorneys and legal professionals at an awards ceremony Sept. 25.
Wilson Sonsini Honored Among Top Law Firms in Law360 Pulse’s Diversity Snapshot
On September 9, 2025, Law360 Pulse published its yearly Diversity Snapshot, highlighting Wilson Sonsini’s strong performance. The firm was placed second among law firms with more than 600 attorneys for overall diversity and topped the list for representation of attorneys of colour within its equity partnership. The report reviewed 248 firms, covering over 100,000 lawyers across the U.S., including more than 45,000 partners. It measures how firms recruit, advance, and retain diverse talent, providing both a comprehensive score and detailed demographic insights.
Technology & Innovation
Wait a Minute: AI Early Adopters Face New Hurdle
At least one early adopter is now advising attorneys to slow down to prevent falling behind the swift advancement of artificial intelligence technology, as more litigators aggressively incorporate AI into their firms.
AI’s Impact on Legal Sector: A Revolutionary Change or an Evolutionary Shift?
In a recent panel discussion, Microsoft’s Chief Legal Officer Jon Palmer shared his views on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the legal profession. He compared AI’s rise to the invention of the printing press, arguing that predicting its full impact is unrealistic due to its transformative potential. Palmer acknowledged concerns about job loss but stressed that AI is more likely to handle repetitive tasks while creating new opportunities. Past changes like e-discovery show how technology can shift legal work rather than eliminate it. Reports from McKinsey support this, suggesting AI will enhance productivity by working alongside legal professionals.
Quantum Computing Benefits and Legal Risk Considerations
When combined with generative AI, quantum computing the next technological revolution will have enormous advantages for both business and society. Additionally, it will introduce new security threats and legislative ambiguities that can be pre-empted, for example, by putting post-quantum encryption into place.
Simulated Engagement: Using AI-Generated Audiences to Strengthen Legal Notice Strategy
It has been stated that “As the bar for meaningful notice continues to rise, synthetic audience testing may soon be less a competitive advantage and more a professional expectation.”
Market Commentary
Ethical Tips for Managing a Fully Remote Law Practice
Although there are advantages to working electronically, attorneys should think about the moral dilemmas associated with running a virtual firm. When practicing completely online, attorneys are still required by the ABA to uphold their ethical obligations.
Why Boies Schiller’s New Chair Maintains a Busy Trial Practice
Matt Schwartz, who became chair at the beginning of the year, said, “We are a bunch of trial nerds.” “We discuss a problem involving the rules of evidence that has come up and some hearing that we’re doing while sitting around the lunchroom.”
London continues to lead in international arbitration, Law Society reveals
English law and London courts continue to lead global commercial dispute resolution, with English law covering 40% of international transactions. UK legal services exports reached £9 billion in 2024, showing strong worldwide demand. The London Commercial Court attracts international cases from 93 countries and completes over half its trials in under four days. The Law Society urges more government investment to maintain the UK’s legal dominance.
Cultural chameleons and authenticity
Law firms, especially in the US, often promote their culture, but insiders say too much focus can hide problems. The pandemic and social movements made firms highlight community values, but this sometimes conflicts with layoffs and tough decisions. US firms have reduced diversity and ESG efforts due to political changes, hurting their credibility. UK firms tend to avoid politicising culture and focus on fairness. Experts say firms must back up cultural claims with real action or risk damage. If firms cannot fully support their values, they should avoid promoting them.
Top 10 Biglaw Firm To Remain A Single-Tier Partnership — For Now
While many top Biglaw firms have adopted nonequity partnership tiers in recent years, Ropes & Gray has decided to maintain its traditional single-tier equity partnership. Despite industry trends and speculation, partner Dan Stanco described creating a nonequity tier as “premature.” Ropes remains one of the few Am Law 100 firms sticking to an all-equity model amid growing moves toward two-tier partnerships.