Moves:
In-House
Ex-Cancer Society CLO Takes Legal Reins of Habitat for Humanity International
Tim Phillips is the general lawyer for the Navy SEAL Foundation outside of his day work.
HubSpot Chief Legal Officer Departs ‘Upon Mutual Agreement’ After Just 2 Years
HubSpot’s market worth increased to $38 billion with three acquisitions under the legal direction of Alyssa Harvey Dawson.
Home Improvement App Thumbtack Hires Ex-SmileDirectClub Legal Chief
Susan Greenspon Rammelt is joining Thumbtack as it competes with competitors like Houzz and Angi for market share in the sizable but dispersed home services industry.
SoundCloud GC Takes Legal Reins of Condé Nast at Tumultuous Time
Antonious Porch, who helped bring the music-sharing website SoundCloud viable and led the music-recognition software Shazam to a $400 million sale, joins the magazine behemoth.
UK & Ireland
Another Latham Partner Heads to Sidley in London
Despite just joining Latham in 2022, partner Tania Bedi, co-chair of the London finance department, has chosen to join seven of her former Sidley partners, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Philipp Girardet will become a partner in Clifford Chance’s London-based Global Antitrust Group, the international law firm said today. Philipp joins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
APAC
Hong Kong Boutique Practice Lures K&L Gates Capital Markets Partner
Four months ago, a former partner of O’Melveny & Myers founded the Hong Kong boutique Edwin Kwok & Co., where Iris Leung now works.
London’s Blackstone Chambers Bolsters Asia Presence, Hires Disputes Specialist in Singapore
According to a release, Sapna Jhangiani KC, the first Singaporean woman barrister to be appointed a silk in England in 2020, will remain based in Singapore while taking on her duties in the chambers. Last month, she was appointed to the Court of Appeal of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts as a part-time judge. She had previously worked for three years as an international legal counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Singapore.
Another Partner Leaves Australia’s Corrs for King & Wood Mallesons
When Lizzie Knight, an 11-year Corrs partner from Sydney, joins the KWM firm, she will relocate to Canberra, the capital of Australia.
Baker McKenzie’s Seoul JV Adds International Arbitration Veteran from Big Six Firm
This year, Baker McKenzie & KL Partners has added five new partners, including Sung Woo Lim.
Korean’s Yulchon welcomes back IP attorney as partner from LIN
Keejeong Kim, an intellectual property lawyer, returned to the Korean Big Six firm Yulchon as a partner from the local law firm LIN in 2024, continuing the firm’s ambitious development.
Hogan Lovells turns to Dechert again for Asia laterals
With the addition of three partners from Dechert, international legal firm Hogan Lovells has increased its footprint in Asia. In January, Siew Kam Boon, Timothy Goh, and Thomas Kim will join the company’s private equity and funds practice in Singapore.
EMEA
Clyde & Co rapidly expands offering in Saudi Arabia with new partners
Talal Al-Othman, a well-known attorney, has joined the firm’s Riyadh office. Talal provides the Saudi Commercial Court and Board of Grievances with experience in both commercial arbitration and commercial litigation.
DWF expands Dubai team with Dispute Resolution partner hire
Michael Hartley, a conflicts resolution partner, has joined DWF’s Dubai bench, contributing his wealth of experience in infrastructure, building, and energy. In London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and the International Chamber of Commerce, among other courts and arbitration centers, he has managed intricate, significant international conflicts.
The Americas
Orrick Hires Real Estate Partner to Focus on Data Centers
After more than three years at Chicago’s Loeb & Loeb, Peter Bergan joins the company.
Groen Strokoff O’Neill, LLC adds accomplished Trial Lawyer, William “Bill” Coppol.
Bill Coppol, an accomplished trial lawyer, is another addition to Groen Strokoff O’Neill’s expanding roster.
Gibson Dunn Adds Senior SEC Enforcement Official
Osman Nawaz joined Gibson Dunn as a partner after more than 14 years at the SEC.
Boies Schiller Flexner Adds Antitrust, Intellectual Property Partners
Prominent litigators Enoch Liang and James Keyte join the disputes powerhouse.
Veteran DOJ Antitrust Litigator Kenneth Dintzer Heads to Crowell
Kenneth Dintzer led the DOJ’s case in United States v. Google. He has joined Crowell & Moring as a partner in the firm’s Antitrust and Competition, Government Contracts, and Litigation groups.
People in the News—Dec. 10, 2024—Margolis Edelstein, Duane Morris
It was reported by Margolis Edelstein that litigator David Singh has become a partner in the Philadelphia office.
Lowenstein Sandler Boosts White-Collar, Business Litigation Group with Deputy AG Hire
Michael T.G. Long, former Director of the Division of Law (DOL) within the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, has returned to the firm as partner in the firm’s White-Collar Défense and Business Litigation practice groups.
People in the News—Dec. 12, 2024—Pietragallo Gordon, Fox Rothschild
Gregory A. Mason has joined the Philadelphia office of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti.
Simpson Restructuring Leader Moves Back to Weil
Following Ray Schrock’s resignation, Sunny Singh rejoins Weil as co-chair of the restructuring department.
Team Moves
Jones Day Adds 10 US Supreme Court Clerks to Associate Ranks
All five of the individuals who were hired as associates at Jones Day were clerks for the high court’s conservative faction.
MoFo Poaches More Tech Talent from Goodwin with 3-Partner ECVC Group
Along with two Goodwin associates who were promoted to partner, Peter Fusco, a partner at Goodwin, now serves as co-chair of MoFo’s ECVC group.
11-Strong Team Quits EY Law as Struggles Continue
In London, energy, and infrastructure experts Hunton Andrews Kurth has added four partners, five associates, a consultant, and a lawyer. Under the leadership of partners Charles Morrison, Dimitri Papaefstratiou, Simon Collier, and Harry Brunt, the team focuses on transactions in a range of energy sectors, including oil and gas, thermal and renewable power, and emerging technologies like energy storage, carbon capture, and hydrogen.
Financials:
Steptoe Offers Associates New Flexible Billable Hour Tracks in Revamped Comp System
Three full-time billable hour budget alternatives with corresponding compensation scales will be available to associates under Steptoe’s redesigned associate compensation model, which goes into effect in January.
Boies Schiller Increases Federal Clerkship Bonus to $150K Amid Hiring Uptick
According to chairman-elect Matthew Schwartz, the business wants to dominate the federal district and appellate clerk market.
Topping Big Law, Litigation Firm the Latest to Dole Out Above-Market Bonuses
According to Selendy Gay, in addition to special awards, it will offer above-market bonuses for every associate class year, with the highest possible payout of $132,250 for the class of 2017 and later.
Salaries for Marketing, Business Development Professionals in Texas, Nationally Are Growing
According to a recent Wisnik Career Enterprises poll, chief marketing and business development professionals in Texas are making, on average, $305,000 this year.
Corrs and Effect: Why Pay for Top Partners is Rising in Australia
In Australia, compensation for top-performing partners has increased dramatically in recent years; some companies are now spending A$6 million ($3.9 million) or more to recruit and retain attorneys with substantial practices.
Macfarlanes Highest Paid Partner Pay Breaks £4M Barrier
The firm’s highest-paid partner earned £ 4.05 million during the fiscal year 2023–2024, according to the accounts for the 11 months ending March 31, 2024. This exceeded the previous high of £3.8 million set in 2022.
UK Legal Exports Grow 40% in 2 Years
Using data from the Office for National Statistics, The City UK research also revealed that since 2015, the overall gross value of legal exports from the United Kingdom has increased by 87%. The sum for 2023 is £9.47 billion, the highest amount ever recorded, over £1 billion more than 2022, and nearly 40% higher than the £6.8 billion total for 2021.
Promotions & Appointments
Norton Rose Fulbright Taps New Office Leaders in Houston
In Houston, tax controversy partner Robert Morris has been promoted to administrative partner, while litigation partner Carter Dugan has been appointed partner-in-charge.
King & Spalding Names Largest New Partner Class in Its History
The firm has equal representation in 14 cities across three continents for both its litigation and transactional activities. They promoted 37 lawyers to partner and five to counsel.
Trump Names FTC Chair Who’s Been Thorn ‘in side’ of Lina Khan
Andrew Ferguson, according to President Donald Trump, “has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship. and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country.”
Bucking Industry Trend, Sidley Austin Elects Biggest Class of Partners in Firm History
In its most recent promotion round, the company chose to promote 38 partners and 27 attorneys.
Moore & Van Allen Adds to C-Suite, Cadwalader Promotes Three in Charlotte
The company’s first chief marketing and business development officer is a seasoned leader from Goulston & Storrs.
Paul Weiss Promotes Partners into Both Equity and Non-Equity Tiers Amid ‘Existential War for Talent’
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is advancing attorneys into both the equity and its new nonequity tiers with the appointment of 34 new partners this month. Regarding the proportion of new partners who were equity vs income, the firm chose not to comment. However, the partner promotion cycle, which will take effect in 2025, is nearly three times as large as the firm announced the previous year. Twelve new partners joined the firm in 2023, eleven in 2022, nine in 2021, and seven in 2020.
Dentons Gets New Africa CEO in First Regional Election
Mohamed Zaanouni, who will begin his new position at Dentons in January 2025, intends to concentrate on regional expansion and cooperation among 17 nations.
Fifty-six partners appointed in Norton Rose Fulbright’s class of 2025
The 2025 partner promotions class released by Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) had 56 members, up from 49 the previous year and a significant increase above the 36 partners in the 2023 class.
Spain’s Uría Menéndez & Garrigues Promote 25 New Partners with Corporate Leading Growth
With effect from January 1, 2025, Spanish legal firms Uría Menéndez and Garrigues have advanced seven and eighteen attorneys to partner, respectively. The appointments cover Spain, Portugal, Chile, and Peru. Many are inside the firms’ corporate practices, as law firm leaders witnessed business steadily expanding throughout the year, with stabilizing interest rates and a strong economic forecast projected to further stimulate activity in the M&A market.
Philip Lee appoints Eoghan Doyle as head of corporate and M&A
Eoghan Doyle, a partner, has been named head of corporate and M&A at Philip Lee. Mr. Doyle takes over for departing department head Andreas McConnell, who has been a senior partner with the firm for 15 years and is still heavily involved in the operations.
Diversity & Inclusion:
HSF Investigating “Deeply Offensive” Partner Tweet Directed at Jewish Lawyer
An Australian partner’s “deeply offensive” tweet against a Jewish attorney at another firm has prompted Herbert Smith Freehills to open an investigation. In a statement, HSF chair and senior partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage said, “We were shocked to learn on Friday evening of a deeply offensive post, and very sorry that it was written.”
Campaigning woman barrister wins tribunal case over ‘boys’ club’ tweets criticising family judge
‘Turning point’ for women’s rights and a barrister’s freedom of speech, says Charlotte Proudman
Fresh Off Expansion in New York, Honolulu, Dallas-founded Thompson Coe Plans Denver Launch
On January 1st, 2025, 14 attorneys from Denver’s Wells, Anderson & Race, a trial practice that is predominately run by women, will join Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons’ new Denver office.
Office Openings & Closing:
The Boom Continues: These Firms All Opened New Florida Offices in 2024
This year proved to be significant for midsize firms hoping to meet the Sunshine State’s expanding demand for attorneys in a variety of professions, as at least 14 new law firm locations went online.
Goldberg Segalla Launches in Wilmington
According to hiring partner Joseph Hanna, the Second Hundred firm is experiencing a record year in 2024, accumulating its greatest headcount to date with little lateral attrition.
Baker & Hostetler to Open Austin Office with 10-Lawyer Locke Lord Affordable Housing Team
Due to disagreements with clients regarding Locke Lord’s planned merger with Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders on January 1, 2025, the affordable housing team at Locke Lord is departing the company.
After 40 Years, Riker Danzig Leaves Morristown
Riker Danzig, which has been based in Morristown, New Jersey, since 1983, is moving its headquarters to Madison, New Jersey’s 7 Giralda Farms.
Ice Miller Debuts New Miami Office After Landing Two Greenspoon Marder Attorneys
With the opening of its second Miami office only months after its Naples debut, the Second Hundred firm is fast growing in Florida.
Eversheds Sutherland Moving After 36 Years to Smaller Atlanta Office
The firm’s COO claims that the vast law library, extra file drawers, and storage space in the current location “are no longer relevant.”
Brazilian Firm Simões Pires Opens Chicago Office with Focus on Agribusiness
Simões Pires wants to help Brazilian enterprises in the commodities hub of the United States as they expand their global reach.
HKIAC opens 2nd mainland rep office in Beijing
The first offshore arbitration organization to open a presence in the Chinese capital is the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), which has formally inaugurated its Beijing Representative Office.
Mergers & Alliances:
Kramer Levin’s Paris Office Eyes U.S. Merger
In anticipation of its parent company’s 2025 partnership with Herbert Smith Freehills, Kramer Levin’s Paris office is seeking a new U.S. firm to join as it gets ready to spin out.
As Global Law Firm Mergers Keep Coming, Will There Ever Be a New Swiss Verein?
Kramer Levin and Herbert Smith Freehills rejected the model for their next collaboration. Earlier this year, A&O Shearman did the same. However, a number of executives whose companies adopted the structure report that it has been beneficial to them.
With more than 200 attorneys, William Fry bills itself as one of Ireland’s biggest businesses.
2 Albany Players Announce Merger to Create 113-Attorney Firm
At the beginning of 2025, litigation boutique Nolan Heller Kauffman will merge with NLJ 500 firm Whiteman Osterman & Hanna.
Whitelaw Twining Growing to Four Offices with New Montreal Location
On January 1st, the Canadian division of the DWF Group will team up with the 16-lawyer firm Bélanger Sauvé.
DAC Beachcroft Expands in Chile with Litigation Boutique Acquisition
By acquiring a litigation boutique in Chile, DAC Beachcroft has expanded its clientele in a crucial Latin American market. According to the company, Ríos Abogados has a highly qualified and esteemed staff with a wealth of expertise assisting the Chilean insurance market with difficult claims and arbitration, as well as with corporate and regulatory issues.
Technology & Innovation:
Three Reasons CLOs Are Critical to the Successful Adoption of Generative AI
CLOs are now important players that influence GenAI choices. When it comes to carrying out crucial choices regarding the acquisition, creation, and deployment of GenAI-powered solutions, their capacity to advise the company on how to proceed with GenAI initiatives while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements complements that of other executive-level leaders.
Is AI Worth the Risks in Criminal Justice System?
Although some experts have concerns about the technology’s decision-making capabilities, developers are coming up with innovative ways to integrate technology into the criminal justice system.
Legal Drafting Startup DocDraft AI Launches Drafting, Attorney Service Platform
The platform’s primary goal is to meet the legal needs of users who might be looking for tools for self-representation as well as professional legal assistance.
Luminance Launches New Contract Negotiation Tool Lumi Go
The new offering allows counterparties of customers to access certain Luminance features.
Linklaters Sets Up Sandbox to Test AI Ideas
In order to facilitate the rapid development of AI solutions, Linklaters has introduced an AI Sandbox. To avoid disruptions, security lapses, and unexpected outcomes, AI systems can be evaluated and isolated from the primary systems in a controlled setting known as the sandbox.
Independent law firms can stay competitive in race to adopt AI
According to a LexisNexis survey, nearly half (49%) of in-house counsel anticipate that legal companies would deploy generative AI in the upcoming year.
Market Commentary:
Many Southeast-Born Firms Hired More First-Year Associates in 2024
According to recruiters, more hiring shows that businesses are confident about rising demand in 2025.
Law Firms’ ‘Failed Hires’ Expected to Climb as Lateral Hiring Ramps Up
According to industry analysts, there is a “high likelihood” that the number of newly employed lateral equity partners will expand.
Is London’s Litigation Market in Trouble?
The Mastercard settlement this month, which came against the backdrop of PACCAR, rocked a litigation industry that has been threatened by near-existential dangers, according to some.
Visa CLO-Turned-Vice Chair Seeing Payoff from Expanded Role
Kelly Mahon Tullier is one of many American executives who have risen to more senior positions in recent years by using their positions as legal chiefs.
As Atlanta Partners Moved to Am Law 200 Firms at a Higher Rate in 2024, 2 New Arrivals Benefited
More than one out of three attorneys who were on the move ended up at either Barnes & Thornburg or Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, which are well-known firms, or newcomers Clark Hill and Buchalter.
Chinese Firms Push for Growth Overseas
Chinese legal practices are still working to expand internationally.
Pay Is No. 1 Reason Associates Stay at Their Firm, Says New Study of Canadian Lawyers
According to Trevelyan Hornblower, the main risk indicators for law firms are whether or not their associates believe they are not provided with an opportunity to gain experience and advance in their careers.