Welcome to this week’s update, where we bring you the latest moves, promotions, and strategic appointments shaping the legal industry.
Partner Moves
UK & Ireland
Skadden hires former co-managing Partner of Freshfields
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has hired a former co-managing partner of Freshfields Rafique Bachour, who will join the firm’s antitrust and competition group in Brussels.
Skadden ramps up recruitment with KC hire from Latham
Former global co-chair of International Arbitration Sophie Lamb KC is set to join Skadden after nearly a decade at Latham.
Sidley hires back Latham partner after 20 years
Real Estate investment specialist Jeremy Trinder is set to return to Sidley after two decades.
Europe
Ropes kickstarts Italian antitrust practice with Legance hire
Jacopo Figus Diaz, senior counsel at Legance, joins the firm to open the Italian practice.
Freshfields expands in Germany following hire into Global Transactions Group
Florian Sippel is joining the firm’s private equity team in Munich from Kirkland & Ellis, having previously spent seven years at Freshfields up until 2021.
Middle East
BCLP sees another partner departure in Abu Dhabi
Construction specialist Richard Davies joins Addleshaw Goddard after more than 14 years at BCLP.
Promotions & Appointments
Norton Rose Fulbright appoints Peter Scott as EMEAPAC managing partner for third term
Scott was first elected to the EMEA managing partner role in 2020 and then again in 2023. Under his regional leadership, the firm’s EMEA business has posted six years of consecutive revenue growth.
Reed Smith appoints Anders Nilsson as Middle East Managing Partner
Nilsson, who joined the firm from Bird & Bird in November 2025, will oversee the firm’s operations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and its recently opened office in Riyadh.
Weightmans gains first London board member with Allianz hire
Caroline Johnson who joins from Allianz Personal and becomes the first partner based in the London office to join the executive board.
Firm and Market Activity
Office Openings & Closings
Gibson Dunn enters Spain with a hire from Freshfields
Armando Albarrán, former Head of Corporate for Freshfields in Spain, launches Gibson Dunn Office in Madrid.
Mergers & Alliances
Nordic heavyweight Schjødt combines with 50-strong Danish firm
Norwegian firm Schjødt has expanded its pan-Scandinavian presence and merged with Denmark’s Norrbom Vinding, increasing its lawyer numbers in Denmark to 120.
Swedish PE-backed AGRD Partners acquires two new firms
Wigge and Bokwall Rislund have become the latest firms to join the group, established last year.
HF to acquire Crawford Legal Services
Manchester-based law firm HF (Horwich Farrelly) is set to acquire Crawford Legal Services (CLS), which uses technology and data to provide legal support for insurance claims and other complex needs.
Financial Results
A&O Shearman’s Warsaw profits rebound after three year-decline
The outpost’s profit figures jumped to £1.4m (7.2m PLN) accounts for the 2025 financial year show, welcome news for A&O Shearman following three consecutive years of consistent profitability hits.
Quinn financials: City revenue reaches highest level yet at £227m
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan’s London office turnover has risen to £227m, up 3 per cent on the year before. Quinn has also recorded a 68 per cent profit margin with profit having shot up to £153.9m, following a dip last year.
Market Commentary
Sullivan & Cromwell establishes non-equity ‘income’ tier
Sullivan & Cromwell has become the latest elite firm to introduce a non-equity tier to its partnership, while adding a $50,000 bonus for associates and counsel who refer external lawyers to join the firm.
Innovation & Culture
Technology & Innovation
Legal AI company Harvey to open Paris Office
The company has appointed Jorge Bestard as vice president of EMEA sales to support and scale their European expansion.
Over 20 GCs back legal tech firm Sandstone in $10m fundraise
Legal tech firm Sandstone has raised $10m as part of a seed funding round, securing backing from Sequoia Capital and the GC of eBay.