Moves:
UK & Ireland
Pinsent Masons hires Maureen Daly to lead IP team in Dublin
Pinsent Masons has enlisted Intellectual property and technology partner Maureen Daly to their Dublin office to lead their intellectual property team and expand its pan-European Technology practice.
Kirkland secures tax partner from Linklaters in London.
Not long after being raided by Paul Weiss, Kirkland & Ellis have hired a senior tax partner in their London office from Linklaters. James Morgan is set to join as a Senior Tax Partner.
Allen & Overy hires cybersecurity partner duo in London from Norton Rose Fulbright
After 20 years at Norton Rose Ffion Flockhart has been appointed Global head of Security at Allen & Overy, she is joined with partner Charlie Weston- Simons.
EMEA
Gibson Dunn Grabs 7-Partner Team from White & Case as It Opens Office in Saudi Arabia
Gibson Dunn have raided various White & Case offices to acquire a 7-Partner team for its new office in Riyadh.
Jones Day Taps Ashurst for Munich Restructuring Partner
This is the second Ashurst move specifically from their Munich office in the last month.
McDermott Will & Emery Hires Veteran White & Case Competition Partner in Brussels
Axel Schulz joins McDermott’s competition team in Brussels, he has been hailed as a veteran, having represented many high-profile clients in antitrust cases, such as the likes of GlaxoSmithKline and Toshiba.
Pinsent Masons Expands Jo’Burg team with 17 lawyers from local corporate outfit
Pinsent Masons is expanding its Johannesburg office with the hire of 17 lawyers from local boutique firm Tabacks, effective December 1.
APAC
Squire Patton Boggs Takes Shipping Disputes Team From Ince & Co
After recently losing 3 partners from UK firm Hill Dickinson, the independent Hong Kong practice Ince & Co, have had their shipping disputes team raided by Squire Patton Boggs.
K&L Gates Loses IP Partner in Tokyo
IP Partner Mitsuhiro Imamura has left K&L Gates to run the MIM Intellectual Property Office, which is also located in Tokyo.
Norton Rose Replenshes Singapore Disputes Practice with Hogan Lovells Partner
Kent Phillips, who has been a partner at Hogan Lovells since 2016 has joined Global firm, Norton Rose in Singapore. Phillips’ arrival represents the growing demand for Disputes and International Arbitration services in Southeast Asia.
Hong Kong’s Hugill & Ip Takes Team of Five from Local Boutique
Local boutique Gall has lost a team of five to Hong Kong firm Hugill & Ip. The move is set to boost Hugill’s contentious practice capabilities.
PwC Australia Exodus Continues as Two Partners Leave for Construction Boutique
Two Australian partners have left PWC for MolinoCahill a boutique construction firm.
HFW takes 5 partners, 15 lawyers from MinterEllison
Global law firm HFW has nabbed five partners from fellow BigLaw practice MinterEllison, as well as a team of 15 lawyers, as it moves to bolster its regional offerings in corporate, projects, regulatory, and restructuring. Partners Adam Handley, Matthew Knox, David Suttner, Bryn Davis, and Bi Chen have all left Minters for HFW. The group will be based across Perth and Sydney.
Australian Firm Hamilton Locke Takes Two From PwC
A partner and a director have left PwC Law as part of five-lawyer hire by growing Australian firm Hamilton Locke. Finance partner Andrew Vincent and director Kath Booth are the latest lawyers to leave PwC in the wake of the accounting giant’s tax advice scandal.
Kim & Chang Adds Former K&L Gates Korea Head in Seoul
Eric Yoon was succeeded by Tyler Won, a partner in the firm’s intellectual property, international trade and antitrust practice groups, as South Korea head earlier this year.
The Americas
Midsize Moves: Saxton & Stump Hires IP Senior Counsel, Atkinson Takes on Bullivant Partner
Micah Jacobs has left Bullivant to join Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo as a partner in its Marin office, and IP lawyer Xiaoying Zhang has been hired by Saxton & Stump to fulfil the role of Senior Counsel.
Benesch Welcomes Associate to Litigation Team in Wilmington
Andrew D. Kinsey is the latest addition to Benesch who have been growing their ranks. He is welcomed to their Wilmington office where he will be working in their litigation practice group.
Kirkland Partner Moves to Weil as NY Firm Grows Private Funds Practice in DC
Kirkland have lost private funds partner Christopher Scully to Weil’s office in Washington DC. Scully is excited about working at Weil claiming that their funds client base allows for opportunity.
Paul Weiss Hires O’Melveny Partner to Co-Chair Financial Services Group
Bank Regulatory lawyer Jarryd Anderson has left O’Melveny to help further grow Paul Weiss’ financial services regulatory group, he will be working out of their New York and Washington DC offices.
Stroock Partner Trio, including 2 Chairs, Joins Squire Patton Boggs
Stroock have suffered another loss. This time in the form of Tom Firestone, the former co-chair of their government investigations and white-collar practice. He is not the only one and he will be accompanied in his move by partners Chris Griner and Shannon Reaves.
Lewis & Clark Law Dean Stepping Down After 10-Year Tenure
Dean Jennifer Johnson is said to be stepping down after 10 years with Lewis Clark’s law school. She states that she is “very proud of the achievements of our faculty, students and staff.” And considers her time spent as dean to have been an honour.
Mayer Brown Recruits 4-Person Public Policy Team, as Law Firms Deepen Regulatory Benches
Mayer Brown have announced that they will be taking on a 4-person Public Policy Team from Dentons. The team will be led by John Merrigan and Matthew Bernstein, and they will be joined by advisors, Stephanie Jebeyli and Jessica Woolley. The team will be based in Washington DC.
Mayer Brown Adds Huntsman Global Litigation Head in Houston
Mayer Brown have added Huntsman Corp’s associate general counsel Peter Jordan as a partner in their Houston office.
Cooley Hires SDNY Public Corruption Chief as Partner in White-Collar Defense Group
Rebekah Donaleski has been hired by Cooley to their New York office. Donaleski has nearly a decade’s worth of experience in the Manhattan U.S Attorney’s Office and led their Anti-corruption unit for three years. She is looking forward to applying this high-stakes experience to the tackling of new clients for Cooley.
Dan Malasky has left his position overseeing legal proceedings with the Tampa Bay Bucs after five years to join Florida based athletics school Bradenton as their Chief of Legal proceedings.
PLW People in the News—Nov. 14, 2023—Goldberg Segalla, McGuireWoods
Jillian B. Saputelli has joined Goldberg Segalla’s Global insurance team in Philadelphia.
People in the News—Nov. 15, 2023—Sweeney & Sheehan, Babst Calland
Marcus Jones and Michael J. Reilly have been welcomed to Sweeny & Sheehan. They will be joining as associates.
Womble Bond Dickinson hires trademark duo from Cozen O’Connor in New York
Gregory Gulia and Vanessa Hew have been recruited by Womble Bond Dicksinson from Cozen O’Conner to their New York office. The pair are respected trademark partners and have been brought in with the hopes that they will bolster Wombles IP capabilities.
Herrick Feinstein Lures Restructuring Partner From Jenner & Block
Jenner & Block have lost restructuring partner Robert Gordon, who has accumulated over 30 years’ worth of experience representing clients in Bankruptcy proceedings.
In-House
Food-Waste Company Divert—Backed by $1.1B in Funding—Hires First General Counsel
Food-waste company Divert have appointed Kathleen Patton as their first General Counsel in Massachusetts, she joins from Jobcase Inc where she was also General Counsel.
Manchester United’s GC takes on interim CEO role
Patrick Stewart who has been Manchester United’s General Counsel since 2006 is set to take on the role of interim chief executive as the club expand efforts to appoint a long-term successor.
Consulting Giant Hires Ex-Voyager Attorney to Lead Digital Assets Practice
David Brill who was Deputy General Counsel for Voyager, a known cryptocurrency lender who were struggling with bankruptcy last year, has been hired by FTI Consulting as managing director.
Atlanta’s Cox Enterprises Taps In-House Veteran With ‘Vast Knowledge’ for New Role
Amber Hall has been appointed as the company’s first chief compliance and privacy officer. Prior to this appointment she has spent her entire in-house career at Cox Enterprises save for a three-year sojourn to Wells Fargo.
Fox Corporation has hired Adam Ciongoli as its new chief legal and policy officer, replacing Viet Dinh, who Fox announced was stepping down from the role back in August.
Promotions & Appointments:
This Lawyer Just Rose to One of the Most Visible Positions in Texas
Aaron Nielson has replaced Judd Stone as Solicitor General for Texas. Sources claim that “His talent and expertise are virtually unmatched”.
William Fry’s Myra Garrett appointed to NTMA board
Former William Fry Managing Partner Myra Garrett has been appointed to the board of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). She is set to hold this role for a five-year term.
Aileen Gittens appointed to lead Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan’s immigration team
Aileen Gittens has been announced as head of the new Immigration practice at Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan Solicitors.
White & Case promotions: Seven City lawyers make the grade
White & Case have elected 42 new partners for 2024 across 11 practices, 18 offices and 13 different countries. 14 in the Americas, 24 in EMEA and 4 in APAC.
Changing of the Guard at Bennett Jones Heralds the First Black CEO at a National Canadian Law Firm
Dominique Hussey, along with John Mercury, will take over leadership of the firm from Hugh MacKinnon, who steps down after 18 years at the helm.
Simpson Thacher Latest Partner Promotions Span US and London Offices
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is the latest U.S. firm to announce its partner promotions for 2023, with 32 lawyers making the cut. The new partners hail from the firm’s U.S. and London offices, with a majority of 18 being made at the firm’s New York headquarters.
Mayer Brown makes up 42 to partnership in banking and finance-focused round
Top 20 US firm Mayer Brown has promoted 42 lawyers to its partnership, with a further 23 being promoted to counsel.
Mergers & Alliances:
Buchanan Announces Merger With IP Boutique RatnerPrestia
RatnerPrestia will bring two patent agents to Buchanan as well as an addition of twenty-two lawyers to strengthen Buchanan’s IP services.
Addleshaw Goddard announces charity partnership with Jigsaw
After a staff vote, Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has announced Jigsaw to be their Irish charity partner for the next three years.
Fieldfisher to part With Italian Operation
The U.K. law firm has announced the end of its seven-year arrangement with Italy’s SASPI, citing its strategic objectives no longer being closely aligned.
Office Openings & Closing:
CMS Bolts on Swedish Firm to European Network
Top 10 Swedish firm, Wistrand is the next firm to be added as part of CMS’ global growth initiative. In the last couple of months CMS have also established exclusive relationship with firms In Brazil, Mozambique and Mexico.
China’s DaHui Launches Office in Wuhan
Han Kun Law Offices and Shu Jin Law have both also recently opened in Wuhan.
McKees opens Enniskillen office
McKees has opened a new office in Enniskillen.
Kee Solicitors unveils new Glasgow office
Kee Solicitors has unveiled its new Glasgow office.
Mexico City Based Law Firm Gonzalez Calvillo Plans New Office Launch In Northern Mexico
The office slated for the industrial city of Monterrey will open in early 2024 with an eye on serving clients who are looking to relocate production to North America.
Top Insolvency Lawyer Starts Own Firm after Leaving Australia’s Gilbert + Tobin
Dominic Emmett establishes Sydney-based Emmett Law.
Financials:
Weil Advises as PAI Partners Raises Record €7.1 Billion
The firm was able to fundraise this amount despite the wider private equity market facing challenges.
Associate Pay Raises Escalate GC Fears if Billing Rate Hikes
Some GCs are voicing concerns about further rate hikes after associate pay raises. But Milbank’s chair said the salary raises wouldn’t have a material effect on its billing rate decisions in the future.
Where are the Milbank Pay Matches? Mixed Market Signals Weigh on Law Firms
“It’s a bit telling of how the overall market is kind of feeling at the moment. There’s going to be a lot of variability in how firms perform this year,” noted New York legal recruiter Scott Yaccarino.
Slaughter and May Ups NQ Pay to £125,000
The hike now puts the firm in line with other elite UK firms.
Technology & Innovation:
It’s Not Just Judges That Want Mandatory AI Disclosures
According to a new survey, which has been produced by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner on arbitration practices, approximately 3% of legal professionals have already had the integrity of their evidence compromised as a result of the use misuse of AI tools.
California Bar Leaders to Vote on AI Guidance for Attorneys This Week
An effect of the proposed guidelines will result in attorneys who don’t fully understand the generative AI technology being at risk of possible professional discipline.
Antitrust Implications of AI Technology Remain Key Focus of U.S. Regulators
In recent times there has been a wave of conjecture about generative artificial intelligence, and many companies have begun utilizing AI throughout their business practices. However, as the technology becomes interwoven throughout commercial operations, AI could potentially risk in antitrust.
How Will AI Disrupt Legal Billing? Early Innovations Offer Some Clues
Legal analysts have stated that the legal industry has been disrupted by technology in the past but not in such a quick rate as it has with AI. There are also claims that it has disrupted the Law firm-legal department relationship.
For ‘Unhappy’ Law Firms, There’s Little Recourse From Fast Rising Legal Tech Prices
Many are becoming worried about the possibility of legal tech displacing personnel as it becomes more essential and expensive.
‘Like Pouring Rocket Fuel’: Clarkson Law Firm Attorneys on the Future of Generative AI Litigation
Ryan Clarkson, Tim Giordano and Tracey Cowan from Clarkson Law Firm have spoken to The Recorder. They discuss OpenAI’s newest features, including a Copyright Shield, and the potential AI-related litigation they envision materialising in the near future.
The Future of Generative AI in Legal Tech: Opportunities and Obstacles
Legal professionals can be empowered to improve workflows and performance by the process of strategically implementing generative AI.
Diversity & Inclusion:
The Crucial Role of Women Leaders in Driving Innovation
My 30 years of experience have shown me that any robust business strategy should include investing in female leadership. As the Head of Intellectual Property at a rapidly growing MedTech startup, I recognize the value of mentoring other women in the workplace.
Ga. County Is Fighting a Ruling Requiring It to Pay for a Transgender Deputy’s Surgery
Atlanta Georgia county has been fighting a ruling regarding the surgery of their transgender deputy.
This article discusses how flexibility can provide law firms with competitive advantages and contribute to the growth and success of modern law firms.
‘Affirmative Recruiting’ Under Title VII
This article discusses how, diversity initiatives have been under scrutiny after ‘Students for Fair Admissions’, it is causing some to wonder whether affirmative recruiting remains permissible under Title VII.
Changing of the Guard at Bennett Jones Heralds the First Black CEO at a National Canadian Law Firm
Hugh Mackinnon is stepping down from his CEO position at Bennet Jones Heralds and is being replaced by Dominique Hussey who will be co-chair along with John Mercury and is the companies first black female managing partner.
Belonging: Unveiling the Lesser-Known Twin of Diversity and Inclusion
With the topic of diversity and inclusion being circulated more and more within legal spheres and in society at large, this article provides an opportunity to delve into a slightly different aspect of the conversation.
Market Commentary:
‘It’s Career-Ending’: How Division Over Israel-Gaza Is Tearing Through Big Law
Interviews with Am Law 100 partners and messages seen by Law.com International reveal partners fearing for their careers for disagreeing with their leaders, the policing of social media activity, and lawyers from rival firms getting involved.
What Drives Board Effectiveness?
This article discusses the importance of effective governance and how general counsels are responsible for the effectiveness of board activities.
Ex-FTX GC Can Sun Starting New Crypto Exchange
Former General Counsel Can Sun has partnered with Armani Ferrante a known crypto company found to start a new exchange. This news has been released not long after Can Sun testified against Sam Bankman-Freid.
For Big Law Profits This Year, Collections Remain the ‘Big If’
Citi’s Gretta Rusanow has been reported as stating “This could be a decent year if firms are able to speed up collections from now through year-end. So, that’s the big ‘if’,”.
Big Law Mergers: How to Catch a Falling Knife
History suggests that acquiring a “falling knife firm” can be accretive for the acquiring firm but that it requires something of the order of a 30% reduction in the equity partner ranks at the acquired firm, Hugh Simons writes.
Commentary: What Law Finance Group Looks for in a Litigant
This article discusses what makes a good litigant. Law Finance Group’s Brendan Dyer spoke to Goodwin’s Keith Zullow and Yoko Bian on this topic.
Solicitor convicted of tipping off client about money laundering probe
The first solicitor ever to have been prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for ‘tipping off’ a client about a money laundering investigation has been convicted in recent news.
Local Firms Lament the Advance of International Giants in Africa
Domestic firms on the continent say ‘we need to create a level playing field to allow African firms to also grow’.