Moves:
UK & Ireland
Ashurst adds litigation partner from Corrs
Ashurst stated in a statement that Felicity Healy’s hiring is a “significant step” for the expansion of the company’s disputes and investigations practice.
Private equity real estate specialist joins Simmons as partner
Oliver S. Jacob, a renowned private equity real estate partner, has joined Simmons & Simmons, bolstering the firm’s UK Corporate, Real Estate, and Private Equity areas.
John Goldfinch joins Allen & Overy to enhance structured finance and private capital offering
Allen & Overy today announces it is bolstering the global structured finance practice as partner John Goldfinch joins ahead of merger with Shearman & Sterling, to become A&O Shearman.
Kane Tuohy welcomes senior associate Triona Cody
Triona Cody has joined the employment and litigation department of Kane Tuohy LLP as a senior associate.
DLA Piper appoints Kathi Ó Riain as real estate partner
Kathi Ó Riain has been named as a partner in DLA Piper’s real estate division, a global legal company.
EMEA
Latham Makes Riyadh its Regional HQ as Saudi Arabia Lures Businesses with Perks
The company was one of the first to sign up for the scheme, which offers a range of incentives and discounts to encourage foreign companies to designate the Kingdom as their regional headquarters.
Freshfields Hires Hogan Lovells’ Global Energy Transition Head
Stefan Schröder is situated in Dusseldorf, Germany, and provides investors and large energy infrastructure operators in Europe with advice on the nation’s regulations regarding renewable and low-carbon fuels.
APAC
Simmons & Simmons Hires in Private Funds Head in Hong Kong
In the US, Jeffrey Friedenberg has held positions at Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Blackstone, and Pathway Capital Management.
Simmons & Simmons Boosts Disputes Team in Singapore, DLA Piper Adds to Seoul
While Terence Seah from Stephenson Harwood is joining Simmons & Simmons in Singapore, DLA Piper has appointed Milbank counsel Brian Youn as a partner in South Korea.
KWM Bolsters Employment Team with Partner from Australian Firm
Cilla Robinson arrives to KWM from Clayton Utz.
Pinsent Masons Hires Veteran Energy Lawyer David Clinch from Shearmans
David Clinch, who had worked for nearly thirty years at Herbert Smith Freehills, became a partner at Shearman & Sterling.
Hunton Andrews Kurth Takes Two Senior Partners from Korea’s Big Six Lee & Ko
Edward Kim and Nelson Ahn have relocated to the US from Seoul.
Haiwen Takes Another Partner From Linklaters’ China Affiliate
Eric Liu, Zhao Sheng’s previous managing partner, was also recently employed by Haiwen.
The Americas
Orrick, Cooley Boost DC Offices With Litigation Partner Hires
Orrick has brought in ITC trial lawyer Josh Pond from Crowell, meanwhile Cooley has hired Susanne Grooms as a litigation partner from Kaplan Hecker & Fink to start a congressional investigation practice board in D.C.
Freshfields Continues Private Funds Growth with Top New York Partner Hire
Ivet Bell is joining the firm from Sidley Austin and will bring a wealth of experience across fund formation, secondaries transactions and GP stakes deals.
Hiring Paul Weiss Bankruptcy Partner, Selendy Gay Targets Bankruptcy-Related Litigation
Kelley Cornish, a member of Paul Weiss’ management committee, will arrive at the firm next week.
Seeking Less Rate Pressure, Baker Botts Labor and Employment Head Moves to Bradley
Jennifer Trulock, a Baker Botts partner in Dallas who was chair of Baker Botts’ labor and employment practice, said Bradley Arant Boult Cummings gives her opportunity to lower her rates.
Weber Gallagher Snags Vaughan Baio Leader in Bid to Broaden Litigation Portfolio
Madeline Baio’s current work in commercial litigation on behalf of transportation companies sits outside of the firm’s primary focus on general liability.
Thompson Hine Names Former Ohio State Basketball Captain as Next Managing Partner
Anthony White will become one of a short list of African Americans who are currently leading an Am Law 200 firm.
White & Case Lands SEC Crypto Leader and Paul Hastings Real Estate Finance Partner
The new additions include John Cahill, who was previously the head of Paul Hastings’ real estate finance practice department, and Ladan Stewart, who oversaw the SEC’s crypto and cyber litigation team.
Holland & Knight Hires Away Real Estate Capital Markets Partner From Jones Walker in Miami
Christopher Ezell has been appointed as the second partner in the real estate capital markets group this year alone.
On the Move: Seyfarth Adds BCLP Real Estate Partner To Growing Practice in Atlanta
Am Law 100 firm Seyfarth Shaw has welcomed Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s Angela Hsu as a partner in its Atlanta office as it continues to expand and broaden its real estate practice.
Skadden Nabs Latham Cap Markets Partner
Brian Paulson works with investment banks and others on IPOs, private offerings and debt and equity securities. Like his former firm, Skadden has strong relationships with those entities.
DLA Piper Adds Project Finance Partner in Brazil
After working at Allen & Overy for almost ten years, Bruno Soares will divide his time between São Paulo and New York.
Greenberg Traurig Lands Two Real Estate Shareholders With Niche Focuses, Growing Depth
West Palm Beach-based Adam Seligman showed up from Ward Damon a local boutique. Morgan Lewis is the source of Paul Williams, who divides his time between Austin and Los Angeles.
In-House
GC of FTD Takes Legal Reins of Newly Independent Weather Co.
David Strauss has been appointed head of legal at The Weather Co., which is the company that runs The Weather Channel app and website, by its new owner. He has served as general counsel for three different privately held companies.
Ibotta Hires Longtime In-House Leader to Plot $2B IPO
David Shapiro will serve as the first chief legal officer of the company, which helps major brands provide rewards and rebates to consumers.
HP Enterprise Swiftly Fills General Counsel Opening
Longstanding in house counsel David Antczak has been promoted to General Counsel by Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Former JCPenney General Counsel Joins Banged-Up Powersports Retailer
Brandy Treadway, spent a decade at JCPenney but is now taking on a new opportunity as part of a new leadership team aiming to win over investors frustrated by losses and other setbacks.
FBI names fourth GC in six years as deputy GC handed top job
Jason Jones will hand over the legal reins to Bradley Brooker at the US law enforcement agency.
Lloyd’s of London Appoints First New GC in 27 Years
With Peter Spires resigning in August 2023 after 27 years in the position, Claire Schrader has been chosen the insurance giant’s acting general counsel.
Team Moves
Simpson Thacher Hires 5-Lawyer Bank M&A, Regulatory Team From Skadden
Sven Mickisch, Brian Christiansen, Bao Nguyen, Matt Nemeroff and Tim Gaffney will join Simpson as partners in its New York and Washington, D.C., offices from Skadden, Simpson said Tuesday. They are focused on transactional and regulatory matters in the financial services space.
Kirkland Strikes Back in Paul Weiss Talent Battle, Also Adding Weil and Sidley Partners
On Wednesday, Kirkland announced the arrival of Paul Sandler, a partner in debt finance from Paul Weiss, together with two real estate tax lawyers from Weil Gotshal and an insurance M&A partner.
Former Eckert Seamans Trio Returns to Firm, Citing New Leadership
Litigators Amy Roy, Ray Middlemanand Shane Valenzi left for Baltimore-based Whiteford, Taylor & Preston in 2022, but Eckert CEO Scott Cessar, who started in the role last May, successfully recruited them back.
Allen & Overy Hires 5-Lawyer Milbank London Team Ahead of Merger
The team is led by partner John Goldfinch. He is joined by senior associates Peter West, Adrian Kwok, Eleanor Cripps and Alexandra Wells.
Promotions & Appointments:
People in the News—Feb. 20, 2024—Faye Riva, Knox McLaughlin
Attorney James W. Cushing was appointed as vice president of the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia on Feb. 5.
People in the News—Feb. 21, 2024—Barley Snyder, Rawle & Henderson
Partner Luke Weber was elected vice president of the Lancaster Bar Association’s board of directors, Barley Snyder announced.
DLA Piper Elects Managing Partner—Incumbent to Step Down After 10 Years
In January 2025, corporate partner Charles Severs will take over as international managing partner, replacing outgoing Simon Levine.
International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has appointed Tess Kelly, former Bank of England Deputy General Counsel to expand its financial services regulation team.
Senior Boeing Attorney Steps In to HR Chief Role as Contentious Labor Talks Loom
legal recruiter Deborah Ben-Canaan described Amuluru’s move to human resources as being “great training to someday sit in the GC seat,”.
People in the News—Feb. 23, 2024—Unruh Turner, Swartz Campbell
Attorney Ryan M. Jennings has been named chair of the Chester County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division (YLD) for 2024, according to a release from Unruh Turner Burke & Frees.
Latham & Watkins makes up 19 counsel to partner in latest promotions round
Compared to the 23-person group from the previous year, Latham & Watkins has promoted 19 counsel to its partnership.
London insurance giant Lloyd’s appoints interim GC on permanent basis
Claire Schrader is taking over the position from Peter Spires, who stepped down from the role last August
Nuala Egan SC appointed chair of Legal Aid Board
CEO of the Legal Aid Board, Joan Crawford stated that: “We are delighted to welcome Nuala as our new chairperson.
Eversheds Sutherland appoints Seán Scally as head of energy
Seán Scally has been named head of energy and commercial partner at the Dublin office of international law firm Eversheds Sutherland.
Mergers & Alliances:
Sacramento Play Gives Am Law 200 Firms Its Third Merger This Year
The firm previously acquired all lawyers from Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel effective Feb. 1, the same day as its combination with Seattle-based Savitt Bruce & Willey.
JMK Solicitors names NI Hospice as 2024 charity partner
JMK Solicitors, a personal injury law company in Northern Ireland, has selected NI Hospice & Children’s Hospice as its 2024 charity partner.
Office Openings & Closing:
‘Literally Nothing Walkable’: Why Gibson Dunn Moved to Downtown Palo Alto
The firm departed from an office park on Page Mill Road to look for a location near the homes of some attorneys and within several blocks of a train for others.
Tucker Ellis Opens in North Jersey With Laterals From Riker Danzig
The Cleveland-based Am Law 200 firm plans to open an office in Morristown in the coming days as well establishing a new one in Atlanta in the spring.
Shook Launches New Practice to Advise Clients on DEI Issues
The managing partner of the Houston office and litigation partner John Lewis Jr. oversees Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s new multidisciplinary DEI counseling, compliance, and disputes practice.
Plaintiff Firm Pogust Goodhead Sets Up in Australia
Launches a Sydney office in an effort to pursue mining giant BHP.
Japan’s Big Four Firm Mori Hamada Launches Fifth New Outfit in 12 Months
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto a Big Four Japanese firm has launched an office in Yokohama, its fifth new outfit in less than 12 months.
Patterson + Sheridan Launches Office in Aerospace-Heavy Huntsville, Alabama
The Marshall Space Flight Center is located in Huntsville, where Patterson + Sheridan just launched its eighth office. This is an area where the technology and intellectual property firm sees potential.
Pa. Firms Seek Efficiency, Amenities in New Office Spaces
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are currently witnessing similar-sized office buildings, a dedication to office sharing, and wellness-focused amenity areas.
Financials:
Faegre Drinker Rebounds From 2022 With Double-Digit PEP Growth
Gina Kastel, who is close to completing her first year in the role of chair stated that “We saw these huge gains in litigation, including product liability, intellectual property, class actions, appellate work,”.
Bradley Arant Sees Revenues Rise and PEP Fall Amid 12% Equity Partner Expansion
The company’s PEP decreased by 5% to $820,000 as its equity tier increased and its nonequity tier contracted by 9%, defying the industry norm of the nonequity tiers increasing.
Quinn Emanuel’s 38% PEP Growth Came From Heightened Leverage, High-Profile Cases
Michael Carlinsky, one of the three co-managing partners at the firm, estimates that contingency fees accounted for about 8% of the company’s $2.07 billion in sales.
McDermott Sees 13% PEP Rise as Revenue Continues Steady Growth
Ira Coleman, the chair of McDermott, noted that although the company’s revenue growth was not as strong as it has been in previous years, the concept of “institutional health” was the main focus.
Garrigues Hits €454M Revenue as Firm Charts 10 Years of Growth
Despite this development, the firm’s growth trajectory has slowed, with leaders arguing that the cause is down to a ‘global geopolitical crisis and political and institutional instability’.
Amid Partnership Expansion, Paul Hastings Sees Double-Digit Boost in Profits and RPL
Paul Hastings’ equity tier grew by 2% meanwhile its nonequity tier surged by 14%.
Revenue Up 11.2%, PEP Up 22.1% at Akin, as Aggressive Hiring Pays Off
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s record year, according to chairperson Kim Koopersmith, is the result of deliberate recruiting in crucial procedures.
Norton Rose Fulbright ups London NQ salary to £120k
The raise will comes into fruition on the 1st of April and will be a 14% increase on the previous £105k.
Technology & Innovation:
Ethics v. Efficiency: Balancing Public Policy in AI-Powered Arbitration
Questions have arisen as to whether AI-driven international arbitration is appropriate under international law, and if it is not, how can it achieve legitimacy? Experts argue that as we embrace these new technologies, we must tread carefully, considering their broader ethical and societal implications, but not so carefully as to reject the opportunities they offer.
Thomson Reuters Expands CoCounsel Core to Canada and Australia
Following its US commencement in the Autumn of 2023, Thomson Reuters has decided to deliver the CoCounsel Core generative AI legal assistant to its first two English-speaking international markets.
E-Discovery Technology and Innovation Winner, Law Firm: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Scott Milner, Global Leader, eData Practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius stated that “As technology changes, so do ways in which clients do business and we need to follow suit. But you have be wise enough not to change for change’s sake or apply a new technology simply because it is new”.
Could Africa Leapfrog Other Regions on Legal Technology, Like it Did With Mobile Phones?
Some think the continent has a chance to grow faster, similar to how mobile phone adoption occurred, although there may be problems due to a lack of data and the size of law firms.
South Korea’s LG Chem Adopts Luminance AI to Enhance Contracting Work
The first company in Korea to use Luminance’s corporate product is LG Chem.
5 Interesting AI Use Cases in the Legal Industry
Panellist’s at the UnitedLex webinar “Exploring AI: An In-Depth Discussion of Real-Life Legal Use Cases,” discuss the most practical applications of AI across the legal landscape.
Spanish Law Firm Pérez-Llorca on Why a Swedish Gen AI Assistant Was the Right Fit
Earlier this month, Perez-Llorca became the first law office in Spain to use Leya, a Swedish generative AI assistant. For the company, the solution provided the ideal mix between GDPR compliance and the ability to conduct business in Spanish.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Meet the Female Founders of Legal Tech
Legaltech News has created an evolving list of female and gender fluid founders who have created products and launched companies in the legal technology space.
Championing Diversity in Tech (Individual) Winner, Provider: Catherine Krow, BigHand
Catherine Krow of BigHand said that “‘Business as usual’ is not working for law firms today, and it certainly isn’t able to support a more equitable work culture,”.
Legal Forges Ahead With DE&I Efforts, Despite Backlash
The language around DE&I may not be as prevalent as it was in 2020, but initiatives to combat racial and gender inequality in the legal sector are not only continuing, but also developing.
No Longer Just an HR Matter, DEI Expands to Law Firm Operations
The issue involving artwork in a Duane Morris office and the law firm’s response highlights how the role of DEI professionals in Big Law is expanding to encompass operations and office space in addition to talent concerns.
Market Commentary:
The Risks and Rewards of Becoming a Shareholder
Stuart Pachman of Brach Eichler has written that “Whether one represents the employer or the employee, counsel is wise to consider the legal, tax, and any other consequences that follow when an employee of a corporation or an LLC is to become a co-owner of the entity”.
Law Firm Partners Income Tax Arrangements Come Under Scrutiny in Australia
The employment of a tax system that reduces the amount of tax owed to the government by law firms and their partners is being questioned by senators from Australia.
2024 Layoffs: How to Navigate the Downsizing Trend
An examination of the advantages of contract labor when facing layoffs.
US Firms Benefit as Latin America Capital Markets Activity Roars Back
The companies that are actively helping state and corporate issuers in the region are Cleary Gottlieb, Davis Polk, Shearman, and Simpson Thacher. The current market circumstances are favorable for debt and even some equity offers.
‘One Firm’ or Separate Entities? Vereins’ Growth Bumps Into Conflicts, Liability Concerns
A U.S. appellate court’s decision has cast doubt on Baker McKenzie’s organizational design, coming two years after Dentons was hit with a $32 million malpractice award that also involved the firm’s verein status.
US Law Firm Leasing on Upswing in 2023, Hitting Highest Mark Since 2019
According to the Savills Legal Tenant U.S. Law Firm Activity Report Q4 2023, the top leasing market was New York, and over half of all new leases signed in 2023 were by businesses that were already occupying their property.