Technology & Innovation:
Spellbook Launches ‘Spellbook Associate,’ a Legal AI Agent for Transactions
According to Scott Stevenson, CEO and co-founder of Spellbook, all Spellbook subscribers will now have free access to the AI agent known as “Spellbook Associate”. But he pointed out that as Spellbook assesses “usage patterns” and the expenses incurred by the business, that might alter.
Tracking Generative AI: How Evolving AI Models Are Impacting Legal
By late 2022, the legal industry was enthralled with the exponential rise in sophistication and power of commercially available generative artificial intelligence systems.
AI in Advertising: Understanding the Hype, Role and Legal Challenges
AI offers businesses—including law firms—powerful tools to attain the right audience, optimize their advertising budgets, and ultimately grow their client base.
Legal Tech Industry Vets Launch New Marketing Comms Firm Limelight
Kenneth Gary and Erin Harrison, who were formerly employed as journalists and marketing specialists, hope to use their years of experience at the nexus of law, business, and technology to provide customers with innovative and effective bespoke communications programs that go beyond public relations.
Minnesota State Bar Takes Big Step Toward Launching Gen AI Regulatory Sandbox
A new committee that will create the framework for an innovative generative AI regulatory sandbox program aimed at enhancing the state’s legal accessibility has received approval from the Minnesota State Bar Association (MBSA). When completely developed, the sandbox would use generative AI, more especially the large language models (LLMs) that drive the system, to assist self-represented litigants when they interface with the court system at various times, such as when they are applying for housing or obtaining immigration.
Richard Susskind, Now Special Envoy for Justice and AI, Talks AI’s Role in A2J
Richard Susskind, a futurist and legal tech specialist, was named the Commonwealth’s Special Envoy for Justice and Artificial Intelligence. In addition, Susskind and Mark O’Conor have been hard at work co-editing a brand-new book, “Computers & Law: The First 50 Years,” in honor of the Society for Computers and Law’s (SCL) 50th anniversary, which was earlier this year.
Spun Off from Deloitte, Moonlit Launches Legal Research Platform for EU Case Law
Moonlit, an internal project created by Deloitte Netherlands’ artificial intelligence lead, aims to assist users in monitoring, contrasting, and comparing how different member states interpret EU legislation.
Global Firms’ Asia Offices Lag Behind US and Europe in AI Uptake
Global law companies are encountering difficulties in Asia, where their efforts have been greeted with less enthusiasm than in the West, as they use machine learning and generative AI approaches to provide better client services. Asian clients continue to favour personalized, “touchy-feely” services, according to Hogan Lovells partner Tommy Liu. As a result, AI use in tasks like contract analysis and document drafting is less widespread in the area.
Market Commentary:
The Future of Law Firm Marketing and Business Development
Carl Grant III of Oxford Strategic Legal Advisors stated that “Revenue-focused marketing and business development organizations of the future will need to be agile and adaptable to changing market conditions, firm requirements, and client needs”.
The Law Firm Disrupted: The Legal Workplace Spans 4 Generations. Treat That as an Opportunity
Husch Blackwell CEO Jamie Lawless noted that Baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Zoomers are all part of the talent mix right now, offering opportunities in the workplace.
Want to Be a Rainmaker? Master Balancing Business Development and Thought Leadership
Rainmakers put this knowledge into practice by allocating their time wisely and consistently to thought leadership as well as company development.
Young, Digital, Demanding: How Gen Z Is Challenging Germany’s Law Firms
Generation Z are tech-savvy, purpose-driven, and wanting a new leadership style. Are law firms ready?
Sidley Offers Associates ‘Managing’ Titles. Why Isn’t It Catching On?
According to Yvette Ostolaza, head of the management committee, Sidley has completed its Built to Lead development program with 869 attorneys, and the internal appraisals have been “extremely positive.”
Taking Big Leaps in Head Count, ‘Show Me’ State Law Firms Aggressive in Growth
With its roots in Kansas City, a number of Am Law 200 law firms are rapidly drawing clients and talent from around the country.
Could Casablanca Finance City Be the Key to Law Firms’ African Ambitions?
Morocco’s CFC seeks to draw legal firms and their affluent clientele who wish to take advantage of Casablanca’s position as an entry point for investments into Africa.
Moves:
The Americas
Latham Adds Partner to IP Litigation Team
Raghav Bajaj has become a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department and Intellectual Property Litigation Practice at Latham & Watkins, according to an announcement made by the firm. Bajaj is a patent litigator whose area of expertise is the US Patent and Trademark Office’s contentious Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) hearings.
Holland & Knight Adds M&A Partner from McDermott
Ibrahim Barakat, the recent arrival, is only the fifth partner the business has added in Miami in the previous two years. Barakat is bringing his prior experience of assisting clients with private equity and M&A transactions, particularly in the health care sector, to the firm’s corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and securities practice.
2 Longtime Locke Lord Attorneys Jump to Sheppard Mullin Amid Merger Talks
Jennifer Brough and Bruce Grabow, who worked at Locke Lord for over a decade, have joined Sheppard Mullin as partners in the firm’s energy, infrastructure and project finance industry team and the real estate, energy, land use and environmental practice group.
Lewis Brisbois Litigator Moves to Atlanta Boutique to ‘Round Out’ Its Services to Other Lawyers
An Atlanta law firm that says it offers a rather unique niche practice has added a partner who will effectively “close the loop” on the legal services it offers to other lawyers.
Another Weil Partner Heads to Paul Hastings, as McGuireWoods Hires Former SEC Crypto Leader
Daniel Nicholas is at least the fourth Weil lawyer to join Paul Hastings in recent months.
Stradley Ronon Bolsters Investment Management Practice with Vanguard Hire
Brian Murphy, an assistant general counsel at Vanguard, has joined Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young as a partner in its investment management practice. Murphy has worked for the SEC for ten years and an investment management company for another ten. This will be his first time in private practice.
McCarter & English Welcomes 2 Lateral Partners from McElroy Deutsch
James Budinetz, a former McElroy Deutsch Managing Partner for New England, and Peter J. Zarella, a partner, have joined McCarter & English’s business litigation division as partners in Hartford.
Pierson Ferdinand Lures Veteran M&A Specialist from Sheppard Mullin in Silicon Valley
John Booher joined Pierson Ferdinand becoming the firm’s second corporate partner in Palo Alto, California, after six years as a M&A lawyer with Am Law 100 firm Sheppard Mullin.
Paul Weiss Adds New Derivatives Partner From A&O Shearman
Kerri Durso, a partner in the finance division of A&O Shearman, has joined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Durso joins the group in New York, specializing on exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives.
A&O Shearman Power Regulatory Partner Jumps to Hogan Lovells 3 Months Post-Merger
Chip Cannon, a power regulatory attorney from A&O Shearman, has joined Hogan Lovells, becoming the most recent partner to leave the recently combined firm. Cannon becomes a partner in Hogan Lovells’ Washington, D.C. worldwide regulatory and intellectual property practice.
Norton Rose Business Development Head Moves to Ballard Spahr
Norton Rose Fulbright global head of business development Ian Ribald is moving to Ballard Spahr as their new chief marketing and business development officer.
Simpson Partner Heads to Paul Hastings, as Firm Plots Growth in Banking, Finance
Ismael Duran, a partner in finance, left Simpson Thacher & Bartlett after over 20 years of service. He is now a partner at Paul Hastings’ banking, finance, and private credit division in New York.
Debevoise, Seeing Tech Practice ‘Traction,’ Adds IP Litigator from Quinn Emanuel
After working at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan for 12 years, intellectual property litigator Lindsay Cooper Hayman joined Debevoise & Plimpton.
V&E Energy Regulatory Partner Jumps to Kirkland in Houston
Moving to Kirkland & Ellis’ Houston office, Vinson & Elkins energy regulatory partner Damien Lyster noted that this is a “fantastic time” to be active in energy regulatory work.
Paul Weiss, Recruiting Another Cleary Partner, Adds Rising M&A Star
Less than five months have passed since Cleary M&A partner James “Jim” Langston left for Paul Weiss, and now Nickolas Bogdanovich has moved.
According to company chair Frank Lopez, the hiring of Diedre Kalenderian would assist Paul Hastings in “creating a premier executive compensation practice as we continue to build our global platform and gain market share at the top of the market.”
Gibson Dunn Restructuring Partner Exits for Latham After 16 Months
Joe Zujkowski was previously the co-chair of O’Melveny’s restructuring practice before joining Gibson Dunn last year.
People in the News—Aug. 26, 2024—Saxton & Stump, Ballard Spahr
Melissa DeBarbieris has joined Saxton & Stump as a senior counsel attorney in the area that handles franchising, licensing, and distribution.
Former Kirkland PE Partners Reunite at Weil, as NY Firm Seeks More West Coast Growth
With Alice Yuan, a former partner at Kirkland, joining her old colleague Tana Ryan in Los Angeles, Weil hopes to expand its PE practice in California.
In house
Tom Sabatino, an 8-Time Legal Chief, Off to New Adventures After Year-Long Run at Rite Aid
Thomas Sabatino’s run as chief legal officer of Rite Aid proved to be short. But it was filled with excitement.
Hollywood Vet to Be Both COO and GC of Independent Studio
Two years after striking an agreement with a private equity firm that offers it fresh financial strength to pursue production projects and acquisitions, Jeannine Tang is joining SK Global Entertainment.
KPMG Vice Chair Is Latest Winner in Game of GC Musical Chairs
KPMG legal chief and former Washington, D.C., insider Tonya Robinson will join investment management giant Vanguard Group in October as general counsel and managing director of its legal division.
Trailblazer at International Monetary Fund Handing Over Legal Reins After 27 Years with Agency
Rhoda Weeks-Brown, originally from Liberia, declared that she had fulfilled her aim of “working for an organization with a mission that could change the world for the better.”
After 37 Years at Geico, 7 as CLO, Seth Ingall Takes Legal Post Elsewhere
Ingall stated that he “found retirement boring” and the opportunity at Crash Champions too exciting to pass up.
US chemicals business Eastman hires CLO replacement from Clorox Company
Ike Adeyemi will take over as chief legal officer at US specialty chemicals business Eastman Chemical business, following Kellye Walker, who departed the company earlier this year.
Team Moves
Australia’s Clayton Utz Poaches Four Government Partners from Rival
Four partners have been taken by Australian business Clayton Utz from its elite competitor MinterEllison. With the addition of the partners, Clayton Utz’s Canberra-based partnership will grow from 11 to 15, which the company said will improve its services for clients in the public and private sectors.
K&L Gates Hires Real Estate Partner and Team in Sydney
Along with his two-person team, Paul Lalich joins the Sydney-based firm from HWL Ebsworth. Lalich has over 25 years of experience advising the government, state-owned corporations, institutional investors, publicly listed Real Estate Investment Trusts, private businesses, and domestic and international transport and aviation companies on planning and environmental law.
Willkie Adds 11-Attorney Capital Markets Group from Mayer Brown
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has added an 11-attorney group from Mayer Brown in Chicago, comprising five partners and six associates, as a result of renewed market optimism over the demand for deal work. Edward Best, a recent hire, will share leadership of Willkie’s capital markets practice, having previously held the same position at Mayer Brown.
Armstrong Teasdale Loses 10 Real Estate Attorneys to Fox Rothschild
Chief business development officer Jay Wager claims that the group that came to Armstrong Teasdale in 2019 and focused on condos and cooperative housing eventually failed to incorporate its specialized practice into the company.
KPMG M&A Partner and Team of Three Depart for Australia’s Mills Oakley
Hoda Nahlous, a partner at KPMG Law, and her three-person team have joined Mills Oakley in the wake of KPMG’s decision to close its Australian business.
APAC
Hogan Lovells Partner Duo Leaves to Rebuild O’Melveny Singapore
Hogan Lovells longtime partner Stephanie Keen and corporate partner Sylvia Taslim will soon be leaving to fill out O’Melveny’s Singapore outfit, which has seen numerous partner and team departures since 2014.
Sidley Loses Two Disputes Partners in Singapore, One Departs for Skadden
The recent loss of partner Jennifer Lim to Duxton Hill Chambers has negatively impacted Sidley Austin’s disputes offering in Singapore. Additionally, the firm is about to lose its global arbitration, trade, and advocacy co-leader Friven Yeoh to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Arnall Golden Lands Arbitration Pro from South Korea, Bradley Adds to Atlanta Growth
New Arnall Golden Gregory partner Lance B. Lee said, “In the case of Korean companies, investments into Georgia are exponentially on the rise. By being located where investments are taking place, I can best serve my clients”.
Pisut adds cross-border disputes partner in Bangkok
Partner Dutsadee Dutsadeepanich of Pisut & Partners, a Thai legal firm, has strengthened the firm’s capacity for international arbitration in Bangkok.
Saraf continues August hiring with Quillon corporate pro
Adil Ladha joined Saraf and Partners’ Mumbai corporate practice in August, marking the firm’s third partner hire. Ladha worked as a counsel at Quillon Partners in the past.
Stephenson Harwood SG alliance firm lands corporate partner from Dentons
Eunice Yao, a partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson, has joined Virtus legal, the Singapore alliance office of UK legal firm Stephenson Harwood, as a corporate lawyer.
UK & Ireland
Paul Weiss London Hires Client TDR Capital’s General Counsel
After serving as general counsel at private equity firm TDR for just over a year, David Holdsworth is set to become a partner at Paul Weiss, as per an individual with knowledge of the hiring. Early in 2023, he started working at TDR, replacing Blair Thompson, a former partner of SJ Berwin, as general counsel.
With his vast experience in residential real estate, he can offer businesses and individuals professional guidance on a variety of conveyancing procedures. Mr. Jennings, who joined from a well-known Manchester-based company, is licensed to practice law in both England and Wales.
Catherine O’Flynn appointed as employment law partner at Mason Hayes & Curran
The employment law and benefits team of Mason Hayes & Curran has grown with the addition of Catherine O’Flynn as a partner. Ms. O’Flynn has more than 20 years of experience practicing employment law, with a concentration on matters pertaining to age and equality.
Paul Hastings Enhances Market-Leading Finance Practice with Premier London Partner
Reena Gogna became a partner at Paul Hastings LLP in London, the firm reported. In relation to banking and financial matters, such as leveraged finance, debt restructurings, refinancings, senior debt and high yield financings, Gogna represents a broad spectrum of premier financial institutions and direct lenders. She comes from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
EMEA
Linklaters Hires White & Case Partner to Head Banking & Finance in Sweden
With the addition of Magnus Wennerhorn, a former partner at White & Case who specialises in leveraged finance, Linklaters is growing its banking practice in Sweden.
Kirkland Builds German Restructuring Practice with Gleiss Lutz Duo
Frankfurt-centered Later this year, Christian Halàsz and Düsseldorf attorney Friedrich Schlott are anticipated to join the company.
Latham hires highly rated M&A partner from Saudi independent firm
Leen Zaza, a partner from Khoshaim & Associates (K&A), has joined the US behemoth’s Riyadh office. She will be based in the M&A and private equity division.
Mergers & Alliances:
Hill Dickinson Ties Up with Singapore Firm PDLegal
Hill Dickinson and the Singaporean legal company PDLegal LLC have partnered. Both companies wanted to expand their service offerings by combining their resources, which led to the creation of the new partnership, known as Hill Dickinson PDLegal.
Australia’s IPH Group Takes Over Fourth Canadian IP Law Firm
The acquisition of prestigious Canadian IP company Bereskin & Parr by Australia’s IPH Limited, a preeminent worldwide provider of intellectual property services, has caused another upheaval in the Canadian IP market.
AI Startup Co-Founded By A&O Shearman Recruit Acquired by Thomson Reuters
A news release from Thomson Reuters stated that the company has purchased UK-based startup Safe Sign Technologies “to accelerate its AI strategy.” The acquisition’s financial information was kept under wraps.
Clifford Chance Advises on $1.3B Asia Fund Formation by Sea Town
With more than $2.5 billion in assets under management, Sea Town is the private credit division of Temasek Holdings, the state-owned investor in Singapore. According to a statement, its most recent fund will concentrate on making credit investments in Asia Pacific.
Rouse Group Merges with European IP Firm aera Amid Global Consolidation
Following a wave of global IP business consolidations, including the recent deal in Canada by IPH Group, Rouse’s combination with aera increases its European reach and patent knowledge.
Office Openings & Closing:
Morris, Manning & Martin to Shrink Its Footprint in Move From 37-Year Atlanta Home
Morris, Manning & Martin is moving to a new, 23% smaller location from a building it has held since the late 1980s due to the need for a more contemporary office space that encourages office work and aids in recruiting.
Michigan-Based Midsize Firm Marks Latest Florida Expansion Thanks to Condo Law Changes
The devastating Champlain Tower collapse in Miami Beach occurred in 2021, the same year that the midsize corporation Varnum, located in Michigan, opened an office in Naples, Florida. The office’s workload has increased as a result of the restrictions that followed the disaster, which has allowed it to grow this year.
Financials:
As Associates Watch for Summer Bonuses, Timing Expectations Pushed Back
One Big Law associate recruiter “If it doesn’t happen this week, that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen at all”.
Elite Law Firms Pushed Industry Gains in First Half of 2024
According to Wells Fargo’s first-half report, the “primary contributor” to revenue growth is still the growth in “rack” billing rates, which “was considerably higher for the Am Law 1-50 (10%) than for the other tiers.”
Am Law 50 Law Firms ‘Outpacing’ the Industry More in 2024, as Segmentation Accelerates
According to Citi’s Global Wealth at Work Law Firm Group this week, the top 50 law firms led the way in demand growth through the first half of the year and more than quadrupled the revenue rate growth created by the Second 50 businesses. Additionally, Am Law 50 companies boosted their fee inventory more than the industry average and reduced their collection schedule.
With Some Mid-Market 50 Firms ‘Moving Up,’ Average Revenue Slips in 2023
The reduction in average revenue can be partially attributed to the fact that four firms rose in the Am Law 200 ranking.
Diversity & Inclusion:
In an attempt to stop state officials from implementing a new legislation that prohibits transgender girls from participating in public school sports, two transgender adolescent girls from New Hampshire filed a lawsuit on Friday.
Brazil lags on gender parity at senior levels across the legal profession
According to the IBA’s most recent gender disparity report, Brazil is making progress toward gender parity throughout the legal profession, although at senior levels, the percentage of women drops significantly. The International Bar Association (IBA) commissioned the “Brazil Gender Report,” which revealed that although women made up 50% of all bar registrants, they only made up 44% of attorneys overall and only 37% of top jobs.
Promotions & Appointments:
New Thompson Coburn Chair Focused on Growth of All Aspects
Chris Hohn, who moved into the chair role at Thompson Coburn, is viewing growth from all angles as he focuses on his management priorities and how to best implement the firm’s strategic plan.
Consultancy firm BRG hires ex-Keating, Wilberforce Chambers CEO
Declan Redmond is a managing director of Berkeley Research Group (BRG), a business consulting organization with operations in Asia-Pacific and EMEA.
Nera Capital appoints Robin Grant as global CFO
Robin Grant has been named as the new chief financial officer of Dublin-based specialist litigation funder Nera Capital.