Moves:
UK & Ireland
Slaughter and May Makes Rare Hire with Freshfields Pensions Partner
Slaughter & May has made a remarkable hire, adding a longtime Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner to its pensions practice. Charles Magoffin, a partner with Freshfields since 2010, will join Slaughter and May as senior counsel in September, according to the firm’s statement.
Former Clifford Chance arbitration head departs for Twenty Essex
Audley Sheppard, who joined Coward Chance in 1986 prior to the merger that established Clifford Chance, will begin his new role in June after serving as a consultant at the firm for the previous year.
Goodwin swoops on Travers for London private equity partner duo
Ian Keefe and George Weavil, both Travers lifetime members who became partners in 2018, bring substantial experience in pan-European and international private equity and M&A transactions to Goodwin’s London office.
Powderly Solicitors recruits criminal defence lawyer Eoghan O’Sullivan as partner
Powderly Solicitors LLP in Co Kildare has appointed Eoghan O’Sullivan as a partner with expertise in criminal defence and childcare law.
EMEA
Herbert Smith, Norton Rose and CDH Make Key Hires to South Africa Offices
Norton Rose has appointed Gillian Lumb as a director on its national employment and labour unit in Cape Town. A director is equivalent to a partner in Norton Rose Africa.
HFW Hits Eversheds Paris for 2-Partner-Led Arbitration Team
HFW welcomes new partners Julien Fouret and Gaëlle Le Quillec, as well as senior associate Camille Dupuy.
Longtime Paris-Based McDermott Partner Joins Rimon in Texas
Nicolas Lafont, the latest Rimon lateral hire to cite the firm’s rate flexibility as a key reason for his move, said, “Texas is the place to be”.
Claus Zimmermann, an international trade specialist, has joined Ashurst as a partner in Brussels to oversee the firm’s European Union and international trade litigation, policy, and regulatory practices.
APAC
Jones Day Adds Banking Partner Duo in Australia
Alastair Gourlay, a Banking and Finance partner, has left Baker McKenzie to join Jones Day’s Sydney office.
Herbert Smith Freehills Adds Third Partner to Bangkok Bench
Pariyapol Kamolsilp has joined the UK firm from Thailand’s local practice, Kudun & Partners.
JSA Makes 2nd Partner Hire In A Week As Disputes Lawyer Returns
J. Sagar Associates, an Indian law practice, has added their second partner in a week, after welcoming back disputes expert Harshavardhan Abburi to Hyderabad. He becomes the firm’s sole partner stationed in the southern city.
Sam Picks Up Cam Capital Markets Partner In Mumbai
Indian law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co has added their second capital markets partner in 2024 with the hiring of partner Rohit Tiwari from rival Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in Mumbai.
The Americas
Paul Hastings Lands Co-Leader of Sidley’s PE Practice in 2-Partner Move
Alexander Temel’s clients include Goldman Sachs and Sixth Street Partners, among others. Also, William Schwab, a partner at Sidley, has joined Temel.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Hires New CFO From Perkins Coie
Trevor Varnes is BCLP’s most recent hire in Seattle.
People in the News—April 23, 2024—Marshall Dennehey, Capehart Scatchard
Marshall Dennehey announced that Christopher S. Devlin has joined the firms ranks as director of professional development and training.
Sidley has appointed John Godfrey as a partner in its Global M&A and private equity department. He was previously with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Proskauer has appointed Christiana ‘Christi’ Lazo as a partner in its private client services division. She was previously at Kirkland and Ellis.
People in the News—April 24, 2024—King Spry, Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Shorav Kaushik and Joseph Kemmerling joined Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul.
Shutts & Bowen Scoops Up Former Fox Rothschild Trademark Leader
Patricia Flanagan is the second lateral partner to depart Fox Rothschild’s West Palm Beach office this month.
People in the News—April 25, 2024—Panitch Schwarze, Barley Snyder
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel, an intellectual property law firm, has announced the appointment of Fang Liu as a partner.
Amid Week of Departures, Perkins Coie Picks Up GC as IP Partner
Zach Hong came to Perkins’ New York office from Cleerly, a digital health care firm.
On the Move and After Hours: NJOPD; Peckar Abramson; Bernstein DePhillips; CSG Law
Peckar & Abramson has named Mark A. Rosen a senior partner in the firm’s New Jersey and New York offices.
People in the News—April 26, 2024—Antheil Maslow, Ballard Spahr
Antheil Maslow & MacMinn has announced the addition of Stephen M. Zaffuto to its business and finance and real estate practice divisions.
Midsize Moves: Finn Dixon Hires Cleary Gottlieb Partner, Cotchett Pitre Scoops Hagens Berman Partner
Finn Dixon & Herling reported that Zachary J. Moore has joined the firm as a partner in its investment management practice, while Thomas Loeser has recently joined Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy as partner.
In-House
Etsy Welcomed Aboard Ex-Facebook GC Colin Stretch With Baskets of Stock
Stretch joined the e-commerce company as chief legal officer in February 2023, his first in-house position since serving as the social media company’s general counsel from 2013 to 2019.
Dutch Grocery Giant Hires CLO for Sprawling US Empire
Kim Lyda will take over legal operations at Ahold Delhaize USA, which operates over 2,000 grocery stores under brands such as Food Lion, Giant Food, and Stop & Shop.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Hires Disney Lawyer as General Counsel
CEO Tony Vinciquerra asserted that Jill Ratner will “help us meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry landscape and to capitalize on opportunities for growth.”
Veteran Entertainment Lawyer Takes Over Reins as GC of Canadian Media Company WildBrain
Mark Trachuk, who has over 35 years of expertise, replaces James Bishop in the position.
Haleon General Counsel Joins Saudi Aramco
Aramco’s new hire Bjarne Philip Tellmann earned GC of the Year at the 2017 British Legal Awards, bringing top-tier experience from pharmaceutical giant GSK and Pearson.
Teletubbies-owner WildBrain appoints media veteran as next GC
WildBrain, a Canadian children’s and family entertainment firm, has hired Mark Trachuk as general counsel, succeeding James Bishop, who resigned earlier this month.
Energy transition tech specialist ENODA hires first general counsel
Aniela Foster-Turner has been named the first general counsel for ENODA, an energy technology company.
Capstone Green Energy names legal chief amid post-bankruptcy rebuilding efforts
Capstone Green Energy, a US cleantech company, has hired Mark Funaki as general counsel as it looks to strengthen itself after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures late last year.
Team Moves
Greenberg Traurig Adds Partner-Led Corporate Trio in Milan
Eriprando Guerritore, an expert in fund formation and investment management, has joined Greenberg Traurig Santa Maria alongside associates Ruggero Maria Zanolini and Claudio Saba from Italian legal firm Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici.
Charles Russell Speechlys Takes Hong Kong Quartet From Soon-To-Close KPMG Affiliate
Shirley Fu, the founder and managing partner of SF Lawyers, will lead a team of three other lawyers in Hong Kong.
Baker McKenzie Hires Bulk of US Firm’s Corporate Department in ‘Transformational Hire’
Nine partners and 17 attorneys will make the shift, assisting Baker McKenzie in meeting its aim of becoming a full-service firm in Los Angeles.
Poland’s LSW Brings On 8 Partners in Push to Expand Corporate Capabilities
A team of 15 partners, associates, and business professionals has joined LSW at a time when the Polish market is seeing an increase in international investment.
Promotions & Appointments:
Morris James Associate Appointed to Delaware Combined Campaign for Justice Committee
Alyssa Meldrum, a Morris James colleague, has been selected to the Delaware Combined Campaign for Justice (CCJ) committee in 2024.
Meet CT’s New Honorary Consul to Finland, Robinson & Cole’s Patrick Trostle
Patrick J. Trostle, a partner at Robinson & Cole, has been appointed Honorary Consul to the Republic of Finland for the State of Connecticut. His role will be to promote and facilitate commercial and diplomatic contacts between Finnish and Connecticut-based firms.
DLA Piper unveils 63-strong partner promotion round
The reduced cohort takes the corporation closer to its objective of 30% female partnership by 2025.
Ashurst unveils another record promotions round as 30 make partner
Ashurst has promoted 30 attorneys to partner in its most recent promotions round, making it the third year in a row that the Anglo Australian company has achieved a record amount.
Two new partners at DLA Piper Ireland
Global law firm DLA Piper has promoted Dublin lawyers William Marshall and Darach Connolly to partner.
Caldwell & Robinson promotes Jade O’Kane to partner
Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors has promoted Jade O’Kane to partner in the firm’s private client group.
Mergers & Alliances:
Smith Gambrell Sees Revenues Grow, Profits Fall Amid 2023 Merger
Managing partner Stephen Forte said “We viewed ’23 as an important investment year for us to bring more scale for us and to be present in one of the major markets in a bigger way”.
Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins have joined Thoma Bravo’s £4.3 billion acquisition of U.K. cyber security business Darktrace, in the latest example of U.S. private equity firms acquiring U.K. plcs.
Office Openings & Closing:
There’s Something in the Water: San Diego Is Once Again a Hot Market for National Law Firms
In the last ten years, San Diego has attracted corporate legal firms as diverse as London powerhouse Eversheds Sutherland, Los Angeles-based Manatt Phelps & Phillips, and Glaser Weil, as well as national companies Polsinelli, Greenberg Traurig, Quarles & Brady, Fennemore & Craig, and others.
Stradley Ronon Launches First West Coast Office With Securities Litigation Team
The Pennsylvania-based company has hired ten attorneys, including five partners, from the litigation boutique Keesal, Young & Logan.
Longtime Litigation Law Firm Closes as Partners Head to Separate Practices
Mabry & McClelland have defended clients in a number of high-profile personal injury lawsuits in recent years.
The legal arm of the Big Four company intends to increase or triple its size in Australia within a few years, according to Deloitte Legal’s Asia Pacific and Australia chief.
Quinn Emanuel Formalizes Saudi Presence
Major legal firms have been attracted by the ‘magnetic pull’ of Saudi economic growth.
Maples Group Relocates to Neuroinclusive London Office
The Maples Group, a market-leading provider of legal, fiduciary, and fund services, has relocated its London office to 280 Bishopsgate, a freshly rebuilt, cutting-edge building with the best environmental and welfare ratings. The move underlines the Group’s commitment to assisting its clients and employees in a changing environment, as well as its outstanding performance in the UK market.
Japan’s TMI Establishes 2nd Malaysia Alliance, Sets Up New Office
TMI Associates, a major Japanese law company, has formed an association with Malaysian law firm SY Teo & Co, which was established by Sze Yi Teo, an associate in TMI’s Singapore office. The alliance will also open an office in Kuala Lumpur under the name SY Teo & Co, in collaboration with TMI Associates.
Financials:
All 3 Florida-Rooted Am Law 100 Firms Report Revenue Gains Amid Transactional Lag
Holland & Knight earned the greatest success as a result of their combination with Waller Lansden in early 2023. Meanwhile, Greenberg Traurig made more moderate increases than last year, maintaining its position in the rankings, while Akerman lost staff and slid several spots.
Brownstein, Akin See Record Q1 Lobbying Revenue Amid Influx of Business
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck & Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld each claimed their best first quarter on record.
A Tight Economy Increased Costs and Hindered Productivity for Pennsylvania’s Am Law 100
According to an examination of Am Law 100 revenue and net income numbers, eight Pennsylvania firms’ total costs outpaced revenue growth by 0.5% to 4.6%.
As They Plan Expansion, Most of Big Law in Missouri Grew Revenue and Profits Last Year
The majority of the nine Am Law 200 companies in the Show Me State increased its revenue, RPL, and average profits per equity partner.
2 Spanish Firms Break €90M in 2023 Global Revenue
Through its partnership with Taylor Wessing, ECIJA secured major clients such as Spotify and Amazon.
Flurry of Law Firms Sign New Client Lobbying Relationships as Big Law Reports Millions in Q1 Revenue
Brownstein Hyatt, Akin, K&L Gates, Holland & Knight, Covington and Hogan Lovells all reported new lobbying client relationships in recent weeks.
Revenue Up 3.5%, PEP Grew 10.4% at Hunton Andrews As Demand Revved Up Last Fall
The firm’s financial indicators improved in 2023, as demand across a variety of practices increased throughout the latter part of the fiscal year.
Comcast Legal Chief Breaks Into the $10M Pay Club
Reid, Comcast’s top legal officer and secretary, received $11.2 million last year, according to the company’s proxy statement filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday.
Technology & Innovation:
How AI Boosts Law Firm Profitability and Expands Market Opportunities
By streamlining a variety of procedures ranging from case intake to litigation support, AI not only reduces the strain of legal practitioners but also improves their capacity to serve clients efficiently.
AI Patent Unicorn Patsnap’s GC Discusses AI Regulation, Helping Startups Grow Sustainably, and More
Legaltech News spoke with Eric Topel, Patsnap’s first general counsel, on what the next several months would be like as he prepares for compliance with the EU AI Act and other impending AI regulations.
How Lowenstein Sandler Developed a Client-Facing Gen AI Chatbot
Lowenstein Sandler’s chief marketing officer, Kevin Iredell, believes that client-facing chatbots will eventually replace the law firm’s website search box.
LexisNexis Announces Gen AI-Powered Corporate Research Capabilities Nexis+AI
Nexis+AI is now in commercial preview with a handful of corporations, with a broader release scheduled for later this year.
Will the FTC Noncompete Ban Mean a Major Shift for Legal Tech?
Many in legal IT are divided on whether the FTC’s restriction on non-competes will result in significant improvements in hiring and talent acquisition or fall short.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Eversheds Elevates a Record 40 to Partner with Women Making up 60%
It goes against the flow of this year’s marketing in the City of London.
Kleinbard Cleared Of Wrongdoing In Pennsylvania Diversity Contracting Tiff
Female-owned Griesing Mazzeo Law had accused the firm of shorting it on fees after duping it into serving as a small diverse business subcontractor. A Pennsylvania federal judge dismissed the suit Thursday.
Stewarts’ partner count nears treble figures as firm promotes six
Stewarts has promoted six attorneys to partner, including five women, capping a year of growth for the specialty disputes company.
Market Commentary:
Most Big Chicago Law Firms Grew in 2023, but Several Not as Fast as Am Law 100
Six of the nine Chicago-based Am Law 100 law firms experienced slower revenue growth than the 100 as a whole. However, the majority of Chicago organizations either maintained or improved their positions in the most recent rankings.
How GCs Can Fix Firms That Are Too Risk-Averse or Too Willing to Go for Broke
Theresa Shea, general counsel of Utz Brands said “There are times you have to say, ‘You can’t do this.’ But that can’t be every time,”.
This City Is Competing With New York as an International Arbitration Hub
Winston & Strawn, Reed Smith, and White & Case are among the companies looking to expand in this field.
Switching Practice Areas: A Challenge or a Treasure?
Change is unavoidable, particularly for young lawyers seeking advancement and opportunities within their existing careers. Young lawyers frequently explore changing practice areas for a variety of reasons. As with every modest or significant change, there are both dangers and benefits.
Are Chinese Firms Sidelining Big Law on Hong Kong Listings Work?
Greater China-based law firms serve as the sole legal consultants to issuers in many Hong Kong Stock Exchange IPOs. Big Law cannot compete on fees with Chinese firms and justify the modest profits associated with the listings, which are significantly smaller than the billion-dollar transactions they handled in the past.
‘We See Them as Future Partners’: Simmons Launches Associate Council for ‘Next Gen’ Leaders
The council, which includes a ‘rigorous’ selection procedure and video applications, will provide strategic counsel to the company’s executive committee.
Caribbean Energy Needs Are on the Rise, and Plenty of That Work is Headed For U.S. Law Firms
Following a quiet spell in the Caribbean due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues, lawyers are beginning to witness an increase in work from the region, notably in the energy industry.
As Equity Tiers Shrink, Big Law Grows Leverage
Overall, in 2023, Am Law 100 firms grew their leverage. The statistic, defined as total lawyers (excluding equity partners) divided by the number of equity partners, is frequently used to help law firms evaluate their equity partner ratio as their head count and partnerships develop.