Moves:
UK & Ireland
A prominent EY UK lawyer has joined Squire, leading a move with a five-person team.
Monica Gogna will head the regulatory segment of the firm’s global financial services practice.
Sharon Somerville joins Lindsays in Dundee
Sharon Somerville, a corporate lawyer, has been promoted to senior associate at Lindsays. Today, Ms. Somerville works full-time at the company’s Dundee city center office. She offers advice on a variety of business and corporate matters.
APAC
Pillsbury expands Hong Kong team with hire from PRC’s DeHeng
Samuel Ng, a capital markets partner from DeHeng Law Offices, has joined Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s Hong Kong office. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the equity and debt capital markets, as well as noteworthy knowledge of major initial public offerings.
PwC Legal Vietnam bolsters corporate practice with hire from A&G
With the addition of Allen & Gledhill Vietnam M&A specialist Phan Vinh Nhan as a partner, PwC Legal Vietnam has improved its corporate legal capabilities.
Luthra rainmaker Karan Mitroo to join JSA in Delhi
In addition to recent high-profile hires, Karan Mitroo, a banking and finance partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, is expected to join JSA Advocates & Solicitors with his team. This will help JSA’s expansion efforts as Luthra deals with a wave of partner departures and looks to strengthen its position in South India.
SAM adds Mensa Brands GC as corp partner in Bengaluru
With the appointment of partner Anant Dang in Bengaluru, Indian law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas has continued to strategically grow its general corporate practice. Dang comes from his positions as general counsel and a founding member of Mensa Brands, one of the unicorns with the quickest rate of growth in India.
Female-founded ArbBoutique hires independent arbitrator in Singapore
International arbitrator Chiann Bao has joined ArbBoutique, this move will strengthen the boutique firm’s coverage in Asia.
EMEA
Covington Hires Former EU Judge in Brussels
Swedish former CJEU judge Nils Wahl discusses his transition to private practice with Covington & Burling’s Brussels office in an interview with CDR, featuring insights from global antitrust co-chair Johan Ysewyn. Covington & Burling has hired Wahl as senior of counsel in its Brussels-based EU competition and litigation practices, effective April 1.
Herbert Smith Freehills Bolsters German IP Power with Patent Litigator as Cases Surge
Florian Schmidt-Bogatzky has joined Herbert Smith Freehills, a renowned worldwide law firm, as a partner in its Intellectual Property (IP) practice. He will be working in the Düsseldorf-based Disputes section of the firm. Florian is a German patent litigator with over 20 years of expertise in both domestic and international patent infringement cases before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
Mauritius firm CMS Prism continues growth by adding new Head of Dispute Resolution
CMS Prism, a prominent business legal company in Mauritius, has strengthened its disputes practice by appointing Gaelle Angoh Li Ying Pin, a former senior state counsel, as its new Head of Dispute Resolution.
The Americas
Akin Nabs Munger Trade Secrets and Employee Mobility Co-Chair in Los Angeles
Smolowe joins Akin as a litigation partner after spending 16 years at Munger.
O’Melveny Adds Willkie Tech Transactions Partner in Silicon Valley and Newport Beach
O’Melveny Adds Willkie Tech Transactions Partner in Silicon Valley and Newport Beach
Foley Expands State AG Team With Cozen O’Connor Trio in DC, Denver
Foley & Lardner has hired two partners in Washington, D.C., and an of counsel in Denver for its state attorneys general practice, as the firm continues to focus on expanding key practice areas.
Baker McKenzie International Arbitration Partner Jumps to Reed Smith in Dallas
Eugenie Rogers has joined Reed Smith as a partner in the global commercial disputes group and international arbitration team. She specializes in handling cross-border disputes, particularly those involving large construction projects in Europe and the Middle East.
Holland & Knight has added a former high-ranking EPA lawyer as a partner in its Dallas office.
James McGuire previously served as regional counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, which oversees six states, including Texas, and 66 federally recognized tribes.
Vinson & Elkins Expands Antitrust Trial Team with McDermott Partner in New York
Nicole Castle, who recently joined Vinson & Elkins as a partner in the New York antitrust practice, stated that she made the move because the firm has been developing a “leading” antitrust team.
In-House
Litigation Funder Burford Capital Taps Financial Services Vet for New CMO
Jessica Zall started her new role as chief marketing officer at Burford Capital, a publicly traded third-party litigation financing company, on Monday. She brings with her a wealth of experience from previous marketing positions at J.P. Morgan and Fidelity.
UNC Hires State Senate Majority Leader as GC
The next general counsel and vice chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is Paul Newton, who resigned from the North Carolina Senate earlier this week.
US investment firm TPG hires Debevoise & Plimpton partner as CLO
Bradford Berenson, who is retiring from TPG at the end of the year, has been replaced as chief legal officer by Jennifer Chu. TPG is a US alternative asset management company.
Team Moves
Macfarlanes Trio Leaves for DAC Beachcroft
For almost ten years, all three worked in Macfarlanes’ real estate division.
Luthra and Luthra has experienced notable departures, including the loss of its seven-lawyer real estate transactions team to Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas last month.
Financials:
Holland & Knight Surpasses $2 Billion in Revenue in First Year of New Leadership Team
After Stephen Sonberg stepped down as managing partner following 16 years in the role, new leaders Robert Grammig and David Whitestone took charge, guiding the firm through continued growth.
Nixon Peabody Boosts Net Income by 12% Thanks to 3-Pronged Strategy
Industry groups, talent management, and client feedback have contributed to Nixon Peabody’s growth, helping the firm increase its gross revenue for the fourth consecutive year.
Baker & Hostetler Reaches Financial ‘Milestone,’ Exceeding $1B in 2024
Chair Paul Schmidt stated that the historic $1.05 billion in gross revenues last year marked the end of 31 consecutive years of growth. He noted that this success reflects a firm that has not only expanded domestically but has also placed a strong emphasis on lateral hiring.
Transactional Work Rebounds in 2024 to Help Grow Revenue, Profits for Moore & Van Allen
Gross revenue rose by 10% to $298.7 million, while profits per equity partner grew by 14% to $1.35 million.
Growth in California has contributed to a 16% revenue increase for Fisher & Phillips.
Managing partner John Polson also attributed the firm’s strong performance to the growth of its workplace safety practice.
“When we closed the books at the end of 2023, our numbers were up so dramatically that people outside of the firm questioned whether we could have a repeat year. I’m proud to report we’re up again rather significantly,” said co-managing partner Michael Carlinsky.
Cooley maintains its upward momentum as revenue reaches $2.15 billion.
However, the firm’s London revenue has edged downwards.
King & Spalding Credits Investment in Talent, Litigation Work for 11% Revenue Jump
The firm had trial successes in several high-profile product liability matters, and demand for energy work around the globe was brisk.
With Strong Demand in Litigation, Corporate, Revenue Up 6.3% at Clark Hill
In 2024, Detroit-based Clark Hill made investments in Atlanta, its first office in the Southeast, and additional offices in Boulder, Colorado.
Bradley Arant Sees ‘Seeds Planted’ Since 2019 Lead to 19% Revenue Growth
Jonathan Skeeters, managing partner, attributed 2024’s impressive performance to new office openings in Atlanta and Texas.
Florida-Rooted Am Law 100 Firms All Report Revenue Gains and Higher Partner Compensation in 2024
Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Knight and Akerman boosted higher gross revenue and profits per equity partner, even as two of them also expanded their equity ranks.
Promotions & Appointments:
Macfarlanes Announces Latest Partner Promotion Round
Two-thirds of newly promoted partners are female
Slaughter and May Announces Latest Partner Promotion Round
Six new partners will be appointed across various practice areas.
Linklaters Elevates 34 to Partner
Compared to the previous year, the company has raised the number of promotions by 25%.
Brian Kennedy SC appointed as CCPC’s first chief adjudication officer
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has named Brian Kennedy SC as its first chief adjudication officer. For more than 27 years, Mr. Kennedy has been a practicing barrister in Ireland.
CMS announces Scottish partner promotions
Three new partners have been appointed by CMS in Scotland. The trio consists of Robbie Somerville, a lawyer from CMS’s corporate team based in Glasgow, and Rory Thomson, a colleague from the firm’s insurance and reinsurance department based in Edinburgh.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Female Sports Litigators Discuss Strategy to Land ‘Dream Job’ in Competitive Field
Landing a dream job in the legal profession doesn’t happen instantly, particularly in sports law, where success often requires playing the long game to stand out in the field.
What, if Anything, Should Businesses Do About DEI in the Age of Trump?
In response to President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive orders, private businesses should review their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices. They should then develop an action plan—whether that involves updating policies, reaffirming their commitment to DEI (with or without amendments), or adopting a wait-and-see approach.
How Diversity Turned into a Controversial Topic in Law Firms, Even in the UK
Sources and early indications suggest that law firm diversity staff may be subtly shifting away from focusing on DEI initiatives.
Women’s History Month: Shared Experiences Help Smooth Intersection of Professional, Personal Demands
The importance of finding a good mentor—someone who will help lead you through the stages of your legal career and the hurdles along the way—is well known to any associate in a law firm.
‘People Are Terrified’: How Diversity Became a Dirty Word in Law Firms
Early research and sources suggest that diversity staff at law firms may be subtly moving away from DEI.
According to the Global Lawyer, Trump’s executive orders have stunned some of the biggest legal firms in the world and may have also exposed an unsettling reality: DEI is disposable.
Office Openings & Closing:
Litigation boutique Tressler opens new offices in San Francisco and San Diego.
Tressler, a midsize law firm founded in Chicago that specializes in representing the insurance industry, now operates 10 offices across six states.
Just last month, the firm faced a setback when infrastructure partners Jessamy Gallagher and Stuart Rowson left for Freshfields.
BCLP is withdrawing from Asia and plans to close its Hong Kong and Singapore offices.
The firm stated that its current focus is on investing in its transatlantic platform and selectively operating in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and the Middle East.
Excello Law marks US debut with Santa Barbara launch
Excello Law, a platform law company, opened an office in Santa Barbara to commemorate its US debut. J Paul Gignac, a litigator from Rimon, has joined the UK-based business to head the new office, which it hopes will serve as a launching pad for additional US expansion.
Mergers & Alliances:
Dentons expands its presence in India through a partnership with a local IP boutique.
Following its integration with IP boutique Aumirah, Dentons will now have seven offices across India.
Dentons has partnered with startup law firm Pulse in Canada’s tech hub.
The alliance with Pulse Law provides Dentons with a physical presence in Ontario’s tech hub.
Womble Bond Forges Strategic Alliance with Brazilian Firmv
The partnership with Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira, and Agel deepens the coverage of natural resources and energy.
Atlas, a division of the Svalner Atlas Group, is happy to announce that it has merged with STP Tax, a prominent tax compliance and consultancy company in the Netherlands. By combining the resources of both companies, this calculated move marks a critical turning point and reaffirms the company’s dedication to offering first-rate consulting services with a strong local and global presence.
Technology & Innovation:
Reveal Announces New Gen AI-Powered E-Discovery Platform
On Monday, e-discovery solutions provider Reveal announced that its AI-powered e-discovery platform will be released this summer and available for preview at Legalweek 2025 in New York. The new platform is designed to cater to users of all experience levels, offering increased transparency during the document review process. The platform’s name has yet to be revealed.
Goodwin, Clifford Chance and Other Firms Expand Their AI Offerings
Goodwin Procter, Harbottle & Lewis, and Clifford Chance have all enhanced their artificial intelligence capabilities by launching new firm-wide technology tools. Both Goodwin and Harbottle & Lewis revealed they are implementing the AI platform Legora across their legal operations.
The Rise of AI Litigation: How Emerging Tech Companies Can Safeguard Their IP and Liability Exposure
As artificial intelligence advances rapidly, it has also become a hotspot for litigation, especially around issues like intellectual property theft, data scraping, and model transparency. Traditional legal frameworks that govern software, data usage, and trade secrets are proving insufficient to address the complexities brought about by generative models and autonomous decision-making systems.
Traditional Lawyering in the New Age of AI
Predictions that AI will replace legal jobs are often rooted in a misunderstanding of how AI functions. In contrast, the mechanics of large language models, like those powering ChatGPT, suggest that generative AI (as it currently stands) may never be entirely free from hallucinations. Legal writing, however, requires the citation or distinction of real precedents, not fictional ones.
Building a data-driven communications philosophy for your law firm
Data-informed planning and regular measurement is essential if law firm marketers want their campaigns to succeed, said Vincent & Elkins’ chief communications officer Allan Schoenberg
Market Commentary:
“Many law firms are likely discovering a newfound interest in this area of advisory work,” says Michael Schramm, partner at Hengeler Mueller.
As GC Role Becomes More Daunting, Up-and-Comers Flock to Coaching
“If you want to be an effective leader, it starts with self-awareness,” said former PepsiCo General Counsel David Yawman. “Do I understand what I stand for? What I’m great at? What triggers me into bad behavior?”
‘This Is an Embarrassment:’ In-House Lawyers Dismayed by Paul Weiss’ Trump Deal
“I don’t have a large budget for outside counsel, but I definitely won’t be spending it with law firms who don’t stand up for themselves in the face of injustice,” stated Ray Everett, general counsel for health care at TopCon Corp.
Templars Among Nigerian Firms Adopting UK/US Equity Partner Models to Retain Talent
In the midst of the “japa” syndrome, which is the widespread exodus of young people looking for work overseas, Nigerian law firms are using equity partnership models from the United States and the United Kingdom in order to retain top talent and develop long-term leadership.
How Are Law Firms Looking to Strike a Deal with Trump Getting a Foot in the Door?
There was a strong market for energy work worldwide, and the company achieved trial triumphs in a number of well-known product liability cases.
Skadden Offers $100M In Pro Bono Work to Avoid Trump Order
US firm Skadden has struck a pre-emptive deal with President Donald Trump to provide at least $100m in pro bono services to avoid facing an executive action like other law firms.