Welcome to this week’s legal industry update, where we spotlight the latest partner moves, strategic hires, and market shifts across the UK, Americas, EMEA, and APAC. From headline-grabbing lateral hires to new office launches and major promotions, here’s what’s shaping the global legal landscape.
Moves
UK & Ireland
Former A&O Shearman FinReg Head Resurfaces at Reed Smith
A&O Shearman’s former head of financial regulation services Damian Carolan has joined Reed Smith. Carolan resigned from Allen & Overy prior to the firm’s merger with New York headquartered Sherman & Sterling in April 2024.
BCLP hires three-lawyer finance team from Taylor Wessing
Partner Fiona Coady joins the team, alongside associates, Anna Dugoni and Amy Edwards-Knight in London.
Paul Hastings boosts structured finance bench with Ashurst partner
Paul Hastings has hired structured finance partner Thomas Picton from Ashurst, furthering a build-out in asset-backed financing and securitisation that the firm has prioritised in London and the US.
Simpson Thacher hires Kirkland private equity partner in London
Simpson Thacher has hired private equity partner Nick Appleton from Kirkland & Ellis in London. His move strengthens Simpson Thacher’s European M&A practice, while continuing a trend of partner departures from Kirkland’s London office.
Willkie Partner joins Duane Morris in London for International Disputes Leadership Role
Duncan Speller, who spent nearly 20 years at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr, joins Duane Morris to become co-chair of international disputes.
Dentons welcomes David Kirton as Dublin TMT partner
Dentons has appointed David Kirton as a partner in its Dublin TMT practice. Dual-qualified in Ireland and England & Wales, he brings expertise in tech transactions, IP, and regulation, bolstering Dentons’ capabilities for multinational clients in Ireland, the UK, and the Middle East.
Cleary hire White & Case disputes partner in London
The addition of Raif Hassan, specialist in commercial litigation and international arbitration, from White & Case strengthens Cleary’s disputes and competition practices in London.
Americas
Wachtell M&A Partner Heads to DLA Piper
Viktor Sapezhnikov, a Wachtell partner since 2019, is the fourth partner to leave the firm this year. He will join DLA Piper in New York on November 1.
Canadian Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Joins Cassels
Marco Mendocino, former Chief of Staff to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, joins Casselshttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-cassels-marco-mendicino-law-firms-legal-moves-carney-chief-staff/ Brock & Blackwell as a senior counsel and strategic adviser.
Ryan Bennett joins Willkie Farr & Gallagher as Chair of Restructuring Group
Former Kirkland partner Ryan Bennett will join Willkie as Chair of the Restructuring Group in Chicago. As Chair, Bennett will lead Willkie’s growing restructuring platform, which advises debtors, creditors, investors, and sponsors on complex restructurings, hybrid capital solutions, and distressed acquisitions.
EMEA
CMS names Adrian Bell as next managing partner
CMS has named Adrian Bell, head of APAC and the Middle East and co-head of its global infrastructure, construction, and energy disputes group, as its next UK managing partner. Bell, who joined CMS in 2002, will start his four-year term in April 2026, succeeding Stephen Millar. He has overseen CMS’s expansion in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Brisbane and will lead the UK LLP, which includes nine UK offices and international operations. Firm leaders praised his experience in driving growth, innovation, and team performance.
Trowers hires arbitration specialist from Stephenson Harwood in Dubai
Trowers & Hamlins has hired Magda Kofluk and senior associate Samantha Martin from Stephenson Harwood, boosting its Middle East construction disputes team and raising female representation to 75%. The firm is also opening a new Riyadh office as part of its 2030 growth plan.
APAC
Gibson Dunn Expands in Singapore with Freshfields M&A Duo
Corporate partners Nigel Gleeson and Jon Bowden make the move to the US firm in Singapore.
Ashurst takes projects and energy partner from G+T
Lixian Liang, an experienced projects and energy lawyer, has rejoined Ashurst after a period at Gilbert + Tobin.
A&O Shearman adds partner, starts Australia real estate practice
A&O Shearman has hired Dannelle Howley as a partner to launch its dedicated real estate practice in Australia. Howley, formerly a partner at Squire Patton Boggs and previously counsel at A&O Shearman, brings extensive experience in large-scale real estate transactions, advising property funds, private capital, and government clients. Her appointment coincides with the firm’s 15-year anniversary in Australia.
Team Moves
DLA Piper adds 3 tax partners, team of 5 from Clayton Utz
DLA Piper has hired partners Angela Wood, Brendon Lamers, and Andy Bubb from Clayton Utz, along with tax director Alex Lebsanft, two senior associates, a solicitor, and a senior legal assistant. Lamers and Lebsanft will be based in Brisbane, while Wood, Bubb, and the rest of the team will join the Melbourne office. The appointments strengthen DLA Piper’s tax practice across controversy, infrastructure, and international tax, complementing recent senior hires and promotions. Firm leaders highlighted their expertise, client relationships, and collaborative approach.
Stephenson Harwood debuts in Saudi Arabia with three-partner team
Stephenson Harwood has opened offices in Riyadh and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, marking its latest Middle East expansion. The Saudi team will be led by partners Marcus Latta, Khurram Ali, and Tammy Samuel, focusing on transport, logistics, energy, infrastructure, finance, and dispute resolution. The move builds on strong regional growth and aligns with the firm’s sectoral focus, following similar expansions by Reed Smith, Bird & Bird, and Pinsent Masons.
In House
Legaltech specialist Consilio hires BlueLinx GC as next legal head
Consilio has named Tricia Kinney as CLO, replacing long-time GC Mike Flanagan, who will stay on as an advisor. Kinney, formerly at BlueLinx, will lead the company’s global legal, compliance, and governance teams from Atlanta.
Promotions & Appointments
CMS appoints joint APAC head as managing partner
CMS has elected Adrian Bell, co-head of its infrastructure, construction and energy disputes practice, as its new UK LLP managing partner. Bell has been with the firm since 2002 and has also acted as joint managing director for APAC and the Middle East since 2017.
Latham names seven new London partners in latest promotions round
Latham & Watkins has promoted 40 associates to partner globally for January 2026, including seven in London, alongside 56 counsel promotions. The London promotions span banking, M&A, private equity, capital markets, and tech, reflecting the firm’s strong year despite partner departures to Sidley Austin. Key European mandates include the Anglo American-Teck merger, DoorDash’s Deliveroo acquisition, and Verisure’s Nasdaq Stockholm IPO.
Who made partner in London:
- Brett Carr – Emerging Companies & Growth
- Chris Cox – Mergers & Acquisitions / Private Equity
- Calum Docherty – Data & Technology Transactions
- Tamryn Gallagher – Banking & Private Credit
- Jonathan Ritson-Candler – Capital Markets
- Harriet Stephenson – Mergers & Acquisitions / Private Equity
- Julie Van der Meersche – Banking & Private Credit
Cleary promotes two to partner in London
Cleary has promoted 20 lawyers to partner globally, its largest senior lawyer round, including two in London: litigator Paul Kleist and private equity lawyer Joanna Roberts. The promotions, effective 1 January 2026, bring Cleary’s global partner count to 239.
Office Openings & Closing
Taylor Wessing to ‘decouple’ from Hong Kong office
Taylor Wessing will separate from its Hong Kong arm on 17 November, with the office relaunching as independent firm H.M. Chan & Co. The firms described the move as an amicable “decoupling” and will continue collaborating. The split aligns with Taylor Wessing’s strategy to focus on core European markets and mirrors similar restructurings by international firms in China, such as Mayer Brown’s 2023 separation from its local branch.
Gowling, Stephenson Harwood and Morgan Lewis become latest UK firms to expand into Saudi
Gowling WLG, Stephenson Harwood and Morgan Lewis are expanding into Saudi Arabia, joining a wave of firms entering the Kingdom’s growing legal market. Gowling has launched a Riyadh office through a joint venture with Talal Al Ghazzawi, focusing on IP, tech, and energy. Stephenson Harwood will open in Riyadh and Al Khobar in November 2025, led by Marcus Latta. Morgan Lewis launches with a team of six lawyers across M&A and capital markets, finance and dispute resolution, and will be led by office managing partner Sultan Almasoud.
Mergers & Alliances
Law firms call off mega merger
Meitar and Arnon, Tadmor-Levy have abandoned their planned merger, which would have created Israel’s largest law firm with around 900 lawyers. The decision was driven by potential conflicts of interest, staff retention and profitability concerns, cultural differences, and possible regulatory hurdles.
Elevate acquires Dutch alternative legal services provider Legadex
Elevate has acquired Netherlands-based legal tech firm Legadex, its fourth acquisition since May 2024, to expand in Europe. Legadex, founded in 2008, specializes in legal software and managed services and will join Elevate’s management team. The move follows Elevate’s earlier acquisitions of Sagacious IP, Redgrave Data, and CJK Group as it grows its global legal tech presence.
Technology & Innovation
AI and digital transformation leader Ilona Logvinova to join HSF Kramer as Chief AI Officer
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has appointed Ilona Logvinova as its global Chief AI Officer in New York. Ilona has previously been global Head of Innovation for McKinsey Legal and managing counsel for McKinsey Digital, and joins from Cleary Gottlieb, where she led its legal innovation and transformation.
Using Generative AI: Key Legal Issues
Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT and Claude offer efficiency and innovation but bring legal and security risks. Inputting trade secrets can compromise confidentiality, and vendor use may raise IP and compliance issues. GenAI can also introduce bias, spread misinformation, and produce inaccurate results. To manage these risks, organizations should set clear policies, train employees, use secure testing environments, and ensure vendor accountability through indemnification.
Workplace Relations Commission publishes AI guidance for litigants
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has released guidance for litigants using generative AI tools like ChatGPT to prepare submissions or evidence, warning that while AI can be helpful, it may produce inaccurate or misleading information, particularly on Irish employment and equality law. The guidance cites a case where a complainant’s AI-assisted submissions contained irrelevant, misquoted, or non-existent citations, and it recommends best practices, including disclosing AI use. The WRC emphasized its commitment to ethical and responsible AI adoption, noting that parts of the guidance were themselves drafted using AI to demonstrate transparent and practical use.
Market Commentary
The smarter way law firms are winning new clients
Most clients check online reviews before selecting a lawyer, yet few firms consistently collect and showcase feedback. Maintaining clear, professional, and up-to-date online profiles, combined with verified client reviews and tools like Finchly, helps build trust, attract the right clients, and turn enquiries into loyal, long-term clients more effectively.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
UK firms ‘influenced’ by Trump attack on DEI, claims study
A Corporate Conscience Index survey of 250 senior UK corporate lawyers found that while ethics are valued, only a third of companies actively address ethical challenges. Freeths noted that US backlash against equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is influencing UK corporate ethics, with profit often taking priority over doing the right thing. Senior partner Philippa Dempster highlighted a gap between principle and practice, though UK laws like the Equality Act 2010 limit full rollbacks of DEI initiatives. Research from Culture Amp and GQ Littler suggests firms still value DEI but may take a quieter approach to avoid political or reputational risks.
Black History Month: ‘It’s going to take strong law firms to ensure we don’t go backwards’
The piece highlights the importance of ensuring junior lawyers receive fair opportunities, urging reflection on unconscious biases that favor working with familiar individuals. In the context of Black History Month, Will Lewallen spoke with senior Black lawyers, Jessica Kerslake, Bridget Tatham, and Karl Brown, about their career experiences, the ongoing need for increased representation in the legal profession, especially at partner level, and the role of data in driving meaningful change.