Moves:
UK & Ireland
DLA Piper strengthens global Private Equity team with strategic appointment of Chris Field
DLA Piper has appointed private equity veteran Chris Field to its Corporate practice in London, effective September 2025. Chris joins from Dechert.
Linklaters strengthens Corporate and Structured Lending practice with Mei Lian
Linklaters has hired Mei Lian as a partner in its Corporate and Structured Lending practice in London. She joins from Paul Hastings.
Goodwin Boosts Private Equity Practice with Debt Finance Partner Matthew Ayre in London
Goodwin announced that leading debt finance lawyer Matthew Ayre will be joining the firm’s Private Equity practice as a partner in its London office. Matthew joins from Travers Smith.
O’Flynn Exhams welcomes new partner Colm Manning
O’Flynn Exhams LLP has welcomed Colm Manning back to the firm as a corporate/M&A and commercial partner. Mr Manning rejoins the Cork-based firm, having previously worked for it in 2014. He joins from William Fry.
The Americas
Latham Makes Major Antitrust Play on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Latham & Watkins has hired top-tier antitrust litigator David Marriott from Cravath in New York, after years of collaboration in merger trials. The move follows the addition of Alfonso Lamadrid de Pablo in Brussels, with Latham now boasting leading antitrust hires on both U.S. and European fronts.
Weil hires IP partner trio from Latham & Watkins to strengthen tech litigation bench
Doug Lumish, Jeff Homrig, and Gabe Gross join Weil from Latham, with Lumish and Homrig returning to co-lead the firm’s IP, tech and science litigation practice. The hires deepen Weil’s trial bench across Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Texas.
Tim Donohue Joins Anselmi & Carvelli as Partner
A veteran white-collar litigator, Donohue brings deep expertise in federal investigations, fraud, and public corruption cases. He’s widely respected for handling high-stakes, reputation-sensitive matters.
Latham Adds Tax Partner Estelle Philippi in Paris
Joining from White & Case, Philippi brings deep experience in transactional tax, advising on M&A, restructurings, and cross-border deals. Her hire comes as France eyes major tax reforms amid a €44B budget gap.
Wiggin and Dana Adds Trusts & Estates Partner in Greenwich
Jevera Hennessey joins from Whitman Breed, bolstering the firm’s private client services team. A well-known figure in Greenwich’s legal community, she brings decades of estate planning and tax expertise.
EMEA
CMS is continuing its strategic focus on high-growth areas of law and is specifically strengthening its prestigious patent law practice with the addition of well-known litigation lawyers, Dr Stephan Dorn and Dr Constantin Kurtz, who join the firm as Partners.
Katharina von Hermanni appointed Head of Real Estate Germany at ASD
Katharina von Hermanni is set to become Head of Real Estate Germany at Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein (ASD). She joins from international law firm Pinsent Masons, where she was responsible for growth in the alternative assets sector as German Real Estate Sector Head. In addition, Irene Nezer-Kasch, also from Pinsent Masons, will become part of the ASD team as a salary partner.
Two new partners at GSK Stockmann
GSK Stockmann is strengthening its partner level with two new signings. Simon Spangler moves from Oppenhoff, Bernd Graßl was most recently at GLNS.
APAC
RPC Adds Corporate Partner Hilda Chan in Hong Kong
Just months after joining Nixon Peabody, Hilda Chan moves to RPC to strengthen its China-facing corporate offering. Her hire comes amid growing client demand across mainland China.
Ashurst Takes Another M&A Partner from HSF Kramer in Australia
Amelia Morgan is set to join Ashurst after spending the last 14 years at Herbert Smith Freehills.
Clifford Chance’s Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia jumps to Perth partnership at K&L Gates
Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia has joined the Perth partnership at K&L Gates, making the jump from Clifford Chance.
SAM Strengthens PE/M&A Practice by Recruiting Harshita Srivastava
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas in Mumbai hires Harshita Srivastava from Nishith Desai, where she co‑headed the private equity and M&A practice. With over 16 years of experience in cross-border deals, exits and PE investments, she also brings expertise in employment and labour law and to India’s SEBI Innovative Growth Platform committee.
Jia Yuan Boosts Hong Kong Office With Hires From Fangda, Jones Day
Disputes partner Howard Chan and corporate counsel Wenxing Feng join Jia Yuan in Hong Kong, strengthening its litigation and capital markets capabilities. Chan marks the firm’s third HK partner hire in under a year.
Bird & Bird Launches SE Asia R&I Group With BlackOak Team
Ashok Kumar and Darius Tay join Bird & Bird in Singapore from BlackOak, bringing a team to lead its new restructuring and insolvency practice in Southeast Asia. The move bolsters the firm’s cross-border capabilities in a growing regional hub.
Jones Day Snaps Up Australian Labor Law Heavyweight from Ashurst
Jones Day has hired employment and labor partner James Hall from Ashurst to join its office in Brisbane, Australia.
Rajah & Tann Snags Arbitration Head From Nishimura & Asahi’s Singapore Alliance Partner
Singapore law firm Rajah & Tann has added a disputes partner to its office in the city-state. Paras Lalwani joins after two years at Bayfront Law, where he was a director and head of the international arbitration practice.
Indonesia’s Trilexica strengthens corporate practice with hire from WCA
Jakarta-based law firm Trilexica has grown its corporate offering with the hire of capital markets specialist Girindra Henriyono as a partner from Witara Cakra Advocates (WCA), White & Case’s erstwhile Indonesia association firm.
In-House
Deutsche Bank lines up Freshfields’ European white-collar crime head as next GC
German banking giant Deutsche Bank has lined up Simone Kämpfer as its next general counsel, replacing Friederike Rotsch. Kämpfer joins from Freshfields.
Team Moves
Arnold & Porter hires partner group from K&L Gates to launch in Seattle
The incoming lawyers are litigator Pallavi Mehta Wahi, Annette Becker and Patrick Madden. The firm has also added a fourth lawyer from K&L Gates – employment litigator Rosemary Alito – who will join in Newark.
Atlanta Real Estate Momentum Grows as Five-Lawyer Team Joins Barnes & Thornburg
Partners Michael Henson and Daniel Noice will head the team in Atlanta of Associates Rebecca A. Griffith, Joseph Guardino, and Olivia Pounds. They all join from Morris, Manning & Martin.
Lowenstein Gains Ex-Kasowitz White Collar Partner Amid IP Team Defection From Schulte Roth & Zabel
New York litigation firm Kasowitz has brought on a four-partner intellectual property team from Schulte Roth & Zabel. The team compromises of Timothy Gilman, who will lead the team, along with Natalie Lieber, Daniel Apgar and Robert Pickens.
International law firm Cozen O’Connor today announced three of California’s foremost IP litigators — Nicola A. (Nick) Pisano, Scott A. Penner, and Jose L. (Joe) Patiño — have joined its award-winning and fast-growing Intellectual Property Department. They all join from Eversheds Sutherland.
King & Wood Mallesons Brings On Linklaters Lawyers in 9-Person Hong Kong Expansion
Partners Chin-Chong Liew and Ying Zhou are joining with a team of six lawyers who will sit in the firm’s derivatives, structured finance and digital assets group. Separately, King & Wood Mallesons is hiring former Ashurst partner Damien Whitehead to lead its Hong Kong restructuring practice.
Womble Bond Dickinson Doubles Nashville Office With Neal & Harwell Team
Womble has hired 20 lawyers—15 partners and five associates—from storied litigation boutique Neal & Harwell. The move significantly boosts its commercial litigation and restructuring bench ahead of the boutique’s closure later this month.
Promotions & Appointments:
WilmerHale Announces Judith Hasko as Chair of Transactional Department
WilmerHale announced today that Judith Hasko, nationally recognized life sciences and market-leading transactional lawyer, will chair the firm’s Transactional Department, succeeding Mick Bain, following his retirement at the end of the calendar year after three decades of service to the firm.
New leadership at Uría Menéndez in Portugal
Uría Menéndez confirmed Antonio Villacampa in his role as managing partner and appointed Marta Pontes to the same position at the firm’s Portugal office. They will both take up their roles on 1 January 2026, under a co-leadership model that has contributed to the firm’s development and consolidation in Portugal.
K&L Gates Reshuffles Practice Group Leadership
Global law firm K&L Gates announced this week the appointment of 14 partners to serve as leaders in various practice areas across the firm’s worldwide platform. The partners are as follows:
- Theodore Angelis (Seattle): Lead Practice Area Leader for Intellectual Property
- April Boyer (Miami): Practice Area Leader for Labor, Employment & Workplace Safety
- Sasha Burstein (San Francisco): Practice Area Leader for Asset Management & Investment Funds
- Ed Dartley (New York): Practice Area Leader for Asset Management & Investment Funds
- Matthew Dicke (Chicago): Practice Area Leader for Intellectual Property
- Jason Engle (Chicago): Practice Area Leader for Intellectual Property
- Matthias Grund (Frankfurt): Lead Practice Area Leader for Finance
- Jeffrey Johnson (Seattle): Practice Area Leader for Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Adam Kelson (Pittsburgh): Practice Area Leader for Corporate
- Theodore “Bo” Manuel (Charleston): Practice Area Leader for Finance
- Clair Pagnano (Boston): Lead Practice Area Leader for Asset Management & Investment Funds
- Jessica Pearlman (Seattle): Practice Area Leader for Corporate
- Eugene Ryu: (Los Angeles): Lead Practice Area Leader for Labor, Employment & Workplace Safety
- Adam Tejeda (New York): Lead Practice Area Leader for Corporate
Mergers & Alliances:
Stinson Merges with California Boutique, Adds Offices in San Francisco, Irvine
Stinson is set to merge with Severson & Werson, adding 30 banking and financial litigation lawyers and new offices in San Francisco and Orange County. The move follows its Century City entry earlier this year, cementing statewide coverage.
Al Tamimi Makes Morocco Comeback With Ex-A&O Lawyer Tie-Up
Al Tamimi & Company has partnered with KZ & Partners to re-establish its Casablanca presence, led by former A&O partner Omar Zizi. The move supports its North Africa growth strategy ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
McDermott-Schulte merger name confirmed as $2.8bn tie-up gets partner approval
Partners at McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel have voted ‘overwhelmingly’ in favour of their merger, with the combined firm set to go live on 1 August. The merged firm will take the name McDermott Will & Schulte, with more than 1,750 lawyers in total across more than 20 offices around the world, including what will be the ninth largest law firm presence in New York.
Nutter Expands to California and Hawaii With T&E Boutique Mergers
Boston-based Nutter has opened offices in Orinda and Honolulu through combinations with Hartog Baer and Matsumoto Law, adding 14 lawyers in California. The move deepens its national trust and estates offering and wealth management capabilities.
Johnson Pope Merges With Todd Foster Law Group in Tampa
Veteran white-collar lawyer Todd Foster joins as equity partner alongside his team, expanding Johnson Pope’s criminal defense and federal litigation capabilities in its largest office.
Office Openings & Closing:
Lawson Huck Gonzalez Taps Duane Morris Litigator to Launch New Miami Office
Tallahassee-based Lawson Huck Gonzalez expands into Miami, led by Ed Patricoff from Duane Morris. The firm, known for its conservative litigation ties, now has seven attorneys based in the city.
Cozen O’Connor Opens Second San Diego Office, Adds IP Litigator Quartet
Cozen O’Connor has launched a new North County San Diego office, welcoming four IP litigators from Eversheds Sutherland and Buchalter. The group includes Nicola Pisano, Scott Penner, Regis Worley, and Jose Patiño.
Arnold & Porter Enters Seattle with Four-Partner Hire from K&L Gates
Arnold & Porter has launched a Seattle office, led by former K&L Gates Seattle head Pallavi Mehta Wahi. She’ll also chair the firm’s western U.S. strategic growth as part of its broader West Coast expansion.
Legal Aid NSW opens new office in Moree
Legal Aid NSW has announced the official opening of its permanent ‘shopfront’ office in Moree, with dedicated local team members who can furnish legal assistance to people in the town and northwestern New South Wales.
Dubai Chambers opens first overseas hub in London offering legal services
Dubai Chambers has launched its first overseas hub in London offering legal services to individuals and businesses seeking to establish operations in Dubai. Dubai Hub London aims to strengthen ties between Dubai and the UK, creating new investment opportunities. London was selected as the first hub due to its global financial status and access to a broad investor base keen to engage with Dubai’s growing market, according to a statement.
Financials:
CMS reaches €2.073m in revenue
CMS closed the 2024 financial year with a global turnover of €2.073 millions, representing an increase of 5.9% over the previous year. This growth has been accompanied by expansion in key areas such as corporate/M&A, litigation, real estate and construction, employment, and banking and finance, according to the firm.
Osborne Clarke posts record international revenues at EUR 547.5m
During the 2024 calendar year, Osborne Clarke’s international revenues grew by 11%, creating five-year growth of 72%. Income during the UK reporting period of May 2024 – April 2025 grew 4% to EUR 547.5m growth.
Revenue and profits up at Simmons
Simmons & Simmons has reported a 7% rise in revenue to £615 million for the 2024/25 financial year, alongside a 5% increase in PEP, continuing its impressive upward trajectory over recent years. PEP rose to £1.13 million, while overall profit grew 6% to £215 million. The results mark a 50% increase in PEP and a 70% rise in profit over the past five years. Revenue, meanwhile, has also climbed 50% in that time.
2025 GC Pay Report: The Full List, From No. 1 to No. 544
The report, produced by Corporate Counsel and ALM Intelligence, is based on an analysis of Fortune 1000 companies’ proxy statements covering fiscal years ending after June 30, 2024. The report is the most complete analysis of public company legal chief compensation available from any source. But it’s an imperfect snapshot of the pay landscape. That’s because, under Securities and Exchange Commission, rules, companies generally disclose pay for only their five most-highly paid executives, which often includes the legal chief but not always.
Penningtons Manches reappoints CEO, grows revenue to £120m
Penningtons Manches Cooper has reappointed its chief executive officer after growing revenue 7% in the 2025 financial year to £120m. The firm’s latest results mark its 16th consecutive year of revenue growth. In FY25 it also grew profit 18.4% to £42m and profit per equity partner (PEP) by 25% to £555k.
Travers Smith, Mishcon de Reya raise NQ pay
Travers Smith and Mishcon de Reya have raised pay for their newly qualified lawyers, signalling the continued importance of junior lawyers in the battle for talent. Travers has upped its base NQ salary to £130k, while Mishcon will hand out £100k from September.
Technology & Innovation:
Wilson Sonsini Completes Sale of SixFifty Technologies
Founded in 2019 by noted legal technologist Kimball Dean Parker in Utah’s vibrant Silicon Slopes, SixFifty was established in partnership with Wilson Sonsini to combine the firm’s deep legal experience with innovative automation technology, helping businesses obtain cost-effective, high-quality legal compliance and risk management solutions. Wilson Sonsini announced the successful completion of the sale of its legal technology subsidiary, SixFifty Technologies, LLC (SixFifty), to a leading human capital management company. While the terms of the transaction remain confidential, the acquisition ranks among the largest involving a law firm technology asset.
EU AI Act’s ‘General-Purpose AI’ Rules Now in Effect, But Enforcement Challenges Loom
From August 2, certain general-purpose AI systems must comply with the EU AI Act, with existing models given until 2027. However, how compliance—especially around copyright—and enforcement will unfold remains uncertain, posing unique risks for AI providers.
How Legora Became a Leading Name in Legal AI
Founded in Stockholm in early 2023 as ‘Leya,’ Legora has rapidly grown into one of the legal industry’s fastest-expanding generative AI companies. This week, Mishcon de Reya announced a firmwide rollout of Legora’s platform, joining peers like Harvery AI and Springbok AI in the legaltech AI surge. The startup’s swift adoption reflects the broader rush to integrate AI-powered tools across law firms worldwide.
Litera accelerates legal workflows to help lawyers deliver faster, smarter results for clients
Litera, a global leader in legal technology solutions, has announced the next phase of its ongoing Road to ILTACON innovation, introducing four new additions and numerous enhancements to Litera One —the legal sector’s first all-in-one, AI-powered platform fully integrated with Microsoft 365. Litera One is a Gold Microsoft Partner and has been widely adopted by leading Am Law 100, Am Law 200, and Fortune 500 firms around the world.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Williams Commission Endorses Latino Judges Association Report on Representation
A 26-member blue-ribbon panel of the state court system has given its stamp of approval to a recent report that called out various communities with sizable Latino populations that still have little or no judicial representation. The commission, which is charged with promoting racial and ethnic fairness in the court system, “wholeheartedly agrees that there is a need on the part of all stakeholders to commit to fostering diversity amongst the judiciary,” went its statement. “Diversity is not just a buzzword; it is a complex issue, and a necessary component of a fair and equitable justice system where people of all backgrounds, colours, and creeds are represented.”
Law Firms Make Up 1 in 3 Top Global Employers On Stonewall LGBT Index
HSF Kramer, Pinsent Masons and Clyde & Co were all awarded ‘Gold’ employer status by Stonewall, as part of their ‘Top Global Employers’ rankings for the year 2025. Meanwhile, several other firms including A&O Shearman, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Freshfields and Simmons & Simmons were all recognised with a ‘Silver’ award for the same index. The rankings mean that the seven law firms named make up one third of the 21 global organisations named.
Market Commentary:
Why Private Equity is (Still) All About Individual Relationships
Even as the industry has ballooned in size and various law firms and clients have attempted to institutionalize relationships, the situation remains: the individuals with the deepest ties still hold the reins to the key relationships—and it doesn’t look like they are open to handing them over anytime soon. “Everything about private equity is personal,” said one leading partner. “It’s all down to who you know, who you wine and dine with, who you play golf with, who you stay up late in the trenches with. These guys need someone they can trust, and once you’ve proven your loyalty, it’s pretty water tight.”
Law Firms in Australia Look to Energy Transition for Revenue Growth
Law firms in Australia expect the country’s shift to a low-carbon economy to be a major source of growth in the coming years, but lawyers who can carry out the highly specialized work are in short supply. Firms say energy transition-related work has increased markedly in the past couple of years. It’s up by about 50% at Ashurst, and the firm has identified supporting clients in the energy transition as a key pillar of its 2027 strategy.
Leadership, Not Plans, Drives Success in Uncertain Times
Allan Schoenberg of Vinson & Elkins stresses that while crisis plans matter, authentic and clear leadership shapes how organizations respond and recover. In a fast-moving, complex world, trust, decisive communication, and adaptability are essential. Leaders must prepare beyond protocols by identifying trusted crisis figures and embedding communication early. Character and influence—not just competence—build lasting credibility when uncertainty strikes.
Top Specialist Firm: Inside Immigration Solutions’ legal strategy
With global conflict, labour shortages, and domestic policy shifts placing pressure on Australia’s immigration system, boutique firms are stepping up to meet the moment. Australasian Lawyer has named Immigration Solutions Lawyers a Top Specialist Firm for 2025, recognising its strong legal advocacy and deep commitment to justice. The firm’s work spans humanitarian and corporate matters, but it’s the human impact cases that continue to resonate. O’Donoghue reflected on one standout case—a two-year effort to reunite an Afghan judge with her brother’s family, after the tragic loss of her husband. “We finally got them into Australia. The client gave us a handwoven tapestry with our firm’s name. It meant the world.”.