Moves
UK & Ireland
Eversheds Sutherland marks first senior hires in Ireland since integration
Eversheds Sutherland has hired Robert Dever from Pinsent Masons and Mary Gavin from Ogier to strengthen its newly integrated Irish practice. Dever advises on corporate tax and M&A, while Gavin specialises in employment law. Their appointments support the firm’s growth in Ireland, focusing on sectors including financial services, TMT, life sciences, energy, and industrials.
Eversheds Expands Tech Practice With MoFo Hire
Eversheds Sutherland has bolstered its corporate tech practice by hiring Simon Arlington from Morrison & Foerster, marking its 29th partner addition in a year of significant growth. Meanwhile, Goodwin Procter also expanded its technology M&A team with a partner from White & Case.
Goodwin hires new tech M&A partner from White & Case
Goodwin has hired Emmie Jones from White & Case, where she co-led the fast-growth practice and worked on major private equity deals. She joins Goodwin’s technology M&A team, strengthening its European platform amid ongoing corporate team moves.
Addleshaws hires new partner from client Patron Capital
Addleshaw Goddard has hired Farhod Moghadam from Patron Capital to its London Real Estate investments team, marking its 20th UK partner hire this year. Moghadam brings extensive private equity and credit experience, supporting the firm’s AG 2030 growth strategy and expansion into cross-border real estate deals.
Americas
Ex-Criminal Division Chief for NJ U.S. Atty’s Office Joins NY White Collar Boutique
Joshua Haber, former chief of the Criminal Division for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, has joined white collar law firm Abell Eskew Landau as a partner. He is the latest senior official to move from the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office into private practice.
Morgan Lewis Welcomes Back Labor & Employment Partner in LA
Jason Mills, an experienced labor and employment defense lawyer and military veteran, has returned to Morgan Lewis & Bockius after less than a year at Sidley Austin. He previously spent 20 years at Morgan Lewis, where he began his career as an associate and served as a U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate.
Holland & Knight Adds A&O Shearman ECVC Partner in Austin
Carmelo Gordian, formerly a partner at A&O Shearman, has joined Holland & Knight in Austin. He specialises in venture capital and emerging company transactions, particularly in sectors like cybersecurity, AI, and life sciences, and says his move was driven by client needs.
Holland & Knight Adds Partners From Public Sector in Austin, Washington, D.C.
Holland & Knight has hired two partners from the public sector. Roy Bonilla, formerly general counsel for the Texas A&M University System, joins to strengthen the firm’s education practice, while Christopher Jaarda, previously a policy adviser to House Speaker Mike Johnson, enhances its public policy and regulation practice.
Paul Weiss Lands New Head of Project Finance From Kirkland, Partner From White & Case
Paul Weiss has appointed Kelann Stirling, formerly of Kirkland & Ellis, as Head of Project Finance and Development, and added Jamie Franklin from White & Case as a Partner in its Finance Group.
Willkie, Wiley, Fried Frank Add Litigation, Asset Management M&A Partners in D.C.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has hired Christopher DiPompeo from Jones Day as co-chair of its bankruptcy litigation practice, expanding its bankruptcy and restructuring team.
Squire Patton Boggs Adds Patent Litigator From DLA Piper in San Francisco
Squire Patton Boggs has added IP litigator Soumitra “Sam” Deka to its Global IP and Technology practice. Deka joins after over six years at DLA Piper and previously spent more than a dozen years at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer.
Simpson Thacher Appoints Co-Head for Latin America Practice
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has appointed São Paulo partner Grenfel Calheiros to co-lead its Latin America practice alongside long-time head Todd Crider.
EMEA
Hogan Lovells recruits Eversheds’ Saudi M&A head amid deals surge
Hogan Lovells has hired Walid Salib, former head of Eversheds Sutherland’s M&A practice in Saudi Arabia, to strengthen its Riyadh office amid a surge in global deal activity driven by Middle Eastern and Asian sovereign wealth funds. Salib, with over 14 years of experience advising private equity, sovereign funds, and multinational clients, will focus on M&A, joint ventures, corporate structuring, and merger clearances. His appointment supports Hogan Lovells’ growth strategy in Saudi Arabia, a market expanding under Vision 2030, as global deal values hit $3 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025.
Saudi general counsel to join A&O Shearman as partner
A&O Shearman is expanding its Saudi corporate practice by hiring Shaima Bakhsh, former general counsel of Hassana Investment Company, as a partner in Riyadh starting January 2026.
APAC
Eversheds Sutherland appoints new Asia technology head
Eversheds Sutherland has hired Albert Yuen as partner in Hong Kong, succeeding Rhys McWhirter. Yuen, with 25+ years in technology, media, and telecoms, brings expertise in tech transactions, data infrastructure, fintech, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, boosting the firm’s regional capabilities.
Kingland adds IP partner in Beijing
Kingland Partners has appointed IP veteran Song Xudong as a partner in Beijing, enhancing its IP and unfair competition practice. Song, with 20 years’ experience, previously worked at King & Wood Mallesons and briefly at DaHui Lawyers, and served 12 years as a judge handling over 2,700 IP cases. He cited Kingland’s collaborative “corporate + team-based” model as a key factor in his move.
Team Move
Paul Weiss adds Sidley finance partner trio in New York
Paul Weiss has added three finance partners from Sidley Austin in New York, Nicholas Schwartz, Mark Adler, and Julie Ann Lamm, to expand its leveraged finance practice. Schwartz, formerly co-head of Sidley’s leveraged finance team, brings extensive experience on major debt deals, including multi-billion-dollar transactions for clients like Clearlake Capital. The group, who previously collaborated at Kirkland & Ellis, will join Paul Weiss’s 35-partner finance team, strengthening the firm’s capabilities as demand for leveraged and debt financing rises in the US.
FGvW adds six-strong partner team from ADVANT Beiten in Frankfurt
German firm Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partners (FGvW) has hired six partners from ADVANT Beiten in Frankfurt, including private client specialist Gerritt Ponath and M&A lawyer Detlef Koch. The team also includes experts in corporate, real estate, and tax law. The hires, joining between now and January, expand FGvW’s interdisciplinary offerings and strengthen its presence in the Rhine-Main region. This follows other recent promotions and lateral hires, highlighting the firm’s focus on both organic growth and strategic recruitment.
Kirkland hires competition duo from Weil
Kirkland & Ellis has boosted its London antitrust and competition team by hiring former Weil Gotshal lawyers Nafees Saeed and Chris Thomas as partners. Saeed brings experience from major deals involving Microsoft and Meta, while Thomas has advised clients such as Advent International and Brookfield. Kirkland says the hires strengthen its London–Brussels competition offering, following recent team changes including the arrival of Satyen Dhana and the departure of Sally Evans.
In House
US tech giant Apple raids Meta for its next GC
Apple has appointed Jennifer Newstead, formerly Meta’s chief legal officer, as its next general counsel, succeeding Kate Adams in March next year. Newstead will initially oversee Apple’s legal function and later take on government affairs, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. She brings extensive experience from government and private practice, including roles at the US State Department, Davis Polk & Wardwell, and the White House. The leadership change comes amid ongoing high-profile legal challenges for Apple, including antitrust cases in the UK and US. Adams will retire after serving as GC since 2017.
Incyte secures Goodwin biotech and life sciences partner as GC
Incyte has appointed Richard Hoffman as its new general counsel, succeeding Sheila Denton, who will leave early next year. Hoffman, formerly a partner at Goodwin and previously at WilmerHale, brings over 30 years of legal and business experience in biotech and life sciences, including M&A, IPOs, and global collaborations. He will oversee Incyte’s legal and compliance functions and join the executive leadership team, supporting the company’s ongoing growth in oncology and autoimmune medicines. Denton departs after two years to pursue new opportunities.
Direct Line GC joins newly-acquired Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown has named Angela Yotov as chief legal officer, succeeding Craig Diamond. Yotov joins from Direct Line Group after its merger with Aviva and brings experience from Ratesetter, Close Brothers, and Barclays. Her appointment follows Hargreaves Lansdown’s £5.4bn acquisition and delisting from the London Stock Exchange.
UK fintech ClearBank hires former FCA adviser as group GC
ClearBank has appointed Angela Roberts as group general counsel, succeeding Philip House. Roberts joins from Allspring Global Investments, bringing over 20 years of legal and regulatory experience, and will lead ClearBank’s legal and governance functions to support its growth. The fintech, based in London and Amsterdam, provides cloud-based clearing bank services. House has moved into a senior advisory role within the company.
Promotions & Appointments
Law firm appoints first chief client officer amid growth strategy
Foot Anstey has appointed Stephen Arnold as its first chief client officer as the firm pushes ahead with its national growth strategy, which has recently included expansion into Northern Ireland and a greater focus on Manchester. Arnold, who has held senior client-strategy roles at Linklaters, Clifford Chance and Clyde & Co, will lead the firm’s client function and support its next phase of growth by improving client service, strengthening collaboration and refining its market approach. Managing partner Martin Hirst said his experience will be crucial as the firm builds its market position.
Kennedys adds special counsel from Wotton Kearney as new partner
Kennedys has appointed Natalie Orola as a partner in its Brisbane office, strengthening its healthcare practice. Orola joins from Wotton Kearney and has over 15 years’ experience advising insurers on medical defence, professional indemnity, and related regulatory matters. Her hire supports Kennedys’ national expansion in healthcare.
BonelliErede promotes first partner in Dubai since 2017 launch
BonelliErede has promoted Riccardo Denaro to partner, marking the first partnership promotion at its Dubai office since its 2017 opening.
Blackadders announces new promotions in Glasgow
Blackadders LLP has announced promotions in its Glasgow office: Taylor Henry is now an associate in the private client team, while Ethan Laing (commercial real estate) and Natasha Connelly (residential property) have been promoted to senior solicitor. The firm highlighted the moves as part of its commitment to career development
A&L Goodbody welcomes 11 new partners
A&L Goodbody has promoted 11 new partners across its Dublin and Belfast offices, effective 1 January 2026. Dublin promotions span energy, infrastructure, natural resources, environment, corporate transactions, disputes, sanctions, financial regulation, restructuring, and tax, while Belfast sees Keith Dunn join the commercial and technology team. Managing partner David Widger highlighted the appointments as strengthening the firm’s leadership and client service capabilities.
Office Openings & Closing
‘Incredibly difficult’ news as Newcastle city centre law firm closes suddenly
Samuel Phillips, a law firm founded in 1919, has closed, according to posts from current and former staff. The firm, which moved from Westgate Road to Grey Street in 2018 and also had a Sunderland office, now displays a “closed” sign and is unresponsive to calls. It was acquired in 2022 by Miah Law, but that company entered administration earlier this year and is no longer registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, leaving its other firm, Hathaways Law, similarly unreachable.
Mergers & Alliances
Douglas Gilmour & Son (Selkirk) and Pike & Chapman (Galashiels) are merging to form Gilmour Pike Chapman, trading as a limited company from 1 April 2026. The firm will continue operating from its existing offices and welcomes solicitor Iain Burke to the team.
Financials
Trainee and newly qualified solicitor salaries
The Lawyer’s latest update (4 December 2025) shows that trainee and newly-qualified solicitor salaries at major UK firms continue to rise, largely due to pressure from high-paying US firms. A £100k NQ salary, once remarkable in 2010, is now common and top rates are nearing £180k. Magic circle and other large international firms struggle to match this because they take on more trainees, prompting a shift from fixed salaries to flexible “salary bands” that reward high performers while obscuring average pay. Salaries are also increasing in mid-tier London firms and regional markets, reflecting overall sector strength. The data, last fully updated in December 2025, also notes that some firms now cite maximum potential NQ earnings, making comparisons more difficult.
A&O Shearman’s expenses reach £446m in first year of merger
A&O Shearman’s first post-merger accounts show operating expenses of £446m for 2024/25, significantly higher than legacy A&O’s pre-merger figures. Staff costs rose from £858m to over £1bn as headcount increased to 6,961 following the merger. The combined firm reported £1.12bn in operating profit on £2.8bn in revenue, with £981.4m generated in the UK and £706.6m in the Americas.
Technology & Innovation
Law firms seek AI edge with new executive hires
Ropes & Gray has hired former Meta AI leader Gretchen Greene as its first chief of AI strategy, joining a growing wave of law firms adding AI-focused executives since ChatGPT’s rise. Greene will help direct the firm’s AI approach, while Ropes & Gray also launches a program allowing new associates to spend 20% of their billable hours on AI training.
Strategic law firm innovation in the age of AI
Law firms with clear AI strategies experience stronger growth, but success depends on a people-first approach. Involving lawyers, managing expectations, and adopting AI gradually—from basic training to advanced, business-aligned applications—helps firms achieve sustainable benefits beyond efficiency.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
London solicitors group announces judicial shadowing and mentorship diversity schemes
The LSLA has launched two initiatives to promote diversity and professional development: a Judicial Shadow Scheme letting members observe judges, and a mentoring program pairing members across firms and career stages. President Nikki Edwards highlighted the importance of mentorship, representation, and judicial engagement, and the LSLA will survey members on AI, wellbeing, and diversity, donating £10 per response to Big Voice London.
The Winners: The Leadership, Influence & Inclusivity Awards 2025
Dentons’ Amia Tahir received the Global 200 Firm Rising Star award for her efforts in removing barriers and inspiring young people through her advocacy work. In the Law Firm category, Carone Huang of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld was recognized, while Akin’s Jenny Arlington earned the Women Leaders in Tech Law honor.
Market Commentary
‘Failed merger talks’: why Wright Hassall went under
Wright Hassall failed to secure a buyer despite talks with 28 parties, as falling profits and partner departures left it unable to continue. After entering administration, HCR Legal acquired its assets and most staff for £240,000, with the firm carrying significant debts to Lloyds and HMRC.
Pools and top-end gyms: the law firms getting their staff fit
RollOnFriday’s early results for the Best Law Firms to Work At 2026 indicate that firms that prioritise wellbeing through gyms, fitness spaces and flexible work schedules receive the strongest praise. White & Case, Kirkland & Ellis, Debevoise, Birketts, Clifford Chance and Osborne Clarke are commended for quality facilities, while firms such as TLT, Russell-Cooke and Shakespeare Martineau are valued for flexibility that helps staff fit in exercise. Some firms, including Hogan Lovells and Harbottle & Lewis, face criticism for worn or reduced amenities.
Rethinking performance: the impact of tougher partner expectations on culture
Moray McLaren argues that law firm success relies on balancing high partner expectations with a strong, trust-based culture. Profits alone don’t drive performance; firms must align individual ambitions with a shared purpose, foster collaboration, and provide support and transparent recognition. New IBA research will explore how firms can maintain high standards while nurturing culture to achieve sustainable success.