Financials:
Kennedys breaches £400m revenue barrier as it eyes becoming a billion-dollar law firm
International specialist insurance firm Kennedys has posted record revenue of £428m, a 13% jump on last year’s results.
CMS boosts NQ solicitor pay in London to £120k
CMS has increased the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers in London to £120,000, with regional offices and those in Scotland also seeing salary rises.
Harbottle pushes financials to new heights with revenue and PEP growth
The firm saw turnover rise by 3.7% during the 2024-25 financial year to reach £53.8m, up from last year’s £51.9m. PEP, meanwhile, rose 2% to £756,000 from the 2023-24 figure of £741,000.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Is Pride Month In the Room? Why Brands Are Quietly Abandoning LGBTQ Community This Year
The proposed 2025 federal budget includes $2.67 billion in cuts to programs that directly benefit LGBTQ+ people. Among the most concerning changes are the defunding of gender-affirming healthcare research, significant reductions in HIV/AIDS educational initiatives, the consolidation of HOPWA housing support, the elimination of over 270 LGBTQ+ health research grants, and the termination of justice programs addressing hate crimes.
Standing as a Defense to Claims Challenging Private Employers’ DEI Programs
“In this article, we examine the law of standing and cases addressing how standing principles apply in cases challenging DEI initiatives by private employers.”
Corporate Legal Departments Reevaluate Diversity Tracking Amid Rising Concerns
General Counsels (GCs) are taking a closer look at the legal and reputational risks tied to tracking diversity data, prompting a reassessment of existing practices and a careful balancing of the potential advantages against the associated challenges.
Office Openings & Closing:
Seyfarth Shaw Closes Shanghai Office Amid Strategic Restructuring Efforts
Seyfarth Shaw, an employment-focused law firm, has announced the closing of its Shanghai office, which launched in 2013.
Mergers & Alliances:
Norton Rose Fulbright is to merge its Australian and EMEA financial operations following partner approval, aiming to boost hiring power and align with recent global leadership changes.
Chilean tax boutique Matthei has joined Ontier’s local office, bringing a 12-person team led by Roland and Roger Matthei. The move comes amid rising demand for specialized tax advice in the region.
Crowell merges with life sciences boutique, opens Boston office
Crowell & Moring has merged with dealmaking boutique Faber Daeufer & Itrato, significantly boosting its life sciences and emerging companies capabilities.
HSF’s merger with Kramer Levin goes live
The merger of Anglo-Australian law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and US outfit Kramer Levin was finalised yesterday (1 June), in a landmark tie-up that has created a top 20 global firm by revenue.
Partnering with Legora to enhance legal services through AI innovation
Taylor Wessing has announced a partnership with Legora, the collaborative AI for lawyers, as part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and delivering outstanding client service.
Thai, Korean law firms forge strategic alliance in regional first
Thai law firm Kudun and Partners (KAP) and South Korean firm Jipyong have formed a landmark strategic alliance, marking the first full-scale legal collaboration between firms from Thailand and South Korea.
Moves:
UK & Ireland
Simpson Thacher Boosts Secondaries Capabilities With London Partner Hire
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has announced that Joanne (“Jo”) Mak will be joining the firm as a partner in its London office. She joins from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she also served as a partner.
Addleshaw Goddard strengthens Finance Disputes team with high-profile hire
James Moss, former general counsel at the Information Commissioner’s Office, has joined Addleshaw Goddard from Bird & Bird to bolster the firm’s technology practice.
Reed Smith appoints leading financial crime partner in London
Reed Smith today announces the hire of Richard Kovalevsky KC as a partner in its Global Commercial Disputes Group and London office. Kovalevsky joins from Cohen & Gresser.
CM Murray hires employment disputes partner from Edwin Coe in London
UK employment and regulatory law specialist CM Murray has hired employment lawyer Emma Sangeelee from Edwin Coe to bolster its employment disputes practice.
A&L Goodbody appoints Kevin Murphy to lead Northern Ireland real estate team
A&L Goodbody has appointed Kevin Murphy as partner and head of its real estate department in Belfast. He joins from TLT.
The Americas
Spanish firm Ecija has announced the addition of Aldo Cornejo as a partner in its corporate and M&A practice in Lima. Cornejo joins after five years as a partner at Ontier.
Hernández & Cía hires new partner
Gerardo Guzmán, former director of Arbe Abogados, will join Hernández & Cía. as a partner as of June 1.
FisherBroyles Grows International Presence, Adds Three Attorneys in Mexico
Jesús García-Moncada, Rodrigo García-Moncada and Mario Facio Salazar Join Firm’s Mexico City Office. The trio join from law+dgtal.
US boutique DEMC hires luxury law partner from Holland & Knight
Luxury and brand lawyer Danielle Garno has joined US boutique law firm Daniel, Ebeling, Maccia & Cohen from Holland & Knight.
APAC
Malaysia’s Rahmat Lim strengthens disputes practice with new partner
Malaysian law firm Rahmat Lim & Partners has hired Aravind Kumarr. He joins from his own firm, Aravind.
Stephen Putnins, corporate/commercial partner, joins Sparke Helmore from Mills Oakley
Australian law firm Sparke Helmore has announced the addition of Stephen Putnins who joins from Mills Oakley.
A&O Shearman hires partner in Vietnam from local firm YKVN
Global law firm A&O Shearman has announced its recruitment of corporate/M&A expert Hai Nguyen as a partner in Ho Chi Minh City from Vietnamese law firm YKVN
Ashurst nabs Simmons partner to lead Asia employment practice
Global law firm Ashurst has appointed former Simmons & Simmons partner Clarence Ding as its new Asia head of employment, based in Singapore.
MoFo expands Tokyo team with PE hire from White & Case
U.S. law firm Morrison Foerster has strengthened its Tokyo office with the addition of M&A and private equity expert Naoya Shiota, who joins as a partner from rival White & Case.
HSF’s Tony Damian to co-lead Ashurst’s M&A group in Australia
Tony Damian has joined Ashurst to co-lead its M&A team in Australia, making the jump from Herbert Smith Freehills.
Tom Ara has left law firm DLA Piper for Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ L.A.-based entertainment, sports and media practice.
MoFo makes another Asia hire in a week, adds Gibson Dunn funds lawyer
MoFo hires the addition of private funds specialist Xuanyi Liu, who joins as a partner in Singapore from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.
Jones Day partner moves to Pillsbury
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has hired energy and real estate finance transactions expert Katsumi Shirai as a partner in Tokyo from Jones Day.
EMEA
Orrick Loses Legal Talent to Rivals in Europe
Among those leaving are energy and infrastructure partner Foucaud Jaulin, who has joined CMS in France.
Akin Grows Investment Management Practice in Abu Dhabi with Addition of Skye Smith
Akin announced today that Skye Smith has joined the firm as a partner in its investment management practice. Smith joins from DLA Piper.
Taylor Wessing welcomes the arrival of partners Rob Hendriks and Michiel Boer who join from Simmons & Simmons.
DayOne Legal + Tax adds new Tax Partner
Peter Van Dijk joins DayOne Legal + Tax from Buren N.V.
In-House
New GC of Ruger Will Help Firearms Maker Resolve Suits Over King Soopers Shooting Spree
Sarah Colbert is taking the legal reins from 23-year company veteran Kevin Reid Sr.
Britvic GC rejoins Ocado to lead legal team
Mollie Stoker, who previously held the role of Deputy General Counsel at Ocado, will rejoin the company after a tenure at Britvic.
Music streaming giant Spotify names interim GC as permanent legal head
Spotify has appointed interim general counsel Kevan Choset to the GC role full time after he stepped up to replace Eve Konstan back in January.
InfraRed Capital Partners Ltd hires new Chief operating officer
James Abbott joins from John Laing where he was General Counsel.
Canada Life UK hires new Senior Legal Counsel
Emma Waters joins Canada Life UK as Senior Legal Counsel from Macfarlanes where she was a
Team Moves
Dechert adds four-lawyer Orrick finance team in London
Partners Sushila Nayak and James Jirtle have joined Dechert from Orrick.
Promotions & Appointments:
CMS appoints new LatAm chair and adds antitrust head in Mexico
International firm CMS has named Juan Carlos Escudero, former managing partner of its Highly Recommended Peruvian office CMS Grau, as the new chair of its Latin America operations. The appointment comes just a day before the firm also brought on a former of counsel from Elite firm Nader, Hayaux & Goebel to lead its antitrust practice in Mexico.
Linklaters Appoints George Casey as Chairman of the Americas
Linklaters is delighted to announce the appointment of George Casey as Chairman of the Americas.
Carney appoints diplomatic heavyweight Marc-André Blanchard to steer PMO
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Sunday that Marc-André Blanchard, an experienced diplomat and legal expert, will become his permanent chief of staff beginning in July.
Lander & Rogers elevates 44 senior lawyers in this year’s batch of promotions
Lander & Rogers shared that its new partners are the following:
- Lynden Albiston: workplace relations and safety
- Kate Alroe: family and relationship law
- Annika Anderson-Carter: workplace relations and safety
- Alex Bannister: commercial disputes
- Adam Battagello: workplace relations and safety
- Alistair Boughton: insurance law and litigation
- David Burke: pro bono, community, and environment
- Kristy Cappellotto: insurance law and litigation
- Candice Day: insurance law and litigation
- Andy Mansfield: insurance law and litigation
Travers Smith promote nine to Partner
Names include James Barnard, Adam Burk, Jaryd Davidson, Elissavet Grout, Nick Glynn, Tom Margesson, Michael O’Brien Kelly, Richard Offord and Ella Sharpley.
Linklaters appoints Andrew Roberts as Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer
Linklaters today announces the appointment of Andrew Roberts as Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer. He joins from fashion and luxury goods company Burberry Group Plc.
The partners include:
Emily Coghlan, Michael D’Agostino, Gabby Herron-Cartwright, Tamanna Islam, Geoff Kerrigan, Madeleine Miller, Eunice Park, Li-Lian Yeo
Six join Moray & Agnew’s partnership in promotions round
The firm’s new partners are Alannah Dewing, Amanda Danti, Emma Petrie, Shaun Jackson, Erin Woodward and Julie Ngan.
DLA Piper confirms appointment of David Cameron as consultant
In his new role, the firm says Cameron will provide strategic guidance, particularly around geopolitical risk, leveraging his decades of experience in international affairs.
Technology & Innovation:
Taylor Wessing Joins Growing List of Law Firms Adopting Swedish AI Platform Firmwide
Taylor Wessing has rolled out the AI platform developed by Swedish company Legora across the firm, following a successful pilot involving more than 80 lawyers across multiple offices. The move aligns Taylor Wessing with other major firms—such as Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Goodwin Procter, Addleshaw Goddard, and Bird & Bird—that have also adopted the technology.
According to Holding Redlich, the rapid evolution of AI, cybersecurity, and privacy presents emerging legal risks for organizations, making it clear that a ‘set and forget’ approach is no longer viable.
Market Commentary:
Skadden Mulls Non-Equity Tier as Partner Pay Pressure Mounts
Skadden is considering adding a tier of salaried “partners” at the Wall Street law firm, following similar moves by several of its rivals.
Ropes & Gray Explores Nonequity Partnership Tier
Ropes & Gray, currently the world’s 8th largest law firm, is contemplating the introduction of a nonequity partner tier.
Cripps and Michelmores in tie-up talks
Southern England law firms Cripps and Michelmores are in the very early stages of merger talks which, if successful, would create a new legal firm with an annual revenue of around £100 million.