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The Business Mark McAteer explains why new offices are not law firm nirvana, plus market-leading analysis on the month’s top stories The National Maria Jackson analyses the offshore tie-up between Mourant and Ozannes, while Shoosmiths rebrands its volume commoditised business The Client profile Covanta Energy’s new director of legal services, Fiona Penhallurick, discusses why commitment to a sector is important, and how detailed knowledge can go a long way	Renaissance man Lovells’ David Harris was recently named LB Management Partner of the Year for his work on a merger with Hogan & Hartson. But, as Chris Johnson reports, he has encountered some serious hurdles along the way Read more... Appointments The ultimate partner moves and our special Job of the Month section Pritchard Latham marks 20 years in style The Forum Law firms should look to other sectors for best-practice brand and client strategies The Last Word Bakers partner Graham Stuart reflects on the Copenhagen summit	Cards on the table With plans to launch a Paris office, plus a target of 93% growth in revenues over four years, Wragges is aiming high. Maria Jackson asks what the odds are on this Birmingham stalwart achieving its lofty ambitions Read more... Burning platforms In our third annual risk management and professional indemnity report, we examine the pressures facing firms as they enter a new decade Read more... Leading ladies While gender imbalance in favour of men has long been a headache for the legal profession in many countries, in Turkey the situation is quite the opposite. Anthony Notaras meets the women who form the Turkish legal elite Read more... Time for change Switzerland’s leading banks are under threat economically, while the international regulators are doing their best to dismantle the nation’s coveted banking secrecy. Julian Matteucci speaks to the law firms on the front line Read more...

Optimists beware: there are still risks on the horizon

It was refreshing to witness the bullish optimism on display at Grosvenor House on 11 February, as the great and the good of the legal market gathered for the Legal Business Awards. As well as a chance to enjoy a profession-wide pat on the back and a bit of a party, the change in the mood was tangible. Rewind 12 months and we were still in the throes of a post-Lehman panic, but today the more inspired law firm leaders have had time to work out what they’re up against, and they are dealing with it.