Freshfields partner on indefinite leave ahead of disciplinary tribunal hearing

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Freshfields partner on indefinite leave ahead of disciplinary tribunal hearing

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner Ryan Beckwith is set to appear before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) next week having been placed on indefinite leave by the firm. The Solicitors Regulation Authority, (SRA) which referred the case to the SDT, is yet to publish the allegations but said it would do so in the next few weeks. …

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Comment: US firms in London – ‘We haven’t been bullish enough!’

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Comment: US firms in London – ‘We haven’t been bullish enough!’

There was never any doubt that 2018 would prove another good year for US law firms in London coming off what has been a great decade for the breed. But it is only when you start to pull together the numbers that you realise how fast the City legal market is shifting in favour of …

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Herbert Smith Freehills curtails London promotions in 22-strong global partnership round

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Herbert Smith Freehills curtails London promotions in 22-strong global partnership round

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has unveiled an increased 22-strong global partner promotions round for 2019, however this includes a reduction in London appointments. Overall, it is a significantly larger round than last year, when 17 lawyers were promoted globally, with six in London. But the promotions, effective 1 May 2019, see only four partners minted …

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‘A true leader and a good friend’ – Bakers confirms shock death of global chief Paul Rawlinson

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‘A true leader and a good friend’ – Bakers confirms shock death of global chief Paul Rawlinson

Baker McKenzie is in mourning following the unexpected death of chair Paul Rawlinson, who passed away on Friday (12 April). The veteran intellectual property (IP) specialist Rawlinson took the helm of the 4,700-lawyer giant in October 2016. He took what was originally expected to be a temporary leave of absence in October last year citing …

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More law firm insolvencies expected as funding options tighten for smaller firms

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More law firm insolvencies expected as funding options tighten for smaller firms

The number of law firm insolvencies is expected to increase after nearly doubling to 39 in 2018, as tightening margins, succession issues and more difficult access to funding put pressure on high street firms. Statistics from the Insolvency Service show the number of solicitor firm insolvencies was up 70% in 2018, from 23 in 2017. …

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Comment: ‘This ain’t stewardship’ – delaying partnership until mid-30s is unsustainable

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Comment: ‘This ain’t stewardship’ – delaying partnership until mid-30s is unsustainable

Having recently shared a few drinks with one of the most talked-up youngish corporate lawyers in the City, the question came up about mid-way through as to what age they made partner. The answer: 36! And there lies much of what ails major law firms, though older partners continue to float around effecting increasingly unconvincing …

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SDT pushes for lower standard of proof in serious conduct cases but claims won’t lead to ‘easier’ prosecutions

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SDT pushes for lower standard of proof in serious conduct cases but claims won’t lead to ‘easier’ prosecutions

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has announced its intention to move from a criminal to a civil standard of proof but has ruled out the possibility of it leading to ‘easier prosecutions.’ Subject to approval from the Legal Services Board, which should be finalised in the next few weeks, the SDT wants the new rules …

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Deal watch: Linklaters lands roles on Debenhams administration and Carlyle oil deal

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Deal watch: Linklaters lands roles on Debenhams administration and Carlyle oil deal

Linklaters has secured a role in the pre-pack administration of Debenhams, in which the struggling department store has been taken over by its lenders. Meanwhile, Hogan Lovells and Shoosmiths have acted on M Restaurants’ merger with Gaucho, which was brought out of administration in a rescue deal last September, as multiple firms landed roles in The …

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