Legal Business Blogs

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History of mergers: State of the union

Since the first forays around 20 years ago, the track record of mergers between UK and US firms has been patchy at best. Has the time for an elite transatlantic combination now passed?

Keystone Law: Our Little Book

Keystone Law has established itself as the go-to ‘alternative’ law firm. What is the secret behind its appeal, and can it endure?

Face value – mentoring in the hybrid work era

Billable hours and exposure to quality work only go so far in making a good lawyer; mentoring and face-to-face interactions are also vital. As law firms get to grips with the impact of hybrid working on junior lawyer development, LB discovers how they have been making up for a lack of the personal touch during lockdown

The general counsel debate: Walking the talk

On the back of our GC Powerlist: UK 2021 report, we teamed up with Pinsent Masons to ask leading general counsel how law firms can improve their offering

Witness training: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

In July, Legal Business visited Cloisters Chambers in Middle Temple for a day of intense cross-examination. It produced two clear lessons: that witness training is a no-brainer, and enjoying Star Wars can make you a sexist

Ports in a storm – the offshore leaders thriving in turbulent times

From insolvency to crypto to ESG, an array of busy sectors are driving record growth at the world’s leading offshore law firms. Legal Business canvassed the top ten firms on how they are leading clients through choppy waters

Israel focus: Sea change

Global forces mean Israel is in a radically different place to last year, but lawyers on the ground remain sanguine about a market that has come through tougher times before

The Client profile: Dan Kayne, O Shaped

The former Network Rail GC Dan Kayne talks about the existential problems with the legal sector that led him to become the founder of O Shaped

Life During Law: Sara Maccallum

‘Iʼm quite direct – not in a Geoffrey Boycott way – but I think thatʼs the trait most people can recognise in me – I hope in a good way!’

Leader: Work in progress – Big Law’s existential office conundrum still needs fixing

Pritchard: A sneak preview of the LB100 – the lawyers are always fine, aren’t they?

Stories of the last two months

Strategic recruitment: Paul Hastings taps Latham City banking team as Pallas launches in New York

Show us the money: 2021/22 financial results show strength in numbers

No Roome for growth? A new chapter for Akin Gump’s City office

Onward, Singapore: King & Spalding names new managing partner as Sidley backs laterals in the city state

London calling? Recruiters eye New Zealand talent market as borders reopen

The Legal 500 View: Why allegations of ‘woeful mismanagement’ and a ‘chronic lack of investment’ at the SFO aren’t stopping the white-collar lateral hiring carousel

The Legal 500 Data: Ten years of tiers

The Last Word: Notes on a scandal

A decade on from Dewey & LeBoeuf filing for bankruptcy, global law firm leaders give their reflections and views on the lessons learned from the firm’s demise. Could history repeat itself?