The Global 100 Overview: Unstoppable forces

The Global 100 Overview: Unstoppable forces

In Legal Business’ last Global 100 issue, we reported on a ‘relatively benign’ 2018/19 for the world’s top 100 law firms compared to the tumultuous three years that preceded it. The headwinds caused by increased protectionism in the US and ongoing acrimony between the UK and Europe had subsided somewhat after firms recovered from the …

Letter from Iberia – Despite global meltdown, local lawyers remain upbeat

Letter from Iberia – Despite global meltdown, local lawyers remain upbeat

For most, May 2019 will feel like a lifetime ago, and Iberia is little different. When Legal Business last visited its legal market, the major talking point was the impact of highly-regarded dealmaker Juan Picón’s move from DLA Piper to Latham & Watkins the year before. Less than 12 months later on 14 March 2020, …

£14bn Mastercard group action claim to proceed following historic Supreme Court ruling

£14bn Mastercard group action claim to proceed following historic Supreme Court ruling

The Supreme Court has today (11 December) dismissed Mastercard’s efforts to thwart former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks’ £14bn group action claim against it in what is a landmark decision for the future of collective actions against companies in the UK courts. The decision from the Supreme Court upholds a previous ruling from the Court of …

‘Things are looking pretty good’: DWF continues recovery with strong half-year results after tumultuous 2019/20

‘Things are looking pretty good’: DWF continues recovery with strong half-year results after tumultuous 2019/20

DWF has continued its recovery in 2020/21, according to the firm’s half-year results, following a torrid year that saw debts rise and underlying profit plunge.  The results announced today (10 December) reveal net revenue standing at £167.6m for the H1 period ending 31 October, an impressive increase of 15% on the £145.2m the firm posted …

‘Drive long-lasting change’: Professionals urged to take part in survey on law and mental health

‘Drive long-lasting change’: Professionals urged to take part in survey on law and mental health

Professionals across the UK legal industry are being encouraged to participate in new research to assess the impact of workplace culture and practices on employees’ wellbeing, as issues around mental health continue to rise up the Big Law agenda.  The study is being spearheaded by legal mental health charity LawCare, which is currently running an …

BT to invest £2.7m into 30-strong legal support hub in Northern Ireland

BT to invest £2.7m into 30-strong legal support hub in Northern Ireland

Telecoms giant BT announced today (1 December) it is poised to commit £2.7m in investment to create a new legal support hub in Belfast which will house 30 commercial lawyer positions over the next four years. The standalone centre will be the first of its kind for BT in Northern Ireland, with its lawyers being …

‘Leading-edge experience’ – Slaughter and May looks in-house to make rare City disputes partner hire

‘Leading-edge experience’ – Slaughter and May looks in-house to make rare City disputes partner hire

Slaughter and May has made a rare City hire, the firm announced today (19 November), recruiting a partner into its disputes and investigations practice from in-house. Gayathri Kamalanathan is currently head of group litigation and enforcement at Danske Bank in Copenhagen, having been at the bank for almost two years, but is now set to join …

‘We expect the highest standards of behaviour’: Finance partner leaves Slaughter and May following investigation

‘We expect the highest standards of behaviour’: Finance partner leaves Slaughter and May following investigation

A partner has left Slaughter and May following an internal investigation, the firm has confirmed today (18 November). Finance partner Oliver Storey has retired from the firm’s partnership with immediate effect, with Slaughters notifying the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) of the matter. Senior partner, Steve Cooke, said in a statement: ‘Following an internal investigation, Oliver …

LB100 overview: The end of the beginning 

LB100 overview: The end of the beginning 

Could anyone have known what was coming? A year ago, the 2019 Legal Business 100 (LB100) report read: ‘After a credible performance, the profession now faces a slowing economy at home and abroad amid mounting unease generated by a government under Prime Minister Boris Johnson hitting an increasingly Trumpian tone on forcing the UK out …