LB Awards Management Partner of the Year: former A&O chief Wim Dejonghe

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LB Awards Management Partner of the Year: former A&O chief Wim Dejonghe

Last Tuesday, former Allen & Overy senior partner Wim Dejonghe was named Management Partner of the Year at the Legal Business Awards, at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Dejonghe signed off from a 23-year career at the magic circle firm in May this year after pushing through the long-awaited, transatlantic merger deal with US firm Shearman & Sterling.

In this Life During Law interview, originally published in the run-up to the transformational deal going live, he looks back on his career at A&O, discussing lessons learned from previous merger talks, his future plans and his views on the ‘unhealthy’ levels of money in law.

Continue reading “LB Awards Management Partner of the Year: former A&O chief Wim Dejonghe”

Freshfields’ Mark Sansom on motorsports, email gaffes and competing on the global stage

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Freshfields’ Mark Sansom on motorsports, email gaffes and competing on the global stage

I nearly drowned in a river in Wales when I was four. It had been raining a lot and the boulder my brother and I were standing on beside the river toppled into the water. I fell into the river and was held under by a waterfall. My mother, father and a passerby all dived in and managed to find me and bring me to the surface. I learnt to swim right after that and now I still swim several times a week and it’s an important part of my fitness. Continue reading “Freshfields’ Mark Sansom on motorsports, email gaffes and competing on the global stage”

Financial results 2023-24: early figures point to rosier picture for LB100 leaders

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Financial results 2023-24: early figures point to rosier picture for LB100 leaders

With results continuing to stream in, the initial picture is that the UK’s largest law firms are shrugging off the economic challenges of recent years.

Financial results season is once again in full swing, and the UK’s largest law firms have plenty of reasons to be cheerful, with healthy returns across the board. Continue reading “Financial results 2023-24: early figures point to rosier picture for LB100 leaders”

Private equity, public competition – how US firms reshaped the UK PE hierarchy

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Private equity, public competition – how US firms reshaped the UK PE hierarchy

Fifteen years of Legal 500 data offers big-picture view of Stateside elite’s relentless advance into London private equity arena

Of all the London legal markets to have been upended by competition from across the pond, private equity offers perhaps the strongest evidence of how US firms have made their mark in the City. Continue reading “Private equity, public competition – how US firms reshaped the UK PE hierarchy”

ESG in Switzerland: Schellenberg Wittmer Q&A

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ESG in Switzerland: Schellenberg Wittmer Q&A

In the last two years, how has the ESG practice group grown at the firm?

Anya George: One notable characteristic of our group now is that it is truly multidisciplinary. We possess expertise in both transactional matters and disputes. In recent years, we have placed increased emphasis on financial market regulation, greenwashing, and carbon credits—areas where many of our competitors lack expertise. In Switzerland, there has been a noticeable rise in requests for advice on ESG matters across the board, although understanding due diligence and reporting requirements remains a primary concern for our clients. Continue reading “ESG in Switzerland: Schellenberg Wittmer Q&A”

‘Clients are not only seeking legal expertise but also looking for firms that practice what they preach’ – ESG Q&A: Herbert Smith Freehills

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‘Clients are not only seeking legal expertise but also looking for firms that practice what they preach’ – ESG Q&A: Herbert Smith Freehills

Could you share some examples of innovative ways Herbert Smith Freehills is working with clients in the ESG space?

Silke Goldberg: At Herbert Smith Freehills, we are actively engaging with our clients in the ESG space through innovative tools like our Global ESG Tracker and ESRS Navigator. Continue reading “‘Clients are not only seeking legal expertise but also looking for firms that practice what they preach’ – ESG Q&A: Herbert Smith Freehills”

ESG: Evolution or revolution?

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ESG: Evolution or revolution?

Jonathan Bower, partner, planning and infrastructure team leader and partner lead for net zero by 2030 strategy at Womble Bond Dickinson, sets out the case for a clear ESG vision with a focus on inspiring behavioural change

Historical events have often led to transformative changes. The Industrial Revolution was one such moment and, today, we’re on the brink of another significant shift – an environmental, social and governance revolution. Although centuries apart, there are clear parallels between the two, not least the considerable cultural and social change needed to create a revolution. Continue reading “ESG: Evolution or revolution?”

The state of UK general counsel in 2024: Key insights and challenges

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The state of UK general counsel in 2024: Key insights and challenges

The legal landscape for general counsel (GCs) in the United Kingdom is undergoing significant challenges and transformations in 2024. A comprehensive survey conducted by Wakefield Research and commissioned by Axiom provides crucial insights into the current state of in-house legal departments, shedding light on budget constraints, talent management issues, and the quest for innovative solutions.

Continue reading “The state of UK general counsel in 2024: Key insights and challenges”

Legal 500 US: Latham tops the charts in new US rankings

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Legal 500 US: Latham tops the charts in new US rankings

The Legal 500 United States 2024 rankings have arrived, and with it a bevy of new numbers to crunch.

Leading Individual rankings rose by 14% – an increase of 246 lawyers on last year’s rankings. More lawyers than ever are being nominated, and with the market active in many areas, attorneys have a greater body of work to put forward for consideration – with clients increasingly willing to sing their praises. Continue reading “Legal 500 US: Latham tops the charts in new US rankings”