Andrew Pimlott of FTI Consulting discusses the current sanctions landscape
A volatile political landscape makes compliance a challenge, especially when malefactors are good at covering the evidence, but advanced analytical techniques can reveal the truth. Continue reading “Legal technology sponsored briefing: Advanced technology for compliance”
Scott Littlehales of Littlefish on the importance for law firms of investing in automation
Picture the theatre of high-profile legal cases that feature in the mainstream media and on television dramas, and you can see why law remains an attractive profession. Continue reading “Legal technology sponsored briefing: RPA in legal – be cynical of the hype and do not get left behind”
Carlyle, Tchenguiz and Crociani are cases repeatedly cited by the leading players in Jersey and Guernsey as shorthand for big disputes and big fees. These cases just keep on giving: all three are now subject to further appeals or related proceedings, prolonging their life in litigation terms. Elsewhere, the mood among local dispute resolution and insolvency lawyers is generally upbeat. Although less high-profile litigation might not deliver the big headlines, there is enough going on below the radar for revenues to remain healthy.
‘Insolvency-related disputes are still a significant source of work globally,’ says Jeremy Wessels, Mourant’s head of litigation and dispute resolution. ‘Other areas where we have seen increased activity include trust-related litigation, regulatory, debt restructuring, cross-border enforcement and go-private transactions.’ Mourant remains the biggest Channel Islands firm for disputes with 25 lawyers in Jersey (five partners and 20 other fee-earners) and 23 (six and 17 respectively) in Guernsey. Continue reading “Offshore disputes: Big fish, small pond”
Gordon Dadds is set to become the UK’s largest listed law firm by revenue after acquiring Ince & Co for an expected £43m.
An announcement to the London Stock Exchange today (29 October) confirmed Gordon Dadds had agreed to acquire all of Ince, including its international LLP. The new firm, to be called Ince Gordon Dadds, will jump into the UK top 40 with revenue of more than £110m, and have 100 partners across offices in nine countries. Continue reading “Gordon Dadds to become largest listed firm with £43m acquisition of Ince”
Latham & Watkins has promoted 31 lawyers to partner across all five of its departments globally, with 29% of those getting the nod in London.
The promotion round, effective of January next year, sees a notable increase in associates making the cut in London, with just two being made up last year in the City. Globally the firm’s 31 promotions equal last year’s round, which saw New York receive the lion’s share of promotions. Continue reading “London calling for Latham as it makes up nine partners in the City”
The lack of overlap between Gordon Dadds and Ince & Co made the tie-up an ‘overwhelmingly attractive proposition’, the firms’ leaders say.
Gordon Dadds will be become the UK’s largest listed law firm by revenue after an announcement this morning (29 October) confirmed its acquisition of Ince for an expected £43m. The new firm, to be called Ince Gordon Dadds, will jump into the UK top 40 with revenue of more than £110m, and have 100 partners across offices in nine countries. Continue reading “‘Fit like a glove’: Gordon Dadds brings Ince into the modern era, says leadership”
Tim Maltin of Maltin PR on the importance of getting the balance right between winning the court case and winning over the public
King Pyrrhus of Epirus famously said: ‘If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.’ He was talking in 279 BC about the large number of soldiers he had lost in the Battle of Asculum, but today he could just as easily have been referring to the high cost of litigation, or the pitfalls of winning the legal battle inside the courtroom at the expense of losing the communications war outside it. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: An asymmetric approach to litigation PR”
Simmons & Simmons has re-elected Jeremy Hoyland as managing partner for a third term on the back of a year of substantive investment and revenue growth.
Hoyland, who was first elected as managing partner in May 2011, was uncontested in his re-election, with his third term set to start on 1 May 2019. Continue reading “Trebles all round as Simmons re-elects Hoyland for another term”
TLT has created a £500,000 investment fund to help test technology and other ideas more quickly before providing them to clients.
The initiative, called Future Law, is expected to generate revenue this year and will be led by digital sector head James Touzel. The firm has ring-fenced the fund as part of its budget for this year. Continue reading “‘Legal catching up’: TLT launches £500k fund to improve tech and consulting lines”
ITV has appointed easyJet group general counsel (GC) Kyla Mullins as its new head of legal, filling a role vacated by the experienced Andrew Garard in July.
Mullins returns to ITV having previously been its group legal director between 2000 and 2007. She also had spells as GC at EMI Music and energy company Mitie before joining budget airliner easyJet in 2015. Continue reading “EasyJet GC completes ITV round-trip for head of legal job”
Osborne Clarke (OC) has elected incumbent UK managing partner Ray Berg (pictured) to a second term in a ‘glowing endorsement’ of the firm’s growth.
But he has cautioned there is still plenty to achieve in ensuring OC was adaptable to tougher times ahead. Continue reading “OC’s Berg prepares for rockier roads following re-election to managing partner”
Paul Rawlinson (pictured) has stepped back from his responsibilities as Baker McKenzie global chair due to a personal medical issue.
The firm’s executive committee announced to the partnership today (22 October) that Rawlinson will be taking a leave of absence based on the advice of his doctor and in response to exhaustion. Continue reading “Baker McKenzie chair Rawlinson temporarily steps back due to ‘exhaustion’”
Could it be your year? Nominations are now open for the most prestigious showcase of talent in the industry, the Legal Business Awards 2019.
The event will take place on Thursday 28 March 2019 at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. You have until 16 November to provide submissions in any of the 25 categories open to teams or individuals. Continue reading “Time to shine: nominations open for the Legal Business Awards 2019”
The High Court has dismissed an appeal by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) which challenged the decision to exonerate Leigh Day of misconduct related to the Iraq War.
Last June, the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) cleared the firm and three of its lawyers accused of pursuing false damages claims of torture and murder made by Iraqi civilians against British troops in the region. The SRA appealed that decision. Continue reading “‘Don’t start a war you can’t win’: High Court throws out SRA’s Leigh Day misconduct appeal”
Competition for access to legal tech start-ups is heating up as global multimedia giant Thomson Reuters and City blueblood Slaughter and May tool up for legal tech incubator launches early next year.
Thomson Reuters is accepting applications for its first dedicated legal tech incubator until the end of this month, with further details expected to be announced in December. The company is shifting its focus towards legal tech, having also hosted a fintech incubator in Zurich, following the sale its financial risk business earlier this year. Continue reading “Expectations high as Thomson Reuters and Slaughters ramp up legal tech incubator competition”
After years of internal debate Kirkland & Ellis is to launch in Paris with the hire of one of Linklaters’ key corporate partners.
In a market largely defined by star individuals, Vincent Ponsonnaille has quit the Magic Circle firm alongside fellow corporate partner Laurent Victor-Michel to spearhead the launch of Kirkland’s second outpost on the continent. Continue reading “World’s top-billing law firm Kirkland finally makes Paris debut with Linklaters corporate duo”
Baker McKenzie has announced plans for its third low-cost centre two weeks after putting what is thought to be more than 300 City business staff under consultation in a global efficiency drive.
The firm’s new global hub in Tampa, Florida, will be operational in 2020 and create more than 300 roles – a similar headcount to the firm’s London professional and business services (PBS) staff put under review earlier this month. Continue reading “Bakers launches low-cost hub in Florida… just after redundancy consultation with 300 City staff”
Partners are departing at a rate of knots from Ince & Co ahead of its proposed Gordon Dadds merger, with a pair of veteran Singapore-based partners the latest set to join Stephenson Harwood.
Making the switch is Ince’s managing partner for the Singapore region, John Simpson, and regional finance team head, Martin Brown. Simpson is set to move on 1 May 2019, while Brown will join on 1 November 2018. Stephenson Harwood has taken three partners from Ince this week. Continue reading “Further losses at Ince as Singapore head leaves for Stephenson Harwood in double exit”
City laterals were busy last week as an array of firms strengthened their London benches, while Dentons led the way abroad with a new Düsseldorf office.
Omar Al-Ali joined Reed Smith’s London office in the firm’s energy and natural resources group. Previously a partner at Simmons & Simmons, Al-Ali specialises in structured trade and commodities finance. He also counts ten years’ experience at Magic Circle firm Linklaters. Continue reading “Revolving Doors: busy City recruitment round sees moves from Reed Smith, DLA, and Eversheds”
Ashurst has become the latest City firm to review its trainee and newly qualified (NQ) salaries for the second time this year, upping the latter’s basic pay to £82,000.
The changes, which take effect on 1 November, give NQs a £6,000 salary hike from the £76,000 given during the last review in May, while a performance-related bonus could bolster compensation to £94,300. Continue reading “Ashurst seeks competitive edge with second new lawyer salary increase of 2018”
