I think it’s absolutely critical for a company to embrace diversity and inclusion. At Salesforce, we operate in a very competitive industry – one that is evolving every day and where innovation isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’, but a business imperative.
To assemble an informed and representative perspective of the legal sector, our quantitative research went beyond considering purely the most senior legal figures in the United States.
It’s no secret that the United States takes diversity very seriously. Since the advent of the Bill of Rights – which in 1789 laid bare the basic personal freedoms, civil liberties and protections guaranteed by the Constitution – diversity and inclusion has been an evolving process.
In terms of gender equality, the point when women have children is still where the biggest drop off occurs. This is, however, not the only point, according to Vodafone Americas GC, Megan Doberneck.
One trend which emerged in the research conducted to support this report, was a much more serious focus on sponsorship and mentoring in the US compared with the UK and Europe.
Across the legal sector – from the partner level in private firms and general counsel in major corporates, right through to new recruits fresh out of law school – research shows that there remains barriers to entering and progressing through the sector for certain groups and demographics.
Kirkland & Ellis has returned to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for another finance recruit, taking Jonathan Birks.
US firm Jones Day has promoted five to partner in London as part of a 47-strong promotions round, while New York outfit Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft elected two in the City as part of a 10-strong cohort. Continue reading “US partner promotions: Cadwalader adds two as Jones Day promotes five partners in the City”
Partners at Ashurst have voted in favour of a single yearly profit payment to replace quarterly distributions. Continue reading “‘Overwhelming support’: Ashurst votes for annual profit payouts”
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has confirmed that today (22 December) its European arm has filed a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators with the court. Continue reading “KWM Europe files notice of intention to appoint administrators”
Sullivan & Cromwell, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Linklaters and Hengeler Mueller have won roles on another potential mega merger, between US and German oil and gas giants Praxair and Linde.
Continue reading “Linklaters joins SullCrom and Cravath on $65bn Linde and Praxair megadeal”
City firm Macfarlanes has made a rare triple lateral hire with three partners from King & Wood Mallesons‘ (KWM) European practice. The firm is taking on Tom Usher, Cameron Firth and Christoph Humpe as partners, and will also take on KWM’s former European senior partner Stephen Kon as a consultant. Continue reading “KWM competition trio defects to Macfarlanes in rare lateral play by City thoroughbred”
Dentons client The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has won a battle over interest rate swaps mis-selling against Bird & Bird client Property Alliance Group. Continue reading “Victory for Dentons as judge throws out £30m PAG claim against RBS”
US firm Reed Smith is the latest to hire from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) European practice, taking on the bulk of the firm’s financial regulation team. It is also in discussions with a number of other partners in Europe. Continue reading “Reed Smith takes on finreg team as KWM exits continue”
Consumer and pharmaceutical goods giant Johnson & Johnson has entered into a five-year deal with Axiom to support the company’s global procurement contracting function.
Continue reading “Outsourced: Axiom seals five year contract with consumer giant Johnson & Johnson”
White & Case and Addleshaw Goddard have picked up lead roles as Canadian firm CCL Industries said it would buy Innovia Group for $842m from The Smithfield Group. Continue reading “White & Case advises as Canadian firm buys UK’s five pound note maker”
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) China is understood to have bid for an out-of-administration purchase of certain legacy SJ Berwin offices including Dubai, Germany, Italy and Spain. It is also talking with partners to keep an outpost in London. Continue reading “KWM China in talks with selected legacy SJ Berwin offices to secure European presence”
Clyde & Co has posted a 17% rise in turnover totalling £224m for the first half of the 2016/17 financial year, improving on last year’s 8% increase over the same period to £192m. Continue reading “‘A decent first half’: Clyde & Co turnover rises 17%”
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Latham & Watkins won lead roles on Baxter International’s acquisition of Claris Injectables for $625m, in a bid by Baxter to expand its portfolio of essential generic injectable medicines. HSF represented Claris, while Latham acted for Baxter.
US giant Davis, Polk & Wardwell has won a spot on HSBC’s global legal panel as a host of firms retain their places. Continue reading “In-house: Davis Polk added to HSBC global roster as firms retain places”
