The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is proposing to make it easier for barristers to work through agencies and corporate vehicles, and has launched a consultation on its reforms.
Comment: Bespoke, mobile and plugged in: CMS’s Duncan Weston on the tech tools clients will demand
Against a backdrop of a fast-changing technology environment; value-conscious clients, rising rents, and the need to provide meaningful alternative fee arrangements, law firms are being challenged to deliver innovative services and efficiencies like never before.
DLA Piper boosts Italian offer with nine hires from Ashurst
DLA Piper has hired a team of three partners and six other lawyers from Ashurst for its restructuring and litigation group in Italy, in a move which boosts its Italian partner count to 43.
Continue reading “DLA Piper boosts Italian offer with nine hires from Ashurst”
Holman Fenwick Willan takes London banking partner from Ince & Co
During a tough year for insurance specialists, Holman Fenwick Willan has hired a partner from rival Ince & Co, appointing Stephen Marais to build its asset finance practice.
Continue reading “Holman Fenwick Willan takes London banking partner from Ince & Co”
Law Society wants pilot scheme ahead of proposed court closures
The Law Society said it wants the government to test the use of public buildings for court hearings before it considers reforms which will close one in five courts in England and Wales.
Continue reading “Law Society wants pilot scheme ahead of proposed court closures”
Comment: K&L Gates’ Tony Griffiths on profit, delusion and how Big Law became obsessed with the wrong things
Many centuries ago while studying law as an undergraduate, a particularly inspiring corporate law lecturer suggested that I might want to read a book on management theory, as well as immersing myself in case law and precedent. I still have no idea why he suggested it and I believe I was the only one in the company law class who took him up on it.
King & Spalding steps up aggressive City push with A&O partner hire
King & Spalding has recruited Allen & Overy’s former European head of US law, Thomas Jones, as its raid on Global 100 firms in London this year continues.
Continue reading “King & Spalding steps up aggressive City push with A&O partner hire”
The Legal 500 view: more choice and competition defines market
The UK legal market now offers more choice than ever, and this is reflected in the 2015 edition of The Legal 500, which has never seen more movement.
Continue reading “The Legal 500 view: more choice and competition defines market”
Comment: Fragmented and naïve – the profession’s failure to penetrate Whitehall
Two pieces in this month’s Legal Business touch on a common theme: the profession’s failure to influence government.
Continue reading “Comment: Fragmented and naïve – the profession’s failure to penetrate Whitehall”
Not over yet – New York jury clears former Dewey leaders on multiple counts in partial verdict
A Manhattan jury has found former Dewey & LeBoeuf executives Steven Davis, Stephen DiCarmine and Joel Sanders not guilty on multiple criminal charges related to the largest law firm collapse in legal history, although it is still deliberating a number of more serious charges.
Dechert results: revenue slides by £2m in London as highest earner takes home £2.7m
The highest take-home pay at Dechert’s London office rose by 16% last year to £2.69m, despite income at the City office sliding by 4%.
Comment: The fundamental things – SJ Berwin and the problem with legal conglomerates
At the time that SJ Berwin combined with King & Wood Mallesons there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The firm had eyed a global merger for years, KWM was a much-fêted Asia-Pacific giant with a commanding position in China’s fast-growing legal market and the deal was in general welcomed by its partnership (in contrast to the smoke and mirrors surrounding the abortive discussions with Proskauer Rose).
Quinn fastens up for multibillion-euro shareholder claim against Volkswagen in Germany
US litigation powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has been instructed in a shareholder lawsuit against car maker Volkswagen (VW) after the company lost as much as $33bn in market value in ten days after it admitted to cheating emissions tests.
King & Wood Mallesons departures continue as Ashurst hires Hong Kong corporate heavyweight Joshua Cole
King Wood & Mallesons (KWM) is to lose senior corporate partner Joshua Cole from its Hong Kong office to Ashurst.
Name partner departs arbitration boutique Volterra Fietta
Four years after leaving Latham & Watkins to launch arbitration and international law boutique Volterra Fietta, Stephen Fietta has resigned to set up his own shop.
Continue reading “Name partner departs arbitration boutique Volterra Fietta”
Guest post: Asking the big question – what do clients want?
Engineers and theologians know how to find out. I listened with great interest last week to a presentation about a soon-to-be released survey of client attitudes.
Continue reading “Guest post: Asking the big question – what do clients want?”
Austrian law student’s case against Facebook results in landmark ECJ decision to scrap safe harbour regime
An Austrian law student has won a legal challenge over the US safe harbour scheme, in a decision which will impact some 4,000 US companies which transferred personal information across the Atlantic.
Legal Services Board green lights removal of annual solicitor endorsements for sole practitioners
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has agreed to the removal of annual solicitor endorsements for sole practitioners, in a move which the Solicitors Regulation Authority said will simplify arrangements.
White & Case steps up private equity march with hires from Clifford Chance and Debevoise
White & Case’s march on the London private equity market has stepped up another gear with the hire of Caroline Sherrell from Clifford Chance and Kenneth Barry from Debevoise & Plimpton.
Q&A: Jenner & Block’s Charlie Lightfoot talks about leadership, White & Case, and ‘getting my hands dirty’
Chicago litigation firm Jenner & Block’s launch of its first overseas office earlier this year in London was as soft as they come. Is there space for another litigation firm or will London be its graveyard? Charlie Lightfoot (pictured), the man tasked with growing the firm’s London office, talks of the firm’s prospects.