Back on track: DLA Piper revenue rebounds past $2.6bn as 62 lawyers make partner

Back on track: DLA Piper revenue rebounds past $2.6bn as 62 lawyers make partner

DLA Piper has bounced back from last year’s global turnover drop with double-digit percentage growth in net profit and promoted 62 lawyers to its partnership.

The firm’s global revenue rose to $2.63bn in 2017, up 7% on last year when turnover dipped below $2.5bn because of exchange rate fluctuations across its international business, which is divided between an international LLP and a US LLP. Continue reading “Back on track: DLA Piper revenue rebounds past $2.6bn as 62 lawyers make partner”

Weil Gotshal and Debevoise see double-digit PEP hikes as Reed Smith’s top line makes a comeback

Weil Gotshal and Debevoise see double-digit PEP hikes as Reed Smith’s top line makes a comeback

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has scored an 18% global rise in profits per equity partner (PEP) as London turnover soared 33%, while Debevoise & Plimpton recorded a 17% PEP increase against a 12% revenue uptick.

Fellow US firm Reed Smith has finally returned to growth after two consecutive years of decline, increasing its top line 4% to $1.12bn in 2017. The firm’s London outpost had a particularly strong comeback, growing revenues 14% in sterling terms to £147m. Continue reading “Weil Gotshal and Debevoise see double-digit PEP hikes as Reed Smith’s top line makes a comeback”

Momentum at last for Hogan Lovells as global turnover passes $2bn mark

Momentum at last for Hogan Lovells as global turnover passes $2bn mark

Eight years into its transatlantic union Hogan Lovells is finally gaining some momentum, posting another solid financial performance and passing the $2bn revenue mark in 2017.

Global turnover rose 6% to $2.036bn while profit per equity partner (PEP) returned to growth, rising 2% to $1.28m. The weak pound meant the firm experienced an 11% top line uptick to £1.58bn in sterling terms. Continue reading “Momentum at last for Hogan Lovells as global turnover passes $2bn mark”

Global London: Sidley and MoFo City outposts record double-digit revenue growth

Global London: Sidley and MoFo City outposts record double-digit revenue growth

Continuing the strong showing from US firms in London recently, Sidley Austin and Morrison & Foerster (MoFo)’s City offices recorded a convincing performance in 2017, each posting double-digit percentage growth in their top line.

Expansive global giant Sidley posted a 14% City revenue hike to £85.7m in a year marked by five headline lateral hires for the firm’s M&A, restructuring and capital markets teams. Continue reading “Global London: Sidley and MoFo City outposts record double-digit revenue growth”

More bad news for Cadwalader – global revenue dips 10% in 2017 as 10-year slide continues

More bad news for Cadwalader – global revenue dips 10% in 2017 as 10-year slide continues

Revenues at Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft dropped by a striking 10% in 2017 as the firm persists with retrenching in a bid to concentrate its efforts on a more focused client roster.

Global revenue at the Manhattan firm fell for the third consecutive year  to $408.1m against a 15% dip in the firm’s lawyer headcount to 373. Continue reading “More bad news for Cadwalader – global revenue dips 10% in 2017 as 10-year slide continues”

US firms continue City growth as White & Case and Cooley see double-digit revenue spike

US firms continue City growth as White & Case and Cooley see double-digit revenue spike

White & Case’s City office posted revenue of $328m for 2017, a 13% increase on last year’s $290m figure, while Cooley has reached $57.5m in its third year in London. Globally, Sidley Austin has also posted significant revenue and profit growth for 2017.

2017 global revenues for White & Case also saw a substantial boost, standing at $1.8bn, a 10% increase from $1.63bn last year. Profits per equity partner also leapt 10.2% to $2.26m, a 10% rise on $2.05m last year. The number of total equity partners grew by 7% to 319 from 299 the previous year. Continue reading “US firms continue City growth as White & Case and Cooley see double-digit revenue spike”

Both sides now: Milbank sees UK revenue jump 9% as Jones Day loses another two City partners

Both sides now: Milbank sees UK revenue jump 9% as Jones Day loses another two City partners

Contrasting fortunes summarises the position of two key US players in the London market these days, with an expansive Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy posting its highest-ever London revenues while Jones Day has seen three City partners leave since the start of the year.

Revenue at Milbank’s London office grew 9% to $125m in 2017 in a stronger performance compared to last year’s 4% rise to $114.1m. Continue reading “Both sides now: Milbank sees UK revenue jump 9% as Jones Day loses another two City partners”

Quinn Emanuel lays down outstanding marker with 61% surge in City revenue and profit

Quinn Emanuel lays down outstanding marker with 61% surge in City revenue and profit

Disputes powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has seen London revenues rise by a startling 61%, with net profit increasing by the same margin.

The US-based player’s revenue stands at £71.9m, up from last year’s figure of £44.8m. Net profit also rose from £32.6m to £52.6m. As a result, the firm’s profit margin is now a staggering 73%. Continue reading “Quinn Emanuel lays down outstanding marker with 61% surge in City revenue and profit”

A&O awash with cash as £48m forex boost offsets soaring staff costs

A&O awash with cash as £48m forex boost offsets soaring staff costs

With Allen & Overy (A&O) comfortably leading its peer group in the 2016/17 reporting season, the release of its full accounts was always going to look rosy. As it is, the City giant’s limited liability partnership (LLP) filing demonstrates just how good business has been for its c-suite, partners, staff and the tax man with forex movements further supporting robust underlying growth.

Key beneficiaries include A&O’s management team, which saw a collective remuneration hike of 16% to £15.8m, according to its LLP filings. The Magic Circle law firm’s senior partner, managing partner, global practice heads and support directors’ combined earnings for 2016/17 compare with £13.6m for the previous financial year. Continue reading “A&O awash with cash as £48m forex boost offsets soaring staff costs”

Rich rewards on offer – Fieldfisher accounts show top earnings soar over £2m as profits surge

Rich rewards on offer – Fieldfisher accounts show top earnings soar over £2m as profits surge

It has become established in recent years as one of the most potent performers in the UK top 50 but recent accounts illustrate just how much that means for a select few partners at Fieldfisher. Most strikingly, on the back of a year of substantial financial and geographic growth, Fieldfisher’s top-earning partner took home over £2m for the period, a 70% increase on the previous figure.

According to the filings with Companies House, Fieldfisher’s highest-paid partner earned £2.03m for the 2016/17 financial year, a £837,000 increase on the previous year’s tally of £1.19m. Continue reading “Rich rewards on offer – Fieldfisher accounts show top earnings soar over £2m as profits surge”