‘AI has not significantly changed the day-to-day operations of law firms. The emphasis is on staying alert and staying informed about ongoing developments.’ Didier Martin, Bredin Prat
As part of our annual Euro Elite report, management at independent firms in Europe give their views on today’s market challenges
‘Firms have to be flexible and acknowledge they may have fantastic senior associates who want to put their partnership ambitions on hold for a few years while they have a family.’ Isabella Roberts, Simmons & Simmons
Following on from our Alphas 2.0 feature, we ask female deal stars to talk about the challenges they have faced and still plague the industry today
‘I’m of the view that there’s no such thing as an ESG lawyer. What we can do, by educating the trainees as they come in, is help them to understand ESG, so that it can permeate their practices throughout their careers.’ Rachel Richardson, Macfarlanes
On the back of our third annual ESG report, key decision makers share their perspectives on key issues affecting law firms
‘We already have a strong European offering and our current expansion plans are centred on partner-level and team hires that support us in providing our clients with the best possible industry and subject matter experts.’ Tamara Box, Reed Smith
To mark the launch of our 2023 Global London analysis, we ask senior figures at leading US firms for a progress report
‘Profitable organic development is still possible for us, but this isn’t the case for firms in some foreign markets – some cannot grow any further.’ Didier Martin, Bredin Prat
As part of our annual Euro Elite report, management at independent firms in Europe give their views on today’s market challenges
‘The profitability of firms operating in the US is very high. If that continues to grow not least because the exchange rate has weakened our ability to be dollar-profitable, then sure it’s going to change how people look at investments.’ Tamara Box, Reed Smith
Global 100 leaders and corporate stars give their prognosis on how the market will shape up in 2023
‘A client said to me during the first Covid wave: “I stand in awe of the superior business model of law firms — because you will normally need a lawyer, whether you want one or not”.’ Penny Angell, Hogan Lovells
From innovation to economic headwinds to premature reports of the demise of the Magic Circle, leaders at Legal Business 100 firms give us their views on the past financial year and look ahead to the next
‘No firm should ever take anything for granted. Dewey & LeBoeuf was a top-end, white-shoe firm and it over-guaranteed and mismanaged.’ Natasha Harrison, Pallas Partners
A decade on from Dewey & LeBoeuf filing for bankruptcy, global law firm leaders give their reflections and views on the lessons learned from the firm’s demise. Could history repeat itself?
‘As custodians of the rule of law, we have to question whether we are undermining it in anyway? It’s in the mix for sure. I would expect that it plays on everyone’s minds.’ Sophia Adams Bhatti, Simmons & Simmons
On the back of our second annual ESG report, key decision makers share their views on how well law firms are stepping up to the mark
‘When it comes to English law, I don’t think clients are as focused on where a firm is headquartered, and they are willing to use a US law firm. The same is not true in reverse.’ Pranav Trivedi, Skadden
With the launch of our 2022 Global London report, we ask the leaders at US law firms in the City to weigh up the challenges ahead
Continue reading “The Last Word: Broad stripes and bright stars”
