Welcome to the daily rundown of the top news concerning legal professionals, law firms, and corporate legal departments.
First on the list is a report on Apple, which is currently undergoing legal and regulatory trials in the US and European Union. These trials could potentially impact the survival and trajectory of the tech giant’s $85 billion services segment, which includes its App Store and Apple Music. Further detailing the risks faced by Apple as a result of the ongoing antitrust trial involving Google, this situation been described as “the biggest threat to the company’s business in years” by the Financial Times.
The attrition in the legal landscape signals robust activity in law firm mergers in 2023, leading to a “slight” increase from the preceding year. According to a Fairfax Associates’ survey, 48 mergers were completed last year, with six occurring in the fourth quarter – a “modest increase” compared to 46 mergers recorded the previous year, 2022. Further details can be found on the Fairfax Associates website.
Shifting to the London sector, a former staffer at Hogan Lovells was ordered to pay a fine for slanderous assertions about the firm being comprised of “liars and scammers”. Igor Donskoy, who claimed his dismissal was unfair, profusely criticized a partner as “deceitful and greedy” at an employment tribunal held in April. Find more on this story at Financial News.
In the aftermath of these major legal confrontations, there have been several significant lateral movements and appointments in law firms. A slew of noteworthy individuals has joined firms like Kramer Levin, Edelson PC, and Mayer Brown, amongst others. New partnerships, appointments, and practice group leaders have also been named at other firms, including Sheppard Mullin and Gray Reed. Further details on these appointments and moves are available via Bloomberg Law.
These are among the most pressing updates affecting the legal world today. Stay tuned for more of the latest information that shapes the profession’s landscape.