LexisNexis recently addressed criticisms levied by University of British Columbia law professor Benjamin Perrin regarding the capabilities of Lexis+ AI. The feedback was originally shared in an opinion column published by the Canadian Bar Association’s National Magazine. According to LexisNexis’ chief product officer, the evaluations performed by Professor Perrin on Lexis+ AI included testing of…
The latest edition of Supreme Court Today, Vol. 93 No. 19, encompasses pages 3133-3134 and is dated December 5, 2024. Legal professionals tracking the developments in the U.S. Supreme Court can now access this latest volume, which is meticulously compiled to present a comprehensive overview of current cases and judicial trends. For those seeking in-depth…
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) is reportedly considering potential mergers after experiencing a year marked by numerous partner departures. The firm is facing challenges regarding profitability and the size of its partnership pool, which have prompted speculation about its future strategic moves. The ambition to establish a global firm with a united profit pool has…
In a strategic expansion of its government and regulatory litigation practice, Steptoe & Johnson LLP has welcomed Michelle Kallen as a partner in its Washington office. The firm announced this strategic move on Tuesday, marking a significant addition to their appellate practice. Kallen will serve not only as a partner but also as a co-leader…
Baker McKenzie has decided not to pursue further votes among its Australian partners regarding the potential integration with its Asian practice. This outcome follows an earlier partner vote against the proposed financial and administrative integration. The decision represents a notable moment in the firm’s strategic planning and indicates the complexities involved in such cross-regional integrations….
“`html Husch Blackwell has announced the addition of a new partner to its fiduciary litigation practice. Darla Gabbitas has joined the firm’s Dallas office, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the firm’s capabilities in fiduciary litigation, which involves legal disputes over the management and distribution of assets. In her new role, Gabbitas will bring her…
DLA Piper has moved to strengthen its Paris office’s restructuring practice by recruiting a three-lawyer team from Simmons & Simmons, following the departure of another team to Paul Hastings earlier this year. Led by partner Sandra Esquiva-Hesse, this new addition is aimed at enhancing DLA Piper’s capabilities in managing restructuring transactions and legal procedures, particularly…
Reed Smith LLP has expanded its tax practice group with the hiring of Saba Shatara as a partner in San Francisco. Shatara brings extensive experience in state and local tax matters, focusing on representing national corporations, individual clients, and multistate taxpayers in tax controversy proceedings. He has previously worked with the California Franchise Tax Board,…
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, the prominent U.S.-based law firm, has bolstered its London office by hiring a veteran M&A partner from Jones Day. This strategic addition is positioned to enhance Gibson Dunn’s transactional capabilities in the UK, aligning with the firm’s reputation for handling high-profile disputes and serving globally-recognized clients, such as Apple. For…
In a notable move within the realm of legal real estate finance, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has announced the recruitment of Marty Taylor as a partner in its real estate finance group, based in Irvine, California. Taylor brings with him a wealth of experience in syndications, mezzanine lending, restructuring, and bankruptcy, honing his expertise…
In a recent feature, King & Spalding’s London office highlights its junior talent through a series of photos and interviews. The feature introduces a plant-loving Canadian and an expert on capital cities, showcasing the diverse backgrounds of young professionals within the firm. While partners often get the spotlight in Big Law, this feature underscores the…
Wilkinson Stekloff, a prominent boutique trial firm, has announced that it is offering above-market bonuses to its associates this year. This decision marks the eighth consecutive year that the firm has surpassed the market standard in its bonus offerings. While many firms strive merely to match the bonuses set by industry leaders like Milbank, Wilkinson…
Dorothy Livingston, a distinguished figure in competition law and long-serving member of Herbert Smith Freehills, has passed away at the age of 76. Renowned for her contributions to the legal field, Livingston was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the British Legal Awards in 2013. For more details, you can read the full article…
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, operating from its London office, has been selected to advise EQT, a leading private equity firm, in a high-value acquisition. This deal, reportedly valued at £5 billion, involves a Manchester-based energy company. This engagement reflects the vigorous competition among elite law firms for lucrative private equity projects over the past year….
An unfolding development in the legal world is the Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw’s 2024 Bonus Boom. Law firms are announcing their bonus structures, providing fresh insights into compensation trends for associates. This latest move promises to influence the competition among top-tier firms in recruiting and retaining talent. According to Above the Law’s analysis, the bonuses…
Latham & Watkins, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and Jones Day are leading the legal advisory on the sale of Anglo American’s Steelmaking coal portfolio, valued at $3.8 billion, to Peabody Energy. This transaction underscores a significant trend in the energy sector, where major law firms are engaging in transactions involving the divestment of fossil…
Litera, a prominent legal technology provider, has announced the acquisition of Office & Dragons, a UK-based startup specializing in drafting and editing software. This transaction underscores Litera’s ongoing strategic expansion in the sector of automated document generation and editing tools. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. This acquisition forms part of…
As the decision for the host of the 2034 World Cup looms, FIFA faces allegations surrounding its handling of Saudi Arabia’s bid, with accusations from NGOs directed at both FIFA and Clifford Chance for allegedly downplaying the Kingdom’s human rights issues. The criticism is centered on a report produced by Clifford Chance that is said…
A group of climate activists, composed of approximately 50 doctors and scientists, orchestrated protests at the London offices of the Magic Circle law firms: Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy Shearman, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May. These demonstrations were organized by the group “Lawyers Are Responsible” to urge these firms to sever their ties with…
“`html The tribunal has dismissed the anti-money laundering (AML) case against Kennedys’ Chief Risk Officer, Andrew Coates, while imposing a fine on former partner, Dennis Ko. This legal development highlights the persistent challenges faced by law firms concerning AML compliance and due diligence. More insights into the details of the tribunal’s decision can be accessed…
Curtis Smolar has joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM) as a partner in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group based in the Bay Area. This move was officially announced on Tuesday, marking a significant addition to GRSM’s legal team according to Bloomberg Law. Smolar brings with him a broad range of experience representing companies across…
Global and Canadian law firms are taking pivotal advisory roles in the recent acquisition efforts by Mubadala Investment Company, a prominent Gulf sovereign wealth fund. This strategic deal involves the $3.4 billion acquisition of CI Financial, marking a significant financial maneuver. Among the legal advisors, Latham & Watkins and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom…
In recent legal developments, some of Canada’s largest media companies, including The Canadian Press and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), have reportedly initiated legal proceedings against OpenAI. The claim asserts that OpenAI’s AI model, ChatGPT, has allegedly infringed on copyrighted content by utilizing it within its training datasets. The high-profile litigation is being managed by…
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP has augmented its legal team with the addition of Pete Jeydel as a partner. Jeydel will be joining the firm’s sanctions and trade controls practice group based in Washington, D.C., according to the firm’s announcement. Jeydel’s legal expertise concentrates on U.S. export controls, economic sanctions, and a range of related…
“`html The European Parliament has approved Teresa Ribera Rodríguez as the new EU Competition Chief. Ribera Rodríguez, who is a lawyer by profession, is set to have the most powerful mandate within the EU College of Commissioners. Her appointment marks a significant step in the leadership overseeing competition policy across the European Union. For further…