Burford Capital, a leading litigation funder, has decided to shift away from using London as its default arbitration seat due to ongoing uncertainty stemming from the Supreme Court’s PACCAR decision. The company’s CEO, Christopher Bogart, announced this shift at a media briefing, pointing out the impact of the ruling on London as a preferred arbitration…
The prominent Beijing-based law firm Zhong Lun has strategically bolstered its Hong Kong operations by adding six senior lawyers as partners. This significant expansion includes acquisitions from noteworthy firms. Notably, Yilong Du has joined from private equity giant Warburg Pincus, while Stacey Shen and Min Lu transitioned from Kirkland & Ellis. Additional hires include Peter…
In the period from April 2024 to March 2025, London’s commercial court saw an influx of cases involving 89 different nationalities, setting a new record for diverse representation. This surge was notably driven by an increase in Russian litigants, contributing to a total of 1,368 cases, as highlighted in Portland’s annual commercial courts report. For…
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, an AmLaw 100 firm, will be closing its Frankfurt office in November, after having operated in the financial hub since 1991, opting instead to consolidate its German operations in Cologne. This decision aims to foster enhanced collaboration and efficiency while maintaining a strong presence in Germany, according to a representative…
Stockholm-based legal artificial intelligence firm Legora has successfully raised $80 million in its recent Series B funding round. The investment was primarily led by ICONIQ and General Catalyst, with additional participation from existing investors, including Redpoint Ventures, Benchmark, and Y Combinator. This latest round of funding highlights Legora’s expanding influence and adoption within the legal…
A&O Shearman has strategically enhanced its corporate practice by reappointing George Knighton, previously the U.K. co-head of corporate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Knighton is making his return to the firm after a six-year intermission, having initially left Allen & Overy, where he spent his entire career prior to joining Skadden in 2019….
A&O Shearman has significantly enhanced its corporate practice by re-welcoming George Knighton, the current U.K. co-head of corporate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Knighton was previously a long-time member of Allen & Overy before his move to Skadden in 2019. His return comes amidst several partner departures that the firm has recently faced….
Bird & Bird is strategically establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia with the opening of a Riyadh office, staffed with six lawyers. The office aims to address the growing demand for tech-focused legal services in the region by concentrating initially on intellectual property, transactional, and corporate law. The firm seeks to blend specialist expertise from…
Bird & Bird is expanding into the Saudi Arabian tech sector with a new six-lawyer office in Riyadh, focusing on areas such as intellectual property, transactional, and corporate law. The firm aims to offer tech-focused legal services, leveraging international expertise combined with local insights. As stated by Nick O’Connell, a partner focusing on tech, comms,…
Sharia, translated as “the way” or “the path,” is a comprehensive legal framework derived from the Quran and the Hadith, influencing various aspects of personal and public life for Muslims. With an emphasis on social justice, ethical investing, and sustainable development, Islamic finance encourages allocations in sectors like healthcare, renewable energy, and infrastructure. In 2024,…
K&L Gates has experienced a change in its Asia’s legal team as technology partner Paul Haswell departs for Howse Williams in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Palaniappan Sundararaj, formerly K&L Gates Singapore director, has chosen to rejoin his previous colleagues at Sreenivasan Chambers. Sundararaj is recognized for his focus on medical malpractice, criminal law, contract law, torts,…
As part of its strategy to expand the reach of its proprietary “sovereign legal AI” technology in Europe, Berlin-based AI startup Noxtua has launched a new office in Paris. The move underscores Noxtua’s focus on the French market, which hosts an estimated 72,000 registered lawyers, making it a significant territory for the company’s strategic ambitions…
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), a major telecommunications provider in Japan, is advancing efforts to make NTT Data Group a fully owned subsidiary with an offer valued at $16.4 billion. This move is particularly significant given NTT Data’s strong performance, which has been bolstered by a burgeoning demand for data centers fueled by developments in…
In an evolving legal landscape, former leaders of Allen & Overy, Wim Dejonghe and David Morley, are spearheading a consultancy to facilitate the intersection between private equity and law firms. By leveraging their extensive experience, Dejonghe and Morley aim to align law firms with promising private equity investment opportunities. Their initiative reflects a significant shift…
Latham & Watkins has strengthened its European antitrust team with the recruitment of experienced litigator Alfonso Lamadrid de Pablo from Garrigues in Brussels. Lamadrid de Pablo joined Garrigues as an intern in 2004 and progressed to partner, eventually leading the Brussels office from 2022. His departure marks a significant change for the Spanish firm, which…
Jia Yuan Law Offices, a noted Chinese law firm, has recruited four corporate lawyers, marking a significant expansion move. The additions include Jennifer Ng from Davis Polk & Wardwell, who will join as a partner. This is seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance Jia Yuan’s corporate law capabilities in Hong Kong and…
The legal landscape in Asia is at a pivotal juncture, as many prominent law firms are experiencing collateral challenges while striving for a place within the Global Elite. Over the past five years, Asian practices have faced significant obstacles, driven by an industry’s incessant pursuit of greater profits and revenues. This quest places existing practices…
As law firms brace for potentially challenging economic conditions, firm leaders and industry observers emphasize the importance of monitoring and understanding their business dynamics. The expectation of some “rocky” quarters ahead doesn’t necessarily prompt a halt in long-term strategic plans, but firms are advised to be prudent with quarterly financial distributions and hiring practices. Legal…
“`html Norton Rose Fulbright has expanded its global projects team in Paris by bringing on a six-lawyer team from Eversheds Sutherland. Led by Sindhura Swaminathan, the team specializes in advising on complex, cross-border energy, infrastructure, and natural resources projects and financings. Swaminathan, who previously led Eversheds’ Paris banking and finance practice, joins alongside partner Olivier…
“`html The legal profession is often associated with high-pressure environments and demanding workloads, elements that can significantly affect mental health. At a recent panel discussion organized by A Mindful Lawyer at Penningtons Manches Cooper, members from the legal and professional services sectors convened to exchange their experiences and strategies for cultivating an open culture around…
In a strategic expansion of its global infrastructure team, Paul Hastings has recently welcomed two more partners from White & Case to its ranks in the UAE, adding to a total of seven transitions since March. This development coincides with the announcement of its Abu Dhabi office launch, underscoring the firm’s commitment to enhancing its…
In a notable development within the legal industry, McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel are accelerating efforts toward a merger that promises to establish one of the largest law offices in Manhattan. The proposed timeline for the partnership vote on the merger is set for approximately 90 days, though finer details, such…
The shifting stance of major law firms on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies has raised significant concern among general counsel (GCs). There is a growing belief that if these firms are re-evaluating or retracting their DEI commitments, it may signal a broader reluctance to advocate vigorously for the interests of their clients. This concern…
Addleshaw Goddard, one of the UK’s leading law firms, has enhanced its commercial disputes team by hiring the head of telecoms and TMT disputes from Eversheds Sutherland. This strategic move highlights the escalating demand for legal advice in the increasingly important technology sector. The Eversheds veteran is leaving after more than two decades of handling…
In a significant transaction within the European energy sector, investment entities Energy Equation Partners (EEP) and Stonepeak have agreed to acquire a 65% stake in Jet Tankstellen Deutschland from the American energy corporation Phillips 66. This agreement places Jet Tankstellen at an approximate valuation of €2.5 billion, with Phillips 66 holding onto a 35% residual…