The Middle East Legal Awards 2025 were held in Dubai, bringing together over 400 of the industry’s key figures including partners, associates, general counsel, and in-house lawyers. Hosted by television presenter Dina Butti, the ceremony took place at the Conrad Dubai, underscoring its significance within the regional legal community. For those interested in further details,…
Sidley Austin has executed a significant hiring strategy, resulting in the transfer of nearly 40 lawyers from Latham & Watkins over the past nine months. The move represents one of the largest migrations of legal talent from one elite firm to another in recent years. This hiring spree, while focused on London, extends globally, impacting…
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has effectively advanced its London asset finance operations as part of its ongoing expansion strategy. The firm has recruited James Cameron, a seasoned asset finance partner from Milbank. Cameron will assume the role of co-chair in Gibson Dunn’s transportation and space practice group. This move aligns with Gibson Dunn’s recent trend…
Latham & Watkins is strengthening its presence in Germany by welcoming a new partner from White & Case. This strategic move is part of Latham & Watkins’ ongoing efforts to bolster its operations in the region. The [full article](https://www.law.com/international-edition/2025/05/01/latham-rebuilds-in-germany-with-white–case-partner-hire/) provides further insights into the firm’s expansion strategy as they continue their German rebuild.
On April 30, 2025, Law.com International hosted its annual Middle East Legal Awards in Dubai. The event recognized numerous law firms and legal professionals for their exceptional achievements. Among the notable winners were Pinsent Masons and Pepsi-Cola International. The awards ceremony, which is now in its 13th year, brought together over 400 top legal professionals…
International law firm Bird & Bird has taken a strategic step by appointing two new partners to lead their Australian operations. Shane Barber has been appointed to an APAC position, marking a significant leadership change within the firm’s regional structure. In a parallel move, King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has strengthened its competition law team…
Starbucks faces serious allegations related to human trafficking and forced labor practices in its coffee supply chain, as detailed in a class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs, supported by the nonprofit legal advocacy organization International Rights Advocates, allege that workers on Brazilian coffee plantations supplying Starbucks…
Luxembourg has become an increasingly attractive hub for global law firms seeking to expand their presence in Europe in recent years. These firms are drawn by the strategic advantages the country offers, including its robust financial sector and central location in Europe. Earlier this year, Herbert Smith Freehills launched a new office in Luxembourg after…
In the rapidly evolving legal landscape of Asia, several prominent law firms are strategically enhancing their presence. K&L Gates is augmenting its corporate group in Hong Kong, while Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed a new managing partner for its Singapore office. In another development, HFW has successfully recruited a disputes partner from Withers. These moves…
The persistent cry from within the legal industry questions the feasibility of law firms continuing to raise their rates by 10% each year. This concern stems from the impression that such practices are becoming unsustainable, particularly as clients feel the financial strain. The wealth accumulation by private equity lawyers, indicated by their extravagant lifestyles, raises…
Garrigues employees in Madrid were experiencing the initial day in their newly established headquarters when a pervasive power outage struck the Iberian Peninsula. The unplanned blackout disrupted proceedings at the iconic Torres de Colón building, which had recently consolidated the firm’s operations from three separate locations into a single site accommodating 700 professionals. The sudden…
In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in Asia, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Matthew O’Callaghan as its new Asia-wide managing partner. Previously leading the firm’s Asia financial services practice, O’Callaghan succeeds Thomas Ng, who departs to pursue an advanced leadership course at Harvard. O’Callaghan brings to the role extensive expertise, having rejoined Freshfields…
In the midst of ongoing trade tensions with the United States, China has passed legislation aimed at bolstering its private sector. On April 30, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the Private Economy Promotion Law, which is the country’s first authoritative legislation focused on the private economy. Encompassing nine chapters and 78…
Sidley Austin has continued its aggressive expansion in London by hiring its 10th partner from Latham & Watkins in just nine months. This strategic recruitment drive indicates Sidley’s strong ambitions in enhancing its presence in the competitive London legal market. The latest addition is partner Vladimir Mikhailovsky, who follows in the footsteps of David Stewart,…
“`html DLA Piper has expanded its Tokyo office by hiring an investment funds team from Withers, a move that underscores the firm’s strategic intent to bolster its capabilities in Japan. The team is led by two partners, Koji Yamamoto and Yoshiyuki Omori, who will assume the roles of dedicated investment funds partners at DLA Piper….
The burgeoning space industry in the Gulf region is proving to be a lucrative avenue for commercial law firms, serving as an engine driving the industry’s rapid growth. Notably, the sector in the Gulf is positioned for swift development, particularly within the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Law firms are deeply involved in shaping…
The Mansfield Rule, aimed at increasing the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership roles, has recently come under scrutiny. During a court hearing connected to a challenge by Perkins Coie against a presidential executive order, Deputy Associate Attorney General Richard Lawson raised concerns, arguing that parts of the Mansfield Rule certification process could…
In an unexpected turn of events, legal professionals across the Iberian Peninsula found their operations disrupted when a widespread blackout struck the region. The sudden loss of electricity caught many off guard, particularly affecting prominent firms such as Garrigues. The blackout occurred during the inauguration of their new headquarters in Madrid’s Torres de Colón, which…
Sidley Austin has significantly increased its focus on lateral hiring, bringing in approximately 40 lateral partners within the first four months of 2025. This move underpins the firm’s strategy to attract high-performing lateral talent that complements existing client relationships, aiming to enhance a collaborative culture. Noteworthy is the firm’s impressive financial performance the previous year,…
Matthew Hodgson, a distinguished arbitration partner from Allen & Overy Shearman, has moved to Linklaters. In his new position, Hodgson will lead the public international law team based in London. Known for his expertise in handling disputes from cross-border investments, Hodgson has a track record of representing clients as counsel and advocate in numerous high-stakes…
Ashurst has appointed Noam Ankri as the new head of its Paris office, effective May 1, marking the first time a restructuring partner takes on this leadership role. Ankri will oversee the office following its more than thirty-year history of being led by corporate and transaction partners. His leadership comes at a time when major…
Global law firm Clifford Chance has announced the promotion of 31 lawyers to partner status, effective May 1. This move is consistent with the firm’s recent partner promotion cohorts, which saw 29 promotions last year and 32 in 2023. Notably, among the new partners, several are based outside Europe, including three in Singapore, one in…
Kennedys has expanded its Hong Kong office with the addition of Wilson Fung, a commercial disputes and regulatory partner from Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM). Fung’s expertise lies in financial services regulatory disputes and banking and enforcement litigation, and he regularly represents clients in market misconduct investigations initiated by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission….
Simmons & Simmons has enhanced its employment practice by hiring Jennifer Tam from the Hong Kong-based firm Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM). Tam is one of the first partners to leave JSM following its re-establishment earlier this year. Her expertise spans a wide range of employment law areas, particularly in contentious matters, discrimination, harassment, and…
Escalating tensions are emerging among law firm partners in Australia due to the increasing financial disparity caused by star partners receiving multimillion-dollar salary packages. This trend of rewarding top rainmakers is leading to dissatisfaction amongst junior and mid-tier lawyers, who are concerned about their decreasing share of profits. The sense of inequity is prompting some…