In a significant week for Lefosse, the Brazilian law firm has announced the promotion of three lawyers to partner status shortly after the departure of prominent partner Carlos Mello. This move is set to strengthen the firm’s capabilities across various key practices. Mônica Murayama will be enhancing the firm’s dispute resolution capacity, Pedro Cruciol the…
In light of shifting global geopolitics and escalating trade wars, Indian law firms are increasingly investing in developing their trade law capabilities and growing their talent pool to better serve rising client demands. As domestic economic dynamics and international tensions evolve, trade law is transforming from a niche area into a prominent focus within the…
Sidley Austin has strengthened its funds practice by recruiting three partners from Weil, Gotshal & Manges in London. This strategic move is led by Edward Gander, the head of Weil’s London private funds group, who is making the transition after more than 13 years with the firm. Joining Gander are partners Peter Boulle and Stephen…
In the first quarter of 2025, Hong Kong’s IPO market showed signs of resurgence. According to the Hong Kong Exchange, 15 companies collectively raised $2.3 billion through IPOs, marking the best quarterly performance since Q2 of 2021. This revival hints at a potential turning point for Hong Kong following a nearly five-year lull. Legal professionals…
The latest data analysis from Law.com International highlights a significant reduction in partner promotion numbers at major law firms, with totals reverting to pre-pandemic levels. Specifically, 16 law firms reported a combined total of 396 partner promotions for the current calendar year. This marks a decline from the elevated promotion rates observed in 2023, with…
In the competitive landscape of global legal services, ambitious leaders in law firms face significant challenges and potential sacrifices as they strive to reshape and position their firms among the elite. This evolution of law firms, often driven by the transformation seen in the Global 200 rankings, reflects a shift from the dominance of ‘magic…
In a recent development involving international arbitration, the German Bar Association (DAV) has criticized the actions of Russian prosecutors for targeting arbitration lawyers alongside their clients. The legal dispute has arisen from a case against German company Wintershall Dea and its legal counsel, Aruelius Cotta, who have been threatened with a hefty €7.5 billion fine…
In the midst of ongoing political and economic upheaval linked to fluctuating tariffs between the U.S. and Canada, the Toronto office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo remains stable. According to Managing Partner Mitch Frazer, there hasn’t been a significant impact on their operations so far. However, he anticipates a shift in the…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has settled an investigation concerning its broadcast agreements with Qatari network beIN and French conglomerate Lagardère Group. The investigation, initiated by COMESA’s competition commission in 2017, scrutinized media and marketing contracts valued at over $1.5 billion. The resolution includes a payment of $600,000 without any admission of liability by…
In a significant legal action, approximately 200 French media companies have initiated a lawsuit against Meta, claiming damages of around €1 billion. The lawsuit accuses the social media giant of “unlawful” business and advertising practices, focusing on alleged illegal user data collection. The case is being spearheaded by the French law firm Darrois Villey Maillot…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has shut down RBG Legal Services, a move following the division’s suspension of trading earlier in the year. This decision is a culmination of events surrounding the legal services arm of RBG Holdings, which faced upheaval after Ian Rosenblatt, its founder, distanced his Rosenblatt law firm from the RBG umbrella amid…
Allen & Overy Shearman’s announced strategy to downsize its equity partnership has now seen more than 60 partners exit the firm globally. This reduction includes several retirements, with most exits occurring outside Asia. This strategic move was initially reported by Law.com International when the firm first disclosed its intention to decrease its equity partnership by…
Allen & Overy’s merger with Shearman & Sterling has resulted in a significant reduction in the equity partnership ranks, with more than 60 partners exiting since the firm announced plans to cut 10% of its equity partnership in September 2024. According to a Law.com International analysis, the departures include both retirements and exits in regions…
DWF has initiated a redundancy consultation that places over 100 positions at risk, specifically targeting the business services teams within the commercial services and central services divisions. This move potentially affects approximately 2% of the firm’s total workforce. A spokesperson for the firm indicated that the consultation involves 108 roles, signaling a strategic downsizing within…
The UAE is positioning itself at the forefront of legal technology under the auspices of a tech-friendly government. Recently, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum heralded a significant move with the announcement of a Regulatory Intelligence Office, aiming to incorporate advanced artificial intelligence into the legal legislative process. This initiative is set…
In a paywalled article by Law.com, a detailed examination is provided on the effectiveness of the European Union’s Legal Service in litigation, portraying a compelling narrative that some of the most successful litigators in Europe do not necessarily hail from Big Law firms. The article sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the EU’s Legal…
In a growing trend, law firms are recruiting former chief legal counsels for roles as General Counsel in Residence. This approach, embraced by prominent firms such as Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Mayer Brown, aims to enhance client relationships and provide valuable industry insights. Michele Lee, who previously served as Pinterest’s General Counsel, recently…
The legal industry, often resistant to rapid change, is currently witnessing a transformative phase with the increasing involvement of private equity. According to David Morley’s insights, private equity is no longer just knocking at the door; it has begun to penetrate the market, creating a ripple effect not only in smaller firms but potentially altering…
Two of Switzerland’s largest insurance firms, Baloise and Helvetia, are set to merge, creating the second largest insurance group in the country. The combined entity will not only dominate the domestic market with a share of approximately 20% but will also rank among the top 10 insurance groups in Europe, boasting a business volume of…
Leading global law firm Ashurst has announced its partner promotions for 2025, appointing 20 lawyers to the partnership ranks. This latest round of promotions reflects a trend amongst law firms of maintaining streamlined partner appointment processes. The new partner designations will be effective from May 1, 2025. The majority of the new partners are based…
Pittsburgh-based law firm K&L Gates has strengthened its energy, infrastructure, and resources practice in Australia by appointing Matthew Osborne, a partner from White & Case. Osborne, who was a part of White & Case’s Southeast Asia project development and finance group and also served as the head of their Philippines country group, will now join…
Japan’s Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners, an Osaka-based law firm recognized for its substantial headcount, is establishing a foothold in Indonesia. This move comes through an alliance with MAPS Law Firm, a Jakarta-based operation. The collaboration will materialize as Oh-Ebashi sets up a dedicated desk in the Indonesian capital in July, as per the firm’s statement….
According to the latest LexisNexis CounselLink Trends Report, billing rates for partners at large law firms continue to rise, with an average increase of 5.1% in 2024. The biggest firms, those with over 750 attorneys, reportedly contributed most to this surge. While significant, this year’s increase was slightly lower than the 5.4% jump seen in…
France’s highest appeals chamber, the Cour de Cassation, has recently delivered its first ruling on how new European restructuring rules, inspired by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code’s Chapter 11, should be applied. This decision has drawn mixed reactions from the legal sector. While some restructuring partners found the ruling to contain useful guidelines, others have criticized…
Apple and Meta have received fines under the Digital Markets Act, marking a significant moment in the European Union’s regulatory landscape. Apple faces a €500 million penalty for not allowing app developers to inform users about alternative offers outside its App Store. Meanwhile, Meta was fined €200 million for not providing consumers with the option…