Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone, a U.S. patent litigation boutique firm, has announced the opening of its inaugural international office in Tokyo. The firm, which was founded last year by four previous Paul, Weiss partners, made the strategic move by bringing on board partner Maxwell Fox from McDermott, Will & Emery. This addition to their…
Indian law firm JSA announced a recent merger with Chennai-based boutique firm, Commercial Law Advisors (CLA). The fusion of the two entities is slated to be official as of October 1, 2023. This consolidation revives JSA’s Chennai office, fulfilling a gap left empty by the defection of corporate lawyers, led by a former partner Aarthi…
Recent experiences, such as the Hong Kong Law Fair, a screening of the film "Philadelphia," and a conversation with a concerned partner, prompted me to reflect upon young lawyers’ qualities, or lack thereof, in today’s challenging legal climate. The participating firms were seeking talented law graduates at the Hong Kong Law Fair, providing a notable…
U.K legal firm Osborne Clarke has inaugurated its third US office in Miami, expanding its presence from New York and San Francisco. This move, however, does not signal the firm’s intention to pursue U.S law, as they currently do not practice in this jurisdiction. The Miami office will be under the leadership of Javier Fernández-Samaniego,…
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has recently published its new family plan guidelines. The new guidelines represent a significant expansion of the DIFC’s policies on corporate governance. The introduction of these guidelines could bring about considerable changes in the way family wealth and resources are managed within DIFC. Prior to the introduction of these…
The prestigious Asia Legal Awards, which recognises outstanding contributions, innovation, and excellence in the legal profession, is set to return to Singapore in 2023. Applications for nominations are currently being accepted and those engaged in transformative and impressive legal work do not want to miss this opportunity to shine on the global stage. The ceremony…
A New York judge recently nullified several convictions associated with the high-profile FIFA corruption case, often referred to as ‘FIFA Gate’. The nullifications reflect recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, which have implications for the interpretation and application of U.S. law in cases involving commercial bribery. The decisions in question are the Percoco and…
Recent developments in Europe signal a shift in the legal landscape, with law firms increasing their resources in expectation of rising compliance work. Notable among these is the internationally prominent law firm Freshfields, which has fortified their white-collar defense team in Paris by recruiting a veteran partner from White & Case. Details regarding this strategic…
Almost 80 general counsel and legal executives have put forward a collective appeal to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) by penning a letter, calling for the formal acknowledgment and inclusion of the role of general counsel in the overhauling process of the U.K. Corporate Governance Code. It has been indicated that the U.K. Governance Code…
Two former partners at Proskauer Rose, Jay Tai and Yong Ren, have commenced new roles at Stephenson Harwood in Asia. Having moved in recent months amid Proskauer’s review of its Greater China practices, Tai has relocated to Singapore from Hong Kong, while Ren has moved to Hong Kong from Beijing. As Proskauer announced its decision…
A transaction involving international law firms including Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, Ropes & Gray and Sullivan & Cromwell has resulted in the sale of a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to Artémis, a Paris-based holding firm run by the prominent Pinault family of France. The precise financial…
Leading international law firm, Slaughter and May, has taken a notable step by agreeing to meet with a climate pressure group called Lawyers Are Responsible (LAR). LAR, a group of lawyers advocating for legal firms to sever ties with the fossil fuel industry, has previously written to other prominent law firms, including Allen & Overy,…
On July 12, 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled in the case Philipp v Barclays Bank UK Plc, offering significant insight into the Quincecare duty, a bank’s responsibilities when executing a payment for their clients. This resolution underscores that the task of striking the right balance between the interests of fraud victims and the necessities…
Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison is set to further bolster its private equity offering in London with the addition of four more partners from Kirkland & Ellis and a partner from Linklaters. Details here. Kirkland private equity partners Roger Johnson and Andreas Philipson, and tax partners Timothy Lowe and Cian O’Conner will all join…
It’s evident that growth remains a key focus for global law firms, a fact that is underscored by the ongoing trend of mergers, new branch launches, and structural changes aimed at offering competitive services in a global marketplace. As reported by Law.com, the aspiration seems to align more closely with a ‘too big to fail’…
In an increasingly challenging Chinese business landscape, the litigation boutique co-founded by ousted Hong Kong legislator, Dennis Kwok, is expanding its specialized practice. This move is aimed at providing conflict-free representation for organizations looking to reassess their regional operations. According to a report on Law.com, the white-collar defense firm, Elliott Kwok Levine & Jaroslaw, recently…
Nine small island countries have filed a legal action with a Germany-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. This could clarify governments’ responsibilities concerning the reduction of greenhouse gas pollution and the protection of oceans. The Hamburg tribunal will oversee the hearings, resolving disputes associated with the application and interpretation of the 1982…
In a highly anticipated development in litigation finance, a U.S. judge has ruled that Argentina is obliged to pay a staggering sum of $16 billion. This ruling arrives in a case supported by Burford Capital, a significant player in litigation funding. This lawsuit was initiated by investors who incurred significant losses, following Argentina’s nationalization of…
The law firm CMS has commenced a redundancy process impacting corporate associate roles at their United Kingdom offices. As reported, the firm is considering the reduction of up to 19 roles due to a challenging economic backdrop. More detailed information can be found on law.com, although bear in mind that the full story might not…
The African Legal Awards 2023, a prominent event recognizing the achievements of the African legal community, was conducted recently. Law firms, legal teams, and individuals who made significant strides over the past year were honored. Webber Wentzel emerged as the dominant winner, snagging five awards. Other regional firms that received recognition included Bowmans, Olaniwun Ajayi,…
In a strategic move reflecting redistributions within the legal industry, leading international and domestic law firms are strengthening their team formations across Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. These recruitments have seen firms enhancing their competencies in core areas such as banking & finance, construction, and dispute resolution. Notably, Angelia Kodama has taken major strides with…
Esteemed American author Mark Twain is noted for saying, “Give a man a reputation as an early riser and he can sleep ’til noon.” When applied to law firms, the quote underscores the importance of prestige in the legal world. Brand recognition can command immediate attention, lending firms an air of respect in an industry…
The Spanish law firm, Garrigues, has expanded their team with a new partner in Lisbon. João Lima Cluny, formerly of Morais Leitão, will lead the firm’s criminal law and internal investigations service. Hitherto, such cases in Portugal were handled by Garrigues’s dispute resolution team. The identity of the criminal law and internal investigations practice in…
Ashurst and Akin Gump have acted as legal counsels in the sale of a British broadband company known as Upp. Prior to this transaction, Upp was owned by LetterOne, an investment company backed by a Russian oligarch. The delivery of this dispute-filled sale has seen the well-established telecoms titan, Virgin Media O2 teaming up with…
This summer, several legal professionals have expressed concerns about work-life integration amidst childcare challenges. Views have been vocalized suggesting a perceived regression in the legal sector’s approach, leaving many juggling familial responsibilities and demanding work schedules. Awards and Innovations: Amidst these concerns, the legal industry continues to recognize and celebrate achievement, excellence, and innovation. The…