McDermott Will & Emery has continued its strategic expansion in London by hiring a leading restructuring lawyer. The firm has appointed the former head of restructuring from Shearman & Sterling to bolster its capabilities in the UK capital. This move is part of McDermott’s ongoing efforts to enhance its presence and service offerings in one…
Alan Gardner, a respected securities partner at Bennett Jones in Toronto, has passed away as of January 5th, following a prolonged battle with lung disease. Known for his intellect and compassionate nature, Gardner was a beloved figure both personally and professionally. Throughout his distinguished career, he played a key role in numerous securities and regulatory…
Jenner & Block is expanding its London office with the addition of Joanna Ludlam, a longstanding partner from Baker McKenzie. Ludlam is set to co-chair the firm’s global investigations team while spearheading a newly established public law and crisis management practice in London. This strategic move highlights Jenner & Block’s ongoing commitment to bolstering its…
The UK Competition and Appeal Tribunal has commenced a £1.5 billion class action lawsuit against Apple, challenging the tech giant’s App Store policies. Central to the case is the assertion that Apple’s widely scrutinized 30% commission fee for app developers is “excessive and unfair,” allegedly breaching European and UK competition laws due to its “dominant…
In 2024, Freshfields maintained its top position in European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advising, amidst a rebounding market with an approximate 19% increase in total announced European M&A deal value. This resurgence was largely driven by European Central Bank rate cuts, which alleviated a market previously restricted by high borrowing costs. Freshfields worked on 193…
In a recent move within the legal landscape, both Reed Smith and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher have made significant leadership announcements concerning their London offices. Reed Smith has appointed Brigid North as its new London managing partner, marking a notable leadership change for the firm. Concurrently, Gibson Dunn has decided to continue with its tradition…
In recent times, Elon Musk’s social media presence, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter), has demonstrated the power of a single tweet to influence markets, rattle world leaders, and generate significant public discourse. This has raised questions about the potential impact such messages could have on major law firms, with which Musk has historically…
In a notable development within the Australian legal landscape, three prominent law firms have bolstered their ranks by adding new partners. DLA Piper, K&L Gates, and Gilbert + Tobin are the firms involved in this expansion. The new partners have been recruited from esteemed firms including Dentons and White & Case. This strategic move is…
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has successfully defended Bayer in an Australian class action lawsuit concerning the controversial herbicide, Roundup. The legal proceedings brought against Bayer have been called to an end following a judicial determination that the popular weed killer is not carcinogenic. For further details, you may refer to the original article, which discusses…
Morrison Foerster has expanded its private equity expertise in Asia with the recruitment of Xiaoxi Lin, a corporate partner from Linklaters, based in Hong Kong. This marks the firm’s second strategic partner acquisition in the region within a week, following the hiring of Scott Jalowayski in Singapore. Lin, a New York-qualified attorney, brings extensive experience…
KPMG’s Arizona ABS Strategy has raised questions about its potential impact on U.S. law. While the specifics remain clouded, the initiative could mark a significant shift, allowing American firms to access equity capital in ways not previously available. Historically, U.S. companies have encountered barriers in leveraging such capital compared to their European counterparts. This development…
KPMG is taking a significant step by moving to provide legal services in the United States, a decision that has garnered substantial attention, particularly from its peers in the Big Four accounting firms. This development is seen as a litmus test for the viability of such a business model in the highly competitive U.S. legal…
The iconic Birkenstock sandals, originally designed for health purposes, have evolved into a fashion staple, even making their way into popular culture as featured in a blockbuster film. However, their status is now under legal scrutiny in Germany. Birkenstock’s German law firm, SKW Schwarz, has taken an innovative step by arguing in front of the…
The legal firms Stewarts and DAC Beachcroft have been appointed to handle what is believed to be the largest fatal accident claim in English history. The claim, valued at approximately £2.15 billion, involves the family of Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the former chairman of Leicester City Football Club. Srivaddhanaprabha and four others died in a helicopter…
In a significant shift within the legal industry, KPMG is making strides to offer legal services in the United States by seeking an alternative business license in Arizona. If successful, this move could pave the way for other members of the Big Four accounting firms to follow suit. University’s law professor Michele DeStefano describes it…
Israel’s recent adjustments to corporate tax rates have sparked discussion among legal professionals, especially considering the potential impact on law firms. This swift legislative move is reportedly intended as a strategic measure to aid in financing efforts against ongoing conflicts with Hamas. The changes are anticipated to trigger mergers within the legal sector, significantly benefiting…
BCLP and Pinsent Masons have taken on leading roles in a significant £2.2 billion water project. Both firms are well-regarded within the infrastructure sector. The specifics of their roles and the project’s broader implications remain behind a paywall. For further details, you can view the original content here.
In a significant legal face-off, Freshfields and Quinn Emanuel are representing opposing sides in a legal battle involving J.P. Morgan and fintech company WeRealize. The core of the dispute revolves around a €900 million claim filed by J.P. Morgan against WeRealize concerning their shared business endeavor, Viva Wallet. As the situation develops, J.P. Morgan has…
The legal dynamics surrounding the sale of the Dunlop Tire brand have commanded the attention of major legal firms. With the Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Rubber Industries acquiring Dunlop for $700 million, the transaction involves heavyweight legal representation. On the one hand, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling are providing counsel to Sumitomo Rubber. Conversely,…
UK insurance company Direct Line is poised for acquisition by Aviva in a £3.7 billion deal scheduled to finalize later this year. This strategic move has prompted Direct Line to bolster its legal team, with the appointment of Angela Yotov, previously the Group General Counsel of Close Brothers, as the next General Counsel. Angela Yotov…
The African Legal Innovation & Technology Awards have extended their submission deadline, allowing more time for submissions from the legal community engaged in innovative and technological advancements. The awards ceremony, originally set for early July, has been rescheduled to take place in Kenya on July 17, 2025. Legal professionals from across the continent are expected…
Norton Rose Fulbright has initiated legal proceedings against the South African government, targeting top officials, including the ministers of justice and trade. The lawsuit challenges a new ethnicity rating system, which the firm argues could impede its capacity to bid for projects and sustain its client base. Filed at the Gauteng Division of the Pretoria…
Hogan Lovells has strategically expanded its Privacy and Cybersecurity practice by recruiting a four-lawyer team from Jones Day in Mexico. This move aligns with the increasing demand for legal services in Latin America concerning technology, cyber, privacy, and data protection. The acquisition highlights Hogan Lovells’ commitment to enhancing its legal capabilities in these critical areas….
Spanish law firm Perez Llorca is furthering its expansion strategy by appointing new partners internationally. The firm has recently added two partners in Mexico City and elevated two existing lawyers to partner positions within the same location. In addition, Perez Llorca has promoted a lawyer to partner status in its London office. This move is…
Since Brexit became official in 2020, U.K. lawyers have maintained a strong presence in significant EU antitrust lawsuits, as uncovered by an investigation from Law.com International. This continued involvement highlights the resilience and adaptability of British legal professionals in navigating complex legal landscapes within the EU, despite the regulatory and geopolitical shifts that have followed…