The Unified Patent Court’s (UPC) upcoming arbitration centre, set to launch in 2026, is making its entrance into an already saturated patent dispute resolution market. Split between Lisbon, Portugal, and Ljubljana, Slovenia, the centre aims to resolve conflicts involving European and unitary patents. Its strategic proximity to the UPC may attract some litigants; however, skepticism…
The UK legal community will witness the launch of a newly rebranded event focusing on leadership, influence, and inclusivity within the sector. Previously known as the Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards, the event broadens its scope to include the Leadership in Law conference. This dual event will take place at the Intercontinental…
International law firm A&O Shearman has added a substantial $2.2 billion arbitration dispute to its diverse array of legal engagements in Morocco, reinforcing its status as a prominent adviser to the kingdom. The firm is representing the Kingdom of Morocco in a claim initiated by British potash firm Emmerson at the International Centre for Settlement…
As Pride Month 2025 progresses, a noticeable change has taken root within the typically vocal law sector. Historically, this time of year has seen an outpouring of support from the world’s leading law firms, manifesting itself in public posts on platforms like LinkedIn. However, this year, that chorus of support is muted, with experts attributing…
Taylor Wessing has become the newest law firm to implement the AI platform from Swedish-based Legora firmwide after a successful pilot involving over 80 lawyers across various offices. This adoption comes as several other prominent firms, including Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Goodwin Procter, Addleshaw Goddard, and Bird & Bird, have already integrated this technology…
In light of recent partner departures and increased pressure within the competitive legal market, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is contemplating significant changes to its partnership and compensation structure. These deliberations include the potential introduction of a nonequity tier to enhance its financial framework. This move, reportedly influenced by a so-called “deal” with the…
Norton Rose Fulbright, a leading global law firm, is planning to integrate its Australian operations with its Europe, Middle East, and Asia (EMEA) business. This strategic realignment will merge its financial resources following an organizational restructuring that took place last year. However, the firm’s financial centers in the United States and Africa will continue to…
Seyfarth Shaw, an employment-focused law firm, has announced the closing of its Shanghai office, which launched in 2013. The closure will affect three partners who spanned the firm’s U.S. and Hong Kong offices, as well as three associates stationed in Shanghai on a full-time basis. Despite this change, Seyfarth Shaw will continue to maintain its…
International law firm CMS has appointed Juan Carlos Escudero as the new chair for its Latin America region, succeeding Jorge Allende from CMS Chile. This marks the second chairmanship change for CMS in Latin America since the firm’s entry into the market in 2017. For additional details, see the full article.
“`html Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has seen the departure of several key legal professionals from its energy and infrastructure teams in Paris and London. Among those leaving are energy and infrastructure partner Foucaud Jaulin, who has joined CMS in France. Moreover, a four-lawyer structured finance team has moved to Dechert in London. Foucaud Jaulin’s move…
“`html Mori Hamada and Nishimura & Asahi, two of Japan’s Big Four law firms, are tasked with navigating Toyota Industries through an intricate $33 billion privatization initiative. Spearheaded by the Toyota group, the move is designed to simplify cross-holdings and increase the corporation’s agility amid escalating regulatory pressures and the specter of U.S. tariffs. Key…
The legal industry could be on the cusp of change as private equity investors turn their attention to law firms. The lure of increasing profit margins, enhancing fee certainty, and attracting top-tier partners is proving appealing. However, success in this endeavor hinges on securing the right talent, as emphasized by Paul Hodkinson in his recent…
U.S. law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has advised Telegram, a UAE-based messaging app, in its recent $1.7 billion bond issuance. Out of the raised amount, Telegram plans to utilize $950 million to refinance existing bonds. The remaining $750 million will offer new investors additional liquidity, with the bonds being convertible into shares…
Kennedys, an international law firm, has declared its ambition to achieve annual revenue of $1 billion by the year 2030. This announcement follows the firm’s first financial results release since experiencing a leadership change. Under the new management, the firm’s revenue has grown by 13%, reaching £428 million ($578.6 million), up from £384 million the…
Linklaters has announced the appointment of George Casey as the firm’s chairman of the Americas, marking a strategic step in expanding its presence in the U.S. legal market. Casey, who joined Linklaters in 2024 after serving as global co-managing partner at Shearman & Sterling, will lead efforts to enhance the firm’s mergers and acquisitions capabilities…
Nippon Steel is reportedly considering granting a ‘golden share’ to the U.S. government as a strategic move to secure approval for its acquisition of U.S. Steel. This arrangement, which would give the government some degree of control within a private enterprise, is more commonly observed in regions such as Europe, Russia, and China, rather than…
“`html India’s decision to liberalize its legal market may soon trigger a talent reshuffle as foreign law firms begin operating within the country. As these global firms establish their presence, competition is anticipated for local legal expertise, particularly at the junior levels. This development could lead to an initial “brain drain” from Indian firms to…
In the realm of global legal practice, the strategies employed by prominent law firms in Asia are under scrutiny. The challenges of aligning a firm’s strategic goals with practical execution in the diverse and dynamic Asian market are highlighted by Jessica Seah, underscoring the dissonance that can arise even among leadership. According to Seah, when…
The legal battle over the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) is escalating as major law firms Freshfields, Skadden, and Gibson Dunn move to challenge recent decisions at the EU Court. These challenges are part of a broader response from the tech industry, with companies like TikTok, Meta, and Amazon…
“`html As Iraq endeavors to expand its economic landscape beyond traditional oil and gas sectors, there arises a fertile ground for legal pioneers. International law firms such as Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Vinson & Elkins, and Baker Botts are finding new prospects in the region. Eversheds Sutherland, notable for being the sole international firm…
In a notable development in the Cum-ex tax fraud scandal, Kai-Uwe Steck, a former partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf and key whistleblower, has been handed a suspended sentence of nearly two years. Steck was convicted on five counts of serious tax fraud, having initially been charged with eight cases of serious tax evasion. This extensive…
The litigation finance industry may soon see a shift following a significant call for action by the Civil Justice Council (CJC). Nearly two years after the profound impact of the Supreme Court’s 2023 PACCAR ruling, there is renewed hope as a recent report urges the U.K. government to address the ruling’s consequences through legislative measures…
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, a law firm that typically adopts a measured approach to hiring within its London office, has expanded its presence in the U.K. secondaries market by bringing aboard Joanne Mak from Kirkland & Ellis. Mak, who has been a partner at Kirkland since 2023, will join Simpson Thacher’s team in London. She…
Latham & Watkins has continued its impressive streak of legal counsel in major sports deals from its London office. The firm has been instrumental in advising on two substantial transactions, adding another football deal to its growing repertoire. Latham & Watkins assisted in acquiring a majority stake in Glasgow’s Rangers Football Club and played a…
Marc-André Blanchard, former Chair and CEO of McCarthy Tétrault, has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Blanchard’s extensive background includes global diplomatic experience and a strong legal expertise, factors that are expected to serve him well in this pivotal role within the government. His appointment follows the…