According to a new report by Gartner, only 38% of company boards record high director quality and positive social dynamics. This alarming statistic has sparked calls for general counsels (GCs) to get personally involved in the recruitment and growth of prospective board candidates. The report further reveals that despite the pivotal role of effective boards…
As 2024 approaches, general counsels (GCs) and chief legal officers (CLOs) expect to increase their reliance on external law firms to address their vast legal needs. These needs span new matters, regulatory challenges, and the surge in employee activism. The trend for top corporate lawyers to engage further with outside counsel and dedicate more resources…
Vice Media LLC, having filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and operating under new ownership, recently appointed Jason Guberman as its new general counsel. This change in leadership comes in the wake of the departure of the company’s previous chief legal officer, Maria Krasnikow Harris. As indicated by a succession of legal chief changes, Vice…
On December 6, 2023 at the British Legal Awards, Wim Dejonghe, a prominent figure in the global legal industry, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dejonghe’s illustrious legal career has made him a respected figure in the global legal fraternity. His achievements were recognised alongside that of Clare Maurice, another luminary of the Allen…
In a developing story, Peter Horton, the General Counsel of the Insurance Australia Group (IAG), has departed from his role effective immediately. The departure followed an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct, details of which are not publicly available at this stage. The Australian insurer is among the leading insurance brands in the country, and…
Former chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Lorie Skjerven Gildea, is joining legal powerhouse Greenberg Traurig. The firm announced on December 3, 2023, that Gildea has come on board as a shareholder, aligning with the appeals and legal issues practice based in Minneapolis. Details were originally reported by Bloomberg Law Automation. Gildea’s professional career…
Seyfarth Shaw, a leading global law firm, is bolstering its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Department by welcoming its new partner, Alan Wilmit, as announced recently. The addition of Wilmit is expected to enrich the department based in New York, marking another significant milestone in the firm’s continuous growth. Possessing extensive experience in the realm…
The second annual View from Inside report highlights an image of dissatisfaction amongst in-house counsel, with nearly 90% of respondents reportedly unsatisfied with their current positions. The survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, includes responses from over 200 general counsels across a range of sectors, shedding light on their challenges ahead and potential attrition risks within…
Eversheds Sutherland and Shoosmiths, two prominent firms in the legal industry, have announced major additions to their respective alternative legal service provider (ALSP) teams. These high-profile hires come from two leading global financial institutions, Credit Suisse and Barclays. Full story. In particular, Eversheds has welcomed Julian Gooding to its legal services arm, Konexo. Gooding was…
In an unusual move, Ruth Daniels, the former general counsel of U.K. clothing brand Superdry, has transitioned into the role of chief executive officer at the British Triathlon Federation. This development stands out as it’s less common to witness a legal professional step into the key role of a CEO. Daniels held the position of…
As an experienced General Counsel and legal department leader, I have seen firsthand many attorneys transition from law firms to in-house roles. While many view this transition as an escape from billing hours, difficult partners and lack of meaningful work, there are new sets of challenges that come with an in-house practice. The structure and…
In recent cybercrime news, Ardent Health Services, a Nashville-based healthcare corporation, has announced a severe ransomware attack that significantly affected 30 of its hospitals, leading several emergency rooms to temporarily shut down across at least three states. This unfortunate news was declared on November 27, 2023; it adds yet another chapter to the alarming increases…
Earlier this week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) faced a high-profile case when it denied a motion to reconsider by the employer in the case of Cemex Construction Materials Pacific LLC, 372 NLRB No. 157 (2023). This decision not only validated the applicability of its recent Cemex standard but also highlighted the possibility of…
The breadth of influence and importance of General Counsels (GCs) in advising Boards of Directors on incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their companies’ strategies has been highlighted in a recent podcast from The Consumer Finance, featuring Troutman Pepper Partner, Chris Willis, and Counsel Shannon Patterson. The conversation emphasizes the crucial role of GCs in fostering…
According to a recent report by Gartner, only 38% of company boards of directors boast high director quality and positive social dynamics. This alarming statistic has led to a new call for general counsels to take personal initiative in bettering the pipeline of prospective board candidates. The report urges these high-ranking legal officers to shift…
Robert P. Demchak has recently furthered his legal career by joining McCarter & English. He will be taking up a role as a partner within the firm’s real estate practice group. The expanded horizons of McCarter & English’s operations now include both Indianapolis, Indiana and New York offices, as announced by the firm recently. Demchak…
The world of high finance and law, two sectors that often go hand in hand, is buzzing with recent developments. The competition between global financial giants JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. over wealthy lawyer clients in New York epitomizes this dynamic. According to a Financial Times report, JPMorgan has ramped up efforts to…
In a new advancement within the legal sector, a major Biglaw firm, established in 1919, has recently announced the creation of a fresh trading and markets practice group. The new group will provide specialized legal services in the areas of investments, securities, and asset management to clientele across the world. The new practice group is…
Speculations grow about a potential resurgence in the IPO market by 2024, putting a spotlight on the opportunity for General Counsels to amplify their career growth. Following some notable IPOs of 2023, for instance, the personal shopper service Instacart and the chip designer Arm, experts foresee an environment conducive to more firms going public. Analysts…
In a recent report by the consulting firm Gartner, the firm posits that the role of general counsel is pivotal in shaping the application of AI within their organizations. In particular, they should be constructing parameters for AI use, aiming to synthesize the advantages of the technology whilst averting less desirable outcomes. This balance is…
The Corporate Counsel’s In-House Awards for 2023 have recently been unveiled, paying tribute to exemplary legal teams and individuals across 10 diverse categories. Among the categories, the awards honor the General Counsel of the Year and the Best Use of Technology in a Legal Department. Individuals and teams from corporations and law firms worldwide have…
Is impeachment on the horizon for President Joseph Biden? Predictions are swirling, as noted in a recent Above the Law article by Mark Herrmann, the deputy general counsel at a large international company. If the Republicans control the House of Representatives following the 2022 mid-term elections, an impeachment vote may be slated for early next…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) put forth a dizzying pace of new directives throughout the course of 2023, which indeed kept many employers on their toes. With constant updates and changes in place, corporations found themselves perpetually reviewing and updating their employee relations policies and practices, keeping compliance for the next year in focus….
In an unprecedented act, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has begun to take action against non-compete clauses, a move that they had promised previously. You can find all the details in this related report. Citing concerns over its potential to undermine employees’ rights, the General Counsel, Abruzzo, took a firm stand against non-compete agreements…
The First Bank of Nigeria’s U.K. general counsel, Lesley Wan, has transitioned from her position to join the newly formed banking venture All Africa Capital. The group, which is owned by reinsurance magnate Waica Re, welcomed Wan as its new General Counsel and Company Secretary. This shift marks a significant stepping stone in Wan’s distinguished…