In the ever-evolving landscape of international law firms, a merger between magic circle firm Allen & Overy (A&O) and international law firm Shearman & Sterling is under active discussion. As these two industry titans negotiate, it’s speculated that the comparatively simpler European integration could be “the easiest part of the whole deal.” Surprisingly, when comparing…
Scotland’s legal scene is abuzz with exciting developments. It’s home to the first law firm to cross the £100 million revenue threshold, a new U.K. firm has just launched, and another law firm has made a significant hire. These events cumulatively signal a growing interest in Scotland’s legal market, despite the overall UK growth rate…
International law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius is set to establish its third mainland China office in Shenzhen, following approval from the Chinese Ministry of Justice. The Shenzhen office will accentuate the firm’s expertise in intellectual property law, serving its technology, biotechnology, and life sciences clientele and strengthening their connections to the Chinese market. Shenzhen-based…
London-based law firm, Trowers & Hamlins, is making preparations to expand its global footprint by opening an office in Singapore. The firm, renowned for its expertise in Islamic finance, confirmed the news to Law.com International. In its quest to establish a Foreign Law Practice (FLP) in Singapore, Trowers & Hamlins has lodged an application with…
China’s regulatory framework has taken a new turn with its freshly minted law aimed at thwarting espionage. This revision has sparked anxiety within the U.S. government, corporate executives, and law firm leadership due to its wide-ranging implications for foreign businesses. The espionage law, originally proposed for public consultation in December, has received an extensive overhaul….
HFW, a notable international law firm, has shown remarkable growth in its recent financial results. The firm’s revenue swelled by over 13% in the 2022/23 financial year, hitting £225.3 million. This follows a fairly strong rebound from a 2% decrease in 2022. Profit per equity partner reached an impressive £786,000 compared to £669,000 in the…
Following a long and fruitful career at two of the world’s leading law firms, a group of tenured lawyers have taken the next step in their careers by establishing their independent practice in Tokyo. Aquaxis Law Offices was launched recently by former Clifford Chance and K&L Gates lawyers, including Japanese lawyer Ayuko Nemoto. Nemoto, who…
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), a prominent international law firm, has been withdrawn from a U.S. class action lawsuit concerning a data breach involving Mondelez’s employee records. However, the firm has become the target of another suit connected to the same incident. The former lawsuit was brought forward by Augustyn Wiacek, a past employee of…
Hong Kong Police is offering financial rewards amounting to $127,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of eight elusive pro-democracy activists. The activists, accused of violating Hong Kong’s national security law, have purportedly fled to the West. The charges against them include suspected foreign collusion, inciting secession, and subversion. Among the…
In continuing trends of global law firm expansions, Baker & McKenzie and Baker Botts are building their presence in the Middle East. Law.com reports that Legal Advisors Abdulaziz Alajlan & Partners, associated with Baker & McKenzie, have hired a Riyadh-based regulatory partner, Sahal Khalawi. Khalawi’s field of expertise includes strategic corporate and government advisory, in…
London-based governmental body Transport for London (TfL) and wealth management conglomerate Lombard International have chosen to extend their current legal panel contracts. TfL, the entity governing the majority of London’s transport network, has reportedly decided to extend its panel for two more years. This decision comes with the panel framework last reviewed in 2019 and…
In a recent discussion with Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer senior international policy advisor and former Ambassador to Brazil, Thomas A. Shannon Jr., the growing concern among US corporations about the national security implications concerning China potentially opening a spying base in Cuba became evident. Shannon shared that companies are just starting to look into…
Weil, Gotshal & Manges and DLA Piper have assisted Japan’s global advertising and marketing firm, Dentsu Group, in finalising its purchase of UK-based global content production group, Tag Worldwide Holdings Ltd. (Tag) from global private equity firm, Advent International. Though the specifics of the transaction remain undisclosed, it is valued at approximately $678 million according…
International law firm Bird & Bird continues its expansion endeavours in Australia with its latest partner hire in Sydney. This marks the third lateral partner hire in the country within the span of just one month. More details here. The new addition to the team is Chris Clarke, a former member of Australian firm Watson…
Richard Youle, the international-private equity co-head at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, has been promoted to lead the firm’s London office. He took over the position effective July 1, replacing Pranav Trivedi, who spent a significant decade as the London head. In addition to his London role, Youle will maintain his substantial international responsibilities…
Law firm Taylor Wessing has decided against providing a salary-based 5% profit share to non-partners for this year, following a period of subdued revenue growth. This benefit has been extended to all employees —excluding partners— for the past two fiscal years. According to an interview with the UK managing partner for Law.com International, such bonuses…
Eversheds Sutherland has recently bolstered its leveraged finance team with the appointment of a new partner. Ben Davis has joined the team after making the move from U.S.-based law firm Proskauer Rose’s London office. Davis has previously worked in Proskauer’s corporate and multi-tranche finance groups for the past seven years. His previous experience also includes…
Gilbert + Tobin, an independent corporate law firm, has emerged as a leading player on the Australian legal landscape. The firm was born out of a partnership between Danny Gilbert and Tony Tobin in 1988. Over the past three and half decades, it has rapidly risen through the ranks to sit alongside longtime, well-established law…
Tokyo’s Yamazaki Marunouchi Law Office has lodged a claim against Credit Suisse Securities Japan Ltd in the Tokyo District Court. Acting on behalf of an undisclosed Japanese company and its founder, the law firm is seeking close to $49 million in damages over bonds linked to a now insolvent Greensill Capital-run fund, according to details…
In a recent development, Luxembourg has passed significant legislation that permits English- and Welsh-qualified lawyers to register with the Luxembourg bar and practise U.K. and public international law. As reported by Law.com, this move marks the culmination of productive dialogues between the Law Society of England and Wales and representatives in Luxembourg. This adjustment to…
Goodwin Procter has continued its expansion into London’s private equity market, making a notable lateral hire from rival firm McDermott Will & Emery. Arvin Abraham, who joins Goodwin Procter, held important positions within McDermott. He spent nearly three years as a partner there, serving as the co-chair of the fintech and blockchain practice, and being…
A decade has elapsed since Brazil incorporated a significant anti-corruption law, leading to multiple investigations, criminal charges, and a considerable amount of work for both local and international law firms. This law has been integral in tailing corruption within Latin America’s largest economy, trapping politicians and executives across the Americas, additionally providing ample work to…
In a move that attests to the growing significance of the Middle East as a pivotal business region, international law firms Baker McKenzie and Baker Botts have continued their measured expansion in these markets. The precise details of the expansion move have not been disclosed due to paywall restrictions. However, it is evident that these…
As observed over the years, the statistical trends in commercial arbitration practice, a primary method for settling private disputes, have consistently reflected significant geopolitical occurrences. The latest stats brought forth by the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) in its 2022 annual report uphold this phenomenon. Despite it seemingly being “business as usual” for the…
The international legal market’s dynamism continues to impress, as seen in the recent activities of two law firms—Davis Polk and Simpson Thacher. Each played significant roles in guiding Vesta, a Mexican industrial property company, to its initial public offering (IPO). This move to raise capital in the U.S. market is a robust indicator of the…