The world’s largest law firms are grappling with filling executive roles in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) amidst novel impediments to recruitment programs centred around candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. This issue generalizes even to some of the corporate world’s distinguished legal departments, constituting a global pressing concern. “I have watched people go from firm to…
As we approach the 100th anniversary of women’s acceptance into the African legal profession in 2023, Law.com International marks the occasion by profiling four female leaders from law firms across Africa. Representing firms in South Africa, Rwanda, and Algeria, these pioneers offer a unique insight into the journey of women in law across the continent….
In a world where legal business landscapes change rapidly, law firms are often left recalibrating their global strategies. Rumors have recently been swirling around the legal community following the exits of Brown Rudnick and Davis Polk from the Paris legal scene, with a key question arising: will Debevoise follow suit? Debevoise & Plimpton, however, responds…
Central America, a region often undervalued by global law firms, has been a strategic point of focus for international law firm Dentons for almost a decade. The firm’s initial foray was into Costa Rica, following fruitful discussions with Muñoz Global, a leading Costa Rican law firm. These discussions subsequently led to a 2016 deal that…
A consortium of international law firms have recently played key roles in a major cross-border acquisition, valued at €960 million. This significant deal involved the purchase of Italy’s ARAG Group (a specialist in precision agricultural tools and products), by the Nordson Corp., a diversified business entity based in the United States. The selling parties included…
Indonesian law firms are pivoting their focus to sectors such as health care, nickel mining, and telecommunications amidst a significant decrease in venture capital deal work over the past year. This transition is a response to industry changes that occurred after Indonesia’s Widodo administration made a noticeable shift in 2016. Aiming for an average annual…
In a strategic move to expand internationally, Lewis Silkin, a leading law firm in the U.K., has acquired the intellectual property firm, Miller Sturt Kenyon (MSK). Known for its prominence in patent and trademark services, MSK extends its services across multiple regions including Germany, France, Belgium, and England. By this purchase, Lewis Silkin, traditionally focusing…
In a rapidly changing legal market, Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) are presenting a credible threat to conventional law firms in Asia. According to a recent survey by Axiom Law, an alternative legal service provider, over 90% of the general counsel that were surveyed anticipate substantial cuts to their legal budgets due to global economic…
Metro Bank, a significant player in the high street banking industry, is commencing a review of its legal panel, marking the first such examination in five years. This action indicates a possible reshuffling of which law firms the bank collaborates with in its operations. Metro Bank expanded its legal panel from eight to twelve firms…
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…
The UK’s government intelligence, security and cyber agency, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), and France’s national cybersecurity agency have issued unprecedented warnings over cybersecurity risks specifically for the legal sector. This comes in light of an escalating number of major law firms becoming targets for cyberattacks. Marking the third such caution in five years and the…
Portuguese law firm CS’Associados has announced the appointment of a new head for its European and competition area. The position was vacated by Margarida Rosado da Fonseca, who left the firm at the end of February, and has now been filled by Gonçalo Machado Borges, formerly of rival firm Morais Leitão. Prior to his move…
In a recent event which highlights the vulnerability of relying on third-party applications, hackers were able to exploit a weak point in a frequently used file transfer application, thereby gaining access to the internal data of several large organizations. The high-profile organizations affected include three Am Law 50 law firms: Kirkland & Ellis, K&L Gates,…
The competitive search for talent amongst Australian law firms has seen a shift since the previous year with firms now pivoting their efforts from recruitment to retention. Rather than vying for new hires, the focus has been drawn to ensuring the stability of current teams and maintaining a strong workforce. Leveraging appealing benefits has become…
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….
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…
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…
As noted by Law.com, several law firms have chosen to increase salaries for their newly qualified (NQ) lawyers, though the chances of reigniting a wider talent pay war this year appear slim. A studied instance is Baker McKenzie, who announced a boost in its NQ salaries in London from £110,000 to £118,000, a growth of…
During the first half of 2023, worldwide mergers and acquisitions (M&A) encountered a downturn, recording a three-year low with $1.3 trillion in deals. This figure is a 37% drop compared to the previous year. The total number of finalized deals was approximately 27,300, marking a 9% decrease year-over-year. You may view the complete data here….
In the complex gamut of the global legal marketplace, a peculiar sense of apprehension exists unlike any other sector. This can be attributed to stringent conflict rules and direct ownership structures that keep this sector highly fragmented. Unlike areas such as accountancy, where just a few dominant forces have essentially taken control, the legal industry…
Continuing to strengthen their global M&A practice, White & Case has made a significant move in its Madrid office. The firm has recently welcomed former practice heads from Herbert Smith Freehills, Ignacio Paz and Pablo García-Nieto, to join their team as partners. Both Paz and García-Nieto bring with them a wealth of experience. They had…
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…
In an ever-changing digital landscape, prominent US law firms have begun to explore new avenues for communication and digital presence. These firms are leading the charge in joining ‘Threads’, a rival platform to Twitter. This move comes amidst an unfolding intellectual property (IP) dispute involving two major tech titans, Twitter owner Elon Musk and Meta’s…
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…
Leading law firms, Linklaters and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, recently served influential roles in a unique multicurrency bond issuance helmed by the Republic of Chile. This issuance is distinct in its structuring, tying financial incentives to ambitious gender equality and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Linklaters offered legal counsel to the Republic of Chile in…