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…
In recent economic shifts, Japanese corporations have embarked on a significant buying spree of European assets, capitalizing on opportunities for growth and expansion. This trend has not only bolstered economic activities, but has also provided crucial business for law firms in the UK and Europe, navigating these cross-border transactions. Beneath the bustling negotiations, prominent law…
Canada’s national office vacancy rate is at its highest level in almost three decades. Interestingly, law firms are retaining their spaces at a rate that outpaces banks and professional services companies, revealed Colin Currie, Vice President at commercial real estate company CBRE. According to Currie, these law firms are exercising what he describes as a…
Weil, Gotshal & Manges has become another New York law firm implementing a policy to require attorneys to work in the office for four consecutive weekdays. This move comes hot on the heels of similar decisions adopted by Wall Street peers. As indicated in a firm-wide email unearthed by The American Lawyer, the policy mandates…
The integration of generative AI into the U.K. legal market is gradually gaining momentum, with legal professionals diligently monitoring its potential impact on client relationships and business procedures, according to a report by LexisNexis titled “Generative AI and the future of the legal profession”. The aforementioned report developed from a survey of over 1,000 UK…
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…
U.K.-based law firm Taylor Wessing and its Spanish counterpart ECIJA have experienced a stronger than anticipated level of client referral activity and wins in the first four months of their strategic partnership. This assessment came from Taylor Wessing’s managing partner, Shane Gleghorn, who expressed that the pace of success was unexpected in an interview with…
For decades, the billable hour has been the cornerstone of the financial models used by corporate law firms. Its prevalence relies on the constant monitoring of time divided into six-minute increments, thereby ensuring there is never a lull in billing between client engagements. However, with rising inflation and interest rates soaring, many of legal industry’s…
In an ongoing series crafted by our sibling publication, Legaltech News, legal startups and their innovations are brought to the fore. The latest addition to this series features Syntheia, a contract analytics startup based in Australia. The CEO and founder of Syntheia, Horace Wu, joins the conversation to discuss the unique approaches his startup is…
Am Law 200 firm Clark Hill has this year made a strategic decision to grow through acquisition, rather than focusing on individual hires or small practice groups. The approach has seen the firm acquire five smaller firms, the latest of which is based in Dublin. This growth strategy is becoming increasingly popular among Am Law…
Understanding the ranking of law firms is crucial for any legal professional. Rankings such as ALM’s premiere rankings or the American Lawyer’s 2023 list serve as a testament to a firm’s reputation and prowess. The influence of these ranks comes from various aspects, from digital marketing strategies like SEO and high-quality content creation to technical…
For individuals who might not be current with recent legal developments, a trend review of the latest buzz in the profession on Law360 has highlighted the most popular expert analyses, and law firms making waves this past week. Law360 is known for being a resource hub, providing comprehensive coverage across more than 60 subjects from…
In a latest episode of the podcast Illumination Zone, Tom Kemp, renowned author, technologist, policy advisor, and investor, joined hosts Kaylee and Mary for an insightful discussion. This episode, titled Illumination Zone: Episode 138, saw Kemp discuss various aspects of big data, artificial intelligence, the role of big tech, privacy issues, and the increasing influence…
In recent legal news, a troubling trend highlights how some lower court judges are getting in significant trouble for their online behavior. A particular case revolves around a judge under intense scrutiny due to inappropriate Facebook comments. This has escalated into a harsh lesson about professional decorum and judicial expectations, regardless of courtroom hierarchy. The…
Undoubtedly, the American Lawyer’s Midlevel Associates Survey is closely monitored by legal professionals across the world, even more so by those involved in large law firms. Its rankings serve as a key indicator of industry performance, and to be placed favorably in this survey is widely considered a significant achievement. In a recent update from…
In a significant turn of events for the legal industry, Daugherty Lordan, the firm that originated as a spinoff from leading law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, recently announced its decision to wind down operations. The implications of this development extend far beyond the closure of the firm itself, proffering valuable lessons for the…
In a rapidly-evolving digital landscape, staying updated with the latest advancements is essential. The focus of discussion today is the recent developments in the realms of data privacy and cybersecurity. Critical updates to the industrial control systems advisories have been issued in August 2023, by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This exhaustive data…
In a recent announcement, Quarles & Brady LLP disclosed the addition of four attorneys to its Phoenix office. These new team members originally practiced at Jennings Strouss & Salmon PLC. With their inclusion, the firm bolsters its core competencies in the field of commercial litigation and intellectual property. The detailed account can be read here….
For years, the practice of billing clients by the hour has been a touchstone of legal work. However, there has been an increasing level of discussion around the implications of these practices, specifically concerning the billable hour requirements and the potential red flags they may raise. Interestingly, the legal profession’s approach to billable hours has…
On August 24th, 2023, privacy regulators from across the globe united to raise concerns about the growing use of data scraping technologies. A group of twelve international data protection and privacy regulators issued a joint statement articulating their “global expectations of social media platforms and other sites to safeguard against unlawful data scraping.” Their exhortations…
The TiNY Report for August 25, 2023, continues to document the trend of petition dismissals within the legal sphere. Through a meticulous breakdown of the day’s legal activity, the report shines a light on a rather uneventful day, consolidated primarily with routine rulings. While offering an account of one order and six determinations, the report…
The allocation of office spaces in many BigLaw firms, particularly those with window views, has recently come under scrutiny by midlevel associates looking to improve their working conditions. A striking point of contention has been the method of assigning these prime spots, with many associates expressing that an office space’s allocation should be based more…
Data Media Associates, LLC (DMA), a major player in the health insurance industry, recently reported an important data breach related to their MOVEit platform. As reported on JD Supra, DMA discovered that an unauthorized party gained access to confidential consumer information stored on its third-party software platform, MOVEit. As such, it appears that complex cybersecurity…
On August 23, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) implemented new rules and rule amendments for private fund advisers. This move, under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, ones seen as a significant step towards strengthening the regulation of private fund advisers. It is worth highlighting that the decision by the SEC was…
In a recent development pertaining to labor laws, the First Circuit Court has affirmed an employer’s jurisdiction to modify commission payments under the Massachusetts Wage Act. This decision carries significant implications for corporations and law firms managing employee compensation frameworks, especially those involving sales commissions. Renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “If the only tool…