In recent years, corporate legal departments have faced a notable trend: escalating partner billing rates at law firms. This shift has significant implications for general counsels (GCs) striving to manage legal budgets effectively. Data from the LexisNexis CounselLink 2025 Trends Report indicates that in 2024, average partner billing rates increased by 5.1%, following a 5.4%…
PwC has recently announced a significant leadership change, appointing its UK Legal Chief, Ed Stacey, as the new Global General Counsel. This move underscores PwC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its legal services division, which has become a critical component of the firm’s broader service offerings. Ed Stacey’s transition to the global role reflects his extensive…
Morgan & Morgan, a powerhouse in personal injury law, is embroiled in legal turmoil as allegations surface regarding the treatment of a former attorney during its Nevada expansion. The attorney, based in California, claims they were pressured to file lawsuits in Nevada despite lacking an active law license in the state and having no practical…
In a notable development for the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector, Welltower Inc.’s legal chief, Tim Cook, has reportedly secured a compensation package valued at $93.5 million for the year 2025. This figure represents a significant remuneration level for an executive within the legal domain, underlining the importance of legal and compliance roles within…
In the landscape of corporate legal leadership, David Zapolsky, Amazon’s Chief Legal Officer for 14 years, is no stranger to fluctuating compensation. Despite overseeing legal operations for one of the world’s most powerful companies, Zapolsky may once again find his compensation ranked lower compared to his counterparts in similar roles at other Fortune 500 companies….
Littler Mendelson, a leading labor and employment law firm, is making significant strides in the integration of artificial intelligence by appointing a top executive from a rival firm. This strategic move underscores Littler’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the legal industry. They have brought on board a high-profile executive to…
“`html PracticePanther, a prominent player in the legal practice management software sphere, has expanded its financial toolkit with the launch of PantherAccounting Plus. This feature set, integrated directly into the cloud-based platform, enables law firms to handle trust and operating accounting comprehensively without stepping out of the familiar environment of PracticePanther. This initiative comes from…
The Legalweek 2026 Conference in New York City served as a beacon for legal professionals eager to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry. At the heart of this year’s event was an insightful discussion featuring Brian Corbin, the Global Head of Strategic Services at QuisLex. In a Legal Speak episode, Corbin shared…
In a strategic move bound to spark industry interest, Intel has appointed Matthew “Matt” Saxena, previously the COO at Zoom Video Communications Inc., as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. This key appointment reflects Intel’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its executive leadership team, aiming to navigate the legal complexities in the ever-evolving…
The National Football League has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Snap, the former General Counsel for Fox Sports, as its new Deputy General Counsel, marking a significant addition to the league’s legal team. Snap brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Fox Sports, where he dealt with complex legal matters, including media rights…
Lumber Co., a prominent player in the timber industry, has taken a significant step in reshaping its legal leadership. The company recently announced the promotion of its Deputy General Counsel to the position of General Counsel. This move comes as part of Lumber Co.’s strategic efforts to streamline its legal operations and strengthen its leadership…
The ABA TECHSHOW 2026, held from March 25–28 at Chicago’s Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, provided a comprehensive exploration of the evolving intersection between law and technology. Here are five key takeaways from this year’s conference: Emphasis on AI Integration and Governance The conference underscored the transition from merely adopting artificial intelligence to mastering its integration…
An emerging legal event is set to bring together industry experts on April 28 in New York City. The Law Firm Research & Innovation Conference has been announced as a new addition to the roster of events targeting senior leaders in research, library, knowledge, and innovation roles across the legal sector. Organized by LegalTech Connect,…
At the Legalweek 2026 Conference in New York, the spotlight was on Zeynep Ersin, Seyfarth Shaw’s Chief Innovation and Strategic Design Officer. Her insights are crucial as the legal industry continues to embrace technological transformation. In a recorded episode of Legal Speak, Ersin explored the evolving landscape of legal services with co-hosts Cedra Mayfield and…
At the forefront of discussions during Legalweek 2026 in New York, the potential for technological advancement in the legal field took center stage, highlighted by a conversation with Simon Bayongas, Epiq’s Director of Information. In a live interview conducted by Legal Speak hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith, Bayongas delved into the transformative power of…
Courtney B. Kingston, the former Chief Legal Officer at Frontier, is embarking on a new journey as a partner at Day Pitney LLP. After holding significant responsibilities at Frontier, Kingston is enthusiastic about what lies ahead at the law firm. This transition marks a significant step in her career, bringing her expertise in corporate law…
The Legalweek 2026 Conference in New York provided a significant platform for discussions on evolving legal technologies and strategies. A notable highlight was the participation of Liz Lugones, Mitratech’s Vice President of Value Experience, who shared insightful perspectives in an episode of Legal Speak, hosted by Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith. Lugones’ discussion centered around…
The adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT in the legal field is opening new avenues for efficiency and automation. However, this advancement is fraught with potential downsides that could overwhelm companies unprepared for the challenges that AI-generated legal documents might present. As firms increasingly rely on these technologies, they are exposed to several risks,…
At the forefront of the Legalweek 2026 Conference in New York, Jaeger Glucina, Chief of Staff at Luminance Technologies, shared valuable insights during an episode of Legal Speak, hosted by Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith. This gathering of legal professionals provided a platform for discussing innovative technologies reshaping the legal landscape. Luminance Technologies, known for…
Legal technology firm Harvey has made significant waves in the industry by securing funding that places the startup’s valuation at an impressive $11 billion. This development signals a growing interest and confidence in artificial intelligence applications within the legal sector. Harvey, known for its cutting-edge AI solutions for law firms, continues to attract attention from…
During the highly anticipated Legal Week 2026, the Legal Speak podcast featured an insightful episode with Tom Baldwin, the CEO and founder of Entegrata. Co-hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith led the discussion, focusing on the evolving landscape of legal technology and its implications for law firms and corporate legal departments. The conversation centered around…
The recent decision by the State High Court marks a significant shift in the criteria used to establish payments owed to law firms. The court’s ruling, delivered by a closely divided panel, expands the evidentiary requirements needed to prove such claims, reflecting a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in legal billing disputes. The plaintiff-appellant’s…
Alston & Bird LLP has strengthened its team by hiring former FDA Deputy Counsel and ex-DLA Piper attorney, marking a significant shift for the firm’s regulatory practice aimed at enhancing its expertise in FDA compliance and medical product regulatory disputes. This strategic addition is expected to bolster the firm’s ability to advise companies facing complex…
During Legalweek 2026, an influential event shaping the future of legal innovation and technology, Brad Blickstein, CEO and founder of the Blickstein Group, provided insights into the evolving landscape of legal operations and technology. In the discussion, featured on Legal Speak, Blickstein highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by law firms and corporate legal departments…
In a move that could streamline a long-standing administrative burden for legal professionals, a new startup is aiming to automate lawyers’ timesheets. This innovative approach seeks to address one of the more cumbersome aspects of legal practice: the intricate and often tedious task of time-tracking. Bloomberg Law reports that by reducing the manual effort involved,…