London law firm Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) has brought in sweeping changes to its ownership model, making it the first firm to be wholly owned by its employees. The reform, which has been implemented through an employee ownership trust (EOT), is intended to secure the firm’s long-term future and address succession issues posed by the …
There were signs of a pre-Christmas pick up in the City lateral market last week with Greenberg Traurig the leader following a double hire from US counterparts Ropes & Gray. Gowling WLG, meanwhile, made a significant London hire to its planning and environment practice as Bates Wells Braithwaite (BWB) brought in a team from Pennington Manches.
Regional player Shakespeare Martineau and national firm Shoosmiths have both implemented change at the top with the appointments of new chief executives. Shakespeares made a rare leadership hire from another firm, bringing on Browne Jacobson chief operating officer Sarah Walker-Smith (pictured) as chief executive. Walker-Smith replaces long-serving chief executive Andy Raynor, who announced his intention …
Continue reading “Changing of the guard at Shakespeares and Shoosmiths with CEO appointments”
Reed Smith has dismissed a partner in its London office after a complaint of sexual harassment, it has emerged. Originally reported on RollonFriday, the unnamed partner was accused of sexually harassing a junior female trainee, though the nature of the incident has not been clarified. The episode has just emerged but the partner was dismissed in …
Continue reading “Latest #MeToo episode emerges as Reed Smith dismisses partner following complaint”
Mayer Brown and Weil, Gotshal & Manges have minted four and three partners respectively in the City amid increased global promotion rounds for the US outfits. Mayer Brown promoted 34 globally and Weil chalked up 11, with the US getting the lion’s share of promotions at both firms.
Following the hires of CMS real estate heavyweights Alan Karsberg and Simon Kanter last month, Fladgate has added to the blow, with the duo now bringing across an eight-lawyer team in London. Both partners were veterans of legacy Olswang, with Kanter joining the firm in 2006 after Olswang’s acquisition of Kanter Jules. Meanwhile Karsberg enjoyed two …
Continue reading “‘Client conflict issues’ sees 10-strong CMS real estate team decamp to Fladgate”
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has continued its spate of innovation launches, combining parts of its transatlantic innovation teams to create an in-house consultancy, Cantilever. Cantilever will aim to provide an operational and technology sounding board for clients, while also offering practical technology solutions across areas including contract, matter and litigation management.
The first signs of a late-autumn slowdown in City laterals emerged last week with Eversheds Sutherland making the only significant hire in London, strengthening its corporate practice. Meanwhile, DLA Piper bolstered its litigation offering in Madrid in a slightly busier international round and Ashurst landed a partner at the expense of White & Case in …
The Law Society has called for uniformity in law firms’ gender pay gap reporting in a bid to ‘get ahead of the curve’ of what has proven a sluggish pace in tackling gender pay disparities. The Law Society’s recommendations for a common set of standards were published as part of a guidance document today (6 …
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There were a number of lateral hires in the London last week, with Stephenson Harwood, Ropes & Gray and Osborne Clarke all strengthening their City benches. Meanwhile internationally HFW bucked the recent trend of downsizing in the Middle East with a senior hire from Bird & Bird. Stephenson Harwood’s hire came in its energy group …
