More partner conferences suspended amid spike in coronavirus cases

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More partner conferences suspended amid spike in coronavirus cases

Coronavirus is increasingly having its impact felt in the business of law, with Simmons & Simmons the latest firm to postpone its partner conference as the virus spreads across Europe. In a statement, the firm said: ‘In response to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus across parts of Europe and Asia, Simmons & Simmons has regretfully decided …

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Shearman & Sterling quiet on London amid muted 1% global revenue growth

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Shearman & Sterling quiet on London amid muted 1% global revenue growth

Global revenue at Shearman & Sterling barely grew last year as the firm marginally improved its key metrics while not revealing London results. Turnover hit $968m at the New York-headquartered firm, a 1% increase on last year’s $955.5m. Profit per equity partner (PEP) was up just under 3% to $2.46m from $2.4m while revenue per …

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‘This raises serious questions’: More SFO failure as former Barclays execs escape fraud convictions

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‘This raises serious questions’: More SFO failure as former Barclays execs escape fraud convictions

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is facing criticism after suffering another high-profile defeat in its only financial crisis prosecution after three former Barclays bankers were today (28 February) acquitted of fraud. Barclays’ ex-investment banking chief, Roger Jenkins, its ex-European financial institutions head, Richard Boath and the former head of its wealth division, Thomas Kalaris, were …

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Climate change trumps arguments as Leigh Day halts Heathrow’s third runway

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Climate change trumps arguments as Leigh Day halts Heathrow’s third runway

Controversial plans for building a third runway at Heathrow Airport run the risk of being abandoned after campaigners led by Leigh Day proved victorious in the Court of Appeal today (27 February). The case involved five separate claims against the Secretary of State for Transport, who had been pursuing the policy of creating an invidious third …

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Steady global growth for Reed Smith outpaces a subdued year in the City

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Steady global growth for Reed Smith outpaces a subdued year in the City

Reed Smith produced a comparatively muted showing in the City last year, with global revenues seeing the more meaningful gains. London saw revenue creep up 3.3% from $208.2m to $215m as global turnover almost doubled the City’s growth rate with an increase of 6% to $1.247bn, compared to 5% growth last year. Firmwide profit per …

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‘Healthy competition’: LOD comes full circle with launch of challenger UK law firm

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‘Healthy competition’: LOD comes full circle with launch of challenger UK law firm

Lawyers On Demand (LOD) is launching a ‘challenger’ law firm to compete with traditional firms on providing advice to in-house teams across the UK, three years after the business was first launched in Australia. The business – LOD Legal – is staffed exclusively by lawyers from an in-house background, with the team currently in excess …

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London lags global growth as Debevoise turnover breaks $1bn barrier

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London lags global growth as Debevoise turnover breaks $1bn barrier

US firm Debevoise & Plimpton has increased London revenue almost 9% following a strong year in which global turnover broke through $1bn. London revenue hit $151.6m, up from $139.3m last year. This growth, however, lagged an impressive 13% uptick globally to surpass $1bn from $929m last year. Firm-wide revenue per partner increased to $7.62m from $6.83m …

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More Mishcon losses as Greenberg makes dual disputes hire in London

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More Mishcon losses as Greenberg makes dual disputes hire in London

Greenberg Traurig has hired a pair of disputes partners from Mishcon de Reya, in an uncommon departure for the litigation and private client specialists and a significant addition for the US outfit. Partners Mohammed Khamisa QC and Masoud Zabeti are poised to join the London office of Greenberg. Zabeti is currently the head of the …

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