Steadying the ship: Can the FCA strike the right balance between protection and innovation?

Steadying the ship: Can the FCA strike the right balance between protection and innovation?

Nearly a year after joining the Financial Conduct Authority as CEO in 2020, Nikhil Rathi committed to making the organisation ‘more innovative, assertive and adaptive’. Two years later, some of this change is evident – particularly in its leadership. Continue reading “Steadying the ship: Can the FCA strike the right balance between protection and innovation?”

Banking and Finance perspectives: Dr Sandie Okoro

Banking and Finance perspectives: Dr Sandie Okoro

Why did you want to become a lawyer?

I always wanted to. I wanted to fight injustice. It began when I watched Crown Court on TV – although I wanted to be the judge rather than any of the lawyers. So, my first inclination was after watching a TV programme, and thinking ‘I want to do that’.

Continue reading “Banking and Finance perspectives: Dr Sandie Okoro”

Banking balances – which firms have the healthiest Legal 500 accounts?

Banking balances – which firms have the healthiest Legal 500 accounts?

The Legal 500 rankings contain a wealth of information on the top firms for banking and finance, from those advising on big-ticket acquisition finance and restructuring mandates to those with focused expertise in specialist areas such as Islamic finance and high yield bonds. Continue reading “Banking balances – which firms have the healthiest Legal 500 accounts?”

Banking and Finance perspectives: Jenny Stainsby

Banking and Finance perspectives: Jenny Stainsby

Why did you want to become a lawyer and what drew you to the financial services regulatory side?

As much as the law itself, it was the draw of international work that led me to the City and to Herbert Smith, as it was then. I had read languages at university and was excited about the prospect of working on high-profile international matters.

Continue reading “Banking and Finance perspectives: Jenny Stainsby”

Banking and Finance perspectives: Chris Kandel

Banking and Finance perspectives: Chris Kandel

I actually started practising law in California, way back in the dark ages. I moved over here for two years, and I’ve been here ever since. I never really intended to be a lawyer in London at all. My lifetime ambition was to be a criminal lawyer in Baltimore. My early career could be characterised as wanting to work at a big law firm in a big city before I would go back to a smaller city and a very different law practice. As you can see, all that planning never really turned out. I haven’t touched a criminal case in a very long time. Continue reading “Banking and Finance perspectives: Chris Kandel”

The Ireland debate: Don’t fear the robots

The Ireland debate: Don’t fear the robots

Nathalie Tidman, Legal Business: Welcome everyone. We have a fantastic panel of extremely talented and insightful people here this evening.

As a starter for ten, what do you see as the real opportunities and benefits for in-house lawyers using generative AI in your day-to-day dealings? Continue reading “The Ireland debate: Don’t fear the robots”

Legal Business 100 2023: Stuck records

Legal Business 100 2023: Stuck records

Overview: Here comes the rain again

Our 2023 Legal Business 100 report finds law firm leaders in unusually pensive mood with the inevitable end to the transactional bull run. How will firms adapt to having to change the record?

The LB100 main table

Key financials of the top 100 firms

The LB100 partner earnings table

The LB100 core stats

The second 25: Riders of the storm

After an uncharacteristically muted performance last year, the LB100’s longstanding pacesetters – firms in the 26-50 quartile – find that lightning can strike twice. What will it take for the group to rebound?

The second 50 – City and boutique: London falling?

A diverse mix of specialist boutiques and full-service firms, the London mid-market players are struggling to prove which strategy works in competitive conditions

The second 50 – Regional view: Coming together

Consolidation is rife among regional and national firms occupying the second half of the LB100. A sign of things to come?

Firm profiles

Firm profile Eversheds Sutherland: ‘Beyond the soundbites’

Firm profile Womble Bond Dickinson: ‘Joining the dots’

gunnercooke: ‘Cooking up a storm?’

Endnotes

Methodology and notes