Following a less than stellar 2023, M&A activity in Q1 has picked up pace as market confidence grows, according to data compiled by Dealogic.
Mayer Brown has strengthened its London tax practice with the addition of tax partner Sam Riesenberg. US-qualified Riesenberg has joined the firm’s City base from KPMG in Washington, where he worked within the firm’s national tax practice. His hire bolsters Mayer Brown’s international tax offering across the asset management and funds sectors as he has significant experience in the space, working with clients including fund sponsors, sovereign wealth and pension funds, institutional investors, family offices and fund managers.
His hire is Mayer Brown’s second into its London tax practice this year, following closely on the heels of real estate investment specialist Ben Eaton’s appointment hire in January this year.
With just a month to go until the A&O Shearman tie-up goes live, Shearman has announced that Europe managing partner and EMEA finance team leader Ward McKimm is retiring, marking one of the highest-profile pre-merger exits to date.
‘Shearman & Sterling and Ward McKimm jointly confirm that, after a nearly 30-year career as a leading high-yield and leveraged finance lawyer based in London, he has decided to retire,’ a firm statement confirmed. ‘Shearman & Sterling thanks Ward for his many years of service to the firm and its clients, and wishes him the best in his next chapter. Ward’s retirement will take effect in a few weeks as he transitions work to other partners.’
Slaughter and May has made up five new partners in its latest round of promotions, a 50% drop from last year’s round of ten.
Four of the new partners are based in London, with the final addition in Brussels.
Paul Weiss has broken through the $2bn global revenue mark, posting a 10.8% hike on last year, as the firm’s bold London recruitment drive continues to make headlines.
The firm’s 178 equity partners took home an average of $6.5m in 2023, with profit per equity partner (PEP) up 14.8% from $5.73m the previous year.
Sidley Austin private equity partner Lyndsey Laverack on changing attitudes towards mental health in the legal profession and how women are making inroads into practice areas traditionally dominated by men
White & Case has taken another step towards the $3bn turnover mark, posting a 4.3% increase in global revenues to $2.95bn for 2023, despite London turnover dipping 1.6% to $444m.
The international firm saw global revenues rise from $2.83bn in 2022, when London turnover stood at $451m. Profit per equity partner (PEP) increased by 12.7% during 2023 to $3.16m, while revenue per lawyer rose 6.9% to $1.16m.
From growing up in a Barnsley mining community to making the tea as a junior lawyer, Greenberg Traurig’s Kathryn Garbett reflects on a shifting landscape for women in law over her rise to City partner
Leading the high-profile moves this week, Rebecca Perlman has joined Kirkland & Ellis’ ESG and impact practice group in London as a partner. Perlman leaves behind a 12-year tenure at Herbert Smith Freehills, where she was head of the firm’s UK, US, and EMEA operations and global head of sustainable and impact investment.
Perlman brings with her more than a decade of expertise in advising clients on a range of ESG-related matters, including regulatory compliance, soft law standards, voluntary frameworks, ESG market disclosure, reporting, and issues concerning accredited organisations.
For International Women’s Day, Stephenson Harwood Europe private client partner Suzanne Johnston talks about creating inclusive fertility policies and educating staff on the sensitive issues at play.
