LB100 Second 50: Regional view – Comfortably numb

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LB100 Second 50: Regional view – Comfortably numb

Consolidation, planning, investment and ‘cautious optimism’ proved dominant themes for the smaller regional and national firms in this year’s Legal Business 100 (LB100). The 31 non-City firms in the 51-100 bracket grew steadily amid a slow summer and dip in confidence during the 2016/17 financial year. Last year, however, the group’s collective revenue only managed a weak 1% rise to £1.27bn, with an average revenue of £41m. While real estate and construction continue to boom, deal flows are noticeably beginning to slow for many.

While regional firms are typically less productive per capita than London counterparts, that gap has widened. Revenue per lawyer was £181,000, down 8% and much lower than the £264,000 in London. Profits tell a similar story: profit per lawyer down 10% at £38,000, against £80,000 in the City. Continue reading “LB100 Second 50: Regional view – Comfortably numb”

Draining the swamp – Do NDAs represent a #MeToo problem for the profession?

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Draining the swamp – Do NDAs represent a #MeToo problem for the profession?

A light has lately shone on a legal document which, by definition, should never bask in the sunshine. The saga, which was to trigger reverberations concerning abusive behaviour in many industries – and lawyers’ role in drafting gagging orders – began in October 2017, with disclosures by British producer Zelda Perkins (pictured).

In written evidence to MPs, Perkins called the gagging order she signed nearly 20 years ago with her former boss Harvey Weinstein amid sexual harassment allegations ‘stringent and thoroughly egregious’. Continue reading “Draining the swamp – Do NDAs represent a #MeToo problem for the profession?”

The talent debate: The war rages on

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The talent debate: The war rages on

James Tsolakis, NatWest: One of the great challenges setting this up with Alex is in the long period I have been a banker to the legal profession, the rate of change is faster than I have seen for a long time. The challenge was defining the discussion. It could have been IPOs, artificial intelligence, international expansion – any number of things. I am pleased we chose a subject that will ultimately touch all these other subjects driving change in the sector.

Alex Novarese, Legal Business: Kicking off, Sharon, what worries you about talent? Continue reading “The talent debate: The war rages on”

Grieve on Brexit: No great advantage

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Grieve on Brexit: No great advantage

Alex Speirs: Now less than a year out from the UK’s scheduled withdrawal from the EU, how would you characterise the current state of negotiations?

Dominic Grieve: They’re not going well at all. We are not talking the same language. The UK is seeking a bespoke deal recognising our past membership of the EU, our desire to maintain very close links with the EU in a wide range of fields, to have as near frictionless as possible trade in goods and services, and to participate in a vast range of EU peripheral activities. But we want freedom to operate our own immigration policy, not have freedom of movement, the ability to do third-country trade agreements and the ability to deregulate or change the regulatory framework in areas. Continue reading “Grieve on Brexit: No great advantage”

The one true law – in conversation with Lord Neuberger

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The one true law – in conversation with Lord Neuberger

Richard Lissack QC: David, why a career in the law?

Lord Neuberger: It was after cancelling out other possibilities. I was a scientist at university – a chemist. I was influenced by my father, a successful scientist. I quickly proved to be an unsuccessful scientist. I went to career advisers. They said do law or go into the City. In those days the City involved no exams and law did, so I went into the City. Continue reading “The one true law – in conversation with Lord Neuberger”