The Euro Elite Overview: Life in the bubble

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The Euro Elite Overview: Life in the bubble

Europe’s independent law firms fared much better in 2018 than most of the EU economies in which their clients operate. Set against the background of a US-China trade war, sluggish output and the prospect of an imminent Brexit, GDP growth in the eurozone limped to a disappointing 1.1% last year. Overall deal volume and value also pointed downwards, particularly in the second half of the year according to Mergermarket, but thanks to increased regulation and compliance, investigations and dispute resolution, there was plenty for lawyers to do.

This has led to multiple firms in our fourth annual Euro Elite report – which identifies 100 leading firms in around 40 European jurisdictions using a methodology that blends size, reach and quality across key product lines – reporting annual revenue growth of between 5% and 10%. In meeting the sustained challenge of international players, Euro Elite firms are more than holding their own. Continue reading “The Euro Elite Overview: Life in the bubble”

The Euro Elite: France – La vie en rose

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The Euro Elite: France – La vie en rose

Any conversation with a French lawyer these days turns at some point to the volatility of the market and the unpredictability of the future. But there is more substance to these words this time around than a reflection of the industry’s traditional caution.

In just over two years, France has gone from an election that might have ended up with a populist anti-EU leader to the enthusiasm for the victory of business-friendly, pro-European Emmanuel Macron… and then to the rude awakening of social unrest and economic slowdown. Continue reading “The Euro Elite: France – La vie en rose”

‘Independent thinker’ Greenberg Traurig picks Milan as latest step of unusual European footprint

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‘Independent thinker’ Greenberg Traurig picks Milan as latest step of unusual European footprint

Greenberg Traurig’s executive chair Richard Rosenbaum has pointed to his firm’s track record for independent thinking as it enters Italy through a merger in Milan.

In July, the northern Italian city will become the location of the Miami-bred firm’s 40th office, after Greenberg absorbs its local ally of 14 years, Santa Maria Studio Legale. Two Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer veterans will also join the firm’s first Italian base: local real estate head Marzio Longo and finance partner Corrado Angelelli, giving it a starting team of around 50 lawyers. Continue reading “‘Independent thinker’ Greenberg Traurig picks Milan as latest step of unusual European footprint”

Addleshaws enters continental Europe through BCLP Hamburg hires

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Addleshaws enters continental Europe through BCLP Hamburg hires

Despite having launched five international offices in Asia and the Middle East since 2012, top-20 UK law firm Addleshaw Goddard had no presence in continental Europe until last month. That was when it announced the hire of five partners from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) to spearhead a launch in Hamburg.

The hires include the two founders of legacy Bryan Cave’s German offices in 2007, Eckart Budelmann and Michael Leue. Partners Martin Lüderitz, Maximilian Karacz and Hubertus Schröder joined the duo in the move from BCLP, alongside five other lawyers. Continue reading “Addleshaws enters continental Europe through BCLP Hamburg hires”

‘Makes sense’ – Clyde & Co becomes latest English firm to launch in Dublin

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‘Makes sense’ – Clyde & Co becomes latest English firm to launch in Dublin

Clyde & Co has become the latest UK firm to enter the Republic of Ireland, opening a base in Dublin for its Irish law insurance practice.

In a move announced today (13 May), insurance partner Garrett Moore has relocated from London to Dublin to ensure he continues practising Irish law ‘whatever the outcomes of Brexit’. Continue reading “‘Makes sense’ – Clyde & Co becomes latest English firm to launch in Dublin”

Switzerland – Between a rock and a hard place

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Switzerland – Between a rock and a hard place

As the eurozone economy slows down after six years of uninterrupted growth, Switzerland is an anxious spectator. Amid increased concerns among the EU27 over the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit and the halt to quantitative easing from the European Central Bank’s asset-purchasing programme, Europe’s big three are bracing themselves while Switzerland sits in the middle, watching intently.

To the west, France endures its gilets jaunes; to the south, Italy faces a looming debt crisis with its banks. In the north, Germany has just avoided a technical recession and, like many of the other 18 eurozone countries, forecasters suggest that it will be fortunate to see 1% GDP growth this year. ‘What I see in Italy and France is scary, in particular the rise of populism,’ says Manuel Bianchi della Porta, managing partner of BianchiSchwald in Geneva. ‘A lot is going on in the eurozone: most Swiss trade depends upon Germany, France and Italy. But it seems that we are living on a small island unaffected by all the turmoil that is happening around us. It is like the political stability of our country is protecting us and the business community we are serving.’ Continue reading “Switzerland – Between a rock and a hard place”