Switzerland – The rough and the smooth

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Switzerland – The rough and the smooth

Switzerland has not been in a foreign conflict since 1815 when its neutrality was first established by the Treaty of Paris. But, two centuries on, the peace-loving nation could be set to experience a discreet civil war – this time between its law firms.

Despite a cluster of top domestic players vying for the best work, Swiss lawyers have never experienced the level of international competition felt by France and Germany. The market has perhaps been too cosy, the work too plentiful and the outlook too certain. Yet there is something in the Alpine air that suggests this might change – and when it does, the battle for business will intensify. To be fought entirely by stealth rather than with steel, it may nevertheless reshape the domestic legal landscape. Continue reading “Switzerland – The rough and the smooth”

An ‘amicable’ discussion sees Weil Gotshal exit Hungary as 20-strong team joins Bird & Bird

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An ‘amicable’ discussion sees Weil Gotshal exit Hungary as 20-strong team joins Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird has bolstered its Budapest operations by adding a 20-strong Weil, Gotshal & Manges team, bringing the US firm’s presence in Hungary to an end.

Both parties insisted that the two-partner team move on 1 February was the result of an ‘amicable arrangement’ between the firms rather than headhunting by Bird & Bird. Continue reading “An ‘amicable’ discussion sees Weil Gotshal exit Hungary as 20-strong team joins Bird & Bird”

‘Potential is still enormous’: Dentons European arm grows revenue 21% in 2017

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‘Potential is still enormous’: Dentons European arm grows revenue 21% in 2017

Revenue from Dentons’ continental European practice grew 21% to €288m in 2017, as the firm recorded growth in all but one of its offices in the region.

In a year in which it completed its expansion into ‘initial priority markets’ on the continent by entering The Netherlands and hired 51 partners, the LLP – which includes the legacy Salans business – also grew net profit 20% to €95m. The figures were reported on a cash basis, but the firm said it recorded a similar growth in accrual terms. Continue reading “‘Potential is still enormous’: Dentons European arm grows revenue 21% in 2017”

Weil Gotshal to shut Hungarian operations as team jumps to expansive Bird & Bird

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Weil Gotshal to shut Hungarian operations as team jumps to expansive Bird & Bird

Weil, Gotshal & Manges will close its Budapest office after its 20-strong Hungarian team agreed to join Bird & Bird in the latest chapter of the UK top 20 firm’s international expansion.

In what both firms described as the result of an ‘amicable’ discussion, Weil’s Budapest managing partner David Dederick will co-lead Bird & Bird’s local operations from 1 February. Continue reading “Weil Gotshal to shut Hungarian operations as team jumps to expansive Bird & Bird”

Bristows points to Brexit as TMT specialist launches first-ever international office in Brussels

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Bristows points to Brexit as TMT specialist launches first-ever international office in Brussels

The impact of Britain’s exit from the EU on the international strategy of City firms is still largely obscure – those announcing Dublin launches since the referendum have sought to play down the role of Brexit in their decision.

But Bristowsʼ joint managing partner Marek Petecki is clear: the rationale for launching the firm’s first international office in its 180-year history ‘is about addressing the challenges of Brexit’. Continue reading “Bristows points to Brexit as TMT specialist launches first-ever international office in Brussels”

International doubles – Bird & Bird and Herbert Smith Freehills open new hubs in Amsterdam and Sydney

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International doubles – Bird & Bird and Herbert Smith Freehills open new hubs in Amsterdam and Sydney

Bird & Bird continues to invest in its international operations, launching its second Dutch office in Amsterdam 16 years after opening in The Hague.

However the new base, operative in January 2018, will not have any permanent staff but act as a hub for the firm’s lawyers to meet with Amsterdam-based clients as well as providing a flexible working space. Continue reading “International doubles – Bird & Bird and Herbert Smith Freehills open new hubs in Amsterdam and Sydney”

The Brexit effect: Bristows to open first international office in 180-year history with Brussels launch

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The Brexit effect: Bristows to open first international office in 180-year history with Brussels launch

Technology and life sciences specialist Bristows is to open in Brussels next year in a move that underlines the impact of Brexit on City stalwarts.

In what will be its first move overseas in its 180-year history, Bristows’ EU regulatory and competition lawyers will be using the new office from March 2018 as a base for representing international clients on EU law, with the firm currently not planning to recruit any new partners to work there full-time. Continue reading “The Brexit effect: Bristows to open first international office in 180-year history with Brussels launch”

International moves: Kennedys in double office launch as Bird & Bird plans San Francisco base

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Top-50 insurance specialist Kennedys has made an ambitious bid to further increase its global footprint, today (2 October) announcing the opening of new offices in Paris and Bangkok.

With the launches in France and Thailand, Kennedys has brought its tally of new international offices opened this year to nine. Continue reading “International moves: Kennedys in double office launch as Bird & Bird plans San Francisco base”

Eversheds opens three European offices at once to extend international odyssey in line with strategy

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Eversheds opens three European offices at once to extend international odyssey in line with strategy

Seven months after its game-changing transatlantic merger, Eversheds Sutherland is continuing its spate of recent international expansion with the opening of three new European offices in Luxembourg, Moscow and St Petersburg, which include a number of lateral hires.

Two partners from Simmons & Simmons and five from Nordic Euro Elite firm Hannes Snellman will join the new offices, which bring the firm’s global footprint to 66 offices in 32 countries, in what Eversheds’ co-chief executive Lee Ranson (pictured) described as a ‘key element’ of the firm’s 2020 strategy. Continue reading “Eversheds opens three European offices at once to extend international odyssey in line with strategy”

Eversheds Sutherland gains further momentum in Germany with fourth office in Düsseldorf

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Eversheds Sutherland has expanded further in Germany by acquiring Düsseldorf-based firm Grooterhorst & Partners, giving the firm a fourth office in the country.

The office, which will launch today (1 August) with three partners, will initially focus on real estate and insurance with plans to become a full-service practice. The three partners, Johannes Grooterhorst, Marc Christian Schwencke and Ralf-Thomas Wittmann, will be joined by a team of 11 lawyers. Continue reading “Eversheds Sutherland gains further momentum in Germany with fourth office in Düsseldorf”