Former banking chief Trahair takes the helm of A&O’s consulting and tech arm

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Former banking chief Trahair takes the helm of A&O’s consulting and tech arm

Andrew Trahair, Allen & Overy’s (A&O) former banking co-head, has been enlisted to head the firm’s Advanced Delivery technology and consulting group a week after its Peerpoint chief executive stood down.

Trahair, who was co-head of A&O’s banking practice from 2008 to 2016, will lead the firm’s dedicated resources and technology services group, which includes flexible lawyering platform Peerpoint and tech innovator Fuse. Continue reading “Former banking chief Trahair takes the helm of A&O’s consulting and tech arm”

Fieldfisher swims against the current with launch of stand-alone alternative investments law firm

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Fieldfisher swims against the current with launch of stand-alone alternative investments law firm

Never a firm to rest on its laurels, fast-paced Fieldfisher has taken the unusual step of launching a separate law firm focused on hedge funds, derivatives and alternative investments.

The new entity – called Cummings Fisher – sees Fieldfisher hire three partners from other law firms to run it. Financial services partner Claire Cummings, who founded alternative investments boutique Cummings Law in 2003, has been appointed managing partner. She will be joined by James Tinworth, formerly head of Stephenson Harwood’s hedge funds practice, who will lead the funds practice. Ron Feldman, previously a partner at asset management consultancy MJ Hudson, will spearhead the derivatives practice. Continue reading “Fieldfisher swims against the current with launch of stand-alone alternative investments law firm”

Knights talks up selective acquisition policy amid strong first-half financials

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Knights talks up selective acquisition policy amid strong first-half financials

The chief executive of Knights says its listing last June  has instilled market confidence in its ability to deliver an ambitious acquisition pipeline. This comes as the law company announced a third law firm acquisition today (15 January) and reported a 37% increase in revenue to £23.9m for the six months to 31 October.

Knights, the largest law firm initial public offering (IPO) to date after raising £50m last year, has acquired Leicester-based employment specialist Cummins Solicitors, which has five fee-earners and £784,000 in revenue, in a £1.5m deal. It takes Knights’ total fee-earner numbers to 485 across eight offices. Continue reading “Knights talks up selective acquisition policy amid strong first-half financials”

New year brings major New Law consolidation as Elevate acquires Halebury

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New year brings major New Law consolidation as Elevate acquires Halebury

US-based New Law darling Elevate has continued its acquisitive form with the purchase of UK-based flexible lawyer firm Halebury, creating a combined business of over 1,000 members of staff and $70m in annual revenue.

The acquisition will see Halebury become part of Elevate, although as an ABS the firm will still operate under its own name in the UK. However, profit pools will be integrated as Halebury is fully acquired by Elevate, while John Croft, president of Elevate, and founder and executive chairman Liam Brown will both sit upon Halebury’s board. Denise Nurse and Janvi Patel, co-founders of Halebury, will take up roles on Elevate’s managing committee. Continue reading “New year brings major New Law consolidation as Elevate acquires Halebury”

Pre-float DWF hires GC as another litigation funder lists and Burford secures $1.6bn

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Pre-float DWF hires GC as another litigation funder lists and Burford secures $1.6bn

DWF has appointed a group general counsel (GC) ahead of its touted London Stock Exchange (LSE) listing early next year.

Litigation finance, meanwhile, has attracted more investor cash after Australian funder Litigation Capital Management (LCM) rose £20m on listing and Burford Capital secured £1.6bn in funding for new litigation investments.  Continue reading “Pre-float DWF hires GC as another litigation funder lists and Burford secures $1.6bn”

A&O opening Fuse tech lab for third round as it partners on £1.2m AI legal services project

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A&O opening Fuse tech lab for third round as it partners on £1.2m AI legal services project

Allen & Overy (A&O) will open its technology incubator space Fuse to a third group of companies from early next year, as it partners with a University of Oxford AI project.

The firm announced today (December 13) that applications to enter Fuse will be welcomed from companies until 25 January. A selection pitch to the firm will follow in February before successful applicants move into the space shortly after. Both early stage and mature companies can apply, joining Fuse for about six months. Continue reading “A&O opening Fuse tech lab for third round as it partners on £1.2m AI legal services project”

‘Not just a generic consultancy’: BCLP launches in-house innovation and technology arm

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‘Not just a generic consultancy’: BCLP launches in-house innovation and technology arm

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has continued its spate of innovation launches, combining parts of its transatlantic innovation teams to create an in-house consultancy, Cantilever.

Cantilever will aim to provide an operational and technology sounding board for clients, while also offering practical technology solutions across areas including contract, matter and litigation management. Continue reading “‘Not just a generic consultancy’: BCLP launches in-house innovation and technology arm”

Linklaters finishes tech jigsaw with hire of Ashurst’s global IT head

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Linklaters finishes tech jigsaw with hire of Ashurst’s global IT head

Linklaters has bolstered its technology clout with the hire of Ashurst’s well-regarded head of global IT, Bruna Pellicci.

Pellicci becomes the Magic Circle firm’s chief technology officer (CTO) after more than 11 years at Ashurst, five of which were as the firm’s global IT director. Continue reading “Linklaters finishes tech jigsaw with hire of Ashurst’s global IT head”

‘Legal catching up’: TLT launches £500k fund to improve tech and consulting lines

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‘Legal catching up’: TLT launches £500k fund to improve tech and consulting lines

TLT has created a £500,000 investment fund to help test technology and other ideas more quickly before providing them to clients.

The initiative, called Future Law, is expected to generate revenue this year and will be led by digital sector head James Touzel. The firm has ring-fenced the fund as part of its budget for this year. Continue reading “‘Legal catching up’: TLT launches £500k fund to improve tech and consulting lines”

Expectations high as Thomson Reuters and Slaughters ramp up legal tech incubator competition

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Expectations high as Thomson Reuters and Slaughters ramp up legal tech incubator competition

Competition for access to legal tech start-ups is heating up as global multimedia giant Thomson Reuters and City blueblood Slaughter and May tool up for legal tech incubator launches early next year.

Thomson Reuters is accepting applications for its first dedicated legal tech incubator until the end of this month, with further details expected to be announced in December. The company is shifting its focus towards legal tech, having also hosted a fintech incubator in Zurich, following the sale its financial risk business earlier this year. Continue reading “Expectations high as Thomson Reuters and Slaughters ramp up legal tech incubator competition”