Global law giant DLA Piper has launched a seven-sector strategy as the firm bids to sharpen its focus from its current 15 and foster greater cross-selling.
DLA Piper, which is pushing a high-profit agenda that last year resulted in a 13% jump in profit per equity partner to $1.33m, will reduce its sector focus from 15 to seven industries. These are: banking and financial services; life sciences; real estate; insurance; technology; energy; and media, sports and entertainment.
In a move which sets him in a strong position to run for chief executive when incumbent Bryan Hughes steps down in 2017, Eversheds managing partner Lee Ranson has been tasked with leading a ‘Growth Agenda’ following the firm’s subdued performance in this year’s Legal Business 100, which saw growth flatline, and profit per equity partner (PEP) edge up by 2%.
The strategy revamp was announced during a practice group conference this summer as the firm’s three-year plan came to an end. Ranson told Legal Business the agenda was about making sure junior lawyers coming through the business have the skillsets and opportunities to sell.
Continue reading “Ranson eyes Eversheds’ chief exec role as he leads growth drive”
With the frontrunners having emerged earlier this summer, the partnership board at Linklaters has formalised the six-man shortlist to replace Simon Davies as managing partner.
Finance & projects head Michael Kent and global banking chief Gideon Moore have emerged as the frontrunners to succeed Simon Davies (pictured) as managing partner of Linklaters with a replacement set to be elected by November.
Continue reading “Frontrunners emerge at Linklaters in race for managing partner”
With an election for the top leadership job looming at CMS Cameron McKenna, the firm’s incumbent managing partner Duncan Weston (pictured) talks to Sarah Downey about the firm’s performance, targeting Asia and securing an elusive US merger.
After having brought in Bain & Co last year to advise on the firm’s strategy, Ashurst’s chairman and New Zealand-born litigator Ben Tidswell (pictured) talks to Legal Business about the firm’s new direction and its renewed focus on financial institutions, energy and infrastructure, and the Asia-Pacific.
Birmingham-based Sandra Wallace (pictured) has been appointed DLA Piper’s next UK managing partner, the first time that the position has gone to a partner outside the City.
It’s long been a trusted technique for major corporates to ship in public figures for advisory roles to open doors and bring a touch of geopolitical gravitas to the table but so far the idea has rarely made it to law. But Linklaters has decided to borrow from the plc playbook with the appointment of former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague to a newly created ‘International Advisory Group’ in a bid to bring in an ‘external perspective’ on the firm’s strategy.
Continue reading “Linklaters borrows plc playbook to bring in Hague as door-opener-in-chief”
CMS Cameron McKenna is gearing up for its managing partner election this autumn as chief Duncan Weston prepares to stand down from the role after eight years, with potential successors across the firm’s corporate and disputes practices already coming to the fore.
Continue reading “Candidates emerge as CMS gears up for autumn managing partner election”
Four partners are tipped as potential successors as Weston prepares to step down
CMS Cameron McKenna is gearing up for its managing partner election this autumn as chief Duncan Weston prepares to stand down from the role after eight years, with potential successors across the firm’s corporate and disputes practices already coming to the fore.
Continue reading “Candidates emerge as CMS gears up for autumn managing partner election”
