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”

The future is female – women lawyers outnumber men in UK as the in-house boom continues

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The future is female – women lawyers outnumber men in UK as the in-house boom continues

In a landmark for the legal industry that nevertheless raises some uncomfortable truths, the number of working female solicitors in England and Wales has exceeded men for the first time according to new figures.

Reflecting the decades-long influx of junior women to the profession, the total number of women lawyers in the world’s second largest legal market is now 50.1% of the UK’s 139,624 practising certificate (PC) holders, and 48% of the 93,155 solicitors in private practice. Continue reading “The future is female – women lawyers outnumber men in UK as the in-house boom continues”

#MeToo: Dentons launches investigation and puts partner on leave amid reports of sexual misconduct

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#MeToo: Dentons launches investigation and puts partner on leave amid reports of sexual misconduct

With the recent #MeToo campaign shining a light on sexual harassment and misogyny across every industry, a Dentons partner has been put on leave of absence while the firm investigates reports of sexual misconduct made against him.

The firm confirmed one of 62 partners who joined Dentons from Maclay Murray & Spens after the firms merged in October last year ‘will not be attending the office while the investigation is ongoing’. Continue reading “#MeToo: Dentons launches investigation and puts partner on leave amid reports of sexual misconduct”

Legal profession lacks diversity in partnership despite changing demographic of profession

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Legal profession lacks diversity in partnership despite changing demographic of profession

The number of female practice certificate (PC) holders increased yet again by 3% to 67,393 from 65,147 as at July 2016, yet number of female partners remained relatively stagnant increasing only by seven to 8,105, according to the latest Annual Statistics Report from the Law Society, a trend echoing last year’s report. 

Continue reading “Legal profession lacks diversity in partnership despite changing demographic of profession”

‘Common business sense’ – Simmons amends partnership deed to block team exits following A&O departures

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‘Common business sense’ – Simmons amends partnership deed to block team exits following A&O departures

While Herbert Smith Freehills became embroiled in a very public court battle over a team defection to White & Case in Australia earlier this year, Simmons & Simmons has quietly amended its partnership deed following a group exit to Allen & Overy (A&O) in 2016.

Continue reading “‘Common business sense’ – Simmons amends partnership deed to block team exits following A&O departures”

‘Giving the partnership back’: Linklaters to ditch individual partner metrics to target team performance

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‘Giving the partnership back’: Linklaters to ditch individual partner metrics to target team performance

In a highly symbolic break from its 2000s incarnation, Linklaters is to phase out individual partner metrics and annual assessments to focus on broader measures of team and firm performance. Continue reading “‘Giving the partnership back’: Linklaters to ditch individual partner metrics to target team performance”