International Legal News

UK fees income grows but pace slows

UK law firms score strongest growth since 2011 but challenges prevail according to a PwC 2019 Law Firms Survey.

BSB streamlines case management

Bar Standards Board implements CaseLines as part of its new-look regulatory operations.

First legaltech incubator for India

Following a February launch Indian law firm CAM names legaltech incubator's first cohort of winners.

?Much-needed? tech disputes procedure launches

New adjudication procedure for the resolution of technology disputes in England & Wales launched.

Tie-up keen to cater for UK-India corridor clients

India Law Alliance has tied up with UK-based law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys to cater to their clients in the UK-India corridor.

Ashurst applies the accelerator

Firm is the latest to launch an intense FinTech accelerator programme, featuring multidisciplinary collaboration.

Luxury GC calls on US to create GDPR-style privacy standard

The current US patchwork of privacy laws is not fit for purpose and needs reform.

Getting an in-house advantage

BarkerGilmore has announced the general counsel advantages for transforming how legal leaders fast-track success.

Survey shows general counsels are ?on the front lines?

FTI Consulting and Relativity release general counsel survey and report on risk, technology and the evolution of the legal industry,

Around the house

This week around the house reflects some fallout from past troubles at Nissan and Propetro.

Who you gonna call?

EY Law takes top spot in Global Brand Recognition Index, replacing PwC Legal as top alternative service brand as big four legal units dominate.

Incubators put UK legaltech investment into overdrive

Investment in UK legal technology startups reached £61m in 2018, more than doubling the £22m invested in the previous 12 months.

Tech partnership answers a ?market cry?

iManage RAVN and Cognia Law partner globally to enable organizations to leverage AI for business advantage and innovation and create new ecosystem.

Oxford report tackles tech and political advertising

Oxford Internet Institute suggests need for collective actions to help plug gaps in data rights & political campaigning law.

Scots firm's innovation in full flow

Shepherd and Wedderburn launches a smarter working innovation unit to further enhance its service to clients.

Firm's new brand takes flight

A new look for Simmons & Simmons as firm takes inpiration from starlings.

Arbitration in ?dire? need of sharia expertise

Specialist arbitration course launched in Dubai as Islamic finance grows and industry responds to ?dire need? of expertise.

DLA Piper under fire

Former ethics officer and student protest groups target two-pronged attack on DLA Piper, according to reports by Bloomberg News.

Dentons tackle lgbt+ data concerns

Stonewall, Dentons and NYU join forces to launch gdpr guide on lgbt+ data collection.

Toughing out M&A hangover

Baker McKenzie report reveals M&A to drop 25 percent in 2020 in the face of an uncertainty, with North America the outlier.

Profession marks mental health day

Seventeen signed Mindful Business Charter on yesterday's World Mental Health Day, while Freshfields meets target for its first-aider programme.

Hogan Lovells barefoot in the desert

Firm's social responsibility partnership training rural women in India is to feature at Dubai expo 2020.

Bird & Bird's blockchain book

Firm launches international report on the potential application of blockchain and offers insight into criteria for fresh regulation.

Literally Amazonification of the legal market

Amazon takes to the US legal market with an new IP offering on the back of law firm network.

Legal reality imitates legal art

Inspired by "Suits" legal TV series, Donna secures $2.5 million in seed funding to replace the robot within the lawyer.

Schjodt expands in Nordic combo

Time is ripe for Nordic consolidation says firm's head as Norway's Schjodt and Sweden's Hamilton merged to create a €108m firm.

Cyber-attacks number 1 concern for first time

Risk of cyber-attacks tops all other risk concerns for businesses of all sizes, with legal liability being number 4 four concern, say insurers.

Thanks a million, well 3.45 actually

News Corp general counsel in big pay day as media conglomerate raises his 2019 pay by 10 percent to $3.45 million.

NRF curates disruptive courses

Norton Rose Fulbright launches free microcertificate in disruptive technologies for corporate clients and others.

Around the house

In this week's moves around the house The Gates Foundation names two general counsel in a triple move, while another top legal chief moves into a ceo role.

Law society in fight to end stigma

Law Society of Ireland launches professional wellbeing project for solicitors, highlights stigma and issues of stress and vicarious trauma.

Combo spikes interest

Drawing on Golden Spike history Dentons US, Bingham Greenebaum and Cohen & Grigsby on track to be "first truly national US law firm."

Putting project management ?front of house?

Pinsent Masons launches dedicated legal and project management division to put discipline ?front of house.?

Neurosurgeons flag whiplash legal "myth?

In Irish study, findings reveal most whiplash patients end treatment when legal action finished and outcome of whiplash treatment differs in less litigious cultures.

And the winners are?

Simmons & Simmons announces winning businesses making up the fourth cohort to receive support from the firm's fintech fund.

Eversheds in Africa push

Firm strengthens the leadership team for legal services in Africa and outline five year vision.

DWF hires entire local team to open in Düsseldorf

It's been a busy few weeks for DWF as they add fourth German office to recent new hires in Europe and Australia as firm furthers expansion ambitions.

Six start-ups selected for Cuatrecasas Acelera programme

Fourth iteration of Cuatrecasas Acelera program selects six startups for boot camp kick off, including two legal profession fast track start-ups.

Winston & Strawn pull in American rival partners

Firm enhances transactions capabilities in Europe with addition of four partners from rival American firm in Paris.

Baker Botts bolsters practice

Firm welcomes nine-partner environmental, white collar and crisis response team to four offices to further strengthening practices.

UK solicitor body launches consultation

New SRA strategy aims to help broader public interests as it focuses on high professional standards, innovation and collaboration.

Clyde's inside job

Firm finds internal candidate for Clyde & Co's new top job.

Orrick grows Paris arbitration offering

Firm adds top-tier international arbitration team in Paris with Jones Day duo.

Ince establishes Gibralter maritime practice

Firm expands service offering and appoints Hassans partner to setup the Ince Gibraltar shipping practice.

DWF appointments boost Poland expansion

Firm continues expansion in Poland with two partner appointments joining form international law firms.

Counting cost of climate change risks

A 25-fold rise in climate change related regulation could mean businesses are facing risks to value and reputation, says new report.

In-house campaign in KICKA-off

In-house counsel body in South Korea boosts PR efforts as KICA launched new homepage launched.

Under the spotlight in HK

Putting Hong Kong into perspective for general counsel and taking compliance up the agenda key messages at Hong Kong in-house gathering.

Around the house

In this week's moves around the house general counsels find their holy grail, while a tech company rocks on with their new appointee.

Big law firms to draft climate change laws

Firms draft model climate laws in pro bono project with over twenty law firms joining pro bono effort led by two law school professors.

Meditation for lawyers

Responding to the stress of practicing law, 35-year attorney creates comprehensive meditation app targeted to the legal profession.

US law firm combos explode

Record-shattering quarter for US law firm combinations as 38 deals announced in third quarter.

Addleshaw Goddard unlocks potential in Africa

Firm announces its first international charity partnership, the Kusasa project in Franschhoek, South Africa.

How diversity counts

DWF sets ambitious diversity targets while Allen & Overy gender pay figures falter, though weighted by London.

Charting a course for mental health cases

Launch of new mental health software module for law firms, created in collaboration with independent solicitor firm.

Partnership promotes user-friendly justice

Clifford Chance partners with The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law to promote equal access to justice.

Clyde & Co celebrates 30 year landmark

Global law firm Clyde & Co celebrates thirty years since it first established an office in the Middle East region.

Research lifts veil on a personal injury mystery

Swathes of personal injury firms are ignoring clients who contact them after 5.30pm or via Facebook, First4Lawyers research reveals.

JAMS in double celebration

ADR provider celebrates expansion of Century City resolution center hub, and JAMS Foundation welcomes twelve global fellows.

Baker McKenzie in leadership changes

Firm elects Milton Cheng as next chair, while new Melbourne managing partner predicts success with Japanese and environmental opportunities driving growth.

Law society praises pro bono work

HFW and Asia Legal tenure as an anchor firm for Singapore Law Society pro bono services brings praise for serving most needy and vulnerable.

Ireland gets a negotiation first

First National Intervarsity Negotiation Competition launched.

White & Case tools up for bonds

Firm offers interactive research tech tool for global leveraged loan and high-yield bond activity.

Legal trends lack drama

Alternative fee arrangements rise by few percentage points, while partner rates continue to widen more significantly - anyone surprised?

Ashurst unveils next generation delivery

Firms launches global delivery centre in Brisbane, leveraging off its successful delivery centre in Glasgow.

Global study flags state of data breaches

Data breaches are a global problem under gdpr study reveals, as corporates say it has been more difficult than expected.

New guide aims for meaningful conversations

Linklaters, the UN Global Compact and UC Berkeley School of Law launch guide to help general counsels drive the corporate sustainability agenda.

NAMWOLF celebrates diversity numbers

Dialogue over diversity gets a boost as legal departments investing in sole minority and women firms grows.

Around the house

In this week's moves around the house three legal number ones become the company number one, including a woman campaigning for gender balance in the board room.

Ents boutique firm gets disruptive

Media and entertainment law firm announces partner arrival and launch of dispute resolution practice.

BCLP Cubed reshapes practice

Firm celebrates official launch with major legal tech hire as former Gowling WLG. head takes up chief technology officer post.

Firm's three steps to disputes heaven

Global firm Baker McKenzie has launched its latest legal tech tool in its risk management collection, the Disputes Clause Finder.

Ashurst appointments a milestone in LatAm

Second project finance hire in a week signals further step in Ashurst's ambitions for global team.

International firms in Dublin hires

DAC Beachcroft acquires two partner-led team in Dublin while Dechert continues its expansion and plans to offer training contracts in the city.

Lawyer's murder condemned

European bar condemns murder of Dutch lawyer condemned as 'unacceptable attack on the legal profession.

Louis Vuitton partners with video games producer

Luxury brands are collaborating with video games to find new digital audiences with Louis Vuitton the latest to announce a partnership.

Singapore fintech plan links lawyers to payments industry

New initiative helping payment firms easily access specialised legal services to meet compliance needs is to be launched in November after two-month pilot.

Scots defend judicial independence

As UK prepares for another turbulent week of Brexit, Scots judges defend their role after political and media attacks, and the Supreme Court may well agree with them.

NRF Joburg gets new director

Norton Rose Fulbright has promoted an international disputes specialist to director in the South African finance hub.

Trustlaw expands pro bono network

Thomson Reuters Foundation and Nextlaw Referral Network partner to expand the world's biggest legal pro bono network.

Pinsent Masons joins climate intiative

Firm joins Climate Bonds partners programme to foster sustainability solutions as climate change goes mainstream.

Take me to the ThoughtRiver

Legal AI company grows presence in UK, US and APAC with new appointment and announces new service to increase business intelligence during contract review.

Dentons celebrates anniversary with '50 for 50' CSR Challenge

Dentons innovative CSR project commemorates the 50th anniversary of its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.

Eversheds sets new BAME targets

Eversheds Sutherland (International) targets increased ethnic diversity, and aims to double number of BAME partners by 2025.

Alston & Bird flies into London

Firm opens London office adding seven new attorneys, including three partners, in finance and payments, other hires planned.

US corporate crime yields $100 billion

Report on bipartisan corporate crime-fighting by US states has yielded over $100 billion in company payouts, with bankers topping the list.

Around the house

Sprinklr is one of the companies around the house this week refreshing their legal leadership.

Report condemns "unchecked power" in arbitration

Over 80 percent of private-sector US employees will be forced into arbitration with their employers by 2024, a new report predicts.

Company boards face up to increased regulation and risk

Regulatory reform continues apace for Australian companies in 2019 and building resilience is critical.

Report sets agenda for technology to unlock justice for all

Technology has the potential to unlock justice for all, according to a new report launched by the Law Society of England and Wales. However, the law society stresses it is by no means a 'silver bullet'.

Partner returns to boost Baker Mckenzie LatAm strategy

Firm launches Miami-based strategy to build US-based Latin America practice and hires Americas focused transactional lawyer.

Global IP industry on the eve of a 'digital revolution'

'New IP' initiative launched by CPA Global urges innovators and lawyers in the Intellectual Property industry to make 2020s the decade of digital transformation.

Pinsent Masons in double innovation

Launch of two innovative programmes sees inclusive decision-making and virtual internships move up the agenda at Pinsent Masons.

Clydes loses insurance team

Another team walks at Clydes as eight partners set their heart on own practice in San Francisco.

Sparke Helmore brings in cohort of 25

Firm welcomes a 25-strong team from ClarkeKann Brisbane

Dentons risk specialists hit the road

Following Royal Commission report, risk consulting managing directors head to Australia to advise organisations in high risk industries.

Michael Kors takes on the flea markets

Brand goes after flea market which has become a ?safe haven? for counterfeit sales according to lawsuit, while luxury lawyers prepare to focus on counterfeiting at NY summit.

Cybercrime and people top Brexit as fear factors

UK law firms say cybercrime and retaining key people are higher priority risks than Brexit, according to new benchmarking Survey.

DLA Piper Chile tackles economic crime

New partner joins DLA Piper Chile to launch white collar practice.

LexisNexis accelerates legaltech programme

Provider announces fourth round of legal tech accelerator participants.