International Legal News

Deloitte uses AI to help clients keep up with tax regulation

The 'big 4' accounting collaborates with Signal A.I. to digitize tax regulation monitoring with artificial intelligence.

Around the house

In mining and cannabis sectors two companies are first-timers in hiring a general counsel, while a couple of counsel jump back over the fence to law firms.

Benchmark study highlights need for corporate buy-in

NAVEX Global publishes its first ever definitive ethics and compliance program benchmark report.

Alternative career for two general counsel

Former MasterCard, 3M general counsel form new ADR firm

French firms in wine partnership

Not just wine though as partnership agreement between Stehlin & Associes and BDA brings global to Bordeaux and takes Bordeaux global.

Eversheds flags Russian move

Eversheds Sutherland Russia merges with domestic firm Tilling Peters, expanding its IP and dispute resolution offering.

IOSCO says stay as you are

IOSCO urges authorities to use existing standards to address cyber risk.

Elevate raises $25 million

$25 million investment from Kayne Partners to fuel continued growth as firm addresses ?critical need? in legal market and aims for public listing.

DAC Beachcroft joins up the dots

Firm launches dedicated team to drive forward change and innovation within the firm though creation of ?BIC? team.

Ashurst advances legal services

Ashurst Advance Delivery announces partnership with Cognia Law to support managed legal services offering.

Legal teams to grow next six months

Driven by litigation and data privacy concerns early half of US law firms and companies plan to expand legal teams within the next six months research predicts.

Football and music disputes dominating UK High Court

Premier League football may be in recess and music festivals in full swing, but football and music bodies are very busy in court.

Woman law pioneer honored for lifetime achievement

Legal profession gathered in Dublin for Irish Law Awards, but the real stars of the show were a retired judge and counsel in controversial cervical smear case.

DWF celebrate Spanish deal

Exclusive association with RCD follows on from recent international deals to expand global reach.

Damning report reveals a criminal justice system on brink of collapse

Law Society of England and Wales reports says urgent intervention needed to save the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

ICO bombarded ?just in case?

UK is higher than most among EU jursidictions in notifying regulator on GDPR breaches, but ?just in case? says law firm.

Rare and well done

Linklaters pledges support to new software set to revolutionise graduate law recruitment.

Dentons combines with Zimbabwean elite firm

Firms' combination with MawereSibanda aims to position both firms to meet client needs in Africa and around the globe.

Ex-Sidley's partner Matthew Cahill joins gunnercooke

Disruptor law firm gunnercooke is accelerating the growth of its London practice with the hire of ex-Clifford Chance and Sidley Austin capital markets veteran Matthew Cahill.

Around the house

Going, going, gone to Phillips! All the moves around the house this week.

ALS systems go!

In-house departments relying more on alternative legal services (ALS) says latest survey.

General counsel steps up to co-chief exec role

More evidence of a shift in general counsel status as gc joins with chief financial officer as co-chief execs of Allied Minds.

Ten companies awarded ACC Value Champions

ACC values corporate legal departments using digital tools, strategy to speed up and streamline business.

Greenberg Traurig throws a recurve ball

Firm launches Recurve as ?first-of-its-kind? global shared services platform to transform delivery of range of services for legal industry.

Vietnam launches first mediation centre

International commercial mediation centre launches in Hanoi and signs cooperation agreement with law faculties.

ATZ Law Chambers rebrands to A&K Tanzania

Anjarwalla & Khanna (A&K) in Tanzania has taken over the practice of ATZ Law Chambers and expanded its leadership team.

Law firms in helicopter horror

New York helicopter crash-lands on Sidley and Willkie offices in early afternoon tragedy, firm safely deploys emergency proocols.

Addleshaw Goddard elevate ?disruptive and innovative? fintechs

The Addleshaw Goddard Elevate 2019 cohort has been announced, with nine innovative fintech businesses awarded a position.

From HSF to MBE for ALT leader!

Herbert Smith Freehills partner appointed an MBE for services to the Northern Ireland economy and innovation in law.

Simmon & Simmons goes Dutch on construction

Firm partners with Dutch think tank by co-initiating new early contractor involvement model.

Latham & Watkins scoop fintech pair

Firm expands fintech practice with prominent Washington DC hires, capturing two experienced partners from Crowell & Moring.

Pay now, argue later?

Launch by Pinsent Masons and QMUL School of Arbitration of survey aims at efficiently resolving international construction disputes.

True cost of counterfeiting under the microscope

EUR 60 billion lost every year across the EU due to counterfeiting in 13 key economic sectors, though IP specialist firm questions the true costs.

Law firm has a craic

Look into your Irish/English dictionary to see what a craic is, but it involves lawyers having fun as firm celebrates a decade in Dublin, and also launches crisis and cyber service.

UK lawyers fear ?disruptive? Big 4

Many UK lawyers fear they will struggle to compete as big accounting groups aggressively expand into legal services.

Brexit is changing the rules for EU customs law

Companies need to take extra steps to ensure they are fully compliant with EU customs law, says Van Bael & Bellis customs practice head Pablo Muñiz.

Gliding into Singapore

Singapore Academy of Law launches legaltech accelerator called GLIDE to attract startups and international talent in ?less saturated? market space.

Dentons jump in revenue but with a little less PEP

Scottish merger highlighted as Dentons reports a 13 per cent rise in revenue for the financial year but PEP only grew in the same period by 4 per cent.

Schoenherr moves into Upper Austria

After being on the radar for some time Vienna-based firm strengthens its Austrian presence with opening of new office in Linz, Upper Austria.

Around the house

Two innovation companies hire their first-ever general counsel, while a merchant bank ends its search after general counsel announced retirement last year.

Data analytics an in-house 'priority'

Data analytics high or medium priority for almost 60 percent of corporate counsel offices, according survey of legal operations directors.

EY grows its in-house legal offering

Acquisition by big 4 firm of Pangea3 Legal Managed Services extends services offered to in-house legal departments in over 80 jurisdictions.

HSF to exit Berlin

Berlin exit as Herbert Smith Freehills refocuses on Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, leaving even less international coverage in the city.

Privacy app taps into $5 billion market

Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini is selling CCPA advice starting at $7,500, earning over $100,000 in sales first week for its privacy app.

Bird & Bird find a new baseline

Baseline merging with Valeocon to bolster Bird & Bird management consulting business.

Dentons extends global coverage of Whistleblowing tool

Expansion of Dentons' interactive whistleblower systems tool extends coverage to 73 countries, and it's free!

Norton's team follows trail to Kennedys

Firm bolsters global marine and energy practice with hire of 12-strong team from Norton Rose Fulbright, following move by finance director.

Falling filings still yield $1.8 billion damages

First annual Lex Machina litigation report shows over $1.8 billion in ERISA-related damages awarded 2016-2018 despite decline in filings.

AI silos threaten justice

Ad hoc use of complex algorithms in the justice system needs urgent oversight says the Law Society of England and Wales in new report following a year-long investigation.

Osborne Clarke enters the Dragon's Den

First cohort attends 'Dragons' Den' event with expert panel from Firstminute Capital, Founders Factory and Osborne Clarke.

Counting the cost of GDPR

Over half of UK global businesses believe they are failing to comply with data privacy regulations costing an average of £840,000 annually.

Ince rebrands six months into merger

Ince simplifies brand as Gordon Dadds name take a back seat and most entities will be known simply as Ince.

Van Bael & Bellis revamps management team

Competition and trade law firm Van Bael & Bellis has restructured its management with founder Jean-Francois Bellis appointed as chair.

Sweden introduces ?beer contract?

Failing to meet a friend for a beer will cost $50 for breach of contract, which is still marginally cheaper than buying a round of beers for your friends in Sweden - perfect story to end the week!

Financial regulators set their priorities in Sydney

Members of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) met at the organization´s 44th Annual Meeting in Sydney hosted by ASIC to discuss priorities.

Research highlights entrepreneurial spirit in UK legal market

Over 520 new law firms planned for the next year as lower costs of technology and successful IPOs feature amongst factors encouraging more entrepreneurship amongst lawyers.

Eversheds sets out stall on Chicago's Magnificent Mile

Eversheds Sutherland opens in Chicago two years after combination, and brings in White & Case real estate veteran lawyer to head up the office.

Kirkland & Ellis kicks off wellbeing program

Kirkland launches a firmwide wellbeing program and hires expert in field to lead initiative to tackle issues related to mental health and substance misuse.

Linklaters in Beijing opening

Following Shanghai free trade zone deal, Linklaters' China joint operation partner Zhao Sheng law firm is to open Beijing branch.

Huawei general counsel attacks US ?state-sanctioned campaign?

Huawei Technologies calls on US halt a 'state-sanctioned campaign against company,' as general counsel says it will not deliver global cybersecurity and attacks blacklisting.

British royal sets general counsels on ?misson?

Prince Charles tells general counsels to act on climate change, flags issue of litigation being used increasingly as a form of activism.

Around the house

Australians at ANZ and PwC take up new global appointments among the moves this week around the house.

LexisNexis CounselLink launches new tools for general counsel

New features supports legal teams to collect, organize, track, audit and report on legal department workload and demonstrate value delivered to the enterprise.

Italian merger creates largest independent firm

BonelliErede and Lombardi e Associati merger gets the green light, though there has been some fallout as lawyers leave for other firms.

Firms in Korea and Myanmar collaboration

Korea's Yulchon has forged a collaboration arrangement with ZICO Law in Myanmar, building on historic ties between the two nations.

UK data privacy fines increase by £2m

Increases in 2018 impacted even before GDPR fines begin to kick in says PwC privacy report, while marketing key culprit.

The "gift of feedback" with a global resonance

Two female plaintiffs deliver the ?gift of feedback? to Irish bar conference while barrister calls legal delays a ?national disgrace? - messages for lawyers in all jurisdictions?

Freshfields launches Freshfields Lab

Freshfields Lab is new collaborative space to accelerate innovation as a core part of the Firm's digitization strategy with first location in Berlin.

DAC Beachcroft in charity collaboration

Firm to support 1,200 small charities through pro bono legal guidance in partnership with Aviva.

Lawtech lacking in trust

British Consumer watchdog issues paper raising concerns over lawtech and lack of consumer trust, and provides regulatory checklist.

Bird & Bird's ?no-brainer?

Firm launches dpo and gdpr representative services to help clients comply with gdpr, new managing director says "no-brainer" to offer service.

Canada launches digital charter

Call to modernise legislation as charter promotes 10 principles aiming to build a foundation of trust for Canadians in the digital sphere.

KPMG adds to Asia legal presence

Big four firm expands its legal offering to Indonesia with domestic firm alliance, next stop Shanghai.

Hogan Lovells in trademark platform collaboration

Firm further enhances its trademark management efficiency with Anaqua, a new platform supporting a global collaboration.

ICJ launches first app

The International Court of Justice embraces lawtech with app becoming first international judicial body in Netherlands, appoints new registrar.

Cybersecurity protection to deter patent trolls

Unified Patents attracts general counsel praises with launch of cybersecurity protection zone attracting industry leaders and innovators.

Around the house

This week's moves highlight some general counsel trends, including gc turned ceo and contractual departure of Caesars Palace gc after ceo's termination.

General counsel rate top legal brands

In "bet-the-company" situations general counsel places Skadden top of the list.

New study highlights dealmaking factors

Need to acquire technology underpins corporate TMT dealmaking says PwC analysis, calls for more groundwork and better communication.

JAMS in NY and LA

Not traffic jams for a change, but new international arbitration centers which have officially opened in Los Angeles and New York.

Singing the legal blues

Songwriters call for more freedoms and less regulation during ASCAP ?Stand with Songwriters? on today's advocacy day.

Sheppard Mullin puts "money where its mouth is" on gender

Firm sponsors LA Galaxy OC women's soccer team, part of the successful Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise LA Galaxy, which hit the big time with David Beckham.

EU Council to impose cyber-attack sanctions

New framework will allow the EU and its member states to be more resistant and to respond to cyber-attacks with sanctions.

Lander & Rogers launches lawtech hub

Melbourne lawtech hub formally launched featuring new startups and scaleup, with new intake also due in September.

William Fry un-Corked!

William Fry has announced the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding the number of offices globally to six.

Legal partnering to foster access to justice

Low-income Americans to get help as American Bar Association joins forces with Legal Services Corporation to launch legal tech donation effort.

Latham & Watkins boosts Tokyo with 3 MoFo hires

Firms says group brings formidable M&A experience to Latham, further strengthening the firm's practice in Japan and globally.

Singapore tackles low legaltech take up amongst law firms

The Law Society of Singapore launches initiative to encourage local legal firms to adopt new technology with only 12 per cent adopting technology solutions.

Knowledge gap in legal ops and lawtech

Fewer than one in four respondents report using machine learning or AI in their legal operations and technology, says a Bloomberg Law report.

New legal billing platform powered by AI

Cash flow and billing ensures ?one hundred percent? compliance - law firms spend over $200 million per annum on e-billing, says provider.

Courts in Japan to embrace the web

Japanese courts to use web meetings to connect judges and counsel in suit preparations, planned for 2020.

Firm sees strong market for smart insurance contracts

Clyde & Co launches first-of-its kind off the shelf connected parametric insurance contract for insurers through its smart contract consultancy.

Norton Rose Fulbright pioneers document automation

Firm joins forces with Syke Legal Engineering citing client demand for greater collaboration between law firms and other legal providers.

US Senator George Mitchell on flying visit

Chairman emeritus of global US law firm DLA Piper, Senator George Mitchell, flies into Dublin to mark opening of new office.

General counsel turnover increases 65 per cent

The last three years sees significant rise as chief executives demanding change and better legal support, according to a report.

Former general counsel hopes to clean up

Launches online lawyer-matching service to enhance choosing external counsel, while a general counsel he used exercises to test law firm partners, including cleaning hotel toilets.

Companies warned c-suite is latest target of cybercrime

C-level executives, who have access to a company's most sensitive information, are now the major focus for social engineering attacks.

Around the house

Columbia law adjunct professor takes on new biopharm role and Dolby general counsel immerses himself into new challenge in moves this week.

DLA Piper launches AI practice

Firm announces launch of Artificial Intelligence practice and flags its thought leadership credentials.

Baker McKenzie Selects iManage Cloud

New global work product management platform combines secure information governance and collaboration.