Want to get this daily news briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

BEST COAST? –  As we noted back in July, Big Law seems to have a fascination with California that would make Brian Wilson proud. And, as Rose Walker reports, U.K. and international firms are not immune to the allure of the Golden State. Ashurst, Kennedys and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have all opened California locations recently and several others continue to eye the state for opportunities. The question remains, however, how many firms will be able to hack it in one of the world’s most cutthroat legal markets. As the managing partner of one West Coast firm told Walker: “It remains incredibly difficult for non-domestic firms to gain a foothold in the U.S. market, partially because it’s already so competitive, but especially now and post-pandemic. U.K. firms will come out weaker than the top U.S. firms, and the gap will widen and ability to invest and succeed and attract the very best talent in the U.S. will get harder.”