News

Why PwC and Deloitte Are Betting on Immigration Law

Dan Packel | September 24, 2018

Said one law firm managing partner: "I think they're going to go after everything eventually."

News

Kirkland Brings Back Litigator Who Tackled SDNY White-Collar Prosecutions

Christine Simmons | September 24, 2018

Robert Allen led the investigation in the insider trading case against Rep. Chris Collins and prosecuted former Foley & Larder partner Walter "Chet" Little, among other cases.

News

Jenner & Block Practice Leader Jumps to Davis Wright Tremaine

Ryan Lovelace | September 24, 2018

Nancy Libin was the Justice Department's chief privacy and civil liberties officer during the Obama administration before chairing the data privacy and cybersecurity practice at Jenner & Block.

Editor's Letter

From the Editor-in-Chief: Change Is Coming

Gina Passarella Cipriani | September 24, 2018

Our Global report and (for a time) our newsroom are both going through changes.

Nearly 2,000 Female Lawyers Voice Support for Christine Blasey Ford

Tony Mauro | September 24, 2018

Mothers in the legal profession from Big Law and other firms, government agencies and higher ed joined en masse to support the Kavanaugh accuser.

News

McKeon Elected to Second Term as Morgan Lewis Chair

Lizzy McLellan | September 24, 2018

Since taking over as chair in 2014, Jami McKeon has presided over over two significant mergers and other big changes at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

News

PwC Forms Alliance With US Firm, Furthering Big Four's Ambitions in Law

Ben Wheway | September 24, 2018

The deal brings together PwC UK and the New York-based immigration specialist law firm Fragomen, handing PwC a major foothold in the U.S. market.

Infographic

Data Snapshot: Is Big Law Making Progress On Gender Diversity?

Nicholas Bruch, Director, ALM Intelligence | Ben Hancock | September 24, 2018

There may have been some change in the representation of women at major law firms over the past five years, but it has been slow going.

Chart

The 2018 Global 100 Ranked by Head Count

Ben Seal | September 24, 2018

The top 10 is dominated by vereins and a European Economic Interest Group.

Analysis

In Latin America, Firms' Focus Expands to Growing Economies

Dan Packel | September 24, 2018

Global law firms are increasingly looking beyond just Brazil and Mexico when they eye Latin American growth.

Analysis

It's Open Season for International Interest in South Africa

Scott Flaherty | September 24, 2018

Economic changes in post-apartheid South Africa have attracted international attention, putting pressure on local firms.

Ranking

The 2018 Global 100

Ben Seal | September 24, 2018

Our annual ranking of the world's 100 largest law firms shows there was plenty of growth to go around last year.

Chart

The 2018 Global 100 Ranked by Revenue

Ben Seal | September 24, 2018

It was a year of major growth and internationalization among the world's largest firms.

Chart

The 2018 Global 100 Ranked by Profits per Equity Partner

Ben Seal | September 24, 2018

The top nine firms in PEP are based in the United States.

Analysis

Law Firms Are Once Again Focusing on Growth in the United States

Meghan Tribe | September 24, 2018

After years of globalization, some firms are pulling back to focus on building a stronger platform in the world's most lucrative legal market.

Analysis

With Brexit Looming, European Lawyers Head Into the Wild

Krishnan Nair | September 24, 2018

With six months to go, firms are doing their best to prepare for the uncertainty.

News

Veteran Prosecutor Michael Bromwich Joins Kavanaugh Accuser's Legal Team

Marcia Coyle | Tony Mauro | September 22, 2018

Bromwich announced his resignation from Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck, Untereiner & Sauber to join Christine Blasey Ford's legal team.

News

Suicide Blamed in Death of DLA Piper Partner

Meghan Tribe | September 21, 2018

Bruce Wickersham, a Pennsylvania native whose body was discovered off a Massachusetts marina, was a longtime partner in DLA Piper's Boston office.

News

Big Law Partner Becomes Latest Legal Eagle to Join NHL's Executive Ranks

Roy Strom | September 21, 2018

Norton Rose Fulbright has joined a long list of law firms that have served as a training ground for talent recruited by the National Hockey League.

News

Sidley Partner, Trump's Pick for SF US Attorney, Discloses $4.07M Partnership Share, Big-Name Clients

Ross Todd | September 21, 2018

David Anderson's client list, which was made public as part of required disclosures for U.S. attorney candidates, includes Apple, AT&T, Facebook, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Wells Fargo & Co.

News

Trump Aide Taps 'Fastest Growing' Boutique in DNC's Russia Interference Case

Meghan Tribe | September 21, 2018

For Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht—which aims to beat firms like Quinn Emanuel at their own game—client George Papadopoulos is the firm's first foray into the legal drama surrounding Russia and the election of President Donald Trump.

Podcast

Post Quinn Emanuel Split, Faith Gay Dishes on Boutique Ambitions

Leigh Jones | Vanessa Blum | September 21, 2018

The Careerist Vivia Chen talks with the Selendy & Gay partner as part of a podcast series focused on the successes and struggles of prominent women lawyers.

Commentary

Did I Lose My Feminist Cred?

Vivia Chen | September 21, 2018

In my last column, I took a look at Brett Kavanaugh’s alleged behavior in the teenage context, and I received an avalanche of responses—largely divided along gender lines.

Commentary

The Problem With Associate Evaluations

Lauren Stiller Rikleen| September 21, 2018

Vague messages and limited guidance make evaluations a frustrating experience for many associates, especially women.

News

New Shearman & Sterling Initiative Banks on Clients' Fintech Needs

Dan Packel | September 20, 2018

The Wall Street firm's FinTech Foundry program is aimed not just at banks and startups, but also other companies that see applications for technologies like blockchain.

News

Blank Rome Adds Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice in Houston

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | September 20, 2018

James Grogan, who spent nearly a decade at Paul Hastings, said he is hoping to add more lawyers in Houston and expand the practice there.

News

ABA Guidance Details Obligations After Hurricanes, Other Disasters

Scott Flaherty | September 20, 2018

The bar association's standing committee on ethics and professional responsibility published a formal ethics opinion related to disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and fires, reminding lawyers of their specific ethical obligations when severe weather hits.

Diving In: Inside the Evolution of Law Firm Cybersecurity Practices

Rhys Dipshan | September 20, 2018

Cybersecurity practices used to be focused solely on post-breach legal matters. Now they’ve matured to point where they’re comfortable handling more technical demands.

News

UnitedLex, Big Deals in Hand, Sells Majority Stake to European Buyout Firm

Roy Strom | September 20, 2018

CVC Capital Partners is poised to purchase control of the New Law company.

News

Fox Rothschild to Merge With North Carolina Firm, Gaining 130 Lawyers

Lizzy McLellan | September 20, 2018

A merger with Smith Moore Leatherwood gives Fox Rothschild six new offices in the Carolinas and Atlanta.

News

This Big Law Lateral Wants to Build a Colorado-Vietnam Business Pipeline

Roy Strom | September 19, 2018

Chuong Le's family escaped Vietnam in a boat. Now the former leader of Denver's 3i Law is hoping to help U.S. businesses make inroads in the burgeoning Southeast Asian country at an Am Law 200 firm.

News

Tossed WWE Concussion Suit Becomes Triple Threat Match Featuring K&L Gates

Roy Strom | September 19, 2018

A three-way war of words has broken out in the wake of a dismissed concussion-related suit involving World Wrestling Entertainment and its lawyers from K&L Gates, a plaintiffs attorney and a judge.

Debevoise Infrastructure Leader Joins Norton Rose Fulbright

Christine Simmons | September 19, 2018

After five years at Debevoise, Douglas Buchanan is leaving to co-lead the North American infrastructure practice at Norton Rose Fulbright.

News

Labaton's Whistleblower Group Lands Former Top SEC Lawyer

Scott Flaherty | September 19, 2018

Richard Levine, an associate general counsel for legal policy at the Securities and Exchange Commission, has joined Labaton Sucharow as a partner.

News

Simpson Thacher Settles With Recruiter Over Sullivan & Cromwell Hire

Christine Simmons | September 19, 2018

The deal to end litigation over a partner placement came as Simpson Thacher faced the potential release of more internal firm documents.

News

Everyone in the Kavanaugh Controversy Is Lawyering Up

Ellis Kim | September 19, 2018

A former Kavanaugh high school classmate, drawn into the Supreme Court nominee’s sexual assault controversy, has tapped Kobre & Kim’s Eric Bruce to represent him.

News

Shearman & Sterling to Open Seoul Office

John Kang | September 19, 2018

The firm will enter Asia's fourth-largest economy as U.S. rival Simpson Thacher & Bartlett prepares to exit by year's end.

Analysis

How Holland & Knight Built a Philadelphia Office on Reed Smith Talent

Lizzy McLellan | September 19, 2018

The firm capitalized on Reed Smith's shifting priorities to grow from zero to more than 30 lawyers in Philadelphia in a flash.

News

Dechert Adds Eversheds Sutherland Partner in Latest DC Hire

Dan Packel | September 18, 2018

Business development company specialist Harry Pangas is the firm's fifth senior-level hire in the nation's capital in 2018.

News

Possible Kavanaugh Witness Won't Testify, His Cozen O'Connor Lawyer Says

Ellis Kim | September 18, 2018

Mark Judge has hired Cozen O’Connor’s Barbara Van Gelder as some senators seek his testimony about an alleged sexual assault that involved the Supreme Court nominee decades ago.

Commentary

Brett Kavanaugh Was a Bad Teenager

Vivia Chen | September 18, 2018

The Supreme Court nominee's detractors hint that the alleged incident in his youth is indicative of his darker side, that it illustrates his capacity for duplicity—that past is prologue. But I think it mainly shows he was drunk and callow.

New York's Lippes Mathias Lands in DC With Akin Gump Pair

Dan Packel | September 18, 2018

The expansion into Washington gives the firm two new practice leaders and a federal lobbying presence.

News

Mintz Adds Ex-Prosecutors in Boston, New York

Meghan Tribe | September 18, 2018

The firm is beefing up its stable of former prosecutors in the Northeast with former SDNY prosecutor Jason Halperin and ex-Boston DA Daniel Conley.

News

What's in a Name? Mintz Becomes Latest Big Firm to Rebrand

Scott Flaherty | September 18, 2018

With its rebranding effort, Mintz has joined a growing group of law firms that have slimmed down their names for marketing purposes.

News

Hughes Hubbard’s Long Lehman Brokerage Wind-Down Could End in 2019

Roy Strom | September 18, 2018

Wednesday will mark a decade since James Giddens, head of the firm's bankruptcy and corporate reorganization group, was named trustee for the liquidation of the failed banking giant’s brokerage unit.

News

The American Lawyer’s Global Legal Awards Finalists

Ben Seal | September 18, 2018

For the sixth year in a row, we’re honoring excellence in global work in four categories: pro bono, finance, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution.

News

Experts See Few Parallels as Skadden's Ukraine Work Comes Under Fire

Christine Simmons | September 18, 2018

The controversy surrounding former partner Gregory Craig is bringing new attention to lawyers and law firms' obligations under the eight-decade-old Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Law firms need to consider a range of options for achieving their aspirations

Mary K Young and Kent Zimmermann| September 18, 2018

Why laterals and combinations are options many firms pursue

'It’s a Question of When, Not If'—Baker McKenzie Sets Sights on US Merger

Rose Walker | September 18, 2018

The firm is targeting growth on the east and west coasts amid interest from several domestic firms.

News

O’Melveny Helps Electric Car Startup Secure $1B Saudi Investment

Xiumei Dong | September 17, 2018

Lucid Motors, not Tesla, tapped the firm to advise on a $1 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

News

Dentons Completes Malaysian, Indonesian Combinations--Updated

John Kang | September 17, 2018

Dentons has already launched in other ASEAN markets. In May of last year, the firm launched in Myanmar; and in 2016, the firm combined with Singapore's Rodyk & Davidson.

News

Is Kirkland Raiding the Big Four?

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | September 17, 2018

Kirkland & Ellis has picked up two KPMG tax lawyers for its new Dallas office in the past few months.

News

Dorsey Doubles Down on Salt Lake City With Holland & Hart Hires

Meghan Tribe | September 17, 2018

The fast-growing Salt Lake City office is now the firm's second largest in the country.

News

Can a Big Law Private Equity Practice Play Matchmaker?

Roy Strom | September 17, 2018

Holland & Knight is taking a page out of an investment banker’s playbook.

Analysis

Amid Sanctions, Global Law Firms Face Russian Reckoning

Dan Packel | September 17, 2018

International firms are finding themselves cut off from key Russian clients, and they're coping with increasing homegrown competition. But some are equipped to ride out the storm.

News

Best Law Firm of the Year and Attorney of the Year Award Finalists

Gina Passarella Cipriani | September 17, 2018

We are honored to announce our finalists for the Best Law Firm of the Year and Attorney of the Year awards. These special firms and individuals will be…

News

The Finalists for the First Annual American Lawyer Industry Awards

Gina Passarella Cipriani | September 17, 2018

The American Lawyer Industry Awards recognize excellence and progress in the legal profession across the full spectrum of legal services delivery.

News

Rimon Reels in 8-Strong Silicon Valley IP Team

Xiumei Dong | September 17, 2018

The firm is taking on an intellectual property group from Duane Morris led by the latter's Silicon Valley leader.

News

Viet Dinh Will Be CLO for Spun-Off Fox Company After Disney Merger

Dan Clark | September 17, 2018

Viet Dinh, an independent director of the 21st Century Fox Inc. board and most recently a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, will step down from the board to become the new chief legal and policy officer of the combined company that will emerge from The Walt Disney Corp.'s purchase of Fox's film and TV studios in the first half of 2019.

News

Proskauer Partner Behind $50M Gender Bias Suit Jumps to Polsinelli

Ryan Lovelace | September 17, 2018

Less than six weeks after settling her lawsuit against Proskauer Rose, Connie Bertram is taking her labor and employment practice elsewhere.

News

Armstrong Teasdale Plants Phila. Flag With 7 From Montgomery McCracken

Lizzy McLellan | September 17, 2018

Montgomery McCracken's former chairman is among the group launching St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale's first East Coast office.

News

Greg Craig Repped by Bill Taylor & Zuckerman Spaeder Amid SDNY Investigation

Ellis Kim | September 15, 2018

The former of counsel at Skadden is facing a federal investigation tied to special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the U.S. elections.

News

Big Law Donates $15 Million to Global Environmental Pro Bono Effort

Xiumei Dong | September 14, 2018

Nine large law firms have pledged to deliver $15 million in free legal services by 2020 in order to advance sustainability around the world.

News

Changing of the Guard at Glaser Weil's IP Group

Scott Graham | September 14, 2018

Group chairwoman Adrian Pruetz has retired, while partners Andrew Choung and Erica Van Loon have joined the L.A. office of Lathrop Gage.

Commentary

News You Can't Use

Vivia Chen | September 14, 2018

Junior's been busy, Cruz hates tofu, and Miss America is so over.

News

Shearman & Sterling Aims to Boost Diversity With New C-Suite Role

Meghan Tribe | September 14, 2018

Sandra Bang will be the Shearman's first chief diversity and talent strategy officer—and the latest in a string of new diversity-focused executives at big firms.

News

Baker McKenzie Downplays Ties to Brazilian Affiliate in 'Operation Car Wash' Case

Dan Packel | September 14, 2018

The global firm said it had no role in the Brazilian firm's addition of a lawyer still employed as a federal prosecutor to a conglomerate's defense team—a move that allegedly put a $3.18 billion settlement in question.

Research

ALM Survey on Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Big Law’s Pervasive Problem

Patrick Krill| September 14, 2018

ALM Intelligence's survey of Am Law 200 firm leaders about their attitudes and actions regarding addiction and mental health challenges reveals much work remains to be done to deal with the problem.

News

Madoff-Related Fees Top $1B for Baker & Hostetler

Scott Flaherty | September 14, 2018

As the trustee, Irving Picard, and his team have recovered billions for Madoff's victims over the past decade, Baker & Hostetler has benefited from a steady stream of income.

Analysis

Blank Rome Case Raises Sticky Questions on Law Firm Mergers

Lizzy McLellan | September 14, 2018

When is a law firm merger not a merger? In demanding millions of dollars from Blank Rome, former Dickstein Shapiro partners may help drum up answers.

News

Without Ed Hochuli, Who Is the Most Recognizable NFL Lawyer-Referee?

Roy Strom | September 14, 2018

The buff-looking former official and Phoenix litigator retired earlier this year. In order to crown a new champion, we must go to the replay booth.

News

Trump Ambassador Pick Faced Sexual Harassment Claims at Former Law Firm

Christine Simmons | September 14, 2018

In seeking confirmation to serve as U.S. ambassador to Romania, Seyfarth Shaw partner Adrian Zuckerman could face questions about decade-old sexual harassment claims related to his time at Lowenstein Sandler.

News

Greenberg Traurig Bets on Gaming Growth With New Partner Hire

Brian Baxter | September 13, 2018

Mark Hichar, a former chair of the gaming law group at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, has joined the global legal giant in Boston.

News

Embezzlement Trial Over Defunct Atlanta Firm Will Hinge on Intent

Meredith Hobbs | September 13, 2018

Prosecutors say they'll show Nathan Hardwick siphoned funds from now-bankrupt Morris Hardwick Schneider to fuel his "lavish spending," including more than $16 million on charter jets, gambling and women.

News

Nashville-Based Transactions Lawyer Takes Reins at Bradley Arant

Scott Flaherty | September 13, 2018

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings has selected a new leader: Nashville-based Jonathan Skeeters, a transactional lawyer who will now guide the Am Law 200 firm's direction.

Event

Learn More: Why GCs Are Coming Together to Help Women Perfect Their Pitch

Law.com Editors| September 13, 2018

Join ALM’s editors for a free call on Monday, Sept. 17 to learn more about “Perfecting Your Pitch”— a training and networking opportunity for women lawyers this fall in New York and San Francisco.

News

21st Century Fox GC to Return 'Home' to Williams & Connolly Following Disney Deal

Dan Clark | September 13, 2018

Gerson Zweifach will return to his old law firm once the Disney deal closes—likely in the first half of 2019.

News

Valeant, Mylan Go to War Over Katten Disqualification

Scott Graham | September 13, 2018

Valeant's attempt to disqualify a team of Katten Muchin Rosenman patent litigators led to a showdown Wednesday at the Federal Circuit.

News

Ashurst to Add Alternative Legal Services Offering in Australia

Anna Zhang | September 12, 2018

The initial team will comprise six to eight legal analysts and business services roles; the Brisbane center will support offices and clients across Australia.

Update

Former Dickstein Shapiro Lawyers Sue Blank Rome Seeking $4 Million in Unreturned Capital

Ross Todd | September 12, 2018

The lawsuit, filed in California state court Wednesday, claims that Blank Rome styled its 2016 merger with Dickstein Shapiro as an “asset sale” to avoid paying out capital contributions to departed partners.

News

Jones Day Brings Back Ex-Partner in Detroit After Stint at Health Giant

Roy Strom | September 12, 2018

The Jones Day Detroit connection is alive and well following the global firm's representation of the Motor City in its 2014 bankruptcy.

News

Q&A: Why Justin Kan Thinks He Can Make Clients—and Lawyers—Happier

Dan Packel | September 12, 2018

The Twitch founder, whose New Law venture Atrium just raised $65 million, says his company can make legal services more efficient for clients and more "meaningful" for lawyers.

News

How Gunderson Dettmer Stays Steady Through Silicon Valley's Boom-Bust Cycles

Xiumei Dong | September 12, 2018

Formed 23 years ago this month by a group of lawyers fleeing a now-defunct legal giant, Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian may have a full shingle, but a focused strategy has helped it survive.

News

Bye bye, Big Law: Greenberg Traurig Co-President Hilarie Bass is Stepping Down to Start a Nonprofit

Zach Schlein | September 12, 2018

Bass, who has served with the firm for the entirety of her 37-year-long legal career, recently served as the the 2017-2018 president of the American Bar Association. She will be leaving Greenberg Traurig at the end of 2018 to launch a venture addressing the challenges faced by women and minorities in the workplace.

News

Boston Sees More Moves as Nutter Adds 7-Lawyer IP Group

Meghan Tribe | September 12, 2018

Nutter McClennen & Fish looked to a local boutique to grow its IP group after a leading partner departed for Womble Bond Dickinson.

Ex-SDNY Judge Katherine Forrest Returns to Cravath

Dan Packel | September 12, 2018

Following stints at the Justice Department and on the federal bench in Manhattan, Forrest said she was "thrilled" to be rejoining her former firm.

Commentary

How the GC of Mastercard Improves His Law Firm Relationships

Tim Murphy| September 11, 2018

The company had doubts about holding law firm summits, but the results have demonstrated their significant value.

Diversity Efforts Are Basically Worthless

Vivia Chen | September 11, 2018

That's one of the news flashes from the study by the American Bar Association’s commission on women and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.

Venture Capitalists Pour Another $115M into Legal Tech Platforms

Dan Packel | September 11, 2018

With big new infusions from Andreessen Horowitz and others, San Francisco-based Atrium and Toronto's Kira Systems are the latest New Law ventures to win VC's attention.

News

New York Bankruptcy Lateral Bonanza Continues With Hogan Lovells Hire

Scott Flaherty | September 11, 2018

Hogan Lovells has added Douglas Taber, a former GE Capital in-house lawyer, to its bankruptcy and restructuring practice. The hire is just the latest lateral activity among large-firm restructuring practices in New York.

Q&A

Q&A: Why Firms Need New Norms on Substance Abuse, Mental Health

Christine Simmons | September 11, 2018

Alcohol and drug counselor Patrick Krill says a new ABA pledge campaign to increase lawyer well-being is "not just words."

News

Ropes & Gray, in Practice Refocus, Asks Four Partners to Leave in London

Hannah Roberts | September 11, 2018

Ropes & Gray is said to be looking to move away from real estate and restructuring work in London, focusing instead on more global matters out of the city.

Expert Opinion

Managing Partner Comp Expectations in a Record Financial Year

Blane Prescott| September 11, 2018

Setting partner compensation and defending it after the fact doesn't typically work, consultant Blane Prescott notes. Managing expectations is key, particularly in good years.

News

Dentons Adds 1 Last China Office, Opening in Northwestern City of Lanzhou

John Kang | September 11, 2018

The office will leverage the city's strategic location in China's Belt and Road Initiative, the ambitious infrastructure project across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Belgium Is Latest Stop in Littler's European Expansion

Dan Packel | September 11, 2018

Once Littler Mendelson's tie-up with 20-attorney employment boutique Reliance is complete, the firm will have a presence in six European countries.

Law Firm Leaderships’ Biggest Challenge: Equality Of Outcome

David J. Parnell| September 11, 2018

Aggressive poaching in the market is forcing leadership to contend with the delicate balance of equality, culture and compensation in their firms.

News

Former FTC Commissioner, Obama Admin. Adviser Lands at Covington

Ryan Lovelace | September 10, 2018

The firm's newest partner, Terrell McSweeny, is one of the last Obama-era FTC commissioners to leave her post at the agency.

Analysis

Out-of-Town Firms Hire For Industry Expertise in Boston Push

Lizzy McLellan| September 10, 2018

As Boston booms, out-of-town Am Law 200 firms are making niche hires targeted at certain industry expertise.

News

Litigation Funder, Preparing for IPO, Hires Ex-Allen & Overy Leader

Rose Walker | September 10, 2018

Linklaters and Simmons & Simmons are advising on an IPO in London by litigation financier Vannin Capital, which announced this week its hire of former Allen & Overy senior partner David Morley as chairman.

News

Wachtell Summer Associate's Cause of Death Remains Unclear

Meghan Tribe | September 10, 2018

Leon Cain, a student at Stanford Law School, was found unresponsive in the early morning hours of Aug. 19 in Washington, D.C.