News

US Commerce Lifts Export Ban on China Telecom ZTE

Sue Reisinger | July 13, 2018

The Chinese telecom has now met the terms of its June agreement with the Commerce Department, which included paying a penalty of $1 billion.

News

PwC Launches New Local Law Practice in Singapore, Hiring Prominent Partner from a Top Singapore Firm

John Kang | July 13, 2018

Rachel Eng will leave WongPartnership after 23 years and launch a new local firm for the accounting giant. She had been the firm's deputy chair since 2016.

News

Clifford Chance Looks to Break Out to Break Through With 2 New 'Innovation Units'

Gabrielle Orum Hernández | July 13, 2018

The firm is launching two new innovation projects, Clifford Chance Create and Clifford Chance Applied Solutions, to help the firm design and scale technology for clients.

News

UnitedLex Targets UK Law Firm Tie-up on Back of Major US Deals

Ben Wheway| July 13, 2018

The legal services provider is now setting its sights on the U.K. market.

Analysis

Hogan Lovells’ New Asia Pacific and Middle East Head Has Big Plans in an Interconnected World

John Kang | July 12, 2018

Miguel Zaldivar is the first American partner to oversee the region for the firm. He wants to improve the interconnection between the firm's practices in the Asia Pacific/Middle East and its practices in the U.S. and Europe.

News

FCPA Midyear Reports: Slow and Steady Pace Marked By Key Developments

Sue Reisinger | July 12, 2018

New reports from Shearman & Sterling and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher review the anti-bribery landscape over the first half of 2018.

How a Blogger Spurred a #MeToo Reckoning for New Zealand's Top Law Firms

Meghan Tribe | July 12, 2018

After allegations of sexual misconduct rocked the country's legal industry, Zoe Lawton made it her mission to collect as many victims' accounts as she could.

News

In GDPR Compliance, US Companies Lag Behind United Kingdom, EU

Dan Clark | July 12, 2018

A survey by TrustArc and Dimensional Research indicates that U.S. companies have their work cut out for them to catch up with companies in other countries.

News

Former Sidley Partner Joins Greenberg Traurig as Asia Real Estate Chair

John Kang | July 12, 2018

Real estate lawyer Joel Rothstein will first be based in New York, then later spend time in the firm’s Asian offices in Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul.

News

Squire Patton Boggs Launches Public Policy Practice in China

Anna Zhang | July 12, 2018

Former Nielsen Greater China president Yan Xuan joins to lead the practice as political and economic volatility grows in Sino-U.S. relations.

News

Q&A: A Brexit Update for US Lawyers

Dan Packel | July 12, 2018

Dechert's Miriam Gonzalez offers an insider look at the latest uncertainties over Brexit and what it means for lawyers in the U.S.

News

2nd Circuit Ruling on Cross-Border Document Production Welcome Development for In-House Lawyers

Dan Clark | July 11, 2018

A panel of the Second Circuit found on Tuesday that a lower court erred in demanding Cravath turn over a client's confidential documents as part of foreign litigation.

News

ACC Study Says Outside the US, Gender Pay Gap for Women In-House Lawyers Widens

Sue Reisinger | July 11, 2018

The pay gap is especially severe for in-house lawyers in Latin America and the Middle East/Africa region.

News

Asia Deal Digest: July 12, 2018

Anna Zhang | John Kang | July 11, 2018

• Skadden advises mobile chat app Momo's $650 million convertible notes offer. • Paul Hastings acting on Korean logistics investment in Illinois. • Allen & Gledhill guides Singapore's first retail private equity bond.

News

Jingtian to End Mayer Brown Association, Launch Own Hong Kong Law Practice

John Kang | July 11, 2018

The Chinese firm decided to launch its own local law practice in Hong Kong to “further strengthen its competitive advantage in overseas capital markets.”

News

Chinese Firm Expands US Presence as Trade War Heats Up

Anna Zhang | July 11, 2018

Three years after launching in Washington, D.C., Beijing DHH Law Firm has opened a Seattle office, aiming to support the local Chinese business community as trade tensions worsen.

News

Clyde & Co Posts Double-Digit Increase in Net Profit; Credits Major Growth in the US

Joseph Evans | July 11, 2018

The firm highlights the United States as a driver of revenue growth.

Update

Plaintiffs Lawyer Donziger Suspended in Wake of Judge's Findings of 'Fraud' and 'Coercion' in Chevron Pollution Case

Andrew Denney | July 10, 2018

An state appellate panel in Manhattan said a federal court’s findings “constitute uncontroverted evidence of serious professional misconduct which immediately threatens the public interest.”

Former Jones Day Partner Joins Hong Kong Boutique

John Kang | July 10, 2018

Benjamin McQuhae joins GPS Legal, a Hong Kong law firm founded by a pair of ex-Jones Day lawyers and Addleshaw Goddard's former Asia corporate head.

News

Freshfields Heavyweight Ward McKimm Leaves for Shearman

Rose Walker | July 10, 2018

The high-yield star is the latest partner to leave the Magic Circle firm.

European Consumer Org Claims Big Tech Companies' Privacy Policies Not Totally GDPR Compliant

Dan Clark | July 09, 2018

A report indicates that even though many tech companies updated their privacy policies right before the GDPR came into effect on May 25, “there is still room for significant improvements.”

News

US Expansion Is Among Top Priorities for Eversheds Sutherland in the Year Ahead

Rose Walker | July 09, 2018

Tech, diversity and innovation crowdsourcing led the agenda at a firmwide partner conference in New York.

UK Legal Departments Falling Behind in Tech Use, Study Says

Dan Clark | July 09, 2018

New data from Acritas shows that British legal departments are lagging behind the rest of Europe and the U.S. in multiple tech use categories.

News

The Transfer Window: Latest Partner Hires for Ashurst, White & Case, DLA and Hogan Lovells

Legal Week Staff| July 09, 2018

All the latest partner moves and appointments in London and continental Europe.

Slaughter and May Files $2M Unpaid Fees Claim Against Former Client

Krishnan Nair | July 06, 2018

The magic circle firm has taken action against the founder of the now-defunct London investment firm Liongate.

News

M&A Leaders Not Sweating Fears of Rising Protectionism

Dan Packel | July 05, 2018

While some see a rising tide of protectionism swallowing up global deals, law firm M&A practice leaders say the effects will be limited.

News

Nixon Peabody Hires Hong Kong Partner From Jack Ma-Backed Brokerage

John Kang | July 05, 2018

John Maguire joins Nixon Peabody CWL from Yunfeng Financial Group, where he was its head of corporate finance.

News

DLA Piper Adds Beijing Partner From Shearman

John Kang | July 05, 2018

Securities lawyer Yang Ge joined Shearman in 2011 and advised on several Chinese companies’ IPOs in the U.S.

News

Former Norton Rose Fulbright Sydney Co-Head Joins Clayton Utz

John Kang | July 05, 2018

Andrew Steele is the latest former Henry Davis York partner to leave following the firm's merger with Norton Rose Fulbright last year.

Analysis

Is Singapore the Next Center for Legal Innovation?

Anna Zhang | July 05, 2018

The city-state's government has established programs to advance innovation in the legal profession. Can Hong Kong, Asia's other financial center, catch up?

News

Baker McKenzie to Expand Belfast Hub With 150 New Hires

Rose Walker| July 05, 2018

The firm agrees to boost Belfast support base by 50 percent.

News

Top Hong Kong Court Says Lesbian Couple Should Receive Spousal Visa

Anna Zhang | July 05, 2018

Global law firms and banks said the ruling strengthens Hong Kong’s ability to attract global talent, although same-sex marriage remains unrecognized in the jurisdiction.

News

HFW Boosts Its Global Disputes Practice With Brussels and Dubai Double Hire

Krishnan Nair | July 04, 2018

The firm has hired Trowers partner James Harbridge in Dubai and Emmanuel Roger France from Fieldfisher in Brussels.

Big Four Auditors Take Top Spots in Asia Pacific Alternative Legal Service Brand Ranking

John Kang | July 03, 2018

PricewaterhouseCoopers was the top non-law brand in the region, according to London-based research firm Acritas' inaugural index.

News

King & Wood Mallesons Expands Hong Kong Capital Markets Practice With HKEX Hire

John Kang | July 03, 2018

Anthony Jacobsen, who was previously a Shanghai partner at Sidley Austin and Baker McKenzie, will join the Sino-Australian firm as counsel in Hong Kong in August.

News

Clifford Chance Kicks Off Magic Circle Reporting Season With 5 Percent Revenue Rise, 16 Percent PEP Hike

Hannah Roberts| July 03, 2018

The firm's PEP climbed to £1.6 million ($2.11 million) as it continued its innovation push with two new business streams.

News

Due Process and Efficiency: AI Has Complicated Legal Systems in US, China

Caroline Spiezio| July 02, 2018

The U.S.-China AI Tech Summit revealed some interesting issues at the intersection of AI and judicial process.

News

DLA Piper Nabs 6 Baker McKenzie Financial Service Lawyers for its Antwerp Office

Hannah Roberts| July 02, 2018

The head of Baker McKenzie's' Belgian and EMEA financial services and insurance practice, Pierre Berger, has taken his team to DLA Piper, which is gearing up for Brexit.

News

Latham Elects London Partner as Firm Chair

Roy Strom | June 29, 2018

Richard Trobman will take the reins of the second-largest, U.S.-based law firm following an unanticipated vacancy for the top spot at Latham & Watkins.

News

Latham Continues to Target Magic Circle as It Closes In on Linklaters Madrid Partner Hire

Hannah Roberts | Rose Walker | June 29, 2018

The U.S. firm builds up its Madrid base following the hire of former DLA co-chair Juan Picon as office head.

News

Despite GDPR, Looks Like There's No Rush to Buy Cyberinsurance

Dan Clark | June 28, 2018

So, why no cyberinsurance yet? The answer may be that insurers still need to get their policy language in order.

News

Baker McKenzie Is Top Asia Pacific Law Firm Brand, Report Says

John Kang | June 28, 2018

London-based research firm Acritas named the U.S. firm the top law firm brand in the region for the second year in a row.

News

Skadden, Han Kun Lead on Chinese E-Commerce Site Meituan Dianping's $4B Hong Kong IPO

Anna Zhang | June 27, 2018

Davis Polk and Zhong Lun are underwriters' counsel on the proposed listing under a dual-class share structure.

News

Asia Deal Digest: June 28, 2018

Anna Zhang | John Kang | June 27, 2018

• Skadden, Davis Polk guide Chinese e-commerce company Meituan Dianping's $4 billion Hong Kong listing. • Hogan Lovells advises Google on $550 million Chinese retail investment. • Gibson Dunn represents Toyota Motor on Southeast Asian ride-hailing investment.

News

Haynes and Boone Adds Four-Lawyer Arbitration Team in London

Krishnan Nair | June 27, 2018

Haynes and Boone has brought on an international disputes group from newly-formed legal giant Hunton Andrews Kurth. The new hires include a high-profile former partner at Chadbourne & Parke.

News

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Lands Partner in Singapore

John Kang | June 27, 2018

Hospitality lawyer Koh Tien Gui joins from Singapore’s Rajah & Tann and is the first partner hire in Asia since the transatlantic merger in April.

Japan’s Nishimura & Asahi to Launch in New York

John Kang | June 27, 2018

The New York office will launch this fall with nine lawyers relocating from the firm's existing global offices and will be headed by senior corporate partner Katsuyuki Yamaguchi.

News

UK Regulatory Body Dumps Ex-DLA Piper Associate Over Fabricated Qualifications

Joseph Evans | June 26, 2018

Tania Bains, a former associate at the global legal giant and onetime trainee at British firm Weightmans, has been struck off a roll of solicitors after falsifying degree grades and experience.

News

Han Kun’s Italian 'Best Friend' Firm Enters Mainland China

John Kang | June 26, 2018

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners has opened an office in Shanghai—its second Asian office after Hong Kong, which was launched in 2014.

News

Swiss-Irish Food Company Aryzta Announces New General Counsel

Dan Clark | June 26, 2018

Rhona O’Brien will step into the role that was vacated by Pat Morrissey earlier this year.

News

Hogan Lovells Seals New Saudi Arabian Tie-Up

Rose Walker| June 26, 2018

The alliance comes on the heels of a similar move by Mayer Brown, which earlier this month signed an agreement with Hogan Lovells' former associated firm.

News

What the C-Suite Needs to Know About FCPA Prosecutions

C. Ryan Barber | June 25, 2018

“The idea that they’re not going heavy against the C-suite is nuts. They are. And it’s got a deterrent effect. But that’s not to say they won’t go for sales reps and other people down the chain," Arent Fox's M. Scott Peeler said.

News

Paul Hastings, MinterEllison Advise on $1.4B Chinese Acquisition of Australian Health Care Firm

John Kang | June 25, 2018

Liver cancer is a leading cause of death in China, which accounts for more than half of the world's liver cancer cases and deaths.

News

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Hughes Hubbard Advise on Toyota's $1B Southeast Asian Investment

Anna Zhang | June 25, 2018

The Japanese automaker's bet on Singapore-based Grab is the largest in the ride-hailing industry worldwide from a car manufacturer.

News

White & Case Boosts New York Associate Salaries to Match Cravath but Freezes London Rates

Hannah Roberts| June 25, 2018

U.K. associates will see salary bands frozen while those in the U.S. will receive Cravath's increases.

China's AnJie Launches in Hong Kong With Former Dechert Office Managing Partner

John Kang | June 24, 2018

Basil Hwang, who opened Dechert's first Asian branch in Hong Kong a decade ago, is launching a new office in the city for the Chinese firm.

News

Deloitte Becomes Last of Big Four to Get ABS License For Legal Services

Joseph Evans | June 22, 2018

The accountancy firm has been licensed for rights of audience, conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate activities and administration of oaths.

News

Ashurst to Open Ninth European Base With Luxembourg Office Launch

Rose Walker| June 22, 2018

The move is part of a push to expand in Europe in response to an uptick in Brexit-related work.

News

Profit Margins Fall Across UK Top 50 as Staff Costs Soar

Georgina Stanley| June 22, 2018

More than half of the U.K. top 50 have seen their operating profit margin fall since 2013-14.

News

Dentons Launches Frankfurt 'Eurozone Hub' to Guide Clients on Financial Regulation

Dan Packel | June 21, 2018

The firm aims to offer its lawyers as "supervisor sherpas," guiding clients through the Eurozone's evolving regulatory landscape.

News

Skadden, Simpson Thacher on $1.2B IPO of Japan's First Unicorn

Anna Zhang | June 21, 2018

Flea market app operator Mercari Inc. debuted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the largest tech listing in Japan since 2016.

News

EU Copyright Directive Advances: What Does That Mean for Tech’s Legal Departments?

Caroline Spiezio | June 21, 2018

The directive, which passed the EU's Legal Affairs Committee this week and is slated to move to an EU Parliament vote in the future, could create some serious roadblocks for tech companies.

News

Nokia Adopts AI Technology for Contract Review as Legal Chief Takes New Business-Focused Role

Anna Ward| June 21, 2018

Maria Varsellona, who is now also president of Nokia Technologies, said the telecom giant is also considering the use of AI to analyze law firm bills.

News

Baker McKenzie Lands Real Estate Duo in Singapore

John Kang | June 20, 2018

Geraldine Ong and Sharon Tan join Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow from Singapore Big Four law firm Drew & Napier and healthcare company Abbott Laboratories, respectively.

News

Hogan Lovells Sheds 54 Support Staff Jobs

Hannah Roberts| June 20, 2018

The global legal giant is trimming its support staff ranks in London as it prepares to move those roles to new back offices in England, South Africa and the U.S.

Allen & Overy Partners Meet in Miami Amid Merger Talks

Rose Walker| June 20, 2018

The London-based legal giant's hunt for a U.S. merger partner, as well as governance and technology issues, will be on the agenda during the Magic Circle firm's annual partnership conference.

News

Latham Hires Capital Markets Duo From Sidley, Kirkland in Hong Kong

John Kang | June 20, 2018

Capital markets counsel Mandy Wong and Daying Zhang join as firms prepare for an uptick in deals thanks to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s new listing rules.

News

Across the Globe, 3M Lawyers Take Pride in Pro Bono Projects

Sue Reisinger | June 19, 2018

The pro bono program at 3M is highly active and very international. “Pro bono work exposes legal professionals to new areas of law, and sharpens their legal analysis and client communication skills,” GC Ivan Fong told Corporate Counsel.

News

PwC Legal Continues Asia Expansion; Hong Kong Affiliate Makes Multiple Partner Hires

John Kang | June 19, 2018

Since launching last year, PwC's affiliate firm in Hong Kong, Tiang & Co., has expanded to about 16 lawyers.

News

Reed Smith, Citing 'Interests of Clients,' Won't Increase Associate Salaries

Krishnan Nair | June 19, 2018

While the firm is keeping its options open, the head of legal personnel said it has decided to hold salaries steady for now.

News

Sidley Nabs Hogan Lovells Partner in Hong Kong

John Kang | June 19, 2018

Finance lawyer Allan Wardrop leaves Hogan Lovells as the firm prepares to have a new regional managing partner in place.

News

HFW Expands Latin American Presence with Brazilian Firm Association

Krishnan Nair | June 19, 2018

The U.K. firm seals a new Latin American association with a spinoff from Mayer Brown's Brazil affiliate

News

Audi Arrest Underscores Need for GC to Step Up When CEOs Do the Perp Walk

Sue Reisinger | June 19, 2018

The charges against Audi's Rupert Stadler and other CEOs in the news raise the question, what are GCs to do when they find that the company's leader is under arrest?

News

Wilson Sonsini to Launch London Office

Ben Wheway| June 19, 2018

The firm, a longtime legal adviser to leading technology giants such as Google, LinkedIn and Twitter, is poised to open a London office on Aug. 1.

News

Freshfields Matches Cravath Pay Scale for US Associates as Quinn Hikes London Salaries

Krishnan Nair | June 18, 2018

Quinn boosts London pay bands by up to 19 percent but opts against matching U.S. rates

News

Linklaters' South Africa Alliance Firm Raided by Police Amid Client Dispute

Joseph Evans | June 18, 2018

Webber Wentzel raises privilege concerns after documents seized by South Africa’s economic crime unit

News

Yoshio Ohno, Founding Partner of Japan’s Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, Dies at Age 92

John Kang | June 15, 2018

Ohno's legal career began shortly after World War II and spanned more than half a century. He helped found what would become the first big Japanese law firm.

News

Asia Pacific Attractive for Private Equity Buyouts, Especially Southeast Asia, Survey Says

John Kang | June 15, 2018

“A net balance of a quarter of LPs think that Southeast Asia will be more attractive for buyouts in the next three years,” said the report.

News

Herbert Smith Freehills Germany Managing Partner Quits for Clifford Chance After Less Than 6 Months in Role

Hannah Roberts| June 15, 2018

The firm has not yet appointed a new Germany managing partner, although discussions are underway.

Video

What Does the Future Hold for the UK Top 50?

Legal Week| June 14, 2018

LLP accounts reveal operating profit margins slipping, staff costs rising and a limited cash safety net at many firms

News

Kirkland & Ellis Adds Hong Kong Partner From Shearman

John Kang | June 14, 2018

Capital markets lawyer Wanda Woo is the latest in a string of associates who have been recruited by Kirkland in Hong Kong in recent months.

News

Courts Not Bound by Foreign Governments' Statements Regarding Their Laws, Says US Supreme Court

Mike Scarcella| June 14, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling Thursday was a boost to class action plaintiffs in dispute over vitamin C. Foreign law deserves "respectful consideration," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote, but it doesn't decide this class action.

News

Wilson Sonsini Lands Global Dealmaker, Elevates Associate to Innovation Role

Xiumei Dong| June 14, 2018

Squire Patton Boggs corporate and securities partner Kenji Funahashi has joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Los Angeles, as the latter has also promoted associate David Yi Wang to a new role in Silicon Valley.

News

In Big Push DOJ Arrests 74 Cyber Scammers of Businesses and Law Firms

Sue Reisinger | June 13, 2018

One expert said such schemes are becoming “more brazen and targeted,” prompting GCs to increasingly seek help from investigators and consultants with cyber experience.

News

Asia Deal Digest: June 14, 2018

Anna Zhang | John Kang | June 13, 2018

• Simpson Thacher guides Ant Financial on its latest $14 billion financing round. • IPhone maker Foxconn turns to King & Wood Mallesons for a $4.3 billion A-share listing. • Linklaters represents lenders on Taiwan's first commercial offshore wind farm project.

UnitedLex and LeClairRyan Announce Innovative New Law Venture

Miriam Rozen | June 13, 2018

LeClairRyan has become the first law firm to sign on to what UnitedLex Corp. hopes will be a pioneering alliance between Big Law and New Law. The company's CEO expects that law firms could see their profits per partner rise up to 15 percent a year if they join the newly formed ULX Partners.

News

Former Big Five Legal Services Offshoot Andersen Global Enters Asia Via Indian Tie-Up

John Kang | June 12, 2018

Andersen Global's expansion into Asia comes as the Big Four accounting firms have been growing and expanding their legal services offerings in the region.

News

4 Nation-States Should Prompt Major Cyber Worries in the US, Fed Security Official Says

Dan Clark | June 12, 2018

Keith Morales of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank spoke at a conference Tuesday about the unique threats posed by Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

News

Squire Patton Boggs Resolves China Intellectual Property Disputes Over Its Name

Anna Zhang | June 12, 2018

Four years after a company commandeered official use of the firm's name in China, the U.S. firm said it is now in full ownership of all trademarks and domain names in the country.

News

Interest in Law Firm IPOs on the Rise in UK

Hannah Roberts| June 12, 2018

Twenty percent of the U.K.'s top 100 law firm financial directors would now consider an IPO, up from just 4 percent four years ago.

Slideshow

10 Cities with Legal Tech Scenes to Watch

Ian Lopez | June 12, 2018

Who said there's only one hub of innovation? These international cities are spawning their own legal technology scenes.

News

King & Spalding Can’t Shake Ex-Associate’s Suit in ZTE Matter

Roy Strom | June 11, 2018

The firm may soon face a trial that could provide details on both the travails of the Big Law partnership track and an embarrassing episode that almost led to King & Spalding facing sanctions.

News

Baker & McKenzie Taps Williams & Connolly in 'Operation Carwash' Malpractice Suit

Dan Packel | June 11, 2018

The global firm and its Brazilian affiliate stand accused of putting a $3.18 billion settlement in jeopardy by adding a lawyer still employed as a federal prosecutor to a conglomerate's defense team.

Q&A

From CLO to the President's Seat: Nokia's Maria Varsellona Is Living the In-House Dream

Caroline Spiezio | June 11, 2018

"I think that there are still some lawyers who believe that it's not your role to make decisions, or rather they believe you let the business decide. You give alternatives and explain risks, but you do not take responsibility for decisions. I have a totally different view," said Varsellona, who recently took on the role of president at Nokia Technologies.

News

Alleging Treatment as 'Sexual Object,' Dentons Employee Sues Firm

Roy Strom | June 11, 2018

The global legal giant has been hit with an explosive suit in New York by a marketing and business development specialist.

News

JunHe Poaches Corporate Partner From Latham & Watkins

John Kang | June 11, 2018

The move illustrates a practice increasingly common among large Chinese firms: recruit from global firms by offering a faster track to partnership.

News

Dentons Rodyk Hires Finance Partner in Singapore

Anna Zhang | June 11, 2018

Former Herbert Smith Freehills banking partner Roderick Howell joins the global giant's Singapore member firm.

News

Hello Restaurant World, Goodbye Big Law

Miriam Rozen | June 08, 2018

Jonathan Nelms, a former partner at Baker McKenzie in Moscow and Washington, D.C., has left the global legal giant to start the first Georgian establishment in the nation's capital.

News

It Was a Tough Week for Bank General Counsel Around the Globe

Sue Reisinger | June 08, 2018

Internationally, banks had a tough enforcement week--a timely reminder of the importance of a strong compliance focus in the financial services sector.

News

Simpson Thacher Partner Joins Jack Ma-Backed Private Equity Firm

Anna Zhang | June 08, 2018

Corporate partner Shaolin Luo is now general counsel for Shanghai-based YunFeng Capital.