Bit between the teeth: Swiss firms get crypto bug
From cryptocurrencies and blockchain, to regulation and litigation, tech and digital knowhow are changing the face of Switzerland’s financial and legal markets
The speed read: why KWM still draws in the readers, private equity moves and legal ops innovation
“No-one’s interested in KWM any more,” we’re confidently told by, er… lots of former KWM partners. This comes as news to us, as our analysis of what happened to the trainees who had to be rescued from the smoking ruins of King & Wood Mallesons’ UK operation is our most-read article of the month to […]
WFW reveals half-year results as management duo extend their reign
Watson Farley & Williams has re-elected its co-managing partners for a further five years, with the firm also revealing its half-year results for 2018/19. London-based Chris Lowe and Hamburg’s Lothar Wegener first took up the post in 2014 and will now increase their reign by five years taking them until 2024. Lowe said: “We are energised […]
2018 was dominated by #MeToo: it’s unedifying to see seven City firms trying to pretend it never happened
When Deloitte announced it had fired 20 partners over a four-year period for inappropriate behaviour it was praised on all sides for its open approach. The biggest City law firms, however, are trying to close down the discussion, but The Lawyer isn’t going to collude with them in their efforts to duck the biggest issue […]
Sidley Austin stays loyal to Chicago in partner promotions
Sidley Austin has announced its partner promotions for the New Year, making up 30 partners worldwide. While this is a big increase on the 19 partners elected last year, the firm stayed cautious in London, promoting just one. Lyndsey Laverack will become a partner in the M&A and private equity group in London. She has been […]
Tech start-up gets cash injection from Clifford Chance and Latham
Reynen Court, the platform claiming to be a “one-stop” tech solution for the legal industry, has completed its first series A investment round, attracting cash from two of its biggest law firm backers. The heavyweight firms joined Prins H LLC, an investment vehicle set up by the platform’s founder and CEO Andrew Klein to provide […]
Shearman jumps on infrastructure PE bandwagon with Bakers hires
Baker McKenzie infrastructure PE duo Tim Sheddick and Katie Hicks have joined Shearman & Sterling in London, the latest in a series of moves to US firms in this space. Sheddick has been with Bakers since 1999 and was made a partner in 2006. One of his key clients is Macquarie, which he advised in […]