Alex is The Lawyer’s international editor. He joined in 2017 as a reporter covering litigation and the Bar, leaving in 2019 and returning in 2021.
Welcome to The Passport, your regular round-up of all the most important stories to come from the European legal market. In this week’s edition, we take a look at how tumult at the top of Dentons’ Polish arm has led to the firm opting for co-managing partners for the first time in its history; why […]
A raft of Europe’s elite law firms are set to increase their lawyer headcount and office space in London as they sense greater opportunity in the capital than ever before. Research undertaken by The Lawyer for an upcoming report on the International Signal channel found that around one-third (11) of European 100 law firms with […]
CMS’s German arm is facing heavy criticism from a cross-section of its associates after new pay structures were announced, freezing salaries at the firm for all but first and second year associates. The associates’ complaints, published in German title Juve, outline deep discontent among the firm’s junior ranks after salary increases were announced for its […]
If evidence were required that legacy Lovells has not been wholly consumed after almost 14 years of marriage with its US partner Hogan & Hartson, then last week’s news of a significant investment into its Italian team is the place to look. In total, 23 lawyers left Orrick, led by finance partner and European head […]
Garrigues has become the first EU-headquartered firm to pass the €450m milestone after growing its topline by 2.5 per cent in 2023. The firm announced its revenue last year hit a record high of €454.3m, representing a modest increase on the €443.2m it posted in 2022. Most of Garrigues’ revenue was made in its native […]
Welcome to The Passport, your regular round-up of all the most important stories to come from the European legal market. In this week’s edition, Hogan Lovells has gone big on Italy and we’re interested in what they’ll do next; Ireland’s white-hot lateral market now seems to be cooling after years of intense musical chairs; and […]
Latham & Watkins has reaffirmed its commitment to the burgeoning Saudi legal market with the award of a regional headquarters licence, officially making Riyadh the heart of its Middle East strategy. The firm issued an announcement this morning stating that MENA managing partner Salman Al-Sudairi would lead the office with Safaa Arthold taking up the […]
Last week’s The Lawyer Podcast was a good’un, eh? Lofty metaphors about the flapping wings of a butterfly, searing insights contrasting London with New York, and explosive statistics about how seriously the European firms are taking London. Give it a listen, and you’ll hear how European law firms are sensing a moment to pounce on opportunity […]
Bird & Bird CEO Christian Bartsch has set out the firm’s new five-year strategy, with the financial goal of hitting the €1bn revenue milestone by the end of the 2029/30 financial year. The firm’s most recent financial results saw it post €573m, meaning that Bird & Bird will need to grow its topline by 74.5 […]
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has been hit by a second mass defection in Italy this week, seeing a 15-lawyer team leave to join BonelliErede just days after another group moved to Hogan Lovells. The BonelliErede joiners will strengthen the firm’s risk, compliance and investigations (RCI) group, as well as its IP, privacy and IT team […]
Welcome to The Passport, your regular round-up of all the most important stories to come from the European legal market. In this week’s edition, it looks as though the days of just having your bonuses linked to billable hours are almost over in Europe as firms increasingly seem to be moving away from that sole […]
Hogan Lovells’ office relocation could be delayed by up to 12 months following the discovery of priceless Roman relics in the foundation of its future London home. An archaeological dig carried out by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) underneath the development of 21 Holborn Viaduct uncovered what has been described as “exceptionally important” Roman artifacts. […]