Linklaters has lost two partners today, with Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison being the latest to swipe an M&A hire from the magic circle firm. Matthew Hearn has joined Paul Weiss in London as a partner in the corporate department. Hearn has spent just over 10 years with Linklaters, which is where he completed […]
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is set to hike fees for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) for the second time in two years, while glossing over issues in the rollout of the exam in its latest annual report. From September this year, the cost of the SQE exams will increase by 5 per cent across […]
Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) has launched a new department and created 10 full-time roles as the firm ramps up its tech and innovation offering. Known as “advanced client solutions”, the department will explore, develop and utilise artificial intelligence (AI), legal tech, and alternative processes to improve the delivery of legal work in the firm. The […]
Ropes & Gray has appointed a new managing partner to lead the London office, taking over from Jane Rogers. Rohan Massey makes the step up. He currently leads the firm’s data, privacy and cybersecurity group, as well as the technology, media and telecoms group, and frequently works on deals for clients such as 3i Group, […]
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has come under fire for its candidate confidentiality policy for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), as the backlash surrounding the latest set of results rumbles on. A lack of transparency around the content is said to be having a negative impact on preparation course delivery and candidates’ ability to make […]
Pinsent Masons has promoted 22 of its global lawyers to partnership, taking the total number of partners at the firm above 500. The numbers have slightly dropped down from the 25-strong cohort of last year, although 14 made partner in the UK, which is consistent with its numbers in 2023 and is just three fewer than […]
Controversy surrounding rescinding training contract offers from future trainees after they fail the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) on their first try has divided elite City firms. Where Clifford Chance and Slaughter and May have been reported to have rescinded training contract offers from future trainees who have failed SQE1 on their first attempt, Freshfields Bruckhaus […]
Trowers & Hamlins has become the latest firm to offer an innovation seat to its trainees as a part of its training contract. From the beginning of April, trainees at Trowers will have the option to sit in the innovation team and develop their competency in legal tech. Trowers’ training contract is divided into four […]
As firms continue to debate how frequently partners and staff should be physically in the office, Gowling WLG is the latest to reveal a tweak to its policy. The firm has said that teams should spend at least 60 per cent of their time in the office. Lawyers and staff had previously been on a […]
In the days following the announcement of January’s SQE1 results last week, budding lawyers flocked to social media to share their own experiences of the gruelling 10-hour, multiple choice exam. The exam tests students at the level they would be expected to operate at as a newly-qualified solicitor. In the SRA’s words: “The SQE means […]
Last month, Slaughters advised Inflexion on its latest acquisition, having landed the private equity house as a client just over a year ago.
A member of Allen & Overy’s City finance team is set to leave the firm for Kirkland & Ellis, having joined the magic circle firm over a year ago. Capital markets specialist Marwa Elborai is making the move to Kirkland. She joined A&O in January 2023 having moved across from Shearman & Sterling after 16 […]