ESG for GCs: You either love it or hate it
Some GCs relish leading on sustainability, while others see it as an extra burden on their already overwhelming workload.
Nine firms win roles on MUFG’s new panel
Japanese-headquartered Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group has appointed nine firms to its EMEA legal panel. Magic circle firms A&O Shearman, Linklaters and Clifford Chance have been reappointed to the panel, alongside Herbert Smith Freehills and Baker McKenzie. New firms to make the cut include Addleshaw Goddard, The Lawyer’s Law Firm of the Year, Latham & Watkins […]
Paul Weiss lands new deal for Oakley Capital
US firm Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison has secured a new role representing private equity house Oakley Capital in a refinancing deal for portfolio company Phenna Group. The firm acted for Oakley and its portfolio business, a testing, inspection, certification and compliance platform, on a refinancing deal worth €1bn. The refinancing deal involved its […]
“Where is the money coming from?” Clients react to NQ salary hikes
Salary increases across the City for newly-qualified lawyers has brought into sharp focus how much in-house lawyers are willing to pay for external counsel. Last week, US firm Goodwin upped its salary for NQs to £175,000 from £161,500. In May, Freshfields, Linklaters, Clifford Chance and A&O Shearman all boosted its pay for NQs by £25,000 […]
Fast follower or guinea pig? How GCs view AI adoption and risk
Risk management specialists are staring down the barrel of increasing uncertainty caused by artificial intelligence (AI) while also considering the opportunities that AI will provide for both the risk management function and the business. In-house lawyers, especially general counsels (GCs), often bear the brunt of this risk when incorporating AI, data and tech into their […]
More pay for five-day attendance: Salaries hiked to entice in-housers to the office
Businesses are offering a salary premium for legal roles that require in-house lawyers to work five days in the office, as recruiters struggle to fill positions with more stringent working requirements. A deputy general counsel said that head of legal roles, which typically offer a salary around £150,000 to £160,000, are now compensated at between […]
Designing a transaction management tool with GLP Capital Partners
Alternative asset management business GLP Capital Partners began its journey into legal operations with general counsel Rachel Walker working on projects off the side of her desk, generally outside of working hours. She began to focus on how to ensure the legal function was fit for the future. “You reach a crux point where you can […]
Payment platform GC joins Thunes
The general counsel of Coda Payments has been hired by money movement group Thunes after just eight months at the business. Ruwan De Soyza will oversee all legal, compliance and secretariat affairs at Thunes, leading a team across a broad range of practice areas, including payment regulation, licensing, compliance, M&A and commercial contracts. He will […]
The Post Office scandal is making GCs reflect on their ethical role
“I wonder at what point might I have gone to the chairman,” remarks an in-houser on the long-running scandal that has engulfed the Post Office. “Walking away from a highly paid role and painting a picture [of yourself] as a troublemaker takes a certain amount of courage. I wouldn’t be quick to criticise those who […]
Fifteen firms win spots on £30m housing association panel
Sanctuary Housing Association has awarded panel places to the likes of Gowling WLG, Mills & Reeve and Bevan Brittan. The total value of the panel is £30m. Trowers & Hamlins, Weightmans and Brodies have also won spots at the Worcester-based housing provider, alongside Capsticks, Clarke Willmott and Burness Paul. A total of 15 firms have been […]
Bumble and billables: the woes of dating as a lawyer (and why partners should care)
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Last week, The Lawyer reported that time-poor lawyers are struggling to date in a profession where time is money. Longer hours for junior lawyers, compounded by a waning London dating market, is only adding to the problem. So on this episode of The Lawyer Podcast, editor Catrin Griffiths […]
Ted Baker GC pleas for team support after retailer’s collapse
The general counsel of British clothing retailer Ted Baker has shared a heartfelt post on social media supporting her team, who are looking for new roles after the business fell into administration in early March. General counsel Alison Beveridge said: “As we near the end of the administration of Ted Baker, the upcoming sale to […]