Legal news

Top 100 law firms increase debt to £4.3bn to fund growth

The UK's top 100 law firms are racking up debt to the tune of £4.3 billion as they borrow to invest in growth.

• LITIGATION

  

  White & Case fined a record £250,000 by the SDT for acting 'recklessly'

  White & Case has been fined a record £250,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for breaching conduct rules.

• DEALS

  

  Clark Hill expands footprint on west coast

  US firms Clark Hill and Morris Polich & Purdy have merged with the new firm now known as Clark Hill.

• PEOPLE

  

  Burness Paull appoints six new partners and first ever GC

  Burness Paull has announced a number of appointments and partner promotions in efforts to support the firm's ambitious strategy for future growth.

• CYBER RISK

  

  Cyber poses challenge for insurance companies

  Defining cyber risk is a challenge and an opportunity for the insurance community.

Editor's picks

C-SUITE

Starbucks puts general counsel in charge of workforce

The company has elevated its general counsel Lucy Helm to take over the people role, following management changes at the global coffee chain.

CLIENT SATISFACTION

Jones Day tops the list for client preference

Clients have voted for their preferred law firms with Jones Day topping the poll.

POLITICS

Australia's new laws would force tech companies to decrypt content to help flight crime

Australia is set to introduce new laws to force technology companies to provide access to encrypted communications in efforts to tackle terrorism, drugs trade and child exploitation.

FEES

Legal departments do not trust law firms on billing

Law firms are not consistent on billing with few following guidelines and questions over quality, say clients.

Blogs

LEGAL EDUCATION

The pretext of scholarship and how it discriminates against practitioners

Legal academics are sniffy about practitioners who teach. But, says Reuben Guttman, this outdated view does a disservice to the legal profession.

INVESTMENT

Egypt's missed investment opportunity

Egypt has passed a new investment law but while it is a step in the right direction, more is needed, says Cairo-based lawyer Dr Mohamed Bahaa Eldin Abou Shoka.

Business sector round up

DATA

The sovereignty of data

The lack of a unified global approach to data and regulation is a serious impediment to global business, says Dean Armstrong QC, Dan Hyde & Sam Thomas of Cyber Counsel.

PEOPLE

Cali-headquartered Knobbe Martens expands to NYC

Leading US intellectual property law firms Knobbe Martens is to open an office in New York City as a result of a growing demand for IP expertise in the Big Apple and in efforts to recruit qualified staff.