Law.com - Clifford Chance Posts 11 Percent Boost in Revenue
The most significant aspect of this article is the areas that account for the revenues growth were Asia, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe, which the firm characterized as "particularly strong." Notably absent were North America, Western Europe, and Latin and South America. The firm has a substantial presence in these other markets as well. In fact, it may have a stronger presence in these latter areas than it does in the areas of growth.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Law.com - Law Firm Files Suit to Bar Outsourcing of Client Data
Law.com - Law Firm Files Suit to Bar Outsourcing of Client Data
I suppose a lawsuit involving the confidentiality of client data and information was inevitable, but this one seems incredibly strained. At the Presidential Summit of this year's annual meeting of the New York State Bar Association, one of my co-panelists, Mary Dalt, the Dean of St. John's Law School in New York, indicated that law firms needed to consider seriously the use of off-shore outsourcing firms, but she also cautioned that due diligence was necessary to make sure that there were proper protections in place. This lawsuit appears to be saying that there are never any protections where the outsourcing firm is off-shore, regardless of what arrangements the outsourcing firm and the attorney may make.
I suppose a lawsuit involving the confidentiality of client data and information was inevitable, but this one seems incredibly strained. At the Presidential Summit of this year's annual meeting of the New York State Bar Association, one of my co-panelists, Mary Dalt, the Dean of St. John's Law School in New York, indicated that law firms needed to consider seriously the use of off-shore outsourcing firms, but she also cautioned that due diligence was necessary to make sure that there were proper protections in place. This lawsuit appears to be saying that there are never any protections where the outsourcing firm is off-shore, regardless of what arrangements the outsourcing firm and the attorney may make.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Law.com - Freshfields Seals Saudi Ties With Local Firm
Law.com - Freshfields Seals Saudi Ties With Local Firm
This would appear to be taking a "best friends" relationship to a new level. Of course, without more details about the economic relationships involved in the joint management of the local firm, it is hard to tell whether the local firm remains truly independent of Freshfields or whether the local firm is now in an economic relationship that is the functional equivalent of a partnership relationship with Freshfields. In some jurisdictions, it would be necessary to examine the ethical issues associated with giving non-local attorneys significant control over the management of the local law firm on the theory that the local practice of law must be controlled by local lawyers. Unfortunately, the article does not shed much light on this aspect of the relationship.
This would appear to be taking a "best friends" relationship to a new level. Of course, without more details about the economic relationships involved in the joint management of the local firm, it is hard to tell whether the local firm remains truly independent of Freshfields or whether the local firm is now in an economic relationship that is the functional equivalent of a partnership relationship with Freshfields. In some jurisdictions, it would be necessary to examine the ethical issues associated with giving non-local attorneys significant control over the management of the local law firm on the theory that the local practice of law must be controlled by local lawyers. Unfortunately, the article does not shed much light on this aspect of the relationship.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Law.com - Gibson Dunn Makes Singapore Debut With Jones Day Hires
Law.com - Gibson Dunn Makes Singapore Debut With Jones Day Hires
This article is illustrative of a number of current trends in the globalizing practice of law. Notice the mobility of the players. Many have moved from other firms recently, and there is also considerable mobility within their current firm. Also, Gibson Dunn is using Singapore primarily as a surrogate for India. There is no indication that Gibson Dunn will be pursuing a local Singapore practice, other than a mention that Singapore has become an important financial center, which does not really imply a local practice.
This article is illustrative of a number of current trends in the globalizing practice of law. Notice the mobility of the players. Many have moved from other firms recently, and there is also considerable mobility within their current firm. Also, Gibson Dunn is using Singapore primarily as a surrogate for India. There is no indication that Gibson Dunn will be pursuing a local Singapore practice, other than a mention that Singapore has become an important financial center, which does not really imply a local practice.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Law.com - DLA Piper Names New Prague Chief
Law.com - DLA Piper Names New Prague Chief
It is interesting to see the Czech Republic coming back to its prior prominence. In the 1920's the country was one of the most important in Europe for sophisticated machinery and manufacturing. I think, however, that what Prague needs is more local firms of stature, and, for DLA Piper to aspire to become one of the top law firms it the Czech Republic will put it head to head with the top local law firms in the region. My guess this is going to be difficult to accomplish with only two partners in the Prague office and a managing partner for that office who is resident elsewhere.
It is interesting to see the Czech Republic coming back to its prior prominence. In the 1920's the country was one of the most important in Europe for sophisticated machinery and manufacturing. I think, however, that what Prague needs is more local firms of stature, and, for DLA Piper to aspire to become one of the top law firms it the Czech Republic will put it head to head with the top local law firms in the region. My guess this is going to be difficult to accomplish with only two partners in the Prague office and a managing partner for that office who is resident elsewhere.
Law.com - Dorsey Eyes Sydney Launch to Buoy Asia Push
Law.com - Dorsey Eyes Sydney Launch to Buoy Asia Push
It is hard in today's world to see where an office in Sydney, Australia, could serve as a base for and Indian and and Asian practice. There are so many more possibilities that are more proximate to those regions. Of course, if the main thrust is to support an Australian practice and fill in when needed with an Indian and Asian practice, that is a different story. It is hard to tell from the article if that is the plan.
It is hard in today's world to see where an office in Sydney, Australia, could serve as a base for and Indian and and Asian practice. There are so many more possibilities that are more proximate to those regions. Of course, if the main thrust is to support an Australian practice and fill in when needed with an Indian and Asian practice, that is a different story. It is hard to tell from the article if that is the plan.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Law.com - Clifford Chance Captures New Prague Corporate Partner
Law.com - Clifford Chance Captures New Prague Corporate Partner
This is more evidence of the increasing trend of mobility among the perceived top talent in the profession. What is curious is that, in many cases, the move to the new firm comes relatively soon after a prior move or elevation at the prior firm. Shouldn't this also raise questions by the new firm as to how permanent the relationship is likely to be? This history might suggest that, as soon as someone else comes along with something better, the newly acquired partner is going to be on his or her way again.
This is more evidence of the increasing trend of mobility among the perceived top talent in the profession. What is curious is that, in many cases, the move to the new firm comes relatively soon after a prior move or elevation at the prior firm. Shouldn't this also raise questions by the new firm as to how permanent the relationship is likely to be? This history might suggest that, as soon as someone else comes along with something better, the newly acquired partner is going to be on his or her way again.
Law.com - Contract Attorney Company Opens Boston Office
Law.com - Contract Attorney Company Opens Boston Office
This is a variant on legal outsourcing, and it is interesting to see that people are renewing their efforts to try to do this in the United States rather than in India. The billing rates would appear to be lower that what many firms in this area would expect to bill to clients for paralegal services.
This is a variant on legal outsourcing, and it is interesting to see that people are renewing their efforts to try to do this in the United States rather than in India. The billing rates would appear to be lower that what many firms in this area would expect to bill to clients for paralegal services.
Law.com - For Am Law 100 Firms, the Sky's the Limit
Law.com - For Am Law 100 Firms, the Sky's the Limit
This article, based mainly on work done by Prof. Sherer of the University of Calgary, is a very interesting prediction of what the future of the largest law firms will look like in seven and seventeen years from now. As Yogi Berra is supposed to have said, "Predicting is very difficult, particularly when it is about the future," the article is no different and admits as much when it discusses the pit falls that could render its predictions inaccurate. In any case, Prof. Sherer's view of the future is quite astounding is some cases. One clear trend that does not seem disputable is the increased globalization of the largest, most successful law firms.
This article, based mainly on work done by Prof. Sherer of the University of Calgary, is a very interesting prediction of what the future of the largest law firms will look like in seven and seventeen years from now. As Yogi Berra is supposed to have said, "Predicting is very difficult, particularly when it is about the future," the article is no different and admits as much when it discusses the pit falls that could render its predictions inaccurate. In any case, Prof. Sherer's view of the future is quite astounding is some cases. One clear trend that does not seem disputable is the increased globalization of the largest, most successful law firms.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Law.com - Indian Bar to Visit U.K. for Reform Talks
Law.com - Indian Bar to Visit U.K. for Reform Talks
This looks like small progress with a very big problem with long term implications for India. The most significant aspect of the Bar Council's hard line is that it inhibits the growth of a thriving international legal community in India. This is absolutely necessary if India is going to become an important legal center.
I encountered this attitude from the Barra Mexicana when I was part of the US legal services negotiating team for NAFTA. Our Mexican colleagues did not want to consider that they may have been denying Mexico City of its rightful place as an important legal center for Latin America. Because of the Barra's hostility towards foreign firms, Miami fulfilled much of that role. India is doing the same thing, but how do you explain that to people who are blinded by the fear that foreign law firms will dominate local practice? That rarely happens, even in the most liberal of jurisdictions, and there is ample evidence to prove this. On the other hand, when international firms are present in numbers, there is usually more work for all concerned.
Here is a link to a good article about the status of the Indian legal profession that appeared in a recent edition of The Economist: http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11090513. Anyone interested in this area should probably read it.
This looks like small progress with a very big problem with long term implications for India. The most significant aspect of the Bar Council's hard line is that it inhibits the growth of a thriving international legal community in India. This is absolutely necessary if India is going to become an important legal center.
I encountered this attitude from the Barra Mexicana when I was part of the US legal services negotiating team for NAFTA. Our Mexican colleagues did not want to consider that they may have been denying Mexico City of its rightful place as an important legal center for Latin America. Because of the Barra's hostility towards foreign firms, Miami fulfilled much of that role. India is doing the same thing, but how do you explain that to people who are blinded by the fear that foreign law firms will dominate local practice? That rarely happens, even in the most liberal of jurisdictions, and there is ample evidence to prove this. On the other hand, when international firms are present in numbers, there is usually more work for all concerned.
Here is a link to a good article about the status of the Indian legal profession that appeared in a recent edition of The Economist: http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11090513. Anyone interested in this area should probably read it.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Law.com - Ropes & Gray Jumps Into the China Fray
Law.com - Ropes & Gray Jumps Into the China Fray
Although Ropes & Gray's Hong Kong office is stated to have been in the planning stage for a few years, the triggering event seems to have been the willingness of Scott Jalowayski to jump from Morrison and Foerster with two senior associates. According to the article, Jalowayski was only made a partner at MoFo in 2007. As I have noted in prior posts, one of the features of the new transnational law firm is mobility. This scenario would appear to put a new emphasis on mobility. It seems to ignore the obvious danger of building what will certainly be a very expensive office to open and maintain on the willingness of highly mobile staff not to jump again.
Although Ropes & Gray's Hong Kong office is stated to have been in the planning stage for a few years, the triggering event seems to have been the willingness of Scott Jalowayski to jump from Morrison and Foerster with two senior associates. According to the article, Jalowayski was only made a partner at MoFo in 2007. As I have noted in prior posts, one of the features of the new transnational law firm is mobility. This scenario would appear to put a new emphasis on mobility. It seems to ignore the obvious danger of building what will certainly be a very expensive office to open and maintain on the willingness of highly mobile staff not to jump again.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Law.com - Watson Farley Widens Italy Reach With Milan Debut
Law.com - Watson Farley Widens Italy Reach With Milan Debut
I have often wondered about the importance of Italy in the overall scheme of an international practice. Curiously, although Watson Farley touts the importance of Italy and a Milan presence, there does not seem to be any partner in residence in the new Milan office. From the article, it seems, the Milan office is just four unnamed associates who will be supervised from Rome. It would be more impressive if there were some named superstars involved.
I have often wondered about the importance of Italy in the overall scheme of an international practice. Curiously, although Watson Farley touts the importance of Italy and a Milan presence, there does not seem to be any partner in residence in the new Milan office. From the article, it seems, the Milan office is just four unnamed associates who will be supervised from Rome. It would be more impressive if there were some named superstars involved.
Law.com - Clifford Chance Snaps Up Norton Rose Singapore Partner
Law.com - Clifford Chance Snaps Up Norton Rose Singapore Partner
This article, which is largely about using Singapore as a center for regional practice groups, would seem to be a more sensible use of Singapore and stands in sharp contrast to the recent article commented on earlier that suggested a number of firms were looking to practice local law in Singapore. Until India becomes more welcoming to foreign law firms, Singapore is a logical place to host an Indian practice.
This article, which is largely about using Singapore as a center for regional practice groups, would seem to be a more sensible use of Singapore and stands in sharp contrast to the recent article commented on earlier that suggested a number of firms were looking to practice local law in Singapore. Until India becomes more welcoming to foreign law firms, Singapore is a logical place to host an Indian practice.
Monday, May 5, 2008
NY BigLaw Leader Says G'Bye to GC in Surprise Move
NY BigLaw Leader Says G'Bye to GC in Surprise Move
It is surprising that risk management at a a $921,000,000 firm spread across four continents, with 857 lawyers is only a part-time job. One would think that there might be a need for more than one full time lawyer to handle that sort of work load. Perhaps, the real reason is the need to cut costs as mentioned in another paragraph of the article.
It is surprising that risk management at a a $921,000,000 firm spread across four continents, with 857 lawyers is only a part-time job. One would think that there might be a need for more than one full time lawyer to handle that sort of work load. Perhaps, the real reason is the need to cut costs as mentioned in another paragraph of the article.
Law.com - U.K. Firms Eye Singapore Opportunities as Local-Law Licenses Go Up for Grabs
Law.com - U.K. Firms Eye Singapore Opportunities as Local-Law Licenses Go Up for Grabs
It is hard to imagine that there is so much local work in Singapore that there is a need for so much legal presence there. While, for the time being, Singapore can be viewed as a regional hub or a surrogate for India, Indonesia, and other jurisdictions in the general region, this is likely to be a temporary situation. However, if the globalization of legal services has shown anything, it has show that the providers - i.e., the aspiring global firms - are extremely mobile. The many firms trying to establish a presence in Singapore may need to use their mobility skills in time as other markets become more accessible and the need to operate from Singapore diminishes.
It is hard to imagine that there is so much local work in Singapore that there is a need for so much legal presence there. While, for the time being, Singapore can be viewed as a regional hub or a surrogate for India, Indonesia, and other jurisdictions in the general region, this is likely to be a temporary situation. However, if the globalization of legal services has shown anything, it has show that the providers - i.e., the aspiring global firms - are extremely mobile. The many firms trying to establish a presence in Singapore may need to use their mobility skills in time as other markets become more accessible and the need to operate from Singapore diminishes.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Law.com - U.K. Firms Eye Singapore Opportunities as Local-Law Licenses Go Up for Grabs
Law.com - U.K. Firms Eye Singapore Opportunities as Local-Law Licenses Go Up for Grabs
As long as Singapore is viewed as a surrogate for other Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, this interest makes some sense. However, there is hardly enough business in Singapore per se that it makes much sense to want to practice local law there.
As long as Singapore is viewed as a surrogate for other Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, this interest makes some sense. However, there is hardly enough business in Singapore per se that it makes much sense to want to practice local law there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
