City law firms put US partner promotions in the spotlight Legal As law firms increasingly shift their focus to the US there has been a surge in partner promos across the Atlantic – while London is becoming more selective, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. It’s that time of year when my inbox gets flooded with press releases and Companies House notifications about partner promotions at the City’s finest [...]
City watchdog eyes new laws for claimant firms accused of ‘harm’ Legal The City watchdog has threatened enforcement action and new laws to impose “stronger compensation mechanisms” against the claims management market, including law firms that cause harm. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a fresh review of “the root causes of poor practices” across the market, as claims management companies and law firms come under [...]
City law firms clamp down on the equity cookie jar Legal Law firms are tightening access to equity partnerships to protect profits, increasingly reserving the equity pool for top performers, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. As the Big Four giants dominate the headlines with internal changes, the firms are seeking to regain control of their expanded equity pools amid profitability problems. These giants are looking to mirror what [...]
The AI cracks are starting to show at law firms April 23, 2026 Law firms have poured vast sums into AI in a race to modernise, but ‘hallucinations‘ and security concerns are exposing the technology’s risks, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. There has been intense pressure on legal, advisory, and consultancy firms to invest in, embed, and deploy AI over the last couple of years, but this pressure is now [...]
Mayer Brown: Capital solutions are rewriting the rulebook April 23, 2026 Partner content, in association with international law firm Mayer Brown Historically, capital solutions were often associated with distressed situations or urgent deleveraging. Now, they are being rebranded as growth catalysts. According to Mark Evans, partner at international law firm Mayer Brown, businesses are increasingly relying on capital solutions not only to bolster corporate balance sheets but also [...]
Elite law firm apologises for AI ‘hallucinations’ in bankruptcy case April 22, 2026 An elite US law firm has had to apologise to a judge after its restructuring team made a filing in a high-profile case that contained multiple AI generated ‘hallucinations’. The head of Sullivan & Cromwell’s restructuring practice, Andrew Dietderich, apologised in a letter to the New York federal judge for mistakes that included misquoting the [...]
Legal sector hits £60bn as top City lawyers pocket millions April 16, 2026 Despite a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the legal profession has solidified its position as a £60bn powerhouse, with top City lawyers bringing home multi-million pound pay packets. Law firms are experiencing their highest growth in more than 15 years, according to a new report by the Law Society. The average earnings for law firms [...]
Regulator struggles to tackle harassment and bullying at City law firms April 16, 2026 It won’t come as a shock to you that City law firms have long struggled with cultures of bullying and harassment, and the regulator is kept out of the loop, argues senior reporter Maria Ward-Brennan. The high-pressure demands placed on lawyers at City law firms have long bred cultures of bullying and harassment. In a [...]
How Bishopsgate became London’s Midtown Manhattan for law firms March 26, 2026 If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting a top law firm in London, you might mistake yourself for being in an episode of smash US legal drama (and Duchess of Sussex starring) Suits. Increasingly City firms’ offices have a more American feel to them. In the City of London, it is not just a race [...]
Men taking parental leave holds the key to women’s advancement at law firms March 5, 2026 In recent years, leading law firms have made concerted efforts to improve gender diversity in their ranks, but when it comes to real power, progress remains insufficient. Many of the top law firms have set targets for partnerships and leadership roles, aiming to fill at least 40 per cent of these positions with women by [...]