By: Maria Ward-Brennan

Professional Services Editor Maria Ward-Brennan is the Professional Services Editor at City AM, focused on law, Big Four, and other management and accounting consulting firms. She edits the Beyond The Billable newsletter and column. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or on X @MariaW_B.

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Meet the lawyer that launched Mayer Brown into Space (law)

October 1, 2025

Fifteen years ago, Rachael O’Grady, an arbitration lawyer, had a blown-up satellite operator case land on her desk, a case that would pique her interest and ultimately lead to the creation of a space practice at Mayer Brown. “Given my international law background, I started thinking about space and how that might interact with international [...]
Most businesses use ChatGPT before consulting their accountant

October 1, 2025

Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of businesses are now using public AI chatbots for advice before consulting their accountant, according to new research exclusively shared with City AM. A survey of 500 senior decision-makers within UK accountancy firms, conducted by Ravical for its ‘Accounting in the Age of AI‘ report, found clients are no longer [...]
EY hires Treasury director to bolster financial services team

September 30, 2025

Big Four giant EY has recruited HM Treasury’s director of financial services to add to its financial services risk practice. As exclusively shared with City AM, John Owen has joined EY as a UK consulting partner after over two decades in government. Owen started off in the Ministry of Justice in 2005, before moving to [...]
Deloitte: Profit up despite revenue slip amid ‘tougher market’

September 30, 2025

Profit at the UK arm of Big Four giant Deloitte rose during its latest financial year despite its revenue falling as it made “changes” to its structure. For the year to 31 May, 2025, Deloitte posted a revenue of £5.68bn, down from the £5.75bn it raked in during the prior 12 months. However, despite the [...]
From McGregor to the final three: The battle for Ireland’s highest office

September 29, 2025

In less than a month, voters across Ireland will head to the polls to choose their next President, as the current officeholder, Michael D. Higgins, completes his final term. Unlike in France or the United States, Ireland’s presidency is largely ceremonial. The President serves as the head of state, while the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) [...]
The growing cost of cyber attacks: Why cyber insurance matters

September 26, 2025

This year, headlines have been dominated by cyber attacks against prominent business names, causing disruptions and financial losses. But many of these businesses lacked a major tool: cyber insurance coverage. Marks & Spencer dominated the news in April and May after it was hit by a cyber attack, which forced the retail giant to suspend [...]
Trump slaps 100 per cent tariff on imported drugs

September 26, 2025

US President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs on Thursday evening, with the pharmaceutical industry expected to be the hardest hit. Trump revealed that the US will impose a 100 per cent tariff on imported branded drugs, a 25 per cent tariff on all heavy-duty truck imports, a 50 per cent tariff on [...]
One in seven women endure unwanted sexual behaviour at work, survey finds

September 25, 2025

New data reveals that more than a quarter of women have faced harassment at work, and one in seven have been subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour, highlighting a persistent problem across UK workplaces. WalkSafe, a safety platform founded after the tragic murder of Sarah Everard, has released statistics highlighting a worrying trend of threatening behaviour [...]
Manufacturing sector warned: Employment claims set to soar under new Rights Bill

September 25, 2025

Manufacturing businesses are grappling with a rising tide of Employment Tribunal claims, driven by economic pressures, which are set to become even more challenging under the Employment Rights Bill. A new report from law firm Birketts, shared exclusively with City AM, reveals that manufacturing businesses faced an average of 39.44 tribunal claims over the past [...]
Big name, big pay, even bigger hours: Welcome to City law firms

September 25, 2025

The salaries of junior lawyers is a topic that sparks headlines, adding even bigger sparks to debates over 20-something-year-olds pocketing hefty wage packages. However, considering the hours they work and what is expected of them, the money is earned. US firms, many of which now dominate London, not only compete over lawyer rates but also [...]

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By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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