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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City law firm fined over £400,000 for Russian sanctions breaches

March 21, 2025

Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills was hit with a £465,000 penalty after breaching UK financial sanctions imposed on Russia
Lloyd’s reinsurer secures landmark Ukraine reinsurance facility

March 21, 2025

MS Amlin, a Lloyd's reinsurer, has secured a reinsurance scheme that could provide up to €1bn (£830m) in annual coverage for Ukraine SMEs
Conor McGregor is an embarrassment to Ireland

March 21, 2025

Conor McGregor deserves to fade into obscurity following his criminal acts, instead he’s being paraded by Donald Trump as the face of Ireland on St Patrick’s Day, says Maria Ward-Brennan Once the most celebrated Irish sportsman, Conor McGregor is now one of the most hated – and he only has himself to blame. There was a [...]
Trump’s attack on Big Law puts London lawyers into an awkward place

March 20, 2025

US President Donald Trump has set his sights on a new target for his attacks: American lawyers and law firms. But this problem has shifted across the Atlantic
Even more job cuts are set for EY

March 19, 2025

After it was announced that Big Four firm EY was making cuts at the senior level, staff in its legal department were warned about redundancies. Staff in the firm’s legal arm, EY Law, were informed on Wednesday of the planned restructuring of the department. With that announcement, first reported in the Financial Times, came confirmation [...]
Stressed staff cost UK professional services firms more than £4m a year

March 19, 2025

Nearly half of the professional service workforce is stressed, causing significant financial impacts on businesses
City law firm ties bonuses to office attendance

March 19, 2025

Lawyers at A&O Shearman have been re-warned that bonuses may be affected if they fail to comply with the office attendance policy
As EY plots senior partner layoffs, what is next for the Big Four?

March 18, 2025

Redundancy headlines have plagued the Big Four giants over the last two years, but now it has escalated to the senior partners. What is happening?
Former Liverpool player loses £300,000 IR35 tax appeal

March 18, 2025

Former Liverpool player and pundit Phil Thompson owes the tax agency nearly £300,000 after losing an appeal due to IR35
MHA: Watchdog opens probe over audits of folded construction firm

March 18, 2025

Accountancy watchdog launched an investigation into MHA for its audit of construction company in administration

Fulham owner Khan sees his £1bn stadium construction project take next steps

Fulham owner Khan sees his £1bn stadium construction project take next steps

Two of my favourite hotels for celebrating English wine

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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