
The coronavirus pandemic has seen Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer suspend its latest quarterly partner distributions along with bonuses and reviews.
For the three months to April, the law firm will not be paying to partners and it has put a freeze on pay rises for its lawyers globally. It has also delayed a decision on bonuses until later in the year, according to reports from Law.com.
Freshfields operates 27 officesz globally with over 2000 lawyers and almost 5000 staff iin total.
Temporary flexible working arrangements and reduced hours will also be offered by the firm for those who are interested.
“We are focused on supporting our people and continuing to serve our clients as we all adapt to the social and economic uncertainties,” a Freshfields spokesperson said.
“We are managing our business responsibly and will continue to invest in our business for the long term.”
Equity partners’ remuneration at the magic circle law firm rose 6 per cent to £1.8m in the 12 months leading up to the end of April 2019, making them some of the highest paid corporate lawyers in the City.
Recent Law News For You
- The Public Want Blood: Class Action Awareness Hits Five-Year Peak
The British public have developed rather a taste for watching corporations squirm in court. Portland’s latest Reputation and Accountability report reveals that awareness of class actions has reached its highest level since 2020. The citizenry are increasingly keen to see litigation deployed as a cudgel against corporate misbehaviour. Based on a poll of nearly 2,000 UK adults, the study shows 27 percent now report high awareness of class actions, up from 24 percent last year. This is despite the Competition Appeal Tribunal experiencing a slight dip in filings during 2024. The public, as Portland drily observes, is starting to notice. Log in to read more . . . - Private Equity Eyes Big Law And Top Firms Are Opening the Door
The Private Equity Law Firm Play Ben Thomson, LawFuel contributor Private equity is… Read more: Private Equity Eyes Big Law And Top Firms Are Opening the Door - Clifford Chance cites AI gains as it axes 10% of London back-office team

- Paul Weiss Raids Kirklands Again, Snagging Rising M&A Star
Paul, Weiss continues its London talent-grab, this time hiring Francesca Storey-Harris as a partner in its M&A and Private Equity groups and once again targeting Kirkland & Ellis for the talent. The firm, which has been assembling a transatlantic Avengers squad for months .. . register to read more - Can the Magic Circle’s Most Profitable Firm Survive Its Own Success?
Slaughter and May’s Billion-Dollar Dilemma – Expand or Perish John Bowie, LawFuel publisher… Read more: Can the Magic Circle’s Most Profitable Firm Survive Its Own Success? - UK Minimum Wage Creeps Up on BigLaw Graduate Salaries
The UK government’s latest plan to bump the minimum wage is causing some… Read more: UK Minimum Wage Creeps Up on BigLaw Graduate Salaries - Luxury Expenses Claims Dog Pogust Goodhead
Private jets, yachts and lavish spending are some of the claims against Thomas Goodhead, co-founder of Pogust Goodhead who is now at the center of one of the most significant governance crises in modern UK law firm litigation, according to a Times report. Pogust Goodhead (former SPG Law) secured a £450 million debt facility and is now seeing its co-founder CEO ousted before its headline case reaches judgment. Thomas Goodhead co-founded Pogust Goodhead with U.S. class action veteran Harris Pogust, propelling the firm into the big league in 2023 when it secured a reported £450 million investment . . . log in to read more - One in Three UK Law Firms Breach Anti-Money-Laundering Rules
A third of UK law firms have failed to meet basic anti-money-laundering (AML)… Read more: One in Three UK Law Firms Breach Anti-Money-Laundering Rules - Robin AI’s Big Bet on Legal Tech Meets Market Reality
Robin’s Legal Tech Backfire Robin AI, the poster child for the “AI meets… Read more: Robin AI’s Big Bet on Legal Tech Meets Market Reality