The Golden Handcuffs Paradox: When Partnership Dreams Become Nightmare Reality Here’s a subversive thought that’s been bubbling up in law firm corridors and anonymous message boards: what if the brass ring we’re all reaching for is actually fool’s gold? A recent Fishbowl discussion has lawyers questioning whether the partnership track is really the yellow brick […]
Cross-border disputes partner Kay-Jannes Wegner joins Jones Day in Singapore Kay-Jannes Wegner has joined Jones Day as a partner in the Global Disputes Practice, based in the Firm’s Singapore Office. Mr. Wegner has extensive experience representing clients in Asia and around the world in cross-border disputes in a wide range of sectors, including construction, energy,
Big Law Pay Days Are How Big Exactly? Tom Borman, LawFuel contributing editor A revealing snapshot popped up in ethics disclosures filed by President Trump’s latest legal nominees, spotlighting partner draws at several major Big Law firms—WilmerHale, Skadden, and Jones Day. Such disclosures matter because they give the public valuable insight into potential conflicts of
Big Law Pay Packets Disclosed In Trump Nominee Filings Read More »
Crowell’s London Growth Continues In a significant move in the competitive European IP space, Crowell & Moring has added heavyweight patent attorney Justin Hill and his full 18-person team to its London office. Hill, formerly the head of Dentons’ European patent prosecution and opposition practice, joins Crowell as head of IP (UK), bringing with him
Crowell & Moring Snaps Up Leading Dentons Patent Team in Major London IP Play Read More »
Addleshaw Goddard opens its doors in Abu Dhabi International law firm Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has further strengthened its presence in the Middle East with the opening of an office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the capital of the United Arab Emirates’ international financial centre. Abu Dhabi becomes AG’s fifth office in the region
Akin’s Riyadh office launch will mark a key milestone in the firm’s growth strategy and a strengthened commitment to clients at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. (Riyadh) — Akin announced today that it has secured a license from the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the final approval required
Akin Gump To Open Saudi Office, Marking Further Expansion Read More »
Kirkland & Ellis flipped the script on law firm partnerships by building a massive nonequity partner tier, now over 1,000 stron, which has let Kirkland promote more lawyers, faster, than most competitors, turning what some once called a “marketing trick” into a powerhouse business mode
Recruiters now have Kirkland’s nonequity partners on speed dial. “They’re hot property,” the partner says. “Even if they’re not equity, getting a Kirkland ‘partner’ is a win for any recruiter or client.”
Criticism of Kirkland’s two-tier, salaried partner model has faded. Now, other firms want in. The move is seen as smart business, not just a trick. Kirkland’s success, and the Wall Street money being paid to some partners in such firms, has pushed other big firms
How Nonequity Partners Are Reshaping Big Law – Thanks To Kirkland & Ellis Read More »
In early April 2025, Wilkie Farr & Gallagher struck a high-stakes deal with the Trump administration: a commitment to provide $100 million in pro bono services—and a controversial pledge to limit diversity initiatives—to dodge punitive executive orders.
That deal has now triggered a legal talent landslide. Seven well-established litigation partners, mainly from the San Francisco office, have abandoned ship for Cooley LLP, who have actively challenged those Trump orders in court.
Seven-Strong Legal Exodus: Why Willkie Farr’s Trump Deal Cost Them Top Talent Read More »
Seven partners and others have left Paul Weiss but their former firm remains in good heart according to firm boss Brad Karp, who met with litigation partner to refute the ‘disinformation’ about the firm, according to a New York Law Journal report.
Seven partners have left Paul Weiss for Dunn Isaacson Rhee, a new litigation boutique in Washington, DC. that is building a formidable team of Paul Weiss alumni who decided the heavyweight firm’s Trump Administration deal was too much to stomach.
Paul Weiss promised Trump $40 million in free legal services on shared causes, including combating antisemitism and ensuring “fairness in the justice system.”
The battle for top legal talent in the UK is really heating up, and firms are putting their money where their mouth is—especially when it comes to newly qualified (NQ) lawyers.
CMS, DLA Piper, and Ashurst have all just bumped up their NQ salaries.
CMS has raised its London NQ salary to £120k, up from £110k, which means they’re now on par with Simmons & Simmons and Travers Smith. And it’s not just London: their NQs in Bristol are now getting £76,500 (up from £70k), while those in Manchester, Sheffield, and Liverpool are up to £68k (from £62k), and in Scotland it’s £68k too (from £60k). That’s a pretty sweet bump across the board!
DLA Piper NQs are now looking at £130k, which is a hefty 18 percent year-on-year increase with increases at a lower level in the NQs in the other UK offices.
How UK Lawyer Pay Rates Are Reshaping the Legal Job Market Read More »
