International

Beyond Business Casual: Barefoot Lawyers Seek Shoe Donations

In a move sure to raise the eyebrows of professional attire traditionalists, a law firm in New Zealand is taking business casual to a new level in a bid to help individuals who need shoes. Attorneys at Lowndes Jordan in Auckland will be sponsored by friends and family to kick…

Jun 17, 2009 6:04 PM CDT

Gibson Dunn Opens an Office in Brazil

Lisa Alfaro, a corporate partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, says the Brazilian market holds a lot of potential for her law firm. Clients in the United States as well as Europe and Asia are interested in opportunities in Brazil because it’s “one of the few places where you can…

Jun 17, 2009 2:48 PM CDT

DLA, White & Case Offices Raided by Russian Authorities

Moscow authorities raided the Moscow offices of DLA Piper and White & Case yesterday, reportedly as part of a criminal fraud investigation into the redevelopment of the Moscow Hotel. The raid was part of an investigation of a former client, DLA Piper told the Lawyer, which first reported news of…

Jun 17, 2009 2:24 PM CDT

As Law Firms Elsewhere are Firing, Those in India are Hiring

As many major law firms based in the United States and London are shrinking their attorney rosters in reaction to a global recession, their counterparts in India are doing just fine. In fact, a number of law firms in India are hiring in anticipation of increased business, reports Bloomberg in…

Jun 15, 2009 8:07 PM CDT

10,000 UK Lawyers Could Lose Jobs Within 2 Years; ‘09 is ‘Worst Year Ever,’ Recruiter Says

In another signpost of the sea change that seems to be occurring in the legal profession, a major United Kingdom newspaper is predicting that more than 10,000 lawyers there could lose their jobs over the next two years. If so, that figure likely would include more than 1 in 10…

Jun 15, 2009 8:06 PM CDT

BigLaw Voice Mail to Young Attorneys: ‘It’s Not Good News, But Give Us a Call’

When one of London’s most elite law partnerships recently decided it had to let 14 solicitor trainees go instead of giving them permanent jobs, partners at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer had the magic circle firm’s human resources department give them a call. But when HR couldn’t immediately reach all of the…

Jun 15, 2009 6:58 PM CDT

Greenberg Traurig London Launch Will Push Some Boundaries, Paul Maher Says

Former Mayer Brown vice-chairman Paul Maher is launching a new London office for Greenberg Traurig that reportedly plans to challenge some BigLaw traditions. Maher will serve as chairman of the London office of a new United Kingdom limited liability practice that will be known as Greenberg Traurig Maher. In addition,…

Jun 15, 2009 3:36 PM CDT

Malawi High Court OKs Pop Icon’s Adoption Petition

Madonna has the blessing of Malawi’s highest court to adopt her second child from the African nation. Friday’s decision reverses a lower court, which had ruled that Madonna didn’t meet adoption requirements because she hadn’t resided in the country for 18 consecutive months. So what prompted the change of course?…

Jun 12, 2009 10:25 PM CDT

Aussie Firm’s Managing Partner to Go Homeless for Night

The chairman of Deacons’ Sydney office, Nick Abrahams, plans to spend the night in the open next week as part of his firm’s effort to raise money for homeless programs. Abrahams will be among some 200 other senior executives and business leaders taking part in CEO Sleepout to benefit the…

Jun 11, 2009 5:52 PM CDT

Climbing Everest Also Tested Lawyer’s Practice Management Skills

It wasn’t easy for attorney Brian Strange to take two months away from his Los Angeles class action practice. But with the help of e-mail and a satellite telephone he has had for several years, Strange found the time to climb Mount Everest with his 17-year-old son, Johnny, this spring.…

Jun 8, 2009 3:42 PM CDT

Squire Sanders Mulls Possible Merger With Denton Wilde Sapte

Merger talks reportedly may be under way between Squire Sanders & Dempsey and Denton Wilde Sapte. Still in the early stages, the conversations could achieve a transatlantic engagement as soon as this fall if they go well, reports Legal Week. The article relies on unidentified sources; Howard Morris, who is…

Jun 5, 2009 7:12 PM CDT

Clifford Chance May Lose #1 Spot, as Revenue Drops 5% to $2.04B

Clifford Chance may be about to lose its No. 1 ranking as the world’s top-grossing law practice. Managing partner David Childs says the London-based megafirm’s revenue was down about 5 percent for the fiscal year that ended April 30, reports Bloomberg. Clifford Chance earned about $2.04 billion in fee income…

Jun 4, 2009 5:45 PM CDT

In One Month’s Time, Clifford Chance Loses Five US Partners

A mergers and acquisitions lawyer who is leaving the New York office of Clifford Chance is the fifth U.S. partner to exit the law firm this month. David Bernstein is leaving the firm to join K&L Gates, Legal Week reports. He previously headed the M&A group and corporate department at…

May 22, 2009 3:55 PM CDT

1st Civilian Trial of Gitmo Prisoner Will Be Ghailani’s in N.Y.

Countering critics’ claims that it is too dangerous to transport terrorism suspects to the United States for trial in civilian courts, Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the first such trial of a detainee at the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba will be held in New York. Ahmed…

May 22, 2009 12:00 AM CDT

Kilpatrick Stockton Closes London Office

Kilpatrick Stockton has closed its London office after several partner defections there. The law firm told the Am Law Daily that it closed the office March 30. A statement by co-managing partner Bill Dorris said the firm will instead affiliate with full-service U.K. law firms. The move will “better serve…

May 21, 2009 3:49 PM CDT