Interview with...
Galicia Abogados’ founding partner talks about developing his firm in Mexico, incentivising innovation, and what associates must do to make partner
How would you define your firm’s culture? How important is firm culture to you? Our firm’s culture is based on (i) collaboration and respect in order to offer the best possible multidisciplinary service in the market; (ii) helping our clients to make business happen and to make better business decisions; and (iii) assuring the best …
Continue reading “Manuel Galicia R: The process of institutionalisation”
The Bar
Fresh from an internal restructure, senior clerk Joe Ferrigno explains how he has future-proofed Essex Court Chambers clerking function amid an evolving legal landscape
On becoming sole senior clerk at Essex Court Chambers I reflected that as the Bar, and indeed the world, has modernised, so too has the role of the barrister’s clerk. What a complete transition it has been – from chambers comprising 15 barristers to sets now in the hundreds; low key business development has evolved …
Continue reading “Building a modern clerks’ room”
Interview with...
The leaders of Crowell & Moring Brussels on the challenges of management, growth, and why law firm culture is key for clients and fee earners
How would you define your firm’s culture? Our firm was founded in the US in 1979 by a group of lawyers, staff, and clients who left a large corporate firm because they believed in doing things differently. Four decades later, this belief is still a cornerstone of the firm’s culture. Our Brussels office was started …
Continue reading “Kristof Roox and Thomas De Meese: Managing partners shouldn’t hide behind their role”
Recruitment
In an era where the partnership track is more epic journey than career path, how can those for whom equity partnership is still the Holy Grail navigate a steady course to the top? Definitive Consulting’s Craig Hoyland details the questions equity hopefuls must ask themselves
In my experience, the biggest issue for anyone focused on making equity is the chronic lack of clarity from employers about what it takes to get there. Not a week goes by without a salaried partner contacting me after being passed over for equity status, without explanation. In that kind of scenario, it is all …
Continue reading “The uncertain road to equity”
Editors' views
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, client service can be a key differentiator for law firms. Georgina Stanley explains how a major new research project from The Legal 500 has set out to identify those making the best impression
Stewarts, Mishcon de Reya, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges have emerged among the top-performing law firms for client service in the UK, according to brand new Legal 500 research assessing what clients really think about their external advisers. The trio are among a host of leading US and UK firms to have been recognised by …
Continue reading “Client Service Awards – What clients really want”
Leadership
The co-chairs of Latham & Watkins’ Chicago litigation and trial department, Terra Reynolds and Eric R. Swibel, talk about their route to practice management, law firm culture, and some best practice advice on making partnership
To give some background, please give us an overview of your career trajectories to this point? Terra Reynolds: I started out in government and served for more than a decade as an assistant US attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, eventually becoming deputy chief. In that role, I tried more than a dozen federal …
Continue reading “Gracefully tooting your own horn to partnership”
Client Services
Marcello Floris, co-head of employment and pensions at Eversheds Sutherland in Italy, on the importance of managing clients’ expectations and utilising a common sense approach to legal practice
A law firm provides an array of services, ranging from consultancy to drafting of documents, to assistance in litigation, to name but a few. The reputation of a firm is deeply grounded in the quality of services it provides its clients. Many firms coach their partners on the notion of delivering excellence in client service, …
Continue reading “Never overlook the basics of client service”
Diversity and inclusion
This Pride season, The Legal 500’s Amy Ulliott spoke to representatives of three UK law firms to find out how they have championed equality at home and abroad, and what advice they would give other firms yet to embrace an openly inclusive environment
From Brunei to the UK, the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) people in society has rarely been out of the news in recent months. In April, Brunei introduced new legislation making sodomy an offence punishable by death, with lesbian sex now subject to corporal punishment and/or ten years imprisonment. In May, Kenya’s …
Continue reading “Being your true self at work”
Marketing
The IBA’s Law Firm Management Committee recently presented a webinar on the growing role that legal directories are playing in the legal profession across the globe focussing on why general counsel (GCs) and law firms work with the legal directories. This is the third instalment in a box set series of the growing influence of …
Continue reading “Why do law firms and general counsel work with legal directories?”
Editors' views
Asia Pacific editor John van der Luit-Drummond explains the weight placed on client feedback and how to maximise your firm’s coverage in the next rankings
And… time’s up! The submission process for The Legal 500’s Asia Pacific 2020 guide is now closed. To all firms across the 25 jurisdictions we cover, thank you for contributing to this year’s research. Over the last few weeks, a number of firms have sought clarification over the factors we consider when rankings practices and …
Continue reading “Your clients are your biggest cheerleaders, and critics”
