Interview with: Roger Meltzer
DLA Piper’s global co-chair talks about the challenges of
expansion, a commitment to innovation, and building an
organisation that reflects society.
DLA Piper is well known for the size and scope of its network. What are the specific challenges of leading a firm of this size and scope? Excepting the nightmarish logistics associated with time zones and travel, which do unquestionably make leadership positions in global firms more cumbersome, I also generally believe the challenges are …
Continue reading “Law firms must drive social change or lose the talent war”
Diversity and inclusion
Asia Pacific deputy editor Andrea de Palatis speaks to leading partners on mentoring, flexible working, unconscious bias, and how to break Big Law’s glass ceiling
For many women lawyers, a long-term career at the top level of Big Law seems just out of reach. Even in 2019, the centenary year of women being allowed entry to the profession in the UK, it is still widely believed that women cannot ‘have it all’ and must eventually choose between having a family …
Continue reading “The battle for diversity is far from won”
Marketing
Look beyond the new colour palette and revamped website if you want a successful rebrand, writes Paul Bellamy, director of strategy and business development at SANDS.
Branding processes happen more often than we think. Six companies I have worked in rebranded during my tenure with them; two others immediately after I left them. My experience in the legal profession is limited to commercial law, as CEO of three of Norway’s largest firms, but I have also been fortunate to be involved …
Continue reading “When it comes to law firm branding, be bold”
Editors' views
China editor Bei Zhao reports on what has been keeping PRC and international firms busy and which practices have excelled in the latest rankings.
2019 marks the arrival of the Year of Pig, which is said to bring luck and prosperity to those born into it. Looking at The Legal 500’s latest China rankings, the previous 12 months have certain been good to many firms – 130, in fact – that made it into our expanded 2019 guide. The …
Continue reading “2019: A year of fortune and luck for China firms?”
Politics vs practice
Luca Failla, managing partner of LABLAW Studio Legale, provides an update on the latest labour and employment law issues facing corporates in Italy.
The Italian government’s recent declaration of support for the cause ‘gilets jaunes’ (yellow vest) protesters in France, even going so far as to proclaim ‘don’t give up’, has reinforced their support of the sovereignty of the people of the Republic of France – and at the same time those of the Republic of Italy. Not …
Continue reading “New government
means new rules of
business in Italy”
Editors' views
Remember that everyone who works with you is a
human being deserving of professional courtesy and respect, writes publishing director David Burgess.
Recently, I have been helping out with the recruitment of staff for the International Arbitration Centre. Making sure that the front of house staff meet up to the highest expectations of client service and discretion are very much the principles on which the interviews were based. So we looked at a range of candidates, from …
Continue reading “Law firms and sets: your front of house teams
deserve better”
Practice area spotlight: Fintech
To be a good fintech lawyer you need not only comprehensive legal skills, but also an understanding on what fintech – and the particular business – is all about, writes Hanna-Mari Manninen of Dittmar & Indrenius
Please give us an overview of the current legal market in Finland and how any recent developments have impacted your practice? Legal services are offered in Finland by variety of different type of actors, mostly by attorneys-at-law offices but also by other law firms and by consulting and accounting firms. The competition has been increasing, …
Continue reading “Collaboration and curiosity are key”
Events and awards
Fresh from their successes at Awards 2019, Hardwicke’s Amanda Illing (Chief Executive of the Year) and One Essex Court’s Jackie Ginty (Clerk of the Year) reflect on the progress of women at the Bar.
In 2019 we are celebrating the 100th anniversary both of women obtaining the right to vote and women being admitted to the Bar. A great deal has happened in those 100 years for women involved in Bar activities. While there is undoubtedly still much to be done, equally there is a great deal of which …
Continue reading “Moving faster in the right direction”
Practice area spotlight: Fintech
Hubert de Vauplane, Gilles Saint Marc, Tristan Bonneau, and Wilfried Robin of Kramer Levin Naftalis et Frankel consider the future of French fintech
Please provide an overview of the current legal market in France and recent developments? French authorities and regulators have exhibited constant interest for fintechs, which are driving technological innovation and providing additional financing sources. Regulations implemented in the last few years demonstrate French regulators’ commitment to establish appropriate frameworks that foster the development of fintechs …
Continue reading “Can Paris take advantage of the fintech boom?”
Events and awards
UK Solicitors editor Georgina Stanley praises 2019’s outstanding achievement winners who have acted as positive role models to inspire future generations of women in law.
What makes an outstanding achievement winner in The Legal 500’s eyes? Broadly speaking, the answer is going to differ markedly depending on the individual. This year however, our seven outstanding achievement winners were united by one very obvious factor – their gender. To mark 100 years since women were given the right to practise law …
Continue reading “Women lawyers making a difference”
