This week Meg is joined by Byfield Associate Director, Beth Durkin. They discuss KPMG Law targeting an alternative business licence in the US, the increase in law firm rates, Private Equity’s Calculated push into law firms and how the last year has reshaped the legal industry globally.To read the articles mentioned in this week's episode, visit the below links: https://www.law.com/international-edition/2025/01/06/kpmg-law-us-targets-alternative-business-licence-shaking-up-legal-status-qu...
This week Meg is joined by Joint Managing Directors Ben Girdlestone and Michael Evans. They discuss why climate protestors are targeting A&O Shearman,lateral partner retention, US firms dragging their feet on training contracts and how US firm are getting closer to acquiring Kramer Levin’s Paris office.Thank you for Listening!
In this episode, Meg and Dina are joined by Sean McGuiness, Investment Manager, Senior Legal Counsel at Omni Bridgeway. They discuss how the PACCAR decision is impacting the market and what to expect from this government in the legislation tackling it (when it comes through), controversies around litigation funding such as fees the funders charge, why funding is so important for litigation and the upcoming market trends to watch out for.If you'd like to get in contact with Sean, his details a...
In the episode, Meg is joined by Byfield Joint Managing Director, Ben Girdlestone, to discuss the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer merger, the climate protests outside law firms, the US election and a couple of law firm culture stories recently published by The Times. Thank you for Listening!
In this episode, Michael and Ben dive into some of the biggest news stories in the UK Legal Market. They explore whether law firm leaders are experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out) amidst the wave of mergers sweeping the sector. The conversation also touches on trainee salaries and the divide between equity and non-equity partners in US firms. Additionally, they provide updates on high-profile cases, including the BHP case regarding the dam disaster in Brazil, as well as how the SRA is handl...
Meg welcomes Simon Davis, former Law Society of England and Wales President and former commercial litigation Partner at Clifford Chance, on the podcast this week to discuss the ever-changing landscape in the legal industry and all of the challenges arising out of that for law firms and their lawyers.They also discuss scrutiny of lawyers in litigation and ethical considerations in disputes.Thank you for Listening!
Rose Walker from Bloomberg Tax is back on Counsel Culture this week to discuss how mergers, rebrands and restructurings may impact culture in law firms.Leaning on the latest Freshfields rebrand and the Johannesburg office closure and equity partner cut at A&O Shearman, Rose and Meg discuss the communications and cultural challenges that come with such changes, and what firms can do to ensure they walk the talk when it comes to diversity and inclusion.Thank you for Listening!
Counsel Culture is back with another instalment of Disputes & Investigations Monthly!In this episode, Meg is joined by Founder Gus Sellitto and Senior Consultant Dina Hudson to discuss the upcoming liability trial in the BHP Mariana Dam case, along with broader reputational concerns surrounding strategic litigation related to ESG.Thank you for Listening!
In this episode Meg and Michael Evans, Joint Managing Director at Byfield, discuss his highlights at the IBA including: his session on whether firms should speak up or remain neutral on major geopolitical/societal issues and the fact that the Mexican President attacked the legal sector and rule of law by revamping the judicial system. They also spoke about recent office closures from Armstrong Teasdale, Hogan Lovells and A&O Shearman.Thank you for Listening!
In today’s episode, Meg is joined by David Patient, Senior Adviser at Travers Smith, for a conversation on law firm expansion in the Middle East, the talent war and David's key lessons for law firm leaders. He also shares his predictions on how the legal industry may evolve in the coming years.Thank you for Listening!
After a summer hiatus, Counsel Culture is finally back!We’re kicking off with an exciting new episode featuring James Booth and Edin Imsirovic from Financial News.Together with Meg, they discuss Paul Weiss' impressive growth one year later and A&O Shearman’s recent hiring of two private equity partners from Sidley and making people redundant (probably).Thank you for Listening!
This week Meg is joined by Joint Managing Director Ben Girdlestone to discuss the return of deals, Kirkland & Ellis Partner moves and diverse lawyers being used as “window dressing” in client pitches. Thank you for Listening!
This week, Meg is joined by Associate Director Liam McCafferty to discuss how the legal industry (and others) can use the Labour Cabinet as an example for increasing socio-economic diversity, what an increase in UK-focused infrastructure and planning work means for law firms and A&O and Linklaters' financial results announcements. Thank you for Listening!
The latest episode of Counsel Culture is now live!This week, Meg is joined by Michael to discuss the UK and French elections' impact on the market, UK law firms' financial results so far and what constitutes the global elite within the legal sector.Thank you for Listening!
The latest episode of Counsel Culture is now live!This week, Meg is joined by Gus and Dina for their monthly disputes & investigations episode. This time they discuss the latest updates in the Post Office Inquiry and the class action against Glencore, the second-ever collective settlement approval order in opt-out proceedings in the CAT, and the fate of the Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill following the announcement of a general election in July.Thank you for Listening!
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, Meg is joined by Joint Managing Director Ben Girdlestone to delve into several stories from this week's legal news. They discuss topics including the complexities of dating as a lawyer, strategies for managing stress, mental health and wellbeing, and why employees are seeking stability in their careers amidst economic instability. Additionally, they cover the official announcement of the A&O Shearman merger and the recent significant s...
In this episode, Meg is joined by Eric Staal, Vice President of Global Markets at Lex Mundi, to discuss challenges faced by General Counsel in responding to geopolitical issues affecting their companies, and handling various stakeholders as part of their response, how those challenges have changed the relationship between in-house counsel and external advisers and what options are available to GCs to better navigate those issues. Thank you for Listening!
This week Meg is joined by Senior Consultant Dina Hudson for the third instalment of our Counsel Culture Disputes & Investigations Monthly series. They discuss the reputational risks of the FCA's "name and shame" proposal, the internal and external communications considerations and challenges for the BBC in the wake of Huw Edwards’ resignation and the importance of having a robust PR strategy in place when launching group action claims, as illustrated with the Grindr claim launched this w...
In today’s episode, Meg and Senior Consultant Dina Hudson are joined by Mary Inman, Partner at Whistleblower Partners LLP. They discussed Whistleblower Partners LLP and the work they're doing worldwide, as well as the legal, reputational and psychosocial risks faced by whistleblowers. They also spoke about what regulators and employers can do to ensure whistleblowers are taken seriously and remain safe when raising concerns, the SFO's decision to compensate whistleblowers for coming forward a...
This week, Meg welcomes Tony Williams, retired Principal at Jomati Consultants, to the show. They discussed Tony’s plan post-retirement from Jomati as well as the various milestones through Tony’s career including his biggest challenges, most rewarding moments and lessons learned. He also shared some thoughts on how the legal industry has changed and some predictions for the future. Thank you for Listening!