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  • May 2, 2013 |

    Caught in two minds – firms split on whether to stick or twist in tough market

    Recent weeks have presented a somewhat divided picture of the upper echelons of the legal market. On the one hand, against the backdrop of a relentlessly tough market, many of the UK's largest law firms have announced predictably reduced partner promotion rounds – with the magic circle, for example, making up nearly 20% fewer new partners this year than last. On the other, Slaughter and May this week played a strong hand in terms of salaries, with the firm's across-the-board rises for junior lawyers likely to set the bar for its City peers.

    1 minute read

  • April 25, 2013 |

    Bakers aims to double female representation among equity

    Baker & McKenzie is overhauling its approach to the promotion of female lawyers in a bid to double the proportion of women in its equity partner ranks. The firm, which has a 15% female equity partnership, is aiming to increase this figure to 30% with a shift away from billable hour targets – a factor that has long hampered the career progression of working mothers. More importance will now be placed on individuals' overall non-billable contributions, including their involvement in client and practice development, team building, promotion of firm culture and values, profile-raising and leadership.

    1 minute read

  • April 23, 2013 |

    Introduction to ValueDynamics - a new toolkit for General Counsel and Heads of Legal

    In this video Q&A, Tim Hamilton, partner at Addleshaw Goddard, discusses the challenges facing in-house lawyers and also the publication of ValueDynamics which offers a new perspective on leadership strategies for all GCs wanting proven ways to transform the performance of their legal function.

    1 minute read

  • April 23, 2013 |

    The value challenge

    In this article, Addleshaw Goddard considers in depth the first of four sections of the ValueDynamics study: the Value Challenge. The section outlines the fundamental first steps that GCs believe they should take when bringing change and improvements to their role within organisations.

    1 minute read

  • April 23, 2013 |

    The ValueDynamics leadership toolkit

    In 2013, in-house lawyers and general counsel operate in an increasingly complex world with multiple stakeholders and a diverse set of responsibilities. This article outlines how GCs can navigate their way through this relatively new and complicated landscape.

    1 minute read

  • April 22, 2013 |

    Introduction to ValueDynamics - a new toolkit for General Counsel and Heads of Legal

    In this video Q&A, Tim Hamilton, partner at Addleshaw Goddard, discusses the challenges facing in-house lawyers and also the publication of ValueDynamics which offers a new perspective on leadership strategies for all GCs wanting proven ways to transform the performance of their legal function.

    1 minute read

  • April 22, 2013 |

    The ValueDynamics leadership toolkit

    In 2013, in-house lawyers and general counsel operate in an increasingly complex world with multiple stakeholders and a diverse set of responsibilities. This article outlines how GCs can navigate their way through this relatively new and complicated landscape.

    1 minute read

  • April 18, 2013 |

    The way to Westminster – making the transition from law to politics

    Law and politics may be a potent mix, but it is surprising just how many lawyers have successfully made the transition to elected representative. According to research by strategic communications consultancy the Madano Partnership, 12% of the elected new MPs at the 2010 general election have a legal background. Jonathan Reynolds, Labour MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, was formerly a corporate lawyer at Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester. He believes there are a lot of "natural synergies" between the two professions. "Lawyers are skilled at absorbing large quantities of data and they can get to the crux of the argument very quickly," he says. "They also know how to critically analyse complex data and documents. All these skills are required of MPs."

    1 minute read

  • April 18, 2013 |

    Network Rail slashes core panel from 12 firms to five as Dentons wins role

    Dentons has won an appointment to Network Rail's legal panel following an adviser review that has seen the rail operator's core external roster cut from 12 law firms to five. Three firms in addition to Dentons have been appointed to cover England and Wales: longstanding advisers Bond Pearce, Eversheds and Addleshaw Goddard. All four will handle a full range of work including corporate, property, pensions and employment. Maclay Murray & Spens has been appointed to advise on Scots law matters.

    1 minute read

  • April 18, 2013 |

    Outsourcing out of favour as majority of partners back more near-shoring schemes

    The majority of partners at UK law firms believe firms should set up their own near-shoring ventures to cut costs ahead of sending work to outsourcing companies, according to new research published in the wake of several firms scaling back contracts with Integreon. Legal Week's latest Big Question survey found nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents believe own-firm near-shoring ventures in cheaper locations such as Belfast or other regional UK locations provide a better alternative to outsourcing companies for both legal process and back office support. A further 18% said firms should look to set up their own offshore ventures in regions such as the Philippines and India, with only the same percentage coming out in favour of outsourcing companies.

    1 minute read