Gowling WLG says Brexit is informing large firms' HQ choices

Gowling WLG says Brexit is informing large firms’ HQ choices

Large corporates are more likely to choose Germany, Ireland, or Switzerland for their European headquarters post-Brexit rather than the UK, according to research from Gowling WLG.

The law firm’s survey of more than 650 executives at large businesses across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas found that 41% of respondents would not consider the UK following the country’s withdrawal from the EU – and 92% who are currently there are considering a move.

There are exceptions though to the negative feeling towards a post-Brexit UK with leaders in Canada, Brazil, and the US more likely to consider the country for a HQ location.

"Against this backdrop, a swift resolution to the Brexit impasse and the right policy changes once we have finally exited the EU are essential to enable Britain to take a bigger slice of the HQ market, particularly among North American firms and those beyond Europe,” said Richard Bate, head of real estate at Gowling WLG.

Legal AI firm creates advisory board of senior lawyers

One of the leading legal profession focused artificial intelligence firms has brought in some top lawyers as advisors.

Luminance has created an advisory board including Slaughter & May senior partner Steve Cooke and Rosemary Martin, general counsel of Vodafone, to accelerate the adoption of AI technology.

“The legal profession needs to engage the brightest minds. Luminance’s technology offers that opportunity, allowing lawyers to be the trusted advisors they trained to become,” said Cooke.

The advisory board also includes Manuela Cavallo, founding partner of Italian law firm Portolavo Cavallo and Vagn Thorup, former chairman of the IBA’s Technology Committee.

Tinder takes a swipe at rival’s logo in trademark claim

There’s no love lost between rivals in the competitive world of dating apps but one of the world’s best known says a fast-growing rival has infringed its trademark.

According to the relative newcomer Wild, Tinder brand owner Match Group, Inc. has filed a complaint regarding Wild’s use of a flame outline logo over the ‘i’ in its name.

Wild says it changed the logo after an initial complaint and resubmitted it to app stores but then received a second request to remove any depiction of a flame from the logo.

Wild says it’s perplexed as to why Tinder is showing an interest in its logo after it has been in use for 4 years. Tinder’s trademark description states: “The mark consists of the stylized word "TINDER" with a flame dotting the letter "I".