A&O tops league table
Allen & Overy is the leading adviser in global debt, equity and equity-related capital markets according to the H1 2014 league tables from Thomson Reuters. The firm has advised issuers and managers on 462 deals worth US$346 billion; 127 deals and over US$84bn ahead of its nearest competitor. Simon Hill, global co-head of ICM at Allen & Overy, commented: “The scope of the practice’s expertise and experience across the spectrum of capital market products has been crucial to clients in a time of significant change and increased activity.”
US firm gets go-ahead for Singapore office
It’s taken eight months but now US law firm Dechert has a licence to practice in Singapore. The office will launch with only one lawyer due to delays in securing licenses for two more, who will work from the firm’s Honk Kong office in the meantime. Partner Dean Collins will lead the team.
Lawyers set up from home for flexible working
When two senior associates at
Herbert Smith Freehills needed a more flexible approach to work due to family commitments, they broke new ground by sharing a role and working three days a week each. A few years later and Jane Wright and Lauren Barelthought decided to apply for promotion in a bid to become the first job-sharing partners but were told they would have to apply separately and against each other. They decided to leave and start up on their own, together with Jane’s brother who joined from Minter Ellison. A year on and their workplace specialist firm Workdynamic Australia is thriving with AU$2 million revenue within reach and BRW reports that their hyper-flexible working arrangements is perfect for busy lawyers with families.
Lawyers for the 21st century
Law firms may need to hire an equivalent of James Bond’s ‘Q’ if advances in technology are taken up
en masse. The Business Day reports that while iPads, smartphones and laptops are commonplace, there are other tech equipment that is gaining popularity among lawyers. Handheld pen scanners for example, allowing the lawyer to copy of a piece of text and transmit it via Bluetooth or a computer. Then there’s the pocket projector, allowing a presentation to be shown on any flat surface, without the need of a computer. Add in a hi-performance car with added equipment and a briefcase that turns into a speed boat and the modern lawyer is ready for anything!
