The Law Society in England is calling on the UK government to give statutory protection to legal privilege… International firm implements new management structure… New real estate partner at Eversheds… Twitter, Facebook accused of gender discrimination…
Law Society calls for protection of legal privilege
The Law Society in England is calling on the UK government to give statutory protection to legal privilege. There is considerable concern in many jurisdictions that laws designed as anti-terrorism measures encroach on the ability of lawyers to communicate confidentially with clients. The Law Society’s president Andrew Caplen warned: “The potential for surveillance of lawyer-client communications can have an extraordinarily chilling effect. Suspecting that you cannot speak to your lawyer candidly or advise your client confidentially is corrosive of the entire legal process.” With a general election in Britain in May the society is urging the new government to act quickly to protect legal privilege.
International firm implements new management structure
The international management of Norton Rose Fulbright has implemented its new structure. Under the continued stewardship of chief executive Peter Martyr the firm no longer has a deputy managing partner; Tim Marsden will stay on the board though and is tasked with reviewing the firm’s smaller departments to see how they might be consolidated. There is now a new global head of business, Martin McCann, who has a seat on the executive board and will be looking to build a commercial-thinking culture across the firm. McCann is succeeded by Singapore-based partner Nick Merritt as head of infrastructure, mining and commodities.
New real estate partner at Eversheds
Eversheds has added a partner to its real estate team with the hire of Tom Goldsmith from Nabarro where he has worked since 2001. He will be based in the London office.
Twitter, Facebook accused of gender discrimination
Social networks Twitter and Facebook have been accused of treating men and women differently, in two separate lawsuits. Tina Huang claims that Twitter has no formal process for promotions but relies on a ‘shoulder tap’ approach that unfairly favours men. The software engineer has filed papers for a class action against the company. Twitter says it is committed to diversity and believes that the facts will show that Huang was treated fairly. Meanwhile, Facebook is being accused by former employee Chia Hong that she was wrongly dismissed in 2013 because of her gender, race and Taiwanese nationality. Facebook denies the claims.
