Aussie firm is most innovative in Asia Pacific says FT

Aussie firm is most innovative in Asia Pacific says FT
The annual Financial Times Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers report has named an Australian firm as the most innovative.

Gilbert + Tobin dominates the rankings, the FT says, including five top rankings and awards, including the “special achievement” prize for Danny Gilbert, its co-founder and senior partner.

“We have sought to be a little different. We are very strongly performance and financial driven, but we balance this out with informality,” said Gilbert. “Our office environment is entirely open plan and we try to have fun. Being innovative in strategy means being bold and being willing to take risks.”

The other four accolades achieved were: Most innovative law firm headquartered in the Asia Pacific; Most innovative law firm in Australia; Innovation in new product and services; and Joint winner for innovation in expanding clients’ business.

The FT says that one of the keys to G+T’s success is its ability to “sidestep the clumsy decision-making processes” that sometimes hinder more established firms.

The firm is also able to maintain an “experimental culture” as it is managed by one of its founders.

“We should bring an innovative mindset to all we do, and I’m proud of what we are achieving at Gilbert + Tobin,” added Gilbert.

Kennedys, CMK merger goes live
The merger of international law firm Kennedys with US insurance-focused firm Carroll McNulty & Kull (CMK) has completed, creating a global law firm with more than 1000 lawyers and 750 other staff.

The combined firm has an enhanced presence across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

The existing CMK offices will be known as Kennedys CMK due to the strength of the heritage CMK brand in the US. Kennedys’ Miami office which has a Latin American focus will also be rebranded as Kennedys CMK. Elsewhere only the Kennedys name will be used.

Lawsuit relating to social media have increased says survey
The surge in use of social media and mobile devices has resulted in a sharp rise in litigation relating to their use.

A survey of lawyers by recruiter Robert Half found that 52 per cent say they have seen a rise in litigation involving images or information found on social media.
More than a quarter of respondents said that cases relating to the use of mobile devices have also increased.

"With millions of people sharing details about their personal lives and professional activities online, data stored on social media networks and mobile devices are increasingly relevant to litigation," said Charles Volkert, senior district president of Robert Half Legal. "Electronic evidence retrieved during discovery, including emails, tweets, text messages and photos, as well as GPS and web browsing history, is often enough to make or break a case."