KWM top for deals in 2015
The latest full year legal adviser tables from Mergermarket show that King & Wood Mallesons acted on the most M&A deals in Asia last year. The firm ranked first for volume of deals in the both the Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) and Greater China, first for value of deals in Australasia and second for volume of deals in Australasia. KWM also performed strongly in the global results, breaking into the top 15 for volume of announced global and European M&A deals and volume of global and European buyouts.
Law firms score highly for LGBT diversity
One of the world’s leading organisations for lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people has named 12 global law firms in its 2016 Top 100 of inclusive workplaces. Stonewall’s listings focus on UK employers but also recognises those global employers that have positive policies for LGBT staff. The list was topped by Britain’s intelligence service MI5.
Local government, education and health and social care sectors all scored highly but the legal sector was the only other to feature organisations in double figures. Simmons & Simmons was named as a ‘star performer’ for its consistent commitment to LGBT inclusivity and for being in the top 10 in at least 3 of the past 5 years. The other law firms in the top 100 are: Pinsent Masons, Clifford Chance, Baker & McKenzie, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Norton Rose Fulbright,
Herbert Smith Freehills, DWF, Hogan Lovells, Reed Smith, Eversheds and Dentons.
Corporate hire for Reed Smith
The Beijing corporate practice of Reed Smith has hired Jie Zhang as a partner. He joins from Norton Rose Fulbright in the city and his practice focuses on inbound foreign investment work and outbound investments, particularly in the energy sector.
Four Muslim men file $9 million discrimination lawsuit
Four Muslim men claim they were thrown off a flight from Toronto to New York because of racial profiling. The men were part of a group of 6 travelling together and claim that a member of American Airlines flight crew told them the captain was uneasy about their appearance. NBC New York says that a lawsuit was filed on Monday seeking $9 million damages for “emotional and psychological harm from the discrimination and mistreatment.” The airline says it is reviewing the lawsuit.
