Case study: Web wins
The website was one shop window law firm Withers decided it couldn’t afford to get wrong.

Small firms remain robustly confident
TWO-THIRDS of smaller law firms remain confident of their firm’s prospects over the next six months despite the current economic climate, according to a recent survey conducted by Key Business Finance (KBF), the professional finance arm of Heritable Bank.

Bryan Cave expands Chicago office
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm Bryan Cave LLP is to expand its Chicago office with the appointment of five new lateral partners from the Chicago office of rival firm Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP.

Baker & McKenzie posts profits surge
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm Baker & McKenzie has posted an 18 per cent rise in profits for the 2008 fiscal year, which it attributes to a strategic shift dating back to 2004.

Legal Services Board starts work
THE BRITISH Government has announced the first members of the newly-established UK regulatory authority, the Legal Services Board (LSB).

Weil Gotshal declares new DC head
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges has chosen a new managing partner for the firm’s Wasington D.C. office.

Dorsey hires former Eversheds litigation partner
DORSEY & WHITNEY has boosted its litigation practice with the appointment of a former litigation partner from international law firm Eversheds.

asb law appoints new corporate finance partner
UK LAW firm asb law has announced the appointment of a new partner to its corporate finance team.

Southern US firms agree merger
JONES, WALKER, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre L.L.P (Jones Walker) and Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom LLC (Miller Hamilton) have agreed a merger that extends both firms’ stature in the southern US legal market.

Linklaters hires former FTC director
MAGIC-CIRCLE law firm Linklaters has boosted its US competition and anti-trust practice with the appointment of a new competition and antitrust partner in the firm’s New York office.

K&L Gates and Kennedy Covington seal deal
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART Preston Gates Ellis LLP (K&L Gates) and Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, LLP (Kennedy Covington) are to merge, effective as of 1 July 2008, following a vote at both partnerships.

K&L Gates keeps in touch
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART Preston Gates Ellis LLP (K&L Gates) has devised a scheme to help lawyers leaving the firm for personal reasons to maintain their connections to both the firm and the profession.

Two-fifths of law firms hoping to merge
OVER TWO-FIFTHS (43 per cent) of UK and international law firms expect they will be involved in a transformational merger within 12 months, according to new research.

Survey: Fee income up thirteen per cent
THE UK’s top-100 law firms have weathered the ‘credit crunch’ in the year ending 30 April 2008, with an average increase in fee income of 13.2 per cent, according to Deloitte.

Regional firms set to win more work
BUYERS OF legal services in the UK are set to increase their spending with national and regional law firms in 2008, at the expense of the magic circle, according to new research.

Paul Weiss names new chair
PAUL, WEISS, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrisson LLP (Paul Weiss) has elected Brad S. Karp to succeed Alfred D. Youngwood as the chair of the firm.

DLA Piper hires fifth Heller Ehrman corporate partner
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm DLA Piper has hired the fifth partner to join its corporate and finance group from Heller Ehrman LLP in two months.

K&L Gates moots Carolinas merger
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART Preston Gates Ellis LLP (K&L Gates) is holding talks with Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman LLP (Kennedy Covington) about a possible merger.

Law firms lacking disaster preparation
ALMOST HALF of lawyers are insufficiently prepared for their firm experiencing a disaster scenario, according to new research.

Lawyer alliance launches carbon comparison tool
A NUMBER of law firms and other organisations in the sector are developing a spreadsheet-based measurement tool to help firms calculate their carbon footprints and compare performance.

WFW moves into Milan
INTERNATIONAL LAW firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has opened an office in the fashion capital of Milan.

Allen & Overy wins ‘best website’ award
MAGIC-CIRCLE law firm Allen & Overy (A&O) has the most effective website among UK law firms, according to Intendance Research.

HBJ Gateley Wareing in maritime merger move
HBJ GATELEY Wareing (HBJGW) has announced plans to merge with the London shipping and transport law firm Holmes Hardingham.

Survey: Lawyer traits show practice leaning
LAWYERS COULD be more likely to excel in some practice groups than others depending on their psychological make-up, according to a new survey.