Global firms take the lead in Europe as Brexit approaches

Law firm clients in Mainland Europe are weighing the current raft of economic uncertainties and the changing political landscape and selecting law firms that most closely match their demands.

The inaugural Mainland Europe Brand Index from Acritas finds that global firms are taking the lead, but local firms and the Big Four services brands are also making progress.

“Given such levels of change and uncertainty, it is perhaps unsurprising that our research shows that both domestic and international legal spend by clients based in this region is set to grow,” says director Jo Summers. “This means international firms that have had the strategic foresight to build a powerful capability in the Mainland Europe have a higher chance of securing that growth opportunity.”

Baker McKenzie is the firm best positioned to take advantage of rising legal spend in Europe, scoring highest in the Index. It’s followed by Linklaters, Freshfields, DLA Piper, and Clifford Chance in the top 5.

Among alternative legal services providers, PwC Legal claims top spot with Deloitte legal the next strongest brand in the region followed by EY Legal and KPMG Law close behind, ranked third and fourth respectively.

Ashurst team helps secure new trains for iconic London Tube
London’s famous Tube trains will be getting an update thanks to a deal completed with help from a team from Ashurst.

The transaction between Transport for London and Siemens Mobility Ltd. will see 94 trains replacing the entire rolling stock on the Piccadilly Line with expectation that Siemens will also provide the new trains for the city’s three other ‘Deep Tube’ lines.

Ashurst transport partner Naomi Horton led the team which worked closely with TfL’s in-house legal department.

Hong Kong lawyers among promotions at Mayer Brown
International firm Mayer Brown has promoted 34 lawyers to partner in its latest round, including 3 in Hong Kong.

Among one of the firm’s largest promotion rounds, the new Hong Kong partners are: Dion K.Y. Yu, Banking & Finance; Vivien S.K. Yip, Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Alvin L.Y. Yeung, Real Estate; Cindy W.S. Kao, Corporate & Securities; and Pheona S.Y. Chow, Real Estate, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong lawyers also feature heavily among 16 promotions to counsel: Wayne K.W. Cheng, Real Estate; Xin Fang, Corporate & Securities; Felicia P.Y. Lee, Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Karen H.F. Lee, Intellectual Property; Evelyn W.J. Lok, Banking & Finance; and Wei Na Sim, Litigation & Dispute Resolution. Also promoted is Beijing based Rosalyn J. Han, Litigation & Dispute Resolution.