Rupert Murdoch pays tribute to "one of the brightest legal minds"

The man who’s led the legal team at Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox (21CF) for most of this decade is to return to his former law firm.

Gerson Zweifach is general counsel, chief compliance officer, and senior executive vice-president of the firm and has overseen some challenging times for the business.

He will return to Williams & Connolly, where he spent three decades prior to his current role, once the 21CF transaction with Disney completes, probably in the first half of 2019.

“I am going to see our Disney transaction through, and then it’s time for me to end my working sabbatical and return home. I will be forever grateful to Rupert for giving me this opportunity,” he said.

Paying tribute to their top lawyer, Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, co-chairs of 21CF, paid tribute to his leadership during the firm’s transformational period.

“Gerson is one of the brightest legal minds in the business and has been instrumental in our growth having successfully led our legal and policy strategies across the globe,” they said.

Global firm adds litigation strength in Sydney
White & Case has hired former Herbert Smith Freehills partner Brad Strahorn for its commercial litigation practice in Sydney.

Strahorn’s extensive experience in construction disputes across energy and infrastructure sectors includes cases involving the construction of

assets, typically concerning design liability, defects, performance failures, delays and disruptions.

"Australia has grown into a world-leading market for construction and infrastructure projects," said White & Case partner Eric Berg, Head of Asia-Pacific. "Brad's hire reinforces our commitment to helping clients navigate multibillion- and multimillion-dollar infrastructure development and disputes. He and our partners Hamish Macpherson and Max Bonnell are leading litigators who have great reputations in the Australian market."

Law firm disruptor secures AU$90.5m funding
A tech-based legal services firm law firm founded just a year ago has received a significant investment to fund its aim to disrupt the legal profession.

Founded by Justin Kan, the founder of games platform Twitch; along with corporate law firm partner Augie Rakow; Atrium’s stated mission is “making legal faster and more transparent, with upfront pricing.”

The Silicon Valley startup-focused firm has now secured U$65 million (AU$90.47 million) in funding to help its aim to transform the legal industry for founders and for lawyers.

Its offer includes dedicated counsel and paralegal teams, contracts work, financing, and blockchain solutions.