Interview with...
Candey’s managing partner talks about the culture of a disputes-only firm, the challenges and opportunities facing litigation boutiques, robot armies, and why it’s important for a leader to retain their humanity and humour
For readers who don’t know you or Candey well, please provide us with a brief history of you and your firm. Founded in 2009, we have grown into an international litigation boutique of 25 fee earners. We are a mix of solicitors and barristers undertaking large scale multi-million pound global and cross-border litigation with a …
Continue reading “Ashkhan Candey: It’s like being at a zoo but only hanging out with the gorillas”
Interview with...
Finnegan’s managing partner speaks with Helen Donegan, US editor (content), about taking on the role in July 2019, his plans and priorities, and what makes Finnegan stand out
Given your experience in having studied mechanical engineering and then working as a space engineer at NASA, why then did you decide to study law and pursue a legal career? Law was not a career track for me when I was an undergrad. I really did see myself working as an engineer and actually continuing …
Continue reading “Anand Sharma: We are distinctly different”
Interview with...
Good decisions are often not recognised as such due to poor understanding of why they are being made, says Cains’ managing director
How would you define Cains’ culture and how important is that culture to you? Although Cains is one of the longest established law firms on the Isle of Man, we are a modern and progressive firm and our culture, which I believe is unique and sets us apart from other Isle of Man law firms, …
Continue reading “Peter Clucas: When running a firm, expect the unexpected”
Interview with...
Helen Donegan, US editor (content) at The Legal 500 speaks with Baker McKenzie’s US managing partners about their new appointments since July 2019, plans for their offices, and how these fit with client needs and existing managing partner responsibilities
Can you provide a brief overview of the office(s) you manage? Bobby Albaral: I was appointed managing partner of the firm’s Dallas office in 2017, then in July 2019 – as we combined the Dallas and Houston offices into one collaborative Texas team – I was appointed the Texas office managing partner. Baker McKenzie has …
Continue reading “Under new management”
Interview with...
The managing partner of DLA Piper in Germany talks about his firm’s recent growth, the competition for talent, and looking out for the next big trend
Dr Parameswaran, you joined the firm almost a decade ago and have been managing partner for six years. In your opinion, what’s changed most within that time? Having started as a greenfield operation in Germany only 15 years ago without building on a legacy firm, we are now very well established in the German legal …
Continue reading “Dr. Benjamin Parameswaran: It would be short-sighted to limit innovation to just tech and tools”
Interview with...
The managing partner of Gide Loyrette Nouel talks about the importance of collaborative partners, establishing an Innovation Commission, and investing in your top talent
How would you define your firm’s culture? Gide has always been a pioneer on the market: for instance, we were the first French firm to set up in Brussels in 1967. Agility is also part of our culture; we have always adapted to our client’s needs with our unique platform of diverse practices and specialties. …
Continue reading “Stéphane Puel: The ties that bind a partnership”
Interview with...
Venable’s chief revenue officer says true innovation is more than a buzzword, it is in the service of a purpose, while marketing should not be confused with advertising
Please give us some background on your career to date and how you came to join Venable? I spent the majority of my career in advertising and marketing services – originally as a writer, then in client services, and finally in management. The red thread throughout my career has been around creativity, technology, and transformation. …
Continue reading “Gunther Schumacher: The learning process – helping law firms embrace new ideas”
Interview with...
The M&A world is tough, and more so for a women of colour, says the head of Willkie Farr & Gallagher’s Latin America practice
How would you describe Willkie’s Latin America practice? Built upon the foundation of our firm-wide culture, Willkie’s Latin American practice is known by clients for its pragmatic approach to the practice of law, one that puts the client first and forms the basis for longstanding relationships. Our lawyers are admitted throughout Latin America, fluent or …
Continue reading “Maria-Leticia Ossa Daza: Gender bias still an issue in law”
Interview with...
Partner and head of Van Doorne’s privacy team, Elisabeth Thole, talks about how the world of technology and cybersecurity has changed and how she develops a young team.
How would you describe the cultural environment of your firm? We have an informal and open atmosphere including the layout of our offices. We want to avoid a ‘corporate’ atmosphere and we want everyone in the firm to be themselves and develop their own ideas – this nurtures creativity. It is very pleasing to see …
Continue reading “Elisabeth Thole: why women led the way in data protection in the Netherlands”
Interview with...
IndusLaw’s co-founding partner discusses the war for talent in India, the best way to retain the partners of tomorrow, and why international practice aren’t all they’re cracked up to be
How would you define your firm’s culture? How important is firm culture to you? We love a culture that is more millennial driven – all elements of a cool and fun work place with flexible office timings etc., without any compromise on quality of service provided. We believe giving a sense of ownership at each …
Continue reading “Suneeth Katarki: Happy associates make for happy clients”
