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”
The Bar
Littleton Chambers’ Charlene Ashiru opens up about the challenges of taking a break from practice for parental leave, and provides practical advice on how to prepare yourself both practically and psychologically
Parenting and practice are not mutually exclusive. The thought may seem daunting at first, not least because you may have spent a number of years building your practice and professional network only to go and take an extended period of leave; but the prospect should be seen by you and all of those around you …
Continue reading “From Bar to baby, and back again: Balancing practice with parenthood”
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”
Interview with...
Having recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in Germany, Allen & Overy’s managing partner talks about the challenge of handing over from one generation to the next
You joined the firm back in 2008. In your opinion, what’s changed most since then? A&O has seen significant growth in Germany since I joined. This is certainly the most relevant change as it has meant that, as a firm, we had to design and implement more elaborate structures and processes to manage a larger …
Continue reading “Astrid Krüger: Injecting new brain power”
The client side
Simona Musso, general counsel at Lavazza, speaks with senior research analyst, Sara Mageit, about the changes she has experienced in almost 24 years with the company, the experiences of being a woman in a senior role in Italian business, and her team’s involvement in putting the first espresso machine in space
Can you tell me a bit about your role at Lavazza and how it’s evolved over the years? In February, I’ll have been working for Lavazza for 24 years. I joined after seven years in private practice. I joined Lavazza when the legal department was in its embryonic stage so I had the opportunity to …
Continue reading “Fighting for merit”
The client side
In a series of interviews with some of the top GCs across the US, fivehundred provides insights into the priorities and motivations of the influential in-house lawyers who are included in The Legal 500’s 2019 United States GC Powerlist. For this month’s interview, Helen Donegan, US editor content), spoke with A. Verona Dorch, executive vice president, chief legal officer, government affairs and corporate secretary at Peabody Energy, who shares her views on what she looks for in outside counsel and the importance of diversity in the legal profession.
Helen Donegan: To start off, can you tell me about your role? Verona Dorch: If I think about what I truly do on a day-to-day basis, I see myself as a ‘crisis GC’. There are any number of critical matters that we are typically working our way through as an energy company, so my job …
Continue reading “Bringing diversity to the table”
The Big Issue: Women in Leadership
Alison Eddy, Irwin Mitchell’s managing partner in London, on creating a female friendly environment which has allowed the firm to attract the best and brightest
When I joined Irwin Mitchell with two other partners in 1995, to set up the London office, I had five children aged between three and 11 years old and juggled bringing in work, looking after clients, and building a team. No one at that time talked about work-life balance or flexible working, something I would …
Continue reading “Breaking down the barriers facing female leaders”
Technology
Olga V. Mack, experienced tech lawyer and current CEO at Parley Pro, speaks with US editor (content), Helen Donegan, about contract management solutions, how she believes in-house lawyers are leading the way with legal tech, and the best way for lawyers to test new legal technologies
Helen Donegan: In your career to date you’ve had roles in both private practice and in-house; what specifically interested you in a legal career? Olga Mack: I went to law school to be a tech lawyer, so I am a tech lawyer by training and by design. I’ve been fortunate enough to work at the …
Continue reading “Exploring new technologies”
Practice spotlight
The antitrust/competition team from Arnold & Porter have risen from tier 3 to tier 1 in The Legal 500 United States rankings between 2017 and 2019. US editor (content), Helen Donegan, spoke with global head of the practice, Debbie Feinstein, and head of the practice for the US, Jonathan Gleklen, about the team’s rise in the rankings and the efforts they would attribute to this
Helen Donegan: Can you please give me a brief overview of your team? Debbie Feinstein: We have more than 100 people in our antitrust practice across the US and Europe. I lead the global group and focus on merger control, with some work on civil conduct investigations and litigation. Jonathan leads the US group and …
Continue reading “Spotlight on: Arnold & Porter rising to the competition”
The Bar
Keith Plowman, senior clerk at Ten Old Square Chambers, discusses the modern barristers’ clerk’s role in promoting good mental health in chambers
Modern barristers’ clerks are not a ‘new breed’ but the evolutionary result of the shifting forum in which they operate. Their history may hark back to harsher and more subservient times, but their current expertise is recognised by successful sets of chambers who require effective management of individual barristers’ practices and chambers’ business. The poet, …
Continue reading “Protecting your assets”
