The month of March is all about women. In the US, Women’s History Month highlights the contributions made by women to the key events in history and society. Moreover, the 8th March is recognised as International Women’s Day, the organisers of which, under the banner #BalanceforBetter, call for a more gender-balanced world in 2019.
With gender diversity statistics in law firms remaining largely stagnant; the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales recently claiming chauvinist, bullying judges dissuade women from taking judicial posts; and Red Lion Chambers’ barrister Joanna Hardy making headlines for accusing male lawyers of behaving as if ‘on a stag do’, there is perhaps no better time to celebrate the achievements of women in law, encourage them in their careers, and call for greater balance and respect in the profession.
UK Solicitors editor Georgina Stanley profiles this year’s outstanding achievement winners – all seven of which are women – at The Legal 500 Awards 2019, and we hear from One Essex Court’s Jackie Ginty and Hardwicke’s Amanda Illing on what it means to win 2019’s clerk and CEO of the year awards.
Elsewhere, Greenberg Traurig partner Elizabeth Ross Hadley gives wannabe associates some advice on the best route to making it in Big Law, while Australia editor Andrea de Palatis speaks to a host of big name partners across Asia Pacific and Europe to consider whether women lawyers can ‘have it all’.
March is also that special time of year when the pomp and ceremony of the UK Bar is in full show. Of the 108 barristers and solicitors taking silk at Westminster Hall on 11th March, 30 are women. Among them is Outer Temple Chambers’ Fiona Horlick, who writes about what it means to become Queen’s Counsel a century after the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 granted women access to the Bar. Meanwhile, Michelle Heeley QC of No5 Barristers Chambers gives her top tips for those thinking of applying for silk this year.
This month’s issue also features a breakdown of our new China rankings from Bei Zhao; DLA Piper’s Roger Meltzer on why firms must drive social change; Kennedys’ Nick Thomas on why clients should see their lawyers as human beings; David Burgess on why law firms should treat their reception teams with more respect; and Baker McKenzie’s Esteban Raventós on the importance of adapting to the thinking of new lawyers; plus much, much more from Dechert, CMS, and LABLAW Studio Legale.
As always, please email me with your feedback on this issue and with your suggestions for articles in future issues ([email protected]).
Yasmine Tarasewicz predicts the biggest challenge for clients in the face of new potential legislation.
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capability? Having trained a new generation of lawyers who have impressive legal skills but are also business-minded, client-oriented and conscious of their social responsibilities. What do you do differently from your peers in the industry? Thanks to our international mindset, my team focuses first …
The Ukraine’s regulators are ready to cooperate with the business in search
of compromise, says Sergii Papernyk of Evris Law Firm
Please give us an overview of the current legal market in the Ukraine and how any recent developments have impacted your practice? At present, the legal market in Ukraine is characterised by the high level of competition that makes law firms look for the new niches of economy and develop those practices that have not …
Despite uncertain times in the UK, Chris Hill of Kemp Little believes the future is bright for UK fintech
Please give us an overview of the current legal market in the UK and how any recent developments have impacted your practice? The UK fintech market has been very busy over the last year, and appears not to have been significantly impacted by Brexit as yet. We are starting to see legal work in fintech …
As regulation evolves, only those able to understand the market will be able to advise both public and private clients in complex transactions, say Ramón Bravo H. and Héctor Cuevas-González of Deloitte Legal Mexico
Please give us an overview of the current legal market in Mexico and how any recent developments have impacted your practice? The Mexican legal market has rapidly evolved during the last 10 years, mainly attributable to: the rapid expansion and establishment of Mexican offices of several international law firms, as well as the ‘re-integration’ of …
The fintech space is a fast-changing environment, which is constantly
presenting unprecedented and often mind-boggling dilemmas, explains Leonard Bonello of GANADO Advocates
Please give us an overview of the current legal market in Malta and how any recent developments have impacted your practice? The Maltese legal market is currently thrusting rather vibrantly, particularly in the blockchain and crypto sphere, following the christening by parliament of a unique, non-intrusive and principles-based regulatory framework specifically regulating DLT platforms and …
Hubert de Vauplane, Gilles Saint Marc, Tristan Bonneau, and Wilfried Robin of Kramer Levin Naftalis et Frankel consider the future of French fintech
Please provide an overview of the current legal market in France and recent developments? French authorities and regulators have exhibited constant interest for fintechs, which are driving technological innovation and providing additional financing sources. Regulations implemented in the last few years demonstrate French regulators’ commitment to establish appropriate frameworks that foster the development of fintechs …
To be a good fintech lawyer you need not only comprehensive legal skills, but also an understanding on what fintech – and the particular business – is all about, writes Hanna-Mari Manninen of Dittmar & Indrenius
Please give us an overview of the current legal market in Finland and how any recent developments have impacted your practice? Legal services are offered in Finland by variety of different type of actors, mostly by attorneys-at-law offices but also by other law firms and by consulting and accounting firms. The competition has been increasing, …
Luca Failla, managing partner of LABLAW Studio Legale, provides an update on the latest labour and employment law issues facing corporates in Italy.
The Italian government’s recent declaration of support for the cause ‘gilets jaunes’ (yellow vest) protesters in France, even going so far as to proclaim ‘don’t give up’, has reinforced their support of the sovereignty of the people of the Republic of France – and at the same time those of the Republic of Italy. Not …
Look beyond the new colour palette and revamped website if you want a successful rebrand, writes Paul Bellamy, director of strategy and business development at SANDS.
Branding processes happen more often than we think. Six companies I have worked in rebranded during my tenure with them; two others immediately after I left them. My experience in the legal profession is limited to commercial law, as CEO of three of Norway’s largest firms, but I have also been fortunate to be involved …
DLA Piper’s global co-chair talks about the challenges of
expansion, a commitment to innovation, and building an
organisation that reflects society.
DLA Piper is well known for the size and scope of its network. What are the specific challenges of leading a firm of this size and scope? Excepting the nightmarish logistics associated with time zones and travel, which do unquestionably make leadership positions in global firms more cumbersome, I also generally believe the challenges are …
The month of March is all about women. In the US, Women’s History Month highlights the contributions made by women to the key events in history and society. Moreover, the 8th March is recognised as International Women’s Day, the organisers of which, under the banner #BalanceforBetter, call for a more gender-balanced world in 2019.
