How time flies when you’re having fun. A year ago this month, fivehundred was born. Over the last 12 months
we have published more than 300 articles from over 200 law firms, barristers’ chambers, and consultants, while our in-house team of experienced editors and researchers have produced in excess of 100 in-depth reports and interviews with some of the world’s leading lawyers. The last ten issues of thought leadership and market insight have reached approximately 50,000 lawyers worldwide each month, providing each reader with the inside track on what makes the world’s elite law firms and chambers successful across numerous jurisdictions. And all of that for free.
With 2020 fast approaching, it’s time to look to the future of fivehundred. Earlier this month we launched our first regional supplement, which focuses on the offshore legal world, and more focuses are being developed – stay tuned for more news soon! We will also soon be moving to a new web platform making it even easier for you to read and share your favourite articles on the go. And while feedback on the last ten issues has been extremely positive, we are not resting on our laurels. We want to know more about what you think about fivehundred. If you have comments about anything we’ve published or believe there is a topic we should be covering, then please get in touch so you can help shape the future direction of this magazine.
But what about this November issue? Well, this month we are focusing on leadership – both current and future. First, we consider what actually makes a good leader, with Patrick J. McKenna sharing eight ‘truths’ to those currently occupying law firm c-suites and those that aspire to lead them. Next, how do you foster a culture of empowerment within your firm? Greenberg Traurig’s Ted Blum has the answers. Also looking to the future, Philippa Ward, founding member of Pinsent Masons’ Spark Board, explains how her firm’s latest initiative will bring a new perspective to strategic decision-making. And, from the Latin America perspective, Demarest Advogados’ Andoni Hernandez Bengoa talks generational transition and the real value of cultural diversity.
We also look at Street Law’s Legal Diversity Pipeline Programs, which aim to promote the law as a career among US high school students from diverse backgrounds, creating future leaders in the US, while, in the UK, Essex Court Chambers’ Richard Hoyle explains how the millennial mindset is changing commercial sets, and a selection of leading chambers reveal how they are making a difference with various CSR initiatives.
Elsewhere in this issue, HFW’s Helen Verrier reflects on her career as one of the few female Australian lawyers qualified to practice in Papua New Guinea; Helen Donegan speaks to DreamHost’s Chris Ghazarian about his transition to GC, taking on the DoJ, and why lawyers are ‘blockers’; and Deborah B. Farone highlights the importance of partner collaboration in business development and marketing initiatives.
That’s just a little to whet your appetite in the latest fivehundred. We’ll be back next month for our double December/January issue. See you then!
Deborah Brightman Farone, founder of Farone Advisors LLC and former Cravath, Swaine & Moore CMO, highlights the importance of partner collaboration in law firm business development and marketing initiatives
A law firm leader recently asked me what it is that separates successful firms from the uber-successful, superstar firms – those that seem to grow exponentially, retain greater profits, and solidify decades-long large-scale client engagements. She asked what I see when I contrast the behaviour of those two types of firms. The challenge is that …
Georgina Stanley reveals the diversity statistics from the latest UK Solicitors guide
When I joined The Legal 500 a year ago, one of the main ambitions I set out was to improve diversity in our rankings and, in particular, the proportion of cited women in the UK Solicitors guide. The reason was obvious – women are under-represented at senior levels in law firms and this has also …
EMEA editor Ella Marshall drives full throttle into the history of The Legal 500’s Monaco chapter
The Principality of Monaco is well known for the extravagant lifestyle of its high rollers; for the super-yachts that line the marina; the low tax rates; the Grand Prix (the street race, arguably, the most glamorous on the circuit); as the home of numerous high-flying residents; and, more recently, for The Legal 500’s coverage of …
Fresh from completing his research into Indonesia’s legal market, David Keenan reports on the fintech trend sweeping the world’s largest island nation
‘Indonesia needs a financial revolution, which will ultimately democratise access to the best financial products.’ These are the words of Claudia Kolonas, founder of fintech start-up Pluang, which recently received $3m in funding from Indonesia tech giant Go-Jek and is one of 167 fintech start-ups now operating in Indonesia. The demand for fintech is quite …
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), speaks to DreamHost’s Chris Ghazarian about his transition to the position of GC, the evolution of the in-house role, what he wants from outside counsel, and taking on the Department of Justice Helen Donegan: To start off, can you tell me about your current role and …
The Oslo-based partner and head of dispute resolution talks about the recent Schjødt-Hamilton merger that is set to create a one-stop for clients in Scandinavia
As a business, how has Schjødt evolved since you have been at the firm? What has changed most over the years in Schjødt is that there is a need for the firm to be organised and run in an optimised manner, since the response time in regards to many of the assignments are often quite …
Ted Blum, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office and chair of the firm’s Atlanta Corporate Practice, outlines five ways to foster a culture of empowerment within your organisation
Most companies recognise that employee empowerment is a critical component of an organisation’s long-term success. Giving employees a certain degree of autonomy often leads to new ideas and innovation and, simply put, trying out new things is always a worthwhile experiment. Yet, developing a culture that supports empowerment is often easier said than done. This …
Diaz, Reus & Targ’s administrative managing partner shares her candid thoughts on her work, the impact of diversity, and what she thinks sets them apart
As administrative managing partner you lead the administration of Diaz Reus’ 27 global offices. Can you tell me a bit more about how you came to be in the role? I have had this title for two and a half years now. I started as an associate at Diaz Reus in 2009. When I started …
Patrick J. McKenna, internationally recognised author and advisor to the leaders of premier legal businesses, outlines eight truths of leadership arising from his extensive work with past and present law firm leaders
The very concept of leadership is elusive and tricky. Every business-book author coins a new ‘type’ which is then sold as the latest elixir to problems. We see these everywhere: authentic leadership, transformational leadership, charismatic leadership, etc. It is hard to define leadership in a way that is satisfactory to everyone, although most professionals tell …
Kirkland’s Tax Practice Group has risen from Tier 3 to Tier 1 in The Legal 500 United States rankings for ‘International Tax’ between 2017 and 2019. US Editor (content), Helen Donegan, speaks with team partner Dean Shulman about the their rise in the rankings, and also asks about Kirkland’s lateral hire practices
Helen Donegan: Can you provide a brief overview of your tax practice group? Dean Shulman: We have developed one of the finest transactional tax practices across all our US offices, as well as in London and Munich. As of the end of September 2019 we have 132 lawyers in the tax practice firmwide, whereas in …
have published more than 300 articles from over 200 law firms, barristers’ chambers, and consultants, while our in-house team of experienced editors and researchers have produced in excess of 100 in-depth reports and interviews with some of the world’s leading lawyers. The last ten issues of thought leadership and market insight have reached approximately 50,000 lawyers worldwide each month, providing each reader with the inside track on what makes the world’s elite law firms and chambers successful across numerous jurisdictions. And all of that for free.
