Combine 1 June City giant Herbert Smith Freehills will merge with US outfit Kramer Levin after partners voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of the deal. Previously reported by Legal Cheek in November as pending a partner vote, the merger has now…
A round-up of online musings, memes and more I still vividly remember receiving this letter exactly 25 years ago to the day [Guy Owen on LinkedIn] “Dear Sirs” I utterly refuse to use this as a greeting in any correspondence….
Moving around the corner to Finsbury Circus Simmons & Simmons has announced plans to relocate its London headquarters in 2030. Owing to “strong growth” in recent years, Simmons & Simmons says it is relocating to support further expansion. The firm’s…
67% Reed Smith has retained 67% of its London trainees, with ten newly qualified (NQ) solicitors from a cohort of fifteen staying on in permanent roles. Four will join the energy and natural resources industry team, with two apiece joining…
Up from a record low of 44% The report on the latest SQE1 sitting has been released, showing an overall pass rate of 56% — up slightly on last summer’s record low of 44%. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) reported…
Exclusive: Reference to D&I networks taken down Skadden appears to have removed a section from its UK graduate recruitment website that outlined the diversity networks available to trainee solicitors, Legal Cheek can reveal, amid mounting criticism over the firm’s $100…
Cash rewards for reaching one million prompts on Microsoft Copilot Shoosmiths has become the first major UK law firm to announce it will tie bonuses to how much lawyers use artificial intelligence (AI), encouraging its staff reach one million prompts…
Willkie follows Paul Weiss and Skadden Willkie Farr & Gallagher has become the latest US giant to strike a deal with President Donald Trump in order to avoid a potentially costly executive order. The deal will see Willkie provide pro…
Scottish Suits? Legal Cheek readers may be interested in a new drama confirmed by the BBC, which follows the lives of young lawyers working Scotland’s “high-octane” legal scene. The BBC’s latest original drama, Counsels, is set in Glasgow and spans…
SRA delay draws criticism The Legal Services Board (LSB) has raised concerns over the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) failure to publish SQE provider pass rates, setting a deadline of Autumn 2025 for the data to be released. The delay was…