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Pure lockstep out of favour as economic woes prompt partner pay shake-up

Half of the UK's leading law firms have either changed their partner remuneration structure since the onset of the credit crunch or are currently reviewing it, according to Legal Week's latest Big Question survey, which highlights the increasing accep...

14 Jun 2013 | 00:00 | secure | 2 comments

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inner image Cautious optimism reigns across industry as partners hope for economic bounceback

As the number of firms announcing redundancy consultations this week continued to rise – with news of widespread cuts at Berwin Leighton Paisner – new research from Legal Week has found a surprising degree of business confidence among partners in ...

17 May 2013 | 00:00 | secure | 3 comments

inner image Outsourcing out of favour as majority of partners back more near-shoring schemes

The majority of partners at UK law firms believe firms should set up their own near-shoring ventures to cut costs ahead of sending work to outsourcing companies, according to new research published in the wake of several firms scaling back contracts w...

19 Apr 2013 | 00:00 | secure | 8 comments

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Partners support firm moves to hold back profit distributions to shore up finances

The majority of partners see moves by firms to hold back profit payouts as sensible financial management, as new Legal Week research highlights the widespread use of such measures across the profession. The latest Big Question survey found that 45%...

15 Mar 2013 | 00:00 | secure | 7 comments

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Partners predict further law firm failures as recent collapses shake confidence

The vast majority of partners believe it is likely that more large law firms will collapse over the next two years, according to new Legal Week research. In the wake of Cobbetts' recent rescue takeover by DWF and Dewey & LeBoeuf's implosion last ye...

15 Feb 2013 | 00:00 | secure | 8 comments

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Partners warn of 'disastrous' prospect of EU exit amid fears of impact on business

There may have been much talk of business support for Prime Minister David Cameron's high-stakes referendum on European Union (EU) membership, but law firms are certainly not among the converted. Legal Week's latest Big Question found commercial pa...

01 Feb 2013 | 00:00 | secure | 23 comments

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Partners back apprenticeships into law but fear trainees will struggle for acceptance

Moves to establish an apprenticeship route to the profession have drawn considerable support from senior lawyers, despite fears that such candidates will struggle to compete with university-track practitioners. The latest Legal Week Big Question su...

11 Jan 2013 | 00:00 | secure

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Partners scale back hopes for year ahead as economic woes hit business confidence

The prolonged eurozone downturn and economic stagnation in the UK are continuing to dent business confidence within the legal profession, with one in three partners expecting revenues to fall or remain static at their firm over the coming year. Leg...

14 Dec 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 2 comments

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Norton Rose's US merger wins plaudits as doubts surround ambitious Dentons deal

Norton Rose's transatlantic tie-up with Fulbright & Jaworski has received broad approval from law firm partners, against a more sceptical reponse to the other major merger deal of recent weeks – the proposed three-way union of SNR Denton, Salans and...

23 Nov 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 6 comments

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Outright sexism still commonplace in law despite profession's push for change

"The views which sexists share are a national problem which will only be amplified by the increase in the Muslim minority in the country in regards to forced marriages and pedophilia..."

26 Oct 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 32 comments

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Partners acknowledge rising contribution of BD teams as scepticism fades

Research shows doubts remain over law firm BD teams' business-winning capabilities. Pui-Guan Man reports

21 Sep 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 11 comments

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Firms failing on billing practices as 72% of partners note room for improvement

Large commercial law firms need to improve both the way they price work and bill clients, according to new research.

07 Sep 2012 | 00:00 | secure

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Partners remain bullish on prospects for year ahead as almost 80% predict growth

Asia and litigation tipped as growth targets in Legal Week business confidence survey. Friederike Heine reports

27 Jul 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 3 comments

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Partners say City firms are out of the dark ages on flexi-working

The overwhelming majority of partners believe law firms must allow both partners and associates to work flexibly, despite acknowledging the difficulties it can cause in terms of career progression. Legal Week's latest Big Question survey found almo...

06 Jul 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 21 comments

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Partners cite leadership failures as main contributor to Dewey demise

Partners believe more law firm collapses are on the cards as Dewey’s failure is put down to bad management decisions rather than the state of the global economy. Alex Novarese reports

08 Jun 2012 | 00:00 | secure | 15 comments

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