Latest news
Big firms join forces to improve BAME under-representation
Twenty one major commercial law firms have joined forces on a new initiative aimed at tackling the under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups in the profession.
Hundreds of staff lose jobs as parts of PURE legal group enter administration
Eight companies in the PURE Business Group – whose tagline was ‘Changing the Legal Universe’ – went into administration yesterday, with more than 200 shocked staff losing their jobs as a result.
Law firm eyes up acquisitions after embracing employee ownership
The latest law firm to embrace employee ownership, West Midlands firm Talbots Law, is looking to buy other firms as part of its ambitious expansion plans.
Solicitor struck off for disabled badge dishonesty
A solicitor who used a disabled badge that did not belong to him nine times to park near his law firm has been struck off, just a couple of months after another was suspended for the same offence.
Law firm escapes $1bn claim despite admitted negligence
A leading firm of patent attorneys which admitted negligently failing to lodge an appeal against a decision to revoke a client’s patent need only pay nominal damages after a High Court ruling.
Pro bono services “cannot keep up” with post-Covid demand
Demand for pro bono legal assistance has accelerated dramatically since the pandemic started and providers cannot keep up, leading lawyers said this week.
Solicitor who “concealed nothing” from elderly client cleared of dishonesty
A solicitor who “concealed nothing” from an elderly client has been cleared of allegations of dishonesty, recklessness and lack of integrity in his conduct of a conveyancing transaction.
Alleged extremist to face trial for law firm terror attack
An alleged far-right extremist accused of attempting to launch a terror attack at a solicitors’ firm will stand trial next March, a judge decided last week.
Acquisition no15 for Knights as it unveils bank backing for more
Listed law firm consolidator Knights has added the North-East to the parts of England it covers after striking a deal to acquire a Teesside firm from its four equity partners for £5.2m.
Solicitor and legal regulator heads latest class action
A solicitor and chief executive of one of the legal profession’s regulators is leading the latest opt-out collective action, which is being brought against price comparison website ComparetheMarket.
Blog
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
Linklaters’ chief growth officer takes the ‘blank sheet’ challenge
In the third and final part of this series, Lucy Murphy, chief growth officer at magic circle firm Linklaters, outlines her vision for the law firm of the future.
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge, part 2 – what would you do differently?
In the second part of this blog series, Shainul Kassam, managing director of small London firm Fortune Law, sets out how she would set up a law firm now.
