The Strategic Architecture Behind Paul Weiss’s Private Equity Push

Every so often, a firm makes a move that isn’t just big, it’s smart. Paul Weiss’s expansion through 2024 is one of those moments. On paper, it looked like a hiring spree. In reality, it was a carefully engineered strategy, a masterclass in how to build a private-equity platform with longevity, credibility, and purpose.   […]

A&O and Shearman, When Logic Finally Outruns Legacy

The Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merger marks the first credible transatlantic combination of equals. I look at why it happened, how the pieces fit, and what it means for partners, clients, and the market. The rumours have finally become reality: Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling have agreed to merge. It’s […]

Saudi Opens the Door. The New Race for Legal Relevance

Saudi Arabia’s new licensing regime has transformed the legal landscape overnight. I look at why international firms are rushing in, what “local presence” really means, and how the firms that future-proof their Riyadh offices will win the decade. For years, Saudi Arabia has been the market everyone wanted to serve, but few could properly access. […]

Latham’s London Inflection Point, When Scale Starts to Look Strategic

Latham & Watkins has turned scale into strategy in London. The firm’s rapid private-equity and finance growth isn’t just size for show — it’s a signal that the US model is now the City’s benchmark. It’s no secret that Latham & Watkins has been quietly reshaping London. For years, the firm’s growth here was impressive, […]

Goodwin’s Funds Surge in the City. How Focus Becomes Scale

Goodwin’s rise in London this year shows how focus beats scale. The firm’s commitment to private capital, funds, and sponsor relationships is paying off — and the City is starting to notice. If there’s one firm everyone in the City is quietly talking about this year, it’s Goodwin. While others chase size, Goodwin is chasing […]

Kirkland Hire David Higgins: The Moment London’s Private-Equity Market Changed

Kirkland & Ellis’s hire of David Higgins from Freshfields redefined the economics of private-equity law in London. I look back at how one move shifted market power, pricing, and what it means for the next generation of sponsor dealmakers. Every market has a moment that changes the rules. For London’s private-equity legal scene, it came […]