For the second week running Mr Justice Peter Smith featured in the most-read story of the week, as it emerged that the judge has instructed BCL Copeland to advise on a number of issues related to allegations of bias against him.
Addleshaw Goddard, which is one of the firms unable to appear before the judge, was also in the news again. This time The Lawyer revealed that the firm is in merger talks with US-headquartered Hunton & Williams, in a move which surprised many in the market.
Linklaters also featured heavily in the top 10 stories this week. The firm is one of several to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into the collapse of BHS, and on Monday defended its work.
Meanwhile partners elected corporate head Charlie Jacobs as Linklaters’ next senior partner, even as Kirkland & Ellis picked up its sixth hire from the magic circle firm’s private equity team.
The week also saw the publication of The Lawyer European 100 2016, which revealed that combined revenue for Europe’s biggest independent firms broke through €9bn (£7bn) last year. The executive summary proved a popular read online.
Our leadership interview last week featured civil fraud boutique Edmonds Marshall McMahon, a small firm which is making waves with a number of big hires.
In in-house news, Pfizer has been cutting its legal roster down in the last three years, taking six firms off the list which forms the Pfizer Legal Alliance.
There was sad news from Slaughter and May, which announced the death of former corporate head Frances Murphy after an illness.
The top 10 stories list was completed this week with last week’s top 10.
The top 10 stories in full
1) Peter Smith J instructs BCL Copeland as bias controversy deepens
2) Exclusive: Addleshaws eyes US merger with Hunton & Williams
3) Linklaters defends BHS work before MPs’ inquiry
4) Linklaters elects Charlie Jacobs as senior partner
5) Europe’s revenue breakers: European 100 executive summary
6) Linklaters exits continue as Kirkland raids PE team yet again
7) Edmonds Marshall McMahon: The small firm making waves in fraud disputes
8) Slaughters mourns former corporate head Frances Murphy