PE Expansion, Merger PR Challenges and AI Redefining Roles

In this week’s episode, Linzi and Ben explore the rise of private equity investment in the legal industry and what it signals for the future of law firm ownership. They also break down A&O Shearman’s first post-merger accounts and discuss just how challenging it is to manage PR around major legal mergers.The pair also discuss Clifford Chance’s move to cut around 10% of its London business services roles, before turning to the 2025 Budget and the government’s decision to scrap planned national insurance increases for LLP Partners.Thank you for Listening!

In this week’s episode, Linzi and Ben unpack McDermott Will & Schulte’s exploration of outside private equity investment, and the rowdy reception Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp received while discussing the Trump deal at a New York Bar Foundation event. They also dive into news that the Treasury’s proposed tax move on partnerships may be softer than originally feared, and more. Thank you for Listening!

In this week’s episode, Michael and Eleanor discuss AI law firm Garfield taking on a trainee in Channel 4’s latest experiment, the rise of a New York-based law firm operating fully remotely without associates and powered by AI, new moves toward greater tax regulation transparency, the FCA’s decision to take on responsibility for anti-money laundering in the legal sector, the court transparency pilot, and more. Thank you for Listening!

Exciting news! Our Associate Director, Linzi, will be hosting the podcast going forward, bringing insights and conversations from across the legal industry. In this week’s episode, Linzi is joined by Joint Managing Director Ben to discuss law firms pushing back on the latest lawmaker letters, the impact that AI has had on big law’s C-Suite, Setfords receiving private equity backing and the impact it’s had, the latest ALM 200 results, and more. If you'd like to read any of the stories mentioned in today's episode, the links are below: https://www.thelawyer.com/not-heard-of-setfords-you-have-now/ https://www.law.com/2025/10/13/taylor-wessing-garrigues-and-europes-top-earners-win-big-with-bold-global-strategies/ https://www.law.com/2025/10/10/paul-weiss-kirkland-skadden-push-back-on-latest-democratic-lawmaker-letters/ https://www.law.com/2025/10/14/big-laws-c-suite-shifts-focus-as-ai-impact-spreads/ https://www.thelawyer.com/youre-not-ready-for-the-ipo-rebound/Thank you for Listening!

This week, Ben is joined by Account Director Eleanor to explore Clifford Chance’s recent rebrand, reflect on how Charlie Kirk’s passing highlights the risks for lawyers sharing views online, and discuss whether the UK legal market still exists. Thank you for Listening!

This week Joint Managing Directors Ben and Michael discuss the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards and supplement, the UK's £31 billion tech deal with the US, Mishcon de Reya's new strategy and what Charlie Kirk's passing might mean for the legal sector.Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia speaks with Byfield Joint Managing Director Ben Girdlestone about the latest shifts in the legal industry, from four-day office policies and Addleshaw Goddard’s pay freeze to concerns over inflated billable hours and Burford Capital’s move to buy into US law firms. Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Habiba Cullen-Jafar, Senior Reporter at Law.com International, to discuss her beat and what makes a compelling legal story. Their conversation also explores US law firms expanding into London, how their profitability compares to UK counterparts, and the latest trends shaping lateral hiring.Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Joint Managing Director Michael Evans to explore law firm profit announcements, the changing landscape of bonus systems, the rise of UK class action values to £155 billion despite fewer filings, the Law Society’s taxpayer-funded push into the US, and the leadership changes at Pogust Goodhead following the appointment of a new management team.Thank you for Listening!

This week, Olivia is joined by Ben to explore why private equity partners in New York are making fewer moves despite an uptick in lateral market activity - and what this might signal for the sector. The conversation then turns to Rod Stewart’s AI-powered tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, examining how technology continues to blur the lines between performance, nostalgia, and intellectual property. They also dive into a remarkable Las Vegas inheritance dispute, where two women - both married to the same bigamist on the same street - are now battling over his fortune. As mentioned in the episode, here is the link to Dan Neidle's Q&A in the FT: https://www.ft.com/content/72138fa7-f664-4fb0-90e7-f6793de8bbeeThank you for Listening!