Law Firm: Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance LLP is a multinational law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and a member of the "Magic Circle" of leading British law firms. It is one of the ten largest law firms in the world measured both by number of lawyers and revenue. In 2013/14 Clifford Chance had total revenues of £1.36 billion, the highest of any firm in the Magic Circle in that year, and profits per equity partner of £1.14 million.

Clifford Chance was formed in 1987 by the merger of two London-based law firms, Clifford Turner and Coward Chance. In 1999 it merged with the Frankfurt-based firm Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster and the New York-based firm Rogers & Wells.

Clifford Chance was formed by the merger of two London-based law firms. The first was Coward Chance, which derived from a firm established in 1802 by Anthony Brown, a fishmonger's son. Brown's firm became embroiled in the Panic of 1825, caused by speculation in South American investments, including the non-existent country of Poyais, invented by Scottish soldier Gregor MacGregor. One of the firm's longest clients was Cecil Rhodes. The firm advised him on his diamond mining business in South Africa, administered his estate after his death and helped set up the famous Rhodes Scholarships. Another client was Guglielmo Marconi. It also helped Midland Bank recover assets in Russia after the 1917 revolution, and advised the state government of Hyderabad on the preparation for Indian independence. The second firm was Clifford Turner, founded in 1900, with offices on Gresham Street, EC2. Its clients included Dunlop Rubber Company and Imperial Airways. In 1929, Clifford Turner advised and witnessed the creation of John Lewis Partnership. After the Second World War it advised the Labour government on the nationalisation of several privately owned industries. It opened offices in Paris in 1961, Amsterdam in 1972 and New York in 1986.

The merger of Clifford Turner and Coward Chance in 1987 led to the formation of Clifford Chance. Neither Clifford Turner or Coward Chance were first-rank London law firms, but their merger has since been said to have changed the shape and profile of law firms in London and globally. Over the next decade the firm expanded its practices across Europe and Asia and more than doubled in size. In 1992 Clifford Chance became the first major non-US firm to practice US law.

In 1999 Clifford Chance merged with Frankfurt-based law firm Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster and with the 1871-established US-based firm Rogers & Wells (the use of the Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster and Rogers & Wells branding for their respective European and United States regional offices was discontinued in 2003). In 2002, Clifford Chance launched in California, setting up a branch with nearly 50 attorneys from the disbanding dot-com firm Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Diego and San Francisco. With California's downturn, the firm closed its Pacific Coast operations in 2007.

Clifford Chance was one of several international law firms that developed local law practices in Japan following the easing of restrictions on foreign law firms in 2005. Although its Magic Circle competitors Allen & Overy and Linklaters significantly downsized this segment of their practice following the 2008 financial crisis, the Tokyo office of Clifford Chance maintains a local law practice, even handling local matters for Japanese clients, and views this capability as critical for an international law firm. Clifford Chance was the highest-ranked European law firm by Japanese corporate legal departments in a December 2013 Nihon Keizai Shimbun survey. 

Like other firms in the Magic Circle, the firm lost significant revenue during the late-2000s recession, with its profit dropping by 33.4% in the 2008-9 financial year. As part of cost cutting in response to the recession, in 2009 Clifford Chance announced plans to lay off 80 lawyers and 115 support staff in London.  In addition, the firm accepted the redundancy applications of 50 fee earners in London over and above the initial 80 lawyers. 

In 2011 the firm moved back office tasks to its 350-employee Global Shared Service Centre, including a 60-employee Knowledge Centre in New Delhi, India as an efficiency measure.

In May 2011, Clifford Chance opened offices in Australia by merging with two M&A boutique law firms, Sydney-based Chang, Pistilli & Simmons and Perth-based Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe. In February 2012, Clifford Chance opened a new office in Casablanca, giving the firm's Africa practice its first permanent on the ground presence in the continent.In July 2012, Clifford Chance became the first UK firm to receive permission from South Korea’s Ministry of Justice to open an office in the country.

In November 2011 it was identified as the largest supplier to the City of London Corporation, having received over £9m in fees from the corporation between January and September of that year.

In 2012, a further 13 lawyers were laid off in London.

Profit per equity partner for 2014 for the firm was £1.14 million; compared to £1.12 million at Allen and Overy; £1.39 million at Linklaters; and £1.48 million at Freshfields.

Law Firm: Allen & Overy

Allen & Overy

Allen & Overy is a multinational law firm headquartered in London.

A member of the UK's Magic Circle of leading law firms, Allen & Overy is widely considered to be one of the world's elite law firms, advising national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments.

Since its founding in 1930, Allen & Overy has grown to become one of the largest law firms in the world, both by number of lawyers and revenue. With approximately over 5,000 staff including over 500 partners in 46 offices worldwide, the firm provides legal advice in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

Allen & Overy was founded in the City of London on 1 January 1930 by George Allen and Thomas Overy, formerly partners at Roney & Co. The main purpose was to build a commercial practice. The firm's reputation was made as a result of George Allen's role as advisor to King Edward VIII during the abdication crisis of 1936. By the time the Second World War broke out in 1939, Allen & Overy had firmly established itself as a leading City law firm.

Over the years, Allen & Overy has been involved in many developments in the legal field. Such work has included advising on the first hostile takeover in the City of London and acting for S. G. Warburg & Co. The firm arranged the first Eurobond (issued by Italian motorway group Autostrada) in the 1960s. Some say that the Eurobond issue in 1963 was the single most important transaction in its history.

The Eurobond transaction significantly diversified A&O's practice from a purely commercial into commercial and financial firm. Through the 1970s the firm's finance and corporate practice grew in the UK and internationally.

Although now a global player, the firm was quite international from the outset, advising mostly Canadian banks and companies. In the last 15 years, Allen & Overy has opened offices in international financial centres, branching out into newly emerging markets.

In 2000, Allen & Overy established an online subscription business, Derivative Services LLP, which provides commoditised legal solutions.

In May 2004, the worldwide partnership of Allen & Overy converted to a limited liability partnership, Allen & Overy LLP, which works together with associated undertakings in some jurisdictions to form a worldwide legal practice. In July 2008 Allen & Overy broke the £1 billion turnover mark, and, for the first time, over half of its turnover was generated outside London. Also in that year, Allen & Overy opened five new offices in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Mannheim, Düsseldorf and São Paulo, and announced a new association in Romania. The firm also announced a referral arrangement with Trilegal in India.

A&O built a sizable local law practice in Japan following the easing of restrictions on foreign law firms in 2005, and at its peak employed 30 Japanese attorneys in its Tokyo office, but reduced this team to five in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

In 2008, former managing partner David Morley was elected Senior Partner while Wim Dejonghe became A&O's Global Managing Partner.

In 2009, Allen and Overy completed a redundancy programme which saw 400 partners and staff lose their jobs globally. As well as cutting 47 partners, the firm cut around 200 fee-earners and 200 members of support staff, half of which are based in London. Allen & Overy de-equitised a further 35 partners.

In 2011, the firm made the decision to outsource up to 180 support staff jobs to Belfast.

In 2010 A&O hit the headlines for offering full equity partners the option to work part-time. The move was hailed as a 'watershed moment' for the legal sector. It is believed to be the first scheme of its kind by any major international law firm. In the same year, expanded into Australia for the first time, opening offices in Sydney and Perth.

In 2011 Allen & Overy became the first global law firm to open a Moroccan office, located in Casablanca. This plan was announced shortly before rivals Clifford Chance and Norton Rose followed suit. Their latest expansion has seen the firm open offices in Istanbul, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Some of the firm's notable personalities include two Lord Mayors of London, David Wootton and Sir Christopher Walford who was the seventh solicitor since records began in 1730 to become Lord Mayor. He also became the fifth person in A&O's history to receive a knighthood.

Law Firm: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (informally Freshfields) is a multinational law firm headquartered in London and a member of the Magic Circle of elite British law firms.

In 2013-14 it achieved total revenues of £1.232 billion and average profit per equity partner (PEP) of £1.48 million.

It has 27 offices in 17 jurisdictions across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. It advises national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.

Freshfields is the oldest firm within the Magic Circle.

Freshfields is reported to be the most profitable firm amongst its peer group, with the highest reported profit margin amongst the five magic circle firms.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer was created in 2000 when the UK-based Freshfields merged with Germany-based Deringer Tessin Herrmann & Sedemund and the German-Austrian law firm Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Löber.

Freshfields traced its origins back to 1743, when Samuel Dodd was appointed solicitor to the Bank of England. The firm changed its name as different partners joined or left until James William Freshfield (1775–1864) was elected partner.  James Freshfield, his sons and grandsons worked at the firm until the last Freshfield retired in 1918. Historic clients included William Gladstone, Sir Robert Peel and Nathan Meyer Rothschild.

Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Laber traced its history back to Hamburg in 1840; at the time of the merger it was one of the two largest law firms in Germany.

Deringer Tessin Herrmann & Sedemund was founded in 1962 by Arved Deringer and Claus Tessin and had been based in Cologne since 1970.

In 2007, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer went through a restructuring of its business, which involved redundancies and reducing the number of equity partnerships. In 2008 the firm converted to a limited liability partnership (LLP).

Law Firm: Linklaters LLP

Linklaters LLP

Linklaters LLP is a multinational law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1838 and is a member of the Magic Circle of leading British law firms. It currently employs around 2,600 lawyers and has 29 offices across 20 countries.

In 2014, Linklaters achieved revenues of £1.25 billion ($2.15 billion) and profits per equity partner of £1.39 million ($2.38 million), making it the world's sixth highest-grossing law firm, and among the most profitable.In the UK, the firm has top-tier rankings across many practice areas, including corporate/M&A, capital markets, banking and finance. Linklaters counts more FTSE 100 companies among its clients than any other British law firm. In the 2012 Global Elite Brand Index, Linklaters was named the third strongest global law firm brand.

Simon Davies has been the firm's managing partner since January 2008.

Linklaters was founded in London in 1838 when John Linklater entered into a partnership with Julius Dods. The firm, initially known as Dods & Linklater, gradually developed a practice in corporate law, including advising on the creation of the Metropolitan Water Board. On 4 May 1920, the firm, now known as Linklater & Co, merged with another renowned London firm, Paines Plythe & Huxtable, which had been founded by a descendant of Thomas Paine.

For most the twentieth century, Linklaters & Paines was predominately a domestic commercial law firm, with only a small number of overseas offices. However, in 1998, Linklaters & Alliance was created in partnership with many of Europe's leading law firms, including De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in Amsterdam, De Bandt van Hecke Lagae in Brussels, Loesch & Wolter in Luxembourg, Lagerlöf & Leman in Stockholm and Oppenhoff & Rädler in Germany. Over the next five years, Linklaters & Paines merged with the last four of these Alliance firms, as well as several other European firms, in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland. The firm opened new offices in Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Budapest, Bucharest, Bratislava, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Rome, São Paulo, and Shanghai. In 1999, amid this global expansion, the firm shortened its name to Linklaters.

On 1 April 2005, after Japan enacted laws to allow certain international law firms to open law offices in the country, Linklaters created Japan’s first fully merged law firm practising Japanese, English and US law. Linklaters spun off its offices in Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest and Prague into a separate firm, Kinstellar (an anagram of Linklaters) in 2007. Linklaters opened an office in Dubai in February 2006. In the aftermath of the credit crunch in 2008, Linklaters cut 270 jobs in London, consisting of around 120 lawyers and 150 other staff. This was reported to be part of managing partner Simon Davies' plan to become a smaller, more profitable organisation.

On 1 May 2012, Linklaters entered into an alliance with top-tier Australian law firm Allens. Allens and Linklaters operate two joint ventures in Asia: one focused on energy, resources, and infrastructure services, and another on Indonesia in collaboration with domestic firm Widyawan & Partners. On 1 February 2013, the firm entered into an alliance with leading South African law firm Webber Wentzel. The same year, Linklaters opened an office in Washington, D.C., its second North American office after New York City. In 2013, the firm launched in Seoul, South Korea.

Law Firm: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

With 23 offices, approximately 1,600 attorneys and more than 40 distinct areas of practice, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and affiliates serves clients in every major international financial center, providing the specific legal advice companies across a spectrum of industries need to compete most effectively in a global business environment. Our clients include approximately 50 percent of the Fortune 250 industrial and service corporations, as well as financial and governmental entities, small, entrepreneurial companies and nonprofits. Skadden’s attorneys and staff share a commitment to providing our clients with the highest-quality and most cost-effective legal services in an atmosphere emphasizing teamwork, creativity, responsiveness and diversity.

Founded as a three-lawyer shop in Manhattan in 1948, Skadden rose to prominence in the ’60s and ’70s by taking on the proxy fights and hostile tender offers that white-shoe law firms deemed “ungentlemanly.”  We leveraged our success in that area to build one of the world’s preeminent law firms, offering clients in every major international financial center solutions to the most challenging legal issues in virtually every area of corporate law.

Law Firm: Baker & McKenzie

Baker & McKenzie 

Baker & McKenzie defined the global law firm in the 20th century, and we are redefining it to meet the challenges of the global economy in the 21st .

We bring to matters the instinctively global perspective and deep market knowledge and insights of more than 11,000 people in 77 offices worldwide. We have a distinctive global way of thinking, working and behaving – "fluency" – across borders, issues and practices.

We understand the challenges of the global economy because we have been at the forefront of its evolution. Since 1949, we have advised leading corporations on the issues of today’s integrated world market. We have cultivated the culture, commercial pragmatism and technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver world-class service tailored to the preferences of world-class clients worldwide.

Ours is a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities. We have the deep roots and knowledge of the language and culture of business required to address the nuances of local markets worldwide. And our culture of friendship and broad scope of practice enable us to navigate complexity across issues, practices and borders with ease.

Mesothelioma Law Firm

Mesothelioma Lawyer Center

For decades, mesothelioma, a life-threatening disease that can affect the lungs, abdomen, and several other major organs, has been linked to prolonged exposure to asbestos.Typically, mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while working at a job site that used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). In many cases, the manufacturers of asbestos and ACMs knew of the hidden dangers and risks of asbestos, yet failed to inform the public, as asbestos was an extremely profitable mineral. Because of the hinderance of information, workers who developed health issues from asbestos exposure may be eligible for financial compensation to cover expenses such as lost wages, medical bills, emotional suffering, physical pain, and more.

If you or a loved one have been victim to an asbestos disease, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis, there is a good chance that you may qualify for significant compensation. Over $30 billion is available in asbestos trust funds right now, and the first step in obtaining what you may be entitled to is to find a mesothelioma attorney that’s right for you. Fill out our contact form today for free brochures from the leading mesothelioma law firms in your area. For more than 20 years, we’ve been helping asbestos victims and their loved ones connect to the best mesothelioma lawyers in their area.

What Does a Mesothelioma Law Firm Do?

Mesothelioma law firms are different from any other type of law firm. Whereas other law firms may specialize in specific areas such as car accidents or nursing home abuse, mesothelioma law firms focus primarily on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. It’s not recommended to retain legal representation from a general practice law firm or even a personal injury law firm that specializes in a wide array of injury cases. You’ll need an attorney who specifically specializes in mesothelioma cases, as these types of lawsuits are extremely intricate and require vast, in-depth understanding of asbestos exposure and diseases.

Attorneys in a mesothelioma law firm have the knowledge and experience regarding federal and state laws concerning asbestos use and its history in the workforce. They also have sharp investigative skills and are able to dig deep to uncover when and where companies and/or other entities exposed workers to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma law firms are comprised of educated attorneys who understand the legal process involving courts, trials, settlements, and appeals.

Moreover, an experienced malignant mesothelioma law firm understands that the victim is already suffering enough because of the medical and financial problems associated with asbestos-related diseases. As a result, the law firm will handle most everything regarding the lawsuit, including fighting for the legal rights of the client, interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical history, litigations, and more.

A dedicated mesothelioma law firm also understands the severe emotional impact that living with mesothelioma brings, not only to victims, but to family members and loved ones as well. An experienced mesothelioma law firm takes this into account and helps ease the minds of victims and their loved ones throughout this enduring process.

What to Look for When Hiring an Asbestos Law Firm

Unfortunately, not all mesothelioma law firms are the same. While some may have several years of experience, other law firms are relatively new to the area of mesothelioma. In addition, some law firms may concentrate on other areas of law besides mesothelioma while another law firm may solely focus on asbestos cases.

Aside from using your good judgement when determining which law firm you should use, there are several factors you should consider:

• The law firm should have experience in dealing with mesothelioma cases.
• The law firm should be extremely knowledgeable in asbestos laws and prior cases.
• Look for a law firm that focuses solely on asbestos-related cases.
• Look for law firms with a stellar reputation in handling asbestos cases.
• The law firm should not only understand asbestos laws, but should also have extensive knowledge of medical problems associated with asbestos diseases.
• The law firm should always keep you updated on what’s going on in your case. Although attorneys are busy people, they should be accessible.
• You should always get an initial consultation at no charge before deciding on a mesothelioma law firm.

Keep in mind that it’s not recommended to retain a mesothelioma law firm that promises you that you will win your case no matter what. Although statistics show that the majority mesothelioma victims do go on to win their lawsuits, there are a variety of factors involved, and no case is guaranteed. An experienced mesothelioma law firm will help you to understand your chances and what is involved, but will never assure that your case is 100% guaranteed.

Making Things Easier

Although leading mesothelioma law firms do the majority of work for your case, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and make things easier so that the process gets rolling faster.

First, make sure to gather your medical documents, including when and where you were diagnosed, and bring this information to your initial meeting. This will allow the law firm to determine if your case can be taken on.

Next, be prepared to provide the law firm with your work history and information including the full company name, address, phone number, your job role, and how long you worked there.

Finally, start keeping track of all expenses used pertaining to your disease. For example, always keep a copy of medical bills, hospital visits, mileage used to get to appointments, medical supplies, and anything other expense you paid out due to your illness.

How a Mesothelioma Law Firm Can Personally Help You

When first getting started, victims usually have a plethora of unanswered questions regarding asbestos and their rights. A mesothelioma law firm should be able to provide you with following information:

• Evidence Related to Your Exposure: Once you provide the law firm with your work information, they should be able to investigate and determine how asbestos was used at your workplace. In some cases, they may already have the information available.
• If You Truly Have an Asbestos Claim: Mesothelioma law firms understand what’s needed in order to have a true asbestos claim. With this knowledge, they are able to determine how strong your case is and what the estimated chances are that you’ll win. Most attorneys make sure they’re confident in your case before taking it on. Be wary of any attorney who promises to take your case without knowing any of the details or an attorney who claims they can get you an exact amount of compensation before reviewing your case.
• Your Case Worth: If the law firm decides you have an asbestos case, they will then be able to come up with an average figure of how much your case is worth. This is including past expenses, daily expenses, medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, physical suffering, future expenses, and much more. Keep in mind, however, that there is no set formula as to how much your award amount may be. The aforementioned factors, along with other details, such as if your former company has a trust fund set up or not, will also come into play.
• Who Exactly is Responsible: It can be difficult for the average person to determine who exactly is responsible for exposing victims to asbestos. For example, companies can move, go out of business, hide, suppress relevant information, and change ownerships. In some cases, your former company is responsible, the manufacturer of the asbestos products may be responsible, or supervisors and/or owners may be responsible. In other instances, there may be just one sole responsible entity, yet in a different case, there may be several responsible parties. Remember that part of an experienced mesothelioma law firm’s job is to research, seek out, and determine the entity or responsible parties that are liable for your exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Law Firm Fees

Mesothelioma law firms may have different fees as well as different payment options. However, an experienced and caring law firm understands that victims of asbestos-related diseases more than likely have enough financial burden in dealing with their illness, and are unable to afford up-front fees for legal representation. As a result, many law firms work on what’s known as a contingency fee basis, meaning that the law firm only gets paid when you get paid. If the law firm doesn’t win your case, they don’t receive compensation either in most instances. The good news, however, is that a law firm has to be confident enough in your case to take it on, meaning there is a good chance that if your case is picked up, it will be successful.

Law firm fees are percentages taken out of your total settlement or verdict amount, and again, the percentage amount will vary depending upon the law firm. Make sure you understand how the fees and percentages work with your law firm beforehand so that there will be no confusion later on.

If a law firm doesn’t provide a contingency fee basis, there is a good chance that they don’t have to financial resources to successfully prove your case. Keep in mind that you’ll want a law firm that has the financial capability  to take on your case on a contingency fee basis. Attorneys without the resources to handle your case usually can’t provide you with the best representation. An ideal rule of thumb is to ask up-front about how the fees work so that there are no surprises later on. Attorneys with your best interest in mind will have no problems answering any questions you have regarding fees and prices.

Frequently Asked Mesothelioma Law Firm Questions

Do I have to go to court? 

This is one of the most commonly asked questions, which is understandable, as most people who are dealing with an asbestos-related illness generally do not want to spend time in a court room. Generally, you will not have to go to court. Mostmesothelioma lawsuits are taken care of via settlements. In some instances, however, if the defense doesn’t agree on a settlement or if you don’t agree on a settlement, you may have to go to trial, which requires going to court. An experienced mesothelioma law firm will help you through every step of the way, and if you are too ill to attend, arrangements can be made to record your testimony beforehand.

What if I don’t know which company exposed me to asbestos? 

As previously mentioned, part of a mesothelioma law firm’s job is to uncover the parties responsible for your asbestos exposure. The culpable parties are typically manufacturers who supplied asbestos to job sites, which can range from one company to many.

I have workers’ compensation benefits. Can a mesothelioma law firm still help me even if I have other compensation benefits?

Other compensation benefits, such as workers’ compensation or VA benefits, doesn’t disqualify you from seeking compensation from the companies who exposed you to asbestos. A mesothelioma law firm can help you file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Additional Tips to Remember

• When searching for a mesothelioma law firm, you shouldn’t narrow your search down to your local community only. There’s a chance that your case may be filed out of state.
• An experienced mesothelioma lawyer should have no problems flying to your city to meet with you, given that they are out of state.
• Although the law firm should be able to give you an average figure that you may receive, giving an exact amount is impossible. Any mesothelioma law firm that guarantees you an exact amount should be considered untrustworthy.
• A mesothelioma should be able to handle not only mesothelioma cases for survivors, but wrongful death cases involving asbestos exposure.

Help With Finding an Experienced Asbestos Law Firm

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, keep in mind that you may qualify for substantial compensation. Remember to fill out our contact form for free brochures from the leading mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have any questions, contact toll-free at 800-878-3845.