Issue 28

This year’s Euro Survey (of the top public companies in Europe) reveals a more competitive market, with clients instructing a wider range of law firms, including more niche firms. For example, 130 firms appear in the survey for the first time, and the total number of law firms mentioned increases from 211 to 270.

Our feature on ‘The New Model Law Firm’ discusses the changing attitude to size among the top management of the large international firms. The market, technological developments and globalisation are putting a question-mark over the current model of international firms such as Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy, and the economic recession has concentrated and intensified their impact. Says a senior Freshfields partner: “A smaller, lower-leveraged model will become the norm for large firms in mature markets.”

The merger that created Denton Wilde Sapte never quite succeeded in its aims. The firm has struggled to find a successful strategy, and has recently decided to expand its network into some of the more fringe jurisdictions such as Turkmenistan and Jordan. We talk to the firm’s chief executive, Howard Morris, who explains what he is trying to achieve.