Cathy Chen
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Articles by Cathy Chen
The Middle East Legal Awards 2026: The Night's Winners In Pictures
The Middle East Legal Awards 2026. Courtesy image. After months of anticipation, the Middle East Legal Awards 2026 announced its winners on Thursday at Dubai’s Address Sky View, with more than 100 companies competing across more than 30 categories. Simmons & Simmons took home the most awards, with three wins: Innovation through Technology (Private Practice), TMT Team of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Andrew Wingfield. The Middle East Legal Awards 2026. Courtesy image.
Kirkland Promotes 196 to Partnership
Kirkland & Ellis sign. Courtesy photo This article has been updated with details about practice area and locations of the promoted partners. Kirkland & Ellis has promoted 196 lawyers to partner globally this year, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The latest round represents a 13% decrease from the record 225 lawyers promoted last year and it is the lowest since 2022, when 193 made the cut. Promotions reached 205 in 2023 before falling to 200 in 2024.
The Legal Geek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2026: The Night's Winners In Pictures
Legal Geek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2026; courtesy images Held at the Pan Pacific London last night, the 2026 Legal Geek Leaders in Tech Law Awards brought together more than 100 shortlisted organisations, companies and law firms in London to celebrate achievements in innovation, digital transformation and legal AI and technology across private practice, in-house legal teams and legal tech providers.
Weil Hires Freshfields PE Partner in London Amid Upheaval at Both Firms
Weil Gotshal. Courtesy photo Weil Gotshal & Manges has added to its London private equity team with a hire from Freshfields, at a turbulent time for both firms. Rebecca Ward has joined Weil's private equity practice after spending approximately four years at Freshfields, where she was a partner in the firm's global transactions group. Before that, she spent 17 years at private equity-focused boutique Dickson Minto W.S., including nine years as a partner.
Clifford Chance Revamps Top Private Equity Roles to Spotlight Global Focus
Jonny Myers (left), Spencer Baylin (right), Clifford Chance. Courtesy photo Clifford Chance has refreshed its private equity leadership roles in a bid to highlight its presence on the global PE stage. Current global head of private equity Jonny Myers will step into the newly created role of global chair of private equity.
Slow Growth and Individualism: Behind Weil's London Exodus
Weil Gotshal & Manges offices. Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM When Weil Gotshal & Manges' London co-head David Avery-Gee left for Sullivan & Cromwell weeks ago, it confirmed what many in the industry have suspected: that the firm's once market-leading London office is facing its biggest challenge yet. Avery-Gee's exit was just one of many.
Clifford Chance Hits Hogan Lovells Cadwalader for New York Private Capital Partner
Jill Kelley, Clifford Chance. Courtesy photo. Clifford Chance is adding its tenth private capital partner this year, hiring a Hogan Lovells Cadwalader partner to expand its New York offering. Jill Kelley joins Clifford Chance’s private capital team in New York to advise clients across the sports, gaming and entertainment industries. Previously, she served as general counsel and vice president of legal affairs at NFL club New York Jets for more than five years.
Goodwin Promotes 43 to Partnership
Goodwin Procter offices. Courtesy photo Goodwin Procter has promoted more associates to its partnership than last year, having elevated 43 lawyers globally. Washington D.C. takes the lion's share of the newly promoted lawyers, while three of them are based in London. The firm has underscored its priority areas of tech and private equity, having made up 17 and 14 lawyers respectively in each area.
US Private Equity Firms: The Law Firms Behind Their Biggest European Deals
New York, New York. Photo: Shutterstock In-depth Law.com analysis has found that the market for advising top U.S. private equity sponsors in the U.K. and beyond remains heavily dominated by U.S. law firms, underscoring the enduring strength of sponsor-side relationships built by the American legal elite across Europe.
US Private Equity Firms: The Law Firms Behind Their Biggest European Deals
NewsPrivate Equity and Venture Capital In the second part of this series, Law.com examines the relationships between the largest U.S.-based private equity firms and their preferred legal advisers across the U.K. and the rest of Europe. 7 minute read October 01, 2026 at 04:23 AM 3.
Europe's Top Private Equity Firms: The Law Firms Behind Their Biggest Deals
Private Equity/Credit: Funtap/Adobe Stock The private equity market remains highly dynamic, with adviser relationships constantly evolving. To identify which law firms have built the strongest ties with the leading global private equity firms, Law.com conducted a weeks-long investigation into the legal advisers most frequently engaged by major private equity firms pursuing European targets.
GCs Report Reductions in DEI Activity in Certain Organisations
Credit: hassan/Adobe Stock Given the recent climate change of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in law firms, general counsel are mostly concerned with maintaining momentum on inclusion, as law firms pull back or reframe their DEI activities, particularly in public-facing initiatives, staffing and language.
Weil London Co-Managing Partner in Exit Talks as Firmwide Departures Mount
David Avery-Gee Weil, Gotshal & Manges' London co-managing partner and another partner are in talks to join a rival firm, against a backdrop of senior departures both in London and New York. David Avery-Gee, who has worked at Weil as a partner for more than six years including as London co-managing partner, is expected to depart the firm imminently, according to several people close to the matter.
Weil London Co-Managing Partner in Exit Talks
David Avery-Gee Weil, Gotshal & Manges continues to lose high profile M&A partners, with its London office leader set to leave for a rival. David Avery-Gee, who has worked at Weil as a partner for more than six years including as London co-managing partner, is expected to depart the firm this week, according to people familiar with the matter. Prior to joining Weil, Avery-Gee worked at the U.K. firm Linklaters for more than 20 years, where he served as a partner for nine years.
Sullivan & Cromwell Raids Kirkland's Private Equity Team
Sullivan & Cromwell office sign. Courtesy photo This article has been updated with interview comments. New York law firms have continued to see movement in their private equity groups. The latest is Sullivan & Cromwell, which has hired four leading private equity partners from Kirkland & Ellis. As part of its strategic plan, Sullivan & Cromwell said Tuesday, it has hired partner Hamed Meshki to lead the firm’s global private equity practice.
Kirkland Partner Trio Returns to Latham in Saudi Arabia
Kirkland-Ellis A Kirkland & Ellis partner trio in Saudi Arabia is returning to Latham & Watkins after spending just a couple of years as partners at the firm. Corporate partners Noor Al-Fawzan and Osama Lone, along with capital markets partner Manal Al-Musharaf, all three of whom were recognised in Chambers Global 2026, are set to leave the firm, according to a source with knowledge of the moves.
Clifford Chance Nets Another EQT Mandate Following Panel Reappointment
EQT; Credit: piter2121/Adobe Stock Global law firms Clifford Chance and Freshfields are advising on Swedish private equity firm EQT’s acquisition of a majority stake in McGill & Partners from Warburg Pincus. Clifford Chance is acting as legal counsel to EQT, with the team led by head of private equity Spencer Baylin, corporate partners Graham Phillips and Thomas Fisher.
Sidley Lands Second Apollo Deal in a Week
Apollo Global Management Sidley Austin is advising Apollo on a $4.1 billion deal, the firm's second deal for the client within a week, reflecting its strong relationship with the private equity firm. Apollo has agreed to sell Kelvion to SLB, an energy technology company. Kelvion was majority-owned by Apollo-managed funds. The deal is valued at $3.4 billion in cash, with SLB assuming approximately $0.7 billion of debt, bringing the total transaction value to more than $4 billion.
Out of Office, Not Out of Reach: How London Lawyers Balance Holidays and Client Demands
Credit: theeraphong/Adobe Stock As summer draws to a close, many London lawyers are returning from holidays that were not entirely work-free. Whether travelling for leisure or combining work with family time abroad, senior partners often remain connected to clients, transactions and colleagues. In an era where technology makes it possible to work from virtually anywhere, complete disconnection has become increasingly rare.
Out of Office, Not Out of Reach: How City Lawyers Balance Holidays and Client Demands
Credit: theeraphong/Adobe Stock As summer draws to a close, many City lawyers are returning from holidays that were not entirely work-free. Whether travelling for leisure or combining work with family time abroad, senior partners often remain connected to clients, transactions and colleagues. In an era where technology makes it possible to work from virtually anywhere, complete disconnection has become increasingly rare.
Simpson Thacher Hits Weil London for Private Equity Partner
Murray Cox. Courtesy image Simpson Thacher & Bartlett continues to target Weil, Gotshal & Manges for partner hires, recruiting a high-profile London partner from the firm. Murray Cox, a partner in Weil’s corporate group, is leaving after nearly five and a half years at Weil to join Simpson Thacher's Energy and Infrastructure Practice, according to a source with knowledge of the move.
'Magic Circle' Firms Rank Lowest for Respect for Business Services Professionals
Business services professionals working in law firms routinely feel excluded from lawyers' teams, with those at 'magic circle' firms reporting some of the lowest levels of respect from lawyers, according to a survey by the InterLaw Diversity Forum.
'Magic Circle' Firms Rank Lowest for Respect for Business Services Professionals
NewsDiscrimination A survey found that business services professionals often feel excluded from lawyers' teams, underscoring a persistent "us and them" culture across the legal sector. 2 minute read August 25, 2026 at 05:41 AM Business services professionals working in law firms routinely feel excluded from lawyers' teams, with those at 'magic circle' firms reporting some of the lowest levels of respect from lawyers, according to a survey by the InterLaw Diversity Forum.
Latham, A&O Shearman and Clifford Chance Lead as Billionaires Buy Stake in Liverpool FC
liverpool-football-club Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman and Clifford Chance are advising on Fenway Sports Group's sale of a minority equity stake in Liverpool FC to 1892 Holdings. Reports suggest the stake is worth around £1.65 billion. 1892 is led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, with backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other prominent billionaires, including Elaine and Eduardo Saverin, the Facebook co-founder.
Linklaters, Winston Taylor Lead as Frasers Group Acquires Harvey Nichols in Pre-Pack Deal
Harvey Nichols luxury storefront on Brompton Road in London. Credit: William/Adobe Stock Linklaters and Winston Taylor are leading as Frasers Group has announced its acquisition of Harvey Nichols from FTI Consulting. The pre-pack takeover deal includes Harvey Nichols’ portfolio of six stores and over 1,000 employees, with Winston Taylor advising Frasers Group and Linklaters advising FTI Consulting.
Kirkland Leaders Take Full Control of Retirement Age Waivers as Partnership Vote Eliminated
Kirkland & Ellis sign London; Courtesy Photo Kirkland & Ellis has updated its partnership agreement to give executive committee members full authority to decide whether to extend the retirement age of individual partners. The retirement age at the law firm remains 65, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Linklaters Returns to Paul Weiss for Trio of New York Litigators
From left to right: Grant May, César Rivière, Cara Day, Linklaters. Courtesy image. Linklaters is expanding its New York business, turning again to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to hire a partner-led trio, just a month after it made high profile hires from the same firm.
Gunnercooke Debuts On West Coast For 3rd US Office Launch
Timothy Toohey, Gunnercooke. Courtesy image. Gunnercooke is launching its third office in the U.S. to expand its footprint in the country, after launching its second office there last year, with ambitions to break into the European market as well. The firm is launching its new office in California, which follows its New York debut in 2022 and its Chicago launch last year.
European PE Giant Partners Group Shrinks Legal Panel as Major Firm Dropped
Partners Group; video media; courtesy image Partners Group, one of Europe's largest private equity firms, has updated its global legal panel. Making the cut are Clifford Chance, Latham & Watkins, and Ropes & Gray, according to three people with deep knowledge of the panel process. However, A&O Shearman has been removed from the panel, after Partners Group decided to reduce the size of its global panel from four law firms to three, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
What London's Big Law Leaders Are Reading This Summer
Credit: Nur/Adobe Stock Another summer, another holiday-season heatwave. Whether enjoying a season of watersports, cooling off in a pool, under the shade, or simply at home, partners this summer are also taking their minds off their busy City lives by delving into literary prose, swashbuckling science fiction or non-fiction globe-trotting adventures. Leading partners from Paul Weiss, Linklaters, A&O Shearman, HSF Kramer and more share their summer reads with Law.com. Denise Gibson, A&O Shearman.
Linklaters Snags Paul Weiss Partner Duo in New York, Gaining FIFA's Top Counsel
Daniel Levi and Christopher Boehning, Linklaters. Courtesy image Linklaters is adding two leading sports litigators from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York in a significant boost to the firm's U.S. growth effort, expanding its sports sector practice at a time when global attention is focused on major tournaments like the World Cup. H. Christopher Boehning joins the U.K.-founded law firm as chair of the global sports practice and U.S. strategic disputes, while Daniel H.
Linklaters Hits Paul Weiss for New York Partner Duo, Gaining FIFA's Top Counsel
Daniel Levi and Christopher Boehning, Linklaters. Courtesy image Linklaters is adding two leading sports litigators from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York in a significant boost to the firm's U.S. growth effort, expanding its sports sector practice at a time when global attention is focused on major tournaments like the World Cup. H. Christopher Boehning joins the U.K.-founded law firm as chair of the global sports practice and U.S. strategic disputes, while Daniel H.
Linklaters Hits Paul Weiss for New York Partner Duo, Gaining FIFA's Top Counsel
Law.com CompassLaw.com RadarVerdict SearchScholar .China Law & PracticeLegal Dictionary Click to enter your existing username and password or create a new account. Click to purchase an individual user subscription with your credit card. NewsLaw Firm Hiring It is a significant boost to the firm's U.S. growth strategy. 3 minute read July 14, 2026 at 04:57 AM Daniel Levi and Christopher Boehning, Linklaters.
'Very Troubling': UK Litigation Costs Could Surpass US by 2029
London skyline Tort costs in the U.K. is outpacing both inflation and GDP growth, leading to questions around how competitive the country is as a global centre for dispute resolution, according to a new report. In its latest report, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warns that the U.K. has experienced the fastest growth in tort costs of any country, more than doubling between 2014 and 2023, with an average annual increase of nearly 13%.
Paul Weiss's UK Office Lands One of Largest M&A Roles to Date on Apollo's £5.7B EasyJet Bid
2: easyJet AirHelp rank: 71 | Score: 5.29 (Photo: Bloomberg) Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has secured one of its largest public M&A mandates in London, advising Apollo Global Management on its proposed £5.7 billion acquisition of easyJet. The airline indicated it would be prepared to recommend a possible cash offer from the private equity firm after previously rejecting four proposals from U.S. investment firm Castlelake, which is being advised by Slaughter and May.
Ropes & Gray Hits Winston Taylor For Top Life Sciences Partner
Alison Dennis, Ropes & Gray. Courtesy image Ropes & Gray has hired a senior partner from newly-merged Winston Taylor, in a major boost to its life sciences practice, reflecting the firm's continued investment across Europe. Alison Dennis joins Ropes & Gray after more than six years at legacy Taylor Wessing U.K., which has just completed its merger with Winston & Strawn to form Winston Taylor, where she served as a partner and international co-head of its life sciences and healthcare team.
Weil Underscores PE Relationships Landing 3 Deals Worth Almost $11B
Lockheed Martin offices in Orlando, Florida. Credit: JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock Weil, Gotshal & Manges has advised on three deals over the past week worth nearly $11 billion in total, further solidifying its relationships with private equity giant Advent and investment firm Lone Star Funds.
Freshfields, HSF Kramer Lead on £1.6B Sky-ITV Deal
Credit: Robson90/Adobe Stock Freshfields and HSF Kramer are leading as Sky, owned by the U.S.'s Comcast Corporation, agrees to acquire ITV's media & entertainment business for around £1.6 billion, in one of the U.K.'s biggest television broadcast combinations in recent times. Freshfields is leading for ITV, with a team led by partners Piers Prichard Jones, Kate Cooper and Toby Halford.
Leadership in Law Singapore 2026 Returns with Focus on AI, Leadership and Business Risk
Leadership in Law, Singapore. Law.com is to host the 2026 Leadership in Law Singapore, a premium event that will provide high-quality networking opportunities on 10 September at The Fullerton Hotel. Aiming to foster connections within the legal community, the event will bring together leading professionals to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and navigate the increasing demands facing the legal sector.
Over 30 Awards Up for Grabs at 2026 Middle East Legal Awards
The Middle East Legal Awards is returning for its 14th year this autumn in Dubai, with more than 30 awards to be contested by over 100 companies. Hosted by Law.com, the 2026 Middle East Legal Awards celebrates achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession across one of the industry's fastest growing regions.
Sidley Makes 29th London Lateral Hire in 3 Years with DLA Partner
Carl Hotton, Sidley Austin. Courtesy image Sidley Austin has hired a partner from DLA Piper, as the firm's lateral partner additions in London grow to nearly 30 in three years. Carl Hotton leaves DLA's corporate group, where he specialised in insurance M&A and reinsurance transactions, after more than two years as a partner. He joins Sidley's M&A and private equity practice as the firm continues to strengthen its insurance and private capital capabilities in London.
Mahjong gains popularity in the UK as Chinese game bridges cultures
From a secluded corner of a London library, the clacking of plastic mahjong pieces being shuffled on a table punctuates the stillness. The unusual sound emanates from a multicultural group of people huddled around a mahjong game, their eyes darting across the playing tiles. Here, as in libraries and board-game cafés up and down the country, a game that traces its roots to the Qing Dynasty is experiencing a resurgence.
Centuries-old Chinese game bridges cultures in the UK
From a secluded corner of a London library, the clacking of plastic mahjong pieces being shuffled on a table punctuates the stillness. The unusual sound emanates from a multicultural group of people huddled around a mahjong game, their eyes darting across the playing tiles. Here, as in libraries and board-game cafés up and down the country, a game that traces its roots to the Qing Dynasty is experiencing a resurgence.
10 years on: community beyond politics
The 2014 Umbrella Movement affected artist Clara Cheung profoundly. She now lives in Sheffield, but was previously district councillor for Hong Kong’s Happy Valley constituency and was in the city during protests. One thing she will never forget is seeing demonstrators turning public areas into art. She describes the outpouring as “amazing” and that it was “like a revolution”. But the protests did not start this way.
10 years on: a living history
Ten years ago, protesters went on strike in several busy areas of Hong Kong in what came to be known as the Umbrella Movement. These protestors, mostly youngsters and students, camped out day and night in the streets without neglecting their daily routines, such as doing school homework or reading books from the ‘street library’ set up by participants.
10 years on: the impacts on the young generation
In 2014, when the Umbrella Movement took over the streets of Hong Kong’s financial district, the then 14-year-old Joyce felt frustrated by the police’s treatment of protestors. But she vowed she would never leave the city. A decade later, she found herself with a one-way ticket to Canada. “Hong Kong has changed in its nature,” she says. For many youngsters, the Umbrella Movement was their political awakening.
10 years on: the older generation reflects
Retired Hong Kong sisters Water* and Sun* have nothing but respect for the young people who protested in 2014 in what became known as the Umbrella Movement. Although many of their age group labelled the protestors as disruptors of social order, the sisters see these impassioned young people as Hong Kong’s “elite” – driven, ambitious, and resolute in their efforts to create a brighter future for the city.
Deliveroo rider who bit off customer’s thumb in row over pizza escapes jail
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London’s Friday travel discount had limited effect on capital’s commuters
A £24mn trial to boost Friday trips into central London with subsidised tickets only slightly increased passenger numbers on the...
Ice cream vans gone silent
Summer is on its way, bringing with it the sunniest days of the year. There is no better way to beat the high temperatures than with a refreshing ice cream. Imagine strolling down the street with the sun blazing above, when you spot a charming ice cream van. Treat yourself to a cool, creamy delight that will make your day a whole lot sweeter.
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