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US confidence high

02 June 2011
Issue: 7468 / Categories: Legal News
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UK lawyers should take heart from the news that confidence is riding high among their colleagues across the pond.

According to the Altman Weil Law Firms in Transition Survey 2011, US law firms are experiencing an economic rebound. Two thirds of the 805 firms surveyed in April and May 2011 report increases in gross revenue in 2010, and nearly three-quarters report increased revenue per lawyer and profits per equity partner. 
 
Firms are reporting or planning an increase of four per cent in standard hourly billing rates for 2011. More than half reported a reduction
in overhead costs in 2010. Nearly nine out of ten plan to hire more associates this year.
 
“If firms are finding their feet again post-recession, it is on new ground with a number of new factors in play,” said Altman Weil principal Tom Clay. 

“And although most firm leaders seem to recognise the changes, it’s not yet clear whether they will be able to manage them effectively.”

Issue: 7468 / Categories: Legal News
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DWF—19 appointments

DWF—19 appointments

Belfast team bolstered by three senior hires and 16 further appointments

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Firm strengthens leveraged finance team with London partner hire

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Double hire marks launch of family team in Leeds

NEWS
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Charlie Mercer and Astrid Gillam of Stewarts crunch the numbers on civil fraud claims in the English courts, in this week's NLJ. New data shows civil fraud claims rising steadily since 2014, with the King’s Bench Division overtaking the Commercial Court as the forum of choice for lower-value disputes
Bea Rossetto of the National Pro Bono Centre makes the case for ‘General Practice Pro Bono’—using core legal skills to deliver life-changing support, without the need for niche expertise—in this week's NLJ
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve reports on Haynes v Thomson, the first judicial application of the Supreme Court’s For Women Scotland ruling in a discrimination claim, in this week's NLJ
The Supreme Court issued a landmark judgment in July that overturned the convictions of Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo, once poster boys of the Libor and Euribor scandal. In NLJ this week, Neil Swift of Peters & Peters considers what the ruling means for financial law enforcement
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