SolutionsHire top legal talent for any scope of workGet Started Contact us to find the best fit for any in-house or law firm role Testimonials Trusted by the world's leading legal departments FAQ Frequently asked questions about working with Legal.ioEmployer Resources Tools and guides for hiring managers The firm is untangling from Beijing-based Dacheng, undoing a 2015 merger that catapulted the combined entity to become the largest law firm in the world.
Dentons, the world's largest law firm, has announced a restructuring of its regional operations in China. The firm will make its partner Beijing Dacheng Law Offices fully independent, designating it as a "preferred partner."
Dentons and Dacheng got together back in 2015, creating the world's largest law firm with over 6,000 attorneys. The union has since ballooned to roughly 12,000 lawyers. However, this is set to end as Dacheng will leave the Dentons umbrella. A draft letter to the erstwhile conglomerate's clients pins the blame for the conscious uncoupling on the Chinese government, citing new mandates and requirements relating to data privacy, cybersecurity, capital control, and governance.
China recently barred the transfer of personal data outside China without undergoing a security assessment. This assessment process is onerous, requiring a self-assessment report, the cross-border data transfer agreement, an application form, and any other requested documents. It takes about 60 days to complete but can be extended depending on the complexity of each application. Once approved, the security assessment is valid for two years, except when certain changes require a new assessment.
Six months into the new regulations, only two companies have managed to pass the assessment process. This poses a significant challenge for a global law firm structure like Dentons, especially when Western clients might fear any process that gives a Chinese government entity access to its law firm's systems.
Dentons' restructuring is a clear indication of how global entities must adapt to the rapidly changing legal landscape, particularly in regions with significant economic influence like China. The firm's ability to navigate these changes will be a case study for other international firms facing similar challenges in an increasingly complex global regulatory environment. While China's data privacy laws date back a couple of years, new guidance has steeped them in vague national security rhetoric, making compliance more challenging.
The tearing away from Dacheng, the firm will change its logo and branding, returning to its pre-2015 approach that does not include the Chinese characters. This change reflects the end of a significant chapter in the firm's history, a chapter that began with the combination with Beijing-based Dacheng in 2015, catapulting the combined entity to become the largest law firm in the world. With last year's gross revenue of $2.94 billion and a roster of over 12,000 lawyers, Dentons' decision to part ways with Dacheng is a poignant reminder of the intricate relationship between global business strategies and local regulatory landscapes.
Ah, the team meeting – it’s one of those sacred office rituals, its contours familiar to workers across the country. We gather up our notepads, head to the breakout room, listen to people making a series of loosely connected points with only a vague relevance to our job, before everyone leaves wondering ‘What was the point in that?’ Yes, it’s fair to say that many meetings do not inspire employees, aid workflow, or get much done. Still, there are always going to be times when colleagues need to get together to talk to each other. How can you transform meetings from pointless and dull to productive and exciting? Let’s find out!
Recently named among top female founders, Hannah Konitshek, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Legal.io, exemplifies leadership in fostering diversity and inclusion in legal technology.
Big Law firms anticipate more work in capital markets and cryptocurrency as the new U.S. administration shifts SEC priorities and eases regulations.
This new examination represents a shift from the traditional bar exam by emphasizing skills-based knowledge over content memorization.
Sidley Austin, a leading law firm, recently undertook a groundbreaking experiment to evaluate the efficacy of GPT-4, the latest generative AI model from OpenAI, in the realm of e-discovery and document review. This article delves into their findings, shedding light on both the advantages and limitations of employing GPT-4 for legal document review.
You open your inbox to see an unread message. It’s good news: the subject line reads ‘Offer of Employment’! But alas, the sender is not quite who you were most hoping to hear from. Your first choice - Dream Firm - are apparently still pondering their next move, while these guys (at the risk of sounding harsh, let’s call them “Backup Firm”) have enthusiastically advanced. So what do you do in this enviable position? Think about how you’re going to communicate with these companies so that you keep everyone happy. Read on for some tips on how to do just that!
Zoom Video Communications Inc. restructures its in-house legal department, appointing new roles and addressing privacy and security concerns amidst a company-wide downsizing and a significant legal settlement.
The 2023 Midlevel Associates Survey results are in, with O'Melveny, the Los Angeles-based BigLaw firm obtaining an impressive score of 5 out of 5.
