In a recent speech, Law Society President John Wotton addressed key issues regarding the present and future of the legal profession, claiming that the professional distinction between barristers and solicitors may become a thing of the past.

Magic circle law firm Allen & Overy expanded its offering with a new Los Angeles office earlier this month, after merger talks with international firm O’Melveny & Myers came to an end in September 2019 without a deal.

The SRA has warned that more large law firms may fail over the next few years as a result of gloomy economic conditions, as it confirms that talks are ongoing with over 50 firms where intervention may be necessary in 2013.

The high-level chit-chat taking place between politicians and business leaders in Davos this week at the annual World Economic Forum is expected to cover eight key themes, with delegates looking at robots, gender equality and terrorism.

Magic circle firm Linklaters has revealed plans to move graduate recruitment online this autumn subject to the UK’s lockdown restrictions.

Top law firms have announced their autumn retention rates, following the lead of Shearman & Sterling which revealed in June that it would keep on 11 of its 12 NQs.

Social mobility charity The Aspiring Solicitors Foundation has announced the addition of partners and associates from leading law firms to its board of trustees and new advisory board.

Magic circle firm Clifford Chance launched its Racial Justice Award in October, following the killing of George Floyd and the increased awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement that followed.

Bradford law courts to be one of the first in England to be heated with renewable energy. The courts will be connected to the city’s new eco network, after signing a 20-year deal with Bradford Energy Network. The Combined Court Centre and the Magistrates’ Court are set to save 8,000 tonnes of carbon as a result of the new heat network, which is on track to open in 2026.

In the wake of reports of increasing elitism in the legal profession, magic circle firms Allen & Overy, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter and May have backed a website designed to boost social mobility.

The Legal Services Board has published statutory guidance following the Legal Education and Training Review, urging regulators to increase flexibility in education and training.

Cornish law firm Stephens Scown has agreed a new shared-ownership partnership, similar to that made famous by John Lewis, which will see all members of staff - including trainees - entitled to an equal share of the firm’s profits.

Ten students from Notre Dame sixth form college in Leeds have spent a week’s work experience with Walker Morris, which concluded with a mock trial run in conjunction with 11 South Square.

Want to get a handle on what’s happening in the commercial world and how it might affect your clients of the future? Read this collection of stories from the past couple of weeks to get a glimpse.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority should tighten its rules on non-disclosure agreements, MPs have been told.

“Material errors” in previous rulings on whether a plumber working for Pimlico Plumbers should have ‘worker’ rather than ‘self-employed’ status mean that the case is now to be heard in the Supreme Court, with the outcome set to have far-reaching implications for the gig economy.

Leading legal lender VFS Legal has gone into administration, leaving law firms at a loss for financing.

Take a look at this compact selection of high-profile business stories from the last week – with compelling themes of takeovers and anti-competitive behaviour, they will undoubtedly have you hooked.

The number of people receiving legal aid for family cases which go to court has dropped by 15,000 per quarter as a result of the government’s legal aid cuts, while the number of people receiving family law advice has fallen by 40,000 per quarter for the same reason, the Bar Council has revealed.

A bit more variety this week, but the headlines are still dominated by all things Brexit, as you would expect only two weeks down the line. Read on for a selection of Brexit, and other commercially driven, stories.