Law firms have seen demand in services drop globally over the first half of 2022, according to new research by Thomson Reuters.

Recent research suggests that nearly half of the top 200 UK law firms have won business directly through social media engagement, though fewer than a quarter of these have so far integrated social media into their marketing strategies.

Hogan Lovells, one of the leading global law firms, is due to leave its City of London headquarters where it has been based in Atlantic House since 2001. 

The British Inter-University Commercial Awareness Competition (BIUCAC) is running for the third time this year, sponsored by over 20 City law firms.

Law firms make up almost a third of the organisations which feature in what is believed to be the first ever social mobility index, which was unveiled by the government today (21 June). 

A recent study by the Bridge Group – a social equality consultancy – found that more than half of partners at City firms went to private schools, while solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds take 18 months longer to reach partner.

Herbert Smith Freehills and Travers Smith have joined Discuss, a social mobility programme run by the diversity specialists, Rare Recruitment.

Last year marked a record year for law firm partner moves, with 510 commercial law partners moving between firms – a 6% rise on 2022’s figure. 

Global disability network The Valuable 500 has reached its target to get 500 global businesses to add disability inclusion to their business leadership agenda, including several law firms.

New research has revealed that City law firms are hiring at a rapid rate, with a 14% annual rise in vacancies recorded in the capital.

Nineteen leading law firms have signed up to ‘the social mobility pledge’, an initiative aimed at tackling the depressing lack of upward social mobility in British society.

As law students will be keenly aware, January marks the onset of application deadlines for many vacation schemes and work placements.

Some 12 City firms have been named among this year’s top 100 LGBT-friendly employers by leading equality charity Stonewall. 

More than 90% of UK law firms that responded to a survey by accountancy network MHA said they had made a profit since March 2020.

Global law firms Ropes & Gray and Sidley Austin have retained 100% of their trainees.

Nearly 80% of UK employers have a gender pay gap that favours men in 2022-2023.  

Slaughter and May is “delighted” to have partnered with the 93% Club, Boston Consulting Group, Ernst & Young and JLL to create a new professional network – 93% Professionals – designed to provide a supportive community for state-educated people and address the critical gap in the journey from education to a top career.