After predictions of law firm consolidation for several years, an eventful 2012 has seen some of this much-touted merger mania come to fruition. Along with a continued spate of international expansion, high-profile hires and post-Legal Services Act innovation, here are some the most read stories of the last 12 months in Legal Week’s 2012 news round-up…
- Davis Polk launches UK law team with Freshfields heavyweight - Legal Week broke the news that the US firm had controversially kicked off the year by moving in on the territory of its UK referral friend in what was to become the first of three big UK partner hires for the US firm in 2012
- Major law firms assess plans to join ‘Tesco law’ revolution - the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed it had received 65 applications from law firms and non-legal companies to convert to an alternative business structure just two weeks after it started accepting applications
- Pinsents and McGrigors in merger talks over near-£300m tie-up - the two firms became the first of many to confirm merger talks in 2012 with the deal eventually going live on 1 May
