ROUNDTABLE: Onwards, Upwards, Forwards
There has been a continued rise in prominence of the role of chief diversity officers in law firms globally as the legal industry has gradually taken stock of the need to pursue DEI goals. Apart from creating a forward-looking workplace, cultural awareness also adds value to the firm’s calibre in the eyes of clients. ALB hears from diversity leaders on how empowering inclusion can make a law firm stronger.
THAILAND: Green Push
Thailand is on a quest to decarbonise its gas-heavy power grid, setting its eyes on the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2065.
CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT: Asia’s New Power Couple
Increased economic activity between India and Japan is creating new work for lawyers in both countries, but there is still a long way to go to facilitate cross-border legal market growth and expansion.
SUSTAINABLE FINANCE: A Sustainable Future
Strong government intervention and a willing market is turning Hong Kong into a global sustainable finance hub, but it is far from reaching its full potential.
BRIEFS: With Competition Heating up at Home, SG Firms Pursue Regional Growth
With the Asian region continuing to remain a hotspot for trade and investment, gone are the days when Singapore law firms were content simply with the domestic pie. Singapore Big Four firm Allen & Gledhill, which already has a presence in Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia, recently announced the open-ing of an office in Shanghai – its first in China – and recently established a new alliance in Indonesia.
EXPLAINER: Can Vetnam's new land law help its development dreams come true?
In its bid to transform into a high-income country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has moved to revamp its law to give more flexibility to the development and management of land, which is considered a crucial piece within the country’s economic development plans.
EXPLAINER: Disney-Reliance Media Mega-Merger Faces Antitrust Scrutiny
The proposed stock and cash media and entertainment mega-merger between Disney’s India business and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance’s media unit Viacom18 is now in its final stages, with antitrust due diligence reportedly underway.
FORUM: Listen to the Client
A Thomson Reuters Market Insights research report has revealed that law firms conducting formal client feedback programs can earn nearly twice the share of a client’s external legal spend compared to those not engaging in feedback. Client feedback plays a pivotal role in helping law firms evaluate their performance, improve service quality, build strong client relationships, and differentiate themselves in a competitive Indian legal market.
Time Is Money
For decades, timesheets have been the bane of junior lawyers, as law firms almost uniformly use them to track productivity. But recent moves are seeking to make them less burdensome – as well as incentivise lawyers to complete them.