Expert Analysis

• Practice Leader Insights From McDermott's Aymen Mahmoud

  

  Aymen Mahmoud, co-head of the London transactions practice at McDermott, discusses the challenges of navigating a complex cross-border financing in his first matter as partner, why regulators should resist the instinct to fix what is not broken, and how private capital continues to reshape the landscape.

• Law Firms Must Offer More Than Perks To Retain Top Talent

  

  Perks make headlines as law firms look for ways to draw in the best talent, but while they add value, they cannot replace competitive and transparent pay or the realistic career road map that form the fundamentals of a strong recruitment strategy and result in long-term engagement, says Adam Stocker at Major Lindsey.

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  Practice Leader Insights From HSF Kramer's Samantha Brown

  

  Samantha Brown, HSF Kramer's managing partner for employment, pensions and incentives for U.K. and Europe, the Middle East and Africa, discusses the challenges of managing a deal where many of the commercial aspects were new to the buyout market, why pension adequacy needs attention, and how new pensions legislation makes it an exciting time for schemes and their advisers.

• How AI Can Support Dealmakers On Business Exits

  

  Entrepreneurs are increasingly using artificial intelligence in their operations to model valuations or test market timing, and the same sophistication is expected from those advising them, so lawyers should use AI tools responsibly to reinforce their judgment and good advice, says Amen Alonge at Farrer.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Walkers' Neil McDonald

  

  Neil McDonald, head of the corporate and M&A group at Walkers Global in London, discusses the challenges of conducting a multijurisdictional transaction with a pressing timeline, the need for regulation to keep pace with innovation, and why a willingness to go the extra mile to assist clients is so important.

• Law Firms Can Turn Brand Threats Into Opportunities In 2026

  

  If left unchecked, four megatrends — polarization, artificial intelligence, Gen Z and saturation — could threaten law firm growth or even long-term survival, but if well managed may be turned into opportunities to empower a brand, says Leor Franks at Kingsley Napley.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Addleshaw's Paul Medlicott

  

  Paul Medlicott, head of private equity at Addleshaw Goddard, discusses the challenges of working on a deal involving five separate acquisitions in one day, why foreign direct investment legislation would benefit from refinement, and how the evolution of private equity has been positive for the industry.

• Judicial AI Guidance Update Shows Caution Still Prevails

  

  The judiciary’s recently updated guidance on the use of artificial intelligence warns judges and tribunal members about misinformation and white text manipulation, providing a reminder that AI tools cannot replace direct engagement with evidence and reflecting a broader concern about their application when handling confidential material, say lawyers at Hogan Lovells.

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  Practice Leader Insights: Stephensons' Philip Richardson

  

  Philip Richardson, head of employment law at Stephensons Solicitors, discusses the challenges of an emotionally charged case that put his client management skills to the test, whether the Employment Rights Bill strikes the right balance for employees, and how there still needs to be greater focus on quality control for artificial intelligence.

• Navigating Legal Privilege Issues When Using AI

  

  The recent explosion in artificial intelligence has led to prompts and AI outputs that may be susceptible to disclosure in proceedings, and it is important to apply familiar principles to assess whether legal privilege may apply to these interactions, say lawyers at HSF.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Mayer Brown's Kate Ball-Dodd

  

  Kate Ball-Dodd, Mayer Brown's head of corporate and securities in London, discusses the challenges of selling a majority stake in Celtic Football Club to its fans, how current dividend rules are a complicated trap for the unwary, and why generative artificial intelligence tools will provide clients with the ability to digest more information in a cost-effective manner.

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  Practice Leader Insights: Addleshaw's Michael Leftley

  

  Michael Leftley, head of employment at Addleshaw Goddard, discusses the challenges of combining novel legal issues with lawyers' expectations, why he believes the system for workplace conflict resolution is broken, and the importance of possessing a broad skill set that includes good emotional intelligence.

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  Practice Leader Insights From Squire Patton's Ranajoy Basu

  

  Ranajoy Basu, global head of structured finance at Squire Patton, discusses the challenges of working on a transaction recognized by the G20 as a "game-changing financial innovation," the benefits of streamlining pretransaction due diligence, and why increased market activity in alternative asset securitizations is likely.

• Opinion

  Collective Action Reform Can Save UK Court System

  

  The crumbling foundations of Britain’s legal system require innovative solutions, such as investment in institutional infrastructure to reduce court backlogs, a widening of the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s remit and legislative clarity over litigation funding underpinning collective actions, says Neil Purslow at the International Legal Finance Association.

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  Practice Leader Insights: Baker Botts' Mark Castillo-Bernaus

  

  Mark Castillo-Bernaus, global chair of project finance at Baker Botts, discusses the challenges of working on a global project financing in multiple time zones, the need for consistency in regulatory frameworks across different jurisdictions, and why lawyers who work constructively with clients and colleagues tend to deliver better outcomes.