Law/Legal
Here's a look at documents from law firms and legal groups
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A&O Shearman Elects 33 New Partners
LONDON, England, April 16 -- A and O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman elects 33 new partners
A&O Shearman has promoted 33 lawyers to its partnership, effective May 1, 2026, deepening its capabilities across practices and markets worldwide. The promotions span 14 countries and 18 offices, reflecting the firm's commitment to supporting clients wherever they do business.
The cohort covers every major market in which the firm operates, with 14 promotions across continental Europe, nine in the United Kingdom, four in the United States, three in Asia Pacific, two
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, April 16 -- A and O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman elects 33 new partners
A&O Shearman has promoted 33 lawyers to its partnership, effective May 1, 2026, deepening its capabilities across practices and markets worldwide. The promotions span 14 countries and 18 offices, reflecting the firm's commitment to supporting clients wherever they do business.
The cohort covers every major market in which the firm operates, with 14 promotions across continental Europe, nine in the United Kingdom, four in the United States, three in Asia Pacific, twoin the Middle East, and one in Africa.
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) saw the largest number of new partners, followed by Global Financial Markets and Antitrust. There were further promotions across Debt Finance, Employment Litigation, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure (ENRI), Financial Services Regulatory, Litigation and Investigations, Tax, and Real Estate.
Khalid Garousha, senior partner at A&O Shearman, said: "It is a proud moment to see this group step into the partnership. They bring expertise and judgment our clients rely on for their most complex, cross-border challenges. Each of our new partners champions the commitment to excellence, client service, collegiality, and ambition that defines our firm."
The elected partners are:
- Mosaed AlAjeel, ENRI, Riyadh
- Kara Altman, Tax, Washington D.C.
- James Ashcroft, Debt Finance, London
- Gordon Bartlett, Employment Litigation, London
- Josh Baxter, M&A, London
- Jan-Hendrik Bode, Debt Finance, Frankfurt
- Robert Bucella, M&A, Silicon Valley
- Martin Chassany, M&A, Paris
- Jonathan Cho, Global Financial Markets, New York
- Francesca Croci, M&A, Milan
- Alamanda Daud, M&A, Jakarta
- Chiara De Luca, M&A, Milan
- Nicholas Gomes, Litigation and Investigations, London
- Arthit Hemara, M&A, Bangkok
- Quentin Herry, Global Financial Markets, Paris
- Harsha Kumar, M&A, Dubai
- Poppy Latham, Global Financial Markets, London
- Tom Lindley/*, ENRI, Tokyo
- Maurice Macchi, Employment Litigation, Luxembourg
- Tim Monahan, Global Financial Markets, London
- Eliana Paredis, Antitrust, Brussels
- Jack Prettejohn, Financial Services Regulatory, London
- Esther Remy, M&A, Brussels
- Bhishaan Shah, M&A, London
- Daniel Smith, Global Financial Markets, London
- Martina Stegmaier, Financial Services Regulatory, Frankfurt
- Philipp Steinhaeuser, Antitrust, Hamburg
- Tim Sweerts, Litigation and Investigations, Amsterdam
- Mark Taylor, Antitrust, Brussels
- Johanna Tschurtschenthaler, Tax, Luxembourg
- Lukas Vondrich, Real Estate Finance, Luxembourg
- Michael Walraven, M&A, Dallas
- Nathalie Zanardo, M&A, Casablanca
*/ (subject to approval in Japan).
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Original text here: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/news/ao-shearman-elects-33-new-partners
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Michael Minton & Austin Alderman Publish Article Addressing Opportunity Zone Incentives
ORLANDO, Florida, April 15 -- Dean Mead, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Michael Minton & Austin Alderman Publish Article Addressing Opportunity Zone Incentives
Dean Mead is pleased to announce the publication of a new article authored by attorneys Michael Minton and Austin Alderman, titled "No Place Like (Opportunity) Zones: New Zones Across Florida Effective January 1, 2027."
The article explores the latest Internal Revenue Services ("IRS") guidance which addresses opportunity to reshape how Opportunity Zone ("OZ") incentives are organized across Florida. Drawing on their
... Show Full Article
ORLANDO, Florida, April 15 -- Dean Mead, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Michael Minton & Austin Alderman Publish Article Addressing Opportunity Zone Incentives
Dean Mead is pleased to announce the publication of a new article authored by attorneys Michael Minton and Austin Alderman, titled "No Place Like (Opportunity) Zones: New Zones Across Florida Effective January 1, 2027."
The article explores the latest Internal Revenue Services ("IRS") guidance which addresses opportunity to reshape how Opportunity Zone ("OZ") incentives are organized across Florida. Drawing on theirexperience addressing agribusiness legal matters on behalf of Florida businesses and residents, the authors provide a practical analysis and forward-looking perspective, presenting key changes.
Per the authors, "Florida has been actively leveraging OZs since the program's inception under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. With continued population growth ... new guidance introduces the opportunity to: (a) reassess previously designated areas, (b) expand investment in rural communities, and (c) align Qualified Opportunity Zone designations with statewide and local economic development priorities.
Visit the following link to review the article: https://www.deanmead.com/no-place-like-opportunity-zones-new-zones-across-florida-effective-january-1-2027/.
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Original text here: https://www.deanmead.com/michael-minton-austin-alderman-publish-article-addressing-opportunity-zone-incentives/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Michael Hong discusses emerging managers on PEI's Private Equity Spotlight podcast
NEW YORK, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Davis Polk and Wardwell, a law firm, posted the following news:
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Michael Hong discusses emerging managers on PEI's Private Equity Spotlight podcast
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Davis Polk partner Michael Hong was featured on Private Equity International's Private Equity Spotlight podcast discussing the state of the emerging manager market. Michael was joined by fellow guest DC Advisory's Donato de Donato to cover what LPs are looking for today from their emerging managers, common mistakes by first-time funds, and how newcomers can stand out.
Describing the increase
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Davis Polk and Wardwell, a law firm, posted the following news:
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Michael Hong discusses emerging managers on PEI's Private Equity Spotlight podcast
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Davis Polk partner Michael Hong was featured on Private Equity International's Private Equity Spotlight podcast discussing the state of the emerging manager market. Michael was joined by fellow guest DC Advisory's Donato de Donato to cover what LPs are looking for today from their emerging managers, common mistakes by first-time funds, and how newcomers can stand out.
Describing the increasein emerging managers and where they are coming from, Michael said, "When I joined Davis Polk eight years ago, my thesis at that time was that we were somewhat of an inflection point, just in terms of the age range of individuals who are running private fund sponsor shops. There was a generation, kind of coming up from under the individuals who had started those firms 20 years ago... And so that next generation need to go somewhere. They might spin out, they might separate... Individuals who have developed their own investment acumen and then a track record, maybe even their own brand, if they're not able to take over those firms, if that's what they desire to do, the next option is to strike out on their own and start their own advisory shop."
The Private Equity Spotlight podcast delves into the latest trends in private equity across fundraising, portfolio management, deals, regulation and more.
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Original text here: https://www.davispolk.com/news/michael-hong-discusses-emerging-managers-pei-s-private-equity-spotlight-podcast
India Business Law Journal Names Morgan Lewis Partners to International A-List 2026
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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India Business Law Journal Names Morgan Lewis Partners to International A-List 2026
SILICON VALLEY, SINGAPORE: Morgan Lewis partners Rahul Kapoor and Divya Thakur have again been honored by India Business Law Journal with their inclusion on the publication's International A-List, which highlights top international lawyers who have a focus on the country.
An intellectual property practitioner, Rahul co-leads Morgan Lewis's India initiative in addition to leading
... Show Full Article
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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India Business Law Journal Names Morgan Lewis Partners to International A-List 2026
SILICON VALLEY, SINGAPORE: Morgan Lewis partners Rahul Kapoor and Divya Thakur have again been honored by India Business Law Journal with their inclusion on the publication's International A-List, which highlights top international lawyers who have a focus on the country.
An intellectual property practitioner, Rahul co-leads Morgan Lewis's India initiative in addition to leadingthe firm's Silicon Valley and San Francisco corporate and business transactions practice. He advises clients on strategic alliances, joint ventures, and corporate partnering transactions in the technology and life science industries, with an emphasis on India-related matters. This is his eighth time on the list.
Divya co-leads Morgan Lewis's India initiative in addition to leading the firm's Singapore investment management practice. She advises on investment fund formation; carried-interest plans and co-investment arrangements; structuring businesses; and ongoing operational, management, and compliance issues, with emphasis on India-related matters. This is her sixth time on the list.
Morgan Lewis's India practice offers a complete array of services for clients conducting business in India and the Asia-Pacific region. The firm also advises companies based in India that are seeking to expand operations beyond the country's borders. Drawing on deep experience with the differing economic landscapes around the region, the firm serves as counsel to some of the largest global corporations and financial institutions active in the region, advising on a variety of legal, business, regulatory, and governmental matters.
See the complete 2026 International A-List (https://law.asia/india/international-top-lawyers-2026/)
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Rahul Kapoor
Partner
Phone
+1.650.843.7580
rahul.kapoor@morganlewis.com
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Divya Thakur
Partner
Phone
+65.6389.3011
divya.thakur@morganlewis.com
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Original text here: https://www.morganlewis.com/news/2026/04/india-business-law-journal-names-morgan-lewis-partners-to-international-a-list-2026
Gibson Dunn Achieves Pathbreaking Expert Exclusion Victory on Behalf of Client Vale in Multibillion-Dollar Class Action
LOS ANGELES, California, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Gibson Dunn Achieves Pathbreaking Expert Exclusion Victory on Behalf of Client Vale in Multibillion-Dollar Class Action
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A Gibson Dunn team has achieved a significant victory on behalf of Vale S.A.-the world's largest iron mining company-in a long-running multibillion-dollar securities litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
After pending for nearly two years, Vale's motion to exclude Dr. Steven Feinstein's expert damages
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Gibson Dunn Achieves Pathbreaking Expert Exclusion Victory on Behalf of Client Vale in Multibillion-Dollar Class Action
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A Gibson Dunn team has achieved a significant victory on behalf of Vale S.A.-the world's largest iron mining company-in a long-running multibillion-dollar securities litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
After pending for nearly two years, Vale's motion to exclude Dr. Steven Feinstein's expert damagesmodel in its entirety was granted by Judge Eric Komitee-a pathbreaking ruling that will reverberate far beyond this case. The Court's decision provides robust guidance on the proper damages methodology experts must employ in event-driven securities class actions involving realization of understated risks. For far too long, securities class action plaintiffs in these cases have sought to "supersize" damage amounts by hiring experts who assume maximum artificial inflation from day one of a class period and then label as "damages" every penny of market losses on alleged corrective disclosure dates. This decision should end that practice once and for all.
Led by Christopher Joralemon and David Kusnetz, the firm's winning team included Chase Weidner, Andrew Freire, Nicholas Canelos, Jabari Julien, Nathalie Gunasekera, Amanda Bello, Amir Heidari, Simone Rivera, and Carolyn Ye.
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Original text here: https://www.gibsondunn.com/gibson-dunn-achieves-pathbreaking-expert-exclusion-victory-on-behalf-of-client-vale-in-multibillion-dollar-class-action/
Ballard Spahr Named Managing IP's Firm of the Year - Patent Prosecution (South)
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Ballard Spahr, a law firm, posted the following news release:
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Ballard Spahr Named Managing IP's Firm of the Year - Patent Prosecution (South)
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Ballard Spahr has been recognized as Firm of the Year - Patent Prosecution (South) by Managing IP as part of the publication's 2026 Americas Awards. This marks the second time the team has received this award, having done so previously in 2023.
The nearly 40-person Patents practice offers industry-wide services in patent prosecution and patent portfolio development and management,
... Show Full Article
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, April 15 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Ballard Spahr, a law firm, posted the following news release:
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Ballard Spahr Named Managing IP's Firm of the Year - Patent Prosecution (South)
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Ballard Spahr has been recognized as Firm of the Year - Patent Prosecution (South) by Managing IP as part of the publication's 2026 Americas Awards. This marks the second time the team has received this award, having done so previously in 2023.
The nearly 40-person Patents practice offers industry-wide services in patent prosecution and patent portfolio development and management,as well as collaboration in transactions, all while drawing upon its members' advanced scientific degrees, USPTO and industry experience, and track record of commercializing and protecting client ideas.
The Firm of the Year - Patent Prosecution (South) award is the latest recognition for the firm's nationally acclaimed Intellectual Property Department and IP attorneys, who regularly appear on Managing IP 's list of IP Stars and in IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Professionals. They also draw high rankings from Chambers USA, Best Law Firms, and other respected legal industry directories.
For its Americas Awards, worldwide intellectual property news and analysis service Managing IP conducts annual research across thousands of firms, IP practitioners, and their clients through interviews and online surveys. To learn more, please visit Managing IP 's methodology page.
For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.
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Original text here: https://www.ballardspahr.com/insights/news/2026/04/ballard-spahr-named-managing-ips-firm-of-the-year-patent-prosecution-south
Backlog of IPOs to Flow Through in Second Half of 2026: HSF Kramer Report
NEW YORK, April 15 (TNSrep) -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Backlog of IPOs to flow through in second half of 2026: HSF Kramer report
With geopolitical uncertainty curtailing the number of early IPOs markets were expecting at the start of the year, a new report from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) predicts the second half of 2026 will be a busy one for Australian markets thanks to a backlog of both investor demand and supply from companies interested in an IPO.
With 2025 seeing several big-ticket ASX listings, including GemLife,
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 15 (TNSrep) -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Backlog of IPOs to flow through in second half of 2026: HSF Kramer report
With geopolitical uncertainty curtailing the number of early IPOs markets were expecting at the start of the year, a new report from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) predicts the second half of 2026 will be a busy one for Australian markets thanks to a backlog of both investor demand and supply from companies interested in an IPO.
With 2025 seeing several big-ticket ASX listings, including GemLife,Virgin Australia, and Greatland Resources, 2026 kicked off with renewed positivity around IPOs that HSF Kramer expects will resurface in the second half assuming greater macro-economic clarity emerges.
Philippa Stone, partner and head of capital markets at HSF Kramer, said the team's discussions with participants in the IPO market indicate a greater level of confidence in the IPO market pipeline and the companies that are filling it.
"Despite current market conditions, we're seeing a greater preparedness, both from founders and private capital owners of IPO candidates, to undertake a listing this year rather than simply defaulting to a private market solution or a continuation of the status quo," Stone said.
ASIC's fast track process, which was introduced in June 2025 to provide a clearer and faster path from lodgement of disclosure documents to listing for eligible entities, is expected to provide a boost to IPO candidates navigating volatile market conditions.
The key benefit to the process, which was first used by GemLife in an IPO process guided by HSF Kramer, is shortening the period during which investors are 'on risk' before securities can be traded on market - particularly important in periods of market volatility.
2025 momentum to flow through to 2026
According to the report - Navigating Crosswinds: The Australian ECM Review 2025 - which analyses ASX activity through 2025 and the key trends, themes, and predictions that will shape Australia's equity capital markets in the year ahead, momentum in the local IPO market continued to build in 2025.
There were 40 IPOs in 2025, up from 32 in 2023 and 26 in 2024, with the amount of capital raised per IPO more than doubling from $43.9 million in 2024 to almost $116.7 million in 2025.
Nicole Pedler, partner at HSF Kramer said, "While the total number of IPOs is still below pre-2022 averages, we expect the positive momentum to continue given the large numbers of prospective candidates who delayed listing through 2023, 2024 and 2025."
Though private and venture capital will remain the strongest alternative to public markets, these areas are also expected to feed the public market pipeline.
Michael Ziegelaar, partner at HSF Kramer, said, "The lower volume of IPOs over the last few years has left a backlog of companies held beyond their intended cycle, creating pressure for private capital to seek liquidity.
"Private equity firms are also considering public market valuations in a new light, recognising the emerging trend that pricing outcomes are diverging between public and private markets depending on the asset and sector."
HSF Kramer partner Tim McEwen said technology, biotech, and AI-based firms are likely to be the most active sectors for IPOs this year, with continued issuances in the metals and mining, healthcare, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals sectors also expected.
"Across sectors, issuers with defensible earnings, structural growth drivers, or lower sensitivity to global macro-economic and political volatility are likely to be best placed to access capital, particularly if uncertainty continues to influence global equity market sentiment."
Secondary raises
Australia's secondary equity capital markets proved strong in 2025, with 285 transactions raising approximately $24 billion, up from 225 transactions raising $20.6 billion in 2024.
Despite the increase in transactions, the proportion undertaken for M&A purposes decreased significantly in 2025, down from 23.8% in 2024 to 9.8%. Meanwhile, the number of transactions to accelerate growth almost doubled over the same period, from 35.56% to 60.7%.
Alex Mackinnon, partner at HSF Kramer, said, "2025 was another strong year for secondary capital raising activity, with increased volumes, value and continuing tight discounts. There was less focus on raising for M&A and it appears the market was more comfortable in 2025 supporting companies with cash for a range of purposes than it had been in prior years."
Resources sector remains a cornerstone
The resources sector, again dominated Australia's IPO and secondary raisings markets in 2025, underlining the ASX's position as a leading global market for resources capital.
23 of the 40 IPOs successfully completed in 2025 were resources companies, with most being exploration companies. Meanwhile, 66% of the secondary raisings were undertaken by resources companies.
Paul Branston, partner at HSF Kramer, said this level of activity is expected to continue in 2026 given the capital-intensive nature of the resources industry.
"Prices for gold and silver remain strong by historic standards and the geopolitical factors that have driven the price increases over the last two years look set to continue. We therefore expect issuers with gold and silver-focused projects, both explorers and developers, are likely to remain active capital raisers," he said.
Copper projects are also expected to continue to attract capital while prices remain strong, while the rebound in lithium prices will support raisings by companies with lithium projects.
Branston added, "More broadly, we expect that supply deficits in strategic and critical minerals, the focus on defence and energy and supply-chain security and governments' increased involvement in the demand for and production of those commodities will result in the development of more strategic and critical minerals projects, with issuers undertaking raisings to fund the equity component of the funding for those projects."
Regulatory reform
ASIC focused its attention on Australia's public markets in 2025, spending the year in consultation with industry before releasing its Roadmap for public and private markets in November.
In it, the regulator acknowledged the fundamental importance of public markets to the Australian economy and outlined several measures and areas of potential reform aimed at making public markets more attractive.
However, HSF Kramer partner Philip Hart said there is a "natural limit" to what ASIC will be able to achieve, given the initiatives likely to have the most significant impact will require legislative amendment or action from market operators.
"Where possible, we're hopeful that ASIC will use its influence to encourage lawmakers, market operators, and other regulators to follow its lead," he said.
"Nevertheless, we regard the Roadmap, and the industry engagement process that preceded it, as a step in the right direction."
You can read the Australian ECM Review 2025 here (https://www.hsfkramer.com/insights/reports/2026/navigating-crosswinds-the-australian-ecm-review-2025).
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Original text here: https://www.hsfkramer.com/news/2026-04/backlog-ipos-flow-second-half-2026-hsf-kramer-ecm-review
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
