Katharine Freeland

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Off the hamster wheel

Jan 14, 2025 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

The not-for-profit law firm is not a euphemism for losing money. Katharine Freeland talks to lawyers who are billing clients for whole new reasonsThere are 31,500 community interest companies (CICs) in the UK, but only a handful are law firms. To promote a ‘social purpose’, these firms have committed to ‘wealth-sharing’ and no profit-taking.
NQ pay wars devalue employed sector, say GCs

Jan 10, 2025 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

Many newly qualified solicitors in US and magic circle firms now earn more than district judges. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher lead the way with £180,000. Headlines on NQ salary wars sit adjacent to news that clients now pay 40% more in fees to top UK law firms than five years ago: an unfortunate juxtaposition for the readers responsible for paying those bills.
In-house insights - part one: Beyond the Horizon

Nov 22, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

Of all the recent public inquiries – including Grenfell and infected blood – the Post Office Horizon Inquiry has done most to put in-house lawyers in the line of fire. And judging by the inquiry performance of former general counsel Ben Foat, it is an uncomfortable spot. These inquiries have highlighted the need for in-house lawyers to hold the ethical line – a task for which some have the gravitas and experience to succeed while others do not.
Succession planners

Nov 19, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

Which area of law should an ambitious and intellectually curious lawyer aim for upon qualification? A growing number are deciding that the dust has come off the private client world, reports Katharine Freeland Private client work has escaped from the doldrums of the early 2000s, when leading corporate law firms ejected private client colleagues. Now they are back, taking a seat at the top table.
Recovery positioning

Oct 4, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

Law firms have introduced a plethora of mental health initiatives, but LawCare’s helplines are busier than ever. Katharine Freeland looks at what employers should be doing to promote wellbeing Three years after LawCare’s Life in the Law report painted a stark picture of mental ill-health in the profession, anxious callers are still inundating helplines. Despite firms introducing myriad measures to underpin staff mental health, the focus has fallen on workplace cultures.
Give local government lawyers the powers they need

Sep 20, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

For local government lawyers, taking the role of monitoring officer is the pinnacle of their in-house career. The role, which usually goes to a lawyer, means they join the ‘golden triangle’ of permanent senior staff at the top of the council. Other members are the chief finance officer and the chief executive. And of course the monitoring officer role comes with significant responsibilities.
On good authority

Sep 20, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

Despite councils’ financial woes, local government lawyers tell Katharine Freeland they are committed to this ‘rare legal ecosystem’ A local authority issues a section 114 notice when it is on the verge of unauthorised spending. In the past six years, more local authorities have issued these than at any other point since the Local Government Finance Act 1988 required the notice.
Fraud: Trial and error | Law Gazette

Jul 7, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

The scope and scale of fraud are daunting for cash-strapped enforcers. With its ‘tiny’ budget and chequered history of prosecutions, Katharine Freeland asks, can the Serious Fraud Office turn the tide? Fraud trials in England and Wales are notoriously difficult to prosecute. Enforcement agencies are underfunded, jurors are baffled by the complexities of financial crime and disclosure obligations are difficult to fulfil in our age of digital communication.
Sweating the small stuff

Jun 25, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the economy. Katharine Freeland looks at the snowballing challenges facing legal advisers who are helping these businesses to scale up or sell up Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be front and centre of the industrial and wealth strategies of any incoming government. The ease and confidence with which these businesses can merge, acquire or be acquired is of huge importance.
Facing the truth

Jun 14, 2024 | lawgazette.co.uk | Katharine Freeland

The growth of ESG reporting is subjecting law firms to unprecedented ethical scrutiny, but does it drive change? Katharine Freeland finds lawyers need to do more than reduce their air miles The body of law and regulations that sits behind environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting is growing, and law firms are not exempt.