The Lawyer Podcast

Slaughter and May is a Silver Circle firm

Send a textThe Silver Circle was a concept coined by The Lawyer more than 20 years ago. Rather than describing a set of “magic circle wannabes”, its purpose was to collate the firms’ strategies and models. Those in the Silver Circle have arguably changed over the years, with the likes of Macfarlanes and Travers Smith remaining constant.But after two decades and enormous changes in the legal market, does the term still hold true, and who is actually in the Silver Circle now?Tune in to the new episode of The Lawyer Podcast as we discuss what the future holds for the Silver Circle.

Brad Karp, the Epstein files, and the future of Paul Weiss

Send a textBrad Karp became a household name - for Big Law at least - during his 17 year tenure at the helm of Paul Weiss.But the long serving chair of the New York firm resigned from his leadership role last week over revelations in the latest batch of the Epstein files.His exit makes him one of the first Americans to resign over the revelations.So on this episode of The Lawyer Podcast, we take a look at why he quit, and what next for Paul Weiss under new chair, Scott Barshay. 

Why Greenland could redraw the law firm map

Send a textThe annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos usually revolves around talk of business, finance and investment. Indeed, law firms Baker McKenzie and DLA Piper are official partners of the forum.But last week’s meeting was dominated by the unusual topic of Greenland: President Trump’s threat to take the island by force, the Danish government’s rebuff and the seeming fracturing of the NATO alliance.While the issue may seem like a matter of geopolitics not immediately connected to lawyers and law firms, the ramifications of the crisis have big implications for the increasingly international and, perhaps more importantly, transatlantic nature of Big Law.Not least of all for firms in Denmark, where the market was already flying through some (quite exciting) turbulence.So on this episode of The Lawyer Podcast, we assess the wide ranging implications of the crisis for Danish and global lawyers, along with the rapid developments in the Danish legal market in recent years.

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader: mega deal or damp squib?

Send a textThe Lawyer Podcast is back for 2026 and it is picking up where we left off: with  transatlantic mergers.Just before Christmas, Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader announced what will be, by value, the largest law firm merger ever agreed.The headline figures look good, but all may not be as it seems…So on the first podcast of the year, we assess what we really make of the tie-up and ask, is time running out for other firms to find a merger partner?

BONUS episode: Taylor Wessing’s big US gamble

Send a textAs if 2025 needed just another little dollop of big legal news, Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn are set to become the fourth major transatlantic merger in two and a half years.So The Lawyer Podcast is back for an unexpected bonus episode as they talk through the announcement.The second transatlantic tie-up in a month, the team discusses what the firms are up to, what it means for Germany and the rest of Europe, and whether it is actually a good idea, or a bold mistake…Hosts Catrin Griffiths and Christian Smith are joined by deputy insight editor Nikhil Raj Aggarwal and international editor Charlie Johnstone, along with very special guest Aled Griffiths, the founder of German legal magazine Juve.