Elite London-based Biglaw companies — A&O Shearman, Clifford Probability, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and Could — have been known as members of the “Magic Circle” for about 25 years, however plainly the magic has merely misplaced its luster through the years. Alas, referring to one among these companies as being a part of the “Magic Circle” is outwardly now a “signal of lazy journalism,” in keeping with City AM’s Eyes on the Regulation column.
Evidently companions at many of those companies could also be making an attempt to solid a spell to make that naming conference magically disappear, in favor of a brand new, much more prestigious title.
Again in 2021, Freshfields was one of the first of the Magic Circle companies to aim to abracadabra the affiliation away, due to the agency’s regular development within the US. Over time, different companies have executed the identical, and now they’d prefer to reap the rewards. City AM has the main points:
The push from Freshfields, Linklaters, Clifford Probability, and A&O is to ascertain a foothold within the US market, every doing its manner. A&O opted for a merger with the US law firm Shearman & Sterling, whereas the others selected new workplaces and stuffed them with individuals who have names out there.
Nonetheless, a part of Freshfields, Linklaters, Clifford Probability and A&O Sherman’s technique is to appease a US viewers. Final September, Freshfields unveiled its rebrand, which included dropping its German identify’ Bruckhaus Deringer’.
So, what’s the brand new title companions at these companies are hoping to undertake? Get your wands prepared, as a result of per Metropolis AM, they’ve reportedly been pondering of referring to themselves as members of the “World Elite.” Perhaps these Magic Circle companies can solid a spell and see if it really works….
Hocus pocus, alakazam, sim sala bim, presto change-o! Better of luck to the would-be World Elite as they try and noticed their outdated moniker in half!
‘Magic Circle’ law firms trying to distance themselves from the prestigious phrase [City AM]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Regulation, the place she’s labored since 2011. She’d love to listen to from you, so please be at liberty to email her with any suggestions, questions, feedback, or critiques. You’ll be able to comply with her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or join together with her on LinkedIn.
