Byfield Bytes - Festive Edition

Well it’s the last edition of Byfield Bytes for 2023 – and what a year it has been. From speaking to clients and contacts, it feels like everyone is crawling towards the finish line. ?The entire Byfield team wishes you and your loved ones a restive and restorative festive break.??

As the year draws to an end, Michael and Meg and I looked back at the biggest stories of the year, in the last 2023 episode of Counsel Culture. ??

It really has been a year of twists and turns. Who would have thought at the start of the year we would be seeing the the first steps towards the creation of A&O Shearman, which surely will? dominate the headlines next year; the Axiom Ince fallout and its ongoing impact on the industry (and the credibility of the SRA; Paul Weiss’ London growth strides with some of the biggest hires of the year; and the continuing impact of geopolitical conflict on the operations of international law firms.

2023 has also been a year of growth for Byfield, with great hires across levels, some well-deserved promotions, new client wins and fascinating disputes work, not to mention corporate communications and issues management projects throughout the year. We will be working even harder in 2024 after a well-earned rest!.??

Big Questions for January 2024

• With US firms’ financial reporting season just around the corner, how will firms fare in 2024 if the global economic outlook is still uncertain?
• Given how delicately firms have needed to walk the right line in response to the current situation in the Middle East, will many start to take a more conservative approach to speaking about societal or political issues moving forward??
• Given the FCA has announced new listing rules, and the M&A market is picking up in the US, should we prepare for an uptick in transactions next year??
• What can law firms do to start preparing for the election and a likely Labour Government??

Post of the Month

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/william-peake-368953143_everyone-right-now-trying-to-wrap-up-their-activity-7142430514149294081-mvHy?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Lawyer Quote of the Month

“I regard myself as on the side of the angels. I have no sympathy for media organisations who say it’s awful that we have to go through these trials. There were ways to deal with it. They chose to cover it up and not admit it. So, of course, the process is going to be painful,” says David Sherborne from 5RB Chambers in this fascinating Financial Times interview .?

Sherborne recently won a case representing Prince Harry against the Daily Mirror over phone-hacking claims. In this interview, he reflects upon previous trials, his career, and how the media operates.?

Byfield Spotlight.

• Byfield is delighted to have been shortlisted for the CityWealth Brand and Reputation Awards in the following categories:?Agency of the Year: Byfield?Career Highlight of the Year: Gus Sellitto?Rising Star of the Year: Jessica Hancock?Marketing Executive of the Year: Natalia Mesa Koch?

There is a vote taking place to decide the winner, and we could really use your support. Please vote here! https://www.citywealthmag.com/login/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.citywealthmag.com%2Fbrand-management-reputation-awards-shortlist%2F

• ICYMI: We partnered with Giselle Deverat to host a bashing Christmas Hacks & Flacks gathering last week! Thank you to all who attended, it was wonderful to see some new and familiar faces, both journalists and communications professionals, from across the legal community.??

• We also held our Christmas party this month with some mini-golf and a hearty pub dinner. As per Christmas tradition, this year we made a donation to Cancer Research UK whose independent research and support continues to save lives.?