In this feature article, Nicola Ellen, Head of Corporate Responsibility, and Joanne Sear, Principal Associate at member firm Shoosmiths, provide key insights on changing ESG issues over time and why a robust ESG strategy and evidence of progress is becoming ever more important.

 

 

In this Latin Counsel interview, David Gutiérrez, Partner at member firm BLP discusses important components of Smart Collaboration for overcoming individualistic and selfish tendencies to achieve collective success.

 

Andreas Urban Profile

 

WSG member HEUKING has launched a new firm brand identity that includes an abbreviated firm name, streamlined logo and corresponding contemporary graphic updates across all brand assets. The new brand provides increased visibility and reflects the firms’ continued growth and strong market position. 

Dr. Andreas Urban, Managing Partner at Heuking, provides further details on the new brand launch.

WSG: You have shortened the name of your law firm, what was the reason to do so?

Dr. Andreas Urban: By streamlining our logo, we intend to further solidify our strong market position and make the revised appearance of the law firm more contemporary and visually appealing in all aspects beginning in 2024. We will increase the visibility of the brand. And it will be easier to spell, especially for foreign languages.

WSG: Have you ever changed the name before? 

Dr. Andreas Urban: Over the past decades, the name of the law firm established by Hans Günter Heuking and Wolfgang Kühn in 1971 has undergone multiple modifications. Name partners Hans-Jochem Lüer and Ralf J. Wojtek were added in the 1990s, but since then, the name Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek has remained a constant on the legal market. But now it is time for a modernized market presence.

WSG: Why did you choose HEUKING?

Dr. Andreas Urban: We have often used only the name HEUKING in spoken language in the past. The shortened brand appearance is already reflected on the law firm’s website and in its email addresses. Now it is time for the new brand. We have consistently provided the most excellent service by giving personal advice in a succinct and straightforward manner. This will now be reflected in the abbreviated name as well.

WSG: Will you also change your corporate design?

Dr. Andreas Urban: We are also gradually adapting our corporate design and modernizing the look and feel. The new appearance of the corporate design and the succinctness and clarity of the logo reflect the firm’s emphasis: it is entrepreneurial, dynamic, and goal oriented. Our claim is: “One name and many experts.”

 

Andreas Urban Profile

 

Focusing on important tax laws to understand in the Latin America region, the WSG Tax Group has published a guide offering detailed country-by-country insights, updates and trends with these laws and policies in the region.

Over 35 tax expert members in 17 Latin America jurisdictions contributed to the guide, which is a testament to the power of WSG member partnerships and the highest level of expertise WSG members provide on key industry updates and trends.

 

Latin America Tax Guide

Focusing on the importance of clear and concise standards of protection for whistleblowers across the European region, the WSG Employment and Labor Group has published a European Whistleblower Report with country-by-country updates on how each is implementing the EU Whistleblowing Directive.

Members in more than 20 European jurisdictions contributed to the report, which is a testament to the power of WSG member relationships and the highest level of expertise WSG members provide on key industry updates and trends.

 

European Whistleblower Report

In this JD Supra exclusive, Herman H. Raspé, Partner at Patterson Belknap and WSG Chair, shares his predictions for global legal practices in 2023, with a focus on the growing use of technology and the benefits of membership in a global legal network.

 

 

In this feature article, "Africa Transformed," WSG member experts at AELEX and ENSafrica provide key insights on how tech is disrupting the nature of legal practice, and what it means for Africa's corporate legal teams.

 

 

View Previous In-House Technology Editions

 

World Services Group with The Legal500/GC Magazine, has published a global series report focused on how in-house counsel and their departments are impacted by trending legal technologies. Over 200 global and regional in-house counsel industry experts participated in the extensive survey and in-depth feature interviews. This current Global Edition is the final report of the global series that included regionally focused insights from Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and North America.

View Previous In-House Technology Editions

 

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Indonesia During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific Vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees in the Asia Pacific region, Makarim & Taira S. provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in the Indonesia. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • Since the start of the pandemic, the government has issued numerous regulations for protecting the health and safety of employees.
  • Remote work is possible for employees, but the implementation of depends on each company.
  • A termination of employment can only happen under certain ground under the law and must be obtained with a final and binding court ruling.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

The Tax Challenges of International Remote Work

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers have seen an increased demand for international remote working arrangements.

Featured Insight 2

New Legal Notice on Digital Platform Work

The Covid-19 pandemic has played an important role in shaping labour markets by accelerating the growth of digital labour platforms which have in turn brought a number of challenges.

Featured Insight 3

Pandemic-Era Extensions for Presenting Government Claims to Public Entity Defendants Expired on October 27, 2022

On October 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 pandemic-related extensions of the deadline to present a government claim to a public entity under the Government Claims Act expired.

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Philippines During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific Vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees in the Asia Pacific region, Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in the Philippines. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • Government workplace guidelines include masking and physical distancing, and the adoption of flexible work arrangements.
  • The government allows grace periods for the payment of rentals, imposed loan moratoriums, and financial assistance to medium and enterprise sized businesses.
  • The Philippines is a "for cause" jurisdiction and employee tenure is protected by law. An employer may end employment only for just or authorized causes.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

The Future of Work: Performance management in a hybrid working world

Hybrid working is now an accepted way of working for many employees who relish the balance it brings to their lives.

Featured Insight 2

Blurred Lines in Healthcare Employment: HIPAA Implications When Employees are Patients

During the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about employee health-privacy-related symptoms, testing, and vaccination became prevalent in discussions about the workplace at all levels-from "the water cooler" to national news.

Featured Insight 3

Law on the contract of employees of digital platforms comes into effect

On September 1st, 2022, Law No. 21,431 that modifies the Labor Code to regulate the contract of employees of companies providing services through digital platforms entered into effect.

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