News Editor, Solicitors Journal

General counsel gender balance

11 May 202260 Seconds

The news in 60 seconds

According to the Annual Fortune 500 General Counsel Report prepared by Russell Reynolds Associates, general counsel (GC) appointments at US Fortune 500 companies almost reached gender parity for the first time last year. 49 per cent of 59 new GCs appointed were women, compared to 42 per cent in 2020 and 28 per cent in 2018. Ethnic diversity also increased from 24 per cent in 2019 to 34 per cent in 2021. GC “churn” had also risen due to evolving business models and new demands on leaders.

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Supreme Court ruling on fraudulent trading liability

UK Supreme Court clarifies liability of third parties in MTIC fraud and limitation rules for dissolved companies.

Forty years on, surrogacy law is still playing catch-up

Despite international growth in surrogacy, UK law remains reactive, outdated and ill-equipped for today’s challenges

Law firm reports significant caseload rise

A surge in immigration-related legal advice reflects new UK policies tightening regulations affecting businesses and individuals

Tudor v Tecuci District Court: Article 8 extradition appeal analysis

High Court upholds Romanian extradition despite private life arguments

Costs Lawyers seek recognition and support

The Association of Costs Lawyers aims to elevate its members' status and engage the younger workforce

Gig economy drivers challenge their status

Former eCourier drivers have launched a legal claim to secure workers' rights against misclassification

When is an environmental case not an Aarhus claim?

Court of Appeal narrows Aarhus costs protection, requiring direct breach of environmental law, not incidental impacts.

Commonhold’s fragile foundations: risk and reality

Commonhold promises fairness and simplicity, but unresolved enforcement and financial risks threaten its stability and long-term value

How the amended English Arbitration Act puts London at the centre of global arbitration reform

The Arbitration Act 2025 introduces reforms enhancing efficiency, certainty, and London’s global leadership in international arbitration

Support needed for UK retailers now

Clarke Willmott LLP calls for intervention in the autumn statement to avert worsening conditions in retail

Court of Appeal clarifies GDPR compensation thresholds in Farley v Equiniti

Court of Appeal establishes new precedent on data breach compensation claims.

Crest Nicholson v Secretary of State: Water neutrality upheld in planning decision

High Court affirms water neutrality condition for housing development near ecologically sensitive sites.

O Argence-Lafon v Ark Syndicate Management: EAT whistleblowing judgement analysis

Employment Appeal Tribunal clarifies protected disclosure requirements in insurance sector whistleblowing case

Sky UK Limited v Ofcom: Electronic communications services classification under regulatory scrutiny

Court of Appeal clarifies electronic communications service definitions in telecommunications regulation framework.

SRA addresses issues in law firms' high-volume claims

The SRA's review reveals significant failures by law firms in their duty to clients in high-volume claims

SJ Interview: James Palmer CBE

James Palmer CBE, Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, has long been recognised as one of the UK’s most influential corporate lawyers and policy voices. Awarded a CBE in 2025 for his services to business and law, he has combined a high-profile career in M&A with decades of work on legal reform. In this interview, he discusses the challenges of legislative inflation and corporate advice, access to justice, and the future role of technology.

The SQE is failing its own test

Five years on, the SQE is underperforming, and targeted reforms could close persistent gaps.