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Innovation, innovation...

31 March 2011 / Steven Mcnab
Issue: 7459 / Categories: Features , Profession , Environment , Technology
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Law firms must develop their entrepreneurial spirit & adapt to prosper, says Steven McNab

The cleantech sector is one with enormous growth potential over the coming decades. With constraints on energy, water and other resources, the technology innovations across this diverse sector are exactly what needs to be encouraged to help us move toward a more sustainable future.

Investors certainly recognise the potential. During 2010, while financial conditions for most sectors were slowing or shrinking, the renewable energy sector, just one aspect of the cleantech pantheon, saw new investment rise by 30% to an unprecedented US$24bn globally. In the UK, security of supply, stability of energy costs, the imminent energy gap as old coal and nuclear plant fall offline, and carbon constraints are changing behaviour.

This, of course, throws up numerous opportunities for legal firms. Simmons & Simmons has a track record in the energy and environmental sector, and we wanted to build on this, supporting cleantech businesses across the spectrum. This was one of the main drivers for launching the Cleantech Curve

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
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