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Our resources, including market insights, career advice, salary guides, hiring advice and thought leadership, offer up-to-date and relevant advice for the legal, risk and compliance market.

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From Legal Counsel to General Counsel: what sets future leaders apart?

  • Posted October 30, 2026
Contents Share Key insights The role of the General Counsel (GC) has changed significantly over the past decade. As legal teams have become more integrated into business operations, organisations now expect their senior legal leaders to contribute far beyond legal advice. Today’s GC is often a key member of the leadership team, providing strategic guidance […]
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Data center growth is reshaping U.S. real estate: What does it mean for legal teams?

  • Posted October 26, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Data centers have become a major area of U.S. commercial real estate. Demand from AI, cloud computing and hyperscale operators is accelerating investment in digital infrastructure. JLL’s report, data center demand exceeds expectations in H1 2026 , shows how quickly that demand is growing. AI data centers and hyperscale data centers […]
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Legal readiness and enterprise value: what professional services firms must get right before investment or sale

  • Posted October 22, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Private equity investment continues to reshape the professional services market.   While much of the activity to date has focused on accountancy and financial advisory businesses, investors are increasingly looking at consulting, executive search, compliance, legal services and other specialist advisory firms. Recent transactions involving businesses such as Azets, Cooper Parry and […]
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Why risk management skills are increasingly critical for legal professionals 

  • Posted October 22, 2026
Contents Share Key insights The role of in-house legal teams has evolved significantly in recent years. Legal professionals are not just expected to advise after an issue arises. They are increasingly asked to anticipate potential problems, assess their impact and help organizations mitigate business risk.  This is backed by the latest data from our 2026 […]
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Why lawyers are leaving law firms for in-house technology companies

  • Posted October 20, 2026
Contents Share Key insights The legal profession is experiencing a notable shift. Changing workplace culture, personal and professional goals, and the enticing growth of technology companies are driving a move from private practice to in-house.  While moving from private practice to in-house is not new, the pace at which lawyers are gravitating towards high-growth technology […]
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The expanding remit for in-house legal (and the breaking point)

  • Posted October 19, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Over the past few years, the role of an in-house legal leader has expanded significantly, often taking on more non-traditional responsibilities and exerting greater influence at the executive level. This growing influence brings opportunities, but it also creates pressure. As new technologies gather pace and budgets remain constrained, the support available to […]
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UK and Ireland in-house legal recruitment market update Q4

  • Posted October 15, 2026
Contents Key insights Corporate and commercial, London Banking and financial services, London Regional UK Ireland Corporate and commercial, London Q3 saw the in-house legal market remain resilient, although hiring activity was more measured than in the first half of the year. Businesses continued to invest in legal talent where there was a clear business case, […]
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North America in-house legal market update Q4

  • Posted October 9, 2026
Contents Key insights As we head into Q4, energy stands out as an important area of demand for organizations hiring in-house legal professionals across North America. We are seeing opportunities across the sector, from traditional oil and gas businesses to renewables and infrastructure.  That demand is not limited to one established legal center. Hiring activity […]
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Southern Europe’s rise in mid-market PE and what it means for legal hiring

  • Posted October 9, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Southern Europe has emerged as one of the most attractive regions for mid-market private equity investment. Spain, Italy and Portugal are attracting growing interest from both domestic and international funds, driven by strong founder-owned businesses, succession opportunities and a growing number of companies entering periods of transformation and international expansion.  One of the […]
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Broadening your perspective: Niro Dahanayake on growing through trusteeship

  • Posted October 8, 2026
Contents Share For Niro Dahanayake, Legal Director at Warner Bros. Discovery, trusteeship has been a chance to apply her legal skills beyond the corporate environment while supporting a cause she has long cared about.  Niro joined the board of Ealing Book Festival in 2024. The charity promotes the enjoyment of books, reading and writing across the […]
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AI for in-house legal teams: what works, what doesn’t and what’s next

  • Posted October 7, 2026
Contents Share Artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from an emerging technology to a strategic consideration for in-house legal teams. The conversation is no longer centred on whether lawyers should use AI, but on where it can deliver meaningful value, where caution is needed and how legal professionals can adapt as the technology evolves. At a […]
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Five capabilities that matter in a first General Counsel hire for life sciences

  • Posted October 7, 2026
Contents Share Key insights When a life sciences or pharmaceutical business is ready to make its first senior legal appointment, our in-house legal recruitment team helps leaders define the capabilities the role must cover before they go to market. A funding round, clinical milestone, licensing agreement or move towards commercialisation can all create pressure to […]
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Where are regional businesses struggling to hire lawyers?

  • Posted September 22, 2026
Contents Share Key insights The UK regional in-house legal market continues to evolve at pace. Over the last decade, businesses across Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and other regional centres have invested heavily in legal capability, creating increasingly sophisticated legal functions outside London.  While this growth has created exciting opportunities for lawyers, it has also intensified talent competition. Many employers are finding […]
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From General Counsel to CEO: how legal leaders can make the leap

  • Posted September 22, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Katherine Potter (Katie) has led a public company as CEO and served as General Counsel in listed and private equity-backed businesses. She explains why the move from legal adviser to business leader starts long before the title changes, and what ambitious GCs can do now to prepare for it. For many […]
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Talent is everywhere, access is not: Russell Johnstone on purposeful trusteeship

  • Posted September 9, 2026
Contents Share For Russell Johnstone, trusteeship is where senior commercial judgment meets social purpose. With a career advising some of the UK’s most prominent consumer, media and technology businesses, including as General Counsel for BT’s Consumer division, he now brings board-level judgment, regulatory fluency and commercial discipline to three organisations united by a powerful idea: […]
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How data protection leaders can hold the C-suite’s attention

  • Posted September 4, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Executive attention is the scarcest resource a data protection function competes for. Winning the C-suite’s attention is often the easy part: a regulatory deadline or a data breach naturally puts privacy on the board agenda without any effort from the Data Protection Officer (DPO).   Keeping that attention is what allows privacy programmes to grow beyond a team of one.  Across data protection recruitment, the […]
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How tech and life sciences companies should hire legal leaders for growth

  • Posted September 4, 2026
Contents Share Key insights High-growth companies rarely need the same legal function for long.  A technology startup may initially need support with intellectual property and commercial contracts before enterprise growth, AI adoption or international expansion changes the legal brief. A life sciences company may move from fundraising and IP protection into clinical development, licensing and commercialization.  The challenge is recognising when […]
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What does a data centre lawyer do? Understanding one of the legal market’s most elusive skill sets

  • Posted September 3, 2026
Contents Share Key insights What is the remit of a data centre lawyer? It is a question we are being asked with increasing frequency by C-suite leaders preparing to make their first General Counsel hire, by existing in-house legal teams assessing where their capability gaps lie, and by lawyers themselves trying to understand how to […]
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Real estate partner hiring in Birmingham law firms

  • Posted September 3, 2026
Contents Share Key insights While activity across the Birmingham legal market remains strong, one practice area continues to attract more partner-level investment than any other: real estate. According to publicly available data tracked by Pirical, real estate accounted for 20 lateral partner hires in Birmingham between July 2025 and July 2026, representing 24% of all […]
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Why more businesses are building in-house legal teams in UK regions

  • Posted September 2, 2026
Contents Share Key insights The UK’s in-house legal recruitment market has evolved significantly over the past decade. Businesses across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and other major UK centres are building established legal functions, creating more choice over where organisations hire and where lawyers build their careers. This is not simply a shift away from London. It […]
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Building a legal team? Why an interim General Counsel could be your first hire

  • Posted September 2, 2026
Contents Share Key insights For many growing businesses, hiring General Counsel and Legal Directors is a significant milestone. The challenge is knowing exactly when the business is ready for a permanent legal leader, understanding the difference between a General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer, and what that role should ultimately look like. Rather than recruiting […]
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The talent advantage in private equity exits

  • Posted August 28, 2026
Contents Share Key insights At a recent forum hosted with a leading mid-market private equity fund, portfolio company leaders were asked to identify their two biggest priorities when preparing for an exit or IPO. The results were fascinating. The overwhelming focus was on balancing exit preparation with business-as-usual delivery. Understandably, management teams are under immense […]
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The skills company secretaries need to progress into senior roles

  • Posted July 28, 2026
Contents Share Key insights The company secretary role has always sat close to the boardroom, but the expectations placed on the function have changed considerably. Strong technical governance expertise remains essential, but it is no longer enough on its own. Today’s company secretaries are expected to help boards navigate regulation, stakeholder pressure, ESG scrutiny, technology […]
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How in-house legal teams in the US energy sector are adapting to regulatory complexity

  • Posted July 28, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Large-scale energy projects have always been complex.  What is changing is how early, and how extensively, legal teams are now involved in shaping whether those projects can move forward.  From permitting and environmental compliance to project finance, stakeholder management and major commercial agreements, in-house counsel recruitment is evolving as lawyers become involved much earlier […]
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How in-house legal recruitment is changing in Toronto

  • Posted July 8, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Toronto remains one of Canada’s most active legal hiring markets, but the conversation has shifted. The biggest challenge facing employers is no longer simply finding legal talent. It is understanding what experienced in-house lawyers want from their next role and adapting hiring strategies accordingly. Across Canada, legal teams are taking on […]
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How European regulatory change is reshaping legal hiring in private equity

  • Posted July 7, 2026
Contents Key insights European private equity has always operated across borders, but the challenges facing legal teams are changing. While navigating multiple jurisdictions remains important, the bigger issue for many investors, portfolio companies and management teams is preparing for a wave of regulatory developments that will shape transactions, governance and value creation over the coming […]
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What data centre investment means for infrastructure lawyers

  • Posted July 3, 2026
Contents Key insights Over the past decade, infrastructure investment has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. Traditionally anchored in assets such as roads, ports, and utilities, infrastructure funds are now allocating significant capital to digital assets: most notably, data centres. This shift has been driven by the exponential growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, streaming […]
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European in-house legal market update Q3

  • Posted July 1, 2026
Contents Key insights Speaking with clients and candidates across Europe this quarter, there is a clear sense that in-house legal teams are operating in a more complex and more visible environment than even a year ago. Shifting regulation, geopolitical pressure and ongoing economic uncertainty are reshaping both hiring priorities and the role of legal within […]
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Public, private or PE-backed business: what’s the difference for a GC in Europe? 

  • Posted June 26, 2026
Contents Share Key insights   The title may stay the same, but the role of a general counsel can look very different depending on ownership structure. A GC operating within a listed multinational faces a very different set of expectations to one supporting a founder-led private business or a private equity-backed portfolio company.  Across Europe, these differences are becoming more pronounced as organisations […]
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Thinking around corners: a private equity GC’s view on anticipating risk

  • Posted June 25, 2026
Contents Key insights Nikki Newton sat down with Bryn Grassia Jones, General Counsel at Salica, to talk about the realities of operating as a GC in a VC and growth fund environment, and why the ability to anticipate risk, rather than simply react to it, has become one of the most important qualities in the […]
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What UK tech firms look for in in-house legal hires

  • Posted June 25, 2026
Contents Key insights The UK technology sector has evolved significantly over the past decade, and so too have expectations of in-house lawyers. While technical legal excellence remains important, the most successful technology companies are increasingly seeking lawyers who can serve as strategic business partners, support growth agendas, and navigate rapidly evolving regulatory frameworks. When hiring […]
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Moving up, across or repositioning: Strategic moves for UK law firm careers

  • Posted June 22, 2026
Contents Key insights For junior and mid-level lawyers in the UK, the next move is less about leaving a firm and more about positioning your career for what comes next. By this stage, you’ve already built a strong technical foundation within the UK market. The question is no longer simply “where can I go?” but […]
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How to build a career in legal operations

  • Posted June 18, 2026
Contents Key insights Legal operations is one of the most interesting career paths in in-house legal today because it sits at the point where legal advice, business strategy, technology and process improvement all meet. For junior professionals, that makes it a particularly strong route into a long-term in-house legal career. You do not need to […]
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How Ontario’s pay transparency legislation is changing legal recruitment

  • Posted June 16, 2026
Contents Share Key insights Ontario’s new pay transparency requirements are set to change more than just job postings. For organizations investing in in-house legal recruitment, they are likely to influence hiring processes, candidate expectations and compensation conversations across the province.  Introduced through the Working for Workers Four Act (Bill 149), the legislation requires Ontario employers to include a salary range or range […]
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The modern GC: culture, conduct and the judgement no one trains you for

  • Posted June 11, 2026
Contents Key insights The role of the general counsel is evolving in ways that are not always captured in formal job descriptions. While much attention has been given to the expanding scope of the role and the increasing regulatory burden, the more fundamental shift is subtler. Many of the most challenging aspects of being a […]
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A career shift into risk and compliance in UK law firms: what lawyers need to know

  • Posted May 18, 2026
Contents Key insights We’re seeing a clear shift across the UK legal market: more lawyers are actively exploring moves into risk and compliance roles within law firms, with growing interest in long-term compliance careers. This isn’t limited to one practice area or level of seniority; we are seeing interest from associates through to general counsel. […]
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The new shape of compliance in UK law firms and the hiring gaps it’s creating

  • Posted May 18, 2026
Contents Key insights Law firm compliance is no longer a background control function designed to “keep the regulator happy”. Over the last few years, it has become a central operational and reputational pillar and one that firms are increasingly expected to evidence as robust, scalable and commercially aware. What we are seeing now is not […]
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Five signs it’s time for London solicitors to move firms

  • Posted May 18, 2026
Contents Key insights For most solicitors, the decision to move firms is rarely driven by a single moment. More often, it is the gradual accumulation of signals: the sense that progression has slowed, that the firm’s direction no longer aligns with your own, or that the work you are doing no longer stretches or excites […]
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Stepping into a PE-backed business: a GC’s perspective

  • Posted May 15, 2026
Contents Key insights Georgia Morgan Wynne spoke to Kristin McFetridge, General Counsel at MVF Global, about the realities of stepping into a private equity-backed business and why success in the role has less to do with law, and more to do with judgment, pace and people. It’s rarely the legal work that’s the challenge For […]

latest salary guides

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  • Salary guides

Hong Kong law firm salary guide

Hong Kong’s private practice market has entered a new phase of growth, with hiring activity increasing and firms placing greater…
  • Salary guides

Global in-house legal market report and salary guide

2026 – 2027 report pre-order 2026 – 2027 in-house legal report Our global in-house legal market report and salary guide…
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  • Salary guides

UK risk, compliance and governance salary guide

Our UK risk, compliance and governance salary guide for 2026-2027 combines the latest salary benchmarks with expert market insights across…
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  • Salary guides

US in-house legal, risk and compliance salary guide

We are delighted to present the second editionof Taylor Root’s United States legal salary guide. This guide provides a clear…
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  • Salary guides

Middle East law firm salary guide

2026 – 2027 report download Our Middle East law firm salary guide 2026–2027 brings together the latest salary benchmarks and…
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  • Salary guides

UK compliance salary guide for financial services

We’re excited to launch the latest Taylor Root UK compliance salary guide for financial services 2025–2026. As the compliance landscape…
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  • Salary guides

UK risk salary guide for financial services

We’re excited to launch the latest Taylor Root UK risk salary guide for financial services 2025–2026. With regulatory change, cost…
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  • Salary guides

UK data protection salary guide

We are delighted to present the first editionof Taylor Root’s UK data protection salary guide. Data privacy and protection are…
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  • Salary guides

UK company secretarial salary guide 2025

We are delighted to present Taylor Root’s company secretarial salary guide for 2025, covering FTSE-listed companies, insurance, banking, private limited…
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  • Salary guides

Singapore law firm salary guide 2025

It is our pleasure to introduce the Singapore Law firm salary guide for 2025. As Asia’s premier legal, risk and…
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  • Salary guides

Asia in-house legal, risk, and compliance salary guide 2024-2025

In 2024, the recruitment landscape was characterized by a slow but steady growth in a global economic environment shaped by…
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  • Salary guides

APAC risk and compliance salary guide 2023-2024

APAC’s premier risk and compliance search and recruitment specialists. Our talented team of recruitment professionals are ready to partner with…

Latest how-to guides

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  • https://www.taylorroot.com/report-category/guides/Guides

How to hire your first in-house attorney | US

When is the right time to hire your first attorney? This practical guide explains the key steps and decisions involved…
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CV and interview guide

A strong CV and interview performance can make all the difference when you’re looking for your next legal, risk, compliance…
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A guide to AI integration within in-house legal teams

AI is rapidly changing the way in-house legal teams operate. Our guide to AI integration within in-house legal teams provides…
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  • Market reports

The art of legal leadership: A playbook for GCs in private equity and portfolio companies

Why download the guide? Private equity general counsels are expected to balance commercial priorities, manage risk and support value creation…
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Living and working in Australia: A guide for UK and Ireland lawyers

Thinking about relocating to Australia? Australia remains a popular move for UK and Ireland lawyers, offering a familiar legal system,…
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  • https://www.taylorroot.com/report-category/guides/Guides

Living and working guide to London for Irish Lawyers

Are you an Irish-qualified corporate Lawyer considering your next big move? With US and international law firms actively seeking top…
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  • https://www.taylorroot.com/report-category/guides/Guides
  • Market reports

The US essential guide to hiring an in-house paralegal

Hiring an in-house paralegal? Paralegals are now central to legal teams, bringing specialist knowledge, cost-effective support, and flexibility to every…
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The essential guide for Associates interviewing in law firms

If you’re about to interview for that law firm job, be ready for these hard-hitting law firm interview questions! Job…

Upcoming events

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  • Event

General Counsel in media, entertainment and sport networking breakfast

  • Tue, 17 November 2026 8:30 am – 10:30 am
How are legal leaders in media navigating today’s shifting landscape, from regulatory pressures to evolving business models? We are excited to be running another one of our General Counsel breakfasts, designed specifically for legal leaders in media, entertainment and sport. Hosted in London’s West End by the Taylor Root in-house legal recruitment experts Davina Fisher, […]
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Legal leaders in fintech: The AI adoption challenge

  • Thu, 19 November 2026 8:30 am – 10:30 am
As AI becomes more embedded in legal and compliance functions, legal leaders face a challenge that goes beyond choosing the right technology. How do you select the right solutions, encourage meaningful adoption and ensure their use is ethical and legally sound, while managing expectations across the wider business? This discussion will explore the practical realities […]
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Process transformation and compliance: what will the function look like in 2030?

  • Wed, 25 November 2026 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Please join us for an exclusive roundtable discussion with Candace Steele, Group Risk Director at Canopius, as we explore how process transformation, technology and changing regulatory expectations are reshaping the future of compliance. As firms face increasing pressure to deliver more effective oversight with greater efficiency, compliance leaders are rethinking operating models, embracing automation and […]
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The PE and portfolio GC community: Christmas drinks

  • Thu, 26 November 2026 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us at Diptyque on Bond Street for an exclusive Christmas private shopping experience with Taylor Root’s PE and portfolio GC community. As the year draws to a close, we’re bringing together General Counsel from across private equity and portfolio businesses for a relaxed evening of Christmas shopping, conversation and networking at Diptyque, the French […]
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Legal HR Christmas drinks

  • Thu, 3 December 2026 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Our annual Taylor Root and Frazer Jones Legal HR Christmas drinks and canapés event is back for 2026. The event promises to be a delightful gathering, bringing together HR leadership and professionals from prominent international and domestic law firms across Singapore. Location: VUE, OUE Bayfront We kindly request you to RSVP by Friday 13th November […]