Bryan Canning

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Brief

europe, issue 3 · nov 11, 2026

Europe's firms bet on AI and America.

A&O Shearman commits US$1.1 billion over five years to lawyer-built AI, while Clifford Chance hires Sidley's sports co-chair and Freshfields steers Oracle's US$20 billion raise in the US.

6 min read

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tech & aiNov 5 · A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman commits US$1.1 billion to lawyer-built AI

On November 5, A&O Shearman announced a US$1.1 billion, five-year commitment to AI, the majority of which will come from each practice investing at least 3% of its time in building specialist AI tools and services for its area of law. The firm said 96% of partners and 93% of lawyers used its AI tools in September 2026, and that client uptake of ContractMatrix, which it built with Microsoft and Harvey, rose ninefold over the last 12 months.

why it matters

Valuing lawyer time spent on AI as an investment turns an internal efficiency story into a headline number; rivals may now face questions about their own.

sources A&O Shearman accelerates AI strategy with a USD1.1 billion lawyer-led commitment A&O Shearman ramps up AI push with five-year plan it says is worth $1.1bn
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lateral hireNov 10 · Clifford Chance, Sidley Austin

Clifford Chance hires Sidley sports co-chair Charles Baker

Clifford Chance announced on November 10 that Charles H. Baker, co-chair of Sidley Austin's entertainment, sports and media group, joins its Private Equity practice in the US and will chair its global entertainment and sports sector team alongside European partners Luis Alonso and Christopher Yates. Baker is advising on the US$12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction; the firm says he is its 13th partner addition in the US in 2026.

why it matters

A UK firm adding a US sports dealmaker to lead a global sector team suggests sector teams, not just practices, are becoming lateral targets; sports private equity is the pitch.

sources Clifford Chance Strengthens Global Sports Private Equity Practice with Hire of Veteran Dealmaker Charles H. Baker Clifford Chance makes major US sports play with hire of Sidley practice co-chair
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dealNov 5 · Freshfields

Freshfields advises Oracle on US$20 billion of concurrent offerings

Freshfields advised Oracle on concurrent underwritten public offerings totalling US$20 billion, made up of US$10 billion of common stock and US$10 billion of senior notes, the firm said on November 5. Partners Sarah Solum (Silicon Valley, global co-head of capital markets) and Jacqueline Marino (New York) led the team.

why it matters

Leading for the issuer on a US$20 billion US tech capital raise is a marquee credential for Freshfields' US capital markets practice.

source Freshfields Advises Oracle on $20bn Concurrent Common Stock and Senior Notes Offerings
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dealNov 6 · Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May advises Chesnara on buying MetLife UK

Slaughter and May said on November 6 that it is advising Chesnara on its acquisition of MetLife UK Limited, MetLife's closed-book UK life insurance company. The business has about 18,000 customer policies and £1.7 billion of assets under administration; the price was not disclosed, and completion is expected in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approval.

why it matters

Closed-book life deals remain a steady source of UK insurance M&A work, and Slaughter and May fielded a six-practice team on this one.

sources Slaughter and May is advising Chesnara on its acquisition of MetLife UK Limited, MetLife's closed-book life insurance company Chesnara buys closed-book UK life insurance business of MetLife
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dealNov 10 · Freshfields

Freshfields advises APG on a €500 million infrastructure partnership with Equitix

Freshfields advised APG Asset Management, on behalf of pension fund ABP, on a €500 million partnership with Equitix: €400 million through a strategic managed account, with up to a further €100 million that may go into the Equitix Growth Infrastructure Fund, subject to final arrangements, the firm said on November 10. The portfolio is expected to cover UK and continental European assets, including rolling stock, offshore electricity transmission and water.

why it matters

Pension money reaching European infrastructure through managed accounts rather than only blind-pool funds is a structure worth watching for advisers on both sides.

source Freshfields advises APG on €500m infrastructure partnership with Equitix

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