Major, Lindsey & Africa

This week's MLA Minute explores how firms and legal departments are adapting to changing workforce dynamics, evolving technologies, and new business demands. In this issue: - Senior Partner Trends: Why retirement timelines continue to shift - Chicago Market Spotlight: Growth, competition, and hiring activity in a key legal market - AI & Early Talent: How summer associates are being trained for the future of legal work - Hybrid Capital Structures: The legal expertise increasingly required to support complex investments - Interim Legal Talent: How organizations are leveraging flexible legal support to meet business demands Read the full MLA Minute for timely insights on legal leadership, talent strategy, and market trends shaping the profession. #MLAGlobal #LegalTalent #LawFirmLeadership #LegalCareers #InterimLegalTalent

Legal and compliance leaders aren’t just protecting value anymore. They’re helping create it. New research from Major, Lindsey & Africa and Allvue Systems examines what it takes to attract and retain these leaders at alternative asset managers. Based on responses from 157 General Counsel, Chief Legal Officers, and Chief Compliance Officers, the 2026 Alternatives Legal & Compliance Compensation Report finds: • More than half receive some form of long-term incentive • Median GC/CLO total cash compensation is approximately $1 million • Compensation rises significantly as firm AUM increases • Only 44% say their firm clearly explains how carry or long-term incentive allocations are determined Compensation is becoming more complex. The findings show why structure, transparency, and communication matter. Read the full report: https://hubs.la/Q04y2YZm0 #MLAGlobal #AlternativeInvestments #GeneralCounsel #LegalLeadership #ExecutiveCompensation #MLAGlobal #AlternativeAssets

Major, Lindsey & Africa is pleased to announce the placement of BJay Pak as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Delta Air Lines. BJay brings more than 25 years of legal, regulatory, and leadership experience, including service as a U.S. Attorney, state legislator, and accomplished government regulatory and defense attorney. Melba Hughes, Deborah Ben-Canaan, and the MLA search team were proud to partner with Delta Air Lines on this search. We congratulate BJay and the Delta team and wish them continued success in this next chapter. #MLAGlobal #ExecutiveSearch #GeneralCounsel #LegalLeadership #InHouseCounsel

In Chicago, the associate lateral market is active, but firms are being selective. In the latest Market Spotlight from Major, Lindsey & Africa's Associate Practice Group, Marysol Galaviz shares what's really driving associate hiring in Chicago right now, and what it means for lawyers weighing a move. She breaks down which practice areas are leading lateral activity, which class years are most in demand, and what firms are prioritizing when they evaluate candidates. She also offers practical advice for associates thinking about their next step, even those who aren't actively looking. Watch the full conversation for Marysol's take on the Chicago associate market, and stay tuned for more Market Spotlight videos across key legal markets. https://hubs.ly/Q04sdNpv0 #MLAGlobal #AssociateRecruiting #LateralMarket #LegalCareers #LegalRecruiting

Many legal leaders use the term ALSP (Alternative Legal Service Provider), but there is still significant confusion about what actually falls within the category. The ALSP market encompasses a wide range of solutions that help legal departments and law firms access specialized expertise, increase flexibility, and improve operational efficiency. Legal process outsourcing, managed services, legal technology, consulting and interim legal talent all play a role in the broader ecosystem. Our latest infographic breaks down the ALSP landscape, explains the different types of providers that make up the market and highlights where MLA Interim Legal Talent fits. It also explores why understanding these distinctions can help legal teams make more informed decisions about resourcing, technology and service delivery. View the infographic: https://bit.ly/4xlhkTi Need specialized expertise, additional bandwidth, or interim leadership support? Connect with MLA Interim Legal Talent to explore how flexible legal and compliance talent solutions can help your organization adapt to changing business demands. https://bit.ly/4xlPeY8 #MLAGlobal #ALSP #AlternativeLegalServices #InterimLegalTalent #LegalOperations #LegalInnovation #InHouseCounsel

A familiar question in legal leadership is whether the top role should be General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer and whether both titles can coexist. The answer is still “it depends,” but the context has evolved. Originally published in 2022 and refreshed for today’s market, this piece by Lee Udelsman and Michael Sachs revisits how organizations are thinking about legal leadership titles, why clarity matters, and the limited scenarios where a dual GC/CLO structure can work. If you are navigating title, structure, or succession within your legal function, this offers a practical look at what still holds true and what has shifted. https://hubs.la/Q04ncYBx0 #MLAGlobal #GeneralCounsel #ChiefLegalOfficer #LegalLeadership #InHouseCounsel #CorporateGovernance